KazGeology is carrying out geological explorations at Anastas-Katynadyr site
KazGeology JSC is carrying out geological explorations as part of state assignment “Prospecting and evaluation works for copper-sulphide ores within Anastasyev-Katynadyr zone (section of local Katynadyr caldera in Ussupsk volcano-tectonic depression), M-40-70-A sheet with the exclusion of conract areas” in Chromtau district of Aktobe region.
Major geological objective is to provide a perspective evaluation of Katynadyr occurrence of copper-sulphide ores.
Formations of the upper strata of the basalt-rhyolite formation represented by basalt porphyrites, diabases, less often hyalobasalts, andesite-basalt porphyrites and siliceous rocks, are developed over the entire site area. Rhyolitic and rhyodacite porphyries and gabbro-diabase are common from extrusive and subvolcanic rocks.
The work area is limited to collapsed caldera of 1.5×1.2 km, which is complicated by tectonic disturbances in the meridional, sublatitudinal and diagonal directions. Fall of grounds in southeast from gentle to steep.
Hydrothermal processing processes are widely common in the rocks composing the ore occurrence. The most characteristic metasomatic formations are quartz-chlorite, quartz-sericite-chlorite, and quartz-sericite chlorite, which bear copper-calcined mineralization.
During the preparatory work at this site, two prospective zones were identified: central and northern.
In the central zone, geologists-predecessors drilled several holes, some of them turned out to be ore. This year, in order to calculate the copper, zinc and silver reserves in category C2, 12 holes were drilled with a total volume of 2,830 lin. m.
In the northern zone, as a result of reinterpretation of the map of gravity anomalies in the area and anomalies detection by IP-ADS method, with increased polarization capacity and low resistance, one hole was drilled, which opened a productive mineralized zone with a capacity of 3 m with 1.61% copper and 13.3 g/t silver.
This year, in order to study the extensive anomaly, geophysical survey was carried out in the northern zone using the IP-ADS method in the amount of 6 line km. As a result, a hole with a depth of 170.0 m was drilled 200 m north of the mentioned hole, which also turned out to be an ore hole. At the moment, drilling operations are in progress to clarify the morphology and elements of the productive mineralized zone. Calculation of forecast reserves will be the result of works in this zone.
This year, it is planned to complete the entire scope of drilling operations provided for by the project (3,450 lin.m.), obtain partial results of laboratory studies using the ICP-OES method, as well as conduct a topographic survey of the work site with reference to holes and mine workings.
KazGeology JSC
