Facies sedimentation environments in the carbon diamond reservoirs of the Syuldyukar kimberlite field (Western Yakutia)

Abstract

Introduction: Each newly discovered kimberlite field needs to be properly prospected so that a geological survey can identify more than one diatreme. For this, drilling and sludge analysis are not enough, there fore, a proper lithological study of potentially diamond-bearing reservoirs is required. Methodology: Geochemical, mineralogical, and lithological studies were carried out as a result of studying a large number of drill-hole cores that were drilled during exploration (1988–1990), prospecting and evaluation (1988–1996), and geological exploration (2006–2014) works. Results and discussion: Due to the discovery of diamond crystals and contrast associations of diamond satellite minerals, the Middle-Upper Carboniferous Botuoba formation (C2–3bt) was identified as being the most promising diamond reservoir. The lithofacies analysis of the deposits of the formation within the Syuldyukar diamond-bearing region identified eight facies which were used to reconstruct the sedimentation conditions. A paleorelief map was made for the period of accumulation of kimberlite-bearing deposits and the lithofacies map for the Syuldyukar kimberlite field. The key morphostructural elements of the Lower Paleozoic kimberlite-bearing formations were determined. Conclusions: The newly obtained data allow assessing the primary diamond potential of the formation as high and identifying the priority areas for further geological exploration.