Features of gold placer formation in the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield

and Southern Ukraine

I. LOMAKIN, E. SARVIROV, V. KOCHELAB

MariGeoEcoCenter of the NAS of Ukraine

55-b Oles’ Honchar str, Kyiv

UKRAINE

Abstract: The presence of numerous native gold deposits of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS), as well as

the spread of placer gold manifestations, determines the high probability of the formation here of gold placers

with industrial parameters. The main factors and geological conditions that contribute to the formation of gold

placers are manifested at the UCS. An important reason for the failures of previous geological works is the

outdated scientific and methodological platform, which involved the search for typical gold-bearing deposits with

metal of gravity size classes. They did not take into account the possibility of significant movement of placer

gold in the geologically clay water flow and the formation of long-distance placers. The traditional Schlich

method used in the study did not make it possible to determine the actual gold content when particles with a size

smaller than 0.25 mm predominate in the sample, which is precisely the particle size of the primary sources of

the UCS. The applied means of research could not be effective in the absence of the necessary analytical base for

determining the gold content, modern methods of studying the geological structure and tectonics of the territories.

The negative results did not provide any real grounds for further specialized large-scale research and prospecting

for placer gold. Today, it is getting obvious that placer gold of small and fine classes can easily move over

considerable distances in the water flow and form accumulations not only in boulder-pebble material, but also in

pelitic sediments. Due to repeated block movements, erosion and redepositing of gold-bearing accumulations in

secondary reservoirs could occur. In this aspect, neotectonic studies (using materials from space surveys) become

the main predictive and prospecting method for identifying promising areas of placer gold concentration in the

region. When carrying out fieldwork, drilling and modern methods of laboratory analysis of gold samples should

be used. The results of many years of research give hope for the discovery of real placer gold deposits in the

Northern Black Sea region in the near future.

Key Words: Ukrainian Crystalline Shield, gold ore deposits, gold placers, small and fine gold, prospecting

concept.

Received: July 18, 2022. Revised: August 18, 2023. Accepted: September 29, 2023. Published: November 7, 2023.

1 Introduction

The issue of insufficiently substantiated and, in our

view, underestimated gold-bearing prospects in the

Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS) and its adjacent

regions remains pertinent within the current context

of the geological exploration of Ukraine's subsoil for

gold resources.

In terms of their formation, natural gold deposits in

this area fall into two primary categories: ore and

placer. Geological exploration activities at various

stages have confirmed the presence of ore gold within

the UCS. Extensive mining, drilling, and related

operations have been conducted at numerous

indigenous gold deposits in the UCS. However, a

critical shortcoming of previous research lies in the

incomplete investigation of regulated stages in the

study of ore assets. Gold exploration across all

regions was essentially halted in the late 1990s, a

period when global gold prices reached their lowest.

Consequently, no gold deposits within the UCS were

explored to the extent necessary to enable their

industrial development.

The situation regarding the study of placer gold-

bearing deposits within the UCS and its surroundings

is even less favorable. Targeted geological

prospecting for placer gold in the UCS was

infrequent, conducted on a limited scale, and often

employed less than ideal methods. It's worth noting

that direct indications of placer gold within loose

sedimentary rocks of the Meso-Cenozoic era are

widespread in the region, but no accumulations of

placer gold with industrial potential have been

identified. Geological work related to the study of

gold placers in Ukraine was discontinued due to the

absence of positive results. In our view, this was a

result of employing an incorrect prospecting model

for gold accumulations within the UCS and its

surrounding. A crucial oversight was the failure to

consider that primary sources of gold in the UCS

consist predominantly of free gold particles

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belonging to small and fine classes, even smaller. The

work mainly utilized a simplistic testing method

focused on isolating relatively large gold particles,

leading to significant underestimations of the actual

gold content, with particles smaller than 0.25 mm

being lost.

The urgency of further geological study of gold ore

and placer deposits, aimed at rapid industrial

development, is underscored by the current situation

on the global gold market, which has evolved over

the past 23 years. Gold prices have risen

approximately 5.5-6 times since 2000, attracting

substantial investments into the gold mining sector

worldwide and fostering advancements in

exploration and exploitation technologies for gold-

bearing resources. Consequently, in countries with

gold reserves, previously deemed unpromising, some

sites are being actually developed. At this stage, their

exploitation yields considerable economic benefits.

