The diversity of mineral resources identified within the territory of the Republic of Armenia is explained by the remarkable variety of its geological conditions and relief forms.
Among the metallic mineral resources, deposits and occurrences of copper, molybdenum, aluminum-bearing raw materials, gold, iron, zinc, lead, manganese, chromium, antimony, arsenic, and mercury are known. These ores often contain rare and dispersed elements as well.
The most important metallic mineral resources are copper–molybdenum deposits. About 5.1% of the world’s total molybdenum reserves and 7.6% of proven reserves are located within the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The majority of copper and molybdenum reserves—more than 90% (over 1 billion tonnes)—is concentrated in the Kajaran copper–molybdenum ore field. Another major deposit is the Teghut copper–molybdenum deposit, with explored reserves of approximately 460 million tonnes. Smaller copper and molybdenum reserves are found in the Agarak and Alaverdi deposits, which have been exploited since the late 19th century.
The territory of the Republic of Armenia is also rich in gold and polymetallic ore reserves. Total gold reserves are estimated at around 268 tonnes. The largest gold deposit is located at Sotk, with approximately 120 tonnes. Gold reserves amount to about 40 tonnes in the Kajaran copper–molybdenum deposit, 40 tonnes in the Amulsar gold deposit, 40 tonnes in the Shahumyan gold–polymetallic deposit, and about 22 tonnes in the Meghradzor gold deposit.
Among the polymetallic deposits, the most notable are those of Armanis, Akhtala, and Gladzor.
The republic also contains deposits of aluminum raw materials—nepheline syenites, the largest of which is the Tezh Mountain deposit.
Iron ore deposits are located in the central, northern, and southeastern parts of the republic. The explored reserves of the Abovyan (Kaputan) apatite–magnetite deposit amount to approximately 244 million tonnes, with an average iron content of 28%, while the Hrazdan magnetite deposit contains about 50 million tonnes with an average content of 32%. The Svarants titanium–magnetite iron deposit is the largest in the South Caucasus, with reserves estimated at around 800 million tonnes and an average iron content of 20%. The forecast reserves of the Koghb iron deposit amount to about 2 million tonnes, with an average iron content of 30.5%. In addition, there are small deposits and occurrences of chromium (Shorzha), manganese (Sarigyugh, Sevkar), antimony (Amasia), as well as mercury and arsenic.
Among the rare metals, reserves of rhenium, selenium, vanadium, indium, gallium, cadmium, titanium, and uranium are known.
Among the non-metallic mineral resources, deposits of barite, sulfur-bearing rocks (Lori and Tavush provinces), rock salt (the Yerevan-adjacent region), phosphorites (the Urts mountain range), basalt, andesite–basalt, and andesite (throughout the republic), granite, granodiorite, dunite, and other intrusive rocks (the Pambak and Bazum mountain ranges), volcanic slag (Shirak and Gegharkunik provinces), limestone and travertine (Lori, Syunik, and Ararat provinces), marble (Arzakan, Ararat, Khor Virap), pumice (Ani-Pemza), tuff (Shirak, Lori, and Gegharkunik provinces), obsidian and perlite (Mount Arteni, Mount Hatis, Gutanasar, Spitakasar, and Gegasar), and bentonite clays (Tavush Province) are well known.
The territory of the Republic of Armenia is also rich in mineral waters—including Jermuk, Arzni, Bjni, Dilijan, Lichk, Hankavan, and Sevan—some of which are renowned for their therapeutic properties beyond the country’s borders. There are approximately 700 mineral water outlets in the republic, with a total discharge of about 1,000 liters per second. Water temperatures range from 4.0 to 64.5°C, although most springs have temperatures below 20°C. The majority of mineral waters are carbonated, but carbonated hydrogen sulfide, sulfate–chloride, sulfate–nitrate, and other compositional types are also present.
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