The secondary dispersion halos of platinum group elements and rare elements in rocks of the Vysotsky ore occurrence, Svetloborsky massif, Middle Urals

Abstract

Geological searches for secondary dispersion halos have important practical search value in areas with lack of exposure. In weakly exposed areas with a loose cover thickness of 0.2-10 m, testing is carried out using secondary dispersion halos - i.e. on the surface of eluvium, deluvium or the bottoms of a loose incision. The Svetloborsky dunite-clinopyroxenite zonal massif, like other massifs of the Ural Platinum belt, is characterized by a rather closed inaccessible territory, partially covered by a cover of quaternary sediments with a thickness of up to 10 m, in some areas - up to 25 m. Also, almost complete absence of chromite schlieres is characteristic of the Svetloborsky massif, which are usually a clear visual sign of the presence of platinum-metal mineralization. Therefore, when conducting search operations within the massif, in addition to direct ore testing of bedrock and weathering crust, a lithogeochemical survey was carried out and the contents of platinum, palladium, gold and rare elements in secondary dispersion halos were determined.