Turkey, Finland, and Sweden serve as vivid

examples of developed countries successfully

reviving their gold mining industry [24]. In a short

span of time, they not only revived long-dormant

mines but also significantly intensified geological

exploration. Legislative improvements have

contributed to successful activities in this field,

resulting in the development of new deposits and a

substantial increase in gold production.

The primary objective of this article is to examine the

theoretical foundations underlying the formation of

gold placers and to identify the presence and

characteristics of the conditions and factors

influencing them within the Ukrainian Crystalline

Shield (UCS), its slopes, and adjoining regions. To

achieve this, a critical analysis of existing

information concerning placer gold in southern

Ukraine is necessary. This analysis should

encompass data related to its distribution, quality,

and the extent of its study, with an assessment of the

reliability of geological data on the gold content of

placer deposits.

Revisiting the previously utilized concept of gold

placer formation within the UCS and its periphery is

imperative, considering the unique properties of gold

and the geological processes that shape the

accumulation of gold deposits.

2 Materials and Methodology

Over the past five decades, a broad spectrum of

researchers has addressed the challenges associated

with placer gold in the UCS. Notably, significant

contributions have been made by academic and

industrial institutions in Ukraine. Regrettably, there

is still scarcity of comprehensive analytical works

summarizing the data on UCS placer gold. While

there are publications that provide overviews and

summaries of information [4, 17], they often

overlook crucial aspects of the formation and

evolution of Ukrainian placers. Additionally, there is

a study that delves into the digital modeling of heavy

mineral placer formation processes, offering insights

into theoretical aspects of placer formation [15].

A wealth of valuable geological information

concerning gold placers can be found in the reports

and archival materials of state geological exploration

enterprises, specifically within the geological

databases of UkrGeoInform. Numerous descriptions

of placer gold from various sites located within the

UCS and its slopes can be found in specialized

scientific publications and geological records.

Abnormally high concentrations of placer gold have

been observed in samples from alluvial, diluvial,

eluvial, and other types of loose sedimentary

formations in this region. Placer gold has also been

identified in man-made tailings from the

concentration of titanium-zirconium placer deposits.

Furthermore, during the examination of bottom

sediments in the basins of the Dnipro and Southern

Bug rivers, the water area of the Sea of Azov, along

the Odesa coast, and the northwest shelf of the Black

Sea, samples containing placer gold were collected.

All these observations collectively indicate that the

process of gold placer formation has been widely

manifested within the UCS and its vicinity,

particularly in the southern regions.

To explore the fundamental potential for placer

formation in any given region, it is essential to

evaluate the presence of mandatory general

conditions, understand their characteristics and

extent as they relate to that particular area: 1)

existence of native primary sources of gold; 2)

presence of favorable exogenous factors that

contribute to the denudation and erosion of these

native sources, ultimately leading to the creation of

near-surface gold placers; 3) natural conditions and

processes that determine the breakdown and transport

of primary placers, their subsequent erosion, and the

migration and accumulation of placer gold in

redeposited locations.

The manifestations of these processes and factors are

prevalent throughout the UCS and its adjacent

regions. In the following sections, we will delve into

some of their distinctive features.

Availability of Primary Gold Sources. The State

Fund of Mineral Deposits in Ukraine has documented

several dozen gold deposits, with a combined

estimated potential of over 2.4 thousand tons of gold

metal [1, 24, 25]. Prominent examples include

Klyntsivske, Yuriivske, Balka Zolota, Sergiivske,

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Balka Shyroka, Mayske, Savranske, among others.

Furthermore, there are likely undiscovered and

unexplored gold ore occurrences that could serve as

native gold sources. All of them have the potential to

be the origins of placer gold when exposed on the

Earth's surface. Therefore, the UCS is distinguished

by the presence of substantial sources capable of

generating gold placers (see Fig. 1).

