14th International Congress for Applied Mineralogy (ICAM2019)

Two contrasting feeds in terms of copper recovery from a Cu (Mo) porphyry deposit but with similar overall mineralogy have been characterized by X-ray diffraction for their <1 µm fraction illite crystallinity, Scherrer width and by atomic force microscopy for surface roughness. The unfavorable feed displayed slightly higher crystallinity, larger Scherrer width and surface roughness factors, than the feed with good Cu recovery. As Scherrer width is an easy and cheaply to determine parameter it is suggested as complementary information to particle size distribution analyses when dealing with feeds where illite may affect pulp viscosity or gangue adhesion to bubbles during flotation.

The Cerattepe mine, one of the volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in northeastern Turkey, is hosted within the late Cretaceous volcanic, intrusive and sedimentary rocks. Deposit’s main ore body contains high-grade massive copper sulfides and a gold-silver and barium rich oxide zone, characterized by dense alteration stages, is situated on top of it. Replacement, cataclastic, breccia, dissemination, dendritic, concentric growth, colloform, and framboidal textures were identified. Pyrite, sphalerite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena, tennantite-tetrahedrite, gold, covellite, digenite, chalcocite, cuprite and cubanite constitute the mineral paragenesis where quartz, calcite and barite account for the gangue minerals. Limonite, hematite, lepidocrocite, malachite, azurite and jarosite developed in the oxidation zone.

The material composition of the tills, including its mineral component, is formed during of the exaration-accumulative activity of the cover glacier and depends on the composition of the rocks of the glaciation centers, transit areas, local underlying rocks and on the relief of the preglacial bed. Thus the composition of the till is conditioned by the total influence of source glacier provinces and represents an average sample of the rocks on the way of the glacier.

Mayskoye gold deposit is located in Chukotka, Russia. Ore bodies are mineralized brecciation zones composed of vein-quartz, argillic altered rocks (siltstone and carbonaceous silts) with fine disseminated and veinlet gold-bearing arsenopyrite and pyrite. Two main technological types of ores were distinguished at the deposit: primary and oxide. The main reserves were represented by primary ores, which are classified as refractory. Oxide ore had a quartz-micaceous composition with minor feldspars, kaolinite and sulfides. Beside native visible and colloidal gold, other main carriers of gold in oxide ore are arsenopyrite, pyrite, minerals of scorodite group and stibnite. Tested oxide ore sample showed low recoveries, according to the existing flow sheet in the CIL plant. Cyanidation tests showed some preg-robbing effect on organic matter. Flotation of carbonatious matter with consecutive leaching of flotation tails proved to have better recoveries than direct leaching by reducing preg-robbing on carbon three times.

Ore variability study at Primorskoe gold-silver deposit demonstrated wide variety of mineral composition and gold and silver recoveries with cyanadation. The ore consisted of quartz-feldspar veins, quartz-rhodonite, quartz-“pyrolusite”, quartz-epidote-garnet and quartz-Mn-silicates/hydroxides. Todorokite, birnessite, rancieite were the most common among the last ones. Statistical analyses of chemical and mineral composition, parameters of cyanidation tests showed occurrence of three main ore types – feldspatic, manganese silicate and oxide. Gold recovery effected by locking in Fe-oxides. The highest silver recovery strongly correlated with feldspathic cluster and whiter sample color reflecting Ag mineral forms: acanthite and electrum. Ore with silicate Mn showed good recoveries of acanthite, electrum and iodargirite associated with Mn silicates. Main silver losses were connected with Mn-oxides content and dark ore coloration where Ag chemically bound in Mn-oxides. Sr and Ba content along with sample color were indications that could be used as a proxy for recovery in geometallurgical mapping and ore-sorting.

Levoberezhnoye gold deposit is located in Khabarovsk region. It formed quartz-sulfide and quartz-adularia veining and fracture zones in argillic altered intermediate volcanic tuffs and lavas. 61 variability study samples were composed of quartz, feldspar, mica, kaolinite, chlorite with minor pyrite, arsenopyrite, jarosite and accessories. Multivariate statistics of mineral composition and multi-element assays distinguished following ore types: (1) primary quartz-feldspar sulfide-bearing breccia veins, (2) oxidized breccias with micas transformed to illite-smectite; (3) high sulfidation quartz-kaolinite. Gold leach recovery correlated with high sulfate content as well as mica and chlorite transformation to illite and smectite. Low sulfidation ores showed lower leaching recovery connected to gold encapsulation in pyrite. Thus, oxidized and sulfate ore types were amenable to cyanidation, while primary ore was recommended for sulfide flotation gold recovery. Molybdenum high content connected to Ag, Cu, Pb and As and supposed to be formed in a separate mineralization event from gold.

Varvara Au-Cu mine deposit is located in Northern Kazakhstan. Mineralization is hosted in volcano-sedimentary, sedimentary rocks, metamorphosed and altered ultramafic and felsic rocks. Variability study was done on 58 composite samples represented five mineral ore types: serpentine-chlorite-talc; carbonate-chlorite-talc; quartz-sulfide; pyroxene-chlorite-prehnite ± garnet; quartz-feldspar ± pyroxene ± amphibole. Five processing ore types were defined: Au, Ni-As, pyrite, Cu and mixed. Mineralogy and geochemical studies revealed separate mineral associations carrying Cu, Ni-As and Au mineralization. Flotation and cyanidation tests were performed for each sample. Au losses with cyanidation cake occurred due to locking in sulfides. Floatation concentrate contamination with Mg-silicates (talc, serpentine) was connected to Au losses. Quartz-sulfide ore demonstrated better recovery by flotation. Cyanidation were most effective for pyroxene-chlorite-prehnite ± garnet and quartz-feldspar ± pyroxene ore compositions. Carbonate presence in the serpentine-chlorite-talc ore followed decrease in recovery by both extraction methods. Optimal viable ore treatment method can be chosen based on regression equations using ore chemical composition and color.

A bit more than a hundred years ago Wolfgang Ostwald, Professor at the University of Leipzig, published a book titled “The World of Neglected Dimensions” (Ostwald 1923). He announced a program of a research breakthrough into the world of microscopic particles, which was imminent by that time. A new stage of the intervention into “world of neglected dimensions” began near the end of the 20th century. The main objects at this stage were nanosized particles. The agenda raised issue of development of new sciences, including nanomineralogy. The subsequent mineralogical intervention into the “world of neglected dimensions” proved to be quite successful. We associate challenges of the next breakthrough with the study of objects and processes in the range from individual atoms and molecules to the first mineral individuals (nanoindividuals). The protomineral world is today a new “world of neglected dimensions”.

Selected mine tailings in northern-central Chile were geochemically and mineralogically studied for their economic potential and environmental impact. High bulk Co content up to 1500 ppm and Cu content up to 9100 ppm are caused by Co-bearing pyrite, chalcopyrite, and their secondary products such as malachite and Co-Cu-carrying Fe-hydroxides. Due to high amount of sulfide minerals acid mine drainage (AMD) is forming in the oxidized upper part of the tailing, which makes a retreatment in dispensable to reduce the environmental impact.

We used the process of hydrofluoride desilication for off-grade aluminum raw materials widely distributed in the Komi Republic. The optimal ratios of fluorinating agent (NH4HF2) to the target component (SiO2) were determined by the method of differential thermal analysis. At a fluorination temperature 300 °C and timing 30 min, we obtained concentrates containing up to 80% Al2O3 and up to 10% SiO2.

The main methodological parameters and the modes of investigation of samples containing micro- and nano-sized reagent phases are determined. Using scanning laser microscopy and an original method for analyzing the surface relief, a quantitative assessment of the adsorption layer of the collector reagent on Au-sulfide minerals was performed, the proportion of the molecular form of adsorption and the retention agent fixing strength was calculated. The theoretical basis for choosing the reagent mode for selective flotation of multicomponent ores was developed. The action mechanism has been revealed and the prospect of using novel selective collectors and environmentally friendly plant reagents for extracting non-ferrous and noble metals from complex sulfide ores has been substantiated.

