Famous Tungsten Mine – Lermontov Mine

Lemontov Mine Photo

Famous tungsten mine – Lermontov Mine locates in the boarder on the sea of far eastern Russia, near Primorsky Mine, is one of the main tungsten mine in Russia.

It has been explored for more than 10 years. It mainly produces tungsten scheelite, reserve is 80 thousan tons, ore grade is 0.2%, yearly average production of tungsten concentrate is 600~800 tons, mainly supply domestic market. However, its output is lowering these years.

With the development of metal processing, oil and gas exploration and military industry in Russia, its demand for tungsten is rising. Russia has abundant tungsten mine, however, few of them can reach standard of industrial exploration, even Primorsky Mine and Lermontov Mine in far eastern, there ore grade is only around 0.2%, has no economic efficiency. However, Russia regards itself as strong country which is reluctant to be distracted by other countries on tungsten resource. As a result, even if the poor ore which has bad exploration condition and transportation, they will explore it to meet self demand. On the one hand it alleviates urgent resource demand, on the other hand it solves employment issues.

It is known that these two tungsten mines support over 50% of Russia’s tungsten supply amount. However, Lermontov Mine has been explored for over 10 years, it is getting exhausted. In 2016, output is lowering to 300 tons. Suffering from Siberia cold current, the mine shut down in winter to save cost. It also bothers local residents whose living are counting on tungsten mine. There income is cut and is insufficient to go through cold winter. This even caught president Putin’s attention. In Jan.2017, Putin urged mineral company to raise fund to reopen Lermontov Mine. However, Lermontov Mine is still an exhausted mine. It will not last very long. Maybe after one or two years, the explored product is no longer tungsten ore but just rock. 

 

 

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