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Metallogeny and geodynamics of the Aktiuz–Boordu Mining District,

Northern Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Article in Journal of Asian Earth Sciences · March 2008

DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2007.10.019

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 Metallogeny and geodynamics of the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining
District, Northern Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan
R.D. Djenchuraeva a'*, F.I. Borisov b, N.T. Pak a , N.N. Malyukova c
* Institute of Geology, National Academy of Sciences, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
b
State Agency of Geology and Mineral Resources under the Government, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
c
Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Abstract
The Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District is located in the Northern Tien Shan in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan. The region is character-
ized by nappe-folding structures and comprises strongly deformed Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic sedimentary, volcano-sedimentary,
and metamorphic sequences. Metamorphic rocks are represented by crystalline schists, para- and orthogneisses, marble, migmatite,
amphibolite and eclogite lenses. These rocks are thought to be the oldest in the Northern Tien Shan. The 2780-Ma Aktiuz complex
has a total thickness of 2800-2900 m. Available U-Pb zircon age data for the Kemin Group migmatites yield ages of 2200 ± 50 Ma.
Based upon their geological setting, multistage metamorphism and isotopic ages of retrograde metamorphism (1.1-1.9 Ga), these rocks
reach a few kilometers in thickness and are subdivided into Archaean and Paleoproterozoic. The Archaean and Paleoproterozoic base-
ment metamorphic rocks contain mineralization of various ages and types, including porphyry Cu, Au-sulphide, Au-Bi, barite, epither-
mal base metal and Au-Ag, REE and rare-metals. Two ore fields have been identified within the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District, they
are: (1) Taldybulak-Boordu, with Au, base metal, and porphyry Cu systems; (2) Aktiuz, with REE, rare- and base-metal deposits.
Within the Paleozoic Taldybulak-Boordu volcanic structure, deposits and occurrences of Au are present at Taldybulak Levoberezhny,
Chimbulak Zapadny, Karamoko and Kuranjailyau; of Pb at Boordu, Taldybulak Stary, Chimbulak Vostochny and Chimbulak Zap-
adny; of Mo at Karabulak, and of Cu at Berkut-Kashka. Almost all are found along the periphery of deeply eroded volcanoes. Rock
types in the Taldybulak-Boordu ore field mainly comprise chlorite-amphibole and amphibole schists, amphibolites, and migmatites of
the Paleoproterozoic Kuperlisay suite. The younger Paleoproterozoic Kokbulak and Kapchigay suites are represented by mica schists
and granite gneisses, which are separated from the Kuperlisay suite by a fault. The basement rocks are cut by a complex network of
Paleozoic sub-1 volcanic intrusions, accompanied by eruptive rocks and breccia pipes. These represent the root system of Middle and
Late Paleozoic volcanoes. At the Taldybulak Levoberezhny Au deposit, the principal ore-controlling structures are inter- and intrafor-
mational shear, thrust-fault zones and tectonic melange injected by intrusions that underwent metasomatic alteration. Gold-sulphide
disseminated mineralization is associated with the upper part of Taldybulak shear zone and is associated with monzodiorites and
quartz-tourmaline veinlets.
The Aktiuz ore field is located in an uplifted block of the basement rocks, including gneisses and crystalline schists (the Archean
Aktiuz complex and Paleoproterozoic Kemin Group). They are intruded by Neoproterozoic mafic and ultramafics rocks, Late Ordovi-
cian-Silurian collision granites and granodiorites, Devonian monzodiorites, alaskites, alkalic and subalkalic two-feldspar granites, and
Permian-Triassic syenites, subalkalic leucogranites, granophyres and granite-porphyries. The Kuperlisay leucogranite intrusion is an
elongated body with several ridge-like projections of granophyres. For the Kuperlisay leucogranite a K-Ar age of 260 Ma was obtained,
whereas the K-Ar age of granophyre is 225-230 Ma. Analyses of the Aktiuz granite samples taken from the Kutessay open pit yielded an
age of 416 Ma (U-Pb zircon SHRIMP method). The Aktiuz ore field contains deposits of Th at Kuperlisay and Kutessay II, and of REE
and base metals at Aktiuz and at Kalesay. All are hosted by leucocratic alkali granites, granophyres, granite-porphyries and albitites.
Significant reserves and resources of REE and base metals ores for the Aktiuz and Kutessay II deposits make them economically
important.
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (R.D. Djenchuraeva).
1367-9120/$ - see front matter © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/jjseaes.2007.10.019
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 281

Keywords: Geodynamics; Gold; REE; Rare metals; Ore reserves; Genetic model

1. Introduction A Late Ordovician-Silurian collision and granite-form-

ing event completed the formation of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh
The metallogenic history of the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining continent. The Au hydrothermal mineralization associated
District is closely connected with its geodynamic evolution, with the Late Ordovician and Silurian collision granitoids
which is an important controlling factor for the develop- is controlled by shear zones and is represented by small
ment of ore systems (Djenchuraeva and Maksumova, and uneconomic mineral occurrences. During the Early-
1993; Bakirov et al., 1999; Maksumova and Djenchuraeva, Middle Devonian, the Kyrgyz-Kazakh continent was sur-
2003; Djenchuraeva, 1997, 2006; Ghes and Voytovich, rounded by subduction zones and related volcanic arcs.
2006). The Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District is a collage of These arcs were built over a collage of various tectonic
Paleozoic terranes and tectonic units of ancient continental units. The Taldybulak Levoberezhny Au deposit is associ-
and oceanic rifts, passive and active continental margins, ated with the Early Devonian Kyzylsu intrusive complex,
island arc systems and collision zones (Ghes, 1999; Baki- which consists of stocks and bodies of porphyritic monzo-
rov, 1978, 1999; Bakirov and Korolev, 1979; Bakirov and nite accompanied by mineralization in rocks that are
Ghes, 1993; Bakirov et al., 2003; Bakirov and Maksumova, altered to assemblages of quartz-feldspar, quartz-sericite
2001). However, primary relationships between them are and quartz-sericite-pyrite.
disrupted or obscured by later tectonic events. The base-
ment rocks of this District are metamorphosed and repre- 2. Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District
sented by fragments of a Proterozoic microcontinent that
hosts the mineralization within the area. The Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District is located in a large
Bakirov et al. (1999) suggested that actinolite green allochthone block of the Northern Tien Shan (Fig. 1). This
schists, amphibolites and quartz-carbonate-fuchsite rocks block is made up of ancient continental and oceanic crust
are fragments of an ancient oceanic crust and belong to fragments, and island arc complexes accreted on Caledo-
the Paleoproterozoic Kuperlisay suite. These rocks are con- n i a n crust (Bakirov, 1978, 1999; Maksumova, 1996; Mak-
sidered to have provided sources for Au, Cu, Ni and Cr. sumova and Djenchuraeva, 2003). A wide range of
The Kuperlisay suite is accreted or obducted to the con- economically viable mineralization types of various ages,
tinental blocks. The overthrust structures are associated located mainly in the Archaean and Proterozoic basement
with mylonite zones, within which the mineralization is r o c k s , were formed in various tectonic settings by multi-
mainly confined, as for example the Taldybulak Levo- stage ore forming processes.
berezhny deposit. Volcanic activity of Middle Ordovician In the Northern Tien Shan, the Archaean and Paleoprote-
continental magmatic arcs was characterized by calc-alka- rozoic rocks are marbles, gneisses, eclogites, quartzites
line magmatism and the formation of porphyry Cu sys- (Aktiuz complex), ophiolites (Kuperlisay suite), and by
terns, which are widely represented in the Northern Tien migmatites of the Kokbulak and Kapchigay suites (Fig. 2).
Shan (Djenchuraeva, 1997). Bakirov et al. (2003) proved the existence of two new subdi-

Fig. 1. Location of the Aktiuz-Boordu mining district in Kyrgyzstan.

