Mining of Mineral Deposits

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Structural-formational zones with porphyry copper mineralization – A promising mineral resource base for copper in Eastern Kazakhstan

Altynay Ragdanova1, Indira Mataibayeva1, Olga Frolova1, Bakytgul Agaliyeva1, Alla Dolgopolova2, Kuanysh Togizov3

1D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

2Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom

3Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan


Min. miner. depos. 2025, 19(1):107-120


https://doi.org/10.33271/mining19.01.107

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      ABSTRACT

      Purpose. The article is dedicated to the informational analysis of the geological-genetic systematization of all known porphyry copper mineralization sites within the territory of Eastern Kazakhstan, with a focus on refining their structural and chronological position, magmatic association, material composition of the mineralization, and its zonality.

      Methods. A prospective assessment of porphyry copper deposits is considered within four structural-formational zones (SFZs) – Rudny Altai, Zharma-Saur, Chingiz-Tarbagatai, and Dzungaro-Balkhash, where various types of porphyry mineralization are documented. During the desk study phase, an informational analysis was conducted, which involved collecting, summarizing, and analyzing archival, fund, and literature data on all known porphyry-type occurrences recorded since the previous century within the aforementioned SFZs. The compilation and analysis of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data were based on reports from prospecting and evaluation studies conducted in the study area.

      Findings. The informational analysis allowed for the specification of prospecting and evaluation criteria, classification of the mineralization with comparison to global analogs, and refinement of the mineralization scale. Based on this, objects with potential for industrially significant mineralization were identified. A thorough review of archival data led to the creation of a geological database covering 23 major occurrences, each with its respective evaluation.

      Originality. The study results indicate that despite the generally low ore grades in these deposits, their reserves, compared to other industrial copper deposit types (volcanogenic massive sulfide, skarn, and vein-type), are exceptionally large. This makes them economically viable for open-pit mining. Moreover, the low cost of open-pit copper extraction and the complex nature of the ores explain the industry’s interest in this deposit type as a primary copper source, both at present and in the future.

      Practical implications. The study provides an assessment of the practical significance of molybdenum-copper porphyry and gold-copper-polymetallic porphyry-type deposits. These findings serve as a foundation for decision-making regarding further exploration of porphyry occurrences in Eastern Kazakhstan.

      Keywords: opper-bearing sandstones, ore occurrence, ore zone, porphyry copper, Eastern Kazakhstan


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