Download Mineral Resources Of Mongolia And Recent Mining Development

Mineral Resources Of Mongolia And Recent Mining Development
1
Jargalan S1, Tomortogoo O2
School of Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Mongolian University Of Science and Technology
2
Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Introduction
Mongolia is located at the central part of Central
Asian Orogenic Belt, between the Siberian platform in
the north and Sino-Korean and Tarim terrains in the
south. Geological structure of the Mongolia is
represented by collages of continental blocks, ancient
island arc terrains, subduction complexes and
fragments of oceanic crust that amalgamated during
late PreCambrian, Paleozoic and Mesozoic. Long
history of Mongolian geological setting from Archean
to Cenozoic is characterized by diversity of tectonic
environments. In the course of geological evolution
sedimentary, magmatic and metamorphic geologic
formations
developed,
and
correspondingly
genetically and paragenetically they are associated
with various types of mineral resources. Geologic
survey and mineral deposit investigation of Mongolia
is started in the beginning of 20th century, but
systematic study began since 1939, when geological
survey of Mongolia is established. Since that time
geological prospecting in Mongolia has identified over
500 mineral deposits, 6000 occurrences of about 80
different types of minerals，such as copper, gold, iron,
zinc, lead, fluorite, phosphate and coal etc. Main
mining activity is undertaken on the gold, silver,
copper, coal and fluorspar deposits. Today the mining
sector produces one third of the Mongolian GDP and
88% of the export revenue.
Regional geology and tectonics of Mongolia
Tectonically the territory of Mongolia is a part of the
Ural-Mongolian Paleozoic fold belt, located between
the largest cratons of Eastern Eurasia and striking
eastward up to the Pacific Ocean (Zonenshain et al,
1990). Recent research clearly shows that the
Mongolian Paleozoides are a composite nappe-folded
structural assemblage, composed of a collage of
different terrane types, which are mainly fragments of
structural elements of paleo-oceans of different age.
Present geological structure of Mongolia consists of
two major tectonic assemblages: North Mongolian and
South Mongolian superblocks, which are subdivided
by the Mid Mongolian Tectonic Line (Tomurtogoo,
1997) extending up to 1900 km from the southern
foothills of Altay Mountains in the southwest to
downstream of Doch Gol river in the northeast
(Zonenshain et al, 1990).
The North Mongolian superblock occupies the
Mongolian Altay, the Depression of Great Lakes, and
the Valley of Lakes, as well as the Hovsgol, Hangay
and Hentey mountain systems. It contains 25 terranes
of different types.
The South Mongolian superblock is significantly
distinct from the North Mongolian by a more linear
structural plan and is comprised of a collage of three
superterranes and seven terranes of different types.
Mineral Resources of Mongolia
Mongolia has had a known significant geologic
potential only for the last 50 years: about 8000 mineral
deposits and occurrences of more than 80 different
types minerals have been discovered and explored. A
brief description of most of the important of them is
given below.
Gold
Gold deposits and occurrences are widely distributed
in whole country. The biggest gold producing area is
North Khentii gold belt which contains Zaamar gold
field, Boroo cluster of deposits, newly discovered
Gatsuurt gold deposit, Yoroo gol gold district etc.
Other main gold producing areas area Bayanhongor
gold belt, Khangai gold belt, Mongol Altai gold belt
and South Khentii gold belt etc (Figure 1).
Copper
Copper is the one of main metal, producing in
Mongolia. There are 3 main belts of copper
mineralization: South Mongolia, Central Mongolian
and North Mongolian. South Mongolian copper belt
occupies almost whole area of Gurvansaihan island
arc terrane, which hosts 6 major porphyry deposits
Fig 1. Distribution of gold and copper deposits and occurrences of Mongolia, with locations of main mining area /base of map is
Terran tectonic map by Tomortogoo, 2007)
such as Tsagaan Suvarga, Oyu Tolgoi, Shuteen,
Kharmagtai etc and more than 45 occurrences. Major
Cu-Au, Cu-Mo deposits are the Erdenet, Oyu Tolgoi,
Tsagaansuvarga, Kharmagtai and Shuteen (Figure 1).
