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.

Purpose. This article focuses on analyzing the geodynamic processes that underline the formation of the Shu-Ile ore zone. The study is based on the principles of plume tectonics, which have gained widespread recognition in the geological community in recent decades. Methods. The article considers the main aspects of the plume-tectonic concept, including the mechanisms of mantle material flows and their impact on regional geological processes. Special attention is paid to analyzing tectonic and magmatic events associated with forming the Shu-Ile ore zone within plume-tectonic mechanisms. Findings. The study highlights the critical role of mantle plumes in influencing the geodynamic evolution of the Shu-Ile ore zone. Geochemical and geophysical evidence reveals the composition and characteristics of magmatic rocks, demonstrated a direct link between mantle plume processes and ore potential in the region. The findings underscore how mantle-derived material flows have significantly contributed to the formation of geological structures and mineral resources. Originality. The study results offer a new perspective on the geological history of the Shu-Ile ore zone, emphasizing the significance of plume tectonics as a critical factor in the geodynamic processes involved in ore deposit formation. Practical implications. This research is practical for geological studies and forecasting promising ore deposits in this region. It may serve as a basis for further research on plume tectonics and its influence on forming geological structures and mineral resources.

Purpose. Study on the chemical composition of lake waters, salt brines, brine and bottom sediments to identify the mineralization of rare metals and other types of minerals. Methodology. Mass spectrometric studies (mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ICP-MS 7500cx from AgilentTechnologies) for the purpose of high-precision analytical studies on the chemical composition of salt lake water in order to assess the content of rare elements. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles for linking and geometrizing lakes. Findings. Field surveys on the geometrization and linking of lakes were carried out. From the materials obtained with the help of the drone, orthophotoplans were created (with a measurement accuracy of up to 1 centimeter), as well as a digital terrain model and a digital terrain model. A complex of analytical works was carried out using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. When analyzing the distribution graphs of the absolute content of micro-components in the waters of the lakes of the Delbegeteysky massif, it was found that all samples were enriched with sodium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and barium. The results of the analyses revealed the predominance of sulfates and chlorides in the composition of the surface waters of most of the water bodies of the Delbegeteysky massif. At the Burabai site, lake waters are characterized by an alkaline reaction of the environment (on average = 8.71). At the same time, the salinity of water bodies varies from 05 to 9 g/dm3. Originality. Large-scale outcrops of granites of the Kalba complex (P1), with which a rare-metal type of mineralization is genetically associated, are known to be on the selected study sites. Quartz-wire-greisen and quartz-wire tin, tin-tungsten and tungsten formations are also widely developed. Considering the large geochemical migration ability of rare alkaline elements in the thickness of loose sediments as a result of intensive geodynamic processes in the East Kazakhstan region, it is possible to assume the possibility of their migration to the upper horizons and accumulation in salt lakes localized within the area of development of granite intrusions of Permian age and associated deep tectonic faults. Practical value. The results of the research can serve as a revival of the rare metal industry in the region, which will allow developing new high-tech industries and creating new jobs in this area. The obtained results can be used for setting up further exploration and operational work on the selected promising areas.

Remote sensing can support mineral exploration in geologically complex terrains, but distinguishing mineralisation-associated spectral responses from lithological and surficial variability remains challenging. This study presents and evaluates an integrated workflow for delineating and prioritising prospective zones for gold mineralisation at the Suzdal deposit, Kazakhstan. Sentinel-2 imagery was analysed using diagnostic band ratios, unsupervised spectral clustering, principal component analysis (PCA), and reference-signature-based spectral similarity classification. The resulting spectral patterns were integrated with lithological contacts, structural–geomorphological features, residual structures, denudation patterns, and lineaments; the delineated prospective zones were subsequently evaluated using independent exploration-drilling data and supporting geophysical information. PCA highlighted broad multispectral variability, whereas spectral similarity classification provided more spatially explicit delineation of mineralisation-associated surface responses. Higher-priority zones were identified where complementary remotely sensed responses converged within favourable geological–structural domains. Quantitative validation showed that 6 of 7 assay-confirmed Au-positive drill holes occurred within the delineated prospective zones, corresponding to a Spatial Capture Rate (SCR) of 85.7%. The novelty lies in combining deposit-specific geological criteria with complementary Sentinel-2 analyses within a unified targeting framework and subsequently evaluating the resulting prospectivity pattern against independent exploration evidence. The workflow provides a reproducible approach for exploration-target prioritisation at Suzdal and potentially in comparable gold-mineralised settings in Kazakhstan.

