The Role of Black-Shale Strata in the Formation of the Natalka and Pavlik Gold Deposits (Yana–Kolyma Orogenic Belt)

Abstract

Data on geochemistry, distribution of ore and rare-earth elements and precious metals, and micromineralogy are presented. The objects of study are late Permian sedimentary and volcanosedimentary deposits of the Tikhonya Brook (Atkan (P3at) and Omchak (P3om) formations) and hydrothermally metamorphosed rocks of the Natalka and Pavlik gold deposits of the Omchak ore–placer cluster. Analysis of the deposit ores showed enrichment in chalcophile trace elements Au, Ag, As, W, and Sb relative to their average contents in the upper crust and the host Permian rocks. The high contents of W and Bi in the ores suggest the participation of a magmatic fluid. The absence of abnormal contents of Ni, Co, Sb, Mo, Cr, and Se indicates the redeposition of these elements from ore-bearing rocks, without their input by ore-forming fluids, which is confirmed by the isotopic composition of sulfide sulfur and the characteristics of carbonaceous ore material. The formation of deposits proceeded with a change in REE contents. All objects show similar trace-element patterns: The rocks are enriched in LREE and lack a Ce anomaly. The identical REE patterns of ores reflect their inheritance from unaltered late Permian deposits. It has been established that the ores formed under different redox conditions, mainly with the participation of a relatively oxidized fluid enriched in LREE of the hydrothermal system NaCl–H2O, with domination of Cl over F. The studies have shown that the host carbonaceous sedimentary complexes, which served as additional sources of precious and associated metals, played a crucial role in the formation of the Natalka and Pavlik gold deposits. Some of the ore elements in the unaltered deposits form their own minerals.