Russian scientists discovered mineral to study Earth’s core

Scientists at St. Petersburg State University (SPGU) have discovered a new mineral – olgafrankite – in the rocks of Norilsk and the Rumuruti meteorite. For the scientific world, the discovery was a sensation, because this mineral was for decades considered a ‘cosmic calling card’.

A new mineral, that consists of nickel and germanium, was discovered in the rocks of the Norilsk Ore region in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. For about 40 years, these samples were kept as museum exhibits, and now scientists at St. Petersburg State University have examined the samples using optical and electron microscopy. The result of the work was a description of the mineral, which was named olgafrankite in honour of the Russian geologist Olga Frank-Kamenetskaya. A phase of this composition was earlier discovered in the Rumuruti meteorite, the prototype of a rare class of chondrites.

The point is that the formation of such a mineral requires an oxygen-free environment. It is very difficult to create such conditions on the Earth's surface. That is why the fact that they have nevertheless formed in the Norilsk deposits was a surprise for scientists. This discovery will help to study the composition of the cores of planets, as iron meteorites are considered their fragments.

Sergey Erykalov, Director of the Environmental Department of one of Nornickel's divisions, said: “The process of studying Norilsk ores has never stopped, as the methods of ore substance research are constantly being improved, which partly explains the regular discoveries of new minerals. Another significant reason for new finds is the diversity and multicomponent nature of ores in Norilsk deposits. I am confident that Norilsk will surprise geologists and the entire scientific community with its discoveries many times over.”

Photo: Oleg Vereshchagin, SPGU

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