Exogenous Processes Contributing to Placer

Formation. It is evident that the primary source must

be situated within the denudation and erosion zone to

give rise to gold-bearing placers. The gold ore objects

within the UCS, formed in the Archaean-early

Proterozoic era at significant depths (4-7 km), have

been brought to the Earth's surface due to extended

geological history marked by vertical block‘s

tectonic movements. The geological sections from

drilling provide clear evidence that nearly all the

known gold deposits within the UCS had reached the

Earth's surface during the Meso-Cenozoic era. This

suggests that certain ore bodies and gold ore zones

underwent erosion under surface conditions, with

gold particles eventually reaching sedimentation

zones. Presently, the original ore-bearing rocks of the

foundation are typically covered by various facies of

loose Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary deposits.

These sedimentary layers can vary in thickness,

ranging from tens to hundreds of meters, concealing

the ore bodies below.

Fig. 1: Schematic representation of the locations of gold ore deposits in Ukraine (A) and the areas where placer

gold is distributed (B) within the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS) and its southern region. Source:

https://geoinf.kiev.ua (with added annotations). 1 - Mugiivske, 2 - Saulyak, 3 - Mayske, 4 - Klyntsi, 5 - Yuriivka,

6 - Balka Shyroka, 7 - Balka Zolota, 8 - Serhiivka, 9 - Surozh, 10 – Bobrykivske deposit

The geological phenomenon of placer formation,

which encompasses denudation and erosion of gold-

bearing primary rocks, as well as the transport and

accumulation of gold particles, is evidently

influenced predominantly by fluvial processes. These

processes are closely linked to the flow of water, both

permanent and intermittent. As a result, the

development of continental sedimentary layers

containing heavy mineral placers occurs primarily

within river basins, valleys, and low-lying landforms

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on the Earth's surface. The density and configuration

of the river network, along with changes in

topography, are strongly influenced by discontinuous

tectonics, especially the spatial distribution of

tectonically weakened zones. These zones exhibit

more intense denudation and erosion processes. The

specific character of the landscape formed is

contingent on the vigor of fluvial processes. The

degree of water flow activity determines the

predominance of erosion or accumulation activities,

as well as certain types and configurations of

landforms. The dynamic behavior of surface water

movement is contingent on the scale of the erosion

base, which is linked to vertical tectonic shifts. While

the formation of fluvial terrain takes into account the

significant influence of climatic factors, such as the

quantity of atmospheric water reaching the Earth's

surface and the lithological composition of the

eroded rocks, it's crucial to recognize the pivotal role

of "active" tectonic block movements. These

movements regulate the flow of surface water, define

the direction of watercourses, and drive geological

processes related to rock erosion, the transport of

materials, and the accumulation of loose sediments.

movement is contingent on the scale of the erosion

base, which is linked to vertical tectonic shifts. While

the formation of fluvial terrain takes into account the

significant influence of climatic factors, such as the

quantity of atmospheric water reaching the Earth's

surface and the lithological composition of the

eroded rocks, it's crucial to recognize the pivotal role

of "active" tectonic block movements. These

movements regulate the flow of surface water, define

the direction of watercourses, and drive geological

processes related to rock erosion, the transport of

materials, and the accumulation of loose sediments.

Following the formation of gold ore deposits and

completion of the consolidation stage of the Eastern

European Platform (EEP), the Ukrainian Crystalline

Shield (UCS) emerged as a prominent crystalline

foundation protruding above the surrounding

landscape. Notably, Wend deposits are scarce within

the UCS. Nevertheless, remnants of these ancient

formations persist in the form of well-preserved

structured algae remains in the Precambrian

basement rocks, found at depths ranging from 70 to

2100 meters. These remains are typically located in

stratified zones and areas with increased permeability

in the fractured metapores of the Archaean and

Proterozoic regions [7].

During the Paleozoic era, the UCS alternated

between periods of continuous and intermittent

landmass existence, taking on the form of a tectonic

plateau-like uplift within the southwestern part of the

EEP. Under the influence of a warm, arid climate, a

kaolin weathering crust developed on the surface of

the ancient crystalline rocks of the UCS. The rise of

the UCS was accompanied by denudation, which

served as a source of erosion for terrigenous material.

