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Date submitted2024-03-11
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Date accepted2024-11-07
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Date published2025-04-25
Geochemical characteristics of weathering crusts on the Dzhezhimparma Ridge and the Nemskaya Upland (South Timan)
Numerous local varieties of weathering crusts are known in the South Timan. They differ in their position in the section, type of weathering products, substrates, and occurrence. The aim of the research is to identify patterns in the distribution of rock-forming, rare and rare earth elements and the composition of clay minerals in clay formations of the weathering crusts. The main task is to describe the occurrence and geochemical features that enable determining the genetic type and formation conditions of weathering crusts. The paper presents the results of a study of the distribution of petrogenic, rare earth, rare elements, and clay minerals in weathering crust of different ages, genetic types and occurrence conditions on the Dzhezhimparma Ridge and the Nemskaya Upland in the South Timan. We found that hydromica-kaolinite-type weathering crust is developed after the Late Riphean Dzhezhim Fm. rocks in the basement-cover contact zone on the Dzhezhimparma Upland, and the layer of fine-grained rock at the base of the Devonian section previously considered a weathering crust was formed as a result of mechanical destruction of the Devonian sandstones during movement in the thrust zone. In the Vadyavozh quarry located on the Nemskaya Upland, we studied and described the formations of Mesozoic-Cenozoic areal and linear weathering crusts after the Late Riphean Dzhezhim Fm. rocks. We found that micaceous siltstones in the siltstone-sandstone strata of the Dzhezhim Fm. are associated with the Riphean stage of crust formation and are composed of weathering crust material redeposited in the epicontinental basin.
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Date submitted2024-05-03
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Date accepted2024-09-05
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Date published2024-11-12
Platinum group elements as geochemical indicators in the study of oil polygenesis
This study examines elements of the platinum group (PGE), primarily platinum and palladium, as geochemical indicators in the investigation of oil polygenesis. It has been found that, like other trace elements such as nickel, vanadium, and cobalt, platinum group elements and gold can occur in oil fields at both background levels and in elevated or even anomalously high concentrations. The objective of this research is to analyze PGE and trace elements as geochemical markers to identify the geological factors, including endogenous processes, responsible for these unusually high concentrations in oil. A comprehensive review of the literature on this subject was conducted, along with new data on the presence of precious metals in oils from Russia and globally. The study explores the geological mechanisms behind elevated PGE concentrations in oils, utilizing atomic absorption spectroscopy with atomization in the HGA-500 graphite furnace to measure PGE content. Previously, the tellurium co-deposition method (ISO 10478:1994) was used to isolate noble metals from associated elements. Possible geological origins of abnormally high concentrations of platinum metals in oils have been identified. These include endogenous factors such as the spatial proximity of oil fields to ultrabasic rock massifs, the effects of contact-metasomatic processes, and influences from mantle dynamics. Moreover, data concerning mantle elements can serve as indicators of the depth origins of certain hydrocarbon fluids, thus contributing to the study of oil polygenesis.
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Date submitted2024-04-24
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Date accepted2024-09-24
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Date published2024-11-12
Study and justification of the combination of beneficiation processes for obtaining flake graphite from technogenic carbon-containing dusts
The most important task of modern production development is to provide the mineral and raw materials sector of the economy with resources included in the list of strategic raw materials, including flake graphite. In addition to natural raw materials, the source of its obtaining can be metallurgical production wastes not involved in processing. Development of metallurgical dust beneficiation technology will solve the problem of obtaining high-purity flake graphite with a crystal structure close to ideal and in demand in the production of high-tech materials. It will allow creating a renewable raw material base of graphite and utilising metallurgical production wastes. The research included the study of dust beneficiation by coarseness, magnetic and flotation methods, the influence of dust disintegration processes on beneficiation indicators. Based on the established technological properties of the components of dusts, magnetic, flotation and gravity beneficiation methods can be applied for their separation in different sequence. It is shown that dusts from different sites have different enrichability by these methods, and it should be taken into account when developing a complex technology of their processing. The degree of beneficiation increases in a row of dusts from the blast furnace shop (BF) – electric steel smelting shop (ESS) – oxygen-converter shop (OCS). The method of grinding has a significant influence on the separation indicators – at dry grinding in a centrifugal-impact mill with subsequent pneumatic classification the quality of graphite concentrates increases by 22.7 % of carbon for BF dust and by 13.48 % of carbon for ESS dust. OCS dust beneficiation indicators are high at coarse grinding with steel medium – mass fraction of carbon 96.1 %.
