Contents of germanium in coal seams Lviv-Volyn basin and Donbas

Abstract

The main source of germanium sequestration in Ukraine is coal. According to modern requirements, the content of germanium in coal should be more than 10 g/t (air-dry weight), in coking - 3 g/t. Germanium can be obtained from mine water and coal rocks, as well. In Ukraine, germanium carbonate rocks are distributed in the sediments of the Lviv-Volyn and Donetsk basins. The distribution of germanium in the rocks of coal basins is different and rarely obeys laws. All coal layers tested are more or less germanium. Tectonic disturbances had no controlling effect on the accumulation and spread of germanium in the coal basin. The highest content of germanium is found in the central and western parts of the Donetsk coal basin district. The search and reconnaissance work on germanium has been widely disseminated since 1954. The work was carried out at various mineral deposits in order to identify raw materials for the related extraction of germanium. The degree of study and industrial development of these areas are different. The content of germanium in the coal of different layers varies in a wide range. Germanium is used in many industries and demand for it is constantly increasing. The scope of the metal is quite wide; it is used for the manufacture of transistors and circuits, for engineering and electronics. Radar installations use thin germanium films that are pre-applied to the glass substrate. The subsequent withdrawal of germanium is one way to improve the economic performance of the coal industry. Concomitant extraction of germanium from coal, products of its processing and mine waters of Donbass is now quite realistic and can help to increase the profitability of coal enterprises.

Germanium resource provision from mineral deposits in Ukraine

“…According to the content and nature of distribution of germanium, the coal of the basin belongs to the category of poor with uneven distribution both in area and section. The content of germanium reaches maximum values in the central part of the basin, in the south-north direction it dramatically decreases [6]. Similar to coal, igneous rocks also contain germanium (average content up to 2 g/ton); in quantitative terms, they are 2.1-3.7 times poorer in germanium than coal.…”

“…The analysis of the germanium content in thin layers (0.5-1.5 m) over the area of coal deposits of the Lviv-Volyn Basin and Western Donbas allows to establish that the distribution of this critical metal is uneven with an average content of up to 2 g/ton. It was determined that with an increase in the capacity of the coal deposit, the content of germanium, which is confined to a low-ash coal seam (no more than 18%), decreases, and the weighted average content within the deposit is 9-12 g/ton [6].…”

“…Concentrations of germanium in industrial quantities are found in three genetic types of ores: hydrothermal, metamorphic, and sedimentary [6]. There are also direct germanium deposits (germanium-sulfide, germanium-sulfosalt and germanium-coal) and deposits with associated germanium (complex ores of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, lignite and hard coal) [7].…”

“…The results of research show that the distribution of germanium resources is approximately as follows: coal and carbonaceous rocks contain up to 85%, iron ores up to 11%, and sulfide ores (including lead-zinc and copper-zinc ores) up to 3% [6]. In turn, the main source of germanium in Ukraine is the coal of Donbas and the Lviv-Volynsky Basin, with estimated reserves of 41,000 to 91,000 tons.…”

Management of the longwall face advance on the stress-strain state of rock mass

“…Mostly, coal resource potential is concentrated in Lviv-Volyn and Donetsk coalfields [23], [24]. Unfortunately, due to war, the key Ukrainian coal reserves, being suitable for safe mining, are extracted by such state enterprises as Lvivvuhillia and Volynvuhillia as well as private company DTEK Pavlohradvuhillia.…”