Kaolin is a white refractory clay, a raw material for the fabrication of ceramic products, paper, cardboard, cosmetics, rubber and plastic products, artificial fabrics. Currently, the needs of national industry for high-quality kaolin are met by imports from the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, USA and UK.

Koskol kaolin-promising area in Orenburg region was discovered by specialists of Votemiro Company in 2005-2008 during the mapping activities within the additional site explorations. The works of survey stage were performed in the area in 2011-2013.

In 2018-2019 the specialists of RosGeo subsidiary performed a significant scope of field survey and assessment operations: they drilled 220 wells, and made selection and analysis of 1646 samples. In the framework of desk-top processing of the received materials the geologists previously assessed the amount and quality of raw materials in the selected areas, determined its composition and properties. The results of the materials processing allowed Votemiro to make conclusions with respect to availability within Koskol area of large of high-quality kaolin deposits.

“The deposits of eluvial kaolins discovered in the Orenburg region, in accordance with our estimations, are the largest in Russia,” noted Sergey Gorkov, the head of RosGeo. “Further exploration and development of the reserves in Koskol area will allow to resolve the strategic task of creating a full-fledged national mineral and raw material base of high quality eluvial kaolins, reduce the dependence of Russian enterprises on imported raw materials.”

According to the preliminary estimates, the kaolin reserves of C1 + C2 categories within Koskol area are about 400 million tons. Currently, Votemiro is finalizing the report materials on the results of the survey and assessment work for defending in the State Reserves Committee.

Reference:

RosGeo is a Russian multi-disciplinary geological holding that carries out a full range of services related to geological exploration: from regional surveys to parametric drilling and monitoring of subsoil conditions. The holding company boasts a unique expertise, particularly in marine geology and shelf operations. A total of more than 1000 fields and deposits have been discovered by the holding’s companies, including major hydrocarbon and solid mineral deposits and fields. RosGeo is a fully state-owned company.

JSC VOTEMIRO COMPANY is a leader in the market of geological explorations and surveys in the Western Urals. The core business is geological surveys and explorations of solid commercial minerals and groundwater, including design development and construction of water supply operating and individual wells of various purposes of up to 1000 м depth.