Purpose. Exploration and predicting the prospective areas in the Zhezkazgan ore region to set up detailed prospecting and evaluation works using new integrated technologies of prediction constructions in the mineral deposits geology. Methods. An integrated methodological approach is used, including methods for deciphering the Earth’s remote sensing (ERS) data, the use of geophysical data and methods of analogy and actualism. All constructions are made in accordance with the principles of shock-explosive tectonics (SET). Prediction constructions are started with the selection of remote sensing data for the studied region and interpretation based on the processing of radar satellite images obtained from the Radarsat-1 satellite. The radar satellite images are processed in the Erdas Imagine software package. Findings. New local prospective areas have been identified, within which it is expected to discover the deposits. Their reserves are to replenish the depleted ore base in the Zhezkazgan region. Area of the gravity maximum 1 (the Near), considered to be the most promising, is located in close proximity to the city of Zhezkazgan; area of the gravity maximum 2 (the Middle); area of the gravity maximum 3 (the Distant-Tabylga); area of the gravity maximum 6 (the Central). A prospective area has been also revealed, overlaid by a loose sediment cover and located inside the Terekty ring structure, as well as the area of a thick stratum of pyritized grey sandstones, which is adjacent to the Sh-2 well drilled to the south of the Zhezkazgan field. Originality. The use of a new prediction technology, in contrast to the known ones, is conditioned by the widespread use of the latest remote information from satellite images, which increases the accuracy of identifying the prospective areas of fields. Practical implications. The new technology for predicting mineral deposits makes it possible to significantly reduce the areas exposed to priority prospecting, which provides significant cost savings.

This article presents the results of a study on lithium mineralization in salt flats and underground aquifers of the Shu–Sarysu depression. Analysis of brine samples collected from 2022 to 2023, utilizing spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, reveals elevated concentrations that hold commercial promise. These findings may have significant implications for exploration efforts and estimation regarding the lithium resource potential, which is currently in high demand. This article examines data regarding lithium brine deposits worldwide, focusing on their geology. The research methodology involves delineating regions of salt flat distribution through remote sensing data interpretation, fieldwork, and laboratory analysis, particularly for surface brines. Underground lithium-bearing brines are detected within oil and gas structures. The article presents findings from analytical studies conducted on saline and co-produced formation brines collected during the 2022 field season, with a specific focus on the epiplatform regions of Kazakhstan, encompassing the Shu–Sarysu depression.

In this paper, we outline a study conducted on altered rocks in Central Kazakhstan, in particular, focusing on secondary quartzites. The study reveals a connection between copper-porphyry deposits in Central Kazakhstan and secondary quartzites. Recent research has unveiled gold mineralization in various secondary quartzite massifs, which has spurred further investigations in the region. Over the past three decades, extensive studies have been conducted that have demonstrated similarities among the gold deposits in this area and epithermal gold-silver deposits in volcanic-plutonic arcs around the world. By identifying patterns in the distribution of gold mineralization and developing regional exploration criteria, researchers have comprehensively assessed 48 secondary quartzite massifs and have prioritized promising areas for further exploration. Valuable findings have emerged from detailed examinations of the Akgirek and Birlestik massifs, which have involved drilling exploration wells up to a depth of 250 m. These investigations have shed light on the depth distribution of metasomatites and their association with gold mineralization. Consequently, these findings strengthen our belief in the significant potential for gold mineralization in the secondary quartzites of the Jungar-Balkhash folded system.