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Date submitted2023-11-01
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Date accepted2024-05-02
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Date published2024-12-25
Improving the procedure for group expert assessment in the analysis of professional risks in fuel and energy companies
The lack of a unified approach to the assessment of professional risks in fuel and energy companies (FEC) in the national regulatory environment and a high degree of subjectivity of the results of hazard identification and risk assessment makes mathematically sound recruitment of an expert group urgent and necessary. The article presents the results of a comprehensive study on hazard identification and risk assessment at 6,105 workplaces in 24 branches of a FEC company based on the application of the expert assessment method and a scientifically sound qualitative and quantitative selection of experts. The priority vectors of factors are determined, global priorities are calculated, the size of the expert group (15 persons) is determined and mathematically substantiated for carrying out hazard identification and risk assessment at workplaces with sufficient reliability of results. For the first time, a set of factors characterizing the FEC companies that influence the determination of professional competence of experts is proposed. The formed expert group presented more precise, objective and consistent results of risk assessment. Standards for free distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and wash-off agents to 7,234 company employees for implementation and trial use were developed. A fragment of the results obtained for a driller's workplace is presented. This approach allows a significant increase in objectivity and efficiency of the professional risk management system and provision of the PPE to employees in the concept of a risk-oriented approach helping to prevent industrial injuries and improve the level of occupational safety culture in fuel and energy companies taking into account global practice.
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Date submitted2023-09-29
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Date accepted2023-10-25
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Date published2024-08-26
Laboratory studies of transformation of porosity and permeability and chemical composition of terrigenous reservoir rocks at exposure to hydrogen (using the example of the Bobrikovskii formations in the oil field in the northeast Volga-Ural oil and gas province)
The article describes the methodology for laboratory studies of reservoir rock exposure to hydrogen. The stages of sample research and the instruments used in the experiments are considered. A comparative analysis of the results of studies on porosity and permeability of core samples was performed. It was shown that after exposure to hydrogen, the porosity decreased by 4.6 %, and the permeability by 7.9 %. The analysis of correlation dependencies demonstrated a typical change in the relationship of these characteristics: after the samples exposure to hydrogen the scatter of the values increased and the correlation coefficient decreased, which indicates a change in the structure of the void space. Based on the research results, it was concluded that the decrease in porosity and permeability of the core samples occurred due to their minor compaction under the action of effective stresses. The chemical analysis of the rock showed no major difference in the composition of the basic oxides before and after exposure to hydrogen, which points to the chemical resistance of the studied formation to hydrogen. The experimental results showed that the horizon under consideration can be a storage of the hydrogen-methane mixture.
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Date submitted2023-08-14
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Date accepted2023-12-27
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Date published2024-12-25
Modelling of compositional gradient for reservoir fluid in a gas condensate deposit with account for scattered liquid hydrocarbons
In oil and gas reservoirs with significant hydrocarbon columns the dependency of the initial hydrocarbon composition on depth – the compositional gradient – is an important factor in assessing the initial amounts of components in place, the position of the gas-oil contact, and variations of fluid properties throughout the reservoir volume. Known models of the compositional gradient are based on thermodynamic relations assuming a quasi-equilibrium state of a multi-component hydrodynamically connected hydrocarbon system in the gravity field, taking into account the influence of the natural geothermal gradient. The corresponding algorithms allow for calculation of changes in pressure and hydrocarbon fluid composition with depth, including determination of the gas-oil contact (GOC) position. Above and below the GOC, the fluid state is considered single-phase. Many oil-gas-condensate reservoirs typically have a small initial fraction of the liquid hydrocarbon phase (LHC) – scattered oil – within the gas-saturated part of the reservoir. To account for this phenomenon, a special modification of the thermodynamic model has been proposed, and an algorithm for calculating the compositional gradient in a gas condensate reservoir with the presence of LHC has been implemented. Simulation cases modelling the characteristic compositions and conditions of three real oil-gas-condensate fields are considered. The results of the calculations using the proposed algorithm show peculiarities of variations of the LHC content and its impact on the distribution of gas condensate mixture composition with depth. The presence of LHC leads to an increase in the level and possible change in the type of the fluid contact. The character of the LHC fraction dependency on depth can be different and is governed by the dissolution of light components in the saturated liquid phase. The composition of the LHC in the gas condensate part of the reservoir changes with depth differently than in the oil zone, where the liquid phase is undersaturated with light hydrocarbons. The results of the study are significant for assessing initial amounts of hydrocarbon components and potential efficiency of their recovery in gas condensate and oil-gas-condensate reservoirs with large hydrocarbon columns.
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Date submitted2022-09-26
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Date accepted2023-09-20
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Date published2024-04-25
Technology of absorption elimination with cross-linking plugging material based on cement and cross-linked polymer
The peculiarity of the geological structure of carbonate reservoirs is their complex permeability and porosity characteristics, reflecting the simultaneous presence of cavities variety (fractures, caverns, pores). Loss of circulation during penetration of fractured rock intervals significantly increases well construction time due to lack of efficient plugging isolation compositions. The main disadvantages of traditional compositions are high sensitivity to dilution in the process of their injection into the absorption zone, as well as insufficient structural strength to prevent the isolation composition from spreading during the induction period. For efficient isolation of catastrophic absorption zones in conditions of high opening of absorption channels a new cross-linking plugging isolation composition has been developed, which allows to exclude disadvantages of traditional isolation compositions. Application of the composition will allow to reduce the injection volume of the isolation composition and the time of isolation works due to its resistance to dilution and movement of formation water in the absorption interval.
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Date submitted2022-12-01
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Date accepted2023-01-19
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Date published2023-12-25
Inclusions of diamond crystals in the tourmaline of the schorl-uvite series: problems of genesis
The mineralogical and geochemical features of diamond-bearing tourmaline crystals (schorl-uvite series) from garnet-clinopyroxene rocks of the Kumdy-Kol deposit (Northern Kazakhstan) have been studied in detail. The formation of the main rock-forming minerals (garnet + K-bearing clinopyroxene) occurred in the diamond stability field at 4-6 GPa and 950-1000 °C. Crystallization of K-bearing clinopyroxene at these parameters is possible in the presence of an ultra-potassic fluid or melt formed because of crustal material melting in subduction zones. Tourmaline crystals (up to 1 cm) containing diamond inclusions perform veins crosscutting high-pressure associations. The composition of individual zones varies from schorl to uvite within both a single grain and the sample as a whole. The potassium content in this tourmaline does not exceed 0.1 wt.% K2O, and the isotopic composition of boron δ11B varies from –10 to –15.5 ‰, which significantly differs from the previously established isotopic composition of boron in maruyamaite crystals (δ11B 7.7 ‰ in the core and –1.2 ‰ in the rim) of the same deposit. Analysis of the obtained data on δ11B in the tourmalines from the diamond-grade metamorphic rocks within the Kumdy-Kol deposit suggests the existence of two boron sources that resulted in crystallization of K-bearing tourmaline crystals (maruyamaite-dravite series) and potassium-free tourmalines of the schorl-uvite series.
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Date submitted2022-08-22
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Date accepted2023-02-02
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Date published2023-08-28
Wodginite as an indicator mineral of tantalum-bearing pegmatites and granites
- Authors:
- Viktor I. Alekseev
In the composition of tantalum-niobates, the tin-bearing wodginite group minerals (WGM) were found: wod-ginite, titanowodginite, ferrowodginite, ferrotitanowodginite, lithiowodginite, tantalowodginite, “wolframowodginite”. We reviewed the worldwide research on WGM and created a database of 698 analyses from 55 sources including the author's data. WGM are associated with Li-F pegmatites and Li-F granites. Wodginite is the most prevalent mineral, occurring in 86.6 % of pegmatites and 78.3 % of granites. The occurrence of WGM in granites and pegmatites differs. For instance, titanowodginite and “wolframowodginite” occur three times more frequently in granites than in pegmatites, whereas lithiowodginite and tantalowodginite do not appear in granites at all. The difference between WGM in granites and pegmatites is in finer grain size, higher content of Sn, Nb, Ti, W, and Sc; lower content of Fe 3+ , Ta, Zr, Hf; higher ratio of Mn/(Mn + Fe); and lower ratio of Zr/Hf. The evolutionary series of WGM in pegmatites are as follows: ferrowodginite → ferrotitanowodginite → titanowodginite → “wolframowodginite” → wodginite → tantalowodginite; in granites: ferrowodginite → ferrotitanowodginite → “wolframowodginite” → wodginite → titanowodginite. WGM can serve as indicators of tantalum-bearing pegmatites and granites. In Russia the promising sources of tantalum are deposits of the Far Eastern belt of Li-F granites containing wodginite.
