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Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis

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A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 April 2022) | Viewed by 15309

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nikolay A. Goryachev

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Guest Editor

North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute, Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 685000 Magadan, Russia
Interests: geology of gold deposits; mineralogy; ore genesis; geochemistry

Prof. Dr. Vladimir A. Makarov

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Guest Editor

Department of Geology of Ore deposits and Exploration Methods, Siberian State University, 660095 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Interests: gold metallogeny; geology of base metals and precious metals ore deposits; exploration; mining

Dr. Alexander V. Volkov

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Guest Editor

Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017 Moscow, Russia
Interests: metallogeny; ore deposits; mineral systems; mineral assemblage; ore geochemistry; ore genesis; prospecting models

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Deposits of gold are the most demanded deposits in the history of the Earth. This is reflected in the publication of many Special Issues in different countries. Currently, there are publications on the geology of gold in individual regions (California and Alaska in the USA) or countries (Australia, Canada). Russia is a country with a long history of gold mining (since the 18th century). Gold deposits are known in the European part, in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. In the early period, the main mining was in the Urals; now, Siberia and the North-East of Russia are the centers of gold mining. For each region, there is extensive literature on gold deposits, which is rarely available to foreign readers. Known monographs have had a limited edition and have not been distributed outside of Russia. Nevertheless, a number of the largest and large objects (Olympiada, Sukhoi Log, Natalka), thanks to publications in English, are already serving as objects of international discussion. However, they constitute only a small part of interesting objects of the orogenic and epithermal type known to Russian researchers. Therefore, the purpose of our Special Issue is to present to the international geological community new data on gold deposits of various types, common in different regions of Russia. Currently, in the study of gold deposits, the interests of geologists have shifted from purely geological observations to mineralogical, isotope-geochemical and fluid-geochemical studies, using modern precision analytical methods, which are welcome when it comes to invited publications. This makes it possible to present new data on the genesis of ores for already known objects. The structure of the Special Issue is supposed to present new data on three large gold-bearing areas: the Ural, Siberian and Far East, and new data on the European gold-bearing areas of Russia are also welcome. We will focus on authors whose research is related to orogenic and epithermal types of gold ore mineralization.

Prof. Dr. Nikolay A. Goryachev
Prof. Dr. Vladimir A. Makarov
Dr. Alexander V. Volkov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

gold deposits of orogenic and epithermal types
geology
genesis
Russia
Siberia
Ural
Far East

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 6861 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Ulug-Sair Gold Occurrence (Western Tuva, Russia): Mineralogy, Ore Genesis, and S-O Isotope Systematics

by Renat V. Kuzhuget, Natalia N. Ankusheva, Franco Pirajno, Andrey A. Mongush, Yuri V. Butanaev and Nadezhda V. Suge-Maadyr

Minerals 2022, 12(6), 712; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12060712 - 02 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2214

Abstract

Ulug-Sair Au-Bi-Te-Se mineralization is one prospect for native Au in the Western Tuva, and its origin remains debated. Mineralization consists of gold–sulfide–quartz veins in the host sedimentary rocks (conglomerates, siltstones, shales), quartz–tourmaline, and quartz–carbonate–sericite–altered rocks. To determine its origin, we examined the mineralogical–geochemical features, formation conditions, and fluid sources of the Ulug-Sair ore. A mineralogical–geochemical investigation outlines two substages with Au: an early gold–sulfide–quartz with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, gold, and electrum; and a late gold–telluride–sulfide–quartz, characterized by the presence of Bi-bearing minerals (AgBiTe, Bi₂Te₂Se, Cu₃BiS₃, Bi), tellurides (Au and Ag), Se-tellurides (Ag and Bi), and selenides (Au, Ag, and Hg). The paragenesis of Au–Ag tellurides, and fluid inclusion study data (microthermometry, Raman spectroscopy, LA-ICP-MS, and crush leach analysis (gas and ion chromatography, ICP-MS) in quartz showed that quartz–tourmaline-altered rocks were formed by an aqueous Mg–Na–K-chloride fluid with a salinity of 8–10 wt % NaCl eq. at 325–370 °C, whereas the host quartz–carbonate–sericite-altered rocks were formed from CO₂–H₂O fluid containing CH₄ and N₂, with a salinity of 0.18–6.1 wt % NaCl eq. at 200–400 °C. Gold-bearing mineral assemblages were formed at P ~ 0.75–1.0 kbar (~2.3–3 km) due to CO₂–H₂O chloride (Na–K ± Fe, Mg) fluid with CH₄, Na₂SO₄, and Na₂B₂O₅, and salinities 1.7–12.5 wt % NaCl eq. at temperatures decreasing from 360 up to 115 °C (gold–sulfide–quartz veins—360–130 °C, and gold–telluride–sulfide–quartz veins—330–115 °C), and variable fO₂, fS₂, fSe₂, and fTe₂. Results of the investigation of the isotope composition of S in pyrites indicates the magmatic origin of the fluid (δ¹⁸S_{$H_{2} S$} fluid from −0.4 to +2.5‰). The stable O isotope data in quartz indicates that, at an early substage, the formation of ore involved a fluid of magmatic and metamorphic origin (from +8.2 to +11.6‰), and, in the later substage, multiple sources of hydrothermal fluids (from +3.1 to +10.4‰), including magmatic-derived, metamorphic-derived, and meteoric waters. These data, in conjunction with structurally controlled mineralization, point towards similarities of the Ulug-Sair ore system with orogenic gold deposits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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11 pages, 5969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mineralogical Criteria for the Prediction of Gold Mineralization in the Structures of the Siberian Craton

by Zinaida Nikiforova

Minerals 2022, 12(6), 694; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12060694 - 30 May 2022

