Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

Smetannikov A. F., Head of Sector, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, e-mail: smetannikov@bk.ru 

Onosov D. V., Engineer, Phone: +7 (342) 216-47-31

All-Russian Institute of Chemical Technology (VNIIKhT) OJSC:

Sinegribov V. A., Leading Scientific Fellow, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Phone: +7 (499) 324-63-95

Novikov P. Y., Head of the Laboratory, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Phone: +7 (499) 324-63-95

Institute of Geology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences:

Shanina S. N., Scientific Fellow, Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Phone: +7 (212) 24-53-53

The results of studies of mineralogy and precious metal salts at Verkhnekamskoye deposit are presented. Fundamental and applied aspects of the research are identified. For the first time in the history of the research of salt deposits, the complex of precious metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd) and the form of their location and methods of analysis were revealed. Presence of precious metals in the salts of Verkhnekamskoye deposit shows the ability to detect them in other salt basins. The features of mineral process are identified. Separation of the process of post-sedimentation epigenetic changes with radiogenic-chemical nature is substantiated. New type of deposit formation for Au, Ag and Pt-metals in evaporite deposits is introduced. Complex information about the form of finding precious metals, features of mineralogy and chemical composition of rock salt was used to support the development of technological solutions for industrial sludge processing technology to extract precious metals. Technological solutions are implemented in the initial data for designing of pilot production facilities.

Work has been carried out within the bounds of integration project № 12-И-5-2026 “Mineral, fluid and organic inclusions in the natural salt: genesis, indicator and searching significance, technological problems, practical usage”.

1. Smetannikov A. F., Kudryashov A. I. Geokhimiya – Geochemistry International, 1995, No. 9, pp. 1348–1531.
2. Smetannikov A. F., Shanina S. N. Zapiski Rossiyskogo mineralogicheskogo obshchestva – Proceedings of the Russian Mineralogical Society, 2006, No. 3, pp. 61–65.
3. Smetannikov A. F., Shanina S. N., Sinegribov V. A., Yudina T. B., Sedykh E. M. Gornyi Zhurnal – Mining Journal, 2006, No. 6, pp. 62–64.
4. Petrovskaya N. V. Geologiya rudnykh mestorozhdeniy – Geology of Ore Deposits, 1967, No. 2, pp. 69–78.
5. Smetannikov A. F. Geokhimiya – Geochemistry International, 2011, No. 9, pp. 971–980.
6. A. F. Smetannikov, D. V. Onosov, A. A. Chistyakov, V. A. Sinegribov, P. Yu. Novikov, A. E. Krasnoshtein. Sposob polucheniya kollektivnogo kontsentrata (Method of obtaining of bulk concentrate). Patent, No. 2385772. Published: April 10, 2008.
7. V. A. Sinegribov, A. F. Smetannikov, T. B. Yudina, P. Yu. Novikov, I. A. Logvinenko, A. E. Krasnoshteyn. Sposob izvlecheniya blagorodnykh metallov (Method of extraction of noble metals). Patent, No. 2386710. Published: April: 20, 2010.