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Date submitted2022-05-13
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Date accepted2022-09-24
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Date published2022-11-03
Rapid detection of coal ash based on machine learning and X-ray fluorescence
Real-time testing of coal ash plays a vital role in the chemical, power generation, metallurgical, and coal separation sectors. The rapid online testing of coal ash using radiation measurement as the mainstream technology has problems such as strict coal sample requirements, poor radiation safety, low accuracy, and complicated equipment replacement. In this study, an intelligent detection technique based on feed-forward neural networks and improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO-FNN) is proposed to predict coal quality ash content in a fast, accurate, safe，and convenient manner. The data set was obtained by testing the elemental content of 198 coal samples with X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The types of input elements for machine learning (Si, Al, Fe, K, Ca, Mg, Ti, Zn, Na, P) were determined by combining the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data with the change in the physical phase of each element in the coal samples during combustion. The mean squared error and coefficient of determination were chosen as the performance measures for the model. The results show that the IPSO algorithm is useful in adjusting the optimal number of nodes in the hidden layer. The IPSO-FNN model has strong prediction ability and good accuracy in coal ash prediction. The effect of the input element content of the IPSO-FNN model on the ash content was investigated, and it was found that the potassium content was the most significant factor affecting the ash content. This study is essential for real-time online, accurate, and fast prediction of coal ash.
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Date submitted2021-02-12
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Date accepted2022-07-26
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Date published2022-11-10
Manifestation of incompatibility of marine residual fuels: a method for determining compatibility, studying composition of fuels and sediment
- Authors:
- Radel R. Sultanbekov
- Andrey M. Schipachev
The results of studying the problem of active sediment formation when mixing residual fuels, caused by manifestation of incompatibility, are presented. A laboratory method has been developed for determining the compatibility and stability of fuels allowing identification of a quantitative characteristic of sediment formation activity. Laboratory studies were performed, and incompatible fuel components were identified. Tests were made to determine the quality indicators of samples and group individual composition of fuels. Results on the content of total and inorganic carbon in the obtained sediments were determined using Shimadzu TOC-V SSM 5000A. Chemical composition was determined and calculated on LECO CHN-628 analyser. Group composition of hydrocarbon fuels contained in the sediment was studied by gas chromato-mass spectrometry on GCMS-QP2010 Ultra Shimadzu. To obtain additional information on the structural group composition of fuel sediment, IR spectrometry was performed on IR-Fourier spectrometer IRAffinity-1. X-ray diffraction analysis of sediment samples was made using X-ray diffractometer XRD-7000 Shimadzu; interplanar distances d002 and d100 as well as Lс and Lа crystallite sizes served as the evaluation criteria. Microstructural analysis of total sediment was performed by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the research confirmed that the content of normal alkanes in the fuel mixture mainly affects sediment formation. Recommendations were drawn on preserving the quality of fuels and reducing sediment formation during storage and transportation.
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Date submitted2022-03-31
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Date accepted2022-05-11
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Date published2022-07-26
Carbonatite complexes of the South Urals: geochemical features, ore mineralization, and geodynamic settings
- Authors:
- Irina L. Nedosekova
The article presents the results of study of the Ilmeno-Vishnevogorsky and Buldym carbonatite complexes in the Urals. It has been established that the carbonatites of the Ilmeno-Vishnevogorsky complex are represented by high-temperature calciocarbonatites (sövites I and II) with pyrochlore ore mineralization. U-Ta-rich populations of uranium pyrochlores (I) and fluorocalciopyrochlores (II) crystallize in miaskite-pegmatites and sövites I; fluorocalciopyrochlores (III) and Sr-REE-pyrochlores (IV) of late populations form in sövites II. In the Buldym complex, along with high-temperature calciocarbonatites containing fluorocalciopyrochlore (III), medium-temperature varieties of magnesiocarbonatites with REE-Nb mineralization (monazite, niobo-aeschynite, columbite, etc.) are widespread. Miaskites and carbonatites of the Urals are characterized by high contents of LILE (Sr, Ba, K, Rb) and HFSE (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, Ti), which are close to the contents in rift-related carbonatite complexes of intraplate settings and significantly differ from synorogenic collisional carbonatite complexes. The Ural carbonatite complexes formed on continental rift margins during the opening of the Ural Ocean at the time of transition from extensional to compressional tectonics. Later on, they were captured and deformed in the suture zone as a result of collision. Plastic and brittle deformations, anatexis, recrystallization of rocks and ores of carbonatite complexes in the Urals are associated with orogenic and post-collision settings.
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Date submitted2021-09-17
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Date accepted2022-04-07
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Date published2022-12-29
Technique for calculating technological parameters of non-Newtonian liquids injection into oil well during workover
Technique for automated calculation of technological parameters for non-Newtonian liquids injection into a well during workover is presented. At the first stage the algorithm processes initial flow or viscosity curve in order to determine rheological parameters and coefficients included in equations of rheological models of non-Newtonian fluids. At the second stage, based on data from the previous stage, the program calculates well design and pump operation modes, permissible values of liquid flow rate and viscosity, to prevent possible hydraulic fracturing. Based on the results of calculations and dependencies, a decision is made on the necessity of changing the technological parameters of non-Newtonian liquid injection and/or its composition (components content, chemical base) in order to prevent the violation of the technological operation, such as unintentional formation of fractures due to hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing can lead to catastrophic absorptions and, consequently, to increased consumption of technological liquids pumped into the well during workover. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of uncontrolled gas breakthrough through highly conductive channels.
