Rudny Altai base-metal belt: Localization of massive sulfide mineralization

The geodynamic evolution, deep structure, and metallogenic regionalization of the Rudny Altai are considered in terms of plate tectonics. The base-metal massive sulfide deposits are genetically related to the group of basalt-andesite-rhyolite sequences formed in rift or island-arc geodynamic setting in the Devonian at the early stage of Hercynian tectogenesis. Taking into account economic reserves of ore and major metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag), as well as lateral and vertical regional metallogenic zoning of the Rudny Altai, the localization of massive sulfide mineralization in ore-bearing structural elements and particular deposits has been specified. The ore productivity of ore-bearing geochronological levels for base metals and the contribution of these levels to the total reserves of the region are characterized in detail. The Rudny Altai basemetal belt is regarded as a continuous ore-bearing structural unit situated in Russia and Kazakhstan.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113001606

The paper reviews previous and recently obtained geological, stratigraphic and geochronological data on the Russian-Kazakh Altai orogen, which is located in the western Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）, between the Kazakhstan and Siberian continental blocks. The Russian-Kazakh Altai is a typical Pacific-type orogen, which represents a collage of oceanic, accretionary, fore-arc, island-arc and continental margin terranes of different ages separated by strike-slip faults and thrusts. Evidence for this comes from key indicative rock associations, such as boninite- and turbidite （graywacke）-bearing volcanogenic-sedimentary units, accreted pelagic chert, oceanic islands and plateaus, MORB-OIB-protolith blueschists. The three major tectonic domains of the Russian-Kazakh Altai are： （1） Altai-Mongolian terrane （AMT）; （2） subduction-accretionary （Rudny Altai, Gorny Altai） and collisional （Kalba-Narym） terranes; （3） Kurai, Charysh-Terekta, North-East, Irtysh and Char suture-shear zones （SSZ）. The evolution of this orogen proceeded in five major stages： （i） late Neoproterozoic-early Paleozoic subduction-accretion in the Paleo-Asian Ocean; （ii） Ordovician-Silurian passive margin; （iii） Devonian-Carboniferous active margin and collision of AMT with the Siberian conti- nent; （iv） late Paleozoic closure of the PAO and coeval collisional magmatism; （v） Mesozoic post-collisional deformation and anarogenic magmatism, which created the modern structural collage of the Russian- Kazakh Altai orogen. The major still unsolved problem of Altai geology is origin of the Altai-Mongolian terrane （continental versus active margin）, age of Altai basement, proportion of juvenile and recycled crust and origin of the middle Paleozoic units of the Gorny Altai and Rudny Altai terranes.     

Middle Paleozoic Rhyolite of the Gorny and Rudny Altai: Geochronology and Composition

Doklady Earth Sciences - The paper reports the results of geological, geochemical, and isotope–geochronological studies of subvolcanic rhyolites of NW Gorny Altai and Rudny Altai, which...     

巴尔喀什-准噶尔地区成矿带及主要成矿特征

研究区包括西伯利亚和哈萨克斯坦-准噶尔两个成矿域的5个成矿区,32个成矿带.介绍了各成矿带主要金属矿产分布,成因类型,成矿时代等主要特征,部分成矿带成矿机制对新疆地区普查找矿具有借鉴意义.如山区阿尔泰钨钼矿,矿区阿尔泰铅、锌、铜矿,剪切带金矿,巴尔喀什-准噶尔斑岩铜矿,捷克利铅锌矿,萨雷苏-楚河盆地铀矿床等,新疆均有与其类似成矿环境,应予以重视.     

阿勒泰复向斜的成矿环境及其矿产

在阿勒泰复向斜内,分布有众多矿产,是阿尔泰山南缘重要的铜、铅、锌及多金属成矿区之一。文章详细介绍了这些重要矿床即铁木尔特铜-锌矿床、大东沟铅-锌矿床、乌拉斯沟铜-铅-锌矿床、阿巴宫铁矿床、红墩铅-锌矿床的地质特征,并从现代成矿理论角度全面分析了这些矿床形成的区域成矿环境及其找矿前景。     

Stratotypes of Quaternary deposits of the Yaloman-Katun’ zone (Gorny Altai)

