Features of the Metallogenic Potential of the Shyngys–Tarbagatai Folded System (Kazakhstan) from the Perspective of Modern Plate Tectonics

The Shyngys–Tarbagatai folded system of Kazakhstan, located in the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, represents a promising yet still insufficiently studied metallogenic region of Kazakhstan. The aim of the present study was to reassess its ore potential based on modern geotectonic concepts and a comprehensive metallogenic analysis. An evaluation of the ore potential of nine structural–formational zones was carried out, and their metallogenic specialization was determined. The dominant role of gold and copper mineralization was established, along with the features of spatial distribution of ore occurrences and the most promising areas for further exploration. It was shown that the most ore-rich stratigraphic levels include the Early Cambrian, Late Ordovician, Early Silurian, Early Devonian, and Late Devonian units. It was demonstrated that the formation of the main ore types is closely related to productive geodynamic settings, including Early Paleozoic oceanic rifts, island-arc complexes, and the Devonian continental-margin volcano-plutonic belt. Based on the obtained results, a map of prospective areas at a scale of 1:1,500,000 was compiled, and these areas were ranked according to their degree of prospectivity. A total of 51 targets were identified as priority sites for follow-up prospecting, evaluation, and detailed exploration work.