Metals and elements coexisting in ores and in other raw materials
This group of mineral raw materials mainly comprises metals, which occur as co-occurring elements mainly in sulfides ore deposits. This is the case of Polish copper and zinc-lead deposits with fairly long records of various co-occurring elements. The elements, often of high market value, are already recovered or may be recoverable in the course of processing of these ores. Accumulations of some of these elements were covered by prospecting and exploration which resulted often in evaluations of their indicated/inferred resources. Sometimes their resources are documented.
Rare earth elements and those named as dispersed elements were also found to occur in beach sands (zirkonium – 2 thousand tonnes; titanium – 12 thousand tonnes), potassium-magnesium salts (boron – 6 thousand tonnes; bromine – 7.2 thousand tonnes) and saline waters and brines (32.16 million m3). These numbers were evaluated in 1960s and there have not been any new calculations prepared so far.
Rare earth elements and those named as dispersed elements were also found to occur in beach sands and saline waters and brines.
ZGH “Bolesław” S.A. company informed that due to longlasting exploitation of zinc and lead ores deposits – Olkusz and Pomorzany – the resources of co-occurring elements (cadmium, sulfur and silver) decreased significantly.
Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski