The carbonatite complexes of the Central Asian carbonatite province comprise the Siberian carbonatites of the Western Transbaikalia and the Central Tuva regions, as well as those from the Mushugai-Khudag complex in Southern Mongolia. They are confined to Late Mesozoic rift structures and have endured considerable tectono-magmatic processes caused by intense plume activity, which also accompanied their formation. A systematic study of melt and fluid inclusions revealed that these carbonatites formed as a result of immiscibility processes in silicate–carbonate (salt) melts, as well as fractional crystallization. Alkaline–carbonatite rocks crystallized in the presence of brine–melts with different compositions, i.e., alkaline–fluorine, carbonate, sulfate, phosphate, and chloride. These melts are responsible for mineralization during the orthomagmatic stage and the primary phase of Fe-F-P-(Ba)-(Sr)-REE ore formation at temperature ranges of 850–830 °C, 650–610 °C, and 560–440 °C and pressures between 290 and 350 MPa. At a later stage, the brine–melts evolved into saline hydrothermal fluids, which are considered to be the source of the second stage of F-(Ba)-(Sr)-REE ore mineralization. The saline crystal–fluid inclusions consist mainly of fluorine–sulfate–carbonate–chloride and bicarbonate–chloride compositions, with temperatures of approximately 480–250 °C and pressures below 250 MPa. The shift from melt to fluid in carbonatite complexes could occur more frequently in nature than previously believed and could also apply to other F-REE carbonatite complexes that are linked to rifting and plume activity in mountain-building zones.

Fluorite mineralization associated with different types of magmatism is common in the Western Transbaikalia. This study deals with Arshan, Yuzhnoe, and Ulan-Ude fluorite occurrences, which are the most significant examples of carbonatite-related fluorite mineralization in the region. The present paper focused on new fluorite geochemistry and fluid inclusion data, is aimed at revealing conditions of the fluorite mineralization formation, highlighting its genetic relationship with magmatism, compared to other deposits of this type. All the three locations belong to the Late Mesozoic Central Asian carbonatite province. Fluorites here are characterized by high rare earth elements (REE), Sr, and elevated La/Yb values. Fluid inclusions data imply that the formation of fluorite mineralization is a long process extending from late magmatic to the hydrothermal stage. Early fluorite crystallized from sulfate-carbonate orthomagmatic fluids at temperatures up to 500 °C. True hydrothermal fluorite was formed from the same fluids that were probably mixed with meteoric waters, which caused the temperature to drop to below 420 °C and led to an increase in the chloride component. The REE compositions of fluorite from the studied locations are similar to compositions of REE-rich fluorites from carbonatite-related deposits around the world.

This article presents data on the composition of biotite from igneous rocks of the Shakhtama complex, which are associated with various types of mineralization in Eastern Transbaikalia: Au-Cu-Fe-skarn, skarn-porphyry, Mo-porphyry, rare-metal–greisen, Au-polymetallic and Au-Bi. The major element and halogen contents were determined by EPMA. The content of trace elements was determined by means of LA-ICP-MS. As a result, the specific traits of the composition of the biotite of igneous rocks associated with specific types of mineralization of the Eastern Transbaikalia were determined. The biotites of rare-metal–greisen deposits are characterized by the maximum content of fluorine (>2 wt. %) and low chlorine content (0.47). Within Eastern Transbaikalia, igneous rocks developed at the Bystrinsky deposit are potentially ore-bearing for the “classic” porphyry type of mineralization. They have the highest values of IV(F/Cl) (4.9–7.1) and IV(F) (2–2.8) and the lowest values of Log(X_Mg/X_Fe) (0.1–0.4). The trace element composition clearly distinguishes biotites from rare-metal–greisen deposits and is identified by the highest contents (ppm) Ga > 65, Li > 600, Sn > 20, Mn > 2000, Cs > 50, Zn > 600. Biotites of Au-polymetallic and Au-Bi deposits occupy an average position between rare-metal–greisen and Mo-porphyry ones. Biotites of Mo-porphyry deposits differ in minimum values (ppm) of Sn < 3, Zn < 160, and low values of Li (150–290), V (290–440), and Ga (39–48). In general, the chemical composition of biotites shows that the degree of igneous rock fractionation of deposits increases in the series: porphyry–skarn–polymetallic–rare-metal.

