4-2026

CONTENTS # 4/2026

Mashkovtsev G.A., Tarbaev M.B., Ermakov F.N.

All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources named after N.M. Fedorovsky (FSBI “VIMS”)

PECHORA AND TAIMYR COAL BASINS: PROSPECTS FOR INCREASING RAW MATERIAL PRODUCTION AND EXPANDING THE RESOURCE BASE

Two adjacent coal basins of the Subarctic region — the Pechora and Taimyr basins — are directly adjacent to the ocean coast and the Northern Sea Route. This article examines the main coal deposits and resources, as well as the potential for their active development and the transportation of extracted coal for export in eastern and western directions. A brief description of the Pechora
and Taimyr basins is provided, demonstrating the potential for significantly increasing the latter’s resource potential. The shared interest in developing these coal basins is driven by their proximity to the Northern Sea Route and the need to increase freight traffic along the transport corridor.

Keywords: hard coal, anthracite, cargo terminals, underground and open-pit coal mining.

Р. 4

Laptev Yu.I., Ladeyshchikov A.V.

JSC Dalur, Kurgan Region

EXPANSION OF THE URANIUM MINERAL RESOURCE BASE IN THE TRANS-URAL REGION: TASKS AND SOLUTIONS

This publication examines the key challenges facing the mineral resource base of uranium deposits in the Trans-Ural region. It presents the history of deposit development in the Ural uranium ore region, the geological structure and geological model of ore formation, and the geological structure and geotechnical conditions of the Dalmatovskoye, Khokhlovskoye, and Dobrovolnoye deposits. The current status and key development challenges for each deposit are discussed, and solutions are proposed.

Keywords: uranium deposits, in-situ leaching, aquifers, ore deposits, proven reserves, recovery, and projected resources.

Р. 10

Kremenetsky A. A.

Institute of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Crystal Chemistry of Rare Elements (FSBI IMGRE)

PRE-MESOZOIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD OCEAN: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

This paper discusses the concept of a unified (pre-Mesozoic and Mesozoic-Cenozoic) history of the World Ocean, based on the initially dissymmetric formation of the Earth’s “continental” and “marine” hemispheres under different meteorite-asteroid bombardment regimes of the proto-planets. The structural features and formation conditions of the continental margins of the modern World Ocean basins, as well as the adjacent continents, indicate the formation and development of the Arctic-Indo-Atlantic megabasin on
the ancient continental crust, and the Indo-Pacific megabasin on the ancient oceanic crust.

Keywords: Moon-Earth dissymmetry, xenogenic zircons, World Ocean megabasins.

Р. 20

Melnikov A.V.², Stepanov V.A.¹

1 — Institute of Geology and Environmental Management of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Blagoveshchensk, 2 — Scientific Research Geotechnological Center of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND SOURCES OF GOLD PLACER FORMATION IN THE URKIMA RIVER BASIN, AMUR REGION

Information is provided on the gold placers of the Urkima River basin in the Amur Province of the Russian Far East, from which about 36 tons of gold have been extracted. The placers are confined to a large central-type structure in Late Archean metamorphic rocks, which predetermined the fan-shaped pattern of gold-bearing streams. A description is given of the main features of the placers containing fine, medium, and coarse high-grade native gold (854–930 ‰, nuggets up to 700 g). Primary sources are represented by the Odolgo deposit and gold occurrences hosted in crushing and schistosity zones, penetrated by quartz veins and veinlets, sometimes with sulfide dissemination. Among ore minerals, the amount of which does not exceed 1–5 %, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, basobismuthite, molybdenite, scheelite, pyrrhotite predominate, sometimes with titanomagnetite and ilmenite. It has been established that erosion of mineralization led to centripetal transport of gold into the valleys of the Urkima River and its tributaries. The prospects of the basin are associated with further study of the flanks and deep horizons of the Odolgo deposit, search for new ore objects, and reprocessing of technogenic tailings using new technologies.

Keywords: gold placers, deposit, gold-quartz formation, native gold, syncline, Amur Gold Province, gold potential prospects.

Р. 33

Abdunabieva M.V., Janibekov B.O.

Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan

INFLUENCE OF HOST ROCKS OF THE HANDIZA ORE OCCURRENCE ON MINERALIZATION LOCALIZATION

The influence of the lithological and chemical composition of the host rocks of the Khandiza ore occurrence on the localization of pyrite-polymetallic mineralization is investigated. Based on the analysis of chemical compositions and pH of aqueous extracts, the acid-base properties and reactivity of the rocks are established. It is shown that the scale of ore bodies depends on the chemical activity of the environment and its capacity for metasomatic replacement. It is revealed that quartz-sericite and chlorite metasomatites, as well as chloritized dolomites, are the most favorable for the emplacement of massive ores. Microquartzites and sandstones are chemically inert, therefore the mineralization in them has a veinlet-disseminated character. It is proven that the evolution of solutions from weakly acidic to weakly alkaline contributed to the deposition of sulfides in the alkaline environment of metasomatites.

Keywords: Khandiza ore occurrence, host rocks, pyrite-polymetallic mineralization, metasomatism, hydrothermal processes, ore localization, acid-base properties, quartz-sericite rocks.

Р. 39

Antipov V.S. (independent expert)

INTEGRATING COSMOSPECTRAL AND AEROMAGNETIC DATA IN SEARCHING FOR PRIMARY DIAMOND DEPOSITS IN SPECTRALLY-MINERALOGICALLY CLOSED TERRITORIES

The article presents information substantiating the joint use of cosmospectral and aeromagnetic information in the search for primary diamond deposits in spectral-mineralogically closed territories. The novelty of the technique lies in the use of spectral endodynamic anomalies of the near-kimberlite space, detected during thematic processing of satellite images (SI), and the joint application of this information with aeromagnetic survey data. Cosmospectral-aeromagnetic components of the predictive-search model (PSM), predictive criterias and search features used to identify diamond-prospective magnetic anomalies in the North Karelian plain have been developed.

Keywords: cosmospectral endodynamic, aeromagnetic anomalies, components of a predictive-search model, predictive criteria, search signs of diamond deposits in the north of the East European Platform (EEP), diamond-prospective aeromagnetic anomalies.

Р. 46

Zhansugurov D.O.^{1, 2}, Danilov A.A.^{1, 3}, Chistilin P.E.⁴, Yazikov E.G.¹, Elekeev E.M.^{1, 5}, Aitekeeva S.N.³, Gritsienko A.S.³, Magometova A.Yu.⁶

1 — Tomsk Polytechnic University; 2 — LLP JV “Budenovskoe” (NAC “Kazatomprom”), Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan; 3 — Institute of High Technologies (NAC “Kazatomprom”), Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan;
4 — JSC “Volkovgeology”, branch of “Geotechnocenter”, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan; 5 — JSC “Samruk-Kazyna”, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan;
6 — APPAK LLP, Shymkent, Republic of Kazakhstan

USING RE-ACIDIFICATION IN CELLS AT THE POST-LEACHING STAGE TO INCREASE THE URANIUM CONTENT IN PRODUCTIVE SOLUTIONS AND INCREASE PRODUCTION RATES

This paper examines data from pilot projects to modify the uranium post-leaching regime, conducted directly at operating uranium production units using in-situ leaching (ISL). These projects were based on preliminary laboratory core tests. The research results demonstrate improvements in the geotechnical parameters of uranium leaching at one of Kazakhstan’s deposits.
Pilot tests were conducted on 19 cells of operating process units. The effectiveness of targeted post-leaching of rocks with solutions containing increased acid content at the final stage of uranium resource development is demonstrated.

Keywords: cell, productive solution, sorption mother liquors, unit completion stage, pilot tests.

Р. 62

Shilyaev A.V.¹, Troshkina I.D.²

1 — Chemical Works (KChKK) Branch of Uralchem JSC, Kirovo-Chepetsk,
2 — D.I. Mendeleev Russian University of Chemical Technology, Moscow

ISOLATION OF RARE-EARTH ELEMENTS CONCENTRATE DURING PROCESSING OF APATITE CONCENTRATE

The results of extracting rare-earth elements (REE) concentrate from nitrogen-phosphorus acid solutions resulting from processing apatite concentrate for the production of phosphorus mineral fertilizers have been obtained. It has been shown that the extraction of rare-earth elements from a nitric-phosphoric acid solution can be carried out using the precipitation method with an aqueous solution of ammonia at a pH range of 0.5–1.8. It has been established that the concentration of rare-earth elements in the solution decreases from 0.09 to 0.01 %, respectively, after precipitation. The degree of rare-earth elements precipitation is 70–90 %, while the content of rare-earth elements in the concentrate is more than 30 %. The influence of temperature on the process was determined: an increase in temperature from 60 to 80 °C does not significantly affect the degree of precipitation and the content of REE in the sediment, but leads to an increase in the calcium content.

Keywords: rare-earth elements, concentrate, nitrogen-phosphorus acid solution, ammonia solution, degree of precipitation, apatite concentrate.

Р. 67

Yazikov E.G.

