GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROSPECTING EXPLORATION STATUS OF THE ZHOSABAY DEPOSIT IN THE KARAGANDA REGION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROSPECTING AND EVALUATION WORK ON GOLD AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS

The article examines materials on the geological structure, tectonic setting, and magmatic features of the Zhosabay prospect area located in the Shet District of the Karaganda Region—one of the most promising regions of Central Kazakhstan in terms of gold mineralization. Central Kazakhstan is a major metallogenic province where gold-silver and polymetallic deposits are widely developed and are associated with manifestations of volcanogenic-hydrothermal activity and intrusive processes. The aim of the study was to investigate the stratigraphy, intrusive formations, and fault systems of the Zhosabay area in order to provide a basis for further prospecting and evaluation work for gold and associated components. The conducted analysis made it possible to clarify the structural features, composition, and spatial distribution of ore bodies related to gold-silver and polymetallic types of mineralization. It has been established that the formation of mineralization is associated with multi-stage magmatism, the development of secondary quartzites, and intensive hydrothermal-metasomatic processes. The results of previously conducted exploration works were analyzed, during which lead and zinc reserves were calculated, and consistent gold and silver contents were identified. It is shown that, despite the deposit being classified as a reserve object in the 1960s, the area retains significant potential due to the presence of residual and off-balance reserves, as well as the possibility of discovering concealed ore bodies within tectonically active zones. The feasibility of applying modern geological, geophysical, and geochemical methods for reassessing the ore potential of the Zhosabay area and refining its metallogenic model is substantiated.

The obtained data confirm the prospectivity of the Zhosabay area for further prospecting, evaluation, and exploration work aimed at refining the boundaries of gold-silver mineralization and estimating the forecast resources of precious metals. The results of the study may be used in the further development of methodological approaches to the forecasting and evaluation of the Zhosabay deposit in the Karaganda Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.