Porphyry Copper Provinces and Zones of the Southern Urals (Forecasting-Metallogenic Zoning)
Porphyry copper promising areas of various scales (metallogenic provinces and zones) were first outlined for the whole Southern Urals territory. This metallogenic zoning was based on the geological formational analysis and the authors’ forecast methodology for porphyry copper deposits developed in TsNIGRI. The distinguished and outlined Tagil-Magnitogorsk and Eastern Urals porphyry copper metallogenic provinces represent systems of closely spaced nearly synchronous volcanic-plutonic belts (VPB). The belts, or their sectors, are delineated as porphyry copper metalloge­nic zones. Comprehensive characteristics of the VPB comprise their geotectonic setting, geological features, and composition of volcanic-plutonic assemblages and plutonic associations, especially of those productive for porphyry copper mineralization. The VPB metallogeny is considered, with special attention given to spatial and temporal relations of porphyry copper deposits to other ore mineralization types. The metallogenic zones are ranked according to their potential for porphyry copper deposit discovery.