GROUPING OF ORE DEPOSITS IN ARMENIA BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF THEIR MINING-GEOLOGICAL AND MINING-TECHNICAL CONDITIONS AND FEATURES OF ORE PROCESSING

Abstract

The analysis of the mining-geological and mining-technical conditions of ore deposits in Armenia subject to open-pit mining, as well as the technological features of ore processing of these deposits is carried out. The research area includes the Sotk gold deposit of the Gegharkunik Marz, the Mgart and Fiolet gold deposits of the Lori Marz, the Meghrasar gold ore, the Voskedzor gold-polymetallic deposits, the Kajaran, Agarak and Aygedzor copper-molybdenum deposits of the Syunik Marz, the Vayk copper deposit of the Vayots Dzor Marz, the Hrazdan and Abovyan iron ore deposits of the Kotayk Marz of Republic of Armenia. Important features of the deposits are selected, by which they are grouped. Such features are: the geographical location, characterizing the presence or absence of infrastructure; the type of mineral, characterizing its qualitative properties; the degree of complexity of deposits by geological structure, determining both the choice of methods and means of their exploration, and the requirements for the composition of conditions and methods of calculating reserves; the ore processing technologies and the resulting final product, determining the efficiency of ore mining and processing; the relationship of deposits to operation, characterizing their role and issues related to the environmental situation in the general economic situation of the republic. Based on the grouping of deposits, mining, geological, economic and environmental tasks specific to a particular deposit are put forward. Based on the results of the grouping of deposits, it was established that, as expected, the bulk of the deposits are located in the Syunik Marz, one deposit each in the Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor marzes, two deposits each in the Lori and Kotayk marzes. By the type of the main useful component, gold, gold-polymetallic, copper-molybdenum and copper, iron ore deposits are distinguished. They are characterized by a complex and very complex geological structure and are represented from thin veins to powerful mineral zones and stockworks. The processing technologies of the ores in question largely depend on the types of minerals, their degree of oxidation or sulfide content.