Geological potential of antimony, bauxite, fluorite, and magnesite of the Central Dinarides (Bosnia and Herzegovina): exploration and exploitation perspective

Main Article Content

Sibila Borojević Šoštarić
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1861-2470
Anže Markelj
Eldar Jašarević
Angelika Haindl

Abstract

This paper presents the critical raw materials (CRM) potential of antimony, bauxite, fluorite, and magnesite deposits in Bosnia and Herzegovina, discusses their metallogeny and joint geological features, and explains the methodology of the InvestRM application and evaluation criteria for the selected commodities in the following steps: (1) preparation of the geological data templates, (2) evaluation and verification of the geological data, (3) ranking of deposits according to the geological data relating to quality and quantity, and (4) identification of the 10+ perspective deposits. Existing geological datasets show the existence of significant potential in primary CRM such as bauxite (56 Mt), magnesite (4 Mt), and antimony (0.2 Mt) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The geological settings of BiH provide favourable metallogenetic conditions primarily for bauxite and magnesite deposits but also for antimony within polymetallic deposits, while fluorspar is rather rare. Our methodology described herein led to the selection of the following fourteen deposits for further geological prospection and investment: the polymetallic antimony deposits Čemernica and Podhrusanj, antimony fields Srebrenica and Rupice; magnesite fields Kladanj, Banja Luka, Teslić and Novi Šeher and bauxite regions Vlasenica-Srebrenica, Grmeč Mountain deposits in Una-Sana region and South Bosnia regions from Posušje to Trebinje. A basic economic calculation based on the world producer ranking and a self-sustainability and economic contribution assessment shows that further investments in geological exploration and mining of antimony, magnesite, and bauxite CRM could place BiH on the list of important producers of these commodities in Europe.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section
Review Papers
Author Biographies

Sibila Borojević Šoštarić, Faculty of Mining Geology and Petroleum Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Departmen of Geology

Institute of Mineralogy and Petrology 

Anže Markelj, Geology Survey of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Department for Regional geology

Eldar Jašarević, Mining Institute Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Scientific Research Center for Geology, Geotechnics and Civil Engineering

References

ANTON A., BURIĆ, P., DANGIĆ, A., ILIĆ, M., JELIĆ, M., JOVANOVIĆ, Č., JOVANOVIĆ, P., KAPELER, I., KARAMATA, S., KUBAT, I., MILADINOVIĆ, D., OLUJIĆ, J., PAMIĆ, J., PODUBSKY, V., RAMOVIĆ, M., SUNARIĆ-PAMIĆ, O., VAKANJAC, B., VARIĆAK, D., VASILJEVIĆ, R., VUJOVIĆ, M. & ŽIVANOVIĆ, D. (1979): Ležišta nemetala [Non-metallic deposits - in Bosnian]. – In: ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta nemetala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina], Vol. 1/2, 2 volumes, 236–447.

BODULIĆ, G., JOVANOVIĆ, R., JOVANOVIĆ, P., JURIĆ, M., ĐURIĆ, S., KUBAT, I. & KULENOVIĆ, E. (1979): Ležišta crnih metala [Ferrous metal deposits – in Bosnian].– In: ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta nemetala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-metallic deposits – in Bosnian], Vol. 2/4. 2 volumes, 215–414.

BOROJEVIĆ ŠOŠTARIĆ, S., NEUBAUER, F., HANDLER, R. & PALINKAŠ, L.A. (2012): Tectonothermal history of the basement rocks within the NW Dinarides: new40 Ar/39 Ar ages and synthesis.– Geologica Carpathica, 63/6, 441–452. doi: 10.2478/v10096-012-0034-2

BOROJEVIĆ ŠOŠTARIĆ, S., PALINKAŠ, L.A., STRMIĆ PALINKAŠ, S., BERMANEC, V., NEUBAUER, F., SPANGENBERG, J. & PROCHASKA, W. (2009): Origin of siderite mineralisation in Petrova and Trgovska Gora Mts., NW Dinarides.– Miner. Petrol., 97/1–2, 111–128. doi: 10.1007/s00710-009-0065-2

BUDEŠ, I., GALIĆ, I. & DRAGIČEVIĆ, I. (2018): Research of bauxite deposits from underground mining works.– MGPB, 33/3, 95–110. doi: 10.17794/rgn.2018.3.10

BUNDESANSTALT FÜR GEOWISSENSCHAFTEN UND ROHSTOFFE (2021): Preismonitor. Rohstoff-Preismonitor.– Edited by DEUTSCHE ROHSTOFFAGENTUR (DERA) in der BGR. Available online at https://www.deutsche-rohstoffagenturde/DERA/DE/Produkte/Rohstoffpreise/Preismonitor/preismonitor_node.html, (checked on 8/27/2021)

BURIĆ, P. & ŽIVALJEVIĆ, T. (1979): Ležišta boksita [Bauxite deposits – in Bosnian].– In: ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta obojenih metala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-ferrous metals – in Bosnian]. Geoinženjering, Sarajevo, Vol 2/3, 123–214.

ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.) (1979): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta nemetala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-metallic deposits – in Bosnian].– Geoinženjering Sarajevo. 2 volumes.

ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.) (1979): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta obojenih metala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-ferrous metals – in Bosnian].– Geoinženjering Sarajevo. 2 volumes. Sarajevo.

CVIJIĆ, R. (2004): Geomenadžment u funkciji korišćenja i razvoja mineralnih resursa Ljubijske metalogenetske oblasti [Geo-management as production and development tool of mineral raw materials in Ljubija metallogeny area – in Bosnian].– Rudarski Institut, Prijedor, 348 p.

DANGIĆ, A. (1978): Model evolucije hidrotermalne aktivnosti u rudonosnom području Srebrenice [Model of evolution of hydrothermal activity in the ore – bearing area of Srebrenica – in Bosnian].– In: IX. Kongres Geologa Jugoslavije. Sarajevo, 565–571.

DANGIĆ, A. (1988): Kaolinization of Bauxite: A Study of the Vlasenica Bauxite Area, Yugoslavia. II. Alteration of Oolites.– Clays and Clay Minerals, 36/5, 439–447. doi: 10.1346/CCMN.1988.0360509

DANGIĆ, A. (2015): Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Epigenesis of Bauxites in Inner Dinarides.– Herald Geological, 361–30.

DIMITRIJEVIĆ, M.D. (1982): Dinarides: an Outline of the Tectonics.– Earth Evol. Sci., 2/1, 4–23.

DIMITRIJEVIĆ, M.D. (1997): Geology of Yugoslavia.– Geol. Survey GEMINI Special Publication, Belgrade, 187 p.

DRAGIČEVIĆ, I., PAPEŠT, J. & PAVIČIĆ, I. (2019): Geological settings of the Jajce bauxite bearing-area (Bosnia and Herzegovina).– Journal of Maps, 15/2, 744–750. doi: 10.1080/17445647.2019.1664652

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2011): Tackling the challenges in commodity markets and on raw materials. Communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions. 25.– European Commission, Brussels.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2017): On the 2017 list of Critical Raw Materials for the EU. Communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions. 490.– European Commission, Brussels.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2020): Study on the EU’s list of Critical Raw Materials – Final Report.– Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. doi: 10.2873/11619

GENTRY, D.W. & O’NEIL, T.J. (1984): Mine investment analysis.– Society of Mining Engineers of American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers Inc, New York.

GRUBIĆ, A. (1975): Geology of Yugoslavian bauxite.– In: Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. special edition, Book CDLXXXIII. Belgrade, 60–65.

GRUBIĆ, A., CVIJIĆ, R., MILOŠEVIĆ, A. & ČELEIĆ, M. (2016): Interpreters of the metalogenetic map of the Ljubjian ore region Acelor Mittal Prijedor.– Fund of technical documentation Mining institute Prijedor and ArcelorMittal Prijedor, 91 p.

HAINDL, A. (2020): InvestRM – Investieren in Rohstoffe am Balkan.– Berg Huettenmaenn. Monatsh., 165/4, 211–215. doi: 10.1007/s00501-020-00959-2.

HODŽIĆ, N. & DJEDOVIĆ, M. (2014): Elaborat o klasifikaciji, kategorizaciji i proračunu rezervi magnezita ležišta “Konjuh” sa stanjem [Study on the classification, categorization and calculation of magnesite reserves of the “Konjuh” deposit – in Bosnian].– Fund of the technical documentation, Rudar d.o.o. Tuzla.

ILIĆ, M. & JELIĆ, M. (1979): Magneziti [Magnesites– in Bosnian– In: ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta nemetala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-metallic deposits – in Bosnian]. Geoinženjering, Sarajevo, Vol. 1/2, 273–309.

INFOMINE USA, Inc. (2016): Mine and Milll Equipment Costs: An Estimator’s Guide.– InfoMine USA, Inc. CostMine Division. INVESTRM-TEAM (2020): Investment Opportunities in Raw Materials in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results of the project Invest RawMaterials – Multifactor model for investments in the raw material sector, case study Bosnia and Herzegovina. With assistance of FIPA, EIT Raw Materials. Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of BiH. -Available online at: http://www.fipa.gov.ba/publikacije_materijali/brosure/FIPA%20brochure%2023.11.2020.pdf (checked on 9/29/2021)

JANISCH, A. (2014): Ressourcenverfügbarkeit, Bergtechnische Charakterisierung und Bergbauplanungskonzepte ausgewählter Vorkommen EU-kritischer Rohstoffe in Österreich. Masterarbeit. Lehrstuhl für Bergbaukunde, Bergtechnik und Bergwirtschaft. Montanuniversität Leoben, Leoben.

JAŠAREVIĆ, E., DŽINDO, M., ŠABOVIĆ, A. & TALETOVIĆ, N. (2013): Projekat detaljnih geoloških istraživanja ležišta olova, cinka i barita u istražnom polju, Rupice-Juraševac-Brestić [Design on detailed geological explorations of lead, zinc and barite deposits in the ‚‘Rupice-Juraševac-Brestić‘‘ exploration field – in Bosnian].– Institute, Tuzla.

JEJINA, T. & CVIJIĆ, R. (1977): Preliminary design of mine and iron ore separation Vidernjak, mine Ljubija: Book I, geological part.– Fund of technical documentation, RŽR Ljubija Prijedor.

JELIĆ, M. (1979): Florit [Fluorite – in Bosnian].– In ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta nemetala [Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-metallic deposits – in Bosnian], Vol. 1/2. 2 volumes, 243–244.

JEREMIĆ, M. (1958): Baritno-fluoritno ležište Žune kod Ljubije [Barite-fluorite deposit Žune-Dolinac near Ljubija – in Serbian].– Rudarsko-metalurški zbornik, 4.

JOVANOVIĆ, R. (1979): Ležišta željezne rude Centralne Bosne i Hercegovine, Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine [Iron ore deposits of Central Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mineral raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina – in Bosnian].– Geoengineering Sarajevo.

JURIĆ M. (1973): Sanski paleozoik - sinteza poznavanja rudnih pojava [Sana region Palaeozoic- synthesis of knowledge about ore phenomena – in Bosnian].– Book I, II, III.- Fund of professional documentation, ArcelorMittal, Prijedor.

JURKOVIĆ, I. (1961): Zavod za geološka istraživanja i ispitivanja građevinskog materiala i tla [Institute for Geological Research and Testing of Construction Materials and Soils – in Bosnian].– Gelogical Herald, 5, 199–241.

