Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Online_Linkage: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5090/e/ Publication_Date: 2011 Title: Sandstone copper assessment of the Chu-Sarysu Basin, central Kazakhstan Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report and vector digital data Publication_Information: Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Publication_Place: Menlo Park, California Originator: Stephen E. Box Originator: Boris Syusyura Originator: Timothy S. Hayes Originator: Cliff D. Taylor Originator: Michael L. Zientek Originator: Murray W. Hitzman Originator: Reimar Seltmann Originator: Vladimir Chechetkin Originator: Alla Dolgopolova Originator: Pamela M. Cossette Originator: John C. Wallis Series_Information: Series_Name: Scientific Investigations Report Issue_Identification: 2010-5090-E Description: Abstract: Mineral resource assessments represent a synthesis of available information to estimate the location, quality, and quantity of undiscovered mineral resources in the Earth's crust. A probabilistic mineral resource assessment of undiscovered sandstone- copper deposits within the Upper Paleozoic Chu-Sarysu Basin in central Kazakhstan was done as a contribution to a global assessment of mineral resources conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. The purpose of this study was to (1) delineate permissive areas (tracts) for undiscovered sandstone-hosted copper deposits within 2 km of the surface in this area to be presented at a scale of 1,000,000, (2) provide a database of known sandstone copper deposits and significant prospects in this area, (3) estimate numbers of undiscovered deposits within these permissive tracts at several levels of confidence, and (4) provide probabilistic estimates of amounts of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and mineralized rock that could be contained in undiscovered deposits within each tract. The assessment was conducted using a three-part form of mineral resource assessment based on mineral deposit models (Singer, 1993 Singer and Menzie, 2010). Delineation of permissive tracts was based on the distribution of a Carboniferous, oxidized non-marine clastic (red bed) stratigraphic sequence that lies between overlying Permian and underlying Devonian evaporite-bearing sequences. Using subsurface information on the extent and depth of this red bed sequence and on structural features that divide the basin into sub-basins, we subdivide the continuous permissive area into four permissive tracts. Structure contour maps, mineral-occurrence databases, drill hole lithologic logs, geophysical maps, soil geochemical maps, locations of producing gas fields, and evidence for former gas accumulations were considered in conjunction with descriptive deposit models and grade and tonnage models to guide our estimates of undiscovered deposits in each tract. The four permissive tracts delineated in this assessment are structural sub-basins of the Chu-Sarysu Basin and range in size from 750 km2 to 65,000 km2. Probabilistic estimates of numbers of undiscovered sandstone copper deposits were made for the 4 tracts. Using these probabilistic estimates, Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the amount of contained metals for each tract, which serve as the basis for estimates of their metal endowment. In this assessment we estimate that a mean of 26 undiscovered deposits occur within the Chu-Sarysu Basin containing an arithmetic mean estimate of 21.5 million (or more) metric tons of copper, in addition to the 7 known deposits that contain identified resources of 27.6 million metric tons of copper. Sixty percent of the estimated mean undiscovered copper resources are associated with the two permissive tracts that contain the identified resources; the remaining estimated resources are associated with the two tracts with no known deposits. For the 3 tracts with 95 percent of the estimated mean undiscovered copper resources, the probability that each tract contains its estimated mean or greater is about 40 percent. For the southern tract with 5 percent of the estimated mean undiscovered copper resources, the probability that it contains that amount or greater is 25 percent. This report includes a brief overview of the geologic framework of the Chu-Sarysu Basin and its sandstone copper deposits, a description of the assessment process, a summary of results, and appendixes. Appendixes A through D contain summary information of each tract, as follows: location, the geologic feature assessed, the rationale for tract delineation, tables and descriptions of known deposits and significant prospects, exploration history, model selection, rationale for the estimates, assessment results, and references. The accompanying geodatabase files (feature classes) provide permissive tract outlines, assessment results, and data for deposits and prospects in a GIS format (Appendix F). Purpose: This report presents the results of an assessment of Upper Paleozoic Chu-Sarysu sedimentary basin in central Kazakhstan for the occurrence of undiscovered sandstone copper deposits. The study was coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of a cooperative international project to estimate the regional locations and probable quantity and quality of the world's undiscovered nonfuel mineral resources. This research project is developing, testing, and (or) applying a variety of methods to quantitatively assess undiscovered mineral resources to a depth of 1 km or more below the Earth's surface (Briskey and others, 2001, 2007; Schulz and Briskey, 2003). The primary objectives are to identify the principal areas in the world that have potential for selected undiscovered mineral resources using available compiled information about geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and previous exploration results in the context of modern quantitative statistical models. Regional assessment studies like this one compile and integrate existing information using GIS technology so that results can be presented at a scale of 1:1,000,000. Data sets include: databases and maps of the location, size, and geologic type of known mineral deposits and occurrences; maps and explanations of regional geology, metallogeny, tectonics, geochemistry, and geophysics; and available information about regional mineral exploration history. The integrated information is used to delineate tracts of land permissive for particular types of