Tatiana E. Pirogova

The Shyngys–Tarbagatai folded system of Kazakhstan, located in the southwestern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, represents a promising yet still insufficiently studied metallogenic region of Kazakhstan. The aim of the present study was to reassess its ore potential based on modern geotectonic concepts and a comprehensive metallogenic analysis. An evaluation of the ore potential of nine structural–formational zones was carried out, and their metallogenic specialization was determined. The dominant role of gold and copper mineralization was established, along with the features of spatial distribution of ore occurrences and the most promising areas for further exploration. It was shown that the most ore-rich stratigraphic levels include the Early Cambrian, Late Ordovician, Early Silurian, Early Devonian, and Late Devonian units. It was demonstrated that the formation of the main ore types is closely related to productive geodynamic settings, including Early Paleozoic oceanic rifts, island-arc complexes, and the Devonian continental-margin volcano-plutonic belt. Based on the obtained results, a map of prospective areas at a scale of 1:1,500,000 was compiled, and these areas were ranked according to their degree of prospectivity. A total of 51 targets were identified as priority sites for follow-up prospecting, evaluation, and detailed exploration work.

This article is devoted to the study of geoheritage objects and the scientific justification for the creation of a geopark in the Ulytau region of Central Kazakhstan. This region is the largest copper-bearing province in the world and has a unique natural and cultural heritage. The purpose of this article is to show the scientific and tourist significance of geoheritage objects of the potential Ulytau Geopark. The geological history of this area tells about no less than 500 million years of the planet’s development. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this area extremely interesting for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as a basis for the sustainable development of the area. The research methods included a bibliographic method, which made it possible to collect information on the geoheritage of the territory; field survey techniques; and methods based on the evaluation of the criteria for eligibility for UNESCO Geoparks. The methodology included five main blocks of assessment (geology and landscape, structure and management model, interpretation and environmental education, geotourism and sustainable development at the regional level) and represents an integrated interdisciplinary approach to present regional features in the context of the geological heritage of the world. Despite the length of time geology has been studied and the resources actively used, geoheritage sites have not been previously studied and characterised. Geoparks in Kazakhstan are at an early stage of development and this article aims to show the potential for establishing geoparks in the Ulytau region.

The article is devoted to the study of geoheritage objects and scientific justification for the creation of a geopark in the Ulytau region of Central Kazakhstan. This region is the largest copper-bearing province in the world and has a unique natural and cultural heritage. Purpose of the article: to show the scientific and tourist significance of geoheritage objects of the potential Ulytau Geopark. The geological history of this area tells about no less than 500 million years of the planet's development. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this area an extremely interesting object for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as a basis for sustainable development of the area. The research methods include a bibliographic method, which made it possible to collect information on the geoheritage of the territory; field survey techniques; and methods based on the evaluation of the criteria for eligibility for UNESCO Geoparks. The methodology includes five main blocks of assessment (geology and landscape, structure and management model, interpretation and environmental education, geotourism, sustainable development at the regional level) and represents an integrated interdisciplinary approach that allows to present regional features in the context of the geological heritage of the world. Despite the length of time geology has been studied and resources actively used, geoheritage sites have not been previously studied and characterised. Geoparks in Kazakhstan are at an early stage of development and this article aims to show the potential for establishing geoparks in the Ulytau region.

The Ulytau region located at the heart of Kazakhstan is one of the promising territories for setting up geopark. Here, in the centre of Kazakhstan is a geographical and economic region which consists of desert-steppe landscapes with small, steep low-mountain massifs. This is one of the largest regions of Kazakhstan in terms of industrial potential, wealth of minerals and raw materials, natural and cultural heritage. The world's largest copper-bearing province is located here. The geological history of this area tells of no less than 500 million years of planetary development. Despite the lengthy time that geology and the active use of resources were in focus, geoheritage objects were previously lacking attention and any characterization. In the Ulytau region, many preserved archaeological and ethnographic sites indicate that the Saryarka steppes were included in the trade and cultural sphere of the Great Silk Road. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this territory an extremely interesting object for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as the basis for the sustainable development of the region.

The process of preservation of archaeological and historical-cultural heritage of the country is not only a matter of formation of the legislative framework, the work of archaeologists and restorers, but also a specific study of the geological and natural environment in which the archaeological site was formed. The article presents the data of geological and geomorphological study of rock formations with petroglyphs of the UNESCO World Heritage property Tamgaly archaeological complex. In the course of field and cameral works, carried out by order of the Scientific Restoration Laboratory "Ostrov Krym" in 2022-2023, detailed studies of I–III groups of petroglyphs were carried out, abiotic and biotic factors affecting the preservation of this unique archeological monument were shown. Процесс сохранения археологического и историко-культурного наследия страны является не только вопросом формирования законодательной базы, работой археологов и реставраторов, но и специфическим исследованием геологической и природной среды, в которой формировался археологический памятник. В статье приводятся данные геологического и геоморфологического изучения скальных образований с петроглифами объекта всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО: «Петроглифы археологического ландшафта Тамгалы». В ходе полевых и камеральных работ, выполняемых по заказу Научно-реставрационной лаборатории «Остров Крым» в 2022-2023 гг., проведены детальные исследования I–III групп петроглифов и показаны природные абиотические и биотические факторы, влияющие на сохранность этого уникального арехологического памятника. Елдің археологиялық және тарихи-мәдени мұрасын сақтау үрдісі заңнамалық базаны қалыптастыру мәселесі, археологтар мен реставраторлардың жұмысы ғана емес, археологиялық ескерткіш қалыптасқан геологиялық және табиғи ортаны арнайы зерттеу болып табылады. Мақалада «Таңбалы археологиялық ландшафтының петроглифтері» атты ЮНЕСКО-ның дүниежүзілік мұра нысанының петроглифтері бар жартасты түзілімдерді геологиялық және геоморфологиялық зерттеу деректері келтірілген. 2022–2023 жж. «Остров Крым» ғылыми-реставрациялық зертханасының тапсырысы бойынша жүргізілген далалық және камералдық жұмыстар барысында петроглифтердің I–III топтарына толық зерттеу жүргізілді, осы бірегей археологиялық ескерткіштің сақталуына әсер ететін табиғи абиотикалық және биотикалық факторлар көрсетілді.