Universal History Annotation << Back FROM THE HISTORY OF DISCOVERING THE SIBERIAN RARE-METAL CARBONATITES S.V. Belov The offered sketch is devoted to the history of geological prospecting and discovering of the rare-metal Beloziminsky carbonatites deposits in the East Sayan containing ores of niobium, rare lands, phosphorus, tantalum and other useful components. The role of mineral raw materials in the general history of the human society is illustrated. The history of the invention and creation of the equipment for aero radiometric prospects of mineral deposits, by means of which this ore object has been revealed, is shown. The difficulties caused by information vacuum on the carbonatites problem, which is typical for the period of Cold War and history of their overcoming are described. Process of creation of the fi rst detailed geological maps of the Siberian carbonatites, which have formed a basis for carrying out of Beloziminsky deposit exploration, is illustrated. Various aspects of life, works and fi eld trips of Russian geologists in 50–60 years of last century are characterized. Actions of participants of geological prospecting are shown, the description of their mentality and micro history is given, that all corresponds to the specialty «General History» designed to cover historical reality in concrete historical aspects. Keywords: rare metals, carbonatites, VIMS, discovering of Beloziminsky mineral deposit, aero radiometric prospects, geological mapping. Contacts: E-mail: belov.s-2011@yandex.ru Pp. 66-75.