Saranovskii Mine
Sarany, Gornozavodskii District, Perm Krai, Russia
Сарановское месторождение, Сараны
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Saranovskii Mine is located in Sarany, Gornozavodskii District, Perm Krai, Russia, in the western part of the country near the Ural Mountains.
It is famous for chromite and uvarovite, a rare green garnet, with 41 valid minerals identified.
The mine, active since 1889, started as an open pit and now operates underground, producing over 10 million tons of chromite ore.
The geological structure consists of ultrabasic rocks with multiple metamorphism stages, forming diverse minerals.
Sarany, a small settlement, grew around the mine, reflecting a strong mining culture; the climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers.
Geographic Location
The Saranovskii Mine is nestled in Sarany, Gornozavodskii District, Perm Krai, Russia, approximately 12.8 km north of Biserskoye. Perm Krai is in the western part of Russia, known for its mineral-rich Ural Mountains, and the mine is near the settlement of Sarany, with a population of about 1,097.
Minerals Produced
The mine is primarily known for its chromite deposits, extracted since 1889. It is also famous for uvarovite, a rare green variety of garnet, named after Count Sergey Semenovich Uvarov. Other minerals include actinolite, albite, amesite, anatase, and anorthite, totaling 41 valid minerals.
Geological Structure
The mine is situated in ultrabasic rocks, rich in magnesium and iron, typical for chromite deposits. It has experienced several stages of low-grade metamorphism, leading to the formation of diverse minerals, with ore recovered from up to 30 chromitite horizons, 0.5-14 m thick, in Precambrian dunites and harzburgites.
Mining History
Mining began in 1889 as an open pit operation, transitioning to primarily underground extraction. It has produced over 10 million tons of chromite ore, used in chemical and ceramic industries, and remains active today.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Sarany, a small urban-type settlement, grew around the mine, with its history tied to chromite discovery. The mine is a significant economic driver, reflecting a strong mining culture in the region, part of the Ural Mountains known for mineral wealth.
Climate and Ecology
The climate in Perm Krai is continental, with cold, snowy winters (average January temperature -15°C to -18°C) and warm summers (average July high 24°C). The surrounding landscape is characterized by the taiga biome, with coniferous forests and various wildlife.