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Date submitted2021-08-05
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Date accepted2021-11-30
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Date published2021-12-27
Morozkinskoye gold deposit (southern Yakutia): age and ore sources
The paper presents the results of the comprehensive isotope geochemical (Re-Os, Pb and δ 34 S) study of sulfide mineralization of the Morozkinskoye deposit. The ore zones of the deposit are localized in the syenite massif of Mount Rudnaya, which is located within the Central Aldan ore region (southern Yakutia). Gold mineralization is represented by vein-disseminated or vein type mineralization and is manifested in acidic low-temperature metasomatites – beresites (Qz-Ser-Ank-Py). For the first time we obtained an age estimate of the gold mineralization ~ 129 ± 3 Ma, which the synchronism of the hydrothermal ore process in the beresites, which formed the Morozkinskoye deposit, and magmatic crystallization of the syenites of Mount Rudnaya (~130 Ma). The osmium initial isotopic composition of the studied sulfides indicates a mixed mantle-crustal source of sulfide mineralization. New lead isotopic data of syenites indicate the predominance of mantle lead and an insignificant role of the lower – crust lead, while the isotopic composition of pyrite denotes the presence of the upper crustal material in the ore genesis. The sulfide δ 34 S values vary from –2.3 to +0.6 ‰ and indicate a predominantly magmatic source of sulfur in the ores.
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Date submitted2021-05-28
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Date accepted2021-11-30
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Date published2021-12-27
Features of grouping low-producing oil deposits in carbonate reservoirs for the rational use of resources within the Ural-Volga region
A methodology has been developed and a procedure for selecting homogeneous groups has been implemented using a set of parameters characterizing the properties of formation fluids, layering conditions, geological and physical properties of formations at different levels of the hierarchy. An algorithm for identifying deposits for monitoring and justifying measures to improve the efficiency of development management is proposed. A justification for the selection of associative groups of long-term developed objects using the parameters of geological heterogeneity according to different tectonic-stratigraphic elements is presented. To reduce the degree of uncertainty in the evaluation of objects by the degree and nature of geological heterogeneity, the parameters reflecting the degree of uncertainty of the system using complex characteristics are proposed. For different deposit associations, a different influence of the features of the object structure on the degree of their division has been established. In the process of deposit drilling, as additional information about development objects is obtained, it is necessary to specify the nature of the distinguished groups of objects first of all based on the use of characteristics of geological heterogeneity. Comparison of various grouping options shows the need to take into account the geological heterogeneity of objects during their drilling. The identification of groups of objects using a limited number of parameters is approximate, but at the stage of drafting the first design documents, it is possible to solve certain tasks aimed at determining the strategy for the development of deposits
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Date submitted2021-02-09
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Date accepted2021-07-27
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Date published2021-10-21
Development of an algorithm for determining the technological parameters of acid composition injection during treatment of the near-bottomhole zone, taking into account economic efficiency
Relevance of the research is due to the low proportion of successful hydrochloric acid treatments of near-bottomhole zones of carbonate reservoirs in the Perm region caused by insufficiently careful design and implementation of measures to stimulate oil production. Within the framework of this article, the development of a program is presented, which is based on an algorithm that allows determining the volume and rate of injection for an acid composition into a productive formation corresponding to the maximum economic efficiency during hydrochloric acid treatment. Essence of the proposed algorithm is to find the greatest profit from measures to increase oil recovery, depending on the cost of its implementation and income from additionally produced oil. Operation of the algorithm is carried out on the principle of enumerating the values of the volume and rate of injection for the acid composition and their fixation when the maximum difference between income and costs, corresponding to the given technological parameters of injection, is reached. The methodology is based on Dupuis's investigations on the filtration of fluids in the formation and the results of the experiments by Duckord and Lenormand on the study of changes in the additional filtration resistance in the near-well zone of the formation when it is treated with an acid composition. When analyzing and including these investigations into the algorithm, it is noted that the developed technique takes into account a large number of factors, including the lithological and mineralogical composition of rocks, technological parameters of the injection of a working agent and its properties, well design, filtration properties of the formation, properties of well products. The article provides an algorithm that can be implemented without difficulty using any programming language, for example, Pascal. Selection of the optimal values for the volume and rate of injection is presented in this paper, using the example of a production well at the Chaikinskoye oil field, located within the Perm region. Introduction of the developed algorithm into the practice of petroleum engineering will allow competent and effective approach to the design of hydrochloric acid treatments in carbonate reservoirs without a significant investment of time and additional funds.
