THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF THE U.S.S.R.tion, as a result of renovation, capacity
increased by 204,000 tons. Because of the asbestos export expansion in recent
years, there was a domestic deficit of about 100,000 tons in 1979. Estimated
output for 1980 was 2.6 million tons. 
 Development in the asbestos industry has been concentrated in the Urals,
Kazakhstan, Tuva A.S.S.R., and Orenburg Oblast'. Total output of the seven
grades of asbestos at the Uralsasbest complex was estimated at 1.54 million
tons. Three open pits at this complex produced 41 million tons of crude ore
and dumped 103 million tons of overburden in 1979. It was estimated that
mining of crude ore and overburden would be increased from 144 million tons
in 1979 to about 150 million tons in 1980, but production of marketable asbestos
was expected to remain unchanged at about 1.5 million tons because of reduced
grades. 
 In Kazakhstan, a large complex has been developed for the Dzhetygara deposit
in Kustanay Oblast', the second largest in the Soviet Union. The first mill
(annual capacity 200,000 tons) was commissioned in 1965. During the 1971-75
period this mill was renovated, and production increased from 259,000 tons
in 1970 to an estimated 350,000 tons in 1979. The Dzetygara No. 2 mill (annual
capacity 400,000 tons) was completed in 1975 and produced an estimated 290,000
tons in 1979. Total output at the Dzhetygara complex was to fall from 645,000
tons in 1978 to an estimated 640,000 tons in 1980. 
 The first mill of the Tuvaasbest complex (commissioned in 1964) produced
over 60,000 tons in 1979. A second mill was commissioned in April 1976, and
estimated production was 200,000 tons in 1979. Total output at this complex
was to be increased from an estimated 250,000 tons in 1978 to a planned 265,000
tons in 1980. 
 Construction of the Kiembay asbestos complex in Orenburg Oblast' (Southern
Urals) was started in 1968 and continued in 1979. Seven Comecon members are
assisting with this project. It calls for a total contribution of 106.2 million
transferable rubles from the six East European member countries. The total
cost of the project is 300 million rubles. 
 The design capacity of the Kiembay project is 500,000 tons per year of grade
III through VI from 24 million tons of ore. The first 250,000-ton stage was
completed in November 1979, and some 30,000 tons were produced. The output
will be shared among the Comecon members in proportion to 
997 
 
their contribution. Equipment was supplied by Bulgaria, Hungary, the German
Democratic Republic, Poland, and Romania; Czechoslovakia shipped machinery
for ore transport. From 1980, some 170,000 tons of asbestos will be supplied
annually to the participating countries for 12 years, and afterwards they
will be able to extend the agreement for another 10 years. 
 Prospecting of the Moladezhnoye asbestos deposit in North Buryatia was completed
in 1979. Reportedly, it contains about 18 million tons of asbestos and will
be mined by surface methods. The original design was completed in 1974, and
construction will be started when the western section of the Baykal-Amur
railway is built. Exploration of the Sayan asbestos deposit on the border
of Krasnoyarsk Kray and Tuva A.S.S.R. in East Siberia was completed, and
reserves are estimated at 7 million tons of asbestos. The Lenin complex,
with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons, is to be built there. The asbestos
lies at a comparatively shallow depth and will be mined by the open pit method.
An experimental pit was set up at this complex in 1979. When the complex
is put into operation, it will reduce the U.S.S.R.'s asbestos shortage. 
 Barite.—Barite is mined by both open pit and underground methods
at
many operations; crude output is concentrated by flotation. About 50% of
the country's barite consumption in 1979 was produced domestically; the balance
was imported mainly from North Korea, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. The main
centers of production continue to be Georgia, West Siberia, and Kazakhstan.
Construction of a 45,000-ton-per-year complex in Khaishi in Svanetia, Georgia,
and the development of the underground mine at the Zharemsk polymetallic
complex in Kazakhstan continued in 1979. Production of barite was estimated
at 525,000 tons in 1980. 
 Diamonds.—The U.S.S.R. continues to make progress in expanding
its
diamond industry, which is centered in Yakutia, where about 20 deposits have
been discovered. Production of diamonds was estimated at a probable 11 million
carats in 1980. Next to fossil fuels and precious metal exports, diamonds
account for a large share of the Soviet Union's overall foreign currency
earnings. 
 Production in Yakut A.S.S.R. started at a small plant in 1957. In January
1979, the industry consisted of the Mirnyy open pit with five concentrators,
the Aykhal open pit and concentrator, the Udachnaya placer