Gold metallogeny of the East Tannu-Ola ore region, Tyva Republic

Abstract

The Elegest-Mezhegei, Aptara, and Shivilig forecasted gold ore clusters and the Kharalyg and Irbitei forecasted gold-silver-polymetallic ore clusters were distinguished within the East Tannu-Ola iron-copper-polymetallic-gold ore region, based on examination of historical and new geological, geochemical, and metallogenical data. Subsequently, the Urgailyg, Proezdnoe, and Chumurtuk forecasted gold ore fields were delineated within the Elegest-Mezhegei cluster; the Despen ore field was delineated within the Aptara ore cluster; and the Ovur-Ongesh ore field was outlined within the Shivilig cluster. In addition, the Ulug-Sailyg and Ak-Charinsk gold-molybdenum-copper ore fields were distinguished outside the ore clusters. The article summarizes the investigation history, geological-structural position, geological features, and geochemical specialization of the rocks of the East Tannu-Ola region. Descriptions of the ore clusters embrace peculiarities of their geological structure, ore mineralogy, and native gold, as well as parameters of the gold-sulfide-quartz, goldskarn, gold-containing polymetallic VMS, and porphyry molybdenum-copper mineralized zones. The conclusions highlight the metallogenic epochs and distribution regularities of the gold and gold-containing mineralization within the region studied.