282 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299

Fig. 2. Stratigraphic column of the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District and main rock types (courtesy of Y. Karaev, V. Nikonorov , L. Nogaeva, R.
Maksumova, modified by R. Djenchuraeva).
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et at. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 283
visions: the Kokbulak (migmatite with metapelite substra- and their zoning relative to sub-latitudinal rift-like struc-
tum) and Kapchigay suites (migmatite with metabasite sub- tures clearly indicate a complex geodynamic environment,
stratum) instead of the Tegermenty suite. The collision stage comparable to the Gulf of California (Solomovich, 1987,
was characterized by obduction of the ophiolite on continen- 1997).
tal blocks, with intense deformation, tectonic melange, par- Plutonic activity in the volcanic arc began with the
tial melting (migmatites) and emplacement of granitic intrusion of diorite-tonalite and ending with calc-alkaline
plutons. U-Pb zircon dating for the Kemin Group migmatite rocks emplaced in an accretionary environment. In the
yields an age of 2200 ± 50 Ma (Kiselev, 1999). Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District, these Devonian granite
Subduction systems were responsible for the formation intrusions are superimposed upon the Northern Tien Shan
of Cambrian-Early Ordovician oceanic island arcs and of Caledonides, including the southern regions of Southern
the Middle Ordovician continental volcanic arcs in the and Central Kazakhstan. The Chimbulak leucocratic gran-
Northern Tien Shan. Intense volcanic activity was accom- ite complex is located in the Taldybulak-Boordu field and
panied by formation of tholeiitic and slightly evolved is part of the Devonian alkaline granite suite. These include
calc-alkaline volcanics (Bakirov and Ghes, 1993). stocks of alaskite, alkaline granites and quartz syenites.
The Nogaisai and the Sonkultau intrusive suites in oce- They are similar to the Central Kazakhstan granites, such
anic island arcs are represented by sheetlike intrusions. as the Maytas intrusion. The low absolute and relative alu-
They consist of the Early Ordovician gneissic plagiogra- mina content, the presence of high agpaitic coefficient val-
nites, diorites, and granodiorites. In the adjacent area, dio- ues, as well as increased overall alkalinity, with dominant
rite intrudes the Lower Cambrian Karaarcha Formation Na, are characteristic of this Devonian magmatism.
and is overlapped by Middle Ordovician sediments. According to Solomovich (1997), this geochemical signa-
The Cambrian-Early Ordovician subduction was com- ture is the major feature that distinguishes these rocks from
pleted by the Middle Ordovician, followed by collision of other Tien Shan granites. Based on their similar REE sig-
island arcs with the North Tien Shan Continent. After col- nature, these granites correspond to subalkalic syenite-
lision of the island arcs with continental blocks, subduction alaskite.
of oceanic crust continued resulting in the development of Widespread intra-plate rifting occurred in the Late
continental volcanic arcs, perhaps forming an Andean type Permian-Early Triassic. A system of narrow grabens was
margin. Volcanic-plutonic associations of these continental established and was filled with subalkali basalt and andes-
margins are of calc-alkaline and shoshonite affinity (Ghes, ite lavas. This period is characterized by the formation of
1999). mineral systems containing REE, rare metals, Sn, Li, and
The intrusive complexes of the Kyrgyz Range com- Be.
prise granodiorite, granodiorite porphyry, and quartz In the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District the Permian
monzonites. Isotopic mineral age determination from intrusive suite occurs as linear bodies of subalkalic leucog-
these rocks, using the K-Ar system, yielded 470-480 ranites, granophyres and alaskite. Rare-metal-bearing
Ma for biotite and 450^190 Ma for amphibole (Stratifitsi- granophyres are a facies of the subalkalic leucogranites,
rovannye, 1982). The development of the superimposed and locally associated with breccia pipes. The isotopic
volcanic belts is typical for the Kyrgyz and Kungey age of the Kuperlisay leucogranite was determined at
ranges. The Middle Ordovician calc-alkaline volcano-plu- 260 Ma (Krylow et al., 1960), whilst the K-Ar age of
tonic activity of the continental margin led to the forma- microcline from granophyres yielded ages of 225-230 Ma
tion of porphyry copper-gold systems (Djenchuraeva and (Kim, 1972). However, there is another point of view con-
Maksumova, 1993). cerning the granites and mineralization ages. Analyzed
The Late Ordovician-Silurian collision completed the samples of the Aktiuz granite intrusion taken from the
establishment of the vast Kyrgyz-Kazakh continent. In Kutessay II open pit showed a SHRIMP U-Pb zircon
the south, it was bordered by the Turkestan Paleo-ocean, age of 416 Ma, which led some authors to suggest a Devo-
and in the north, by the Djungaro-Balquash oceanic basin. nian age for the Aktiuz REE mineralization (Konopelko
Gold mineralization associated with collision process is et al., 2006; Chiaradia et al., 2006). The Permian ore-bear-
mainly represented by silicification zones with orogenic ing granites with REE mineralization significantly differ
gold lodes hosted in shears associated with thick nappe- from the Devonian ones by parameters, such as composi-
thrust zones. tion, geochemistry, and rare earth element patterns
Devonian magmatism was then superimposed on the (Solomovich, 1997).
Caledonides of the Northern Tien Shan, forming a volcanic The mineral systems of the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining Dis-
belt with a molasses basin in the back-arc zone. The onset trict include porphyry copper, quartz-tourmaline-gold-
of this magmatic activity resulted in formation of andesite sulphide veins, quartz-tourmaline-gold-bismuth veins,
(trachyandesite)-dacite-rhyolite associations of the Early barite-base-metal and epithermal gold-silver (Early-Mid-
Devonian Almerec Formation. Andesite and trachyande- die Paleozoic) as well as REE and rare metals (Upper
site are predominant. Volcanic rocks and small monzo- Paleozoic). These mineral systems are mainly within the
nite-syenite intrusions of the Kyzylsu Formation make Precambrian basement metamorphic rocks of the district,
up a volcanic-plutonic association. These rock associations namely the Archaean Aktiuz, and the Paleoproterozoic
284 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299