Fluorite.
The fluorite mineralization is wide spread in the east
and south-east part of Mongolia. Main part of fluorite
is formed during late Mesozoic to late Jurassic and
early Cretaceous time. There two main types of
fluorite deposits: one is epithermal fluorite veins and
other one is metasomatite ore bodies. Biggest
deposits are Bor Undur, Berkh, Orgon, Khar Airag,
Chuluut Tsagaan Del etc.
Uranium
Mongolia has significant uranium resources in the
north-eastern and central parts of the country. Most
important, the majority of reserves are amenable for
underground leaching (in situ leaching), which now
is the most advanced, ecologically clean and cheap
method of uranium mining. Uranium can be one of
the important minerals for development.
Rare-earth.
Rare-earth
mineralisation
occurs
throughout
Mongolia, concentrated in the western and southern
parts. Some rare-earth deposits are quite big with
high grade and they can be interesting for
development. Genetically REE deposits subdivided
into carbonatite, alkaline metasomatite with
pegmatite, infiltration and placer. Biggest deposits
are Mushgai khudag, Lugiin gol, Khotgor and
Khalzan Burgedei.
Coal
Coal is the leading mineral and the principal source
of heat and energy of Mongolia. More than 40 coal
deposits were discovered and 20 of them have being
actively mined. Main coal deposition is found in
Carboniferous, Permian, Jurassic and Cretaceous
sediments. Carboniferous and Permian age coals are
mainly hard-coal and Jurassic and Cretaceous age are
brown-coal. The biggest hard coal deposits are Tavan
Tolgoi with 6.2 billion ton reserve, Nariin Sukhait
and brown coal deposits such as Baga nuur, Nalaikh,
Shariin gol, Shivee ovoo etc.
Current mining development
Mining history dates back to the early 1900’s: gold
mining was being initiated in 1901 Mongol-Or
association conducted surveys on the Yuroo, Shariin
Gol, Haraa, Yamaat, Nyalkh, and Tolgoit at the north
Khentii gold belt and coal mining being developed
1912. In 1943-1948 the Yugzur, Tumentsogt and
Burentsogt tungsten mines were built and mining of
fluorspar began. The “Mongol-Oil” enterprise
developed the Zuunbayan oil field starting in 1950. In
Fig 2. Distribution of coal deposits together with oil shale
the 1970’s and 1980’s Modot placer tin, Tolgoit
placer gold, Khajuu Ulaan, Khar Airag, Orgon BorOndor, Berkh fluorspar; the Erdenet copper
molybdenum and Baganuur coal mines began
operation.
In the last 20 years the situation in the Mongolian
mineral industry has changed tremendously. Today
the mining sector produces one third of the
Mongolian GDP and 88% of the export revenue. It is
certain that the mineral industry plays and will play a
major role in the entire country’s economy. Mongolia
has several unique peculiarities which should be
taken into account by investors. In 2003 the minerals
sector accounted for 9% of GDP, 53.5% of gross
industrial output, 56.7% of export revenues whereas
in 2009 this sector produces 28.2% of GDP, 65.4% of
total industrial output, 84.4% of export earnings.
At present, Mongolia exports coal, copper,
molybdenum, iron, fluorite and tungsten concentrates,
fluorspar ore, and coking coal.
Fig 3.
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our appreciation for
Organizing committee of Asia Africa Mineral
Resource Conference for giving a chance to introduce
about Mongolian geology and mineral resources and
to publish this information.
References
Fig 2. Mineral sectors impact on economic sector in
Mongolia
Tomurtogoo O. (1997) A New Tectonic Scheme of the
Paleozoides in Mongolia. In: Zhaqin X., Yufeng R.,
Xiaoping Q. (Eds.). Proceeding of the 30th Int. Geol.
Congr.VSP 7, 75-82.
Zonenshain L.P., Suetenko O.D and others. (1990) A
structure of axial part of South Mongolian
eugeosyncline in the Dzolen Range, Geotectonics 4,
28-44 (in Russian)