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Date submitted2023-08-31
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-11-12
Geochemical studies of rocks of the Siberian igneous province and their role in the formation theory of unique platinum-copper-nickel deposits
- Authors:
- Nadezhda А. Krivolutskaya
The Norilsk deposits, unique both in their geological structure and reserves of nickel and platinum, have attracted the attention of researchers for several decades. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain their formation. Two of them are the most widely accepted: the model of ore formation in an intermediate chamber from picritic melt enriched in sulphides and the formation of sulphides in situ through the assimilation of sulphate-bearing sediments by tholeiitic magma as it rises to the surface. The main questions regarding the genesis of these deposits are: the composition of the parental magmas that formed the ore-bearing massifs; the relationship between intrusions and effusive rocks; and the extent and role of assimilation of host rocks by magmas. These issues are discussed in the article using a large amount of analytical data obtained by the author during the study of the magmatic rocks and geological structures in the Norilsk area. Based on these data, it was concluded that none of the proposed models could fully explain all observed geological features of the deposits as well as the appearance of the unique sulphide ores. In order to solve the problem of the genesis of the Norilsk deposits, it is necessary to analyse the evolution of P3-T1 magmatism over time in the Siberian large igneous province, especially in its eastern part, and to determine its association with ore-forming processes; and its investigating it is a priority task for understanding sulphide ore formation. Solving this task should be based not only on geophysical data but also on studies of the geochemistry of igneous rocks within the province.
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Date submitted2022-04-11
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Date accepted2022-06-15
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Date published2022-07-26
Magma feeding paleochannel in the Monchegorsk ore region: geochemistry, isotope U-Pb and Sm-Nd analysis (Kola region, Russia)
A comprehensive study of a 340 m thick lenticular-sheet body of ultramafic composition penetrated by structural well M-1 at a depth of about 2.2 km was accomplished. Its main volume is composed of plagioharzburgite; fine-grained rocks of norite and orthopyroxenite chilling zones are preserved on endocontacts. The rocks of the body are similar in composition to the rocks near the underlying ore-bearing layered intrusion – the Monchepluton. The age of intrusion of the ultramafic body is 2510 ± 9 Ma (U-Pb, ID-TIMS, zircon) and, taking into account analytical errors, is comparable with the formation period of the Monchepluton (2507-2498 Ma). According to the study of the Sm-Nd system in rocks and minerals, a positive value of the e Nd (+1.1) parameter was established, similar to that in dunites and chromitites of the Monchepluton. Based on these results, the ultramafic body penetrated at depth was assigned to the magma feeding paleochannel through which the ultramafic, weakly contaminated magma entered the overlying magma chamber. This body is a unique example of a magma-feeding system for the ore-bearing layered intrusion of Precambrian age.
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Date submitted2020-07-29
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Date accepted2021-03-29
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Date published2021-09-20
Critical analysis of methodological approaches to assessing sustainability of arctic oil and gas projects
Development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic is one of the priority tasks for the economy of the Russian Federation; however, such projects are associated with significant risks for the environment of nearby regions. Large-scale development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic should be based on the principles of sustainable development, which imply a balance between socio-economic benefits and environmental risks. The purpose of this study is to analyze the gaps in scientific knowledge on the issues of assessing sustainability of Arctic oil and gas projects (OGPs) and systematize the key problematic elements of such assessments. The analysis was carried out in terms of four key elements that determine the feasibility of implementing Arctic OGPs in the context of sustainable development: economic efficiency, social effects, environmental safety and technological availability. The methodology for conducting bibliometric analysis, which included more than 15.227 sources from the Scopus database over the period of 2005-2020, was based on PRISMA recommendations for compiling systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methodological problems of assessing sustainability of Arctic OGPs were mapped and divided into four key sectors: consideration of factors that determine sustainability; sustainability assessment; interpretation of assessment results; sustainability management. This map can serve as a basis for conducting a series of point studies, aimed at eliminating existing methodological shortcomings of the sustainable development concept with respect to Arctic OGPs.
