The paper presents an overview of the resource potential of germanium in the Russian Far East with an emphasis on Primorsky Territory. Germanium, as a strategically important rare element, is used in high-tech industries – from infrared optics to solar energy. The main source of germanium in Russia is brown coal, germanium is also mined as a by-product during the processing of polymetallic ores. Primorsky Territory is represented by four germanium-coal deposits: Pavlovskoye, Rakovskoye, Shkotovskoye and Bikinskoye and a number of occurrences. The Pavlovskoye deposit is the only object in Russia with industrial production of germanium (until 2018), providing more than 70% of domestic production. The remaining deposits are not yet being developed, but have significant explored reserves or predicted resources. In the Far East region, in addition to Primorye, promising sites are located on Sakhalin (Novikovskoye deposit) in the Zabaikalsky Territory (Tarbagataiskoye) and in Buryatia (Elandinskoye, Ozernoye), as well as the Kunarevskaya area in the Magadan Region. The work includes a description of the geochemical features of germanium concentration in coals, technological aspects of extraction, a review of existing and mothballed projects, as well as a review of data on the main types of deposits. The conclusions emphasize the importance of the Far East resource base for increasing domestic germanium production and reducing import dependence, subject to technology modernization and investment attraction.
I. Yu. Chekryzhov (Wed,) studied this question.