Analysis of the mineral resource base of gold mining in the Lena gold-bearing district and substantiation of the development directions of placer mining methods

Abstract

Development of the gold mining industry is in the first place associated with an increase in the mineral resource base, development of promising deposits and improvement in the quality of raw materials. At the same time, experts have been noting a deterioration in the quality of alluvial gold reserves over the last years both in Russia as a whole and in Eastern Siberia in particular. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to analyze the dynamics of the mineral resource base of gold mining in the Lena gold-bearing area as well as to substantiate the development trends of the placer development technology. The assessment was given to the state of the mineral resource base of the gold mining industry of the Irkutsk region in the period from 2000 to 2021. A quantitative and qualitative characteristic of alluvial gold reserves was provided with identified key changes caused by placer mining over the past 20 years. Having indicated the deterioration dynamics in the quality of alluvial gold reserves, the authors specified its reasons for the period under analysis. In addition, a brief description of the main mining and engineering indicators of the large and medium-sized alluvial gold deposits worked out in recent years is given. The distribution structure of reserves in technogenic deposits is presented. The conclusions are formulated on the results of the research performed, relevant problems of modern placer gold mining are formulated and the prospects of placer mining in the Irkutsk region are assessed. The replenishing possibilities of the mineral resource base by involving technogenic reserves in the development are described.