Kuperlisay, and the Mesoproterozoic Tegermenty Forma- Table 1

tions. However, the age of the mineralization is Ordovi- Ore res erves ( Q + C2)a for the ore de]30sits of the'raldybulak-Bc :>rdu ore
field
cian, Devonian-Carboniferous and Permian (Nikonorov,
1994). Metal Ore deposits Total
Taldybulak Kuranjailai i Dolpran Mironovskoe (tons)
The following two ore fields have been defined within
the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District: the Taldybulak- Levoberezhny (tons) (tons) (tons)
(tons)
Boordu and Aktiuz ore fields (Fig. 3).
Au 65.840 4.448 1.716 1.095 73.099
Ag 58.3 14.5 24.9 97.7
2.1. The Taldybulak-Boordu ore field Pb% 5600.0 5600.0
Bi% 1162.0 1162.0
The Taldybulak-Boordu ore field includes the Taldybu- Cu% 6600.0 6600.0
lak Levoberezhny major Au deposit, and smaller Au
deposits, such as Kuranjailau and Dolpran and the Miro-
novskoe Au-Bi deposit. Probable reserves are shown in a
C|, indicated reserves; C2, inferred reserves.
Tables 1 and 2. amphibolitized gabbro, and a southern Kuranjailau block
The Taldybulak-Boordu ore field is located within a that consists of Early Paleozoic metapelites. These blocks
region that includes several periods of nappe-thrusting are separated by a Devonian volcanic depression (Trifo-
(Maksumova, 1996; Maksumova et al., 1998; Trifonov, nov, 1987). Rock types in the Taldybulak-Boordu ore field
1987), and is represented by two tectonic blocks: a northern mainly comprise mica schists and granite gneisses of the
Kokjon block comprising Proterozoic amphibolites and Kokbulak suite, and chlorite and talc-chlorite schists,

Fig. 3. Distribution of the ore deposits and occurrences in the Aktiuz-Boordu area.
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 285

Table 2
Possible reserves (Pi) and resources (P2) in the Taldybulak
Levoberezhny ore field Taldybulak Chimbulak Kuranjailau Total
Levoberezhny (flank and deep Western (tons) (tons)
levels) (tons) (tons)
34.4 (/>,)* 24.0 114.4
40.0 (P2)' 16.0

amphibolites and migmatites of the Kuperlisay suite. Wide-

spread volcano-tectonic structures and thrust zones are
typical of the area. The cover rocks are folded into an anti-
cline structure, intruded by Devonian-Carboniferous sub-
volcanic monzodiorites and is traversed by steep faults.
The Taldybulak-Boordu volcanic dome is a Middle Paleo-
zoic stratovolcano constructed on the Baikalian and Cale-
donian basement. In plan view, the volcanic structure is
oval, and measures 10 x 20 km. Within this volcanic struc-
ture, Au deposits and occurrences are found at Taldybulak
Levoberezhny, Chimbulak Zapadny, Karamoko and
Kuranjailau. Lead deposits occur at Boordu, Taldybulak
Stary, Chimbulak Vostochny and Chimbulak Zapadny
Mo deposits are present at Karabulak and Cu deposits at
Berkut Kashka. Most of these mineral systems are found
along the periphery of this deeply eroded stratovolcano
within east-west striking horsts.
Geophysical studies enabled the interpretation of the
regional deep geological structures. The data are both of Fig. 4. Map of gravity contours of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny area.
regional (1:500,000) and intermediate (1:200,000) scale
and include gravimagnetic, seismic, 1:50,000 scale gravi-
metric, aeromagnetic and aerogamma spectrometry, as well 42°39'N; 75°40'E and. The deposit was evaluated through
as surface geophysical surveys at 1:5000 deposit scale (Nik- an intensive drilling program and excavations. As
onorov, 1994). described earlier (Djenchuraeva and Maksumova, 1993;
Malyukova, 1999; Malyukova, 2001), this deposit is
The regional character of the gravity field reveals a deep
located in the 700-m thick Taldybulak shear zone, which
structure present in a shallow Precambrian basement. The
is an overthrust Proterozoic complex of highly deformed
outcrops of the Kuperlisay Formation, amphibole-mica
lithologies, represented by a chaotic assemblage of schist,
schists, amphibolites, and gneisses coincide with a general
amphibolites, gneisses and granite breccias of various ages.
epicenter of positive gravity anomalies. The density of
Most of the rock fragments in the shear zone have under-
these rocks reaches 2.90 g/cm3 and their depth is estimated
gone intense quartz-sericite and quartz-carbonate
to be 2-4 km. The Archaean rocks of the Aktiuz Forma-
alteration.
tion comprise gneisses and mica schists with a marble inter-
layer that have a lower density of 2.70 g/cm3, whereas the There are three local zones of intraformational shearing,
granitized rocks have a density of 2.67 g/cm3. The main namely: Taldybulak, Middle and Upper. Major ore bodies
characteristics of the geophysical gravimagnetic fields are are in the thickest (up to 400 m) lower Taldybulak zone,
shown in Fig. 3. Gold mineralization is located within a with the upper parts of the ore bodies being in the Middle
small gravity maximum (1-3 mgl) or at the margins of shear zones. The lengths of the ore zones range from 200 to
intense gravity maxima (Fig. 4), and is practically unknown 1500 m, with widths between 60 and 350 m and thicknesses
in their epicenters or within the limits of negative gravity ranging from 20 to 80 m (Fig. 5). The chief characteristics
anomalies. Potassium maxima are coincident with the of the ore bodies are given in Table 3. The Chimbulak Zap-
majority of ore bodies, probably as a result of strong potas- adny gold-base metal deposit is located in the Upper mel-
sic alteration. The localization of ore deposits on the flank ange zone, and represents the top part of the Taldybulak
of potassium anomalies indicates decreasing potassium Levoberezhny system. The melange zones are intruded by
contents at the end of the ore forming processes, as a result Devonian diorites, monzodiorites and syenodiorites. The
of later silicification, tourmalinization, and sulphidization. ore deposit consists of flat sill-like bodies and steep colum-
nar, small stockwork, necks, and explosive breccias. The
ore zones do not have clear boundaries and consist of dis-
2.7.7. The Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit seminated sulphide and stockworks. The ore bodies have a
The Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit, discovered gentle or steep-columnar geometry in the shear zone, with
in 1963, is located in the Kemin district, Chuy province at the gently-dipping bodies being the most important. The
 Fig. 5. Simplified geological map and longitudinal section A-B of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit.

steep columnar bodies are mainly controlled by faults. ated with monzodiorite stocks and dykes. The mineraliza-
Gold-sulphide disseminated mineralization is associated tion of this ore field is characterized by a wide range of
with the top of the shear zone and controlled by quartz- altered rocks, localized not only within the crater of the
tourmaline veinlets. The steeper veins are generally associ- stratovolcano, but also along the periphery of volcano-
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 287

