Ore-forming processes in the Drazhnoe gold–quartz deposit (Eastern Yakutia, Russia)

Abstract

Themobarogeochemical investigations revealed that quartz from the Drazhnoe deposit was formed in mesothermal conditions at depths of 3–4 km from carbon dioxide–water fluids with wide salinity variations and an admixture of methane. Several types of fluids are distinguishable on the basis of the composition of extracts: hydrocarbonate–sodium, highly diluted, and late sulfate–hydrocarbonate–sodium with elevated salinity. Ore minerals precipitated in the thermostatic environments against the background of fluid heterogenization due to a probably significant pressure drop and mixing of different solutions. Metamorphic processes related to the early collision stage provided no substantial impact on the composition and potential of gold ore mineralization.