Lamprophyres and mineralization of the Koytash ore field (Southern Tien Shan)

• Main Authors: Kh. D. Ishbaev, A. Kh. Shukurov, K. M. Kosbergenov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: A.N. Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry 2020-04-01
• Series: Литосфера
• Subjects: ore field; sulfide-rare-metal mineralization; skarn ores; dikes; crystallization differentiation; magma chamber; koytash; southern tien shan
• Online Access: https://www.lithosphere.ru/jour/article/view/1258
• ISSN: 1681-9004; 2500-302X

Research subject. The Koytash ore field is located in the potentially productive Au, Ag, W, Mo, Ti, Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn and REE North Nuratau mineralisation zone of Tien Shan. The authors undertook a study of the composition of dikes breaking through the Paleozoic ore-bearing formations, as well as their petro- and ore-generating role in the formation of the Koytash-Ugat sulphide-rare-metal (W, Mo, Fe) specialised mineralisation. Materials and methods. A study of rock and mineral composition was performed at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics named after Kh.M. Abdullaev. The content of petrogenic and rare elements in rocks and sulphides was determined by ICP-MS using an ICPE-9000 mass-spec trometer in the Central Laboratory of the State Committee for Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The chemical analysis of minerals was performed using a Jeol-8800Rh electronic microanalyser at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics named after Kh.M. Abdullaev. The micrographs of transparent sections were obtained using Nikon Optiphot 2 Pol and Polam R-311 microscopes. Results and conclusions. The conducted study showed that, in terms of their structure, the Koytash ore field dike formations can be regarded as lamprophyres. In terms of their chemical composition, these formations are mafic and intermediate rocks of the subalkaline series. It was found that the composition of lamprophyre dikes correlates with the size of the erosion section. Their melanocratic varieties are confined to the southern part of the intrusion (absolute elevations are 1000–1200 m), and leucocratic – to the northern (about 1900 m). This is assumed to be the result of crystallization differentiation of a single initial melt. The dikes of the Koytash ore field lamprophyres break through not only sulphide-rare-metal bodies of the Koytash-Ugat strip, but also skarn and carbonate rocks and, in turn, are broken through by quartz-polymetallic ore-bearing veins, which testifies to their inter-ore character.