Weathering crusts and adjacent mineral resources of the Karelian-Kola region

Abstract

Localities and deposits of kaoline and hydromica weathering crusts have been discovered in the Karelian-Kola region. Kaoline localities tend to have a high content of coloring oxides, particularly iron oxide, and can be used to produce color decorative stone and drainage pipes. Kaolines of the Aukhtijarvi deposit in Karelia can be widely used after technological tests and economic estimations. The regional tectonics became stable in the late Paleogene-early Miocene. Pediments and adjacent weathering crust of the hydromica type were formed. The Eurasia-biggest vermiculite deposit has been discovered here. Its processing has been stopped by now. It would be advisable to return to this issue, and find an acceptable solution for the resumption of mining the field, obtaining and rational use of expanded vermiculite from vermiculite concentrate.