Comprehensive assessment of parameters and regularities of the distribution of precious metals affecting their productivity

Abstract

Relevance. Over the past decades, since the sixties of the twentieth century, the production of precious metals has steadily increased by 12 % per year. Moreover, demand outstrips supply. This is partly due to the fact that noble metals are the equivalent of the value of human labor, and on the other hand, their industrial use is increasing, based on the properties of elements of this group of metals. Aim. To analyze and comprehensively assess the parameters and patterns of distribution of noble metals (NM) affecting their productivity. Methods. Mineralogical and petrographic analysis of concentrates from wells, assay analysis of gold from exploration wells, facies and formation analysis, and particle size analysis were carried out. Results. The size of gold in primary deposits has a direct and decisive influence on the productivity of placers formed by them: the finer the gold, the lower the productivity. This is explained by the fact that small and submicroscopic gold grains have a high migration capacity in the water-alluvial environment, such gold will not form large alluvial deposits. According to the results of assay analyzes of gold from exploration wells, the average placer fineness of the metal within the area of this reserve calculation is 890.1 ‰ and fluctuates mainly in the range of 889‑898, in one case it decreases to 840 (line 24). The ligature fineness varies insignificantly, within 900‑923 and is on average 910.4 ‰. These data are consistent with the results of the refining of gold mined in 2002 in the adjacent area of the deposit. According to the results of the refining works carried out in 2002 at the refinery, the placer fineness in the worked out Vostochny area of the studied placer averaged 893.7 ‰, the ligature fineness – 908.7 ‰.