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Date submitted2020-08-03
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Date accepted2020-12-13
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Date published2021-06-24
Tectonic and magmatic factors of Li-F granites localization of the East of Russia
- Authors:
- Viktor I. Alekseev
We have investigated tectonic and magmatic factors of Li-F granites localization of the East of Russia. The study is based on the ideas of Far Eastern geologists about the deep structures of intraplate activity. A model of a source structure with mantle heat sources and ore-forming magmatic complexes was used. We carried out a special metallogenic analysis of the East of Russia as applied to the rare metal-tin-bearing formation of subalkaline leucogranites, including Li-F ones. Source structures are the main factor in the tectonic and magmatic development of the East of Russia, localization of ore-forming granites and the formation of rare-metal-tin ore regions. On deep layers of source structures there are areas of the mantle and earth's crust decompaction, heat, magmas and fluids sources, as well as granitoid cryptobatholiths. Relatively large massifs of leucogranites, small intrusions of tin monzonitoids and Li-F granites are concentrated near the modern surface. The source structures correspond to the rank of the ore region. The source structures in the South of the region are: Badzhalskaya, Miao-Chanskaya, Ippato-Merekskaya, Hogdu-Lianchlinskaya, Arminskaya, etc.; in the North: Pevekskaya, Kuiviveem-Pyrkakayskaya, Kuekvun-Ekiatapskaya, Iultinskaya, Telekayskaya, Central Polousnaya, Omsukchanskaya, etc. Three types of ore regions have been identified according to the degree of source structures and Li-F granites erosion. We have also outlined the patterns of source structures evolution and their place in the geological history of ore-bearing granites. A classification of source structures and its comparison with the classifications of regional intrusives and metallogenic subdivisions are proposed. It has been established that, despite the diversity of tectonic, geological and petrological settings in the East of Russia, the intrusions of Li-F granites are regulated by the same tectonic and magmatic factors. The tectonic and magmatic factors of Li-F granites localization in the East of Russia are identified and classified as geophysical, orogenic, geoblock, magmatic, metasomatic and disjunctive.
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Date submitted2020-08-20
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Date accepted2021-04-01
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Date published2021-06-24
Features of the mineral and chemical composition of the Northwest manganese ore occurrence in the Highveld region, South Africa
- Authors:
- Aleksandr N. Evdokimov
- Benedict L. Pharoe
The Northwest manganese ore mineralisation is located at a relative distance from traditionally known manganese mining areas in a new manganese-bearing region (Highveld) in the Northwest Province, Republic of South Africa. The ore occurrence was studied on farms: Buchansvale 61 IQ, Weltevreden 517 JQ, Rhenosterhoek 343 JP and Kafferskraal 306 JP. The data obtained from studying the geology of the area pointed out to interests regarding the development criterias for search of similar ore mineralisations in the northwest region of South Africa. The ore occurs predominantly in the form of powdered manganese wad, manganese nodules and crusts, confined to the karstic structures of the upper section of the dolomites. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive link (SEM-EDS) and X-ray fluorescence were utilized to unveil the mineral and chemical composition of the ore samples. The present study therefore presents the results on both chemical and mineral composition of manganese ores, and their depth and longitudinal distribution. Karstic areas causing an increased local thickness of the ore body were identified. The geochemical and microspcopic study of the ores indicates their supergene nature. The main ore minerals includes cryptomelane, lithiophorite, purolusite, hollandite and romanechite associated with impurity components of Ba, Ce, Co, La, Cr, Zn and V.
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Date submitted2020-10-13
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Date accepted2021-03-02
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Date published2021-04-26
Trace element accumulation by soils and plants in the North Caucasian geochemical province
Long-term studies of the North Caucasian geochemical province allowed to establish regional abundances and calculate accumulation (dispersion) factors for chemical elements in rocks, soils, and plants. Certain natural regional patterns characterize the province. Associations of elements in high and low concentrations are often determined by the predominant composition of rocks: carbonate-terrigenous, terrigenous, and igneous. The study of the average contents of several chemical elements in the soils of the province showed that the association of accumulated elements includes metals with different migration characteristics. Thus, despite the rather close values of the ionic radii, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Li (judging by the ionic potential) are characterized by the formation of cations, while Mn, Mo, and Zr form complex ions. Such elements as Zn, Cu, and Pb are mainly accumulated on hydrosulfuric barriers, while Mo, Co, and Mn are stopped by oxygenous barriers. For Cu, Zn, Mo, and Co, biogenic accumulation plays a significant role, while for Pb and Ni it is practically absent. The absolute dispersion of the elements did not reach environmentally hazardous values, although it indicates a fairly intensive migration. In woody plants, Ba, Nb, Sc, Sr, and Zn are accumulated most intensively.
