Prospects for deep processing of baddeleyite concentrate in the context of global scandium market
https://doi.org/10.21443/3034-1434-2025-3-4-47-56
Abstract
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for deep processing of baddeleyite concentrate from the Kovdor deposit (Russia), which is of importance in the context of the growing global scandium market. At present, the Russian rare metals industry is characterized by a paradox. On the one hand, the country enjoys significant scandium resources contained in various types of deposits and remains a supplier of raw materials to the global market. On the other hand, domestic production of scandium is limited. The conducted cost assessment of valuable components in baddeleyite concentrate based on current market data showed that the potential revenue from processing one ton of raw material could reach 1.62 million US dollars. Processing depth was found to be the key factor of economic efficiency, which creates a gap in the value of the final product of over one million US dollars per ton of concentrate. The strategic feasibility of establishing closed-loop technological cycles for processing baddeleyite concentrate in Russia is substantiated. This aligns with the development priorities of the Russian Arctic Zone in terms of ensuring technological sovereignty in the field of rare and rare-earth metals.
About the Authors
Andrey O. Kalashnikov
Murmansk Arctic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Andrey O. Kalashnikov — Сand. Sci. (Geol.-Mineral.), Director of the Engineering School
SCOPUS AuthorID: 36910721300
ResearcherID: D-1532-2018
RSCI AuthorID: 178980
Tel.: +7 (921) 035-50-56
Konstantin P. Danilin
Luzin Institute for Economic Studies of the Kola Science Centre of the
Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Konstantin P. Danilin — Research Intern
SCOPUS AuthorID: 58020282100
ResearcherID: IAM-5239-2023
RSCI AuthorID: 1149979
Tel.: +7 (900) 937-99-82
184209, Murmansk Oblast, Apatity, Fersmana str., 14
Vladimir V. Dyadik
Luzin Institute for Economic Studies of the Kola Science Centre of the
Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladimir V. Dyadik — Cand. Sci. (Economics), Senior Researcher
SCOPUS AuthorID: 57222556400
RSCI AuthorID: 727025
Tel.: +7 921 277 03 45
184209, Murmansk Oblast, Apatity, Fersmana str., 14
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Review
For citations:
Kalashnikov A.O., Danilin K.P., Dyadik V.V. Prospects for deep processing of baddeleyite concentrate in the context of global scandium market. Arctic and Innovations. 2025;3(4):47-56. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21443/3034-1434-2025-3-4-47-56
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