Ore Mineralization of Active Paleomargins of Continents (on the Example of Alpine Metallic Deposits of Caucasus and Pontides)

Abstract

Metallogenic features of Pontides – Lesser Caucasus microplates (part of active paleomargin of Eurasian microplate are determined by copper, copper-molibdenium porphyry, iron-scarn, volcanic nonferrous, precious metals, auriferous and manganese ore deposits. Their orebearing fluid systems occurred consistently on various stages of development of the region and were correlated with geological processes on the border of convergental and divergental interaction of mic¬roplates. The above mentioned types of ore deposits display clear areal and temporary bonds with certain composites of lithogeodynamic complexes (which are presented in mountain folding systems of relics of ancient geomorphological structures) - geological formations. Different geologic-genetical models are suggested for each type of deposits, characterizing possible sources of ore substance, causes of rise and functions of fluid systems, in addition to ore formation environment. It may be said that different genetic groups of deposits are regularly associated with certain litho-geodynamic complexes. The complexes of the paleomarginal sea hollows of the divergent type are specialized in copper and pyrite-polimetallic hydrothermal-sedimentary mineralization; island arc systems of different age – in copper and copper-zinc hydrothermal-sedimentary and epigenetic mineralization; their uplifted blocks – in gold, copper-porphyry and skarn-iron-ore mineralization. Within the area of volcanic-sedimentary copper-zinc deposits in intra-arc sea hollows (Pontides) manganese accumulations are sometimes encountered.