The research relevance is determined by the need to analyze various sources and author's observations to form ideas about the genesis of an unusual polygenic uranium-thorium-rare earth mineralization of the Nether-Polar Urals to assess the prospects and directions for subsequent mining and processing. The research results will aid in a more rational and efficient geological research. The research objective is to interpret the results, determine mineralization genesis features and show its future prospects against the background of the discovery history and using data from a complex analysis of uranium-thorium-rare-earth mineralization in conglomerates of the regional structural-stratigraphic unconformity zone. Results. The geological position of rare-metal conglomerates has been clarified, their belonging not to the Precambrian, but to the Early Paleozoic era has been determined. The absence is considered of a genetic connection between the gold mineralization recorded in the zone of structural-stratigraphic unconformity and polygenic uranium-thorium-rare earth mineralization. The shortage of rare earth elements determines the industrial significance of uranium-rare-earth complex ores, the extraction of which is possible using modern heap leaching technologies. Conclusions. The history of the study of uranium-thorium-rare-earth mineralization of the NetherPolar Urals is considered. According to the authors, it has a polygenic genesis and forms into the successive stages of sedimentary, metamorphogenic and hydrothermal processes. A hypothesis of hydrogenous hydrothermal ore formation under regional metamorphism is proposed as an alternative to the magmatogenic origin of hydrothermal ore melts. It determines the need for new approaches to mineralization assessment. The industrial value of mineralization lies in the presence of metamict, hydrated, easily soluble minerals, carriers of uranium and rare earth elements, which implies the possibility of using modern mining technologies.

Relevance of the topic is due to concern of modern civilized society about the negative impact on the ecology of man-made mineral formations of the mining activity. Technogenic ores are represented by sludges, which are removed by groundwater from abandoned pits and rock dumps. They are deposited in surface watercourse and serve as a source of environmental disasters. They overfill natural and artificial sedimentation basin, and the mine waters carrying them threaten to increase acidity in protected reservoirs that serve as a source for drinking water for big cities. At the same time, in recent years, the industrial value of these sludges has been determined, and the technology has been developed for extracting non-ferrous metals and useful associated components from them. It is revealing that this ore sludge occur directly in alluvial and deluvial deposits of river valleys and ponds, which are also of industrial interest as a source of surface gold and industrial minerals -sand gravel mixes. The need for the extraction of large volumes of the latter is particularly relevant, since an extensive construction program is planned and implemented here. The purpose of this paper is to attract attention of business and the public to an economically advantageous project for the development of manmade copper-zinc ores from the abandoned pits of the Urals with a simultaneous solution of environmental problems. Methodology. The work was done by the authors using the results of their own research and materials in collaboration with the team of Nedra group Ltd. The result of the work. The authors have shown the presence of technogenic copper-zinc deposit within the territory of the Degtyarsky pit and predicted gold-bearing placers in addition to it. Conclusions. The main task of the study in the territory of the Degtyarsky pit is granting the licenses for the sites of Istok and Elchyovka; the estimated cost of engineering design and geological exploration with an evaluation of reserves of non-ferrous, noble metals and associated raw materials in sludge and alluvium-deluvium, as well as with the solution of environmental problems, ranges from 50-60 to 80 million rubles.Актуальность рассматриваемой темы обусловлена обеспокоенностью современного цивилизованного общества негативным влиянием на экологию техногенных образований горнодобывающей деятельности. Техногенные руды заброшенных медноколчеданных рудников представлены шламами, которые выносятся подземными водами из заброшенных шахт и горных отвалов, отлагаются в поверхностных водоемах и служат источником экологических бедствий. Они переполняют естественные и искусственно создаваемые отстойники, а несущие их шахтные воды угрожающе повышают кислотность в охраняемых водоемах, которые служат резервуарами питьевого водоснабжения миллионных городов. Вместе с тем в последние годы установлена промышленная ценность этих шламов, разработана технология извлечения из них цветных металлов и полезных сопутствующих компонентов. Показательно, что шламы обычно залегают на аллювиальных и делюв...