Journal/NDM51 2016 engl

New Data on Minerals, Volume 51, 2016

New Data on Minerals. Volume 51, 2016, 160 pages, 166 photos, drawings, and schemes.

Volume 51 is dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of RAS, and scientific sections precede greeting to the museum and its employees from the Department of Earth Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences and introductory article by the director of the museum and the editor-in-chief of the journal, Dr. med. P.Yu. Plechova.
The first section contains a description of the new iron sulfide and elements of the platinum group - ferodsite, discovered in the Nizhny Tagil ultrabasic massif (Urals) and in the Conder placer (Khabarovsk Territory), and also of the supposedly new uranium phase - calcium titanosilicate, found in samples from Aldan deposits and Novokonstantinovskoye deposits (Ukraine). Unusual endogenous Association of non-sulfide minerals of chalcophilic elements from the Pelagonian massif (Macedonia), Ni-Zn-containing folbortite (“Uzbekite”) from vanadium shales of Southern Kyrgyzstan, rare silicides (nagchuit, lingzhiit, lobusait and collet) from the Sarmatian limestones of Crimea. New data on minerals of the Shishim mine in the South Urals, biominerals of lateritic bauxites, diamondiferous kimberlites and metakimberlites of Kimozero, Karelia.
The section "Mineralogical museums and collections" contains articles on the history of collections in collection of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum and about one of such collections collected by I. Wagner, as well as about the new museum exhibition “Minerals of crystal-bearing quartz veins”.
The section “Mineralogical notes” tells about one of the historical museum exhibits from the collection Wagner - quartz with an engraved pattern on it.
"Personalities" include an article on the scientific keeper of the Imperial Mineralogical Museum Academy of Sciences (1887–1896) E.V. Toll, who led the Russian polar expedition of 1900–1902. The issue closes with a note on the scientific conference held at the Mineralogical Museum dedicated to its 300th anniversary (November 2016, Moscow).
This journal is of interest for mineralogists, geochemists, geologists, staff of natural history museums, collectors, and rocks aficionados.

Editorial Board

Editor in Chief: P.Yu. Plechov - Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy, Professor
Executive Editor: E.A. Borisova - Ph.D.of Geology and Mineralogy
Members of Editorial Board:
V.K. Garanin - Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy, Professor
M.I. Novgorodova - Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy, Professor
B.E. Borutsky - Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy
E.I. Semenov - Doctor of Geology and Mineralogy
S.N. Nenasheva - PhD in Geology and Mineralogy
E.N. Matvienko - PhD in Geology and Mineralogy
M.E. Generalov - PhD in Geology and Mineralogy
L.A. Pautov - Senior Researcher

Publishing group

Photo - M.B. Leybov
Leader of Publishing group - M.B. Leybov
Managing Editor - L.A. Cheshko
Design - D. Ershov
Layout - I.A. Eyes

You can order the current issue or subscribe to the magazine at www.minbook.com or by email minbooks@online.ru

Сontent

Plechov P.Yu. From the editors.

The 51st issue of the Magazine "New Data on Minerals" is a special. It is dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of RAS. Therefore, we expanded the section devoted to the collections and history of the Museum, and placed a brief report on the scientific conference held at the Presidium of the RAS and the Minmuseum in November 2016 and dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the RAS.

Gliko A.O. 300 years of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of Russian Academy of Sciences. Greetings to the 300th anniversary of the museum from the academician-secretary of the Department of Earth Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Department of Earth Sciences of Russian Academy of Sciences wholeheartedly congratulates with the 300th anniversary! We must remember the main stages of the history of the Museum. In 1716, in the Kunstkamera founded by Peter the Great, the Mineralogical Cabinet was created. It became the part of the Geological Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Issue 1 New minerals and their varieties, new finds of rare minerals, mineral paragenesis

Begizov V.D., Zavyalov E.N. Ferodsit (Fe, Rh, Ir, Ni, Cu, Pt, Co) 9-xS8 is a new mineral from the Nizhny Tagil ultrabasic massif

