KOM′YA-KURAY GOLD PLACER OF THE ATLYAN GROUP, MIASS RIVER VALLEY, AND PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION OF GOLD PLACERS OF THE SOUTH URALS

Abstract

Fifty six minerals were identified in 231 heave concentrates from 30 boreholes of the Kom′yaKuray gold placer of the Atlyan placer group, which have been mined since 1930 to 1960 and additionally explored in 1980s–1990s. Explorations works revealed incompletely mined areas with relict «nugget» Au grades in alluvial sediments (with technogenic dumps of former gold extraction). Gold grains are heterogeneous in composition: the central areas with fineness of 712–880 ‰ are enriched in Ag (up to electrum), whereas a fine rim is composed of the higher fineness gold (938– 995 ‰) (as well as the smallest grains). Cupriferous gold and copper and silver (kustelite) with higher Au contents are also found. The Ufaley, Kundravy, Gumbeyka, Toguzak, and Sinara gold placer areas of the South Urals, which include 37 gold placers, are now considered to be promising for future exploration.

Keywords

• placer minerals
• gold
• atlyan river
• miass river valley
• south urals