Gold-sulphide mineralization of Кaravannoe ore occurrence (Subpolar Urals)

We have studied the gold-sulfide mineralization of Karavannoe ore occurrence located in Kozhim district of the Subpolar Urals. The sulphides were mainly represented by sphalerite, galena, and pyrite. The gold is closely associated with the sulphides. The size of the gold particles varies from 0.1 to 0.6 mm and in the most cases does not exceed 0.2 mm. The particles with a thickened, isometric, complex shape predominate. The impurity element in the gold is silver, which content varies from 2 to 9.8 wt. %. The temperature of homogenization of fluid inclusions in vein quartz from ore zones ranges from 240 to 400 oC. Water, chlorides of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane are present in the inclusions. Sulphides are characterized mainly by weighted isotope composition of sulfur, d34S varies from 3.7 to 15.6 ‰.The formation of the gold-sulphide mineralization was likely conditioned by the Late Paleozoic hydrothermal-metamorphogenic processes with the predominant mobilization of water, sulphur and other components from enclosing rocks with a relatively low participation of abyssal fluids. The zones of impregnated and vein-impregnated sulphide mineralization in the Riphean shales of Karavannoe occurrence and beyond are very favorable for the development of gold-bearing weathering crusts, which may represent industrial interest.