Ferodsite was found in bedrock of the Nizhny Tagil ultrabasic massif (Urals) and in the Conder placer (Khabarovsk Territory). The new mineral is in intergrowth and association with Pt-Fe minerals, chendeite and platinum sulfides. The mineral is black with a bronze hue, metallic luster, perfect cleavage according to (111). Grain sizes are mainly 10–50 μm, splices up to 100 μm. In reflected light, light, brownish-gray, slight birefringence. The chemical composition corresponds to the formula (Fe, Rh, Ni, Ir, Cu, Pt) 9xS8, where x varies from 0 to 1. Syngony is tetragonal, a = 10.009 (5) Å, c = 9.840 (8) Å, V = 985.78 ( 9) Å3, Z = 4. A sample with ferodsite is stored in the Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman RAS. The article has 3 tables, 1 figure, a list of references from one name.
Key words: ferodsite, platinum minerals, Nizhny Tagil ultrabasic massif, Conder.

Ermolaeva V.N., Chukanov N.V., Yanchev S., Van K.V. Endogenous paragenesis of non-sulfide minerals of chalcophilic elements in the orogenic zone of the “Mixed Series” of the Pelagonian Massif, Macedonia

New data on the specific metasomatic association of oxide minerals containing chalcophilic elements from metasomatic rocks of the orogenic zone of the “Mixed Series” metamorphic complex located in the Pelagonian massif, Macedonia are obtained. Based on the ratios of the mineral phases, the following order of the sequence of formation of minerals is revealed: zincochromite + zircon + Zn-containing talcum powder + barite-> franklinite + heterolith-> ganite -> romeite + almeidaite -> Fe3 + analogue of zincheggombite -> ferricoronadite + Mn-analog of plumboferrite. In the process of metasomatic conversion under highly oxidizing conditions, the sequential addition of Zn, Al, Sb, and Pb led to the formation of zinc spinelids (including ganite, replacing franklinite and heterolith), the Sb-containing iron analog of zincheggombite (epitaxy on zinc spinelides), and ferricoronadal (late hydrotherm streaks). The introduction of As occurred in 2 stages.
Key words: mineralogenesis, chalcophilic elements, “Mixed Series”, ganite, franklinite, heterolith, hogbomite, Pelagonian massif, Macedonia.

Karpenko V.Yu., Pautov L.A., Agakhanov A.A. About Ni-Zn-containing folbortite (“Uzbekite”) from vanadium schists of South Kyrgyzstan

The results of the re-study of "Uzbekite" - water copper vanadate, described for the first time in Kara-Chagyr, Kyrgyzstan, based on materials from the funds of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of RAS (Moscow) and authors` fees. “Uzbekit” from Kara-Chagyr was identified as folbortite with high contents of zinc and nickel (wt.%): ZnO up to 5.2 (average ~ 1.0–2.5); NiO up to 2.4 (average ~ 0.5–2.0). Elevated Zn and Ni contents were also found in folwortite at the U-deposit Kara-Tangi, Kyrgyzstan. Microprobe analyzes of folbortite from Kyrgyzstan and from the Karatau ridge, Kazakhstan, and water content for some samples are presented. Crystals of various morphology are described: lamellar, skeletal, forming sagenite type lattices, and unusual needle ones. Powder patterns for lamellar and needle crystals are given; their cell parameters, respectively: a = 10.620 (2), b = 5.893 (2), c = 7.213 (2) Å; b = 94.96 (2) °; V = 449.7 (4) Å3, Z = 2 and a = 10.616 (2), b = 5.899 (2), c = 7.212 (2) Å; b = 94.96 (2) °; V = 450.0 (4) Å ^ 3, Z = 2. It was shown that “Uzbekite” from other locations is either folbortite (Potekhino, Khakassia, Russia), or it is mixed with other minerals (case-like crystals of tangeite filled with a mixture of vesigneite and folbortite from Agalyk, Uzbekistan). An assumption was made of the existence of phases close to folbortite, but different in structure.
Key words: folbortite, Uzbekite, nickel alumite, vanadium schists, Kara Chagyr.