We revised geological data substantiating the unified 1983 Regional Stratigraphic Chart of Gorny Altai Quaternary deposits. Based on our own and literature data, we showed that Lower and Middle Quaternary glacial horizons are erroneously distinguished in the Yaloman-Katun’ zone of southeastern Altai. A new correlation is proposed, according to which the glacial complex of the maximum glaciation (MIS-6) corresponds to the Inya catafluvial series and the glacial complex of the first postmaximum glaciation (MIS-4 unit), to the Sal’dzhar catafluvial series. The lectostratotypes of both series are described. The event history of the second half of the Late Neopleistocene in Gorny Altai (MIS-3 and MIS-2) was less catastrophic for ancient biota and Paleolithic man than it was believed earlier.     

The Upper Ordovician of northeastern Gorny Altai: Stratigraphy and deposition environments

Comprehensive lithofacies and biofacies analysis provided constraints on the origin of Upper Ordovician clastic and carbonate deposits in northeastern Gorny Altai, which form large low-elevated flat carbonate banks located relatively close to the shore. The sediments were deposited during the Sandbian and early-middle Katian stages, according to new conodont data. Upper Ordovician sections in northeastern Gorny Altai store record of two global regressions: the early Sandbian (Vollen Lowstand) and early Katian (Frognerkilen Lowstand) events.     

Ore belts of the Greater Altai and their ore resource potential

The results of comprehensive geological and metallogenic studies of the Greater Altai are presented. This project has been carried out since 1997 under the guidance of Academician G.N. Shcherba. The importance of these investigations is determined by the need to enhance and further develop mineral resources of nonferrous, noble, rare, and other metals for operating mining and metallurgical enterprises of Kazakhstan. The great body of information on the geology, geophysics, and metallogeny of the region obtained over many years has been integrated on the basis of new global tectonics. The Greater Altai embraces the Hercynides of the Rudny Altai, Qalba-Narym, West Qalba, Zharma-Saur, and the adjacent territories of Russia and China. The present-day tectonic units are considered to be detached blocks of ancient continental massifs that drifted in the Paleoasian ocean and then amalgamated into the structure of the Greater Altai during the Hercynian collision. The tectonic and metallogenic demarcation of the studied territory made possible the recognition of the Rudny Altai, Qalba-Narym, West Qalba, and Zharma-Saur ore belts, different in geology, geodynamic evolution, and metallogeny. The formation conditions and localization of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide, gold, and rare-metal deposits pertaining to certain ore-bearing geochronological levels were specified, and the potential of the region for various mineral resources was estimated.     

Continental crust in Gorny Altai: nature and composition of protoliths

The history of the Vendian–Early Paleozoic formation of protoliths of continental crust in the Gorny Altai segment of the Central Asian fold belt is considered, and their composition, isotopic characteristics, and formation mechanisms are estimated. We have established two stages of crust-forming processes in Gorny Altai: Early and Late Caledonian, with the different structures of formed geoblocks and nature and compositions of crustal protoliths. At the Early Caledonian stage, fragments of oceanic lithosphere of basic composition (MORB, OIT, OIB) (T_Nd(DM-2st) = 0.65–1.1 Ga) formed, as well as island arcs with andesite-basaltic and andesitic protoliths with low contents of incompatible elements (T_Nd(DM-2st) = 0.7–0.9 Ga). At the Late Caledonian stage, the redistribution of the substance of these blocks and the external supply of material led to the formation of heterogeneous crust of turbidite basins with an oceanic basement and andesite-dacitic upper-crustal protoliths (T_Nd(DM-2st) varies from 0.8–0.9 Ga in the framing of the volcanic arc of Altaids to 1.4–1.6 Ga at the boundary of the Altai–Mongolian microcontinent).     