undiscovered nonfuel mineral deposits and to make and constrain probabilistic estimates of the quantity and quality of the undiscovered resources. The resulting quantitative mineral resource assessment then can be evaluated using economic filters and cash flow models for economic and policy analysis, and can be applied to mineral supply, economic, environmental, and land-use planning. Such economic evaluations are not part of this report. In this report, we first present an overview of the geologic setting and history of the Chu-Sarysu Basin. This is followed by a review of the characteristic features of sandstone copper deposits in general and of the giant Dzhezkazgan deposit in particular in order to develop a generalized model for the origin of these deposits in this basin. We then briefly review the mineral assessment methodology that has been developed by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey. Finally, we summarize our mineral assessment of undiscovered sandstone copper deposits in the Chu-Sarysu Basin. Brief description is given of the data used in the assessment and of the criteria used to delineate the tracts that are permissive for the occurrence of undiscovered deposits of this type, and we compare the local deposits with the global grade-tonnage model to test its appropriateness. Finally, we review the results of the probabilistic assessments of the permissive tracts and the results of the Monte Carlo simulations of the contained metal endowment of each tract. Supplemental_Information: The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a cooperative international project to assess the world's undiscovered nonfuel mineral resources. The Global Mineral Resource Assessment Project (GMRAP) is a research project that will develop and test methods of assessing the undiscovered mineral resources of the terrestrial earth. The primary objectives of the project are to outline the principal areas in the world that have potential for selected undiscovered mineral resources and to estimate the probable amounts of those mineral resources to a depth of 1-2 kilometers (0.6-1.2 miles) below the earth's surface. The project will initially undertake global assessments of copper, platinum-group metals, and potassium (or potash) resources (http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs053-03/fs053-03.pdf). A probabilistic mineral resource assessment of undiscovered (sediment-hosted) sandstone - copper deposits within the Upper Paleozoic Chu-Sarysu Basin in central Kazakhstan was undertaken as a contribution to the global assessment of mineral resources (GMRAP) currently being conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. Time_Period_of_Content: Currentness_Reference: current Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Calendar_Date: 2012 Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: 66.198100 East_Bounding_Coordinate: 73.761778 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.365624 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.600760 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: none Theme_Keyword: sediment-hosted copper Theme_Keyword: sandstone Theme_Keyword: permissive tract Theme_Keyword: deposit Theme_Keyword: prospect Theme_Keyword: prognostic resource estimate Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Place_Keyword: Central Asia Place_Keyword: Kazakhstan Access_Constraints: none Use_Constraints: This spatial database is not meant to be used or displayed at any scale larger than 1:1,000,000 (for example, 1:250,000). Any hardcopies utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, they are obligated to describe the types of modifications they have performed on the hardcopy map. User specifically agrees not to misrepresent these data sets, nor imply that changes they made were approved by the U.S. Geological Survey. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Stephen E. Box Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: project geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 904 W. Riverside Ave City: Spokane State_or_Province: WA Postal_Code: 99201-1087 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 509-368-3106 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 509-368-3199 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sbox@usgs.gov Data_Set_Credit: Michael L. Zientek and Jane M. Hammarstrom provided a seemingly endless font of patience, guidance and oversight. Stephen E. Box provided the fundamental scientific and geological analysis of disparate data sources, many of which were acquired from the Centre for Russian and Central EurAsian Mineral Studies (CERCAMS) National Museum of History, London and Economic Consulting Ltd., Almaty, Kazakhstan. Boris Syusyura (Economic Consulting Ltd., Almaty, Kazakhstan) kindly shared data and provided personal interpretations to assist in the difficulties that are inherent in multi-national cooperative efforts. Timothy S. Hayes provided significant insight into processes that are responsible for sediment-hosted copper deposits, such as those assessed in this report. Cliff D. Taylor similarly provided insight into the properties and distribution of sediment-hosted copper deposits. Murray W. Hitzman provided invaluable expertise and guidance throughout the actual assessment process (Vancouver, 2009) in order to assure that the assessors were adequately informed and that the assessment outcomes were not unrealistic. Reimar Seltmann provided interpretation and guidance with respect to the CERCAMS data contribution and the assessment process. Vladimir Chechetkin provided a life-time of profound, on-the-ground, hands-on knowledge of the Kazakh sediment-hosted copper potential. Alla Dolgopolova provided real-time, greatly appreciated translation for the USGS scientists when our Russian-speaking guests exhausted their English-speaking abilities. Furthermore, Ms. Dolgopolova contributed her geologic and interpretative expertise (CERCAMS) in order to facilitate the assessment. Pamela M. Cossette provided GIS and editorial support. John C. Wallis (USGS contractor) provided data processing particularly in the great need for extensive translation efforts. In addition, Heather Parks (USGS contractor) assisted with graphics. USGS colleagues Jane Hammarstrom, Greta Orris, Mark Cocker, and Greg Spanski served as the assessment oversight committee to review the preliminary results. USGS colleagues Rich Goldfarb, Tom Moore, and Connie