Tishchenko A.I., Kasatkin A.V., Skoda R. Silicides (nagchuit, lingzhiit, lobusait and collet) in the Sarmatian limestones of Crimea

Nagchuit, lingzhiit, lobusaite and collet were found in a powdery, insoluble in HCl diluted residue of a dark gray color from organogenic clastic limestone of the Evpatoria deposit (Crimea). Among the silicide grains, nagchuit and lingzhiite predominate; lobusaite is found in subordinate quantities. Nagchuit and lingzhiit often grow together, forming grains up to 120 microns in size. Lobusaite is observed in the form of individual rare grains up to 100 microns in size. Tsangpoit was found in three grains up to 15 microns in size in close intergrowth with lingzhiit. Single grains of native silicon, presumably panguitite and unnamed Ti and W silicide, were also noted. The chemical composition (wt.%, Microprobe) of nagchuita (average of 9 anal.): Al 0.11, Ti 0.01, V 0.09, Cr 0.15, Mn 0.54, Fe 63.25 , Co 0.35, Ni 0.61, Cu 0.10, Zn 0.17, Zr 0.26, Si 33.63, sum 99.27, corresponds to the empirical formula (calculation for 2 atoms) Fe0.96Mn0.01Co0.01Ni0.01Si1.01; lingzhiita (average of 8 ann.): Al 1.83, V 0.03, Cr 0.09, Mn 0.23, Fe 46.54, Co 0.23, Ni 0.04, Zr 0.18, Si 49.94, sum 99.11, corresponds to the empirical formula (calculation for 3 atoms) Fe0. 93Al0.08Si1.99; lobusaite (average of 4 ann.): Al 1.20, V 0.06, Cr 0.15, Mn 0.11, Fe 42.60, Ni 0.10, Zr 0.73, Si 54.71, sum 99.66, corresponds to the empirical formula (calculation for 2 Si atoms) Fe0.78Al0. 05Zr0.01Si2.00; collet (average of 3 ann.): Mg 0.06, Al 1.05, Ca 0.12, Sc 0.05, Ti 24.58, V 0.36, Cr 0.43, Mn 0.36, Fe 31.49, Co 0.18, Ni 0.44, Cu 0.22, Zn 0.03, Zr 3.50 , Nb 0.58, Mo 0.55, Cd 0.12, In 0.11, Sn 0.09, Cs 0.21, W1.97, Si 32.70, sum 99.20, corresponds to the empirical formula (calculation for 4 atoms) Ti0.86Zr0.07W0.02V0.01Nb0.01Mo0. 01Fe0.94Ca0.01Cr0.01Mn0.01Co0.01Ni0.01Cu0.01Si1.95Al0.07. Diagnostics of nagchuit, lingzhiit and lobusaite is confirmed by x-ray; for other minerals, due to their rarity and small size, X-ray characteristics were not obtained. Lobusaite and zangpoite were the first in Russia, and they were first found in the Crimea and Linguiite.
Key words: silicides, nagchuit, lingzhiit, lobusaite, collet, native silicon, panguit, Sarmatian region-tier, Evpatoria deposit, Crimea.

Krinov D.I., Saltykov A.S., Dymkov Yu.M., Azarova Yu.V., Koltsov V.Yu. On calcium uranium titanosilicate and its significance for the technological processing of uranium ores

When studying samples from various uranium deposits of Aldan (Elkonsky gold-uranium ore cluster) and the Novokonstantinovskoye deposit (Ukraine), a mineral was discovered with the composition: UO2 »58–62%; CaO 5-7%; TiO2 »18–22%; SiO2 »10–11%, which can be described by the idealized formula Ca (U, Ca) 3Ti3 [SiO4] 2 (O, OH) 8 (calculated for 16 oxygen atoms). It was established in breccias with carbonate cement of various compositions developed in quartz-feldspar metasomatites in the form of microgranular clusters and clusters of prismatic crystals (10–50 μm) in breccia cement. Sometimes it performs cracks in veins of glandular dolomite in polyphase breccias. Energy dispersive spectra showed the absence of superposition of the lines of the studied phase and associated minerals. The chemical composition was determined using a CamScan electron scanning microscope with a Link spectrometer and AN10000 analyzer. The results obtained allow us to consider this mineral as a potentially new mineral species, conventionally called "calcium uranium titanosilicate." The mineral was formed in association with glandular dolomite, siderite and / or ankerite. Probably, his education preceded brannerite. The mineral fraction in the uranium component of ores is 20–80%, that is, “calcium uranium titanosilicate” is one of the main ore minerals in the considered objects. The prevalence of it and other calcium-containing ore minerals in the studied ores, as well as the presence of a carbonate component in them, makes it necessary to modernize the methods for extracting useful components from them. The use of circulating volumes of solutions, the absence of the need for additional enrichment and other measures will positively affect the economic and environmental performance of production.
Key words: uranium calcium titanosilicate, brannerite, potassium feldspar, quartz ore breccia, uranium ores, Elkon gold uranium ore cluster, Elkon deposit, Neprozhimoe deposit, Novokonstantinovskoye deposit.

