Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Moscow, Russia

I. M. Potravny, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, ecoaudit@bk.ru

Berbekov Kabardino-Balkaria State University, Nalchik, Russia
A. A. Shiritov, Post-Graduate Student
D. V. Khatukhova, Senior Lecturer

ECO-DV-PROJECT Ecology and Engineering Company, Vladivostok, Russia
A. I. Chindina, Director, Doctor of Economic Sciences

Tungsten is in the list of strategic minerals of Russia holding world’s second largest resources of the mineral. At the same time, 30 % of tungsten reserves are present as an associate mineral in ore. The documented mineral resources strategy of the country lays special stress on production of rare metals, including heat-resistant tungsten and molybdenum. The authors give substantiation for the economic, ecological and social prospects of revitalization and development of the Tyrnyauz tungsten–molybdenum deposit in Kabardino-Balkaria, with utilization of manmade resources and production waste. To ensure environmental safety of the project which is located in the area near the Mount Elbrus (Prielbrusie), with its unique ecosystem and progressive tourism, mining technology adopts stoping with backfill. Some trends revealed in tungsten production are connected with the depletion of available resources, and with the elevation of operating and ecological costs. In the framework of the circular economy concept, implementation of the revitalization and development project at the deposit allows utilization and processing of old mining waste, reclamation of mining-disturbed lands, and extension of the deposit life through the use of an additional mineral source—manmade resources, which simultaneously makes it possible to employ old concentration plant waste. The promising paths of development of the deposit may be underground disposal of solid urban waste in mined-out voids, and creation of carbon test areas for climate change management on lands subjected to reclamation. Alongside with production of the valuable and strategic mineral, implementation of this project can create new jobs and improve the frame of society, and can contribute to greater involvement of subsoil users in the socio-economic and ecological development in the area of presence. The implemented analysis shows that the project is ecologically and economically sound. Financial support for the project can be provided from attracted investors, budgetary funding of federal programs connected with the strategic mineral mining, shared funding, public–private partnership means and other sources.

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