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Date submitted2020-06-12
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Date accepted2020-06-15
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Date published2020-12-29
Analysis of project organization specifics in small-scale LNG production
- Authors:
- Pavel S. Tcvetkov
- S. V. Fedoseev
Gas industry plays an important role in the global energy sector, and in the coming decades amountsof natural gas production will only increase. One of the fastest growing trends in gas industry is the production of liquefiednatural gas (LNG), which is associated with the necessity to organize flexible systems of gas supply to the regions,remote from gas extraction sites. Industrial structure of LNG production includes projects, belonging to several different groups depending to their scale, in particular, small-scale production (SSLNG), cumulative production capacityof which is approximately 10 % from the industry-wide one. Economic aspects of implementing such projects remainunderexplored, which does not allow to draw objective conclusions regarding the prospects of their implementationin particular regions.This paper contains a review of publications, devoted to SSLNG project studies, aimed at identifying specifics oftheir organization compared to projects of greater scale. The results demonstrate that the majority of internationalcompanies classify projects as SSLNG, if their annual production capacity is below 0.5 million tonnes per annum.Specific capital costs, as well as implementation timelines of such projects, are several times lower than those of projects with greater production capacity, which reduces their risks and minimizes barriers to market entry. Furthermore,SSLNG is the most decentralized subsector in gas industry, aiming to cover the market due to a growing numberof projects, not their specific production capacity. These specific features define significant prospects of SSLNGdevelopment in Russia, both in the context of energy supply to remote regions and diversification of export deliveries.
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Date submitted2019-07-24
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Date accepted2019-09-13
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Date published2019-12-24
Integrated mining projects in underdeveloped territories of Russia: substantiation of implementation parameters
- Authors:
- T. V. Ponomarenko
- E. A. Khan-Tsai
- Ch. Bavuu
Complex mining projects, as a rule, have significant economic and social impact on the territory, sometimes entire regions where they are implemented. Consumers of their implementation effects are population, government, buyers, lenders and other stakeholders. Therefore, development of transport infrastructure in integrated projects for development of mineral deposits should have state support, forms of which are very diverse. In Russia parameters of concession agreements for construction of transport infrastructure, carried out in conjunction with projects for development of mineral deposits, are not regulated or justified. Aim of the work is to develop an organizational model and justify parameters of concession agreement for construction of the railway as a key element of transport infrastructure necessary for successful implementation of the project for development of a large coal deposit in a low-developed region. Research methods are: strategic, institutional, investment analysis, modeling and forecasting methods. The article proposes an approach to justification of technical, economic and financial parameters of concession agreement implemented during realization of an integrated mining project. As a result of the study, a concession agreement model was developed for construction of railway section as part of an integrated mining project, including development of a deposit and construction of a mining and concentrating company.
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Date submitted2019-02-26
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Date accepted2019-05-22
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Date published2019-08-23
Systemic Diagnostics of the Arctic Industry Development Strategy
The article analyzes organizational and economic problems of the industry in the Arctic and discloses methods and tools for researching these problems. An attempt to use the method of system diagnostics is made, which has established itself as a basis for determining the development strategy of industry in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). This method allows to explore the mechanism of natural resources development in the Arctic, such as hydrocarbons and marine biological resources; as well as the organization of logistics and transport corridors for trade of goods produced in the North and in the central regions of Russia. The role, significance and content of the strategy as an essential element of the system for managing natural wealth development in the Arctic in the context of its growing importance in development of global transport corridor are revealed. Importance of a systematic approach to the development of industry in the Arctic is substantiated, it will ensure development of all investors interested in this region; will allow the state, large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses to work together for the long term. The proposed method for system diagnostics of strategizing the development of industrial potential in the AZRF can be used in the implementation of «Development Strategy for the Arctic Region» as part of roadmap realization for the Arctic region.