The paper presents the data obtained in the process of mineralogical studies of technological samples of tin ore from the Pravourmiysky deposit. The authors studied in detail the mineralogical features of ores and tin-containing minerals and their significance for the enrichment technology. During of the study, the information on the main technological properties of the ore of the deposit was clarified and supplemented. As a result of the study of the mineral composition, the mineralogical features of the ore were identified, allowing to select the methods of ore enrichment and predict the quality of the concentrates and products obtained. The causes of loss of tin with tailings were established. The obtained data on the mineral composition, properties of ore minerals, and textural and structural features of the ores will be applied when modernizing their enrichment technology at the processing plant.

Çorak and Taç, two nearby mineralizations, are located in the eastern black sea region, which is one of the most productive metallogenic belts of Turkey. It is characterized by a great number of Kuroko-type volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits as well as vein-type polymetallic deposits, porphyry and epithermal precious metal deposits. Subject neighboring deposits are hosted within the voluminous Cretaceous-Eocene granitoids and interbedded volcanic rocks and carbonates. Mineralogy of altered host rocks include quartz veins, carbonates, sericite, chlorite, chalcedony, and disseminated sulfides - mainly pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite. The main texture encountered in the host rocks is hyalo-porphyry. Due to hydrothermal alterations primary minerals are mostly altered in which the ferromagnesian minerals are chloritized and calcified, while feldspars are altered into sericite, calcite, and albite. Silicification and argillic alteration (medium, moderate, high) are widely spread however; XRD analysis carried on 33 core samples from Çorak has also revealed local propylitic alteration, limonitization and hematitization as well. The minerals assemblages that accompanied the different alterations include jarosite and alunite suggesting high sulfidation hydrothermal mineralization. Through the ore microscopic studies, pyrite, chalcopyrite galena, sphalerite, and a lesser amount of sulfosalts (tennantite-tetrahedrite and pyrargyrite) were determined. Quartz and calcite account for the main gangue minerals. While the Taç mineralization is pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite dominating, the Çorak mineralization contains relatively less chalcopyrite and galena becomes prevalent with sphalerite. Gold in both sites may reach up to 10 ppm, on average 3 ppm. Silver occurrence is insignificant.

The article studies the mineralogical features of phosphate ores. In the conditions of declining industrial reserves of apatite-containing ores, issues of a more comprehensive and in-depth study of the mineral and material composition, as well as the improvement of existing technologies for the processing of this type of raw material, become topical. Using optical methods of analysis, electron microscopy with automated mineralogical analysis (MLA), mineral and elemental composition of apatite was obtained. Taking into account the studied mineralogical and material composition, experiments on grinding and flotation were carried out. Based on these data, it was concluded that the optimal scheme for the processing of phosphate ores is a flotation scheme with preliminary selective disintegration.

The solid mineral raw materials of the sediment deposits containing the argillaceous variations such as the coal and the potash ores are the most multi-tonnage solid minerals mined and processed in the territory of the Russian Federation. Both types of the deposits have relatively simple geology aspects with large and medium-sized solids and as a rule, the most often, with the regular bedding which are characterized by the fitchery thickness and the internal structure. Such deposits are very difficult for mining and processing. The thermal modification of this of ores allows changing the physico-chemical properties of its components in such a way that their further processing - grinding, separation, transportation and storage can be carried out without the use of process water or significantly reduces its consumption.

The term “accessory minerals” is applicable to an expanding range of mineral resources, including rare minerals of anthropogenic deposits and mineral metallurgical wastes. Typical accessory minerals of sedimentary rocks, metallurgical slags and calcines include sulphide minerals of iron, copper, and zinc. This work covers certain chemical transformations of accessory sulphides contained in the wastes of the metallurgical industry. Note that similar behaviors of sulphides may also be observed in the thermal processing of coal. It is shown that, in terms of thermodynamics, thermal processing of products containing precious metals enables application of various methods for generating artificial covellite with silver and gold content through the use of accessory sulphide minerals.

The results of researches of crystal-chemical features of magnetites obtained from the KMA ferruginous quartzites deposits are presented. It is shown that all magnetites are represented by cation-scarce mineral differences. The correlation dependences between the technological indexes (yield, extraction) and the magnetite concentration in quartzites are established.

The results of mineralogical-petrographic researches of relationship of iron sulphidic minerals with a magnetite and their influence on the technological properties of the KMA ferruginous quartzites are presented. A classification of ferruginous quartzites by sulphidic factor on the basis of textural and structural features of the divided mineral components is developed.

The Kirazlıyayla deposit is one of Pb-Zn (±Cu) deposits associated with andesitic volcanism cutting through the metamophics of Karakaya complex. It is a structurally controlled, vein-stockwork style, mesothermal ore deposit. Replacement, brecciation, vein/veinlets, carries, sea-island, and dissemination textures were identified. Pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, tennantite, and covellite constitute the ore mineral paragenesis. Quartz, calcite and dolomite with kaolinite account for the gangue minerals. Supergene stage is insignificant. The Kirazlıyayla mineralization is a Zn-Pb (±Cu) mineralization hosted by tectonically controlled andesitic volcanism within the Karakaya metamorphics and has common features with the other occurrences in the western Anatolia.

We have considered problem of accumulation, storage, utilization and recycling of wastes of various industries. We chose borogypsum as the object of study, which contains gypsum and silicon dioxide, which can be used in various industries. We proposed a new flotation reagent for separation of silicon concentrate from wastes of boric acid production. Using methods of mathematical planning we conducted a multifactorial experiment, which allowed identifying optimal flotation mode. We developed a technology for processing of borogypsum.

Modern software was used to conduct X-ray phase analysis of gypsum raw material of different genesis: gypsum from several deposits, citrogypsum, phosphogypsum, vitamin gypsum, chemically pure gypsum, hydration products from different gypsum and anhydrite cementing and composite materials on their bases. Two criteria for ranging gypsum raw material with the account of genesis and structural characteristics and predicting properties of gypsum bindings and materials based on them were suggested: structure sophistication criteria (Кg) and identity criteria (Кi). They were calculated by the results of X-ray phase analysis of calcium sulphate.

Seven mineralogical-geochemical types of ores have been identified in the gold orogenic deposits of Uzbekistan: /Au-W/Au-Bi-Te/Au-As/Au-Ag-Te/Au-Ag-Se/Au-Sb/Au-Hg/. Non-industrial are Au-W and Au-Hg. For each industrial type, certain gold compounds are characteristic: maldonite, Au-arsenopyrite and Au-pyrite, petzite, physhesserite, petrovskaite, aurostibite, which form regular micro- nanoensembles with the corresponding minerals Bi, Te, Se, S, As, Sb. They are direct indicators of the type and technological properties of ores. Pyrite and arsenopyrite are preserved in the processing wastes of Au-Bi-Te and Au-As ores, in which gold (901‰), maldonite (Au2Bi), headleyite (Bi7Te3) and others were detected, 300–700 nm in size. Waste is suitable for the secondary extraction of gold.

Recycling and disposal of mining wastes has been very important and considered as an independent task. Features of composition and structure of mining wastes, identified by a set of mineralogical analysis methods, allowed predicting their possible involvement in the secondary processing. This was illustrated by the example of metallurgical iron slags.

LA-ICP-MS data on trace element zonation reflecting a local variation of physicochemical conditions of mineralization in black, grey and clear smokers from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are used for comparison with the ancient chimneys of the Urals, Rudniy Altai, Pontides and Hokuroko massive sulfide deposits. Host rocks also influence on high-tech trace element assemblages in chalcopyrite: ultramafic (high Se, Sn, Co, Ni, Ag and Au) → mafic (high Co, Se, Mo and low Bi, Au and Pb) → bimodal mafic (high Te, Au, Ag, Bi, Pb, Co, moderate Se, and variable As and Sb) → bimodal felsic (high As, Sb, Mo, Pb, moderate Bi, and low Co, Te and Se). In sphalerite of the same range, the contents of Bi, Ga, Pb, In, Ag, Au and Sb increase versus Fe, Se, Sn and Co. The variations in pyrite coincide with these changes. Diagenetic evolution of high-tech elements is recognized in sulfide nodules.

It is identified for the first time that, during process of complicated deformation in eolian conditions - mechanical transformation of flaky gold into toroidal form and then into globular-hollow form, gold is cleaned up to absolutely pure metal with fineness 1000‰. Note that, fineness of this eolian gold is higher than fineness of the reference object, shown by the detecting device (JXA-5OA micro-analyzer). In this connection, identified natural process of gold cleaning in eolian conditions can be successfully used in gold metallurgy to obtain absolutely pure gold.