JURKOVIĆ, I., PALINKAŠ, L.A., GARAŠIĆ, V. & STRMIĆ PALINKAŠ, S. (2012): Genesis of Vein-Stockwork Cryptocrystalline Magensite from the Dinaride Ophiolites.– Ofioliti, 37/1, 13–26. doi: 10.4454/ofioliti.v37i1.403

JURKOVIĆ, I., RAMOVIĆ, M. & ZEC, F. (1999): Chemical and Geochemical Characteristics of the Čemernica Antimonite Deposit in the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mountains.– In: Rudarsko-geološko-naftni zbornik, 11/1, 1–16.

KUBAT, I. (1982): Metalogenija i prognoza čvrstih mineralnih sirovina u trijasu Bosne i Hercegovine [Metallogeny and prognoses of the mineral raw minerals in Triassic of the Bosnia and Herzegovina – in Bosnian].– In: Spec. Publ. Geol. Glasnik, 11, Sarajevo, 1–149.

KUBAT, I. (1995): Metalogenija antimona i žive u BiH i mogućnost proizvodnje i prerade [Metallogeny of antimony and mercury in BiH and the possibility of production and processing – in Bosnian].– Zavod za geologiju, Sarajevo.

KUBAT, I. & ĐORĐEVIĆ, D. (1973): Mineralizacija kalaja u okviru ležišta olova i cinka “Srebrenica” u Istočnoj Bosni [Tin mineralization within the “Srebrenica” lead and zinc deposits in Eastern Bosnia – in Bosnian].– Gelogical Herald, 17, 325–336.

KURTANOVIĆ, R. (1990): Godišnji izvještaj o regionalnim geološkim istraživanjima kompleksnih Zn i BaSO4 mineralizacija na lokalitetu Rupice kod Vareša za 1989 godinu [Annual report on regional geological research of complex Zn and BaSO4 mineralizations at the Rupica site near Vareš for 1989 – in Bosnian].– Fund of technical
documentation, Federal geological survey, Sarajevo.

MARJORIBANKS, R.W. (1997): Geological methods in mineral exploration and mining.– Chapman & Hall, London.

Minerals4EU http://minerals4eu.brgm-rec.fr/minerals4EU/ (checked on 8/27/2021)

MITROVIĆ, D. (ed.) (2011): Mineralne sirovine Republike Srpske [Mineral raw materials of the Republic of Srpska – in Bosnian].– Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining; Republic Geological Survey, Zvornik.

NEUKIRCHEN, F. & RIES, G. (2014): Die Welt der Rohstoffe. [World of Raw Materials – in German].– Springer Spektrum, Berlin [u.a.].

OPERTA, M. & BUŠATLIĆ, N. (2018): Contribution to the Knowlede of the Magnesite Deposits in Bosnia and Herzegovina.– Geografski pregled, 39, 107–122.

OPERTA, M. & HYSENI, S. (2016): Mineral raw materials Metallogenic Zone Borovica- Vares-Cevljanovici (BiH).– International journal of technology enhancements and emerging engineering research, 4/2, 16–20.

PALINKAŠ, L., BOROJEVIĆ ŠOŠTARIĆ, S., STRMIĆ PALINKAŠ, S., PROCHASKA, W., PÉCSKAY, Z., NEUBAUER, F. & SPANGENBERG, J.E. (2016): The Ljubija geothermal field: A herald of the Pangea break-up (NW Bosnia and Herzegovina).– Geologia Croatica, 69/1, 3–30. doi: 10.4154/GC.2016.02

PALINKAŠ, L. & JURKOVIĆ, I. (1994): Lanthanide Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusion Peculiarities of the Fluorite from the Barite Deposits South of Kreševo.– Geologia Croatica, 47/1, 103–115.

STRMIĆ PALINKAŠ, S., SPANGENBERG, J.E. & PALINKAŠ, L.A. (2009): Organic and inorganic geochemistry of Ljubija siderite deposits, NW Bosnia and Herzegovina.– Miner. Deposita, 44/8, 893–913. doi: 10.1007/s00126-009-0249-z

PAMIĆ, J. (1982): Some geological problems of the Dinaridic ophiolites and their associations.– Earth Evol. Sci., 2, 30–35.