Purpose. To identify the lithium content of mineralized saline lands in the lower reaches of the Chu and Sarysu Rivers and the gold content of the Inder and Shalkar salt domes, and to give a predictive estimate of their industrial prospects. Methodology. The basis of the research methodology is a classic combination of prospecting and surveying: collection of precursor materials, field work, including object mapping, hydro- and lithochemical sampling, analytical studies and analysis of laboratory data. Findings. We carried out the whole complex of the planned works on the sites under study. As a result, in 76 % of the analyzed water samples lithium content was found to be higher than clarkee in seawater (0.17 mg/l) by 1.2–2.4–4.12 times. Lithium content in salts and soils is noted in significantly lower values of lithium clarkee in the Earth’s crust, in rare cases lithium values in samples are 1.5–2 times higher than clarkee. Out of 25 samples of the Shalkar salt dome area, Au was found in 9 samples with grades from 1.36 to 6.02 g/t. The percentage of significant samples is 36 %. The average Au content in the Shalkar salt dome taking into account all other “empty” samples is 1.2 g/t. According to these data, taking into account modern technologies of extraction of Au at its low content, the Shalkar salt dome may well be classified as a large-volume deposit of poor ores. The results of quantitative analysis by atomic absorption of samples from the Inder salt dome also indicate the presence of significant Au content in seven samples – from 1.6 to 3.9 g/t. The average gold content for the entire volume of samples taken would be 0.78 g/t, which can be considered commercially significant under current conditions. The given results of hydromineral raw materials research for possible extraction of lithium and noble metals, despite their preliminary character and insignificant volumes, unequivocally indicate the necessity of large-scale exploration works for final evaluation of the described objects and identification of new ones similar to them. Originality. The originality of the study is that such work has been carried out for the first time. Quantitative assessment of lithium and gold content in saline lands and salt domes of Kazakhstan showed an excess of their clarkee and the prospects of these objects for further research. Practical value. significance lies in the identification of lithium content of hydromineral raw materials and gold content of salt domes of Kazakhstan as possible cost-effective new sources of lithium and gold.

В статье представлены результаты исследования литиевой минерализации в солончаках Чу-Сарысуйской депрессии. В статье описана методика проводимых исследований, которая основана на выделении территорий распространения солончаков с помощью визуального дешифрирования материалов ДЗЗ (дистанционное зондирование земли), полевых работах и лабораторно-аналитических исследованиях. Дается информация о результатах аналитических исследований, проведенных с использованием спектроскопии и рентгеновской дифракции проб рапы, отобранных в полевой сезон 2022 года. Полученные результаты показали повышенное содержание лития в пробах, что имеет важное значение для разворота поисково-оценочных работ с целью выявления в стране нового геолого-промышленного типа (ГПТ) литиевого сырья, являющегося на современном этапе очень востребованным в производстве батарей для мобильных устройств и электромобилей. Это исследование является первым шагом в оценке ресурсного потенциала Чу-Сарысуйской депрессии и открывает новые перспективы для дальнейшего изучения этой проблемы в эпиплатформенных областях Казахстана, в частности на территории впадины Чу-Сарысу Мақалада Шу-Сарысу ойпатының тұзды батпақтарындағы литий минералдануын зерттеу нәтижелері келтірілген. Мақалада қашықтықтан зондтау материалдарын визуалды интерпретациялау, далалық жұмыстар мен зертханалық-аналитикалық зерттеулер көмегімен сортаңдардың таралу аймақтарын бөлуге негізделген ағымдағы зерттеулердің әдістемесі сипатталған. 2022 жылғы дала маусымында алынған тұзды ерітінділердің үлгілерінің спектроскопиясы мен рентгендік дифракциясын қолдану арқылы жүргізілген аналитикалық зерттеулердің нәтижелері туралы ақпарат берілген. Алынған нәтижелер сынамалардағы литий мөлшерінің жоғары екен екенін көрсетті, бұл елде қазіргі уақытта литий шикізатының жаңа геологиялық-өнеркәсіптік түрін анықтау мақсатында іздестіру және бағалау жұмыстарын дамыту үшін маңызды болуы мүмкін. Бұл қазіргі кезеңде мобильді құрылғылар мен электромобильдерге арналған аккумуляторлар өндірісінде өте сұранысқа ие. Бұл зерттеу Шу-Сарысу ойпатының ресурстық әлеуетін бағалаудың алғашқы қадамы болып табылады және Қазақстанның эпиплатформалық аймақтарында, атап айтқанда, Шу-Сарысу ойпатының аумағында осы мәселені одан әрі зерттеудің жаңа перспективаларын ашады The article presents the results of a study on lithium mineralization in the salt marshes of the Chu-Sarysu depression. The article describes the methodology of the conducted research, which is based on the identification of territories of salt marsh distribution using visual interpretation of remote sensing materials, field work, and laboratory-analytical studies. Information is given about the results of analytical studies conducted using spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction of samples taken during the field season of 2022. The obtained results showed an elevated lithium content in the samples, which may have important implications for the development of prospecting and assessment works aimed at identifying a new geological-industrial type (GIT) of lithium raw materials in the country, which is currently in high demand in the production of batteries for mobile devices and electric vehicles. This study is the first step in assessing the resource potential of the Chu-Sarysu depression and opens up new prospects for further studying this issue in the epipplatform areas of Kazakhstan, particularly in the territory of the Chu-Sarysu depression