Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Prospecting University, Moscow, Russia:

G. N. Pilipenko, Associate Professor, Candidate of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences
A. A. Vercheba, Dean of Geological Prospecting School, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences, aa_ver@mail.ru
A. V. Petrov, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences
G. V. Demura, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

An achievement of geological service of the USSR and Russia is the discovery and exploration of Russia’s largest gold and uranium deposits in the Elkon region in South Yakutia, which has allowed a considerable buildup in the minerals and raw materials supply in the country. The South zone of thick gold-bearing metasomatites holds 53% of uranium ore reserves of Russia. The gold and uranium mineralization has an extent more than 20 km and contains 230 thousand tons of uranium according to JORC code. Uranium continuity is proved in the South zone and in nine large ore bodies located in five ore deposits at the uranium cut-off grade of 0.04–0.05 %. The content of gold and silver in ore bodies is 0.7–1.5 and 6–13 g/t (on the average 10 g/t), respectively. The mineralization parameters remain the same both in depth more than one kilometer and along the strike of the zone. Taking into account the determined structural, mineralogical and chemical features of the gold and uranium field, a refreshed mining and processing project has been proposed for the South zone. The development of the Elko uranium region in South Yakutia is necessary for the consolidation of uranium resources base of Russia, dynamic economical advancement and improvement of the living environment in the east regions of the country.

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