The Kultuma deposit is among the largest and most representative Au–Cu–Fe–skarn deposits situated in Eastern Transbaikalia. However, its genetic classification is still a controversial issue. The deposit is confined to the similarly named massif of the Shakhtama complex, which is composed mainly of quartz monzodiorite-porphyry and second-phase monzodiorite-porphyry. The magmatic rocks are characterized by a low Fe₂O₃/FeO ratio, low magnetic susceptibility and belong to meta-aluminous, magnesian high-potassic calc-alkalic reduced granitoids of type I. The results of ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating showed that the formation of magmatic rocks proceeded during the Late Jurassic time: 161.5–156.8 Ma. Relatively low Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu* and Dy/Yb ratios in the zircons indicate that the studied magmatic rocks were formed under relatively reduced conditions and initially contained a rather low amount of magmatic water. A mineralogical–geochemical investigation allowed us to outline five main stages (prograde skarn, retrograde skarn, potassic alteration, propylitic (hydrosilicate) alteration and late low-temperature alteration) of mineral formation, each of them being characterized by a definite paragenetic mineral association. The major iron, gold and copper ores were formed at the stage of retrograde skarn and potassic alteration, while the formation of polymetallic ores proceeded at the stage of propylitic alteration. The obtained timing of the formation of retrograde skarn (156.3 Ma) and magmatic rocks of the Shakhtama complex, along with the direct geological observations, suggest their spatial–temporal and genetic relationship. The data obtained on the age of magmatic rocks and ore mineralization are interpreted as indicating the formation of the Kultuma deposit that proceeded at the final stages of collision. Results of the investigation of the isotope composition of S in sulfide minerals point to their substantial enrichment with the heavy sulfur isotope (δ³⁴S from 6.6 to 16‰). The only exclusion with anomalous low δ³⁴S values (from 1.4 to 3.7‰) is pyrrhotite from retrograde skarns of the Ochunogda region. These differences are, first of all, due to the composition of the host rocks. Results of the studies of C and O isotope composition allow us to conclude that one of the main sources of carbon was the host rocks of the Bystrinskaya formation, while the changes in the isotope composition of oxygen are mainly connected with decarbonization processes and the interactions of magmatic fluids, host rocks and meteoric waters. The fluids that are responsible for the formation of the mineral associations of retrograde skarns and the zones of potassic alteration at the Kultuma deposit were reduced, moderately hot (~360–440 °C) and high-pressure (estimated pressure is up to 2.4 kbar). The distinguishing features of the fluids in the zones of potassic alteration at the Ochunogda region are a lower concentration and lower estimated pressure values (~1.7 kbar). The propylitic alteration took place with the participation of reduced lower-temperature (~280–320 °C) and lower-pressure (1–1.2 kbar) fluids saturated with carbon dioxide, which were later on diluted with meteoric waters to become more water-rich and low-temperature (~245–260 °C). The studies showed that the main factors that affected the distribution and specificity of mineralization are magmatic, lithological and structural–tectonic ones. Results of the studies allow us to classify the Kultuma deposit as a Au–Cu–Fe–skarn deposit related to reduced intrusion.

Many gold and gold-bearing complex deposits related to the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous magmatism are known in Eastern Transbaikalia. The largest deposits are the Lugokan, the Kultuma and the Bystrinsky. These deposits are in a paragenetic relationship with the Late Jurassic magmatic rocks of the Shakhtama complex. According to the available data, the total resources of gold in these three deposits are estimated to be approximately 443 tons: the Lugokan, Au~53 tons, Cu~302 thousand tons; the Kultuma, Au~121 tons, Cu~587 thousand tons, Fe~33 mln t; the Bystrinsky, Au~269 tons, Cu~2070 thousand tons, Fe~67 mln t. One of the main aims of this work was to reveal the criteria of fertility for the classical porphyry type, based on the specific geochemical features of rock-forming and accessory minerals. A comparison of the obtained results with other data on the large porphyry and skarn deposits of the world showed that the magmatic rocks of the Bystrinsky massif, specifically porphyry species dated 159.6–158.6 Ma, are potentially ore-bearing for the porphyry type mineralization. The magmatic rocks that widely occur at the Lugokan and Kultuma deposits are most close to the Fe-skarn deposits. The best indicators of the magma fertility for the porphyry rocks are Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu*, Yb/Dy, (Ce/Nd)/Y in zircons. Thus, magmatic rocks characterized by Ce/Ce* > 100, Eu/Eu* > 0.4, Yb/Dy > 5.0 and (Ce/Nd)/Y > 0.01 may be classified as high fertile for the classical porphyry mineralization in Eastern Transbaikalia. The plagioclase and biotite chemistry data also showed that the magmatic rocks that occurred at the Bystrinsky deposit are the most fertile for the porphyry type mineralization. The magmatic rocks classified as ore-bearing porphyry type have Al* > 1 in plagioclase, high values of IV(F) and IV(F/Cl) and low ratios of X(F)/X(OH) in biotites. The assessment of the metal fertility of magmatic rocks is most effective in combination with data on both the composition of rock-forming and accessory minerals. The obtained data may be used to develop the methods of prediction and search for gold, copper and iron mineralization.

