VNIPIpromtekhnologii JSC, (Moscow, Russia)

T. O. Gushchina, Chief Specialist, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, tanyshkagychina@inbox.ru

Transbaikal State University, (Chita, Russia)

P. M. Manikovskiy, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor

Transbaikal State University (Chita, Russia)¹ ; NorNickel Sputnik (Moscow, Russia)²

Yu. A. Turkov, Expert², Post-Graduate¹

Transbaikalia is a historical mining region of Russia. It holds rare mineral resources promising for the mid- and long-term extraction on a commercial scale. For example, the first silver was obtained in the territory of modern Transbaikalia. Currently, a large number of mines continue to operate and develop in the region. However, over the past years, as a result of the extraction of metal ores, as well as owing to operation of many thermal power plants and boiler houses of various capacities, a large number of ash and slag waste dumps and orphan tailings dumps have accumulated in the region. Such man-made facilities, in accordance with the legislation, are classified as waste and create increased ecological risks for the environment and beyond. However, it is worth noting that they are also objects of high mineralization and may potentially be of interest for the organization of their economically feasible recycling. Aimed to study recycling feasibility of tailings of the Sherlovogorsky GOK, and to develop recommendations on the recycling, a research team was gathered at the Transbaikal State University to carry out preliminary routed field testing and assaying of tailings. The study using the method described in the article demonstrated feasibility of quick assessment of the further exploration expediency. It is concluded that the man-made resources of the tailings dump at the Sherlovogorsky GOK have a promising nature for the further exploitation.

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