Mineral Associations, their Spatial Relationships and Stages of Formation of Ores of the Gosha Deposit

Abstract

This article examines the stages of ore formation and mineral assemblages at the Gosha deposit. Particular attention is paid to analyzing the geological and structural controls on mineralization within the hydrothermal system, as well as the progressive development of ore-forming processes. Petrographic and mineralogical studies reveal that the ores at the Gosha deposit consist of quartz-pyrite, quartz-gold-telluride, quartz-semisulfide, and quartz-carbonate mineral assemblages. These assemblages reflect distinct stages of hydrothermal activity and are characterized by variations in temperature, fluid composition, and the intensity of host-rock alteration. Additionally, the quartz-gold-goethite-hydrogoethite assemblage found in the oxidation zone is attributed to the supergene stage of ore formation, indicating the overprinting of surface weathering processes onto the primary mineralization. The study demonstrates that ore formation is closely linked to systems of intersecting faults and fractures, which served as the primary conduits for hydrothermal fluid circulation. Intense propylitization, silicification, and argillization played a significant role in the redistribution and concentration of ore components. These findings enable a more detailed reconstruction of the paragenetic model for gold mineralization at the Gosha deposit and facilitate the refinement of genetic models for similar hydrothermal ore systems. Furthermore, they contribute to refining criteria for predicting concealed ore zones at depth.