Sources of noble metals (Au, Pt, Pd) in the North Caucasus

Abstract

Research subject. To date, two different-age regional sources of noble metals have been identified in the North Caucasus: 1) Caledonian, which includes ultrabasites of the Front Range (Au, Pt, Pd) and 2) Hercynian, which features copper-pyrite (Au) and black-shale deposits (Au, Pt, Pd). Noble metals in these sources form large areal accumulations and ore anomalies, thus presenting a great research interest.Materials and methods. This paper reports the results of a long-term geological fieldwork, which consisted in a detailed geological and mineralogical mapping of the Devonian shale and volcanic rocks, as well as of the Ordovician ultrabasites, in the North Caucasus. During this work, maps, diagrams and sections of ore mineralization sites were complied, and collection of lithogeochemical, ore and groove samples was conducted. Laboratory studies included the examination of the obtained samples using geochemical, petrographic, mineragraphic and physico-mineralogical methods.Results. The main sources of Au, Pt and Pd, as well as the genetic types of their deposits were established. Four different-age geochemical anomalies (fields) with a constant total Au, Pt and Pd content of over than 1 g/t were identified.Conclusion. Large-scale Au, Pt and Pd anomalies in the North Caucasus have been discovered, which form a new North Caucasian province of noble metals.

Keywords

• north caucasus
• noble metals
• gold
• platinum
• palladium
• areal anomalies
• metallogenicpotential