In the Balkhash region of Kazakhstan, there are numerous copper and copper–molybdenum deposits, including superlarge Aktogay, Aidarly, Kounrad, and large Sayak deposits. Despite the proximity to these ore districts, the Arganaty district of the Eastern Balkhash region has not attracted significant interest in terms of exploration for many years. Our recent work has identified previously undetected copper–molybdenum mineralization in the granites of the Arganaty massif and has provided a new perspective on the economic potential of this area. In this study, based on the geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Arganaty granites using data from XRF and ICP-MS methods, we reassessed the geological structure and prospectivity of this area. Our investigations have found that the intrusive rocks of the Arganaty massif belong to I-type granites and were formed in a subduction setting rather than a collision setting, as was previously believed. This also indicates the high prospects of the territory in the context of the possible discovery of large Cu or Cu–Mo deposits.

The Arganaty Massif in the Eastern Balkhash region (Kazakhstan) is located in a key sector of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, but its petrogenesis and relationship to neighboring Late Palaeozoic intrusions remain poorly constrained. This study presents the first U–Pb zircon age and whole-rock geochemical data for the Arganaty granites, combined with a comparison with massifs of the Northern Balkhash region and Alatau Mountains (East Kazakhstan and Western Xinjiang, NW China). The Arganaty granites have a concordant U–Pb age of 281.5 ± 2.1 Ma. They are high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous I-type granites with low Mg# (0.22–0.33) and Nb/Ta ratios (10.2–17.3). Geochemical comparison indicates close affinity to the Lepsy complex intrusions and eastern plutons of Alatau mountains, rather than to the Katbar complex of Northern Balkhash. The new age and geochemical data show that the Arganaty granites formed in a post-collisional setting after the closure of the Junggar–Balkhash Ocean. Their mixed crust–mantle signature and depth estimates (~30 km) are consistent with lower crustal melting triggered by slab break-off. These results clarify the post-collisional magmatic evolution of the region and contribute to the understanding of Late Palaeozoic crustal growth in the CAOB.

This study presents the digitization and integration of Kazakhstan’s legacy gravimetric maps at a scale of 1:200,000 into a modern geospatial database using ArcGIS. The primary objective was to convert analog gravity data into a structured, queryable, and spatially analyzable digital format to support contemporary geoscientific applications, including geoid modeling and regional geophysical analysis. The project addresses critical gaps in national gravity coverage, particularly in underrepresented regions such as the Caspian Sea basin and the northeastern frontier, thereby enhancing the accessibility and utility of gravity data for multidisciplinary research. The methodology involved a systematic workflow: assessment and selection of gravimetric maps, raster image enhancement, georeferencing, and digitization of observation points and anomaly values. Elevation data and terrain corrections were incorporated where available, and metadata fields were populated with information on the methods and accuracy of elevation determination. Gravity anomalies were recalculated, including Bouguer anomalies (with densities of 2.67 g/cm³ and 2.30 g/cm³), normal gravity, and free-air anomalies. A unified ArcGIS geodatabase was developed, containing spatial and attribute data for all digitized surveys. The final deliverables include a 1:1,000,000-scale gravimetric map of free-air gravity anomalies for the entire territory of Kazakhstan, a comprehensive technical report, and supporting cartographic products. The project adhered to national and international geophysical mapping standards and utilized validated interpolation and error estimation techniques to ensure data quality. The validation process by the modern gravimetric surveys also confirmed the validity and reliability of the digitized historical data. This digitization effort significantly modernizes Kazakhstan’s gravimetric infrastructure, providing a robust foundation for geoid modeling, tectonic studies, and resource exploration.