Iron ore deposits of Russia

Iron ore deposits are divided by origin. Usually, there are 3 types of deposits: magmatic, exogenic and metamorphic. Magmatic iron ore deposits are formed due to the effect of high temperatures on iron minerals.

Exogenous deposits arose in river beds and near other bodies of water, due to sedimentation and weathering of rocks. Metamorphogenic deposits formed from sedimentary formations subjected to high pressures and temperatures.

World reserves of iron ore are approximately 160 billion tons, the content of pure iron in which is approximately 80 billion tons. Development of iron ore deposits is carried out by open-pit (quarry) mining, mine development, as well as by borehole hydraulic mining.

The world's iron ore reserves are mostly concentrated in Russia (18%), Ukraine (11%) and China (9%). The largest iron ore deposits in Russia include: Bakchar iron ore deposit, Abagasskoye, Abakanskoye, as well as the world's most powerful iron ore basin - the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly.

The Bakcharskoye deposit was discovered accidentally during oil exploration. It is located in the Tomsk region near the Andorma and Iksa rivers. The area of the deposit is 16 thousand km2. The depth of the ore varies from 190 to 220 meters. The iron content in the ore is 57%.

The Abagasskoye deposit is located in the Krasnodar Territory, 186 km west of the city of Abakn. This deposit was discovered back in 1933, but development and ore mining began only 50 years later. The deposit is developed by open-pit mining, the iron content in the ore averages 28.4%.

The Abakan deposit is located in Khakassia, near the city of Abaza. It was discovered in 1856. This deposit was developed periodically, either by open-pit mining or by developing shafts, the depth of which was up to 400 m. The iron content in the ore averages 41.7 - 43.4%.

The Kursk Magnetic Anomaly is the most incredible iron ore basin in the world. The ore deposits of this deposit are estimated at 200-210 billion tons - this is approximately 50% of all world reserves of iron ore. At the moment, the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly covers an area of 160 thousand km2, capturing the area of nine regions of Russia. The ore layers are at a depth of 35-580 m.

Huge reserves of iron ore are located in Ukraine. The main Ukrainian deposits include the Belozersk iron ore region, the Krivoy Rog iron ore basin, the Kremenchug iron ore region, etc.

Canada has significant reserves of iron ore. The main deposits are located in the provinces of Quebec, Newfoundland, etc. The ore reserves are estimated at 5.5 billion tons. Significant reserves of iron ore are located in Venezuela, Australia, and Brazil.