Dicken provided helpful and timely technical reviews of the final report. USGS colleague Connie Dicken provided a helpful technical review of the GIS data accompanying the final report. Jim Bliss (USGS) provided help on assessment methods. Cross_Reference: Citation_Information: Originator: Boris Syusyura Originator: Stephen E. Box Originator: John C. Wallis Publication_Date: 2010 Title: Spatial Databases of Geological, Geophysical, and Mineral Resource Data Relevant to Sandstone-Hosted Copper Deposits in Central Kazakhstan Edition: 1.0 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report and vector data Series_Information: Series_Name: Open-File Report Issue_Identification: Open-File Report 2010-1124 Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Menlo Park, California Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1124/ Data_Quality_Information: Logical_Consistency_Report: No duplicate features exist. Completeness_Report: SIR2011-5090-E includes GIS spatial datasets (ESRI geodatabase feature classes) that describe four sediment-hosted copper tracts located in the Chu-Sarysu basin, Kazakhstan, Central Asia. These areas (tracts) were assessed by the USGS as part of the 2010 Global Minerals Resource Assessment Project and are the result of extensive analysis of data and assets acquired from and shared by CERCAMS and MEC. Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: For details regarding steps taken as complex and disparate data sources were compiled and analyzed, please see this report: Box, S.E., Syusyura, B., Hayes, T.S., Taylor, C.D., Zientek, M.L., Hitzman, M.W., Seltmann, R., Chechetkin, V., Dolgopolova, A., Cossette, P.M., and Wallis, J.C., 2012, Sandstone copper assessment of the Chu-Sarysu Basin, central Kazakhstan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5090-E. Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Stephen E. Box Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Contact_Position: project geologist Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: 904 W. Riverside Ave. City: Spokane State_or_Province: WA Postal_Code: 99201-1087 Country: USA Contact_TDD/TTY_Telephone: 509-368-3106 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 509-368-3199 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sbox@usgs.gov Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Attribute accuracy was verified by manual comparison of the source maps with hard copy plots, printouts, and on-screen evaluation. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The horizontal positional accuracy of the polygon features varies: it is dependent on several factors including the original scale of the base maps used in mapping the geology (which was subsequently used to delineate the mineral resource tracts). Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: G-polygon Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.000000 Longitude_Resolution: 0.000000 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984 Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.000000 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257224 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: CS_Assessed_Tracts Entity_Type_Definition: ESRI File Geodatabase FEATURE CLASS - describes assessed mineral resource tracts (polygon features) which are permissive for sediment-hosted copper Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Singer, D.A., 1993, Basic concepts in three-part quantitative assessments of undiscovered mineral resources: Nonrenewable Resources, v. 2, no. 2, p. 69-81. Attribute: Attribute_Label: TRACT_ID Attribute_Definition: User-defined, unique identifier assigned to permissive tract Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: CODED_ID Attribute_Definition: Coded, unique identifier assigned to permissive tract Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: TRACT_NAME Attribute_Definition: Informal (author-defined) name of permissive tract Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: UNREGCODE Attribute_Definition: Three digit UN code for the region that underlies most of the permissive tract. Attribute_Definition_Source: UN Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use: Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm) Attribute: Attribute_Label: COUNTRY Attribute_Definition: Country(ies) in which permissive tract is located Attribute_Definition_Source: ISO 3166-1 country_name Attribute: Attribute_Label: COMMODITY Attribute_Definition: Primary commodity being assessed Attribute_Definition_Source: Cu Attribute: Attribute_Label: DEP_TYPE Attribute_Definition: Name of the deposit type assessed Attribute_Definition_Source: sediment-hosted copper Attribute: Attribute_Label: GT_MODEL Attribute_Definition: Grade-tonnage model used for the undiscovered deposit estimate Attribute_Definition_Source: Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C., 2008, Porphyry copper deposits of the world: database, map, and grade and tonnage models, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155, 45 p., accessed January 15, 2009, at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1155/. Attribute: Attribute_Label: GEOLOGY Attribute_Definition: Geologic feature assessed Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: AGE Attribute_Definition: Age of geologic feature assessed Attribute_Definition_Source: Geologic time terms in USGS Divisions of geologic time (Suggestions to Authors fig. 15, p. 59); Geological Society of America 1999 Geologic time scale; or International Commission on Stratigraphy Geologic Time Scale 2004 Attribute: Attribute_Label: ASMT_DATE Attribute_Definition: Year assessment was conducted Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: ASMT_DEPTH Attribute_Definition: Maximum depth beneath the Earth's surface used for the assessment, in kilometers. Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: EST_LEVELS Attribute_Definition: The set of percentile (probability) levels at which undiscovered deposit estimates were made Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: N90 Attribute_Definition: Estimated number of deposits associated with the 90th percentile (90 percent chance of at least the indicated number of deposits). Attribute_Definition_Source: GMRAP Attribute: Attribute_Label: N50 Attribute_Definition: Estimated number of deposits associated with the 50th percentile (50 percent chance of at least the indicated number of deposits). Values for N90