PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS OF RUSSIA

Porphyry Cu deposits and occurrences are located in different parts of Russia. Most of them were discovered, evaluated and explored 40-60 years ago in the former Soviet Union during the state geological study. Many prospective occurrences and anomalies were recommended for further exploration, but only some targets were tested and proved. No mines on porphyry Cu deposits have been developed yet. Additional exploration work at some deposits was started some years ago.

The Kola-Karelia region has some porphyry Mo-Cu-Au deposits and occurrences located in Precambrian rocks.

Southern Urals: Magnitogorsky (D₂) and Valerianovsky (C_1-2) magmatic belts include some porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits and occurrences controlled by regional-scale faults. The Valerianovsky belt is covered mostly by Cenozoic cover and therefore has a good potential for discovery of blind porphyry CuMo/Au mineralization.

Altay-Tuva region: Paleozoic volcanic complexes include some porphyry Cu-Mo deposits and occurrences.

The Transbaikalia region has some porphyry Cu-Au deposits and occurrences. They are located in magmatic rocks of Pz₃-Mz₁ age and controlled by normal faults and strike-slip faults.

Russian Far East region holds some porphyry Cu-Mo/Au/Sn deposits and many occurrences. All of them are located within Andean-type magmatic belts of J₃-K₁, K_1-2, Pg-N ages. Strike-slip faults and associated extensional structures control porphyry systems in many cases. Porphyry-type mineralization often associates with epithermal Au-Ag mineralization. The largest Russian Peschanka porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit has indicated and inferred reserves of Cu 5.5 Mt, Au 386 t, Mo 179 tt with good potential for increased reserves at depth (> 200 m). The Russian Far East region has strong potential for discovery of world-class porphyry Cu-Mo/Au deposits!