Viewed by 1312

Abstract

Generalization of the results of the study of placer gold and the mechanisms of its distribution in the east of the Siberian Platform made it possible for the first time to reveal that the ore sources of gold-bearing placers were mainly mineralization of the gold-sulfide formation formed under the influence of hydrothermal metasomatic processes occurred in deep fault zones. It is determined that the gold-bearing hydrothermal-metasomatic formations of the gold-sulfide rock formation are amagmatic, near-surface, low-temperature and spatially confined to deep faults. These formations are widespread in terrigenous-carbonate strata and sand deposits of PZ-MZ age and are observed in the zones of brecciation, silicification, and ferruginization. The analysis of the mechanisms of distribution of hydrothermal-metasomatic gold-bearing formations in the east of the Siberian Platform, based on previously conducted research of predecessors and our field observations, allowed us to establish the following. In the northeast, hydrothermal-metasomatic formations occur in the field of development of the Zhigansky fault, the Molodo-Popigai and Anabar-Eekite fault system, in the central part of the east of the Siberian Platform, the Vilyui paleorift (Kempendyai dislocations), and in the southeast in the Baikal-Patom thrust belt in ancient faults (Bappagai, Khorinsky, etc.). Metasomatites of hydrothermal origin form extended narrow formations along ancient faults activated in the Mesozoic, as well as conformable deposits in the Vendian, Cambrian carbonate strata, Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstones. It is proved that these formations are amagmatic and are not related to the widespread magmatism of the basic composition, which is confirmed by the homogenous mineral composition of metasomatites, independent of the composition of magmatic bodies spatially located with them. Zones of metasomatites with gold mineralization contain Au from 0.5 to 3.0 g/t, and in isolated cases up to 24–32 g/t. Gold is represented from finely-dispersed to visible fine, with a size from 0.01 to 0.5 mm or more. It is known that hydrothermal-metasomatic processes on the territory of Central Aldan contributed to the formation of large deposits such as Kuranakh, Tabornoye and others. It is possible that the identified gold-ore metasomatites, developed along the zones of regional faults and not confined to magmatic formations, widely occurred both in the northeast and in the southeast of the Siberian Platform, represent a huge metallogenic potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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32 pages, 13196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zun-Kholba Orogenic Gold Deposit, Eastern Sayan, Russia: Geology and Genesis

by Bulat Batuevich Damdinov, Nikolay Anatolyevich Goryachev, Maria Leonidovna Moskvitina, Ludmila Borisovna Damdinova, Alexandra Dmitrievna Izvekova, Vadim Nikolaevich Reutsky, Victor Fedorovich Posokhov and Dmitry Alexandrovich Artemyev

Minerals 2022, 12(4), 395; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12040395 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2314

Abstract

In this paper, we present a new point of view on the deposit geology and genesis of the largest gold deposit in Eastern Sayan, Zun-Kholba. Quartz–sulfide replacement ores and shallow quartz veins are of great economic importance. At the deposit, quartz–pyrite ore bodies are dominant, whereas paragenetically late base metal-bearing quartz veins occur only at shallow levels. The study of the fluid inclusions, stable isotopes (C–O–S), and mineral geothermometry allowed us to determine the P–T conditions of ore deposition. It is established that the temperature of ore formation changed from 380 to 433 °C at the deepest levels of the deposit to 316 °C at the shallowest levels. The pressure estimates for gold deposition at 570–950 bar were calculated for the 1490-m level in the center of the deposit. The determined P–T conditions can help estimate the average depth of deposit formation at about 3.6 km. Ore mineral assemblages were formed from homogeneous fluids of low to moderate salinity (2.4–7.9 wt.% eq. NaCl). The sulfur isotope composition of sulfide minerals (δ³⁴S = 0–4.6‰), as well as pyrite geochemistry, corresponds to that of older volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) occurrences, which are widespread within the Eastern Sayan ophiolitic belts. Lens-like fragments of metamorphosed VMS-type sulfide ores are also present in the Zun-Kholba deposit. The oxygen isotope data indicate a metamorphic origin for the ore-forming fluids. Migrating metamorphic fluids may have become enriched in gold, sulfur, and other metals during the flow through the complex ore-hosting lithologies, including ophiolitic bodies with sulfide-rich VMS fragments that are characterized by a relatively high content of gold and related ore elements. The obtained data allow us to suggest a metamorphic devolatilization model for the genesis of the Zun-Kholba gold deposit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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23 pages, 7760 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Gold Mineralization of the Baranyevskoe Au-Ag Epithermal Deposit in Central Kamchatka

by Nadezhda Tolstykh, Daria Bukhanova, Maria Shapovalova, Andrey Borovikov and Maksim Podlipsky

