This article presents a comparative analysis of rock mass fracturing at the Karasu gold deposit, located approximately 400 km northwest of Karaganda, Kazakhstan. The analysis is based on core drilling data and measurements from underground workings, including an old mine that was explored and investigated to gather missing information. The spatial characteristics of fractures and their relationship with tectonic faults are identified. The feasibility of using the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) index for classifying fracture systems is assessed. Engineering and geological studies include the identification of major fracture systems and their characteristics using Leapfrog and Rocscience software, chosen for their ease of use and extensive functionality. The stability parameters of open-pit slopes are calculated, considering the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, the degree of fracturing, and the influence of groundwater. Key engineering and geological elements of the rock mass are identified, emphasizing the necessity of integrating fracture data from various sources to improve the accuracy of mine design and ensure the safe operation of open pits. These studies are part of the exploration phase to assess the geological situation and the physico-mechanical properties of these rocks for further quarry design.

In this paper, the patterns of changes in the strength characteristics of the rocks of the Shuak massif are considered. The research focuses on the analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, taking into account their structure, mineral composition, metasomatic changes, weathering, oxidation and fracturing. In the course of the study, key factors influencing the change in rock strength were identified, such as mineral composition, textural features, degree of fracturing and conditions of occurrence. The obtained results can be used to predict the behavior of rocks in the conditions of field development, as well as in the design of engineering structures on the territory of the massif. Patterns of rock fracturing changes depending on tectonic disturbances and intrusion contacts have also been established, which should be taken into account when organizing engineering and geological studies.

The primary objective of this study is to identify fracture systems based on drilling data and underground mining operations collected during engineering-geological surveys in the North Karasu deposit area.

Developing the country's mineral resource base plays a key role in economic growth, especially through the exploitation of small deposits often located in complex geological conditions. For the successful implementation of mineral extraction projects in such conditions, it is necessary to consider not only geological features but also technical aspects, such as engineering-geological conditions. Investigating these features helps determine the optimal strategies for deposit development and ensures the safety and efficiency of mining operations. Engineering-geological studies, by analyzing the physical and mechanical properties, allow for a detailed understanding of rock masses and clarification of geological conditions to justify the most effective mining methods and the construction of mining facilities. One example of the interest mining companies have in developing promising areas located in complex geological settings is the Shuak Ore District discussed in this paper, which is associated with gold-copper-olybdenum mineralization and lies in a zone of tectonomagmatic activity. A comprehensive set of engineering-geological studies was conducted to assess the feasibility of constructing open-pit mines in the ore field areas. These studies included the examination of the physical and mechanical properties of drill core samples, the determination of the geological strength index, and the structural disturbance index of the rock mass. Based on these indicators, engineering-geological elements were identified, and rock strength passports for the rock mass were created, which are used to calculate the parameters of the open pits. General patterns of changes in rock fracturing of different compositions, degrees of oxidation, and weathering due to tectonic disturbances and intrusive contacts were established. These factors must be considered when organizing engineering-geological surveys, selecting mining directions, and planning operations in both host and ore-bearing rocks in each section of the ore district.