Microhardness of eolian gold – new morphologic type of placer gold, is studied. Flaky gold particles with a elevation at the periphery, as well as gold of toroidal and globular-hollow forms belong to eolian gold. Genesis of eolian gold is related to mechanical transformation of flaky gold particles into toroidal, and then into globular-hollow form in eolian conditions, that is experimentally proven. Previous studies determined changes of microhardness, mainly from 47 kg/mm2 to 100 kg/mm2, lower limit – 40 kg/mm2. But, low microhardness was identified in globular-hollow gold for the first time, which stood at 21 kg/mm2. This is due to the fact that, as a result of transformation of flaky gold in eolian conditions, under mechanical and chemical processes, silver and trace elements were removed, that led to fineness increase up to 1000‰, and to decompaction of inner structure of gold, that influenced microhardness indices. Identified patterns in nature, microhardness changes under mechanogenic and chemical process impact in eolian conditions, can be successfully used in gold metallurgy to produce gold alloys with very low microhardness.

Modern technologies of mineralogical study and evaluation of rare metal raw quality are focused on its variety. Methods of the mineral processing, allowing to optimize monitoring of ore properties defining technological processes and quality of expected products are presented. Some examples of rare metal ores mineralogical study are given. The main challenging tasks in rare metal ores quality evaluation are considered.

The authors have developed a method for producing highly dispersed sillenite bismuth silicate in the system Na2O-Bi2O3-SiO2 (NBS) from water solutions of organosilicon monomers (sodium methylsiliconate) and bismuth nitrate. The paper studies the phase composition and microstructure of the synthesized NBS material at different temperatures. The morphology of crystals in the NBS material and the peculiarities of its thermal-oxidative breakdown are investigated. X-ray diffraction spectra obtained using a cuКα-source are used to evaluate the crystal lattice spacing and to analyze the broadening of the maximum-intensity diffraction line for this crystal with due consideration of crystal indices h, k, l by the approximation method to determine the dimensions of the coherent scattering region and microdistortions of the crystal lattice Δa/a. The authors established that the silicate shell on Bi12SiO20 particles is close to the silicates with continuous chain radicals [SiO3] ∞ 2− , and a part of them are bridges between the bismuth silicate particles.

Nevenrekan deposit, located in Magadan region, Russia, is a perspective Au-Ag deposit with average silver content 445 ppm and gold 7.4 ppm. The study of the ores reveals the main Ag-bearing minerals: Au-Ag alloys, tetrahedrite-tennantite series and new phase – Ag8SnSe2S4. New phase contains the main part of the silver of the deposit – 97.6%.

Having studied polymetamorphic complexes of the Urals, including its northern part, for many years we have collected material on the basis of which we attempted to make generalizations concerning both the morphology of zircons and their geochemical features, allowing the mineral to be used in the reconstruction of specific metamorphic events and the interpretation of geochronological data (Pystina et al. 2017; Pystina and Pystin 2002). In recent years we also obtained new results on the morphology and geochemistry of zircons from granitoids in the northern part of the Subpolar Urals (Pystina and Pystin 2002). Together, this made it possible to compare different morphological types of magmatic and metamorphic zircons.

During radiation-thermal transformation of Timan ferrous bauxites we discovered a previously unknown phenomenon of microphaseheterogenization, which can contribute to the extraction of many valuable impurities during processing of relatively poor quality bauxite raw.

The paper describes the studies of processing tails of the Olimpiada Mining and Processing Complex with the methods of chemical, mineralogical, electronic microscope, deep reductive melting with division of the melt into a silicate and metal parts. It is demonstrated that 85% of the processing tails consist of the oxides: SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, H2O and CO2. The distribution of gold and silver is provided by the size classes of the initial blend, after melting of which in reduction conditions re-distribution of gold to the metal phase of the melt occurs. The silicate part of the melt when released into water in the “thermal shock” mode forms a light porous X-ray amorphous material “foam silicate”, which also serves as a resource for stable chemical composition for production of a wide range of import substituting ceramic materials.

The paper is supposed to discuss one of the most important technological properties of mineral aggregates: their ability to disintegrate, to be destroyed for the subsequent redistribution and extraction of a useful component. The strength of a mineral aggregate is determined by the strength of accretion of composing individuals and depends on many factors, including the energy (kinetics) of formation conditions and the subsequent transformation conditions. The energy of the boundary of accretion of mineral grains in aggregate cannot be directly measured since currently, there are no reliable and proved methods for measuring the surface energy of solids. It is only possible to calculate quantity, proportional to the surface energy of the fusion of mineral grains – this is the calculation of the atomic density of the surface, parallel to the boundary of accretion of a pair of mineral grains. The methodology and calculation of this characteristic have been developed and published. The use and obtaining of results are possible at the stage of preliminary mineralogical study by methods of geometrical analysis of the structure of the mineral aggregate. The effectiveness of the proposed method is determined by the knowledge of the quality and features of destruction of the aggregates using different physical methods of disintegration: traditional mechanical, ultrasonic, electro-pulse, electro-hydraulic.

This article discusses the new technical solutions that increase the restoration of the quality of pregnant solutions flowing out from the heap leach pile.

Transformations of the porous space structure for gabbro-diabase under compressive loads is studied. Quantitative assessment of respective structural parameters for the pore space is ensured through the application of X-ray computer microtomography, enabling visualization of the internal three-dimensional structure of each sample and a detailed quantitative analysis of the pore space structure for both separate sections and the entire sample volume. Differences in the number, sizes, shapes, connectivity and spatial distribution of pores are established. It is shown that, when the sample is destroyed, the structure of the pore space in its fragments is transformed as follows: intracrystalline pores are partially closing, with the simultaneous emergence of new pores of large capillary sizes, concentrated in the cracks. In terms of their structure, these cracks represent a system of interconnected pores containing micron-size mineral particles.

The Tyrnyauz ore field (Big Tyrnyauz) is one of the largest and most geologically complex deposits of tungsten and molybdenum. The main valuable mineral of the deposit is molybdoscheelite, a representative of the sheelite—powellite isomorphic series, as well as molybdenite and respective accessory minerals. The main problem in the processing of ores of the Tyrnyauz ore field consists in the high variability of mineral associations of its rocks, including the availability of ores and nonmetallic minerals with similar physical and chemical properties, as well as in the availability of ores of various natural types. Selective mining and processing of various geological and industrial types of ores with a wide use of vibrational technologies for the selective disintegration of raw materials is a promising approach to the development of the Tyrnyauz concentrator.

The methods of applied mineralogy are used to assess the scale of the mineralization of tin occurrences and deposits. One of such methods is the crystallomorphological method for estimating the level of tin ore bodies developed by N.Z. Evzikova. According to the crystallomorphological features of cassiterite it allows one to estimate the possible depth of distribution of mineralization and its magnitude. Using the example of three studied tin-ore districts of the Far East the possibilities of using crystallomorphology of cassiterite to predict and evaluate the prospect of mineralization of both the ore region as a whole and individual ore occurrence at the exploration stage are shown.

The article is devoted to the history and justification of the modal analysis of rocks and ores with a microscope. It is shown that the Delesse-Rosiwal-Glagolev ratios do not follow from the Cavalieri principle. They do not allow one to find the exact volume of the minerals in rocks or ores, but give only their average estimates. It is also shown that the volume fractions of convex mineral grains in rocks and ores, taken equal to the fractions of their flat sections, are always underestimated if compared with the matrix. Due to the wide variety and complexity of forms of mineral grains, the methods of stereological reconstruction lead to integral equations with a difficult to define form factor. Most likely, tomography methods should come to replace the modal analysis of rocks and ores in thin sections.

Mineralogical studies are an integral part of the exploration and development of solid mineral deposits, the effectiveness of which directly depends on the quality of the measurements. Moreover, five decades QA/QC system of mineralogical analysis (UKARM) for Russian geological survey is developed. Its specific features and tasks are discussed. The system provides to obtain complete, reliable, metrologically evaluated and legally valid information about the material composition and structure of rocks and ores. QA/QC of mineralogical analysis ensures the coordination of testing laboratories, starting with the resources of testing laboratories, stuffing at last. This system covers the entire process of mineralogical research, starting at the resources of testing laboratories as stuff and equipment, through the research procedure as the selection of testing object and its preparation for analysis, the accuracy of analysis rank, the testing method and technique, to metrology data and the quality assessment of the results obtained.

