The balance reserves of zirconium in Russia, contained in 19 deposits, amount to 12.33 million tons of ZrO2 (zirconium dioxide), in another three only off-balance reserves are taken into account. All zirconium deposits in the country are complex, with the exception of one small placer.
Zirconium is predominantly present in ores together with tantalum, niobium, hafnium and rare earth metals. At the Kovdor deposit in the Murmansk region, its reserves are taken into account together with iron and apatite ores.
“Russia has a significant raw material base of zirconium and it is sufficient to meet both the current and long-term needs of the economy. The main reserves are concentrated in the Trans-Baikal and Stavropol territories, the Republic of Tyva, Murmansk, Tambov and Tomsk regions. The three largest deposits: Katuginskoye, ulug-Tanzekskoye and Kovdorskoye contain over 65% of the country’s reserves, or 8.1 million tons,” commented Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia.
Plastic and fire-resistant
Rare zirconium is included in the country’s list of the main types of strategic raw materials. The metal is ductile, easy to process, and at the same time it has high heat resistance, wear resistance and corrosion resistance in aggressive environments. Zirconium interacts with nitric acid and aqua regia only at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, and with hydrochloric and sulfuric acids - if their concentration exceeds 50%.
Along with this, zirconium is paramagnetic, that is, weakly attracted to a magnet, capable of retaining X-rays and neutral to the effects of biological media.
These unique properties are widely in demand in industry. Zirconium is used in nuclear energy to create components for nuclear reactors. The metal is used to create refractories: for example, for the production of glass furnaces, in metallurgy - in the technology of continuous casting of steel, as well as in the smelting of aluminum metal.
High biocompatibility and resistance to biological environments make zirconium an important element in the creation of dental, bone and joint prostheses. The metal is used to produce abrasive paper, which is used to polish stainless steel and wood products.
Zirconium coating on kitchen utensils, such as frying pans and pots, promotes uniform heating of the surface and also prevents food from burning. The inertness of zirconium does not allow food to enter into a chemical reaction with the dishes, and therefore such products are safe.
The use of zirconium in jewelry is widely known - healing properties are attributed to bracelets made from this metal. Mineral