This process contributed to the formation of

extensive Paleozoic sedimentary strata in nearby

regional structures, particularly within the Dnieper-

Donetsk depression (DDD) and the Scythian Plate.

The Carboniferous period witnessed significant relief

dissection and the extensive erosion of eroded

material. This is evident from the prominent

prevalence of terrigenous alluvial-delta formations in

the Carboniferous deposits of the DDD. It is

reasonable to assume that during this time, a

substantial river system flowed through the

southeastern regions of the shield in the southeast

direction [7].

During the Mesozoic era, due to the prolonged and

differential block-like uplift of the Ukrainian

Crystalline Shield (UCS), the Precambrian gold-

bearing rocks and gold ore deposits gradually entered

the zone of hypergenesis, erosion, and denudation.

As a consequence of this geological transformation,

the processes leading to the formation of gold placers

commenced. The earliest documented occurrences of

placer gold are found in alluvial deposits dating back

to the Early Cretaceous period (Aptian-Albian) [6,

13]. This timeframe is considered the most probable

onset of the gold placer formation stage. We have no

knowledge of placer gold deposits in older alluvial

deposits. It can be affirmed that the formation of gold

placers within the UCS has been an ongoing process

for over 125 million years.

The deposition of gold into these sedimentary

formations primarily occurred as a result of

weathering processes acting on gold-bearing rocks.

Simultaneously, there was likely a redistribution of

gold due to transformations in the oxidation zone,

ultimately leading to the accumulation of free

metallic gold. For instance, during exploration

activities, a relatively small eluvial placer was

discovered in the weathering crust on the southern

flank of the Klintsiv gold ore deposit.

Gold infiltrated the loose sedimentary layer in

various forms, including individual, discrete, free

clastogenic particles, as well as aggregates and

concretions of gold bound with minerals like quartz,

sulfides, clay minerals, and others. The tiniest gold

particles had the capacity to move within clay

solutions in the form of suspensions. There's also a

possibility that gold was transported out of the

hypergenesis zone in dissolved form. As a

consequence of the erosion and denudation of

primary crystalline rocks, short-wear placers were

formed.

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Substantial placer formation also took place in the

primary deposits during the Paleocene-Eocene period.

Remnants of these near-surface placers are currently

recognized in the deposits of the Eocene Buchach

series [2, 14]. For instance, noteworthy examples

include placers in the Central Dnipro region, located

within the submerged paleovalley of the Sura River,

situated in close proximity to the Sergiivske and

Balka Zolota gold deposits. (Based on materials from

KP "SouthUkrGeology," V.V. Sukach, N.M. Gaeva,

etc., 1999). The alluvial deposits of the Buchach

series in this area rest directly on the kaolin crust

formed through weathering of the crystalline

basement rocks. These deposits are subsequently

overlain by marine lagoonal and shallow-water facies

of the Kyiv series.

However, it's worth noting that the testing and sample

enrichment method employed did not allow for an

accurate assessment of the content of TFG (total fine

gold), which predominantly constituted the placer.

This assertion is substantiated by the geological

report's findings. It has been established that gold

derived from the primary sources of the UCS,

including gold ore bodies and gold-bearing

crystalline rocks, predominantly consists of free gold

particles. These particles are characterized by their

small size (ranging from 0.25 to 0.1 mm), thinness

(less than 0.1 mm), and a dust-like appearance,

referred to as STDG (small, thin, dust-like gold).

Geological exploration conducted by the Crimean

branch of UkrDGRI (Yu.O. Novikov, 2009) in the

Azov region has revealed the presence of alluvial

placer gold, specifically in the Pliocene-Lower

Quaternary deposits that constitute the terrasouval.

This placer, known as Balka Nimetska, is situated

within the Sorokin gold ore zone, which encompasses

the partially explored Surozh gold ore deposit.

As previously mentioned, there have been relatively

few targeted geological prospecting efforts for placer

gold within the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS)

territory. However, the aforementioned examples

serve as a compelling evidence that the processes

conducive to the formation of primary gold-bearing

placers have indeed been distinctly identified within

the UCS and its adjacent slopes.