Early Devonian volcanics of southeastern Gorny Altai: Geochemistry,isotope (Sr,Nd, and O) composition,and petrogenesis (Aksai complex)

Geological, geochemical, and isotope (Sr, Nd, and O) parameters of Early Devonian (405 Ma) volcanics of southeastern Gorny Altai (Aksai and Kalguty volcanotectonic structures) are discussed. The studied igneous rock association comprises magnesian andesitoids, Nb-enriched andesite basalts, and A-type peraluminous silicic rocks (dacites, rhyolites, granites, and leucogranites). Magnesian andesitoids (mg# > 50) are characterized by a predominance of Na among alkalies (K₂O/Na₂O ≈ 0.1-0.7), medium contents of TiO₂ (~ 0.8-1.3 wt.%) and Al₂O₃ (~ 12-15 wt.%), enrichment in Cr (up to 216 ppm), and low Sr/Y ratios (4-15). The Nb-enriched (Nb = 10-17 ppm) andesite basalts have high contents of TiO₂ (1.7-2.7 wt.%) and P₂O₅ (0.4-1.4 wt.%). The A-type granitoids are characterized by high contents of K(K₂O/Na₂O ≤ 60) and alumina (ASI ≤ 2.9) and depletion in Ba, Sr, P, and Ti. The magnesian andesitoids and Nb-enriched andesite basalts are products of melts generated in the metasomatized lithospheric mantle; silicic magmas were formed through the melting of Cambrian-Ordovician metaturbidites of the Gorny Altai Group and, partly, Early-Middle Cambrian island-arc metabasites. The above rock association might have resulted from a plume impact on the lithospheric substrates of the continental paleomargin during the evolution of the Altai-Sayan rift system.     

Whole-rock geochemistry and U-Pb ages of Devonian bimodal-type rhyolites from the Rudny Altai,Russia: Petrogenesis and tectonic settings

The paper presents new original data on the Devonian felsic volcanism of the NW Rudny Altai (Russia) in the west of Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) – the front part of the Altai convergent margin of the Siberian continent. Two geochemical types of subvolcanic rhyolites were emplaced synchronously with the bimodal rhyolite-basalt association, which began to form in the end-Emsian, and clearly manifested on the border of the Givetian and the Frasnian. The rhyolites yield zircon U-Pb ages of ca. 390 Ma (R1-type) and 380 Ma (R2- and R3-types), reflecting two peaks of the volcanic activity. Most of these rocks have extreme petrochemical characteristics of high SiO₂ contents and have contrast Na/K ratios. Their compositions are transition between calc-alkaline and tholeiite series: (La/Yb)_n ~ 2–7, Zr/Y ~ 4 (Zr < 350 ppm) and La/Sm ~ 0.55–1. Rhyolites bear the distinctive geochemical signature of A-type felsic magma, such as enrichments in Zr, Nb, Y and Ce (>350 ppm), Zr (>250 ppm), and high Ga/Al (>2.6) values. The island-arc-like R1-rhyolite formed immediately after the beginning of rifting due to widespread crustal melting under reduced conditions. The generation of rift-like R2- and R3-rhyolites took place under non-equilibrium conditions, synchronously with the rise in the upper crust of Givetian-Frasnian basic magmas, as a result of the active lithospheric extension and high thermal input from the underlying hot mantle. We propose an extension regime in the transition area between the island-arc and back-arc basin for the origin of rhyolites. The study of the Devonian volcanism of the Rudny Altai gives important information about the processes that occurred at the initial stage of the formation of the Altai convergent margin.     

U-Pb and 39Ar/40Ar dating and Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotopic study of the Kalguty molybdenum-tungsten ore-magmatic system, Southern Altai

The Kalguty ore-magmatic system comprises two intrusive complexes: the Kalguty granite-leucogranite complex and Eastern Kalguty complex of dikes and small intrusions. U-Pb dating of individual zircon grains from granites of the main intrusive phase demonstrated that the crystallization age of small grains of magmatic habits and outer rims of large grains is almost concordant and is 216 ± 3 Ma. Ar-Ar isotope study shows that the K-Ar system of biotites from granites of the main phase within the Kalguty ore field was disturbed (radiogenic Ar was partially lost) and gave an age of 202 ± 1 Ma. The Ar-Ar dating of muscovites from intraore and postore dikes of the Eastern Kalguty complex devoid of signatures of postmagmatic recrystallization and superimposed greisenization gave similar ages of 205–201 Ma. This date is considered as the emplacement age of the Eastern Kalguty dikes and associated complex W-Mo-Bi-Be ore mineralization. Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotopic study of granites, ongonites, and elvans of the Kalguty ore-magmatic system and host rocks shows that these systems were closed. For example, recalculation of Nd isotopic ratios for corresponding ages of crystallization of magmatic systems (216 and 205 Ma) shows that ?_Nd(T) values decrease from ?1.9 to ?3.5 ... ?5.08 with transition from granite-leucogranite to subvolcanic granite porphyry, ongonite, and elvan dikes with corresponding increase of model ages of protoliths from 1.0 to 1.25 Ga. Lead isotopic ratios for leaching residues of whole-rock samples of all rock varieties (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.305–18.831; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.527–15.571) are plotted well below the line of average crustal lead evolution according to the Stacey-Kramers model.     

