Lithium and gold content in salt domes and saline lands of Western and Southern Kazakhstan

Abstract

Purpose. To identify the lithium content of mineralized saline lands in the lower reaches of the Chu and Sarysu Rivers and the gold content of the Inder and Shalkar salt domes, and to give a predictive estimate of their industrial prospects. Methodology. The basis of the research methodology is a classic combination of prospecting and surveying: collection of precursor materials, field work, including object mapping, hydro- and lithochemical sampling, analytical studies and analysis of laboratory data. Findings. We carried out the whole complex of the planned works on the sites under study. As a result, in 76 % of the analyzed water samples lithium content was found to be higher than clarkee in seawater (0.17 mg/l) by 1.2–2.4–4.12 times. Lithium content in salts and soils is noted in significantly lower values of lithium clarkee in the Earth’s crust, in rare cases lithium values in samples are 1.5–2 times higher than clarkee. Out of 25 samples of the Shalkar salt dome area, Au was found in 9 samples with grades from 1.36 to 6.02 g/t. The percentage of significant samples is 36 %. The average Au content in the Shalkar salt dome taking into account all other “empty” samples is 1.2 g/t. According to these data, taking into account modern technologies of extraction of Au at its low content, the Shalkar salt dome may well be classified as a large-volume deposit of poor ores. The results of quantitative analysis by atomic absorption of samples from the Inder salt dome also indicate the presence of significant Au content in seven samples – from 1.6 to 3.9 g/t. The average gold content for the entire volume of samples taken would be 0.78 g/t, which can be considered commercially significant under current conditions. The given results of hydromineral raw materials research for possible extraction of lithium and noble metals, despite their preliminary character and insignificant volumes, unequivocally indicate the necessity of large-scale exploration works for final evaluation of the described objects and identification of new ones similar to them. Originality. The originality of the study is that such work has been carried out for the first time. Quantitative assessment of lithium and gold content in saline lands and salt domes of Kazakhstan showed an excess of their clarkee and the prospects of these objects for further research. Practical value. significance lies in the identification of lithium content of hydromineral raw materials and gold content of salt domes of Kazakhstan as possible cost-effective new sources of lithium and gold.