FSUE VNIIOkeangeologia named after I. S. Gramberg:

A. M. Ivanova, Leading Researcher, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, phone: +7 (812) 495-02-88

A. N. Smirnov, Deputy Director, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences

V. I. Ushakov, Chief Researcher, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences

This work presents a short overview of the mineral raw material base (MRMB) of Russian Cenozoic sea shelf, the least known part of a mineragenic system “ocean-continent”. There are briefly elucidated the groups of exogenous minerals of the sea shelf areas, petrogenic and biogenic placers. Main of them are outlined by their resource and commercial value (gold, tin, amber). Other minerals are also considered: the metalliferois sediments (fine and fine dispersed gold), the ferromanganese nodules, phosphorites and coquina, organic and mineral silts. Currently, the knowledge of the geology and resources as well as the infrastructure of the continental margins are insufficient for a total involvement of MRB into the commercial activity of the country. There is suggested the geological and economical deviding into districts, with outlining of the mineral resource regions, to estimate the role of MRB of the exogenous solid minerals in the sea shelf areas. The outlined regions due to their importance, geographical location, infrastructure and production capacities are incomparable to the regions of the continental part of the country. The majority of these raw mineral objects on the sea shelf have not been brought to the feasibility study; the studies of the 70-ies and 80-ies were carried out on the totally different base. Nevertheless, the solid mineral potential of the shelf region remains the nearest reserve of the mining industry and adds, significantly to the country’s mineral balance.

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