Nenasheva S.N., Agakhanov A.A. New data on minerals of the Shishim mine, Shishim mountains, Southern Urals, Russia

The new minerals were found in skarne samples from the Shishimsky mine (South Ural): thaumasite Ca3 (SO4) [Si (OH) 6] (CO3) · 12H2O, described in the Urals only in the Nikolai-Maximiliansky mine; CaO lime, known at the Gumeshevsky deposit and in the burnt dumps of the Chelyabinsk coal basin; ferroacermanite Ca2Fe [Si2O7], not previously encountered in nature, but known as a synthetic product. In addition, new mineral phases were discovered: the AMg10 phase [(Si6.6Al3.4) 10O28] · 8.6H2O and the phase X with the empirical formula (Ca1.98V0.02) 2.00 (OH) 0.86 (PO4) 0.86 (Si2O7) 0.07 ( SO4) 0.14Cl0.03. Ferroacermanite is a ferruginous analogue of ackermanite Ca2Mg [Si2O7], a mineral of the melilite group. Earlier, minerals of this group were not found in the Urals. The listed minerals and mineral phases new for the Shishimsky mine are in close intergrowth with each other and with calcite, monticellite, forsterite, diopside, chondrodite, perovskite, cordierite, magnesioferrite and other minerals already known on this mine.
Key words: Shishimsky mine, thaumasite, lime, ferroakermanite, new mineral phases.

Slukin A.D., Boeva N.M., Zhegallo E.A., Zaitseva L.V. Laterite bauxite biominerals - new data from electron microscopic studies

A systematic study of lateritic bauxite using electron microscopes revealed abundant products of the interaction of organic matter (biota) and minerals. New data were obtained on the mineralization in tropical conditions of algal deposits, wood, the root system of vegetation, biofilms and bacteria and their subsequent transformation into biomorphoses, perfect crystals of goethite, hematite, gibbsite, calcite and bizarre forms of psilomelan. Unique photographs demonstrate the ground products of the digestive tract of digging and crawling organisms and the single prismatic Gibbsite crystals formed from them, and then their mass development. It has been established that monomineral gibbsite is crystallized in the passages and burrows of worms in bauxites. In the free spaces of large pores and caverns on the surface of biofilms, similar products turn into a mixture of gibbsite, hematite, calcite, in some places, halloysite and psilomelan. Undoubtedly, the composition of mineral associations is affected by microlocal conditions and the influx of calcium, silicon, and other chemical elements with capillary waters during dry seasons. Biomineralization products are microscopic in size, but they have universal and global significance for all weathering crusts (especially tropical ones) and the associated sedimentary deposits of bauxite, iron and manganese ores, kaolin and bentonite.
Key words: biominerals, biofilms, biomorphoses, burrowing organisms, bauxite, gibbsite, hematite, psilomelan, calcite.

Putintseva E.V., Spiridonov E.M. The oldest diamondiferous kimberlites and metakimberlites of Kimozer, Karelia in Russia

