The Karakul deposit is one of the largest cobalt deposits in Russia.[1] The deposit is located in Altai Republic.[1] The deposit has reserves amounting to 180 million tonnes of ore grading 0.33% cobalt, 1.5% copper, 0.11% nickel and bismuth, 0.4% tungsten, 4.6 million oz of gold and 57.6 million oz of silver.[1]

Karakul deposit
Location
LocationKosh-Agachsky District
Federal subjectAltai Republic
CountryRussia
Production
ProductsCobalt, Silver
Owner
CompanyGlobal Cobalt
Websitehttp://www.globalcobaltcorp.com/projects/russia/

The mineral deposit was discovered by Soviet prospectors in the 1970s. Imperial Mining held a license to develop the field in 2010.[2] It is possibly the world's largest source of primary cobalt outside of Africa. In 2015 it was owned by Global Cobalt.[3] Global Cobalt had conducted a drilling exploration program in 2013, drilling 45 holes, for nearly 7,400 metres, with positive results.[4] Global Cobalt, Imperial Mining Holding Limited and Global Energy Metals Corporation underwent an arrangement transaction in 2016. Global Cobalt retained its option over the Karakul Cobalt Property as its principal property.[5] It also has an option to acquire four other nearby deposits known as the "Altai Sisters" in the Altai Republic.[6] These four properties are Kuruozek, Yantau, Toshtuozek and Olendzhular.[7]

The five deposits are bundled as the proposed Karakul cobalt mine. The proposal would be to export the ore overland to China for processing.[8]

Altai Sisters edit

Global Cobalt and Imperial Mining Holding also have interests in four other exploration targets nearby.

Kuruozek edit

The Kuruozek deposit is a cobalt deposit in Altai Republic of Russia. It has reserves amounting to 50 million tonnes of ore grading 0.35% cobalt, 0.5% nickel and 3.2 million oz of gold.[1]

Yantau edit

The Yantau deposit is a silver deposit in the Altai Republic of Russia. It has estimated reserves of 288 million oz of silver.[1]

Toshtuozek edit

The Toshtuozek deposit is a cobalt deposit in the Altai Republic of Russia. It has reserves amounting to 33 million tonnes of ore grading 0.15% cobalt, 0.6% copper, 0.75% tungsten and 2.11 million oz of gold.[1]

Olendzhular edit

The Olendzhular deposit is a cobalt deposit in Altai Republic of Russia. It has reserves amounting to 67 million tonnes of ore grading 0.4% cobalt, 1% copper and 8.57 million oz of gold.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Corporate Presentation". Imperial Mining Holding Ltd. April 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  2. ^ Helmer, John (5 July 2010). "A HOLE IN THE GROUND AT THE END OF THE WORLD — EBRD WON'T EXPLAIN INVESTING $30 MILLION TO DO SOMETHING IN RUSSIA WHICH IS FORBIDDEN – MINE COBALT". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Karakul Data". Mining Atlas. 2015-05-10. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Global Cobalt wraps up 7,400 metres of drilling at Karakul with good results". Proactive Investors North America. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Global Cobalt Completes Arrangement Transaction and Spin Out of Global Energy Metals". 21 January 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Russia". Global Cobalt Corp. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Global Cobalt's Karakul project "a perfect storm", says CEO". Proactive Investors North America. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Mining is risky business in Altai". The Altai Project. Earth Island Institute. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2019.