A NEW LOOK AT THE GEOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS OF NIOBIUM-YTTRIUM-SCANDIUM ORES OF THE TOMTOR DEPOSIT

Unique niobium-yttrium-scandium formations in epigenetically altered carbonatite weathering crusts are a new type of ores of niobium and rare earth elements (REE), identified in the Tomtor ore field in 1986, characterized by complexity and high concentrations of useful components. The ores form stratified deposits with an average thickness of about 10 m, lying under Jurassic and Permian deposits in the roof of a hypergenic complex, mainly at depths of 100 m. Minerals of the crandallite group (florencite, gojacite, gorseisksite), monazite, pyrochlore, as well as minerals Ti and V. prevail in the composition of ores. The uniqueness lies in the fact that the useful components in them make up to 75% of the ore volume. The technology of hydrometallurgical ore processing has been developed, providing for the production of 10 final commercial products, including pyrochlore concentrate and REE carbonates. The task of improving the technology of ore conversion is urgent. There is a possibility of organizing a primary ore processing enterprise in Western Yakutia, which will have a positive impact on the economy of the entire Republic Sakha (Yakutia).