ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL SOLID MINERAL DEPOSITS IN THE ARCTIC ZONE OF YAKUTIA

The authors outline that mining, despite the huge potential of mineral resources in the Arctic area of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), is poorly developed. The article proposes to differentiate the deposits of Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Yakutia not only by investment attractiveness (large and medium ore, coal deposits, etc.), but also by socio-economic significance (coal for local needs in hard-to-reach remote areas, ultra-small and tiny (social) placer deposits of gold, tin, etc.). The authors have developed the criteria for classifying deposits as having social significance, differing in terms of reserves, production volume (annual), quality of raw materials and availability of local and external demand for finished products. They have compiled an indicative catalogue of the main mineral deposits graded according to their social importance (ultra-small and tiny deposits of gold, coal) for the development of small mining enterprises in Arctic Zone of Yakutia. For the coal deposits, the ranking has been carried out considering that some of them are in close proximity to local population. The authors have substantiated the need to include mineral and raw material resources in economic circulation by main types of minerals according to their social importance taking into account the interests of the state, local population, indigenous peoples.
Measures for involving mineral resources in economic circulation depending on their social significance, taking into account the interests of the state, local population, and indigenous peoples, have been substantiated.

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