A.M. RUCH’EV (IG KarRC RAS)

Potential scandium resources of the Pudozhgorskoye titanomagnetite deposit, South Karelia

In the present contribution, the Pudozhgorskoye deposit is used as an example to show that magmatogene titanomagnetite ores in the differentiated intrusives of the Ludicovian gabbro-diabase formation are a promising source of scandium, a critical strategic metal. The inferred bulk Sc₂O₃ resources of the deposit (ore – 316,689 Mt, Sc₂O₃ – 38,82 g/t) are estimated at 12,3 kt. Pyroxene-amphibole concentrate (67,77 Мt, Sc₂O₃ – 125 g/t), which can be separated from silicate tailings in ore processing (187,52 Мt), contains recoverable Sc₂O₃ resources of 8,4 kt, as well as other resources, kt: Li₂О – 5,5; ZrО₂ – 13,5; TR₂O₃ – 15,1, of which 8,2 kt ^YTR₂O₃. Geological exploration is recommended to study Karelia’s titanomagnetite targets in more detail and to calculate and approve the reserves of the major and abundant minor commercial elements of complex ores.
Keywords: titanomagnetite ore, rare metals, scandium, yttrium, lanthanide, inferred resources.