Paper deals with discussion of minerals’ preparation requiring high purity monoproducts, this has special importance for minerals –geochronometers. Widely used methods including gravitation, magnetic separation, floatation provide fractions with 90% of targeted mineral. Further monominerality increase requires special separation methods; one of them – “Strat” is perspective. It is based on separation in organic liquids under gradual density change. Combination of bromoform with d – 2.89 g/sm3 and dimethyle formamide with d – 0.8 g/sm3 is used; density gradations till 0.001 g/sm3 are possible therefore isomorphic inclusions could be separated. Another direction is presented by trybotreatments under higher energies in planetary mills with a centrifugal factor to 40–50 g. Exotic surface substances presented mainly by kaolinite, muscovite, calcite, gothite are removed as trybotreatment result. Special planetary mills - classifiers are used for processing of big samples. This method together with minerals opening in disintegrator under destruction by the free pulse is recommended for wide application.

Popigai is the world largest crater produced by an impact event. Abundant graphite in the target rocks underwent martensitic transformation into a mixture of high-pressure phases (an aggregate of nanometer cubic diamond and hexagonal lonsdaleite crystals), and some amount of graphite survived as a residual phase. They are of two types: (i) diamonds extracted from tagamites as chips of grains crushed during processing; (ii) yakutites in placers inside and around the crater, which formed at the impact epicenter and dispersed during the event. The impact diamonds possess exceptional abrasive strength, 1.8 to 2.4 times greater than in synthetic diamonds. The outstanding wear resistance, a large specific surface area and a thermal stability (200–250 °C greater than in synthetic diamonds) are favorable for main technological uses. With these properties, impact diamonds are valuable as material for composites and tools.

There are 6 semi-precious gemstones in Turkey that are the most significant in terms of abundance and authenticity. These include smoky quartz, blue chalcedony, chrysoprase (aka Şenkaya emerald), diaspore (aka sultanite/zultanite), sepiolite (aka meerschaum/Eskişehirstone), and jet (aka Oltustone). The smoky quartz occurs in the south of Büyük Menderes Basin within metamorphic rocks of the massif. Chalcedony occurrences are in Çanakkale and Sarıcakaya (Eskişehir). Chrysoprase is acquired in Bursa, Alaşehir (Manisa) as yellowish green in color, Biga (Çanakkale), Sivrihisar (Eskişehir) and Şenkaya (Erzurum) as dark green in color. Diaspore occurs in Milas (Muğla), Söke (Aydın), Tire (İzmir), Bolkardağı Gerdekkilise area and Saimbeyli (Adana). Sepiolite occurrences are limited to Kıbrısçık-Köroğlu (Bolu), Eskişehir and Konya. Jet (aka Oltustone) occurs in Oltu area (Erzurum). These are the major varieties that has been used to produce both jewelry and ornamental objects among which the prayer beads are one of the most indispensable object of oriental cultures in particular. These are also considered to be the authentic gems of Turkey and exported as raw and processed in into many forms. As for the prayer beads, lightness, color, durability, hardness, and cost are the main criteria. Thus, the Oltustone has been the major source for decades. However, the Eskişehir stone and blue chalcedony are becoming popular as well.

The effects of temperature and the presence of NaCl on bioleaching of chalcopyrite, enargite, and tennantite were studied. Rate of copper extraction from all minerals depended on temperature and was the highest at 45–50 °C. NaCl addition increased rate of copper extraction from chalcopyrite but led to the decrease in copper extraction from enargite and tennantite.

Titanium ore in the Devonian paleoplacers of Middle Timan is predominantly represented by leucoxene, less frequently by modified ilmenite (pseudorutile). Other titanium minerals are found in small amounts (or have a sharply subordinate significance). All titanium minerals have numerous inclusions of quartz, which create an intractable problem in the enrichment of titanium ore. Metamorphogenic porphyroblastic explains the presence of quartz in titanium minerals. Precambrian seric-chlorite clay weathering crusts are a supplier of titanium minerals Timan. Leucoxene and ilmenite form in paraschist under conditions of facies of green shale of regional metamorphism, poikiloblasts. In the poikiloblasts, the poikilite and helicitic structures are well defined, due to numerous poikilite inclusions of quartz. The poikiloblasts, poikilite and heliic structures are well represented, due to the numerous poikilite incorporating quartz.

Native gold and PGM from NW Kuznetsk Alatau (NWKA) (South Siberia, Russia) have been investigated. Applying the complex of advanced analytical, geo-chemical, and statistical techniques permits determination of motherlode types of noble mineralization (NM). For gold, it is mineralization of three types: 1 – the gold-sulfide-quartz type associated with dykes of the basic composition and fault-line zones (2), as well as the gold-skarn type (3). For PGM it is mineralization of the Ural-Alaskan (1) and the ophiolitic (2) types, as well as multicomponent alloys associated with layered intrusions (3). The presence of rims and inclusions is indicative of postmagmatic transformations of the minerals. In the meantime, Au and PGM from NW Kuznetsk Alatau placers retain genetic traits of motherlodes.

The first study of the noble metal mineralization of the ore zone “C” of the East-Pana massif allowed to divide it into two types: early magmatic low-sulfide and late post-magmatic proper PGE associations.

Shungite rocks are widespread in Zaonezhye, Republic of Karelia, where they constitute dozens of carbonaceous rock deposits of the Paleoproterozoic Onega structure with predicted carbon resources of more 4 billion tons. The lower age boundary is of 2.1 Ga. Shungite rocks belong to carbonaceous rock class. These rocks metamorphosed in greenshcist facies of muscovite-chlorite-biotite subfacies are unique natural, noncrystalline, non-graphitized, fullerene-like carbon. They have various structural-mineralogical levels: (a) supramolecular, (b) molecular, (c) electron-energetic, (d) structural-physical and (e) geologic-genetic (parametric). Shungite rocks contain shungite carbon (shungite matter) and a variety minerals, microminerals and nanominerals. The applications of shungite rocks are determined with regard for their natural types. Authors had shown their intergrated application in ore-thermal processes.

A detailed study of the chromitites clinopyroxenite Kamenushinsky massif in the middle Urals has allowed to allocate from them the gold-silver alloy. The study of the chemical composition, morphology of gold-silver alloys, peculiarities of their placement allowed not only to determine their genetic relationship with platinum-bearing chromites, but also to make an assumption about the formation of chromitites as a result of a single geological process.

The unique Nb-REE deposit is located within the Tomtor complex of ultramafic alkaline and carbonatite rocks in the northern Sakha Republic (Yakutia) (Kravchenko and Pokrovsky 1995; Dobretsov and Pokhilenko 2010; Lazareva et al. 2015). Ores reside in three layers (Severny, Yuzhny, and Buranny sites) which fill depressions in subsided profiles of weathered carbonatites. Judging by stable isotope analysis, carbonates from laterite weathering profiles at the Tomtor Nb-REE-deposit formed by different mechanisms, including microbially mediated organic-clastic sulfate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of methane.

The generalized information about the peridot from deposits and ore occurrence of well-known formation type is presented in this paper. Peridots from specific deposits vary in the accompanying mineral associations. These gems, depending on the genesis, contain differing in phase composition inclusions of mineral-forming medium and have different crystallization temperatures.

Mineralogical analysis is one of the main methods to determine sources for paleoplacers and location of source glacial provinces. Our studies defined location of source glacier provinces and sources for titanium paleoplacers of the East European Part of Russia.

In this paper, a bench study of the pump-ejector system for simultaneous water and gas injection (SWAG) was conducted. For these purposes, a pump-ejector system stand was used. A differential pressure gauge was used to determine the gas flow at the ejector intake. According to the results of differential manometer calibrations, a new formula was obtained which reduces its inaccuracy to 1% at pressures below 0.6 MPa. In addition, according to the pressure-energy diagrams, it was determined that the gas injection with excess pressures in the ejector suction chamber significantly increases the efficiency of the pumping-ejector system overall.

Combined development of oil and salt layers of the oil field allows to obtain a mineralized solution to intensify the extraction of oil from the reservoir and create an underground reservoir in the salt reservoir for underground storage of hydrocarbons, including the creation of an underground gas storage (UGS) in rock salt.

