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Assessment of Mercury Releases from the Russian Federation

2 Production, Import and Export

• 2.1 Production of Mercury in the Russian Federation
• 2.1.1 Historical View
• 2.1.2 Extraction and Primary Production of Mercury in the USSR and Russia
• 2.1.3 Recycling of Mercury
• 2.2 Export and Import of Mercury
• 2.3 Domestic Mercury Market in Russia

2.1 Production of Mercury in the Russian Federation

2.1.1 Historical View

First information on mercury production in Russia dates back to 1725, when a merchantman Peter Anisimov established a mercury factory, and the sources of feedstock were kept in secret (Kuzin, 1961). The first commercial extraction of mercury ore (cinnabar) in Russia was initiated in 1759 at Ildikanskoye deposit in Transbaikalia and was occasionally carried out till 1853. (Korvatsky, 1907). The first recovery of metallic mercury in Russia took place at this deposit. In the end of XIX – beginning of XX, minor amounts of cinnabar were extracted in alluvial deposits in Amur oblast. Approximately at the same time, sections of Hg deposits were mined at Birksuisky ore deposit (South Fergana) and Khpek deposit (South Dagestan).

In 1879 Nikitovskoye mercury deposit (Ukraine) was discovered, the operation of which started (in parallel with metal smelting) in 1887 (Auerbach, 1888). In 1887-1908 annual volumes of Hg production in Nikitovsky mine varied from 47.3 to 615.9 tonnes. The data-based estimations (Auerbach, 1888; Berling, 1928; Veber, Markov, 1917; Ore Industry..., 1922) show that since 1887 till 1917, 6,762 t of metallic mercury was extracted at this mine, and a considerable part was exported (during 1889 - 1907 the exported was more than 5,145 t of Hg). In the beginning of XX century, Russia imported cinnabar and mercury as well. For instance, in 1913, 56 t of cinnabar and 168 t of mercury were imported, in 1914 - 41 t of cinnabar and 129 t of mercury (Veber, Markov, 1917).

In 1900-1908, metallic mercury consumption in Russia varied within 49-118 t/year (Veber, Markov, 1917). At that time mercury was used in medicine and pharmaceutics, for production of mirrors and paints, thermometers, barometers, manometers and other appliances, for rubbing pads of electrical machines, gold mining using the amalgamation method, copper and bronze gilding, felt treatment, gold-embroidery and laboratory purposes.

2.1.2 Extraction and Primary Production of Mercury in the USSR and Russia

Before the USSR dissolution, metallic mercury was basically supplied to industrial enterprises from Ukraine (Nikitovka) and Kirgizia (Khaidarkan). Share of mercury annually produced in Russia usually did not exceed 3-5% of total production in the former USSR. Totally, about 77,000 t of mercury was produced in the former USSR, including 7,300 t at Russia's enterprises ^[1].

For today, the State Inventory of Minerals of Russia has registered 24 mercury deposits, which in general have low quality ores (see Table 2.3). The most of the deposits are essentially mercury ones (cinnabar) storing about not more than 2 th. t of the metal. Only four deposits are relatively large – Tamvanteyskoye (14 th. t), Zapadnopalyanskoye (10.1 th. t), Chagan-Uzunskoye (14 th. t), "Zvezdochka" (3 th. t) (The Mineral Resources of the World by 1.01.2001..., 2002).

Table 2.1 Major mercury production sites in the former USSR*

* in metallurgy and economy the distinguished are primary mercury (produced from mercury ores), accompanying mercury (obtained at extraction of ores of other metals, where mercury is contained as impurity) and secondary mercury (recycled from waste).

**this estimation provided in various sources is obviously overvalued;

*** In Siberia (Altai, Kuznetsky Alatau, Zabaikailye, Khabarovsk kray) small mercury deposits (Soukhonkoye, Beloosipovskoye, Chuiskoye, Lanskoye etc.) were occasionally developed by prospectors and small exploratory enterprises; the total mass of the metallic mercury amounts to about 150 t.

Sources: (Bagatayev, 1998; Butov et al, 1997; Reference Book..., 2002; the Mineral Resources of the World (at the beginning of 1994), 1995; the Mineral Resources of the World at the beginning of 1997, 1998; the Mineral Resources of the World at the beginning of 1998, 1999; the Mineral Resources of the World at the beginning of 1999, 2000; the Mineral Resources of the World at 1.01.2000, 2001, 2002; Obolensky et al., 1995; Mercury in environment of Siberia, 1995; Fedorchuk, 1983; Yagolnitser et al, 1995; http://www.rambler.ru/db/news/msg.html))

Considerable concentrations of mercury are observed in copper pyrite ores, polymetal, gold-silver and other types of ore deposits (Bobrova et. al., 1990; Ozerova, 1986; Pshenichny, 1975; Phedorchuk, 1983). The exceeded concentration (up to 88-800 mg/kg) of mercury is observed in copper pyrite deposits of the Southern Urals (Uchalinskoye, Uzelginskoye, Sibaiskoye, Buribaiskoye, Bakr-Tau, Yubileynoye, Gaiskoye, etc.). Concentration of mercury in ores of gold-silver deposits in the north-east of Russia amounts to 8-75 mg/kg in average (up to 150-700 mg/kg max) (Sakharova et al., 1998).

The existing Russian technologies for processing e.g. copper pyrite ores do not employ mercury extraction (Permyakov, 1994). Therefore mercury is dispersed in the environment (basically with atmospheric releases and solid waste streams). For instance the annual amount of ores mined in Safyanovskoye deposit contain up to 10 t of mercury which is lost during the ores processing (the Mineral Resources of the World by 1.01.2001, 2000). According to the assessments (Butov et al, 1997), non-ferrous industries in Russia may ammually extract up to 100 t of accompanying mercury.

Table 2.2 Extraction and production of mercury in NIS countries, 1991 ( Rogovoy, 2000)

Table 2.3 Mercury reserves in regions of the Russian Federation (Butov et al, 1997)

* the revealed mercury stocks in Russia by 2001 are estimated as 45.3 th. t, including 15.6 th. t – industrial stocks;

** the average content of mercury in ores is equal to 0.453%.

The primary production of mercury in the former USSR in 1970-80 is considered to be up to 1,200-1,300 t per year (Butov et al, 1997). But at the same time, it is known that Khardaikansky combine in the USSR time produced about 1,200 t of mercury per year (Mercury. Production and Processing// http...), and Nikitivsky ore factory annually produced up to 1,000 t of mercury (300-400 t of which is recycled mercury) (The Mineral Resources of the World by 1997..., 1998). To all appearances, the data on primary production of mercury in the USSR provided in some domestic and foreign sources and indicating production amounts equal to 1,900-2,200 t/year reflects the factual situation (see Table 2.4).

Table 2.4 Primary production of mercury in the former USSR and in Russia *

* In 1995 primary production of mercury in Russia was stopped (the Mineral Resources of the World at the beginning of 1998, 1999).

In present, the potential capacities for primary production of mercury are located at NPP Kubantsvetmet CJSC in Sakhalinskoye deposit of Krasnodarsky Kray (up to 50-60 t/year) and Aktash mining and smelting factory in Altai Kray (up to 100 t/year). However, small scale and low quality of Hg ores of Sakhalin deposit and lack of own stocks of raw materials at Aktash mining factory make it impossible to resume operations.

Today, primary production of mercury - neither from mercury ores nor as by-product - does not take place in Russia. Small amounts of sludge from processing of zinc containing about 30% mercury were exported to Kyrgyzstan for further processing and mercury production. This is further discussed in section 4.4.

Development of large Tamvatneyskoye and Zapadnopolyanskoye deposits in scarcely populated areas of Chukotka is possible only with heavy capital investments, which can not be relied on given the narrowness of internal and external mercury markets. Moreover, the development of these deposits can affect the spawning of valuable fish species.

2.1.3 Recycling of Mercury

Besides primary production of mercury, the market may be supplied with recycled mercury. Recycling of mercury takes place mainly in two enterprises. A detailed description of the actual situation including waste types and processes can be found in section 5.1 whereas this section includes a historical view of recycling of mercury in the USSR and Russia. In 1966 the Council of Ministers of the USSR issued the Special Resolution (No. 2155 dated 10.09.1966) obliging chemical and electro-technical industries to transport their mercury containing wastes to Nikitovsky Mercury Combine for recycling. Until 1990, the Combine had been receiving 12 types of wastes giving up to 400 t of recycled mercury (the Scientific Research Report..., 1999). The estimated (Skitskiy, Donskih, 1999) volumes of recycling of mercury in the USSR amounted to 300 t/year.

Recently, some attempts were made towards arrangement of industrial recycling mercury from various types of wastes in Russia. E.g., in February 1993, the Sovtrade Danish Company agreed to set up a joint Russia-Dutch enterprise for mercury containing wastes recycling. The design capacity of the enterprise on recycling of mercury planned to be built in Russia should have amounted to 1000 t/year; the wastes import was considered as one of the raw materials sources (the Mineral Resources of the World (in the beginning of 1994), 1995). There was no information on this project published since that time. In May 199, the Government of RF and the Government of Ukraine singed the Agreement on cooperation in the field of mercury containing wastes recycling, envisioning recycling of wastes (up to 500 t/year with recovery of 12-15 t of mercury and its compounds) produced at Russian enterprises in Nikitovsky ore factory (Ukraine, Gorlovka town) (the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1997, 1998). However, this agreement had not been executed. The Federal Target Program "Wastes" for the period 1996-2000 adopted by RF Government Resolution No. 1098 dated 13.09.1996 envisaged reconstruction of the metallurgical works of Krasnodarsky Mine for joint recycling of mercury containing raw materials (up to 5 th. t of wastes per year), installation of facility for recycling of mercury containing electrochemical current sources in Ryazan oblast (500 t/year) and a number of other activities aimed at arrangement of mercury containing wastes recycling system in the country.

Nevertheless, in the first half of 1990-ies, minor amounts of recycled mercury were produced at Aktash mining factory; in the second half of 90-ies – at NPP Kubantsvetmet CJSC. In particular, according to some information, the mercury containing wastes of some Russian chemical factories, paper-and-pulp factories and vitamin Â2 production facilities were recycled at NPP Kubantsvetmet CJSC, and in smaller amounts at Aktash mining factory in the end of 90-ies.

Up to now, the great quantities of mercury containing wastes have been accumulated in Russia. For instance, by the end of 90-ies, their total mass was estimated at 1.1 million t (Klimov et al., 1999; Scientific Research Report, 1999). The major part of such wastes (58%) contains 0.001-0.003 % of mercury, about 30% - more than 0.5% of Hg, about 12% - 0.01-0.5% (by mass). The available information (Skitskiy, Donskih 1999) indicates that about 650,000 t of mercury containing (from 0.02 to 75%) wastes is stored in Russia; another 11,000 t is produced and stored annually. The non-ferrous industries have accumulated more than 63,000 t of mercury-selenium slag containing about 155,000 t of mercury (Scientific Research Report, 1999). The so-called mercury stupp (up to 75-80% mercury concentration) recycled from the mercury containing appliances is reported to be stored in special reservoirs at demercuration plants or specialised landfills. If it is true, the mercury concentration in such stupp in Russia is equal to 30 t for the present.

The published estimations on the current production of mercury in Russia by recycling usually cover not only metal recycled from wastes, but the refined mercury as well, recovered from mercury containing appliances (ignitions, manometers, thermometers) and the metallic mercury stored in scientific-research institutes, at industrial enterprises etc. The amount of such "ownerless" mercury, which is finally returned to production process, can not be accurately estimated and is not controlled, but is reported to be very high.

For instance, according to Ecotrom SPE and Rtutservice Agency, in the end of 90-ies various companies in Moscow accumulated from 2.5 to 8 t/year of metallic mercury (including mercury extracted from the appliances), which was recycled (treated) at NPP Kubantsvetmet CJSC. The Environmental Engineering Centre in Saint-Petersburg collected from various companies and extracted from the appliances more than 6.5 t of mercury (including 1.5 t in 1997, more than 1.6 t in 1998; more than 0.5 t in the first half of 2000) during 1992-1998 (Korovotskiy, 1999; http://www.rambler.ru/db/news/msg.htm). Ecologia Company in Samara annually collects up to 0.4-0.5 t of metallic mercury from various organisations, which is transferred to different users (Sedogin ). In 1996-2001 the Regional Environmental Demercuration Center of Khabarovsk collected 980 kg of metallic mercury from industries and organizations, and took it outside the kray's borders (hhtp://www.khv.ru/MD/2001/12702/themel16.htm (18.05.2001)). In the beginning of 2003, the warehouses of the Department of Civil Defence and Emergency of Primorsky Kray stored about 600 kg of metallic mercury ( http://novosti.vins.ru/?f=lf&t=010718c06 (01.02.2003)). In 1992-2001 Mercom JSC refined about 100 t of non-standard mercury (including 29 t in 1998), which is further shipped to the consumers (Skitskiy, Donskih, 1999; the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1999, 2000). In the end of 90-ies – beginning of 2000, a certain amount of non-standard metallic mercury, as well as Hg stupp, basically recycled from luminescent lamps, was transported to ECOS JSC (Kazan City) equipped with MRT System Swedish facility for recycling of mercury containing wastes and Ð2 (99.99%)pure mercury recovery (Ref.: Environmental Protection. Kazan // http...).

According to estimations of Russian and foreign authors, mercury production by recycling in Russia in 1996-2001 varies between 30-50 t, which is presumed to reflect the real situation (Table 2.5).

Table 2.5 Recycling of mercury in Russia 1992-2001 * (Source: The Mineral Resources of the World (in the beginning of 1994 ã.), 1995; the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1997, 1998; Rogovoy, 2000; Sheveleva, 2001; additions of the author).

* Including the refined mercury, the basic part of which is produced at Mercom JSC (Litkarino town, Moscow oblast); it's potential mercury refining capacity constitutes 100 t/year; the amount of recycled mercury produced within end of 90-ies – beginning of 2000-ies by ECOS did not exceed 2 t/year. According to some data, the recycled mercury has recently being recycled from gold mining wastes in Siberia (in Irkutskaya oblast in particulat), but there are no published data on production volumes (most probably that was the first metallic mercury, to some information it was even exported to China). The amount of non-standard (ownerless) metallic mercury collected from different enterprises and extracted from the appliances and often returned to the production cycle (nationally) is equal to several t/year.

The annual production of metallic mercury in the USSR beginning with the middle of 70-ies usually 200-400 t exceed its internal annual consumption, this surplus created so called mercury stocks. In Russia (in the beginning of 90-ies) the thousands tonnes of mercury were stored in stocks (the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1997, 1998). Since 1992 the stocks have been consumed for internal purposes and sold in the foreign market. In 1999 Russia refused to sell mercury stored as strategic stocks (the Mineral Resources of the World by 1.01.2001, 2002).

2.2 Export and Import of Mercury

In 1979 - 1980 the USSR sold about 9,000 vessels of mercury on the European market (310 t of mercury annually) (Masters, 1983). In 1981 the USSR refused to export mercury (it was exported only to COMECON countries and reached 100 t/year). The USSR has reportedly been exported mercury until the country's demolition (the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1997, 1998). However, in the end of 80-ies the USSR apparently recommenced the sale of mercury to the foreign countries (according to some data, until 1992 the export of mercury from the USSR amounted to 450-500 t/year (Ðîãîâîé, 2000)).