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Date submitted2018-07-22
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Date accepted2018-09-07
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Date published2018-12-21
Game theory model of state in-vestment into territories of advanced development in the regions of mineral resources specialization
- Authors:
- A. V. Kozlov
- A. B. Teslya
- S. A. Chernogorskii
Historically developed and non-compliant with modern conditions, the structure of industry placement and related inequality in economic development of certain territories are additional negative factors that hinder economic development of the country. Hence, the search for new organizational forms and methods of territorial development, facilitation of industrial growth in regions with mineral resources specialization become more and more relevant. Another no less important issue is justification of economic feasibility of using such tools and assessment of critical consequences of their application. Suggested by the authors, game theory model of state investment into territories of advanced development describes the method of limited resources distribution and becomes an instrument to assess the feasibility of investment into creation of advanced development territories under the conditions of insufficient information and actions of specific interest groups. Application of the suggested game theory model of state investment into creation of advanced development territories allows to forecast behavior of program participants, to model consequences of management decisions both for government structures and separate program participants.
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Date submitted2016-11-03
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Date accepted2016-12-27
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Date published2017-04-14
Evolution of mineral forms of rare element accumulation in ore-bearing granites and meta-somatites of Verkhneurmiysk ore cluster (Priamur region)
It has been attempted to expand existing understanding of accessory mineralization evolution of rare metal-granite series at post-magmatic stage of their development and formation of associated hydrothermal deposits. Composition and distribution of rare elements of Verkhneurmiysk ore cluster have been examined from the position of mineralogy: the study focused on accessory and ore minerals Sn, W, Nb, Ta, Bi, Y, rare earth elements in rare metal Li-F granites and associated metasomatites. It has been discovered that accessory magmatic and hydrothermal mineral complexes share the same geochemical features, are formed under the leading role of abovementioned elements and consistently follow each other over time. It has been traced how mineral forms of accumulation of Sn, W, Nb, Ta, Y and rare earth elements evolve in the processes of magmatic crystallization and post-magmatic metasomatism in the time series: rare metal granites → zwitters → tourmalinites → chloritites. Mineral rocks of each stage were noted to inherit mineralogical and geochemical distinctions from the rocks of the previous stage. A significant number of minerals, forming in the course of two-three stages, have been discovered, as well as omnipresent magmagene-hydrothermal minerals. For a number of accessory minerals of rare metal granites post-magmatic generations have been identified. Special diversity among accessories of rare metal granites and zwitters was observed in tungsten, tin and bismuth minerals.
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Date submitted2009-10-17
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Date accepted2009-12-07
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Date published2010-09-22
Regularities of progressing of technogenic seismic activity in mining areas
- Authors:
- S. V. Tsirel
Regularities of variation of cumulative graphs of seismic events repetition in process of transferring from natural seismic activity to the technogenic one are studied. Processes of growth of technogenic seismicity in mining regions on examples of the Kola peninsula and Kuzbass are reviewed.
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Date submitted2009-10-01
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Date accepted2009-12-02
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Date published2010-09-22
Specific manifestations of tectonic and seismic activity in Kuzbass
- Authors:
- A. I. Ekimov
- S. V. Tsirel
The conducted observations demonstrated the substantial growth and variation of nature of tectonic and seismic activity in Kuzbas. Growth of geodynamic risks is marked. Methods for study of observable processes are suggested.
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Date submitted2009-10-21
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Date accepted2009-12-26
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Date published2010-09-22
Modeling of geomechanical processes in mining the steeply pitching ore bodies of rockburst-hazardous deposits
The article contains the results of numerical modeling of stress-strain state in constructive elements of mining systems, applied at hazardous and prone to rook bursts deposits of the Far-East. Consideration is given to some stated regularities of forming of teсhnogenic stress field and geomechanical processes proceeding in rock mass of minable deposits which allow to substantiate a сomplex of measures for prevention of dynamic rock pressure manifestations.
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Date submitted2009-10-21
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Date accepted2009-12-15
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Date published2010-09-22
Geoecological monitoring as an information base of accident-free operation of gas mains under conditions of the Far North
- Authors:
- N. B. Pystina
- A. V. Baranov
The present report considers dangerous destructive processes that may result in serious accidents during operation of gas mains under conditions of the Far North, and also measures to prevent them.
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Date submitted2008-11-19
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Date accepted2009-01-03
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Date published2009-12-11
Prerequisites for sustainable development of mining region
- Authors:
- M. A. Nevskaya
The article deals with issues related to the identification of conditions for sustainable development of mining area. In such conditions, the author highlights the investment potential, the specificity of specialization and structure of economy of the region, the balance of state, regional and sectoral interests. As the characteristics used in evaluating the productive capacity of the territory proposed rates structure, dynamics and effectiveness, based on the integral rate of gross regional product.