Chapter 6 The Voronezh crystalline massif

Abstract

This chapter discusses the geological structure and metallogenic features of the Voronezh crystalline massif. The Voronezh crystalline massif—the Kursk–Voronezh block in the Precambrian basement of the Russian Platform—lies to the north of the Ukrainian Shield, from which it is separated by the Palaeozoic Dnieper–Donetsk aulacogen-type basin. Precambrian rocks in the massif typically display complex geological structure and ore mineral prospects because of the effects of various tectonic and ore-forming regimes, as is the case for the Ukrainian Shield. Precambrian assemblages in the Massif are represented by various complexes: Early Archaean (Oboyan Group), Late Archaean (Mikhailov Group, Sergeyev basic-ultrabasic, and Saltykov trondhjemite–migmatite complexes), early-Early Proterozoic (Kursk Group and the Oskolets trondhjemite–migmatite complex), late-Early Proterozoic (Oskol Group, Stoylo–Nikolayev ultrabasic–granodiorite, Ataman–Pavlov, and Liskin subalkaline granitic complexes), and Late Proterozoic (Smorodin basic complex, Baigora Group). Metallogenic features of the Voronezh Massif owe their origin to a prolonged, complex, polycyclic evolutionary history during the Precambrian in this part of the earth's crust and to multiple volcanosedimentary and magmatic events that played a role in constructing the massif. From detailed studies of the geological formations and associated ore formations and genetic types, it has been possible to establish specific features for the metallogeny of this buried Precambrian basement segment.