Mineral types of gold deposits and regularities of their distribution in south-eastern part of the East Sayan

Abstract

Based on the mineral composition, gold deposits of the south-eastern part of the East Sayan were typed. The most informative classification criterion for typing is the composition of the gold producing ore mineral associations which are specific to each of the selected types. Whereas using other criteria different structural, composition or genetic characteristics of deposits will necessarily overlap. Eight mineral types of deposits, characterizing the main gold-bearing ore mineral associations were identified: gold-polysulfide, gold-quartz, gold-telluride, gold-tetradymite, gold-stibnite, gold-bismuth-sulfosalt, gold-pyrrhotite and gold-fahlore types. Regional metallogenic divisions such as structural metallogenic zones, differ somewhat in the characteristics of mineralization. Thus, within the Bokson-Garganskaya metallogenic zone, gold-quartz, gold-polysulfide and gold-pyrrhotite types dominate, although gold-telluride and gold-bismuth-sulfosalt types are common in the western part of this zone. In the Ilchir zone, gold-fahlore type deposits are developed. Khamsarinskaya zone is characterized by gold-tetradimite and gold-antimonite deposits existence. It has been established that the mineral types of deposits formation depend on the enclosing rock complexes composition. Thus, gold-quartz, gold-polysulfide and gold-pyrrhotite types are formed in association with the ophiolites and rocks of the Archean crystalline basement. At the deposits associated with granitoid massifs, minerals of metalloids, such as bismuth-bearing sulfosalts, stibnite, tetradimite and tellurides, take a leading role in ores. In the carbonate strata, a gold-fahlore type is formed. The proposed classification allows typing all known gold deposits in the south-eastern part of the East Sayan and can be applied to adjacent regions.