Geological evolution and huge ore-forming belts in the core part of the Central Asian metallogenic region

Abstract

The multi-stage geological evolution and extensive continental deformations during the course of its history make the Central Asian metallogenic region (CAMR) a unique and complicated large-scale metal domain. New geological observations and precise age-data allow an improved reconstruction of the geological evolution of the CAMR. This paper summarizes the Paleozoic orogenic evolution and related ore formation in the core part of the CAMR based on the geological data published both during the Soviet period and the last decades. Four ore-formation provinces (Altay, Balkhash-Junggar, Chu-Yili-Tianshan, and Southwest Tianshan) could be classified. The Balkhash-Junggar and Chu-Yili-Tianshan provinces are the major topics of this paper. The Balkhash-Junggar province consists of 4 huge ore-forming belts (Zharma-Saur, Tarbahtay-Xiemistay, Aktogay-Baerluke, Balkhashwestern Junggar) with 11 large ore-college areas. The Chu-Yili-Tianshan province consists of 4 huge ore-forming belts (Alatau-Sairimu, Chu-Yili-Bolehuole, Issyk-Awulale, Kazharman-Nalaty) with 22 large ore-college areas. Formation of large ore-college area corresponds to a specific stage of continental crust growth. Comparison of geology and ore deposits in the CAMR provides rich information for future exploration and understanding of ore-forming processes. The Paleo-Junggar Ocean closed at Early Devonian in the Balkhash-western Junggar ore-forming belt. Afterwards, widespread volcanicsedimentary rocks formed at extensional stage due to delamination of the thick lower crust formed during previous accretionary processes. Felsic magma intrusion caused formation of porphyry Cu-Au deposit at ∼310 Ma and related hydrothermal gold deposits about 10 Ma later. For example, in the Hatu-Baobei-Sartohay Au-Cr ore-college area in the Balkhash-western Junggar ore-forming belt, small granitic to diorite plutons and various dykes (312–277 Ma) and large granite bodies (∼300 Ma) intruded into the Devonian to Early Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary basin. These magmatic activities and fault systems mainly controlled ore-forming processes.

Keywords

Central Asian / Paleozoic / ore / Altay / Balkhash-Junggar / Chu-Yili-Tianshan / Southwest Tianshan

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