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Date submitted2020-06-16
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Date accepted2021-03-29
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Date published2021-09-20
Empirical regularities investigation of rock mass discharge by explosion on the free surface of a pit bench
- Authors:
- Igor A. Alenichev
- Ruslan A. Rakhmanov
Minimizing the discharge of blasted rock mass into the developed space of the pit is a very relevant area for study, as it allows to increase the processability of work and reduce the cost of mining. The article presents the results of experimental industrial explosions, during which the study of this issue was conducted. The main purpose of the work was to establish the key factors affecting the volume of rock mass discharge to the pit haulage berm. During the analysis of the world experience of research on this topic, the key factors affecting the formation of collapse and discharge – natural and technological – are identified. The method of conducting experiments and collecting data for analyzing the influence of technological parameters of location, charging and initiation of wells on the volume of rock mass discharge is described. It is established that the main discharge to the pit haulage berm is formed by the volume of rock mass limited by the prism of the slope angle. With a sufficient rock mass displacement from the edge of the bench crest towards the center of the block, only the wells of the 1st and 2nd rows participate in the discharge formation. Empirical dependences of the total volume of rock mass discharge on the length of the block along the bench crest, the specific consumption of explosives, the size of a rock piece P 50 and the rate of rock breaking are obtained. The obtained results can be used to design the parameters of the drilling and blasting operations (DBO), as well as to predict and evaluate the possible consequences of a mass explosion in similar mining and geological conditions.
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Date submitted2020-09-10
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Date accepted2020-11-25
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Date published2021-06-24
Formation conditions of noble metal mineralization in sulfide cobalt-copper-nickel ores of Kamchatka (on the example of Annabergitovaya Schel ore occurrence)
The authors present research results, the purpose of which is to study the specifics of noble metal mineralization and its genesis in sulfide cobalt-copper-nickel ores of the Kamchatka nickel-bearing province. The paper is dedicated to one of its many ore occurrences called Annabergitovaya Schel (Annabergite Gap). The material composition of platinoid, silver, gold, bismuth and tellurium minerals, as well as sulfarsenides in the ores of this occurrence was investigated. Based on the data of mineral formation sequence and the use of geosensors, conclusions were drawn regarding the genesis of noble metal mineralization. Formation of platinoid minerals, silver and gold at the Annabergitovaya Schel ore occurrence is mainly associated with the epigenetic effect of post-ore granitoids on ore-bearing intrusion rocks of the Dukuk complex of the cortlandite-norite formation and on syngenetic ores. An early association of noble metal minerals is represented by sperrylite, irarsite, and rare unnamed phases of Pt + Ir + Te. Irarsite and Pt + Ir + Te phases were formed at the contact-metasomatic stage. Sperrylite can be assumed to be of magmatic origin. Silver sulfides and tellurides, silver and palladium bismuth tellurides, and native gold were formed at the late, hydrothermal-metasomatic, stage. The occurrence conditions of mineral parageneses, associated with noble metal mineralization, correspond to the formation of shallow-depth metasomatic rocks (≤5 km). Sub-developed quartz-feldspar metasomatites, associated with the formation of early platinoid arsenides and sulfarsenides, are in equilibrium with circumneutral solutions (pH of 4.5-6.5) at temperatures of 350-600 °C. Late hydrothermal association with Pd, Ag and Au minerals is close to propylites and was formed at pH values of 4.5-6.5 and temperature of 150-350 °C.
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Date submitted2020-06-11
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Date accepted2021-03-30
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Date published2021-06-24
Crystal morphology of spherical viruses
- Authors:
- Yury L. Voytekhovsky
The article discusses modern views on the structure of spherical virus capsids, which have the shape of icosahedrons (icosahedral viruses). Each face of icosahedron is composed of a single-layer closest packing of protein globules, which can have different orientation relative to the edges of icosahedron. If the lines of globules are parallel to the edges of icosahedron, then the capsid has a point symmetry group I h (with symmetry planes), if they are not parallel – the symmetry group I (without planes). From a mathematical point of view, in both symmetry groups there are series that unite equally (up to similarity) arranged capsids. They are connected pairwise by transitions to dual forms (homologous series). A hypothesis is formulated that the largest spherical viruses can have even more diverse and complex capsid structures. Along with icosahedron, their basic forms can be any simple shapes, allowed in I h and I symmetry groups (8 in total). A suggestion is made that transitions within similarity series and between homologous series have a phylogenetic significance. There are known spherical viruses of both symmetry groups. For example, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has a symmetry group I h and belongs to a well-known series. The crystallographic approach allows to construct a strict morphological classification of spherical viruses. This is important for their early recognition and separate examination. The article demonstrates practical application of crystal morphology in the study of viral systems – an urgent problem of geoecology and life protection.
