Geophysical prospecting for epithermal gold deposits (a case study from the Maletoivayam gold ore field, Kamchatka Peninsula)

Abstract

Research subject. The high-sulfidation (HS-type) epithermal gold deposits of the Maletoyvayam ore field, which is located in the volcanic belts of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Materials and methods. The paper presents the results of geophysical and petrophysical studies carried out by “NPP VIRG-Rudgeofizika” (2016–2017 years) in the central part of the Maletoyvayam ore field hosting HS-type gold deposits. Results. The presented case study shows the potential of geophysical prospecting for HS-type epithermal gold deposits located within altered rock areas. On the basis of the conducted magnetic surveys, fragments of a ring structure broken by faults and the hydrothermally altered bodies within the Neogene volcanogenic-sedimentary sequence of the andesite composition were identified. Using the 3D inversion of magnetic data, the shape, size and structure of the hydrothermally altered bodies were estimated. The electrical survey data allowed the hydrothermally altered areas to be differentiated in terms of composition. As a result, zoning of hydrothermally altered areas was conducted, and ore-bearing sites and gold-bearing bodies of monoquartzites in the plan and cross-section were determined. Conclusions. Geophysical techniques for prospecting HS-type epithermal gold deposits are effective in distinguishing important gold-related features within the altered zone thereby facilitating identification of specific drill targets.