The history of the formation of the mineral composition of the oldest in Russia kimberlites Kimoser, Karelia is considered. Kimberlites broke through gabbro-dolerites and schungite-bearing sedimentary rocks of the Ludovic (Paleoproterozoic) and contain their xenoliths. All these rocks are tectonized and similarly metamorphosed. The kimberlite minerals are described - phlogopite, chrome spinelides, ilmenite group (heikilite, picroilmenite, Mn ilmenite, pyrophanite), titanomagnetite, apatite, zircon, baddeleyite. The evolution of the composition of chrome spinels and minerals of the ilmenite group is considered, their common feature is the enrichment of Mn. It can be assumed that Kimozero kimberlites arose with the participation of carbonatite melts of high alkalinity. The xenolith metagabbro-dolerites in kimberlites compose albite, clinocoisite, epidote, chlorites, actinolite, prenite, pumpelli (Fe), titanite, quartz, Al kronstedtite, hematite, Mn-Mg ferroaxinite, lennylene peite; these are formations of the prenite-pumpellite facies. The metamorphosed kimberlites of Kimoser are the petrotype of metakimberlites of the prenite-pumpellite facies (PPF). Serpentines (antigorite, relict lysardite), tremolite, actinolite, calcite, dolomite, clinochlorine, magnetite, titanite, corrensite, talcum, apatite, rutile, hematite, ferropepsybrucite, allanite- (Ce), hydroxylbastnose are described - (La), hydroxylparisite- (Ce), hydroxylparisit- (La), bastnesite- (Ce), parisit- (Ce), monazite- (Ce), niobeshinite- (Ce), apatite, zircon, baddeleyite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite , polydimite, zygenite, thorite, bixbyite, relict and late millerite. There are no strontium minerals. Minerals REE metakimberlites - allanite, bastnesite, parisite, monazite, niobeshinite inherited Ce, Ce-La and Ce-La-Nd specificity of magmatic calcite, perovskite and apatite. The boundaries of the crystals of minerals REE and titanite, antigorite, tremolite –inductive surfaces of joint growth. The most common allanite is (Ce). Specificity of metamorphogenic allanite: its crystals are non-zonal, significant variability of REE contents and Fe3 + / Fe2 + ratios in crystals spaced apart by a few tens of microns from each other, compositional diversity: some crystals are selectively Ce, others are rich in La, and in the third, Nd> La. Allanite in clinochlor aggregates is poor in Ti, Cr, and V; in intergrowths with titanite, it contains 1–2 wt.% TiO2, and in contact with ferrichromite, it contains up to 9 wt.% Cr2O3. Most of Kimozer's allanite belongs to the allanite – ferriallanite series (up to 30% of the ferriallanite minal), the smaller part to the allanite – chromallanite series. In subsequent metamorphism processes, allanite was replaced by hydroxylbastnesite and hydroxylparisite or monazite. Germination of bastnesitis and parisitis are common. Monazite (Ce) is extremely poor in Y, P and Th, poor in Nd and enriched in La, usually developed in antigorite metakimberlites. Kimozero metakimberlites contain irregularly shaped non-zircon zircon and baddeleyite up to “diffuse”. These minerals lack Nb, Th, Y, Ti. Metamorphogenic zircon is poor in hafnium and contains 0.5–0.7 wt.% HfO2. A new genetic type is distinguished - metamorphogenic-hydrothermal REE and Zr mineralization in metakimberlites of PPF. The Sm-Nd dating of metakimberlites from the prenite-pumpellite facies reflects the time of their metamorphism, and not the time of kimberlite introduction.
Key words: kimberlites, chrome spinels, ilmenite group, apatite, zircon, baddeleyite, metakimberlites, actinolite, allanite, bastnesite, parisite, monazite, niobeshinite, thorite.

Issue 2 Mineralogical museums and collections

Garanin V.K., Borisova E.A., Mokhova N.A. To the 300th anniversary of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of Russian Academy of Sciences: Collection History

The history of the mineralogical collection of the museum, now bearing the name of the outstanding mineralogist and geochemist Academician A.E. Fersman, dates back to the beginning of the XVIII century, when in 1716 under the Kunstkamera Peter I the Mineral Cabinet was created. Now it is one of the largest collections of minerals in the world, with more than 140,000 samples in the main fund. Museum exhibitions showcase around 15,000 exhibits. Among them are more than 3,700 mineral species, samples from private collections that have entered the museum over its 300-year history, unique stone-carving products of the imperial lapidary factories and the famous company Carl Faberge. The paper briefly describes the history of collections and provides some information about their authors.
Key words: kimberlites, chrome spinels, ilmenite group, apatite, zircon, baddeleyite, metakimberlites, actinolite, allanite, bastnesite, parisite, monazite, niobeshinite, thorite.

Sveshnikova O.L., Gritsenko Yu.D., Pautov L.A., Spiridonov E.M. Mineralogical Museum named after Alexander Evgenievich Fersman: 300 years of searches and achievements

The history of the Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences is the history of the formation and development of mineralogy in Russia. From the first years of its existence, the most important task of the Museum, along with the replenishment of collections, was their scientific study. The three hundred year history of the Museum is closely connected with the names of many prominent scientists of its time. The article considers the contribution of most of them to the development of the Museum and mineralogy. The role of academicians V.I. Vernadsky and A.E. Fersman, whose activities contributed to the transformation of the Museum into a center of mineralogical research of a high scientific level. In modern conditions, the Museum has the status of a research institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, while remaining one of the largest mineral storages in the world (more than 150,000 exhibits).
Key words: Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman RAS, Kunstkamera, V.I. Vernadsky, A.E. Fersman, mineral research, new minerals, thematic mineral exhibitions.

