GOLD IN THE ORE OF THE GOLD-PYRITE DEPOSIT ABYZ (CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN)

Relevance of the research. More than 20 gold-pyrite deposits are known in the Chingiz-Tarbogatai structural-formational zone. All deposits have one problem in common: during ore dressing, a significant part of the gold goes into the "pyrite" concentrate and is lost along with the "tailings". In increasing gold recovery, we studied in detail the mineral composition of the ores of the most representative gold-pyrite deposit Abyz. It was found that a significant part of the gold at the deposit is represented by the mineral electrum, which fills microcracks in pyrite and chalcopyrite. When developing a technological scheme for gold extraction, this fact was probably not given due attention, since it was believed that gold in pyrite was represented by native gold. The main aim is to study textural and structural features of ores, as well as to establish the mineral form of gold in the ores of the Abyz deposit and its relationship to the use of sulfide minerals (pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite). Research methods included studying the composition of rocks and ores using mineralogical, petrographic, mineragraphic and geochemical analyzes. Results. Disseminated and solid ores have been identified at the deposit based on their structural and textural properties. It was established that the main amount of gold is associated with solid ores and is presented in mineral form, associated mainly with pyrite and rarely chalcopyrite. Gold mineralization is associated with beresitization; deposition of Au and Ag minerals occurred during the ore stage of mineral formation and related to gold-sulfide and gold-telluride associations. The predominant mineral is electrum AgAu, native gold Au is diagnosed to a lesser extent, and petcite Ag3AuTe2 with calaverite AuTe2 was found as a single source. The dominant mineral-concentrators in ores are such sulfides as pyrite and chalcopyrite. The reason for the loss of most of the gold as a result of flotation can be explained by the fact that the low-grade gold-bearing mineral electrum AgAu is dominant.