Chersky Institute of Mining of the North, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yakutsk, Russia:

N. S. Batugina, Leading Researcher, Doctor of Economic Sciences, batuginan@mail.ru
V. L. Gavrilov, Leading Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
S. M. Tkach, Chief Researcher, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Mirny Polytechnic Institute (Branch), Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Mirny, Russia:
V. I. Gavrilov, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

One of the sources of enhancing open pit mining efficiency is the sustainable utilization of natural features of placers. Small and large isolated placer accumulations are highly varied in shape, size and geology (seam, lens, column, nest, band, pocket, etc.). Such accumulations can stand out inside a geological body, in horizontal plane or in section. A common natural feature is discrete structure characterized by a set of metallic and nonmetallic minerals, and mineral aggregates. Such spatially isolated ore bodies and placer accumulations are named clusters. This article sets a task to take into account cluster structure of gold-bearing placers (sand-and-gravel) during their development in Yakutia. It is found that sustainable technological utilization of features and regular patterns of cluster structure of placers can increase by 2–3 times average gold content of recovered and processed sand-and-gravel and, accordingly, can enhance productivity of labor in terms of end product; reduce cost of mining and processing approximately by 2 times other factors being equal; initiate development of placers earlier assumed as uneconomic, for even low-grade placers contain areas with sufficiently high-grade gold content; stabilize and enhance gold production until the time of preparation and development of the main ore-bearing zones.

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