Within the framework of this survey, the scientists have already selected 8,000 samples of minerals in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the Arkhangelsk Region
(TASS) – The scientists of the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy (IGM) belonging to the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) sponsored by the Russian Science Foundation (RNF) started a large-scale survey of minerals with an aim to search for new diamond deposits in the Arkhangelsk Region. Elena Shchukina, a research fellow at IGM SB RAS told this to TASS on Wednesday.
"We selected 8,000 samples of minerals accompanying diamonds in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the Arkhangelsk Region, including pyrope and olivine. The preliminary results allow us to say that there are new, previously undetected diamondiferous objects in this area. After a comprehensive study of these minerals, we will obtain data on the lithospheric structure of the mantle underlying potential mining sites to assess their diamond grade," she said.
It is planned to use the obtained results for further exploration and forecast operations in the Arctic territories of the Arkhangelsk Region. "Also, the data obtained will contribute to the study of the deep structure and evolution of the lithospheric mantle belonging to the Archean cratons (ancient platforms - TASS)," Shchukina added.
According to the scientist, diamond mining and diamond exploration within the Arkhangelsk diamond province are currently carried out by Severalmaz (Alrosa’s subsidiary) and Arkhangelskgeoldobycha, while this province remains one of the most poorly studied kimberlite areas in the world. There are two large diamond deposits, which were discovered and are developed in the area - the Lomonosov and Grib diamond fields. However, there are more than 100 potentially diamond-bearing magmatic objects found here. The project is supported by the Russian Science Foundation within the framework of the presidential program contest.