Minerals 2021, 11(11), 1225; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11111225 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1957

Abstract

The Baranyevskoe Au-Ag epithermal deposit of low-sulfidation (LS) type is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Neogene-Quaternary Central Kamchatka Volcanic Belt, where Au-bearing quartz veins are usually accompanied by veinlet stockworks. Two economic associations are typical of the Baranyevskoe deposit. The first corresponds to gold-pyrite-quartz association with low-grade native gold (521–738‱) intergrown with pyrite. Some accessory Au-Ag minerals within the early association were also identified: acanthite AgS₂, hessite AgTe₂, lenaite Ag(Fe,Cu)S₂, petzite Ag₃AuTe₂, utenbogardite Ag₃AuS₂ and unnamed Ag-Sb-As sulfosalts. The former Au-Ag minerals were most likely formed in the temperature range of 320–330 °C based on the study of arsenopyrite thermometers and fluid inclusions. The second, a gold-sulfosalt-quartz association, includes high-grade native gold (883-941‱) in intergrowth with chalcopyrite. Cuprous phases (bornite, chalcocite, heerite, native copper, Cu-Zn solid solutions), Bi-rich sulfosalts (aikinite PbCuBiS₃, emplectite CuBiS₂, witticenite Cu₃BiS₃), stannoidite Cu₈Fe₃Sn₂S₁₂, mawsonite Cu₆Fe₂SnS₈), Au-bearing galena, Te-free and Bi-rich tetrahedrite-tennantite represent this association. Fluid inclusions in gold-sulfosalt-quartz association are characterized by homogenization temperature ranging from 226 to 298 °C, and salinity from 0.4 to 1.2 wt. % NaCl eq. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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20 pages, 2539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ore–Bearing Fluids of the Blagodatnoye Gold Deposit (Yenisei Ridge, Russia): Results of Fluid Inclusion and Isotopic Analyses

by Elena Shaparenko, Nadezhda Gibsher, Anatoly Tomilenko, Anatoly Sazonov, Taras Bul’bak, Maria Ryabukha, Margarita Khomenko, Sergey Silyanov, Natalya Nekrasova and Marina Petrova

Minerals 2021, 11(10), 1090; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11101090 - 03 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2197

Abstract

The Blagodatnoye deposit with 340 t gold reserves is one of the most productive mines in Russia. Modern methods of studying fluid inclusions were used to determine the properties of fluids that formed this deposit. A comprehensive study revealed that the Blagodatnoye gold deposit was formed between 120 and 350 °C and at 0.2–2.6 kbar, and from fluids with salinities ranging from 0.5 to 30 wt.% (NaCl–eq.). These fluids are: 1—water–carbon dioxide; 2—carbon dioxide–hydrocarbon; 3—highly saline aqueous. According to Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, ore–forming fluids contained H₂O, CO₂, hydrocarbons and oxygenated organic compounds, sulfonated, nitrogenated and halogenated compounds. Early oxidized water–carbon dioxide fluids formed barren associations of the deposit. Later reduced carbon dioxide–hydrocarbon fluids had a key role in the formation of gold-bearing quartz veins. The stable isotope data (δ³⁴S = 0.8 to 21.3‰, δ¹³C = −2.8 to −20.9‰, ³He/⁴He = 0.14 ± 0.3 × 10^–6) suggest the ore-forming fluids have a crustal source. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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Review

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21 pages, 3483 KiB

Open AccessReview

Stages of Gold Deposits Formation in the Precambrian of the North-Eastern Fennoscandia

by Arkadii A. Kalinin

Minerals 2022, 12(5), 537; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12050537 - 26 Apr 2022

Viewed by 2825

Abstract

Two main stages of formation of gold deposits are identified in the north-eastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield—Neoarchean (2.7–2.6 Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (1.92–1.74 Ga). These were the stages of rapid growth of the continental crust of the Earth and the consolidation of the ancient supercontinents, Kenorland in the Neoarchean, and Fennoscandia (or Columbia) in the Paleoproterozoic. Gold deposits and occurrences, which formed in the Archean (Oleninskoe and Nyalm in the Kolmozero–Voron’ya belt, and the Olenegorsk group of BIF deposits) were later metamorphosed in the Paleoproterozoic, and isotope data for the rocks and minerals of these deposits detect both Archean and Paleoproterozoic events. The Paleoproterozoic stage was the most important for the formation of gold deposits in the region, as at this stage the deposits formed not only in the Proterozoic greenstone belts, but in those Archean belts as well, which were involved in the Svecofennian tectonic processes in the Paleoproterozoic. As it is shown in the example of the deposits in the Central Lapland Paleoproterozoic belt, gold mineralization formed with a series of impulses of hydrothermal activity, and these impulses correlate with the formation of different generations of minor granite intrusions and dykes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Deposits in Russia: Geology, Mineralogy and Ore Genesis)

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