Conditions Influencing the Potential Transport

and Accumulation of Placer Gold. The presence of

native placer gold has been documented in

contemporary sedimentary formations within

numerous small and large rivers that traverse the

Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS). Gold deposits

have been identified in the alluvial deposits of

various rivers, including Irsha, Teteriv, Ros, Sinyukh,

Sob, Zhovta, Saksagan, Ingulets, Dnipro, and others

[11]. It is worth noting that we exclude consideration

of gold placers found in the modern alluvial deposits

of the Dniester River [10, 22], as we believe their

primary sources are not directly linked to the gold ore

deposits of the UCS.

In the coastal regions of the Black and Azov Seas,

which are considerably distant from the recognized

original sources within the Ukrainian Crystalline

Shield (UCS), there have been numerous instances of

obtaining samples containing STDG and dispersed

placer gold in the bottom sediments [8, 9, 18, 21, 23,

26-30]. These findings provide further confirmation

that a significant portion of gold can be transported

over substantial distances in suspension within clay-

laden water flows and subsequently deposited. These

observations strongly suggest that the erosion of

gold-bearing rocks originating from primary placers

and intermediate reservoirs, as well as the

transportation and subsequent redeposition of placer

gold, continue to occur in the present day. It is crucial

to highlight that the primary repository for solid

sediment runoff from Cenozoic river systems is water

reservoir of the Black and Azov Seas.

Throughout the complex and varied geological

history of the region, the geometry and distribution of

watercourses within the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield

(UCS) underwent multiple alterations [3]. These

changes contributed to the intricate geological

structure of the loose sedimentary layers and the

redistribution of gold placers. The positioning of

ancient valleys was notably influenced by fault zones

along which the block movements occurred. During

the Mesozoic era, stability of the structural layout of

the region and the fact that valleys had already

incised into the solid bedrock foundation meant that

the positions of these valleys remained relatively

constant.

Nevertheless, the development stages of these

ancient valleys could vary. Alterations in the erosion

base level, stemming from vertical tectonic

movements and eustatic fluctuations in sea levels,

could result in different scenarios. The river valleys

might experience standard river processes of erosion

and sediment deposition, or portions of a valley could

temporarily transform into lakes or bays due to

marine ingression. After the sea level regressed, a

river would resume its course in the same location.

Consequently, as these processes alternated over time,

previously formed alluvial gold-bearing deposits

could undergo erosion, removal, and reaccumulation

in more favorable areas.

In the Pliocene epoch, a neotectonic activation stage

triggered significant alterations in the structural and

tectonic layout of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield

(UCS). This led to the creation of weakened zones

with new orientations and the emergence of a

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reconfigured river valley network. As a result, many

watercourses abandoned their ancient valleys. An

illustrative example highlighting the pivotal role of

tectonic factors in shaping the river network and,

consequently, sedimentation patterns is the frequent

relocation of the Dnipro River valley. Consequently,

numerous ancient river valleys within the UCS are

presently situated along modern watershed areas and

are concealed beneath younger sedimentary deposits,

rendering their identification and geological mapping

a challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, certain regions

of the UCS have retained their original river network

configuration. These areas are closely associated

with highly elevated basement blocks that lack pre-

Quaternary loose sediments, such as the Ovrutsky

graben, the Novoukrainka district, and the

Pryazovsky massif [3].

The intricate geological history of the sedimentary

cover within the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS)

during the Meso-Cenozoic era brought about

successive shifts in the dominant exogenous

processes. Preexisting deposits within river valleys,

including gold placers, underwent erosion and

redeposition due to these multifaceted and often

shifting erosion and accumulation processes. These

phenomena could transpire repeatedly. The initial

near-surface gold placers within the Lower

Cretaceous and Buchach alluvial deposits were

preserved as vestiges primarily because they were

shielded from deterioration by overlying sedimentary

layers. The transformations in the river network's

configuration and the frequent alteration of

exogenous processes significantly complicated the

geological structure of the sedimentary layer.