阿尔泰造山带和阿尔泰山构造成矿域的形成

阿尔泰造山带的形成过程经过了造山启动期、造山暂歇拉张期、主造山期和造山期后拉张期等4个发展阶段.基于构造-流体-成矿作用的一致性,重点剖析了阿尔泰山前铜-多金属、南缘金矿和山区稀有金属的成矿作用,提出了阿尔泰山构造成矿域形成的模式,发现它们与阿尔泰造山带的形成密切相关,阿尔泰造山带的形成过程就是阿尔泰山构造成矿域的形成过程.     

Tectonic setting and geological manifestations of the 2003 Altai earthquake

Geological and geomorphic manifestations of the source of the earthquake that occurred in the southern Gorny Altai on September 27, 2003, are described. This earthquake, the strongest over the entire history of seismological observations, caused damage to buildings and structures in the Chuya and Kurai basins and was accompanied by exposure of its source at the surface with formation of a system of seismic ruptures trending in the northwestern direction. The linear zone of seismic rupture was traced for more than 70 km on the northern slopes of the North Chuya and South Chuya ranges, and a developed network of related splays was found. The secondary (gravitational and vibrational) seismic dislocations were expressed as downfalls, landslides, and gryphons in the pleistoseist zone. These dislocations occur over an area of approximately 90 × 25 km² that broadly coincides with the region of quakes having intensities of IX–VII. The paleoseismogeological investigations performed in the source region of the 2003 earthquake have shown that seven seismic events with M = 7.0–8.0 occurred in its source over the last 5000 years with a 500-to 900-year recurrence period. The study of the tectonic setting of the earthquake source in the Gorny Altai has allowed northward tracing of the main seismically active zones of the Mongolian and Gobi Altai, where earthquakes with a magnitude M > 7.0 occurred repeatedly, in particular, during the 20th century, and combination of all mountain systems of the Greater Altai into a common high-magnitude seismotectonic province.     

Modeling Cenozoic crustal deformation in Gorny Altai

The Altai lithospheric structure has been generally understood due to available high-resolution digital models. As a further step in modeling, we have simulated the structure of southeastern Altai as interaction of eight blocks which comprise or surround the Chuya and Kurai basins, proceeding from the basic configuration of blocks and earthquake mechanisms. Should the stresses in the system remain invariable, the western periphery of the Kurai basin will deform to let the Uimen-Sumulta fault join the Chuya (western end of Tolbonur) fault and evolve further as a single shear zone. The best fit model was one with slip along a single border fault in the middle of the area between two rheologically different terranes. This setting corresponds to a fault boundary between the more plastic Gorny Altai and more rigid Teletskoe-Chulyshman domains, which is consistent with current crustal movements from GPS data. In addition to scientific significance, models of this kind have practical applications as they highlight areas of stress buildup prone to release in large earthquakes. The new approach was applied to simulate the stress and strain patterns of central and southeastern Gorny Altai, and the models were tested against available geomorphological and seismotectonic data.     