The Lower Triassic sediments of the Timan-Pechora oil and gas bearing province were studied by the complex of lithological, petrophysical and geochemical methods. It is established that productive deposits are represented by various-grained sandstones that formed in arid climates in the vast alluvial-lacustrine plain. The research allowed to study and characterize the structure features of rock and mineral aggregates, forming a pore space. The high heterogeneity of the composition and structure of the cement minerals of the reservoir caused by local facies-paleogeographic sedimentation conditions, were the cause of the significant variability of the pore space. Rocks reservoirs are complex, with high content of clay component, an effective development of which requires special methods of stimulation.

The article analyzes the current state and prospects for utilization of a hydrocarbon component dissolved in oil and released during its extraction and preparation - associated petroleum gas (APG). The authors studied the properties, characteristics and component composition of APG.The analysis of the APG use at the international and regional levels is carried out. The main causes of flaring were discussed and the shortage of production capacities for APG processing in the Russian Federation was noted as one of the main factors in the high level of APG flaring in the country.The paper notes possible ways of utilization of associated petroleum gas, which depend on oil production conditions, such as field characteristics, oil/gas ratio (gas-oil factor), and market opportunities for recovered gas. An overview of all APG utilization methods are presented, which focuses on unit costs, economic benefits and environmental impact reduction. The authors analyzed the innovative experience of effective APG use in the USA and Canada. Special attention is paid to the need to solve the problem of the effective use of APG in the Russian Federation, especially the reduction of its burning in flare plants.

In this article, the authors considered an innovative technology for restricting sands to reduce complications and watering during the development of the Vankor gas and oil field.

The results of the study of accessory apatite from the Kozhym massif rocks have been presented in this paper. Apatites of the same morphological type were found in granites. The Kozhym massif granites formation temperatures by apatite were determined by the Watson and Bea saturation thermometry. These temperatures were compared with the previously obtained ones for accessory zircon of the same massif.

The article introduces the study of structural changes in surface and deep layers in magnetite crystals, on samples under high pressure pressing. Magnetite (magnetite iron-ore concentrate) is widely used as a filling compound of new composites which are planned to be used in nuclear-construction. These compounds are based on the aluminum containing matrix with a filling compound. This modern composite material can be used in construction structures able to resist significant loads, operate in such extreme situations as abrupt dynamic loads, fires with further alternating temperature oscillations.

Lacquer peel profiles are a valuable technique to preserve and study sedimentary structures and depositional features outside the field. The use of the lacquer fluid Mowiol® has shown to work well as a simple and rapid preparation technique for tailings material from a tailings heap in Copiapó, Chile. The combination of lacquer peels with 2D mapping techniques such as Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) can provide important sedimentary information such as particle size distribution on a large scale with little effort, which becomes quantifiable due to continuous 2D information and modern image analysis. The presented relationship of element or mineral distribution with particle size can serve as a tool for targeted and more focused sampling for mineral exploration in tailings and tailings analysis in general, considering future selective mining for economic or environmental reasons.

The presented extraction methods are based on the features of the state of liquids in the capillary space in the form of a weak electrolyte. These methods make possible to extract micro- and nanoparticles adsorbed in matrix minerals from a suspension placed in the graphite substrate into a capillary solution. After the particle deposition in the substrate due to evaporative concentration the microprobe analysis is performed. The method is known as the capillary method of extracting micro and nanoparticles.The described methods was used as a prototype for extracting micro- and nanoparticles from suspensions associated with the use of an external electric field. The field is created by connecting the electrodes to a graphite substrate and applied suspension with a direct current source using the voltage of 4 ÷ 6 V. The micro- and nanoparticles adsorbed in matrix minerals are extracted into the capillary solution. The deposition of micro- and nanoparticles in a capillary solution is made by the method of evaporative concentration. The application of an external electric field intensify extraction of micro- and nanoparticles.

We present a comparative evaluation of efficiency of titanium dioxide polymorphs as an active photocatalyst (commercially available DegussaP25, anatase (Sigma Aldrich), natural leucoxene concentrate (Pizhemskoe deposit, Russia) and titanium dioxide nanotubes based on it). The materials obtained on the basis of relatively inexpensive and affordable ilmenite-leucoxene ore have the same efficiency as more expensive commercial products.

The possible use of high-Mg host rocks, such as serpentinite and pyroxenite, from the Aganozero chromium ore deposit and serpentinite from the Ozerki soapstone deposit, Republic of Karelia, for the production of heat-insulating building materials, ceramic pigments and filters for purification of technogenous solutions is assessed. The results of analysis of the mineralogical compositions of serpentinites and pyroxenite, as well as the physico-mechanical properties (strength, heat conductivity, shrinkage upon roasting, moisture resistance, etc.) and structural characteristics of the ceramic and heat-insulating materials produced on their basis are reported.

We have established that under such conditions, when the formation of a supramolecular structure from spherical silica particles 220–320 nm in diameter is limited by the rate of introduction of particles into the sedimentation zone (sedimentation deposition in a constant cross section tube), the particle deposition rate, as well as the formation rate of the supramolecular structure, is strictly linear. At the same time, under conditions of excess of disperse phase in the zone of formation of the supramolecular structure (sedimentation deposition in a tube with a modified cross section), the deposition rate is also linear, but there is some delay in formation of the supramolecular structure in time, the larger the smaller is the particle size of the disperse phase. After the formation of the supramolecular structure is completed, a region with an increased concentration of the disperse phase remains, the height of which is greater, the smaller is the particle size. It is shown that a certain concentration of the disperse phase is necessary to begin the formation of a supramolecular structure, below which the formation of a supramolecularly ordered structure does not occur. The concentration of the disperse phase, necessary for beginning of formation of a supramolecular structure, is a constant value that does not vary with time and depends only on the size of the particles.

Complex ortohoborates of rare earth metals with the general chemical formula RxLa1−xSc3(BO3)4 (R = Sm, Tb) have been obtained by solid state synthesis and spontaneous crystallization. These crystals belong to the huntite family with the space group R32 and for x = 0.5 have unit cell parameters a = 9.823(6), c = 7.975(3) (SLSB) and a = 9.803(3), c = 7.960(4) Å (TLSB).

The paper studied high-silicon amorphous rocks from the perspective of their application for glass production of different purpose. The results contained data of calculation of dry mixtures for producing heat-protective glass using amorphous varieties of silicon dioxide. The obtained glass specimens were melted and studied for spectral characteristics.

The production of sanitary white wares traditionally uses multi-component mixes, which is necessitated by a whole complex of properties: high density and low humidity of molding slurries with low thixotropic strengthening and good filterability of the slurry. However, modern understanding of the structure and properties of materials open opportunities for optimization of technological process and production of higher-quality articles. The implementation of activation technologies and replacement of traditional molding slurries by artificial ceramic binders will reduce the number of components in mixes and optimize the production of white wares. Since the achievement of working performance of ceramic materials substantially depends on the phase formation processes in a material during sintering. Current work analyses the phase transformations occurring at all stages of white ware production as per proposed technology.

A new trend in the modeling algorithm oil sorption materials is the adsorptive immobilization of strains of microorganisms on mineral sorbent. The objects of study were clay and zeolite raw and biogeosorbents with oil-oxidizing microorganisms from Biotrin preparation, immobilized on them. During our work we modeled biogeosorbents and estimated their sorption and destructive properties in reference to petroleum hydrocarbons.

Peculiarities of Portland cement dehydration in different hydrate phases with sodium water glass have been given. Three endoeffects were determined during non-isothermal heating, connected with ettringite dehydration and water extraction at temperature ranges 98.7–110.0 ℃, calcium hydroxide decomposition at temperature ranges 439.4–450.7 ℃ and secondary carbonates decomposition at temperature ranges 657.4–669.3 ℃. We experimentally proved that the rates of dehydration of hydrated Portland cement was significantly influenced by the liquid glass concentration. Optimum liquid glass content was grounded in the protective layer of composite finishing material, modified with low-temperature plasma.