Table 3
Chief characteristics of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny ore deposit
Name and form of orebodies Square (m2) Extension by strike (m) Extension by the dip (m) Thickness (m) Part of reserves (%)
"Major" zone sheet-like orebody 30,000 1500 1000 80 60.5
"Northern" zone sheet-like orebody 12,000 600 1500 56 23.3
"Upper" ribbon-like zone 3600 720 500 10.5 11.2
"Western" zone 1800 240 600 50-100 5.0

cupola structures. Intense hydrothermal alteration extends quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite and quartz-carbonate-

beyond the limits of the mineralization into the country fuchsite with additional quartz-tourmaline alteration in
rocks with various combinations of sericite, quartz, tour- zone B.
maline and carbonate assemblages. This hydrothermal The quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite and quartz-carbon-
alteration surrounds the monzodiorite intrusion and is ver- ate-fuchsite altered rocks form lenses and vein-like bodies
tically zoned. These zones are as follows: (1) a frontal zone, commonly in elongated blocks 1- to 40-m thick and 250 m
corresponding to the apical part of the alteration column long. Pyrite, chalcopyrite and more rarely tennantite,
above the area of mineralization; (2) quartz-carbonate galena, arsenopyrite, chromite and magnetite are widely
and quartz-sericite zones around the intrusion, grading developed. The quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite and
at depth to a zone of potassic alteration. A quartz-tourma- quartz-carbonate-fuchsite rocks contain gold from 0.1
line alteration assemblage characterizes the upper parts of up to 2 g/ton. Dark-gray to black quartz-tourmaline
the monzodiorite intrusion. The simplified geometry and altered rocks are typically characterized by nest-, veinlet-,
essential features of this alteration are shown in Fig. 6. dendrite-like, and brecciated zones associated with pyrite
With reference to Fig. 6 the frontal zone (A) of the alter- and chalcopyrite (average gold content is 5-15 g/ton).
ation column is represented by monzodiorites with argillic The alteration zones and Au mineralization are associ-
alteration in the apical part, with quartz, sericite, kaolinite, ated with diorite-monzonite intrusions. The potassic alter-
dickite and jarosite. This alteration forms thin, less than ation was formed first predating the gold mineralization,
two meters thick zones, which are not widely distributed, Quartz-sericite, quartz-carbonate, and quartz-tourmaline
nor Au-bearing. Pre-frontal (B) and intermediate (C) zones alteration haloes were formed contemporaneously with
are the main zones of the alteration column and they con- the Au mineralization. Argillic alteration corresponds to
tain the Au mineralization. These zones comprise mainly a post-mineralization stage and is probably related to the

1 2 3

Fig. 6. Model of metasomatic (1 (. mineral (2). and geochemical (3) zoning of the Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit. Alteration columns: A, frontal;
B, prefrontal; C. intermediate D. rare mmerals: Q. quartz: Car. carbonate; Ser, sericite; Tu, tourmaline; Pfs, potash feldspar; CI, clay minerals; Py, pyrite;
Chp, chalcopyrite. Details in t a x
288 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299
influx of meteoric fluids in the hydrothermal system. The (5) Post-ore pyrite appears in quartz-carbonate lodes
Rear (D) sub-ore zone of alteration column is character- and has compound forms mainly of octahedron
ized by potassic alteration, developed on gneisses and habit. Cubic pyrite is represented in small quantities
migmatite, and represented by an assemblage of K-feld- within the frontal zone,
spar-biotite-albite and quartz. The latest alteration events
are barren quartz-carbonate veins and veinlets with pyrite Thus, the cubic forms are typical for the rear zone of the
disseminations. The mineralization consists of gold-sul- Taldybulak Levoberezhny deposit and in zones B and C,
phide-quartz (with sulphide content of 5-20% mainly as within quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite and quartz-carbon-
pyrite (90%) and chalcopyrite (10%), which is related to ate-fuchsite altered rocks in combination with pentagonal
the emplacement of the monzonite complex within an dodecahedrons. Such regularity is typical also for the Mak-
active continental margin in Devonian-Carboniferous mal, Altyn-Jylga and the Kumtor gold deposits (Pak, 1992,
times. Pyrite is developed in all zones, increasing from 2005).
the rear zone towards the pre-frontal zone and ranges from The major ore minerals are gold, pyrite and chalcopy-
about 1% in zone D to 2-3% in zone C, 2-10% in zone B, rite. Pyrite and chalcopyrite contain 55.6% and 43% Au,
10-20% in separate quartz-sulphide bodies, then it sharply respectively. In the ore block, the minimum Au content is
decreases in frontal zone A. First generation Au minerali- 4.2 g/ton, with a lower cutoff grade of 1 g/ton. Maximum
zation linked with the alteration envelopes is developed depth of the ore zone is 600 m (Table 4).
in zones B and C. Second generation Au mineralization Analysis of geological and geophysical data from the
is associated with quartz-sulphide bodies, mainly pyrite Taldybulak Levoberezhny deposit indicates that the
with minor chalcopyrite predominantly developed in pre- deposit is located on the southern edges of positive gravity
frontal B zone. anomalies are associated with induced polarization anom-
A total of 18 morphological types of pyrite crystals have alies and increased K abundance (Figs. 7 and 8). Generally,
been identified within the mineralized zone, with cubic Au is localized in an "intermediate" zone, but it is not
(100) and pentagonal dodecahedron (210) crystals domi- found within the negative gravity anomalies. Among the
nant and octahedrons (111) less frequent. Several genera- radioactive elements (U, Th and K), K dominates as a
tions of pyrite were recognized corresponding to different result of the pre-ore potassic alteration. Thus, established
alteration zones (Malyukova, 1999; Pak, 1992, 2005) with alteration zoning is reflected in the mineral-geochemical
the variety of crystal habits increasing from barren inter- signatures and the evolution of pyrite crystals. This serves
vals towards productive mineral assemblages, as described as a basis for the development of a general genetic model
below. of the ore deposit that can be used both as forecasting
and prospecting tools in the Aktiuz-Boordu Mining
(1) Primary cubic pyrite of unaltered rocks is predomi- District,
nant in the rear zone (D).
(2) Pre-ore pyrite with cubic habit and with a combina-
tion of cubic with pentagonal dodecahedrons 2.2. The Aktiuz ore field
(100)+ (210) is widespread in both quartz-sericite
and quartz-carbonate altered rocks and is typical In the Aktiuz ore field, the metamorphic rocks are sub-
for intermediate (C) and prefrontal (B) zones. divided into the Aktiuz complex and Kuperlisay suite. The
(3) The quartz-tourmaline-pyrite association is charac- Aktiuz complex is between 2800 and 2900 m thick, was
terized by the widest variety of pyrite morphology dated at 2780 Ma (Bakirov and Korolev, 1979) and con-
dominated by pentagonal dodecahedrons (210) local- sists of gneisses, crystalline schists, amphibolites, marbles,
ized in the prefrontal zone (B) of the alteration column. and migmatites. These metamorphic rocks are folded into
(4) Pyrite of the late productive stage (quartz-gold-sul- the large Tuktugurbulak recumbent anticline and the small
phide association) is characterized by a sharp pre- Aktiuz anticline. The Kuperlisai suite is 3900 m thick and
dominance of pentagonal dodecahedrons (210) consists of amphibole schists and foliated metabasic rocks,
often combined with octahedron edges. These forms The Formation was dated at 2500 Ma (Bakirov and Koro-
are typical for the upper part of the prefrontal zone. lev, 1979). Metagabbro and gneissic granitoids intruded the

