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Chemistry for Sustainable Development

2012 year, number 1

Lithium Deposits of Spodumene Pegmatites in Siberia

A. G. VLADIMIROV1,7,9, N. Z. LYAKHOV2, V. E. ZAGORSKIY3, V. M. MAKAGON3, L. G. KUZNETSOVA3, S. Z. SMIRNOV1,8, V. P. ISUPOV2, I. M. BELOZEROV4, A. N. UVAROV5, G. S. GUSEV6, T. S. YUSUPOV1, I. YU. ANNIKOVA1, S. M. BESKIN6, S. P. SHOKALSKIY7, E. I. MIKHEEV1,8, P. D. KOTLER1,8, E. N. MOROZ1 and O. A. GAVRYUSHKINA1,8
1 Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Pr. Akademika Koptyuga 3, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russia)
vladimir@igm.nsc.ru
2 Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Ul. Kutateladze 18, Novosibirsk 630128 (Russia)
3 Vinоgradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
Ul. Favorskogo 1a, Irkutsk 664033 (Russia)
4 JSC “State Specialized Design Institute”, Novosibirsk VNIPIET,
Ul. B. Khmelnitskogo 2, Novosibirsk 630075 (Russia)
5 Zapsibgeolsyemka JSC,
Ul. Shkolnaya 5, Kemerovskaya Obl., Elan’ 654219 (Russia)
6 Institute of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Crystal Chemistry of Rare Elements,
Ul. Veresaeva 15, Moscow 121357 (Russia)
7 Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute,
Sredniy Pr. 74, St. Petersburg 199106 (Russia)
8 Novosibirsk State University,
Ul. Pirogova 2, Novosibirsk 630090 (Russia)
9 Tomsk Polytechnic University,
Pr. Lenina 30, Tomsk 634050 (Russia)
Keywords: lithium, spodumene, pegmatites, geological structure, mineralogy, geochemistry, Siberia
Pages: 3–20

Abstract

Comparative analysis of lithium deposits and ore manifestations of spodumene pegmatites of Siberia was carried out for the purpose of their development and substantiation of the investment attractivity for nuclear, electrochemical industry and defense technologies. The characteristics of the geological structure of ore fields of spodumene pegmatites are presented, along with the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of lithium-bearing complexes contained therein. The richest in lithium spodumene ore species are those from the deposits of the Eastern Sayan, Tuva and Eastern Transbaikalia. Comparable concentrations of lithium oxide are present in the ore from the Tashelga deposit in the Shoria Highlands. The ore from the Alakha stockwork situated in the south of the Altai Highlands has the lowest lithium oxide content; however, due to the uniformity of its distribution and substantial scale of mineralization, large-scale resources are concentrated there. After ore concentrating, the concentrate consists mainly of spodumene. Iron should be mentioned as one of the most abundant admixtures. The level of concentrate enrichment with lithium oxide is determined by its concentration in spodumene. In this respect, among the studied deposits the most promising ones appear to be the pegmatites of the Eastern Sayan (Goltsovoye deposit). We emphasize that there is a necessity to perform additional geological prospecting, chemical engineering and inspection examinations for the purpose of allocating the sites with the richest lithium ore species within the Zavitino deposit (Transbaikalia), as well as at the Goltsovoye, Belorechensk and Urik deposits (Eastern Sayan), Tastyg deposit (Tuva) and promising ore manifestations Tashelga (Mountain Shoria) and Alakha (Altai Highlands).<br>It is concluded that the spodumene pegamitites of Siberia are able to become the necessary and sufficient mineral raw material basis for the development of lithium industry in Siberia.