Chersky Institute of Mining of the North, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia

N. S. Batugina, Chief Researcher, Associate Professor, Doctor of Economic Sciences, batuginan@mail.ru
S. M. Tkach, Chief Researcher, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
E. A. Khoyutanov, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Mirny Polytechnic Institute–Division of the Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Mirny, Russia

V. E. Danilova, Senior Lecturer

The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation with the mineral-based economy. The authors analyze gold-bearing mineral resources and reserves in the north-east of the Republic. Gold mining remains one of the topmost industries in the Republic. The study east-north area in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is bounded by th e Verkhoyansk–Kolyma folded region, and includes the Ust-Maisky, Verkhoyansk, Lower Kolyma, Middle Kolyma, Upper Kolyma, Momsky, Abyi and Allaikha districts (uluses). Mineral deposits in the north-east of Yakutia are typically geographically dispersed and locate in the areas with underdeveloped or zero infrastructure. The prevailing gold-bearing mineral reserves are small but feature a high gold content (5–12 g/t and above); extraction and processing of such materials is very expensive. Top gold mining companies that ensure incremental gold production in the region are listed. The prospects and trends of the further gain in the valuable metal production are defined. Implementation of gold projects Kyuchus and Nezhdaninskoe, and initiation of ore extraction from small ore bodies can boost gold output. The gold-bearing mineral reserves in the north-east of Yakutia are sufficient to maintain annual gold production at a level of 20 t and higher, while the mineral resources available in the Republic can ensure sustainable production at this level for a long time upon appropriate investment in geological exploration.

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