Geochemical Features of Cupriferous Sandstones in the Orenburg Area of the Ural Region

Abstract

The new geochemical data obtained of cupriferous sandstones of the Orenburg area of the Ural region show that the Permian host stratum could have served as the source of rare-earth elements and other microelements for the ore-forming fluids. They confirm the possibility of using a convection model to explain the genesis of the copper ores studied. This model indicates the likely multistage development of mineralization to significant depths, like in the Manto deposits in Chili. Consequently, the Permian cupriferous sandstones of the southwestern area of the Ural region can be considered a very promising source of raw material for the development of copper industry in the area.