Sources of base, precious and rare metals during the Tethyan Phanerozoic Evolution of the Caucasus and Pontides

Base, rare and precious metal deposits are widespread in the Caucasus and Pontides regions. They are the result of the Phanerozoic evolution of the Tethys Ocean, of various geodynamic settings, including oceanic, intra-arc, back-arc and island arcs. The various types of mineralization are discussed in terms of the participation scale of sialic, basaltic crusts and mantle sources. In oceanic settings, cupriferous Cyprus-type deposits occur, where the source of Cu is the mantle. In intra-arc settings, Beshi type Cu-Zn deposits were formed; the source of Zn is interpreted to be basaltic crust. As for the island arc and back-arc settings, Cu-Pb-Zn porphyry, stockwork, VMS and vein deposits are common. The source of Pb is interpreted to be the sialic crust. The rare metals (Hg, W, Sb) are related to post-collisional settings, where sialic crust is important. Mo is also related mainly to post-collisional settings, and it subordinately participates in the island arc settings. Precious metal mineralization (Au and Ag) predominantly developed in island arc and post-collisional settings. Therefore, in the process of mantle depletion and crust formation precious metals (Au and Ag) mainly accumulated in the sialic crust.