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.

This study analyzes the ore potential of the tectono-stratigraphic zones in the Shyngys-Tarbagatai folded system using metallogenic diagrams. These diagrams condense extensive geological and metallogenic data, illustrating stratified and intrusive formations, formation types, depositional environments, and ore loads in chronological sequence. The analysis highlights variations in ore mineralization intensity across the zones, identifying both highly and less ore-bearing areas. Most zones show polymetallic mineralization with 2 to 12 types of minerals; gold and copper are present in all zones. Temporal analysis identified key productive levels in the Late Ordovician, Early Silurian, and Early Devonian, corresponding to active stages of island arcs, forearc and backarc basins, and the Devonian volcanic–plutonic belt. The structures of the Shyngys-Tarbagatai folded system are classified as island-arc structures of active continental margins. Comparing the ore potential of its tectono-stratigraphic zones with similar modern structures shows that, except for the Maikain zone, all others have significantly lower ore potential. The obtained data is most likely a result of the region’s poor exploration coverage. As such, future efforts should prioritize further investigation of the identified mineralization zones. This is evident from the dominance of small, medium, and large deposits, and ore occurrences in all tectono-stratigraphic zones when assessing their ore potential. Preliminary analysis of the ore potential in the tectono-stratigraphic zones of the Shyngys-Tarbagatai folded system, based on metallogenic diagrams, clearly supports the need for regional and exploration studies. These should focus on poorly explored stratigraphic levels, ore-bearing geological formations, and geodynamic settings that are favorable for deposit formation. This will provide a more accurate assessment of the potential in these zones.

The Shyngys–Tarbagatai folded system of Kazakhstan, located in the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, represents a promising yet still insufficiently studied metallogenic region of Kazakhstan. The aim of the present study was to reassess its ore potential based on modern geotectonic concepts and a comprehensive metallogenic analysis. An evaluation of the ore potential of nine structural–formational zones was carried out, and their metallogenic specialization was determined. The dominant role of gold and copper mineralization was established, along with the features of spatial distribution of ore occurrences and the most promising areas for further exploration. It was shown that the most ore-rich stratigraphic levels include the Early Cambrian, Late Ordovician, Early Silurian, Early Devonian, and Late Devonian units. It was demonstrated that the formation of the main ore types is closely related to productive geodynamic settings, including Early Paleozoic oceanic rifts, island-arc complexes, and the Devonian continental-margin volcano-plutonic belt. Based on the obtained results, a map of prospective areas at a scale of 1:1,500,000 was compiled, and these areas were ranked according to their degree of prospectivity. A total of 51 targets were identified as priority sites for follow-up prospecting, evaluation, and detailed exploration work.

The article presents the results of hydrochemical and geochemical sampling of 10 solonchaks in the western Aral Sea region, with determination of lithium concentrations. The methodology used to investigate surface brines involves identifying salt flat areas through visual interpretation of remote sensing data, fieldwork, and laboratory analyses for lithium detection. Lithium content was determined by atomic emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption analysis. A total of 68 brine samples were analyzed: in 41 samples, the lithium concentration ranged from 1 to 10 mg/L, and in 27 samples, from 10 to 20 mg/L. Additionally, 63 samples of salts, silt, and loams were analyzed, in which the lithium content ranged from 1 to 30 g/t; only in 12 samples did this value exceed 30 g/t. Based on the sampling results, the Kitbay and Eastern Koshkarata solonchaks were identified as having relatively elevated lithium concentrations, substantiating the need for further exploration and appraisal studies in the Aral Sea region to identify a new hydromineral type of lithium raw material. This study is relevant to Kazakhstan in the context of assessing the lithium resource potential of brines in the Aral Sea region and opens up new prospects for their further investigation.