Table 4
Ore reserves for the Taldybulak Levoberezhny ore deposit
Ci (thousand tons) Average content, Au (tons) C 2 (thousand Average Au (tons) Pi (thousand Average content Au, Au
Au (g/ton) tons) content tons) (g/ton) (tons)
Identified reserves
5601.9 6.04 33.823 5227.8 5.97 30.702 - - -
Identified subeconomic resources
1941.7 2.61 5.073 808.0 2.81 2.270 5379.3 6.41 34.485
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 289

Fig. 7. Induced polarization map and isolines of geoelectrical prospecting for the Taldybulak Levoberezhny gold deposit.

metamorphic rocks of the Aktiuz complex and Kuperlisay Permian subalkali leucogranites. The syenite consists of
suite. plagioclase, alkali feldspar, and amphibole. Quartz, clino-
The 37CMU0 Ma Caledonian Tasa-Kemin batholith is pyroxene and biotite are rare; apatite, titanite and zircon
north-trending and comprises diorite, granodiorite, adam- are accessory minerals.
elite, and granite. Granodiorite prevails in the central part A number of faults traverse the Aktiuz ore field
of the batholith with adamelites and fine-grained granites resulting into a series of blocks forming a disturbed
exposed in the outer zone. Hercynian (400-250 Ma) intru- zone, about 2 km wide, which controlled the emplace-
sions are abundant and diverse. In the Aktiuz ore field ment of the Caledonian and Hercynian magmatic rocks,
monzodiorites. quartz diorites, alkaline granites, and The ore deposits are located along a north-east striking
quartz syenites occur as dykes and stocks elongated to zone. The Kuperlisay pluton in the south-western part
the north-east and in a sub-latitudinal direction. Monzodi- of the ore field, consisting mainly of leucogranites, is
orites are exposed in the Kutessay open-pit where they cut wedge-shaped in plan and plunges beneath the metamor-
the amphibole schist of the Kuperlisay suite. Monzodiorite phic rocks. At the Kutessay II deposit, the upper edge of
is a medium-grained greenish gray rock with parallel orien- the pluton occurs at a depth more than 400 m. The
tation of plagioclase and amphibole crystals. Plagioclase, ridges or protrusions of the Kuperlisay pluton are
alkali feldspar, amphibole and quartz are the major rock- crowned by granophyres cupolas and breccia pipes. The
forming minerals. Apatite, allanite, titanite and magnetite granophyres host base- and rare-metal mineralization,
occur as accessory minerals: xenoliths of amphibole schists which includes mineral species, such as cyrtolite, apatite,
are abundant. thorite, monazite, and titanite. The K-Ar isotopic age
Permian syenite crops out as northeast-trending dike- of feldspars from the leucogranite yielded an age of
shaped and lenticular intrusions. Locally, they cut the Cal- 260 Ma (Krylow et al., 1960). The Kuperlisay linear
edonian granodiorite. and in turn, are cross-cut by dikes of extended granite intrusion (Fig. 9) plunges beneath the
 R.D. Djenchuraeva el at. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 291
Pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks towards the northeast The Kutessay II deposit was exploited from 1958 until
and hosts the Kuperlisay Th deposit, Kutessay, Aktiuz 1991, and then was abandoned. An additional 51,500 tons
REE-rare metals-base metal deposits, and Kalesay Be of total REE at a grade of 0.22-0.27% remains unex-
deposit. At depth, the granite massif has several ridge- ploited. The Aktiuz deposit was mined over the period
like projections (Fig. 9). The Kutessay deposit is located 1927-1964. The Kalesay deposit was considered as eco-
in one of these ridge-like projections in the north-eastern nomic with BeO reserves approved by the former USSR
part of the Kuperlisay intrusion within a granophyre State Reserves Committee in 1970, however the deposit is
stock and brecciated schists. The Aktiuz deposit is now deemed uneconomic. The Kuperlisay Th deposit is
located 1 km further north-east and is associated with a associated with sub-alkali leucocratic granites, with high
blind granophyre stock and a breccia pipe. The Kalesay abundances of P (0.2%), Th (0.005%), total REE (0.02-
Be deposit does not have any direct connection with 0.04%), and Ta (0.005%).
granites and is located within a zone of fine jointing in The Permian-Triassic intrusions are affected by post-
the southern schist band. Granophyre, granite porphyry, magmatic alteration including early stages of replacement
and aplite-like fine-grained leucogranite crop out as by K-feldspar, albite, and biotite and late stages of sericiti-
minor intrusions that cut the subalkali leucogranite. zation, chloritization and silicification, forming envelopes
Granophyre is a brick-red fine-grained rock with micro- of quartz-sericite and greisens. Thorium-rare earth miner-
cline (53-58 vol %) and quartz (34-47 vol %). The K - alization is widely developed in the quartz-sericite alter-
Ar age of granophyre (two microcline samples) is 225- ation zones. The Th content varies between 0.01% and
230 Ma (Kim, 1972). 22.3% in high grade ores, averaging 0.2% and in low grade
In the Aktiuz ore field two mineralization periods have ores averaging 0.028-0.04%.
been recognized, separated by an interval of 30-35 Ma:
2.2.1. The Aktiuz REE-Th~Pb deposit
(1) Early rare-metal mineralization in leucocratic gran- The complex Aktiuz mineral deposit, is located on
ites; and the north-west slope of the Tasa-Kemin mountain range
(2) REE-rare metal-base metal in granophyres and brec- in the Kemin area (76°08'E, 42° 51'N), and contains
cia pipes. Ag, In, Cd, Sn, Mo, Th, U and REE mineralization
(Table 6). The richest upper parts of the ore deposit
Each period includes a number of stages distinguished were developed by ancient miners in the IX-XII centu-
by structural conditions controlling the mineralization, ries. In 1942 the deposit was considered for further
geochemical fingerprinting, alteration, composition of ores development as a Pb-Zn-Sn project and resulted in
and mineral associations. The mineral resources of the establishment of the first mining enterprise in northern
Aktiuz ore field are represented by the Kuperlisay, Kutes- Kyrgyzstan. The deposit was a Th-Pb-Sn mine, also
say, Aktiuz and Kalesay deposits (Table 5). Reserves of Th producing Zn, Sn, Au and Cu as by-products from con-
(measured — indicated categories) for Kuperlisay ore centrates. From 1957 onward, the concentrating plant
deposit are in total 541 tons grading 0.065-0.132%, but produced Mo and REE. In 1964 the deposit was
have no economic importance. exhausted.

Table 5
Ore reserves for the Aktiuz ore field
Metal Ore lepc - b
Kutessay Aktiuz Kalesay Total
-H nB Content Reserves Content Reserves Content Reserves (tons)
' : - • (%) (tons) (%) (tons) (%) (tons)
Pb - - 2.51 48500 2.62 44095 - - 92595
Zn - - 0.48 9000 1.45 24402 - - 33402
Cu - - 0.06 100 0.15 2536 - - 3636
Sn - - 0.06 1193 0.17 2549 - - 3742
Mo _ - 0.04 883 0.06 1057 - - 1940
Th 0.065 5*: 1 to 6325 0.073 1959 - - 8825
Ag (g/t) - - 11 16.5 13.0 22 - - 38.5
ITR20, - - 0.41 88022 0.55 5967 - - 93989
BeO - - - - - 0.127 11701 11701
Cd - - 0.005 94.7 - 94.7
In - - - - 0.001 26.2 - 26..5
Zr02 - - •L* :—32 - - - 24432
Hf - , __ 395 - - - 395
Ta 2 O s - 2586 - - - 2586
Nb205 - - - - - 7326
292 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299

Table 6
Ore reserves for the Aktiuz ore deposit
Reserves Extracted from 1942 to 1946 Reserves as of 01 July 1946 In the orebody 'Ore stock" as of 01 July 1957
Components Content (%) Reserves (tons) Content (%) Reserves (tons)
Pb 4.65 64445 1.96 14245
Zr 2.40 5300 2.01 27971 1.20 8735
Cu 0.44 973 0.36 4955 0.14 1050
Ag 35 7.7 32 44.2 9.8 7.13
In 0.002 4.0 0.002 27.5 0.005 35.2
Sn 0.35 774 0.22 6086 0.08 580
Mo - - 0.15 1410 0.05 363
Cd 0.008 18.0 0.008 110 0.001 7.15
Th - _ 0.073 1970.9 0.09 958
U - - 0.006 161 - -
ITR203 - - 0.58 5578 0.55 5967
Be - - - - - -

The Aktiuz deposit is located in an uplifted Pre-Cam-

brian basement block (Aktiuz complex and Kuperlisay
suite) (Fig. 10). This is part of a metamorphic complex con-
sisting of micaceous and quartz-feldspar-sericite gneisses,
crystalline schists, amphibolites and marbles. The steeply
dipping rocks of Kuperlisay suite have a total thickness
of 3900 m, striking NE and comprises amphibole schists
and schistose metabasites. Structurally, the central part of
the area is characterized by the Aktiuz anticline up to
450 wide with the axis striking north-eastward and plung-
ing to the south-west. The flanks of the anticline dip to
the south-eastward and northwestward at an angle of from
50-60° to 70-80° with the axial plane inclined to the
northwest.
Breccia pipes fall within two age groups. The older is
associated with the Devonian monzodiorites, alaskites,
alkalic and subalkalic two-feldspar granites, whereas the
younger group is associated with Middle Permian-Triassic
alkali leucocratic granites, granophyres, granite-porphyry,
and albitites. The pipe-like bodies have isometric or ellip-
soid forms. The long axis vary from 70 to 190 m, with
the majority oriented north-eastward, almost coinciding
with the orientation of the schistosity in the amphibolites
schists and gneisses. The pipes dip steeply up to 85° and
can be traced to a depth of 500-m (Fig. 11). The minerali-
zation is zoned and hosted in the granophyre stocks. The
upper section is silicified and has sulphide grading to
altered rocks composed of quartz-orthoclase-biotite-chlo-
rite, quartz-chlorite, quartz-sericite, greisens, and albitites
with rare metal mineralization at depth.
The Aktiuz deposit is within a blind granophyre stock
intruded into amphibole schists and accompanied by schist
breccias on the northern flank of the Aktiuz anticline.
Close to the surface, the mineralization forms several dis-
connected lens-like bodies separated by schist breccias.
At the lower levels these coalesce into one body, with a
Fig. 10. Simplified geologic map of the Aktiuz ore deposit. Modified by
total area of 10,000 m2. At depth, the area of the grano- N. Pak after Kim et al. (2001).
phyre stock sharply decreases to 500 m 2 , and hornfelses
and schist breccias dominate. The schist fragments are in the deeper horizons of the mineralized hanging wall. Dis-
cemented by granophyres, feldspars, and epidote-skarn seminated, lenses and sheeted veinlets with economic Pb,
(Fig. 11). Biotite hornfelses breccias are distributed only Zn. Sn, and Mo mineralization are hosted by hornfelses
 293

rocks. Rose colored orthoclase granophyres occupy the veins and contains very rich base metal and Sn ores
central part of the stock, with rose-gray quartz-sericite- covering approximately 600 m2. In the veins and
chlonte alteration in the apical sections of the stocks and massive sulphide ores, Pb grades range from 9.4%
gray quartz alteration in the hanging wall. to 16.1%, Zn from 4.58- 13%, Ag from 18.6 to
Orthoclasites contain REE and Th mineralization, but 78.7 g/ton, Sn from 0.3% to 0.4%, Th from 0.02%
poor base metallic mineralization (Pb - 0.3-0.7%). In addi- to 0.04%. In addition, Pb exceeding 2.3%, Au
tion, to REE and Th, the quartz-sericite-chlorite metaso- (0.2-0.5 g/ton) and U (0.006%) mineralization is
matites contain higher grade base metal mineralization also present.
(Pb - 0 8-2 0 i. Significantly, quartz metasomatites host (B) Pre-frontal zone (2550-2474 m). Rich base metal
complex rich economic mineralization (Pb, Zn, Sn, REE, mineralization of a predominantly massive and vein
Th. and I type is concentrated in silicified and brecciated schists
Almost all the breccias, including altered granophyres, and predominantly quartz bearing altered rocks in
biotite homfeises and the upper part of schist breccias con- the upper part. Below the 2514-m level, the area of
tain economic Pb. Sn. Th and Mo associated with the REE economic base metal mineralization increases in size,
mineralization as veins, blind lenses, and breccia bodies. up to 3200 m 2 , at the expense of the quartz-sericite
The frontal 12550-2590 m), pre-frontal (2474-2550 m), altered rocks. Tin is associated with Pb and Mo. At
intermedia:. M74m I. and rear (2213-2393 m) zones the lower levels (2474 m) of the pre-frontal zone,
are defined by Ike —lure of metasomatic processes, pecu- complex Pb, Mo, Sn, Th and REE economic mineral-
liarities ::" : - ; rrr-Sei-r.g stock, internal structure and ization is hosted by quartz-sericite-chlorite altered
the f naaltj-type economic mineralization in rocks and occupies an area of 9000 m2. The Mo ore
the pipe- These zones are described below. zone does not exceed an area of2500m 2 .ThePb con-
tent sharply decreases with depth from 9.4% to
(A) The FTCECI :-'-• -2550 m) is the apical part 3.73%, while Zn increases from 1.32% to 1.75%. Tin
of the crc-aeaoag sock. In an adit at 2550 m, eco- grades range from 0.23% to 0.3%, Cu from 0.13%
nomic mma 5 concentrated in brecciated to 0.18%, Th reaching 1.4%, averaging 0.03%, EREE
is 0.46%.
294

Fig. 12. Distribution of orebodies: cross sections A-A and B-B (Fig. 10) through the Aktiuz ore deposit. Compiled by F. Borisov and R. Djenchuraeva,
using the data of F. Borisov, N. Doroshenko, and N. Trifonov.
(C) The intermediate zone (2474-2393 m) is characterized Zn and Sn contents average 1.57%, 0.91% and 0.12%,
by a wide distribution of quartz-sericite-chlorite, respectively, while the REE content decreases to 0.16%.
strongly silicified rocks, and brecciated schist and The mineral composition of the ores is rather complex
ore-bearing hornfelses. Economic REE mineraliza- with more than 60 minerals identified. Major gangue min-
tion is present in altered granophyre and brecciated erals, typical for all the mineralization stages, are quartz,
schists. The REE ore zone covers 12,000 m2 at the feldspars, sericite, biotite, fluorite and calcite. Ore minerals
2474-m level with ZREE averaging 0.71%. Base met- include parisite, ancylite, ambatoarinite, zircon, malacon,
als and REE mineralization are localized in the hang- cyrtolite, aktiuzit, monazite, and ferrithorite, galena, sphal-
ing wall of the stock. At the 2433-m level, the average erite, wurtzite, and marmatite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite
grades are as follows: Sn 0.20%, Pb 0.7%, Zn 0.69% and phenacite, beryl, genthelvine, bavenite, gelbertandite,
and Mo 0.21%. and milarite. As a result, the ores are characterized by a
(D) Rear zone (2393-2213 m). All economic mineraliza- complex array of elements that includes Pb, Zn, Th,
tion is traced in the hanging wall of the ore-bearing REE, Mo, Sn, Ag, In, Cd, and Be. In the upper levels
stock in strongly silicified altered rocks and, occa- (2514 m) Pb (9.4-16.17%), Zn (4.0-14.0%), Cu (0.92%),
sionally, in brecciated schists. Sn (0.5%) and Th (0.1%) have the highest grades, which
gradually decrease in the lower levels (2280 m).
Mineralization was encountered in drill holes below the Molybdenum (0.05%-0.19%) is distributed only in the
Kapitalnaya adit. Ore grades of Pb range from 1.57% to hanging wall of the ore-bearing stock within the upper
1.87%, Zn from 0.91% to 1.15%, Mo 0.10% and Th from and middle horizons of the deposit. REE is dominated by
0.063 to 0.102%. Within the Sn-bearing veins the grades the Ce group (92.32% of the total amount of REE, and
of all metallic components are very high: EREE (1.0%, the Y group with La 2 0 3 23.32%, Ce 2 0 3 41.8%, Pr 2 0 3
Sn up to 10%, Pb up to 10.0% (averaging 3.4%), Th 0.1% 4.9%, Nd 2 0 3 19.3%. The Y group (9.68%) includes Sm oxi-
and Zn 0.48%. In the deeper levels up to 2213 m the Pb, des (2.99%), Eu oxides (2.51%), Dy (0.82%), and Y
 R.D. Djenchuraeva el al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 295
(4.43%). The average content of ZREE at the 2433- and Range, about 1 km southwest of the Aktiuz deposit, at
2343-m levels is 0.46% and 0.71%, respectively, whereas 76°07E, 42°51N. The deposit was discovered in 1943 with
in the ore deposit the EREE average is 0.58%. Accompany- reserves calculated in 1951. Ore reserves have been calcu-
ing elements of economic significance are Ag, In, Cd and lated at 35 Mton grading 5% Pb, using a cut-off value of
U. Uranium is present as ferrithorite (2.0-3.5%) and mon- 0.5%. The contour of lead distribution comprising the
azite (0.1%). Economic Be concentrations (0.12%) are "Pb orebody" (with Zn, Ag, Sn, Cu, Th credits) locally
found only in stockworks within the footwall rocks. In coincides with the contour of the "thorium orebody"
the hanging wall of the stock economic base metals, rare- (Th, Pb, EREE) (Table 7). The Kutessay II deposit is of
metal and thorium mineralization are hosted in biotite economic importance because of its large REE and base
hornfelses, strongly silicified rocks and brecciated schist metal endowment (Kim et al., 2000, 2001). The deposit is
up to the 2234-m level. Possible REE reserves comprises hosted by the high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Pre-
12 800 tons at REE 0.16%, with the yttrium group compris- cambrian uplifted basement, which comprise amphibole
ing 30-40%. schists of the Kuperlisay Formation and gneisses of the
Additional resources can be found in the tailings at the Aktiuz Formation. Both formations were intruded by
Aktiuz concentrating plant. During the period of 1942- granophyre, diabase and diorite porphyry stocks and
1953, the average grades of the tailings was 0.81% Pb, dykes. The Kutessay porphyry stock is characterized by
1.10% Zn, 0.22% Sn, and 0.01% Th. There are 734,000 tons complex morphology and is essentially an apophysis of
of waste giving a total metal content of 5945 tons of lead, the Kuperlisay massif of leucocratic granites. The stock
8074 tons of zinc, 1614 tons of tin and 7340 tons of has been traced to 300-400 m depth. The northern and
thorium. western contacts have dips ranging from 45° to 70°. In
the upper parts, dome-like structures, small stocks, and
2.2.2. The Kalesay beryllium deposit apophysis are present (e.g. North Stock and Kutessay-I).
The Kalesay Be deposit is located in the immediate At the surface, the stock is represented by altered grano-
vicinity of the Aktiuz deposit in epidote-albite-actinolite phyres and in the center by silexites bodies. In the lower
schist at the contact with gneisses (Figs. 3 and 9). Phenacite parts, brecciated schists are located above the small
and other rare metal mineralization is associated with thin dome-like ledges. They are in contact with the granophyres
(0.5-1.0 cm), but long (10s and even 100 m) fluorite-feld- apophysis, (Kutessay I), covering a total surface area of
spar veinlets concentrated in six linear NE-elongated stock- 5200 m 2 sharply increasing with depth to 46,000 m2. The
works, without distinct geological boundaries. The granophyres are altered to quartz-sericite, quartz-seri-
dimensions of the ore-bearing stockworks are extremely cite-chlorite and quartz. The silexites are comminuted to
variable, extending 900 m along the strike and 250 m down brecciated, locally with angular quartz fragments and ran-
dip with a maximum thickness of 60 m. The veinlets consist domly oriented schistosity, cemented by granophyre, albi-
of orthoclase, albite, and fluorite. Cyrtolite (malacon) is the tites, garnet-epidote material and quartz. Typical veinlet
most abundant ore mineral with additional bavenite, REE- and lens-like style mineralization contain galena, molybde-
carbonates (ambatoarinite), REE-fluorecarbonates (pari- nite, ferrithorite, cyrtolite, kuttesaite, pyrite, and hematite,
site, bastnasite), ferrithorite, and phenacite as the major Three ore stages can be distinguished: (1) Economic miner-
Be mineral present. Bavenite, scheelite, wolframite, and alization containing phosphate-carbonate-fluorine-car-
sulphide have been identified as minor phases. bonate, REE as monazite and yttromonazite, carbonates,
fluorine and REE carbonates; (2) complex silicate type
2.2.3. The Kutessay II REE-Th-Nb-Ta deposit REE mineralization and rare-metals predominantly as fer-
The Kutessay II REE deposit, is located in the Kemin rithorite and cyrtolite-malacon; (3) rare-metal-sulphide
area on the northern slope of the Tasa-Kemin mountain mineralization and quartz-carbonate-yttrofluorite. Stages

