Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Mineralnogo Syra = Complex use of mineral resources

Application of bank protection structures for regulation of channel processes in the lower reaches of the Shu River

N.K. Yerzhanova — 2026-07-10

The article presents the application of bank protection structures for regulating channel processes in the lower reaches of the Shu River under conditions of high hydrological variability. The analysis is based on long-term hydrological observations conducted at the Tashutkul (Tasotkel) hydrological station over the period 1967–2022. A statistical assessment of annual maximum and mean discharges, including measures of variability, skewness, and exceedance probability, revealed the occurrence of rare but extreme flood events that significantly influence channel deformation and bank erosion in reaches composed of sandy–gravel alluvial deposits. A probabilistic hydrological analysis was applied to justify the design hydraulic loads acting on river training structures. Based on the identified hydrological and morphological risks, an improved prefabricated modular floating bank protection spur was developed for river engineering and channel regulation. The proposed structure provides adjustable permeability, promotes flow energy dissipation, and reduces local scour intensity under different flow conditions. The obtained results may be applied in the design and operation of adaptive bank protection structures for the lower reaches of the Shu River and other rivers characterized by pronounced channel instability and hydrological variability.

Geochemical Partitioning and Correlation of Rare Earth Elements, Thorium, and Uranium in Ion-Adsorption Clays from the Gemang Area, West Kelantan, Malaysia

S.C. Chang — 2026-07-13

This study aimed to determine the geochemical partitioning of total rare earth elements (ΣREE), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) in ion-adsorption clays (IACs) from the Gemang area, West Kelantan, Malaysia, and to evaluate how this partitioning may influence selective REE recovery with limited radionuclide mobilisation. An eight-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to representative saprolitic IAC samples, and the extracted fractions were analysed by ICP-OES. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were further used to examine associations among ΣREE, Th, U, and selected major elements. The sequential extraction results showed that ΣREE were concentrated mainly in the ion-exchangeable fraction (average 22.0%), with additional contributions from the residual fraction (15.3%) and a notably high proportion in the primary sulphide step (53.4%). In contrast, Th and U were concentrated mainly in the primary sulphide fraction (54.4% and 41.3%, respectively) and the residual fraction (26.2% and 45.0%, respectively). Major elements such as Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Na showed distributions consistent with clay, oxide, and refractory mineral hosts. Statistical analysis indicated a positive association between ΣREE and Ca-Na, whereas Th and U were more closely associated with Fe-Mn-bearing fractions, indicating different host controls and different mobilisation behaviour. These results suggest that a recoverable REE pool is present in the exchangeable fraction, while most Th and U remain in less labile phases under the tested operational scheme. The study therefore provides geochemical evidence that mild ammonium-salt leaching may favour selective REE recovery from Gemang IACs while limiting the release of naturally occurring radioactive materials, although further mineralogical validation and dynamic leaching tests are still required.

Mineralogical characteristics of oxidized copper-porphyry ores at the Koktaszhal deposit

K.E. Toleubek — 2026-07-24

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive mineralogical study of oxidized copper-porphyry ore from the Koktashal deposit. Optical microscopy, silicate analysis, and quantitative phase analysis were used to characterize the mineral composition and forms of copper occurrence in the oxidation zone. The ore contains 0.735% total copper, of which 89.8% occurs in oxidized form, 6.39% in primary sulfides, 2.72% in secondary sulfides, and 1.09% in water-soluble form. The principal ore minerals are malachite (1.5–2.0%) and azurite (0.3–0.4%), accompanied by hematite with magnetite (0.5%), goethite (0.2%), and pyrite (0.2%), whereas copper sulfides and native copper occur only in trace amounts. The integration of classical mineralogical methods with quantitative phase analysis provides new insights into the distribution of copper occurrence forms and their relationship to oxidation processes. Malachite and azurite occur as well-crystallized vein and nest aggregates as well as colloform earthy masses developed along microcracks in association with iron hydroxides. Their close association with iron hydroxides and the near absence of copper sulfides represent a diagnostic feature of the oxidation zone in copper-porphyry systems. These findings improve the assessment of supergene alteration during exploration and support the classification of oxidation-zone ores as a distinct geological and industrial type for reserve estimation, ore body delineation, and processing scheme selection.