THE GRAPHITE COLLECTION OF THE YEVHEN LAZARENKO MINERALOGICAL MUSEUM IN A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF GLOBAL GRAPHITE RESOURCES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30970/min.76.07Keywords:
graphite, morphological and genetic type, collection, Yevhen Lazarenko Mineralogical Museum, deposit, industrial use, mineral and raw material base, SPG (Spherical Purified Graphite)Abstract
Due to its unique combination of physicochemical properties, graphite is a critically important resource that determines the development of modern energy-saving technologies and the strategic stability of the global industrial complex. The Yevhen Lazarenko Mineralogical Museum of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv houses a fairly representative collection of graphite samples, graphite-containing parageneses, and graphite concentrate samples (35 exhibits). It was formed based on the results of an inventory of the Museum's systematic and exhibition funds over 170 years. The exhibits represent the main graphite-bearing provinces of the world and key geological and industrial types of graphite deposits. The collection covers the genetic diversity of graphite from currently operating facilities, as well as from already depleted or promising deposits for future development. This makes it a unique object for comparative genetic research and popularization of knowledge about critical mineral raw materials. The article provides a retrospective analysis of the history of the formation of the graphite collection. Three natural stages of its formation are identified and characterized: stage I ‒ the second half of the 19th century‒the beginning of the 20th century (six samples); stage II ‒ the 1950s‒1980s (27 samples); stage III ‒ from the beginning of the 21st century (two samples). The history of graphite extraction and use, which dates back to ancient times, is analysed. A detailed description of the most representative, most interesting and rare samples, which are exhibited in demonstrative showcases or stored in the Museum's collections, is given. The main morphological and genetic types of graphite are described in detail ‒ microcr ystalline, flake and veined. The collection has significant scientific and historical value, as it contains unique samples from deposits that are already depleted, hard-to-reach, or currently inaccessible altogether.
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