THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MERCURY AUREOLES AND OCCURRENCES OF HYDROTHERMAL GOLD-SILVER MINERALIZATION ON THE TERRITORY OF KAMCHATKA

Abstract

The investigation of mercury distribution in several hydrothermal deposits in North and South Kamchatka shows a distinct relationship between mercury aureoles and zones of gold-silver mineralization. All known Au-Ag ore zones with any sulfide content are accompanied by aureoles of mercury. As expected, Hg has a high position in the Ammon's row of vertical geochemical zoning; it can therefore help estimate the depth of the erosion level. The area of the Sergeevskoye deposit seems to have no prospects for exploration of other epithermal ore deposits. Several mercury anomalies were detected at the flanks of the Mutnovskoye and Ametistovoye deposits. Some anomalies possibly reflect the position of unknown ore zones. The Rodnikovoe deposit is very local with regard to compact and contrast aureoles of mercury. To ascertain the situation on its flanks, investigation of Hg distribution in the rocks and lithochemical dissipation flows in the northern and southern directions from the ore zone is required. The investigation of mercury aureoles of secondary dispersion in the upper part of the volcanic ash formations with the thickness 1-2 m is useless. Since the superposed aureoles of any metal in the young volcanic ash formations are absent, their sampling is useless for geochemical exploration. We recommend to continue the investigation of the lithochemical aureoles of mercury as it is an effective indicator of hydrothermal-type ore deposits.