The Ministry of Education and Science reported on a discovery made by researchers from the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg State University, and the A. E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum. In the Kirovsky mine of the Khibiny Massif, they discovered a previously unknown mineral, named "Kolsky Ashcroftine".
As explained by the Ministry, the new mineral contains yttrium, a rare-earth element. This is not just a beautiful stone, but a true chemical archive of the Earth's crust: yttrium, silicon, potassium, sodium, and other elements are gathered in one crystal. For just the coating on the rock, the average price reaches 145 dollars per millimeter – significantly higher than the cost of gold. Yttrium is a strategically important rare-earth metal. It is added to heat-resistant alloys for aviation and space technology, and used in the production of superconductors, lasers, phosphors for displays, and special optics. Russia is among the world leaders in rare-earth metal reserves, and each such discovery strengthens the country's raw material independence in high-tech industries.
The uniqueness of the Kolsky sample, according to scientists, lies in the presence of calcium, manganese, and fluorine. Furthermore, the crystalline structure of the find is among the most complex of all minerals known to science.
Classic ashcroftine is a pinkish, transparent, fragile, and extremely rare silicate. The largest deposit is in Greenland, and it is also found in Canada and Italy. However, "Kolsky Ashcroftine" surpasses all known analogues in composition and structure.
Read more on the topic:
- Russian scientists discover rare mineral that will make electronics more energy efficient
- New Source of Rare Earth Metals Found in Polar Siberia: It Will Aid in Laser and Electronics Production
- Rosnedra Opens Applications for Arctic Area with Rare-Earth Mineral Kularite in Yakutia