Generalov M.E. Wagner and his motives

A search for data on Wagner, the author of the collection acquired by the Kunstkamera in 1806, allowed him to be identified with the pharmacist Johann (Jan) Wagner, a native of the Saxon family, who transferred to Russian citizenship in 1811, the ancestor of the dynasty that gave Russia a number of famous people. An analysis of the Wagner collection shows that his main interest was ore deposits located in territories belonging to the Habsburg monarchy.
Key words: Mineralogical Museum, Kunstkamera, Wagner, historical collections.

Sveshnikova O.L. The exhibition "Minerals of crystal-bearing quartz veins" in the Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman Russian Academy of Sciences

The exhibition, created in the museum in 2016 and called “Minerals of crystal-bearing quartz veins”, is built mainly on the material from crystal-bearing deposits of the Subpolar Urals. In this region, 2 types of crystal-bearing veins are currently distinguished. One, known as alpine veins, refers to lateral secretions, the other is hydrothermally metamorphic in nature. The cavities in both types of veins are made of almost the same complex of minerals, consisting almost exclusively of lithophilic elements. The main cavity mineral is quartz; among the minerals associated with it, adularia, albite, carbonates, and titanium-containing minerals are most common: rutile, brookite, anatase, ilmenite, titanite; boron minerals: tourmaline and axinite; epidote, chlorite, etc. All these minerals, represented, as a rule, by perfectly formed crystals, are on display at the exhibition. Particular attention is paid to the ontogeny of quartz crystals. The exhibition shows crystals of various habit, varying degrees of shape distortion, possessing some particular macrostructure (or anatomy). Examples of the importance of studying the ontogeny of minerals for solving genetic problems are given.
Key words: exhibition, Mineralogical Museum, hydrothermally metamorphogenic crystal-bearing quartz veins, alpine veins, quartz, ontogeny.

Issue 3 Mineralogical notes

Generalov M.E. Saint from the collection of crystals

An analysis of the pattern on a quartz sample with actinolite inclusions from the collection of the Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences suggests that it depicts St. Jerome Stridonsky revered in Western Christianity and suggests that this subject is historically connected with the period when the Netherlands attempted to colonize Brazil (mid XVII century).
Key words: quartz, actinolite, Mineralogical Museum, history of the exhibit, St. Jerome.

Issue 4 Personalities

Dokuchaev A.Ya., Krekhan G.-R., Kargin A.V., Kurdyukov E.B., Leksin A.B., Lobanov K.V., Smolyaninova V.N., Sukhanov M.K., Yutkina E.V. Outstanding Arctic Explorer E.V. Toll in documents and materials of the Ore and Petrographic Museum (IGEM RAS, Moscow)

Letters of the outstanding Russian polar explorer Eduard Vasilievich Toll, the scientific keeper of the Mineralogical Museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences (1887–1896) and the head of the Russian Polar Expedition (RPE) 1900–1902 were published for the first time. (Novosibirsk islands). The letters are addressed to Uncle Academician General Fedor Bogdanovich (Friedrich Karl) Schmidt, the director of this museum, who was directly responsible for organizing the RPE. The letters provide details of the expedition’s preparations, starting in 1885. Historical information is provided to more fully understand their contents.
Key words: E.V. Toll, F.B. Schmidt, Mineralogical Museum of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, Russian Polar Expedition (RPE), Novosibirsk Islands, Bennett Island.

Criulina G.Yu., Garanin V.K., Borisova E.A. International scientific conference dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman Russian Academy of Sciences, November 21–24, 2016, Moscow

International conference dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman, was held from November 21 to November 24, 2016 in the building of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the square. Yu.A. Gagarina and in the conference hall of the museum. Guests and participants of the conference were more than 200 people: outstanding academicians, professors and other mineral scientists from Russia and abroad, graduate students, students, mineral lovers, philanthropists, businessmen. In total, over 40 oral presentations and 20 posters were presented.