The nanobiocatalyst is an emerging innovation that synergistically integrates advanced nanotechnology with biotechnology for improving enzyme activity, stability, capability and engineering performances. Enzymes and clay minerals are two important essential substances in the earth. As the important nanostructured minerals, clay minerals have played an important role in enzyme-related biochemical processes such as the origin and evolution of life, soil ecological environment, pollution remediation and element geochemical cycling, and even some clay minerals have intrinsic enzymatic activities. Based on the study of clay minerals-based enzyme-like activities and enzymatic catalysis in confined environment by clay minerals, lipase and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) functionalized montmorillonite (Mt) were selected to biomimetic construct lipase-Mt nanobiocatalyst. Experimental results indicated that lipase-Mt activity was 40.65 U/mg, which was nearly 4-fold higher than that of free lipase under optimal conditions. The kinetic parameters of Km and Vmax for lipase-Mt were 3.406 mM and 312.5 mM/L min, respectively, indicating a higher affinity of the immobilized lipase in nanobiocatalyst towards the substrate compared with free lipase. The present study has provided a promising way for screening, optimizing and rational design of efficient nanomineral-based enzymatic nanobiocatalyst. The present work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41672039). The Longshan Academic Talent Research Support Program of the Southwest University of Science and Technology (18LZX405).

The results of thermal and X-ray phase analysis of hydrothermal stabilized kaolin clay are given. An evaluation method has been suggested of crystalline structure order according to the strength degree of elementary contacts in clay suspensions. It has been noted that hydrothermal stabilization may result in crystallohydrate crystalline structure perfection, in saturation, extraction or rearrangement of water molecule in kaolinite clay structure, and influence new phase generation during ceramic material baking.

XRF method was used to study the mineralogical compounds of the radiation protection ceramic materials based on a high-alumina binder and a “heavy” aggregate, bismuth oxide. The content of Bi2O3 in the test samples was kept in the range of 38.5–75 wt%. Along with the bismuth oxide, the aggregate was aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The binder synthesis followed the principle of obtaining ceramic concretes based on artificial ceramic binders (ACB).The paper establishes the specifics of sintering of the composites under study, fired under different temperatures.

Among anticorrosive coatings for steel products, glass-enamel glass is the most reliable and versatile, based on aluminoborosilicate glasses of the SiO2-Al2O3-B2O3-R2O system. This anti-corrosion coating allows to increase the chemical resistance of the internal surface of pipelines to various groups of reagents. Therefore, in the course of the study, a previously developed composition was modified by introducing oxides SrO, ZrO2, CaO, MoO3, Li2O and their acid and alkalinity of enamel frits and coatings based on them and it was found that the addition of strontium and zirconium oxide in the amount of 2% was optimal.

The paper presents the results of the study of the influence of formulation and process parameters of dehydrated raw material preparation based on polymineral clay rocks of the Republic of Mordovia used as independent mineral additives to cement composites. The possibility of increasing the studied physical and mechanical parameters of composites by optimizing the mode of clay raw material calcination and the content of the developed modifier is shown.

There are evidences and records concerning clay exploitation for pottery in the island of Santa Maria (Azores, Portugal) in the past. Nowadays this activity is almost extinct but this is the only island in the archipelago with abundant residual and sedimentary clay deposits. To evaluate the applicability of clays from this island for modern ceramics, a campaign made in May 2017 allowed collecting twenty samples in several outcrops all over the island. All samples were subsequently analyzed in terms of granulometry, mineralogy, chemical composition and physical properties. Results revealed to be interesting, namely concerning mineralogical composition, where phyllosilicates such as Kaolinite are in high percentages. Granulometry also revealed that most part of the samples is composed by fine grain size particles (<63 µm), which can be a good indicator of the existence of resources in great quantity.

Adobe is an extremely simple form of earth construction and with this technique the shrinkage associated with the construction of large structures is avoided. In Portugal, earthen materials have been used in load-bearing walls in the form of adobe or rammed earth for the construction of buildings especially in the southern and central coast. Most conventional consolidation treatments used in the past have not succeeded in providing a long-term solution because they did not tackle the main cause of degradation, the expansion and contraction of constituent clay minerals in response to humidity changes. Clay swelling could be reduced significantly by transforming clay minerals into non-expandable binding materials with cementing capacity using alkaline activation. in this study it was being developed adobes with water, and alkaline activated with NaOH and KOH. The obtained results allowed to conclude that the adobes with NaOH and KOH have an increase of its properties.

One of new and perspective lines of development in the field of construction technologies is the integration of additive production elements. The laboratory study of these issues revealed critical challenges that slightly slowed down the introduction of construction printing in daily construction practice. One of such problems is a big difference of structurization conditions of additive composites produced via traditional methods. The paper provides the analysis of factors exerting negative influence on structurization and considers the possibilities of solving such challenges.

We presented the effect of gasifier flow on gas release kinetics and basic properties of aerated concrete with variable traverse density and strength. We found optimal consumption of gasifier for manufacturing of aerated concrete with variatropic properties from expanded clay sand, wherein we obtained aerated concrete with a strength of 1.42 MPa at an average density of 414 kg/m3.

The structure of mixed cements with mineral additives of different nature enables to divide them into two types: with single-stage and multi-stage structure formation. Characterization of mixed cements is determined, mainly, by nature of the mineral admixture. The index of multi-stage structure formation of mixed cements has been suggested. This index is the value of instantaneous power of structure formation Wη. It has been shown that in case of the other equal conditions the nature of structure formation is determined by the ratio of the components and by milling method of the mixed cement. As a result of analysis of numerous experimental data it has been detected, that the strength of stone, which is formed during hardening of mixed cements, has an extreme nature depending on the content of the mineral admixture. Analysis of the thermodynamic stability of the structure of the stone, which is formed in the process of hardening of mixed cements, allows to divide mixed cements into three groups and identify field of their rational use.

The use of technogenic raw materials as input products in the production of portland cement provides for considerable reduction of energy consumption during clinker burning. The study reveals the mineral formation features caused by the change of the liquid phase composition and crystallization of silicate phases. The use of slags in raw mixes increased the mechanical strength of cements by over 50%.

The work presents the results of grain-size analysis of alkali-activated aluminosilicate suspensions with different crystallinity degree. It is found that the crystallinity degree of aluminosilicate is inversely proportional to its solvability in strong alkaline substance. The mechanism of geopolymeric system formation during the geopolymerization process has been suggested.

The paper describes methodology for determining the costs of construction products - concrete with multicomponent binders, containing the matrix formula by Professor M.D. Kargopolov, which is recommended a modern micro-prediction tool for the production efficiency of building materials and products, allowing simultaneous calculations of their costs taking into account all the volumes of material costs: cement, fittling, components of binders, etc., as well as wage costs, depreciation etc.

Calcium sulfo aluminate cement ( $$ {\text{C}}\overline{\text{S}} {\rm{A}} $$ ) is a promising low CO2 footprint alternative to Portland cement. The phase assemblage of a commercial $$ {\text{C}}\overline{\text{S}} {\rm{A}} $$ cement was investigated by a combination of XRD, SEM-EDX and selective extraction techniques. This study focused on the composition of perovsite phases present in the cement.

The article introduces basic principles of a new transdisciplinary research area geonics (geomimetics) in the construction material science. This research area differs from bionics, which uses knowledge about nature to solve engineering problems. The purpose of geonics (geomimetics) is to solve engineering problems with the account of knowledge about geologic and cosmochemical processes.

The authors established a higher quality of the appearance of coatings based on silicate paint sol in comparison with coatings based on silicate paints. Information is provided on the regularities in the formation of the quality of the appearance of coatings on the basis of silicate paint sol is that the silicate paint sol has a higher value coefficient of the wetting and spreading on the cement substrate in comparison with silicate paint. It was established that when using a paint brush on the cement substrate, there has been some slowing of the rise time of the structure of silicate paint compositions based on polysilicate solutions. A higher value of the adhesion work based on polysilicate solutions were indentified, indicating the strong force of the paint and the cement substrate.

The paper is devoted to the possibility of adjusting the reflection factor of portland cement clinker. For this purpose, Na2CO3 is introduced into the slurry of CJSC Belgorod Cement Plant. The influence of Na2O on brightness coefficient of the crushed clinker is established at a burning temperature of 1250–1300 °C. With the increase of Na2O concentration up to 1–2% the brightness coefficient is reduced and the increase of Na2O in the range of 3.5–7% leads to sharp increase of the reflection factor and CaOfree content.

The present paper studies a new method of bleaching that allows extending the range of raw materials for white cement. This paper investigates the separate introduction of mineralizers into raw slurry of CJSC Belgorod Cement plant containing 2.78% of Fe2O3. The separate introduction of mineralizers provides bleaching effect and complete consumption of free calcium oxide at the temperature of 1250 °C. The bleaching is caused by the reduced content and changed composition of ferroaluminate phase.

