Baikal–Vilyui Paleoproterozoic Belt of The Siberian Platform: Regional Gold-Controlling Structure

The article demonstrates that the placer gold content of the Vilyui Syneclise is governed by the regional structure of the crystalline basement of the Siberian Platform—the Baikal–Vilyui Paleoproterozoic belt, the boundaries and tectonics of which are substantiated by analysis of the gravitational field structure. The belt includes a system of basement blocks with a common northeastern strike, which form horsts (of the Suntar type) and grabens (of the Kempendyai type). The gold-bearing placers of the Vilyui Syneclise are mainly confined to the Suntar, Tyukyan, and Chybyda blocks of the belt, the metamorphic and igneous rocks of which were the primary gold sources in the sedimentary cover. The suture zone of the Baikal–Vilyui belt was very permeable to deep fluids responsible for gold migration. The types of possible primary gold sources (gold–platinoid, low-sulfidation gold-quartz, and gold–silver) reflect the peculiarities in the evolution of Early Precambrian gold during sedimentation in the Vilyui Syneclise. The areas controlled by the Suntar, Kempendyai, Tyukyan, Chybyda, and Khapchagai blocks of Early Precambrian rocks, which may contain gold objects, should be considered promising for buried gold placers in the Vilyui Syneclise.

Coexisting Tetrahedrite–(Zn) and Sphalerite at the Teremki Gold-Ore Deposit (East Transbaikalia): Chemical Composition and Formation Conditions

Paragenetic associations of tetrahedrite-(Zn) and sphalerite are distinguished in the Teremki gold-ore deposit. The chemical composition of coexisting minerals of this association is determined. The Sb/(Sb + As) and Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratios in tetrahedrite-(Zn) vary from 0.66 to 0.97 and from 0.28 to 0.40, respectively. A negative correlation was established between Sb/(Sb + As) and Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratios. Contents of Fe in sphalerite change from 0.88 to 1.43 wt % (1.5–2.5 mol % FeS). Temperature and sulfur fugacity when precipitation of tetrahedrite-(Zn)–paragenesis were estimated: they range from 130 to 280°C and from 10–13.2 to 10–8.1 bars, respectively.

The Source of Ore Fluids and Sm–Nd Age of Siderite from the Largest Bakal Deposit, Southern Urals

Abstract— Based on Sm–Nd data, a crustal source of iron-ore fluid was substantiated and the probability of age estimation for hydrothermal–metasomatic siderite of the Bakal Group, Southern Urals, was shown for the first time. The εNd (Т) values of siderite (from –13.4 to –17.6) plot in the field of Riphean shale and not the Precambrian rift gabbro and granite of this region. The obtained Sm–Nd age of the Bakal siderite is 970 ± 40 Ma, which is consistent with the Pb–Pb age of siderite from the major ore phase (~1000 Ma). The established age boundary coincides with tectonic restructuring, including the formation of a number of barite–polymetallic deposits, as well as ferruginous magnesite and fluorite in the Riphean deposits on the western slope of the Southern Urals.

Post-Ore Processes of Uranium Migration in the Sandstone-Hosted Type Deposits: 234U/238U, 238U/235U and U–Pb Systematics of Ores of the Namaru Deposit, Vitim District, Northern Transbaikalia

To assess the nature of the post-ore behaviour of uranium in the Namaru deposit (Khiagda ore field), U–Pb isotope systems and the isotopic composition of uranium (234U/238U and 238U/235U) were studied. The studied samples represent different ore zones of the deposit and were collected along cross-sections both vertically and horizontally. Wide variations in the isotopic composition of uranium and U–Pb isotopic age have been established. Deviations of the 234U/238U ratio from equilibrium values, which for some samples exceed 50%, along with significant variations in the isotopic age, indicate that permafrost layer, which covered the catchment areas of paleovalleys with meteoric oxygen-containing waters ca. 2.5 Ma ago, did not lead to preserving uranium ores at the deposit. Uranium migration took place during the Quaternary period. The effective combining the U–Pb dating and 234U/238U data in assessing the post-ore redistribution of uranium made it possible to recognize: removal of uranium from some zones of the ore body and its accompanying redeposition in others. Wide variations in the 238U/235U (137.484–137.851) ratios throughout the entire studied cross-sections can be explained by the different locations of samples relatively to the ore deposition front and change in redox conditions as this front advanced. Depletion of the light isotope 235U in the lower zone of the ore body may be associated with the influence of ascending carbonic waters established in the regional basement. The effect of such waters on uranium-bearing rocks causes predominant leaching of light 235U.