Tomsk Polytechnic University

TRAINING OF URANIUM GEOLOGY SPECIALISTS AT TOMSK POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

The article considers the history and current state of specialist training in the field of uranium geology at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU). The continuity of the scientific school of the department, its contribution to the development of the domestic uranium industry, and the reasons for the resumption of specialized training after the break in the 1990s are shown. Special attention is paid to the creation and operation of the scientific and educational center, the material and technical base, partnership relations, and the expansion of training for master’s students, postgraduate students, and listeners of advanced training programs in the fields of uranium geology and geology of strategic metals.

Keywords: uranium geology, Tomsk Polytechnic University, specialist training, scientific and educational center, strategic metals.

Р. 73

Bakhur A.E., Zuev D.M., Starodubov A.V., Ovsyannikova T.М., Gulynin A.V., Pechenkin I.G.

All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources named after N.M. Fedorovsky (FSBI “VIMS”)

VIMS IN WORK ON ASSESSING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHERNOBYL DISASTER AND OTHER NUCLEAR INCIDENTS

By the time of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, the Laboratory of Isotopic Analysis Methods of VIMS possessed a wide arsenal of techniques for studying natural objects. VIMS employees were involved in work to assess the consequences of the disaster and forecast changes in the radiation situation. As a result, a system for detecting and investigating so-called hot particles, principles for their classification, and soil pollution levels at control sites and landfills (the 30-km zone of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the Gomel region of Belarus, and the southwestern part of the Bryansk region) were developed. The system and methods developed by VIMS were used in research at other radiation damage sites, such as Lake Karachai (NPO “Mayak”), the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, Chazhma Bay (Primorye), and others.

Keywords: Chernobyl NPP, radiation damage, soil pollution, isotopic method.

Р. 77

Pechenkin I.G., Gribovskaya O.A.

All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources named after N.M. Fedorovsky (FSBI “VIMS”)

JOURNAL “PROSPECTING AND CONSERVATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES”: THE HISTORY OF THE PUBLICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY’S GEOLOGICAL SERVICE

The article examines the history of the scientific and technical journal “Prospecting and Protection of Mineral Resources” in the context of the establishment and development of the national geological service. It considers the circumstances surrounding the journal’s foundation in 1931 and its role in disseminating advanced methods of mineral prospecting, exploration and deposit evaluation, introducing new technologies, and developing geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and engineering geology. The article demonstrates how the journal reflected the challenges of industrialisation, wartime mobilisation and post-war recovery, the formation of the mineral resource base, subsurface protection and professional training. Particular attention is paid to the work of the editorial board, the interaction between science and industry, and such current areas as digital geology, responsible subsurface use, the development of technogenic mineral resources and interdisciplinary specialist training.

Keywords: Prospecting and Protection of Mineral Resources journal, geological service, geological exploration, mineral resource base, history of geology, subsurface protection, digital geology, responsible subsurface use, technogenic mineral resources.

Р. 85

Sychev V.Yu., Tomashev A.V., Grebenkin N.A.

All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources named after N.M. Fedorovsky (FSBI “VIMS”)

INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF MINERAL EXPLORATION ON STEEP AND VERTICAL TERRAIN USING METHOD OF VERTICAL EXPLORATION

The article discusses the innovative Method of Vertical Reconnaissance (MVR) for geological exploration on steep and vertical terrain. The goals and stages of the method are described, which, using certified climbing equipment, allows conducting a complex of studies in previously inaccessible areas: clearing and documentation of workings, lithochemical sampling, and radiometry. The high economic efficiency and safety of MVR are emphasized. Examples of practical application are provided. It is concluded that this method significantly increases the efficiency of exploration for uranium and other solid minerals in complex landscape conditions.

Keywords: method of vertical exploration, steep terrain, vertical terrain, rope technique, uranium, economic efficiency.

Р. 95

Volynin A.F.

SUBSOIL EXPLORATION THROUGH THE EYES OF AN EYEWITNESS: HOW THE FIRST DIAMOND DEPOSIT WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ARKHANGELSK REGION

In Memory of Gustav Zigfridovich Grinevitsky This brief report, based on the recollections of an eyewitness, examines the history of the discovery of the first diamond deposit in the Arkhangelsk Region. Particular attention is given to the role of geophysicist G.Z. Grinevitsky, the results of the 1978 aeromagnetic survey, the identification of the Tuchkino anomaly, and the subsequent drilling that uncovered the Pomorskaya kimberlite pipe. The significance of these studies for the discovery of the M.V. Lomonosov deposit is demonstrated.

Keywords: Zimniy Bereg, diamond potential, kimberlite pipes, G.Z. Grinevitsky, M.V. Lomonosov deposit.

Р. 99