PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR TIN ORE DEPOSITS IN CHUKOTKA

Tin is not mined in the Russian Arctic, despite the huge reserves and resources. In the Soviet period, the Arctic provided more than half of the USSR’s production. Currently, almost all tin mining is concentrated in China and other countries of the Asia-Pacific region, which deposits are gradually being depleted. Russia imports most of the tin products needed by the economy. The Arctic tin resources are the largest reserve not only of the domestic, but also of the world economy. Chukotka has significant proven reserves and resources of tin, until the 90s of the last century, tin and tungsten mining occupied leading positions in the region’s economy. Several major tin deposits have been discovered within the district, but have not yet been developed: Pyrkakayskoe, Ekugskoe, Lunnoe and Kukeney. The authors give a brief geological and economic characteristic of the deposits. In addition to tin, from the complex ores of the Chukchi deposits it is possible to mine tungsten, silver, gold, as well as indium, a valuable metal for the high-tech industry. The restoration of tin mining in Chukotka is among the most important tasks in the socioeconomic development of the Arctic, the solution of which will provide Russian consumers with domestic products and completely abandon imports.

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