Table J
Metals rr>;- :-; -rJun REE and lead contours of the Kutessay ore deposit (Category - B + Ci + C 2 ) a
Total in c-re ar?ML- In the "Lead orebod)
Cot" _ge content (%) Reserves (tons) Component
ZTR-O- •.41 88,022 Pb 2.58 39000
ZrO 1 56,414 Zn 0.48 9000
Th > 6325 Cu 0.06 1190
Hf <- 395 Mo 0.04 833
Pb 78,500 Ag 8.76 T/T 11.5
Zn —* 9000 XTR 2 0 3 0.52 7640
Cu 1100 Zr02 0.48 6934
Mo • 833 Th 0.063 1194
Sn IV 1192 Sn 0.02 1153
Ag ** • 16.5
296 R.D. Djenchumeva el al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299
R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 297
298 R.D. Djenchuraeva et at I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299
of ore formation can also be divided according to the age uneven in biotite hornfelses, ranging from 2.0% to 30.9%,
of tectonic movements that have created differently averaging 0.41% over the entire deposit,
oriented systems of ore controlling faults. Semi-circular The ores are radioactive due to the widespread presence
and arcuate fault systems played an important role in the of ferrithorite. Leucocratic granites and granophyres are
genesis of phosphate-carbonate-fluorine-carbonate ore. therefore characterized by high levels of radioactivity,
East-west-trending fault systems predominate, preceding making nuclear geophysical methods the most informative
the silicate type of REE mineralization, whereas base met- and reliable of the geophysical exploration methods,
als mineralization is controlled by NE striking faults. During 1958-1991, a total of 5454 thousand tons of ore
Orthoclase-biotite-chlorite and dominantly silica were extracted from 22,109 tons of REE at average ZREE
altered rocks are associated with the development of grade of 0.41%. About 120 minerals, including oxides of
REE, Zr, Th, rare metal and base metals mineralization. the yttrium group, oxides of La, Nd, Ce dioxide, as well
Economic REE mineralization is associated with quartz- as various REE metals and alloys were identified. In 1995
sericite-chlorite and quartz-sericite alteration, which the deposit was abandoned. Measured and indicated ore
develop at depth into Zr-Th-REE mineralization. Base- reserves are estimated to total 16,763 tons, containing
metal mineralization is concentrated in the apical part of 44,300 tons of metals; whereas inferred reserves are esti-
the stock. mated as 3465 tons containing 7200 tons of ZREE grading
Seventy-seven mineral species have been recognized in 0.22-0.27%. Possible reserves in deep levels (2093-2193 m)
the Kutessay deposit, including REE minerals, and miner- are estimated as approximately 2400 tons of ZREE 2 0 3
als of Th, Zr, Pb, and Zn. These form economic ores (0.16%). The main features of the Aktiuz ore field are pro-
together with other rare metals (Sn, Mo, Nb, Ta, Be) of sec- vided in Table 8.
ondary importance. The REE are widely distributed and are
a major component of ore bodies, ranging from 0.05% up to 3. Conclusions
19.0% SREE, with an average content of 0.41% (within the
0.52% Pb contour). In the #4 adit, there are massive pockets The Aktiuz-Boordu Mining District has experienced a
of REE carbonates and fluorine-carbonates with EREE complex and multi-stage geodynamic evolution. The
contents up to 30^40% observed. The Th mineralization is Archaean and Proterozoic crystalline Tien Shan basement
represented by ferrithorite and monazite, averaging was uplifted as a result of these geodynamic processes.
0.029% for the whole deposit and 0.063% within the Pb High-grade metamorphism, crustal melting and obduction
ore zone. Ferrithorite is a component of silicate REE min- of oceanic lithosphere onto continental crust were part of
eralization and is notable for the high Th concentration this geodynamic evolution. The Paleozoic lithotectonic
(46% Th0 2 ), U (3.5-5.8% U 3 0 8 ), and REE (1.82-3.74% units were formed under various tectonic settings with the
REE 2 0 3 ), mainly as Y. Different forms of ferrithorite occur formation of island arcs in the Cambrian-Middle Ordovi-
in veinlets according to the following mineral assemblages: cian, continental collisions during the Late Ordovician-
quartz-monazite-ferrithorite, ferrithorite in biotite rims, Silurian, active continental margins in the Early Ordovi-
feldspar-monazite-ferrithorite, quartz-ferrithorite, and cian-Middle Carboniferous, and intraplate tectonics during
quartz-ferrithorite-magnetite-chalcopyrite. Disseminated the Permian-Triassic. The highly evolved nature of intru-
ferrithorite is rare. Orthoclase-monazite, orthoclase- sions and the structural peculiarities of this region have
quartz-monazite and quartz-monazite are typical of played an important role in the localization of the mineral
phosphate-carbonate-fluorine-carbonate type; ortho- systems, discussed in this paper. The majority of Au, base
clase-monazite-ferrithorite and quartz-monazite-ferrith- metals, REE and rare-metal deposits are hosted by the crys-
orite are typical of silicate type. Zirconium is represented talline Precambrian basement complex. The richest miner-
by cyrtolite, malacon and zircon as major components of alization is typically associated with zones of repeated
the silicate type REE mineralization. The average Z r 0 2 deformation and complex multi-aged igneous intrusions
content in typical ores is 0.57% with high contents of Th from the Precambrian to the Mesozoic. Geophysical and
(0.3-9.0%), U (0.2-0.4%), Y (1.0-4.0%) and Hf (2.0- geochemical surveys have demonstrated their usefulness in
5.0%). The principal mineral associations are quartz-chlo- locating mineral systems that do not outcrop on the surface,
rite-fluorine-malacon, malacon, feldspar-malacon, and
quartz-cyrtolite. Cyrtolite and malacon contain significant Acknowledgements
quartz and quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration is distributed
along sub-latitudinal zones that can be of economic interest. Discussions with colleagues Apas Bakirov, Rena Mak-
Rare-metal mineralization (Nb, Ta, W, Sn, Mo, Be) is wide- sumova, Kadyrbek Sakiev, Valentin Nikonorov, were of
spread, but does not attain economic grades. Nb and Ta are considerable help while preparing this manuscript. Two
commonly locked in minerals such as rutile, ilmenorutile, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences reviewers, Dmitry Konop-
ilmenite, zircon, cyrtolite and malacon. Tantalo-niobates elko and Andrew Glikson, are acknowledged for their con-
including titanocolumbite, pyrochlore, columbite, and structive criticism and comments that were particularly
tantalite are of lesser importance, averaging 0.034% helpful in improving the manuscript. The final manuscript
N b 2 0 3 and 0.012% Ta 2 Q 5 . Lead content is extremely benefited greatly from the invaluable help of Franco
 R.D. Djenchuraeva et al. I Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 32 (2008) 280-299 299

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