PROSPECTIVITY OF KRASNOPOLYANSKY DISTRICT IN SOCHI (RUSSIA) FOR PRECIOUS METAL MINERALIZATION

Abstract

The article presents theoretical pre-requisites for gold mineralization in the Jurassic black shale strata of the Krasnaya Polyana geostructural zone of the North Caucasus. A brief historical review of investigation and extraction of gold in the area of the Mzymta and Shahe rivers was made. The search criteria and criteria of endogenous precious metal mineralization in black shale are identified: the presence of magmatic vein complexes in the region, lithostratigraphic and lithogeochemical barriers, deep-seated regional faults and other en echelon faults, sulphide mineralization. In 2013, during a geological field trip, the ore zone on the right side of the Mzymta River was located and investigated. Mineralized black shale and Mesozoic limestone cut through the intrusive body of gabbro-diorites, with a complex zonal structure. The microscopic analysis data showed that a significant part of the ore mineralization is represented by pyrite with globular structure, which is an important criterion in the genesis of sulfide deposits. Increased sulfide content, structural features of magmatic bodies, as well as chemical analysis data indicate their prospectivity for gold content.

Keywords

• золото
• Северный Кавказ
• черносланцевые толщи
• сферолиты пирита