Link for citation: Kuzhuget R.V., Ankusheva N.N., Kadyr-ool Ch.O., Redina A.A., Prokopyev I.R., Ponomarchuk A.V. Khaak-Sair gold-sulfide-quartz ore occurrence (Western Tuva): dating, PT parameters, fluid composition, and isotopes of S, O and C. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2021, vol. 332, no. 12, рр. 148-163. In Rus. The relevance of the research is caused by the need to determine the age and fluid regime of formation of Khaak-Sair gold-sulfide-quartz ore occurrence in listwanites, characterized by a peculiar ore mineral composition, expressed in the presence of mercurial gold, selenides (fichesserite, naumannite, timannite, claustallite) and tellurides (hessite, Te-bismuthite and coloradoite). The research is aimed to date and examine PT ore-bearing fluid parameters and geochemical peculiarities, and the fluid sources of Khaak-Sair gold-sulfide-quartz ore occurrence in Western Tuva. Methods. 40Ar/39Ar dating was carried out by the method of step heating. The optical studies of ores were performed on Olympus BX41 and P-213M optical microscopes. The mineral composition was detected using MIRA 3 LMU scanning electron microscope with EDU of Oxford Instruments Nanoanalysis Ltd. The temperatures, salt composition, salinities and fluid pressures were obtained from individual fluid inclusions using Linkam TMS-600 stage equipped with Olympus BX 51 optical microscope; the volatile composition of fluid inclusions was examined on Ramanor U-1000 spectrometer with the Horiba DU420E-OE-323 detector, Millennia Pro laser (Spectra-Physics); the bulk volatile composition of the fluid was determined on the Agilent 6890 gas chromatograph, the anions in the water extraction was estimated on the CVET-3000 ion chromatograph, the cation and trace elements were detected by ICP MS (Elan-6100); the sulfur isotope ratios in galena were calculated on Finnigan MAT Delta gas mass-spectrometer in double-entry mode (analysts V.N. Reutsky and M.N. Kolbasova, IGM SB RAS); δ18С and δ18О isotopic ratios in quartz and carbonates were examined on Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer Finnigan™ MAT 253 with Finnigan GasBench II sampler and IAEA standards: NBS-18 and NBS-19 (analyst M.N. Pyryaev, IGM SB RAS) and Isoprime with AQS (Akita Quartz Standard, analysts H. Kavarai, O. Matsubaya, University of Akita), respectively. Results. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of synore listwanites is shown 379,4±4,4 million years that corresponds to the Late Devonian. We identified that the ore hosted listwanites were formed due to aqueous Na-K-chloride fluid with salinity of 3,4–6,5 wt. % NaCl eqv and temperatures at least 325–200 °C. Gold-sulfide-quartz veins were formed at P~0,5–0,75 kbar (~1,5–2,3 km) due to CO2-water chloride (Na-K±Fe) fluid containing CH4 with salinity ranged between 4,5 and 37,4 wt. % NaCl eqv. and temperatures from 320 up to 120 °C (I ore substage – 310–200 °С and II ore substage – 320–120 °С), and with fO2, fS2, fSe2 and fTe2 variations that have contributed to the diversity of Au, Ag and Hg mineral forms. The values of δ34S from galena vary from –0,6 to –0,4 ‰, and the calculated values of δ34SH2S of I ore substage fluid vary from +1,5 to +2,1 ‰ (for T=280–210 °C), and II ore substage fluid – +1,6...+2,6 ‰ (for T=290–190 °C), which indicates the magmatic origin of sulfur. Values of δ18О in quartz from ore veins vary from 17,0 to 17,4 ‰, dolomite – +17,4...+17,8 ‰, calcite – +16,5 ‰, and calculated values of δ18ОH2S of I ore substage fluid vary from +8,1 to +5,7 ‰ (for T=250–210 °C), and II ore substage – +6,7 ‰. ...–2,2 ‰ (for T=230–120 °C) suggested that in the early stages of the ore-forming process fluid was of magmatic origin, and in later stages it was mixed with meteoric waters. The values of δ13C in dolomite of I ore substage vary from –0,4 to –0,7 ‰; calcite of II ore substage – –0,3 ‰, and the calculated values of δ13C in the fluid vary from –1,2 to +0,1 ‰ (for T=250–210 °C) and from –3,3 to +0,5 ‰ (for T=230–120 °C), respectively. This presupposes carbon inflow from granitoid magmas and/or its borrowing from host rocks. The composition of the fluid was transformed from early to late substages from carbon dioxide to water chloride with a decrease in chloride amounts of alkali and alkali-earth metals (from 37,4 to 4 wt. % NaCl eqv). Ссылка для цитирования: Золото-сульфидно-кварцевое рудопроявление Хаак-Саир (Западная Тува): возраст, PT-параметры, состав флюидов, изотопия S, O и С / Р.В. Кужугет, Н.Н. Анкушева, Ч.О. Кадыр-оол, А.А. Редина, И.Р. Прокопьев, А.В. Пономарчук // Известия Томского политехнического университета. Инжиниринг георесурсов. – 2021. – Т. 332. – № 12. – С. 148-163. Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью определения возраста и условий образования золото-кварцевого рудопроявления Хаак-Саир в лиственитах, характеризующегося своеобразным минеральным составом руд, выраженным в наличии ртутистого золота, селенидов (фишессерита, науманнита, тиманнита, клаусталита) и теллуридов (гессита, теллуровисмутита и колорадоита). Цель: определение возраста, условий образования, геохимических особенностей рудоносного флюида и его источников, золото-кварцевого...