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Date submitted2020-04-15
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Date accepted2020-05-13
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Date published2020-10-08
Processing of platinum group metal ores in Russia and South Africa: current state and prospects
- Authors:
- Tatyana N. Aleksandrova
- Cyril О’Connor
The presented study is devoted to a comparative review of the mineral raw material base of platinum group metals (PGMs) and technologies of their processing in South Africa and Russia, the largest PGM producers. Mineralogical and geochemical classification and industrial value of iron-platinum and platinum-bearing deposits are presented in this work. The paper also reviews types of PGM ore body occurrences, ore processing methods (with a special focus on flotation processes), as well as difficulties encountered by enterprises at the processing stage, as they increase recovery of the valuable components. Data on mineralogical features of PGM deposits, including the distribution of elements in the ores, are provided. The main lines of research on mineralogical features and processing of raw materials of various genesis are identified and validated. Sulfide deposits are found to be of the highest industrial value in both countries. Such unconventional PGM sources, as black shale, dunites, chromite, low-sulfide, chromium and titanomagnetite ores, anthropogenic raw materials, etc. are considered. The main lines of research that would bring into processing non-conventional metal sources are substantiated. Analysis of new processing and metallurgical methods of PGM recovery from non-conventional and industrial raw materials is conducted; the review of existing processing technologies for platinum-bearing raw materials is carried out. Technologies that utilize modern equipment for ultrafine grinding are considered, as well as existing reagents for flotation recovery; evaluation of their selectivity in relation to platinum minerals is presented. Basing on the analysis of main technological processes of PGM ore treatment, the most efficient schemes are identified, i.e.,gravity and flotation treatment with subsequent metallurgical processing.
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Date submitted2019-06-06
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Date accepted2019-08-09
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Date published2020-04-24
Studies of enrichment of sulfide and oxidized ores of gold deposits of the Aldan shield
The paper presents the analysis of studies of the enrichment of sulfide and oxidized ores in Yakutia deposits. The ore of the deposit is a mixture of primary, mixed and oxidized ores. The main useful component of the studied ore samples is gold with a content of 1.5 to 2.8 g/t, the silver content is low – 5-17 g/t. Ore minerals are represented by sulfides, among which pyrite predominates. The total sulfide content does not exceed 3-5 %. The presence in the ore of free and associated gold with a grain size from fractions of a micron to 1.5 mm. Gold is represented by nuggets in intergrowth with sulfides and also forms independent inclusions. Ores are classified as easily cyanidable. It was found that the content of amalgamable gold is 10-49, the share of cyanidable gold ranges from 66.67-91, the share of refractory gold is 9.0-33.33 %, which in absolute amount equals to 0.24-0.8 g/t. The extraction of gold in gravitation concentrate varies depending on the gold content in the ore and the yield of concentrate and for ores with a gold content of 1.5-2.8 g/t from 40 to 60 %. The direct cyanidation of all studied ore samples established the possibility of extracting gold into solution up to 86.7-92.9 %, the gold content in cyanidation cakes is 0.2-0.3 g/t. Investigations of the gravitation concentrate by the method of intensive cyanidation showed that with an initial gold content of ~ 500 g/t, up to 98.9 % is extracted into the solution. The gold content in intensive cyanide cakes will be 6-15 g/t. A set of studies carried out by the authors of the article at various institutes showed that it is advisable to process ore from the deposit using cyanidation technology with preliminary gravitational extraction of gold.
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Date submitted2018-09-12
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Date accepted2019-01-05
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Date published2020-04-24
Flotation extraction of elemental sulfur from gold-bearing cakes
- Authors:
- Svetlana A. Ivanik
- Dmitrii A. Ilyukhin
Currently, in the development of the raw materials base of the gold mining industry, there is a tendency to reduce the quality of the initial mineral raw materials due to the depletion of reserves of rich gold-bearing ores. The article discusses the technology of extraction of refractory gold-bearing concentrates based on low-temperature leaching of pyrite concentrate. A decrease in the parameters of the autoclave oxidation of sulfide minerals, such as pyrite and arsenopyrite, leads to the incomplete extraction of gold into the solution and, consequently, its losses during subsequent cyanidation. As a possible option for a more complete extraction of gold using low-temperature oxidation technology, a method of flotation separation of elemental sulfur from leaching cakes is proposed. According to the basic process flow chart, the flotation process designed for gold extraction is carried out after autoclave oxidation, but before cyanidation. A series of experiments were carried out with varying reagent conditions and the dependence of gold losses on the extraction of elemental sulfur in the flotation tailings was established. As determining factors, pH and solid content in the initial pulp were considered. The paper justifies the separation of elemental sulfur from autoclave cake to enriched sulfur concentrate. The cake flotation modes after autoclave oxidative leaching of pyrite concentrate are investigated. The distribution of elemental sulfur and gold by flotation products makes it possible to conduct the tailings cyanidation process with acceptable indicators.
