Small mammals of background areas in the vicinity of the Karabash copper smelter (Southern Urals, Russia)

The dataset contains records of small mammals (Eulipotyphla and Rodentia) collected in the background (unpolluted) areas in the vicinity of Karabash copper smelter (Southern Urals, Russia) and the territory of the Sultanovskoye deposit of copper-pyrite ores before the start of its development. Data were collected during the snowless periods in 2007 (18 sampling plots), 2008–2010 (13 plots annually), 2011 (30 plots) and 2012–2014 (19 plots annually). The capture of animals was carried out in different types of forests (pine, birch, mixed and floodplain), sparse birch stands, reed swamps, marshy and dry meadows, border areas, a household waste dump, areas of ruderal vegetation and a temporary camp. Our study of small mammals was conducted using trap lines (snap and live traps). During the study period, 709 specimens of small mammals were caught, which belonged to five species of shrews and 13 species of rodents. The dataset may be highly useful for studying regional fauna and the distribution of species in different habitats and could also be used as reference values for environmental monitoring and conservation activities. Our dataset contains new information on occurrences of small mammals. It includes the peculiarities of their habitat distribution in the background areas in the vicinity of the large copper smelter and the deposit of copper-pyrite ores before the start of its development (Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia). All occurrence records of 18 mammal species with georeferencing have been published in GBIF.

Developing the technology of associated gold recovery when concentrating copper-pyrite ore

Research objective is to address an up to date task of developing the technology of associated gold recovery from complex ore. Object of research is the gold-bearing copper-pyrite ore. Gold was recovered in laboratory conditions with the use of gravity methods of mineral separation. Research tools. Rational modes of machinery operation have been determined through mathematical planning of experiments including the obtained results processing by mathematical and statistical methods. Methods of research. Gold was recovered in the grinding-classification circuit based on a seriesinstalled short-cone hydrocyclone, a jigging machine and a shaking table. Research results. The developed jig mode differs from the existing ones by the closed-circuit of jig machine chambers: from the feed of the second (in the direction of the light fraction travel) jig chamber, the light fraction (tailings) and undersize product – fraction with the increased content of accessory minerals (rough concentrate) are separated. The rough concentrate in the second chamber is directed to the first chamber of the machine, where the finished jig concentrate is obtained in the form of an undersize product. The light fraction moves from the first chamber to the second and is removed from the machine through the tail board. When fine-tuning the heavy fraction of jigging on a shaking table, it is recommended to mix 1/2 part of the initial feed of the tables with the rough concentrate isolated from the other 1/2 of the original feed. The new jigging mode and the scheme of concentration on the tables provide an increase in the gold content in the initial feed of the apparatus, which is the reason for a decrease in gold losses with the tails of the gravity circuit. Research relevance. Gold recovery increment by 4.77% was obtained due to the use of all three recommended scientific and technical measures, namely sands concentration in a short head cone crusher on a jig, switching the jig chambers to a closed circuit, and jet motion of concentrates on shaking tables. Scope of the results. The results should be applied when concentrating ore containing free (amalgamable) gold, as well as gold-bearing pyrite.

The discovery of structural elements and zones of hydrothermal alterations by using ASTER satellite data in the margins of Gadabay and Murovdag ore districts (Lesser Caucasus, Azerbaijan)

The article considers the discovery of structural elements, zones of hydrothermal alterations and mineralization in the margins of Gadabay and Murovdag regions and the study of prospective areas for mineralization characterized by them by using ASTER satellite data. The main purpose of the research is the definition of the lithological composition of rocks, ring and linear structures and zones of hydrothermal alterations with the help of remote-sensing methods and by better technological development of special radiometric data. In order to detect the lithological composition of associated rocks of alteration zone of endogenous ores, 14 channel data of ASTER has been used. By using stereoscopic images obtained from ASTER data, it was determined that hydrothermal alterations are mainly represented by alunitization, kaolinization, sericitization, silication, pyropilitization and silification in the studied ore regions. These changes were shown to be characteristic for copper-porphyry, gold- copper pyrite, copper-polymetal and gold-copper-porphyry deposits. Strip ratios, principal component analysis (PCA), minimum of noise fraction (MNF) and selection method for least squares (LS) have been used to map hydrothermal alteration zones. The ring structures detected in the area, different fault fractures and lineaments are assessed as favourable geological structural factors for alteration and mineralization. The results obtained by ASTER image analysis confirm the presence of derivative minerals which are considered to be the product of hydrothermal alterations which are densely concentrated (kalium spathization, kaolinization, serictization, pyrophyllitization, alunitization) has been confirmed. The points each with private coordinates have been determined (defined) within separate areas with the help of remote data and relevant anomalous maps prepared. These points are considered favourable geological condition in terms of the type and intensity of hydrothermal alterations in the area. Such areas are considered a sign of indirect search significant for the detection of copper-polymetallic, copper-porphyry, copper-pyrite and gold-pyrite type of mineralization with epithermal origin in the region.

