Geochemical halos of gold mineralization in the Geokhimicheskoe ore occurrence, Kuldzhuktau region (Uzbekistan)

The Geokhimicheskoe ore occurrence is located 1–1.5 km west of the Taushan deposit, within the southeastern exocontact zone of the Aktosty intrusive massif. The study aims to comprehensively analyze geochemical halos associated with gold mineralization in the Kuldzhuktau region (Uzbekistan) in order to identify their spatial and compositional characteristics, establish indicator elements reflecting mineralization processes, and substantiate promising directions for precious metal prospecting. Factor analysis was applied to process multi-element geochemical data from 620 samples. The results demonstrate that average gold concentrations exceed background levels by up to 1,200 times; Au, As, Ag, and W are identified as key pathfinder elements. Additional ore-localizing features include “through-going” anomalies of As, W, Sb, Mo, and Ag. The constructed additive Au + As anomaly model proved to be most effective in delineating promising flanking and deep-seated zones. The established geochemical zoning, which reflects sequential formation of mineral assemblages, is confirmed as a critical criterion for predicting mineralization. The generated geochemical anomaly maps effectively highlight areas with high gold potential, providing guidance for further gold prospecting efforts.

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