3 Discussion of Results

In light of the aforementioned aspects of the

Ukrainian Crystalline Shield's (UCS) and its

neighboring regions’ development, which played a

pivotal role in shaping the geological structure of the

sedimentary layer, it is evident that substantial

primary sources of gold and the manifestation of

wear placers have been firmly established. The

intricate geological composition of the sedimentary

layer and the covering of primary placers by more

recent sedimentary deposits pose inherent challenges

in the pursuit of identifying and studying promising

placer areas. Deciphering the specific migration

pathways and pinpointing the accumulation zones of

small, fine, and dispersed placer gold is a significant

and complex undertaking.

It is worth noting that the information regarding the

geological structure, specifically the gold content

within the sedimentary strata of the Ukrainian

Crystalline Shield (UCS) and its adjacent regions, is

derived from existing geological studies conducted in

previous years. It is crucial to recognize that earlier

assessments of the complex sedimentary stratum, as

part of deep geological mapping efforts, were

focused primarily on identifying relatively large gold

deposits. Methodologically, the emphasis was on

searching for "classic" placer deposits characterized

by a coarse-grained productive layer, often with

visible gold in the basal portion of the alluvial section.

The study of the gold content in relatively fine-

grained alluvium facies was conducted somewhat

superficially or was even totally disregarded. The

testing and sample processing methods employed at

that time did not permit an accurate estimation of the

quantity of small, thin, dust-like gold (STDG) within

the samples, despite the high qualifications of experts

conducting the work.

Consequently, this led to unavoidable inaccuracies in

establishing the genuine extent of gold content within

the region. As a result, the presently available

information regarding actual gold yields is

approximate and somewhat biased. It does not

provide a precise representation of the genuine

situation and, as such, has preliminary informational

value. This perspective has been expounded upon in

our prior discussions [18-20].

The mobility of particles primarily consisting of

STDG (small, thin, dust-like gold) and smaller

particles, transported by clay-laden water streams, is

exceptionally high. Consequently, during the

formation of primary placers in close proximity to

their original sources within river valleys, only a

portion of gold that entered the sedimentation area

and comprised relatively large particles (exceeding

0.25 mm) had settled. Smaller particles were

deposited both in association with gravity gold and

transported over extensive distances by clay flows,

giving rise to distinctive "plumes" and long-transport

placers downstream. The deposition of STDG was

especially inclined towards clayey and fine-grained

alluvium facies and extended throughout the vertical

alluvial section of the placer, rather than just in the

immediate vicinity. The most favorable conditions

for the deposition of STDG from the water flow were

hydrodynamic barriers characterized by a sudden

drop in flow velocity. Such barriers could occur, for

instance, when tide enters a broad, marshy valley of

a primary river, when water flow converges into a

lake or sea lagoon, or when it encounters underwater

obstacles. Various other factors also contribute to the

deposition of STDG, including the nature of riverbed

(whether it is covered with vegetation or

characterized by ridges), the presence of geochemical

barriers, which can be indicated by the presence of

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carbonaceous materials, marcasite concretions,

glauconite layers, and so forth.

Due to recurrent alterations in the river network's

configuration, frequent incursions and recessions of

the sea along river valleys, fluctuations in the erosion

base level, and shifts in the position of regional

watersheds, a portion of the primary placers

underwent erosion, resulting in the removal and

redeposition of gold-bearing material into secondary

reservoirs. These processes of erosion and

redeposition could occur repeatedly. At present, we

can observe either remnants of primary placers in

paleovalleys, which are exposed through drilling, or

the most accessible placer formations consisting of

gold that has been redeposited from pre-existing

placers.

Hence, all the necessary conditions for the formation

of gold placers within the Ukrainian Crystalline

Shield (UCS) are present. The region features gold

ore sources, established placer deposits with gold

content close to industrial levels, but genuine placer

deposits have not yet been conclusively identified.

We primarily attribute this situation to the

conceptually flawed methodology of exploration

efforts and the imperfect techniques employed for

testing and analytical work. With such methods, there

was limited assessment of STDG accumulations,

resulting in inevitable errors in evaluating the

potential of placer gold and even the possible

oversight of significant objects.