STUDY OF EFFECT OF AYURVEDIC PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESSING NAMED SHODHANA AND MARANA ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE OF METAL IRON AND IRON-CONTAINING MINERALS USING XRD AND XRF ANALYSIS

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical procedures Shodhana and Marana on the chemical composition of the raw material. Methods: Iron and four iron-containing minerals were subjected to Shodhana and Marana. For Shodhana, Loha (Iron), Suvarnamakshika (Copper pyrite) and Mandura (iron slag,) were repeatedly quenched sequentially in sesamin oil, buttermilk, cow’s urine, natural vinegar and herbal decoctions. Kasisa (green vitriol) was grinded in the juice of Eclipta Alba. For Marana, these materials were first grinded in prescribed liquids and then incinerated in closed earthenware caskets in measured pits. Powdered Gairika (red ochre) was roasted in Cow’s ghee for its Shodhana. Samples of Loha (iron)-L1, Samanya Shodhita Loha–L2, Vishesha Shodhita Loha–L3, Loha bahsma-L4, Mandura (iron slag)–M1, Shodhita Mandura–M2, Mandura bahsma–M3, Suvarnamakshika (copper pyrite)-S1, Shodhita Suvarnamakshika-S2, Suvarnamakshika bhasma-S3, Kasisa (green vitriol)-K1, Shodhita Kasisa-K2, Kasisa bahsma–K3, Gairika (red ochre)-G1 and Shodhita gairika-G2; were studied using XRF and XRD techniques. Results: XRD findings suggested that the Chemical nature, elemental composition and Crystaline lattice structure of each substance were altered after extensive processings. XRF studies confirmed the multi-elemental nature of the final products. Reduction in particle size and other morphological changes were observed in intermediate and finished products during each procedure. Conclusion: The study indicates that the composition of material is altered as a result of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical processing, ’Shodhana and Marana.

Compositional peculiarities of the host rocks and ores of the Lazursky ore field, Zmeinogorsk ore region of the Rudny Altai minerogenic zone

The article describes composition of the host rocks and ores of the Lazursky and Maslyansky polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of the Lazursky ore field located within the Zmeinogorsk ore region of the Rudny Altai minerogenic zone. The ore field is composed of various facies of the Devonian (Late Givetian – Frasnian) ore-bearing siliceous-terrigenous basalt-rhyolite formation containing horizons of synvolcanic metasomatites. All rocks of the ore field were subjected to folding and schistosity with zones of tectonic brecciation. Hydrothermal alterations are represented by carbonatization and chloritization. The ore bodies exposed at the Lazursky and Maslyansky ore deposits are represented by copper-pyrite, copper, and zinc-copper-pyrite massive sulfide ores and other varieties. The major ore minerals of the deposits are chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, marcasite, and pyrrhotite.

The Chemical Technology for Producing Precious Metals from Enrichment Rejects of Copper-Pyrite Ores

The chemical technology for recovery precious metals Au and Ag from mature flotation tailings of copper-pyrite ores by two-stage sintering with chlorine-ammonium reagents and leaching of bakes with water is developed. The chemical extraction of gold and silver is carried out, using NH4Cl and NH4NO3 reagents in the ratios of 1:1 at a temperature of 250 °C, and 2:1 at 200 °C. In accordance with the obtained results, a chemical technology of enrichment rejects of copper-pyrite ores processing and a scheme of primary apparatus chain for implementing this technology are proposed. The economic effect of the technology realization is calculated. This effect is 96.3 million rubles with a payback period of 8 years when processing enrichment rejects of copper-pyrite ores in amount of 109.5 thousand tons per year under the conditions of JSC “Uchaly Mining and Metallurgical Combine”.

STALE TAILINGS OF COPPER-CRUSTED ORES FLOTATION WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF GOLD AND SILVER SELECTIVE EXTRACTION: RESOURCE POTENTIAL ANALYSIS

The article analyzes the possibility and efficiency of processing stale tailings of flotation plants of the copper pyrite complex. The resource potential, material composition and technological capabilities of processing a number of technogenic objects are considered. The interrelation and influence of mineralogical and technological factors on the choice of tailings processing technology are analyzed. The results of chemical, mineral and phase analysis of stale flotation tailings of the studied pyrite ores are presented. According to the complex studies’ results, it is established that the stale flotation tailings of copper pyrite ores belong to a refractory type of geo-resources due to the high content of pyrite and low, at the level of ppm, gold and silver content, which are present mainly in the “resistant” minerals - chalcogenides, sulphides, their intergrowths. The article presents a factor analysis and conditions for the elemental composition of tailings formation: mineralogical, technological and environmental. The territorial accessibility and technological capability of the investigated technogenic formations are analyzed. In the course of experimental studies, the elemental composition of stale tailings has been revealed - the main components of which are: iron, sulfur, silicon and aluminum. According to the results of X-ray phase analysis, it has been found that the main ore mineral of the tailings is pyrite. At the same time, it is noted that the main share of gold in the stale flotation tailings is presented in the form of sulphides in the form of finely dispersed and isomorphic inclusions. The heterogeneous morphometric and mineral composition of sulphide aggregates, their difficult opening and high dispersion characterize stale tailings as a raw material that is difficult to float. The revealed features of the material composition of stale tails indicate the impossibility of extracting valuable components (gold and silver) from this resource using existing traditional technologies. It has been proved that it is possible to effectively extract precious metals from this category of raw materials only after their deep opening by chemical processing. The relevance of the research lies in the need to process gold-containing man-made waste in order to significantly expand the raw material base of mining enterprises, as well as to improve the ecological situation of the city-forming mining enterprises of the South Urals. The aim of the research is to study the material composition of stale tailings and develop a technology for selective extraction of gold and silver. The object of research is the stale flotation tailings of copper-pyrite enterprises of the Southern Urals. The subject is the mineral composition, the content of useful components of lying tailings and the technology of gold and silver selective extraction from them. Material and research methods. During the experiments, a set of physicochemical and chemical methods of analysis has been used: thermodynamic analysis, synchronous thermal analysis using a combined thermal analyzer of the Netzsch STA 449 F3 Jupiter brand, UV spectroscopy with an automated data processing system), qualitative chemical and assay analyzes