In 1992-1998 Russia sold a part of its stocks of on the world market. E.g. in the middle of 90-ies, a greater part of Spanish import constituted of Russian stocks. Minas de Almaden company purchased, refined and resold the mercury (the Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1997, 1998), to the Russian enterprises as well.

The mercury export development in Russia is shown on the Table 2.6. The available data on mercury import in Russia (the Mineral Resources of the World 1.01.2001, 2002) are very scarce: 1997 - 30 t, 1998 - 46 t, 1999 - 11 t. In 2001-2002 one of Russian enterprises purchased annually about 15 t of mercury in Spain (Minas de Almaden).

Table 2.6. Mercury export from Russia 1992-2001 * (Source: The Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1998, 1999; the Mineral Resources of the World by 1.01.2000, 2001; the Mineral Resources of the World by 1.01.2001, 2002).

* the Annual Compendiums "Customs statistics on foreign trade of the Russian Federation" do not contain direct information on export and import of mercury and its compounds;

** 120 t of Russian mercury was exported to the USA (Rogovoy, 2000);

*** Russia exported 79 t of mercury to the USA (The Materials flow of mercury in the Economies of the United States and the World); other sources (Rogovoy, 2000), say about 120 t of mercury;

**** Mercury was exported to Rotterdam, where it considerable part was sold by May 1998, and the rest 276 t – purchased by Minas de Almaden Spanish company (The Mineral Resources of the World in the beginning of 1999, 2000); 120 t of mercury was reportedly exported from Russia to the USA (Rogovoy, 2000),;

***** The certain amount of mercury recycled from gold mining wastes by one of Irkutsk companies was sold to China in the beginning of 2000-ies; it was also reported that Mercom company exported minor amounts of mercury (Donskih, Skitskiy 1999).

2.3 Domestic Mercury Market in Russia

Some estimations say about 1,000 t of metallic mercury annual consumption in 80-ies in the USSR (including more than 50% in chemical industry, 20-25% - in electronics and instrument-making, about 20% - in defence industry) (Butov et. al, 1997). Other expert assessments (Yagoljnitser et al., 1993), indicates the average consumption of mercury equal to 1,250 t for the same period. According to some data (Yusfin, Zaletin, 1998), the annual consumption of mercury in 1985 in the USSR amounted to 1,307.5 t; in 1989 – to 1,030 t (Scientific Research Report 1999). In particular years the metallic mercury consumption the USSR was likely much more than 1,000-1,200 t. Some experts (Skitskiy, Donskih, 1999) say about 2,000 t of annual mercury consumption during the last years of the USSR existence (which best corresponds to the annual production volumes by the way). As a rule, more than 80% of mercury used in the USSR was consumed by Russia's enterprises (Scientific Research Report, 1999).

The available data shown in Table 2.7 indicates the metallic mercury consumption in Russia during the latest decade.

Table 2.7 Mercury consumption in Russia (the Mineral Resources of the World (in the beginning of 1994), 1995; Rogovoy, 2000; Sheveleva, 2001; Yusfin, Zaletin, 1998)

* Annual potential mercury demand in Russian enterprises (according to the Financial Department of the Ministry of the Economic Development and Trade of RF) (Sheveleva, 2001); the actual consumption is lower.

Table 2.8 presents the structure of metallic mercury consumption by various industrial sectors in the former USSR and in Russia within 1980-1993. The use of mercury today is described in the following chapters and compared to the historical consumption figures in chapter "Summary and discussion".

Table 2.8 Mercury consumption in the USSR and Russia in 1980-1993 (Yusfin, Zaletin, 1998*; Yagoljnitser et al., 1993**)

Footnotes

[1] After the USSR demolition, the applied system of control and inventory of Hg production and consumption has been almost completely destroyed (Rogovoy, 2000). Systems of assessment of registration of the technogenic emission of mercury in NIS countries are also in very poor condition (Kakareka and oth., 2000).

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Version 1.0 March 2005, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency