Geological and economic assessment of development prospects and risks of the Tastykskoe lithium deposit
V.O. Oorzhak
Tuvan Institute for Integrated Exploration of Natural Resources, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kyzyl, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №6/ 2025 p. 134-137
Abstract: The paper discusses geological and economic characteristics and risks concerned with development of the Tastykskoe lithium deposit (Republic of Tyva, Russia). Information is given on the spodumene pegmatites of the deposit, lithium reserves (Li2O ~596 thousand tons) and associated elements (niobium, tantalum, beryllium, tin). The prospects for development have been assessed based on the plans for the construction and commissioning of a mining and processing plant (MPP) in 2027–2030, the investment volumes (~22 billion rubles by 2027), infrastructure to be created (roads, power grid), and the number of jobs planned to be introduced. The investment factors (increasing demand for lithium in batteries) and the market risks (volatility in the global lithium prices) have been analyzed. Environmental and logistical risks have been assessed including the water and chemical emissions during the extraction and processing of pegmatites, the remote location of the deposit (lack of a railway, the need to build a motor road). It has been concluded that the deposit is a highly strategic asset for Russia's raw materials security, provided that modern mineral processing technologies (flotation, gravity separation) are employed and the environmental impact is closely controlled.
Keywords: Tastykskoe deposit, geological and economic assessment, lithium, spodumene pegmatites, Republic of Tyva, environmental risks, Eastern Siberia
Acknowledgements: The research was carried out under the state assignment of the Tyva Institute of Integrated Development of Natural Resources of SB RAS, Project No. 121031300230-2
For citation: Oorzhak V.O. Geological and economic assessment of development prospects and risks of the Tastykskoe lithium deposit. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(6):134–137. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-6-134-137
Article info
Received: 29.08.2025
Revised: 27.10.2025
Accepted: 31.10.2025
Information about the author
Valery O. Oorzhak – Cand. Sci. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Leading Researcher, Tuvan Institute for Integrated Exploration of Natural Resources, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kyzyl, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
References
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