Scientists at the V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered for the first time that organic compounds were involved in the formation of gold and silver deposits in Kamchatka along with water and carbon dioxide. This will make it possible to predict and find new deposits for expanding production in the future, according to an article in Minerals magazine.
In their study, the scientists studied the formation of five epithermal deposits: Baranyevskoye, Rodnikovoye, Lazurnoye, Kumroch and Maletoyama. These are ore deposits formed at shallow depths by hot aqueous solutions that have penetrated through cracks or pores from the bowels of the earth. Epithermal deposits of gold and silver play an important role in the global balance of ores of these metals. This type of deposit accounts for up to 8% of global gold production.
“The data obtained can be used to develop a genetic model of deposits, which can later be used to predict and search for new mineral deposits. Thus, it is possible to expand the mineral resource base of precious metals,” the article says.
In their work, the scientists analyzed samples of so—called quartz veins, which are rock samples that form during the solidification of minerals or molten magma. In total, the scientists selected about 50 such samples. In them, in small cavities up to 50 microns in size, there are minor inclusions of liquids, which have become the subject of close analysis.
The data from them showed that the liquid from the deposits contains from 155 to 210 organic compounds. Scientists have found that the liquid mainly consists of water and carbon dioxide, but there is also a wide range of hydrocarbons and their derivatives, as well as nitrogenous and organosulfur compounds.
“As the research results showed, organic compounds were present in the ore-forming solutions of all five deposits, which means that they actively participated in the transfer of gold and other ore components in the form of organometallic compounds. Hydrocarbons are capable of accumulating and transporting significant amounts of silver, gold and other elements,” the article explains. It is noted that such data were obtained for the first time for gold and silver deposits in Kamchatka.