The paper deals with issues related to development of multicomponent binders (MCB) and high-quality concretes based on them. The production of such binders is based on the use of finely divided mineral additives of natural and technogenic origin. Particular attention is paid to the aggregate, the strength of coarse aggregate should be at least 20% higher than the strength of concrete, and the maximum particle size should not exceed 8–20 mm. At present, considerable experience was accumulated for production of multicomponent binders, and the results of studies conducted in this direction showed that the raw material potential of the Republic allowed obtaining high-quality class B30-40 concrete, and if we expanded the geography of the use of natural resources by regions of the North Caucasus, we could produce concretes with higher strength.

The paper presents results of studies of monolithic concrete mixes and concretes produced with the integrated use of local natural and technogenic raw materials, including waste scrap and crushed bricks. We developed optimal compositions of monolithic concretes and studied their technological and physical-mechanical properties.

The paper presents an analysis of experience of using the products of dismantling of buildings and structures, the technology of recycling of secondary raw materials to produce secondary raw materials for concrete. We presented results of tests of heavy concrete based on filled binders using the products of processing of concrete and brick scrap.

Analysis of rheo-technological effectiveness of the polycarboxylate superplasticizer Melflux 5581 F in the microcalcite-filled cement systems was performed. Optimal quantities of polycarboxylate superplasticizer and carbonate filler were determined, which allow obtaining highly mobile cement-mineral suspensions at reduced water content, which is an important step in the development of self-compacting concrete mixtures.

The article presents the results of the determination pf the properties of the photocatalytic composite material (PCM) of the “TiO2 – SiO2” system synthesized by the sol-gel method. The characteristics of siliciferous raw material - diatomite and silica clay, as substrates in the composition of PCM - mineral composition, microstructural features, composition and concentration of active centers on its surface are determined. The dependences of the elemental composition of the surface, the features of the microstructure and photocatalytic activity of PCM on the properties of siliciferous raw material are found. The research shows that the use of diatomite makes it possible to obtain PCM with better characteristics, which is caused by a higher content of the amorphous phase, a more developed and chemically active surface of the particles.

Addition of pozzolanic materials increases the mechanical characteristics of construction materials and contributes towards a higher durability. Metakaolin is an artifical pozzolan obtained by calcination of kaolinitic clays at an adequate temperature. Geopolymers are inorganic materials from mineral origin, composed of a precursor, an alkaline activator and a solvent. New geopolymer formulations were designed by sodium silicate/NaOH/KOH activation of metakaolin, zeolites, diatomites and red mud mixtures. The effects of source materials on the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. Mineralogical and chemical compositions were assessed as well as microstructure, specific surface area, compressive strength and adsorption. In general, incorporation of red mud, zeolite filler and diatomites to metakaolin in medium of alkali activators of low concentration provided formation of more eco-friendly materials with high mechanical resistances and water treatment capabilities.

The paper showed relevance and potential for the development of clinkerless alkaline activation, since at the present the production of currently leading “constructional” binder, Portland cement, has been increasing, and carbon dioxide released during cement production has a negative effect on the ecological situation of separate countries and the whole world. The world community has long been concerned about the problem of switching to clinkerless binders and building composites to replace resource-intensive cement, at least in those areas of construction that do not need its high technical and functional properties. We gave formulations and properties of clinkerless alkaline activation based on highly dispersed mineral components, effective compositions of fine concretes based on the use of the proposed clinkerless alkaline activation cements were obtained. It was theoretically substantiated and practically proved that Brønsted acid sites on the surface of highly active powders accelerated synthesizing silica gel, supported polymerization of silicon-oxygen anions, enhanced ion exchange reactions and stabilized intergranular contact formation.

The paper shows feasibility and efficacy of thermal modification of basalt fiber to increase its corrosion resistance and durability in a cement matrix. The authors justify the mechanism of phase and structure transformation of the fiber subsurface layer providing its increased physicochemical properties.

Mechanical treatment of cement in a jet mill leads to an increase in the strength of cement-sand stone in compression and during bending. The effect of increased activity is achieved by changing the shape of cement particles from angular to rounded.

The increasing requirements for the quality of building products and constructions condition the importance of developing new ways of controlling the processes of shaping the structure of composite materials. This paper considers the aspects of dealing with the tasks of designing high-performance powder composites factoring in the law of similarity.

We illustrated possible application of clay rock of incomplete stage of mineral formation to produce autoclaved silica materials. A distinguishing feature of this rock was the presence of thermodynamically unstable compounds. Weathering processes resulted in partial disintegration of the rock, formation of defects in the crystalline lattice of the rock-forming minerals, and partial amorphization of both silicates and aluminosilicates, which reduced the energy potential of the raw materials. Thus, it was possible to use hydrothermal conditions to boost the formation of neogeneses of cementing compounds and reduce power consumption of the production of autoclaved materials.

The paper describes the results of the study on the correlation between the strength properties and the concentration of calcium aluminate hydrates during long hardening of aluminate cement in aqueous medium. It shows the abnormal nature of hydrate mineral formation in the system of hardening aluminate cement.

The paper presents the study of mechanoactivation impact on crystal structure of α-quartz. The volume of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron SiO44– is accepted as the structural parameter depending on the mechanoactivation degree. The paper compares the dependence of this parameter on temperature, pressure and time of mechanoactivation of α-quartz in a planetary mill.

The hydrogeology and hydrochemistry-calcium characteristics, microbial community changes, and dam structure geophysical exploration for the core heritage sites of Jiuzhaigou after the “8.8” earthquake were investigated and analyzed. The results indicated that the hydrogeology has undergone significant changes, especially the Nuorilang Waterfall and the Sparkling Lake. The surface hydrodynamic balance has been broken by the earthquake, which may cause a chain reaction such as travertine deposition, travertine erosion, and microbial community change. The Nuorilang Waterfall/Sparkling Lake dam and the cascade waterfall are seriously affected by the earthquake. The results of the profile study and geophysical exploration show that the surface fissures, cracks, subsidence pipes, and other potential geological disasters are significant. The risk of secondary collapse of the dam body and the cascade waterfall is high. It also shows that the plant and microbes in Jiuzhaigou travertine participate in higher deposition than Huanglong. The monitoring results show that both Jiuzhai and Huanglong have extremely high levels of prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae, and Jiuzhaigou is higher than Huanglong. It is suggested that on the basis of scientific argumentation, scientific restoration of the slope and dam break of the Sparkling Lake damage will be carried out so that the original water storage function of the Spark Sea will be restored as soon as possible. Finally, the Nuorilang Waterfall and Sparkling Lake Conservation Remediation Plan were proposed and part of demonstration implementations was carried out.

The presence and study of the species composition of bacterial and fungal colonies in renal stones was determined. It was shown that the presence of microorganisms depends on the phase composition of the renal stone. No microbial colonies were detected in oxalate stones. Under the action of the acid-producing bacterial and fungal colonies, secondary crystallization of calcium oxalates (whewellite and weddellite) on phosphate aggregates can occur.

ZnO/palygorskite nanocomposites were synthesized by chemical deposition and calcination process for antibacterial application. The results indicated that ZnO nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of rod-like palygorskite. Antibacterial evaluation confirmed that ZnO/PAL nanocomposites presented the good antibacterial behavior against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of ZnO and palygorskite.

The article considers the study of the role of bacteria in the surface oxidation of pyrite. The experiment provided the data on characteristic morphological changes of the surface and the first data on influence of a non-autonomous phase (NP) on bacterial oxidation.

Inspired by self-cleaning and water-repellent properties of the lotus leaf, biomimetic superhydrophobic cobalt blue/clay mineral hybrid pigments were facilely fabricated based on the rough surface of hybrid pigments and the modification with various organosilanes. The obtained hybrid pigments were characterized using various analytical techniques. Due to the difference in the compositions and morphologies of clay minerals, the obtained cobalt blue/clay mineral hybrid pigments exhibited different color properties. Superhydrophobicity of hybrid pigments was mainly regulated by the types of organosilanes instead of the morphologies of hybrid pigments. The sprayed coating of the superhydrophobic hybrid pigments exhibited the excellent self-cleaning performance with high water contact angle and low sliding angle. The coatings also presented excellent environmental and chemical durability even under harsh conditions. Therefore, the obtained biomimetic superhydrophobic cobalt blue/clay mineral hybrid pigments may be applied in various fields, such as anticorrosion, self-cleaning coating, etc.

