Scientific publications

Pyrite (Cu, Zn and Pb) deposits with associated gold are one of the world's leading genetic types of gold deposits. For the Fennoscandian Shield, this statement is applicable, with some restrictions, only to the Proterozoic. In the Archean of the Shield in general and in that of the Karelian region in particular pyrite deposits with economic gold are unknown. Geochemically, however, high percentages of gold in Archean pyrite mineralization make it a prospective basic gold formation that could have provided a source of ore matter, including noble metals, during the formation of later gold deposits dominated by a mesothermal orogenic type. The metallogenic potential of Karelia's pyrite mineralization in this aspect is estimated at 370 t. The most prospective area for orogenic-type gold deposits in Karelian pyrite-bearing structures is the Soanlahti prospect with the Soanvaara pyrite deposit (gold potential 151 t) and a series of already known gold occurrences (Soanjoki, Prolonvaara, Sinkori etc.) therein.