Analysis of the mineral composition of Phanerozoic sediments of the Voronezh anteclise cover: Implication for the primary diamond potential

Abstract

Origin of diamond and its indicator-minerals found in the Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Quaternary sediments in the southern sector of the East European Platform has remained a debatable issue over the past period of approximately 40 years. It was assumed that the Cretaceous diamond in the Volch’e placer and Central deposit confined to the Voronezh anteclise was derived from the Uralian sources, whereas the Paleogene diamond was derived from the South Ukrainian sources. Analysis of paleogeographic maps of new generation (scales 1: 200000–1: 500000) and new data on samples (50 samples 0.5–20 t each) examined by scientists from the Geological Research Institute of Voronezh State University with the participation of authors of the present communication support the hypothesis of local origin of diamonds and localization of their provenance in the sedimentary cover of the Voronezh anteclise. This inference pertains to high-pressure minerals detected in pre-Quaternary sediments. Diamond grains and indicator-minerals hosted in the Quaternary postglacial sediments of the Voronezh anteclise were likely derived from the Don glacial apron in the early Pleistocene (gQIds) from northern areas of the platform (southeastern Finland, Karelia, Kola Peninsula, and Zimnii Bereg area of the Arkhangel’sk region). Such grains are unsuitable for prospecting purposes. Lithofacies investigations made it possible to outline two areas in the Lipetsk and Voronezh regions that likely accommodate productive diatremes.