This study showed that silicon dioxide of plant origin penetrated into the human body unchanged and was transferred through the blood to the heart, where absorbed by the pathological hydroxyapatite of mineralized heart valves.

A macroporous material was prepared using oil-in-water Pickering medium internal phase emulsions (Pickering MIPEs) as template. The obtained macroporous materials with interconnected pore structure exhibited good adsorption capacities to Ce (III) and Gd (III) in water. The adsorption process could be achieved in 30 min, and the maximum adsorption capacities reached 230.64 mg/g for Ce (III) and 240.49 mg/g for Gd (III). Furthermore, the macroporous monolith exhibited excellent reuseability after consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles.

Resources depletion refers to the situation where the consumption of natural resources is faster than it can be replenished. In order to achieve economic growth, developing countries are abusing their lands on the grounds of economic interests. Population Explosion is acting as a catalyst for resources depletion. It seems evident that developing countries pursuing rapid economic growth disregard environmental concerns. The natural resources contribute at large to the economic development of a nation. Consumption pattern if not addressed will lead to irreversible climate change and declined economic growth, as a result of increased social, economic, and environmental costs and decreased productivity. Resource utilization has always been part of human history; however, the acceleration of economic growth activities together with the pursuit of an urgent economic development is the core cause of resources overexploitation. Consumption pattern will lead to irreversible climate change and declined economic growth.

Kabwe area in Zambia has been affected by heavy metal contaminations which derived from past mining activities. Particularly, Pb is one of the most concerned elements for human health in Kabwe. In this context, treatment by phosphoric fertilizer was conducted to reduce Pb solubility in soil and slag, limiting their bioavailability. Because leach plant residue in Kabwe contains metal sulfate minerals with high solubility, concentration of heavy metals in groundwater is high. We clarified the geochemical behavior of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu) after the addition of phosphoric fertilizer (Triple Super Phosphate: TSP) in column experiment. Immobilization of Pb and Cd lowers concentration of the metals in ground below WHO environmental standard.

Murataite-pyrochlore titanate ceramics are attractive waste forms capable to immobilize radioactive waste streams of complex compositions, thus eliminating the need for further chemical separation. We have investigated structures of three types of murataite: 3C, -5C, and -8C phases and demonstrate their polysomatic nature and structural complexity. Structurally simple pyrochlore crystallizes first, followed by crystallization of murataite-5C containing pyrochlore cells surrounded by fragments of Keggin clusters. This phase is overgrown by murataite-8C containing both murataite and pyrochlore cells. The crystallization finishes with the formation of murataite-3C, which is the most stable and less actinide-rich. The microstructure formed via this mechanism reminds a Russian doll, which creates additional barrier for the actinide leaching from the pyrochlore core. The high chemical and structural complexity of the pyrochlore-murataite series is unparalleled in the world of crystalline materials proposed for the HLRW immobilization, which makes it unique and promising for further exploration.

Zeolite, used to remove Cs from a contaminated water, would be solidified for the safety disposal. Recently, geopolymer is considered as a new binder for disposal. Geopolymer has an advantage that primary phases such as potassium almino silicate hydrate (K-A-S-H) may sorb radioactive nuclides. In this study, Cs adsorption, co-precipitation and desorption experiment were conducted, and C-S-H, which is primary phases of cement, were also employed for experiments for comparison. From these experiments, it is obtained that K-A-S-H has higher adsorption capacity of Cs than C-S-H. Cs adsorption ratio and co-precipitation ratio by C-S-H were almost same. Cs is likely sorbed by C-S-H thoroughly via ion exchanging. The desorption experiment demonstrated that most Cs was desorbed from C-S-H while 90% of Cs remained in K-A-S-H. Therefore, K-A-S-H has a higher retention capacity than that of C-S-H. Consequently, geopolymer is considered to be a better material in terms of Cs storage.

The main types of environmental impact during exploration, development and mining of mineral deposits are considered. The indicators of the environmental situation caused by the mining and mineral processing in the mining regions, as well as the environmental consequences of accumulated mining and industrial waste are presented. The results of environmental monitoring of the Russian industrial cities are demonstrated.

The article deals with environmental problems of formation of fine white marble wastes on the territory of Koelga deposit and total mining complex. An inventory analysis of marble waste was carried out, environmental assessment of fine marble waste and their impact on the ecology of the complex territory was carried out and theoretically justified. Planned and scientifically justified ways of large-scale utilization in the production of ceramic bricks.

In this article, it will be important to note the context of the gradual depletion of existing fields, which are pushing to expand research and exploitation of new fossil fuel resources in order to meet the growing demand for fuel and, despite international regulations to combat global warming. Consequently, an increase in offshore platforms in global hydrocarbon production to compensate for the depletion of the earth’s reserves is becoming a major problem for the oil industry. Given the financial unforeseenness that is represented, and the energy autonomy which is provided, marine exploitation has become a problem for states with a large sea area and, therefore, an environmental.

Mineral generations could help us to understand the physical, chemical and biological processes within their formation, and then to reconstruct the sedimentary paleo-environment and paleo-climate. The calcite in the Huanglong cold-water travertine can be divided into three mineral generations, which reveal two different sedimentary environment systems respectively. In the calcium cycle, calcite mineral generation exposes a step in recycling marine matter to the land, and it also allows the land to proliferate, which mainly manifeste in the addition of plant debris, algae and microbial residues, so that the topography has been accumulating.

The method of natural-technical system (NTS) “Iron ore deposits” optimal control in terms of the pit walls stability is based on two-level systems with cross-links. The algorithm for optimizing the pit walls angles designed values includes the following steps: separation of rock massif into engineering-geological complexes (EGC), typing of the pit walls within the EGC, substantiation of the calculation geomechanical models and stability analysis of the pit walls based on mathematical modeling. Based on the results of the calculations the maximum angle of the pit wall is determined at which it remains stable. As minimized performance criteria the deviations of the stability factors current state from the maximum allowable values are considered. The proposed approach is one of the ways to ensure the stability of the deep-pit quarries walls during their long-term development.

In the world vast of oil is extracted, especially in China. Respectively produce associated petroleum gas is in a large volume. There are geo-ecological problems in the utilization of associated petroleum gas. In connection with the increasing requirements for the preservation of the state of the biosphere in China, the process of modernization was begun. Chinese modernization of associated petroleum gas utilization is presented.

The report presents the primary results of a study of a unique collection of polished decorative stone samples belonging to Empress Catherine the Great. Primary macroscopic analysis of 83 plates, divided into 13 groups according to similar features, was performed. The bulk chemical composition of rocks was estimated on the basis of XRF- analysis data, performed using a Delta Olympus XRF portable analyzer. Preliminary studies allowed to outline the characteristic fields of the studied samples of decorative rocks on the ternary plots of their bulk composition. In the future, it is planned to perform Raman spectral imaging to generate detailed maps of the mineralogical composition of the decorative stone samples.

The results of the multi-year monitoring of the state of Saint Petersburg stone monuments are summarized. The unique collection of decorative stones in museum Necropolis and the deposits that were most likely used to create them are studied. The processes of stone monuments’ degradation in response to physical, chemical and biogenic influences are discussed. Special attention is paid to describing the monitoring methodology and the structure of the monitoring information database. Drawing on received results, the strategy for the conservation and restoration of monuments are discussed. The obtained data are of exceptional scientific interest in studying the processes of stone deterioration under the impact of the environment.

Ceramics sugar jars pieces are, from morphological point of view, conical containers of fired clay with a hole in the vertex, which were used to sugar cane pulp maturation into sugar cake. These ceramic materials were produced in Aveiro given the existence of local raw material. Also, this occurrence of geological deposits exploited for red clays allowed the local development of strong pottery production center, transforming the city of Aveiro into one of the major Portuguese cultural heritage sites very rich in traditional ceramic tiles (azulejos) and other ceramic products. After local manufacture, the ceramic sugar jars pieces were exported as sugar production devices for Madeira island, Cape Verde archipelago and later, for Brazil. Also, these materials were found in buildings construction. So, this work focuses on the characterization of ceramic sugar jars produced in Aveiro and its construction use comparing with properties of other ceramics, justifying their preference for export to several countries of the world.