New data on the reduced intrusion-related Au mineralization of Central Kolyma gold region: age, formation conditions, composition, orecontrolling factors

Abstract

New data are presented on the formation conditions and ages of the reduced intrusion-related Au mineralization of the Vetrenskaya area in the Central Kolyma region. The mineralization is predominantly confined to intersections of Late Jurassic minor intrusive bodies and NE-trending fracture systems and is represented by zones of thin quartz veinlets with sericite-quartz halos. The major ore mineral is gold-bearing arsenopyrite (up to 10%), while minor minerals are represented by lellingite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. Microscopic native gold of a low fineness is paragenetically associated with bismuth minerals (bismuthine, native bismuth, andtellurides of Bi and Au), forming microinclusions (1–10 μ) in the arsenopyrite. Isochronous Re-Os age of the goldbearing arsenopyrite is 137–117 Ma, which suggests the mineralization was formed significantly later than the hosting granitoids (147–153 Ma). The reduced intrusionrelated Au ore deposit was formed at shallower depths in comparison with orogenic Au deposits, and at lower temperatures in comparison with rare metal (W, Mo) ore deposits.