PAMIĆ, J., GUŠIĆ, I. & JELASKA, V. (1998): Geodynamic evolution of the Central Dinarides.– Tectonophysics, 297, 251–268.

PAVIČIĆ, I., DRAGIČEVIĆ, I. & IVKIĆ, I. (2018): High-resolution 3D geological model of the bauxite-bearing area Crvene Stijene (Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and its application in ongoing research and mining.– Geological Quarterly, 62/1, doi: 10.7306/gq.1396

ProMine http://www.europe-geology.eu/promine/ (checked on 8/27/2021)

RAMOVIĆ, M. (1963): Rudne parageneze u oblasti Srebrenice (istočna Bosna) [Ore paragenesis in the Srebrenica area (eastern Bosnia) – in Bosnian].– Spec. Publ. Geol. Glasnik, 1, 1–96.

RAMOVIĆ, M., KUBAT, I., VELJKOVIĆ, D., KULENOVIĆ, E. & ĐURIĆ, S. (1979): Cink, olovo i srebro [Zinc, Lead and Silver – in Bosian].– In: ČIČIĆ, S. (ed.): Mineralne sirovine Bosne i Hercegovine: Ležišta obojenih metala [Mineral
raw materials of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Non-ferrous metals – in Bosnian].– Geoinženjering, Sarajevo, Vol 2/3,
9–97.

REICHL, C. & SCHATZ, M. (2021): World Mining Data 2021. Iron and Ferro-Alloy Metals, Non-Ferrous Metals, Precious Metals, Industrial Minerals, Mineral Fuels. – Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism, Republic of Austria, Vienna. Minerals Production, 36, checked on 5/25/2021.

RULEBOOK on classification, categorization, and calculation of solid mineral raw material reserves and keeping records on them (Official Gazette of the FBiH No. 36/12).

SCHMID, S.M., BERNOULLI, D., FÜGENSCHUH, B., MATENCO, L., SCHEFER, S. & SCHUSTER, R. (2008): The Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaridic orogenic system: correlation and evolution of tectonic units.– Swiss J. Geosci., 101/1, 139–183. doi: 10.1007/s00015-008-1247-3.

SUNARIĆ-PAMIĆ, O. & PAMIĆ, J. (1988): Žični magneziti ofiolitske zone Dinarida u Bosni i njihova geneza [Magnesites from the Dinaride ophiolite zone in Bosnia and their genesis – in Bosnian].– Spec. Publ. Geol. Glasnik, 22, 1–173.

TOMLJENOVIĆ, B., CSONTOS, L., MÁRTON, E. & MÁRTON, P. (2008): Tectonic evolution of the northwestern Internal Dinarides as constrained by structures and rotation of Medvednica Mountains, North Croatia.– Geological Society Special Publications, 298, 145–167.

TODOROVIĆ, M. (2016): Geološko petrološke i mineraloške karakteristike rudnog polja Srebrenica-Milići [Geological-petrological and mineralogical characteristics of the Srebrenica-Milići ore field – in Bosnian].– Fund of technical documentation, Boksit Milići d.o.o.

WAHL, S. VON (1990-1991): Bergwirtschaft. [Mining Economics – in German].– Verl. Glückauf, Essen.

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (2021): World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). Available online at https://wits.worldbank.org/Default.aspx?lang=en (checked on 8/27/2021)

ZARIĆ, P., JANKOVIĆ, S., RADOSAVLJEVIĆ, S. & ĐORĊEVIĆ, D. (2000): Tin Minerals and Tin Mineralization of the Pb-Zn-Sb-Ag Ore Deposits of the Srebrenica Orefield.– In: Proc. of the International Symposium Geology and Metallogeny of the Dinarides and the Vardar Zone, Vol. 1. Banja Luka, 425–434.