To objectively address the status of placer gold

within the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield (UCS) and its

adjacent regions, it is imperative to conduct

geological prospecting work while considering the

following aspects:

There are two primary types of gold placers with

potential industrial significance – these are primary

placers of short transport and placers of long

transport.

The first type of placers is situated in close proximity

to gold ore deposits and manifestations, generally

within a range of no more than 20-30 km from the

primary power sources. Near transport placers should

theoretically exhibit relatively high gold content.

Simultaneously, gold-bearing deposits that contain

STDG are not limited solely to the lower sections but

are also irregularly distributed throughout the alluvial

section, often favoring the fine-grained clay facies of

the alluvium. To locate these deposits, it is essential

to analyze the positioning, morphology, and

geological profiles of river paleovalleys.

The second type of placers, known as distant

transport placers, involve the accumulation of gold

particles resulting from the erosion of older gold-

bearing placers. These placers exhibit uneven

distribution of gold both in terms of plan and section

and generally have relatively lower gold content in

samples, even though their overall resource potential

can be considerable. Gold is primarily associated

with sediments in areas of gentle water currents.

These placers have a broad potential distribution

range, spanning tens to hundreds of kilometers from

the primary sources. The positioning of such placers

can be influenced by both the presence of

paleovalleys and the current river network valleys.

To locate these distant transport placers, it is essential

to employ neotectonic analysis methods to identify

zones and regions where gold accumulation is likely.

Geological information stored in geological archives

can be a valuable resource in identifying indications

of possible accumulation of small, fine, and dispersed

gold classes.

Certainly, it is essential to bear in mind and, most

importantly, emphasize that the primary zones of

Quaternary sediment accumulation, particularly

those containing gold, tend to be concentrated in the

immediate vicinity of modern water bodies of the

Black and Azov seas. In numerous locations in these

areas, preliminary studies have already uncovered

direct indicators of gold-bearing placers with

relatively high gold content in individual samples.

It is worth mentioning that the preferred approach

should involve the utilization of contemporary

chemical-analytical methods for ascertaining gold

content in samples, complemented by the

conventional mineralogical analysis of gravity

concentrates.

The primary challenges in the geological

examination of gold placers in this region encompass

technical aspects, such as the requirement for modern

equipment, and scientific-technological

considerations, involving the application of new

approaches and contemporary testing methods, as

well as utilization of the Earth’s remote sensing data.

Naturally, no less important is the problem of

restoring the lost professional staff of geological

specialists.

4 Conclusions

1 The presence of evident indications and

prerequisites for placer gold in the Ukrainian

Crystalline Shield (UCS) and its neighboring regions

strongly suggests the likelihood of discovering

industrial placer deposits in this area.

2 The generally unfavorable evaluation of the

potential for industrial gold placers based on past

research results does not accurately reflect the

prospects for gold placers in the region. This

discrepancy is primarily a result of using incorrect

EARTH SCIENCES AND HUMAN CONSTRUCTIONS

DOI: 10.37394/232024.2023.3.8

I. Lomakin, E. Sarvirov, V. Kochelab

E-ISSN: 2944-9006

Volume 3, 2023

methodology and techniques for studying placers,

especially when dealing with a significant

predominance of small, fine, and dispersed gold

(SFDG). Consequently, the resulting assessment

provided a distorted image of placer gold distribution,

significantly underestimating its potential.

3 It is imperative to reevaluate previous research

findings and conduct forward-looking prospecting

work aimed at comprehensive study of gold content

of the sedimentary strata, with a particular focus on

small, fine, and dispersed gold. This effort should be

concentrated in two main directions. First, to predict

areas and investigate primary placers closely linked

with river paleovalleys that once drained regions

containing ore deposits and ore fields. Second, to

identify migration routes and areas where gold

accumulates in secondary deposits, with an emphasis

on thorough neotectonic analysis.

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I. Lomakin, E. Sarvirov, V. Kochelab

E-ISSN: 2944-9006

Volume 3, 2023

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problem to the final findings and solution.

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that are relevant to the content of this article.

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