Geochemical zoning of secondary dispersion halos on the flanks of the Nezhdaninskoye gold ore deposit, Yakutia

The distribution of the main chemical elements of the ore association identified by the results of correlation and factor analysis and their mutual arrangement was considered at the Nezhdaninskoye large gold ore deposit. Maps of factor loads for the groups of such elements are constructed: As-Cd-Au; Ag-Pb-Sb; Ni-Co-Cu-Be-Zn; Ba-Ce. Zoning coefficients of the upper- and lower-ore elements as well as the relationship between Cd and Zn within the ore field of the Nezhdaninskoe deposit were studied. Assumptions about a possible source of cadmium anomalies within the gold ore zones were made: decomposition of sphalerite under the influence of hypergene processes or introduction into the ore deposition zone by hydrothermal solutions along with lead and gold.