Geologic position,age, and petrogenesis of plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai

The geologic position, age, petrologic composition, and petrogenesis of mesoabyssal plagiogranites in northern Rudny Altai, dated earlier at the Early–Middle Devonian, are considered. The Middle Carboniferous (322–318 Ma) age of granitoids has been substantiated by isotope-geochronological data (U–Pb zircon dating and Ar–Ar amphibole and biotite dating). Geologic-structural studies showed that the intrusion of granitoids took place at the time when compression was changed by sinistral faulting. This led to the conclusion that the granitoids formed at the peak of the collision between the Siberian and the Kazakhstan paleocontinents. Geochemical and isotope studies showed that most of the analyzed plagiogranites belong to high-alumina (continental) type and resulted from the deep melting (~ 15 kbar) of metabasic substrates compositionally similar to N-MORB (judging from results of geochemical modeling and the Nd isotope composition). The presence of plagiogranites of low-alumina (oceanic) type in the postgranite dike series testifies to the melting of the Rudny Altai heterogeneous crust at different depths during its collisional thickening.     

Continental crust of Gorny Altai: stages of formation and evolution; indicative role of granitoids

The composition and mechanisms of formation of continental crust in Gorny Altai and the role of granitoid magmatism in its evolution are considered. Geochemical and isotope data for major types of rocks of primary crust and for Early–Middle Paleozoic granitoids of the region are presented. The role of granitoids as indicators of the different stages of the continental-crust evolution is discussed. A review of the main models of continental crust formation is maid, and their applicability to the Gorny Altai segment of the Central Asian Fold Belt is shown. Based on the complex of geological, geochemical, isotope, and geochronological data, it has been established that the formation of continental crust in the Early and Late Caledonian terranes of Gorny Altai proceeded nearly synchronously (in the Middle–Late Devonian).In the Early Caledonian terranes, this process was the consequence of the multistage fractionation of primary juvenile crust of basic composition, and in the Late Caledonian ones it was the result of one-cycle intracrustal melting of hybrid andesitic crust rich in recycled material.     

澳大利亚Cloncurry地区铁矿化岩石与铜金矿化的时空关系

澳大利亚Cloncurry地区大部分被元古宙地层所覆盖,其中赋存有大量世界级的成矿热液系统。大型热液系统大都与含磁铁矿或赤铁矿等铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石密切相关。铁氧化物和铜金矿化的矿物学、地球化学及年代学特征反映出成矿过程可能涉及到多种流体间的作用和水岩反应。对Cloncurry地区典型矿床和区域Na-Ca热液系统的研究表明,含铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石与铜金矿化之间的关系可分为4类:①贫磁铁矿或赤铁矿的"Kiruna-型"铁矿化岩石;②铜金矿化赋存于含铁氧化物的铁矿化岩石中;③与铁氧化物有关的铜金矿化;④少量或者不含铁氧化物的铜金矿化。该分类提供了一些与铁氧化物有关的铜金矿化成因联系、矿物学和矿化类型信息。     

Chronology (SHRIMP II) of magmatism in the Kalguty rare-metal-tungsten-molybdenum ore-magmatic system,Gorny Altai,Russia

The Kalguty ore-magmatic system (OMS) contains economic greisen and vein rare-metal-tungsten-molybdenum mineralization. The data on U-Pb zircon (SHRIMP II) age of nine samples of igneous rocks from the Kalguty OMS are accompanied by chemical, ICP-MS, and ICP-AES analyses of the main rock varieties. Porphyritic biotite granite of the main phase of the Kalguty pluton is characterized by the concordant age of 207.5 ± 1.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.034). The concordant age of the leucogranitic dikes pertaining to the East Kalguty Complex is 204 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.65) for elvan and 200.8 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.72) for ultrapotassic rhyolite porphyry. The two-mica and muscovite leucogranite of the Eastern stock is significantly younger: 195 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.076) and 193.1 ± 2.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.0009). Thus, the Chingadatui Complex (the main phase of the Kalguty pluton) and dikes of the East Kalguty Complex are Late Triassic in age. The two-mica leucogranites of the Eastern, Zhumaly, and other stocks are most likely correlated to the Early Jurassic Alacha Complex of rare-metal granites. The superposition of greisen mineralization on elvan and ongonite dikes may be related to the emplacement of younger, Early Jurassic ore-forming two-mica and muscovite granites. Judging from zircon xenocrysts in granites, the Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks dated at 1.5 Ga and products of erosion of the rocks dated at 1.7 and 2.5 Ga occur in the basement of the Kalguty volcanic-tectonic structure. This is sound evidence for the occurrence of ancient continental crustal blocks in the southwestern part of the Altai-Sayan region.