The mineralogical composition of ores from the Artemyevskoye deposit, located in the Irtysh ore district of the Rudny Altai polymetallic belt, has been investigated. The ores exhibit complex mineralogical zoning and are classified into barite-polymetallic, polymetallic, copper-zinc, and copper types. Both the primary ores and their beneficiation products contain elevated concentrations of a wide range of trace elements, which in many cases exceed the clarke values for volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks by an order of magnitude or more. Against the background of progressive depletion of polymetallic ore reserves in the Rudny Altai, the processing and recycling of mining and beneficiation waste are considered a potentially sustainable source not only of major metals but also of strategically important and commercially valuable by-products (Bi, Cd, Ga, Sb, In and others) Артемьев кенорнының минералдық құрамы зерттелді. Кенорны кенді Алтай полиметалл белдеуінің Прииртыш кен ауданы аумағында орналасқан. Кендер күрделі минералдық аймақталуымен ерекшеленеді және барит-полиметаллды, полиметаллды, мыс-мырышты және мыс типтеріне бөлінеді. Түпкі кендер де, оларды байыту өнімдері де микроэлементтердің кең спектрінің жоғары концентрацияларын қамтиды, олар көптеген жағдайларда жанартаутектітерригенді жыныстарға тән кларк мәндерінен бір немесе бірнеше ретті жоғары болады. Кенді Алтайдағы полиметалл кендерінің қорының біртіндеп сарқылу жағдайында өндіру және байыту кезіндегі техногендік қалдықтарды қайта өңдеуге тарту негізгі металдардың ғана емес, сонымен қатар стратегиялық маңызды және коммерциялық тұрғыдан құнды қоспа компоненттердің (Bi, Cd, Ga, Sb, In және т. б.) тұрақты көзі ретінде қарастырылады Изучен минералогический состав руд месторождения Артемьевское, расположенного в Прииртышском рудном районе Рудно-Алтайского полиметаллического пояса. Руды характеризуются сложной минералогической зональностью и подразделяются на барит-полиметаллические, полиметаллические, медно-цинковые и медные типы. Как коренные руды, так и продукты их обогащения содержат повышенные концентрации широкого спектра микроэлементов, которые во многих случаях превышают кларковые значения для вулканогенно-осадочных пород на порядок и более. На фоне прогрессирующего истощения запасов полиметаллических руд Рудного Алтая вовлечение в переработку техногенных продуктов добычи и обогащения рассматривается как потенциально устойчивый источник не только основных металлов, но и стратегически важных и коммерчески значимых попутных компонентов (Bi, Cd, Ga, Sb, In и др.)

Porphyry copper deposits are one of the main sources of copper in the world and are usually associated with intrusive complexes of calc-alkaline composition formed in subduction-related geodynamic settings. Eastern Kazakhstan is characterized by the presence of a number of large porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits, but the metallogenic potential of many intrusive complexes in the region remains insufficiently studied. This paper presents new geological, mineralogical, and geochemical data on the Bala-Urpek deposit, located within the Sarykol intrusive complex (Eastern Kazakhstan), aimed at identifying diagnostic criteria for porphyry copper mineralization. The present study is based on field geological observations, petrographic analysis, and whole-rock geochemical data obtained by XRF and ICP-MS. Intrusive ore-bearing rocks are mainly represented by granitoids of the calc-alkaline series with I-type geochemical characteristics. Mineralogical studies have revealed veinlet-disseminated sulphide mineralisation, represented mainly by chalcopyrite and pyrite, as well as the development of hydrothermal alteration associations typical of porphyry systems. The geochemical characteristics of the rocks, including enrichment with large-ion lithophile elements and depletion with high-charge elements, indicate the subduction nature of magmatism. The combination of the data obtained allows us to identify geological, mineralogical and geochemical criteria characteristic of copper-porphyry systems and indicates the potential of the Bala-Urpek deposit area and the associated apophyses of the Sarykol complex for further exploration and prospecting.