Suture zones of the Urals as integral prospective ore-bearing tectonic structures

Rift-related (1.2 Ga) and collision (380–240 Ma) suture zones of the Urals are described. The riftrelated suture zones comprise an ultramafic-gabbro complex with titanomagnetite mineralization, an ultramafic complex with chromite mineralization, and a complex of alkali granitoids with rare-metal (including REE) mineralization accompanied by K-feldspathites, albitites, and calcite metasomatic rocks. The collision suture zones are distinguished by early collision granitoids specialized for tungsten (scheelite) and gold, as well as by raremetal granites and such derivatives of them as pegmatite and greisen with rare-metal and colored-stone mineralization. The suture zones are characterized by long-term (up to 80 Ma or more) continuous-discontinuous periods of ore deposition; heterogeneous sources of ore matter and ore-bearing fluids; a polyelemental composition of lithogeochemical halos and an integral mineral composition of altered wall rocks; and the occurrence of mafic, intermediate, and felsic dikes at large gold deposits, as well as wide variations in PT parameters of the ore-forming process: T = 620−150°C and P = 3.2−0.6 kbar. Collision played a dual role in ore formation. On the one hand, collision led to deformation and metamorphism of precollision massive sulfide deposits and, to a lesser degree, Au-bearing Fe and Cu skarn and porphyry copper deposits, and, on the other hand, to the formation of new gold, rare-metal, quartz, colored-stone, talc, muscovite, and noble serpentine deposits. As a rule, this polygenetic mineralization differs in age and is related to collision volcanic and plutonic complexes. This diversity can be a good basis for metallogenic analysis, forecasting, and prospecting of various metallic deposits and industrial minerals. Polygenetic mineralization of various age known in suture zones is accompanied by integral lithogeochemical and metasomatic halos characterized by a continuous-discontinuous history. The complexity of ore mineralization and often nonlinear metallogeny increase the practical value of suture zones.