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Date submitted2019-10-17
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Date accepted2020-01-24
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Date published2020-04-24
Composition and probable ore igneous rocks source of columbite from alluvial deposits of Mayoko district (Republic of the Congo)
The article presents the results of optical, electron microscopic and electron microprobe studies of columbite group minerals, collected during heavy mineral concentrate sampling of alluvial deposits in the Mayoko region (Republic of the Congo). The aim of the study is revealing tantalum niobates ore body in this region. We found that these minerals in loose deposits are represented by two grain-size groups: less than 1.6 mm (fine fraction) and 1.6-15 mm (coarse fraction). The grains of both fractions belong mainly to columbite-(Fe), less often to columbite-(Mn), tantalite-(Mn) and tantalite-(Fe), contain impurities of Sc, Ti, and W. The crystals have micro-scaled zoning (zones varies slightly in the Ta/Nb ratio values) and contains a lot of mineral inclusions and veins represented by zircon, pyrochlore supergroup minerals and others. Columbite-(Fe) and columbite-(Mn) are characterized by an increased content of Ta 2 O 5 up to the transition to tantalite-(Fe) and tantalite-(Mn). This allows us to exclude the formation of subalkaline rare-metal granites, their metasomatites (albitites and greisenes) and carbonatites, from the list of possible columbite ore rocks source in the Mayoko district. Thus, beryl type and complex spodumene subtype rare-element pegmatites of the mixed petrogenetic family LCT-NYF (according to P.Černý) should be considered as a probable root source. The results of the research should be taken into account when developing the methodology for prospecting in this area.
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Date submitted2019-05-12
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Date accepted2019-07-22
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Date published2019-10-23
A Modern View of Anomalies in the Metal Groups of the Periodic System of D.I.Mendeleev
The article is devoted to the 150 th anniversary of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements by D.I.Mendeleev. The fundamental law of nature, discovered by D.I.Mendeleev has anomalies and paradoxes associated with certain groups of metals. When studying the physical and chemical properties of complex metal compounds, many discrepancies can be found, namely, the location of elements in groups, which primarily relate to metals with different valences. By studying the approaches and methods for predicting the arrangement of chemical elements, it can be established that D.I.Mendeleev eliminated many differences for some metals during the formation of the Periodic system of chemical elements. D.I.Mendeleev developed a principle that excludes such errors when finding and discovering new elements. Analytical studies conducted by a Russian scientist helped to calculate the atomic masses and describe the properties of three elements not known at that time – «eka-boron», «eka-silicon», «eka-aluminum», the existence of which was proved and confirmed by subsequent discoveries of scandium, germanium, boron, and gallium. The paper provides a significant assessment of the forecasting of metals in various groups of the periodic system. Changes in the properties of some metals significantly influenced their location in the table of D.I.Mendeleev.
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Date submitted2018-12-28
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Date accepted2019-03-24
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Date published2019-06-25
Modern physicochemical equilibrium description in Na2O–Al2O3–H2O system and its analogues
Equilibrium and non-equilibrium states of systems Na 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O and K 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O are crucial for establishing key technological parameters in alumina production and their optimization. Due to a noticeable discrepancy between experimental results and thermodynamic calculations based on materials of individual researchers the necessity of systematization and statistical processing of equilibrium data in these systems to create a reliable base of their physicochemical state, analysis and mathematical modeling of phase equilibria is substantiated. The tendency to a decrease of the hydration degree of solid sodium aluminates with increasing temperature and the transition of systems from the steady state of gibbsite to equilibrium with boehmite is revealed. The paper contains approximating functions that provide high-precision description of equilibrium isotherms in technologically significant area of Na 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O and K 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O concentrations. Approximating function can be simplified by dividing the isotherm into two sections with the intervals of alkaline content 0-0.25 and 0.25-0.4 mole/100 g of solution. The differences in solubility isotherms for Na 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O and K 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –H 2 O systems provide are associated with changes in the ionic composition solutions that depends on concentration and temperature, as well as differences connecting with alkali cation hydration, which is crucially important for thermodynamic modeling of equilibria under consideration.