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Based on the dating of metamorphic and igneous rocks of the northeastern part of the Khamsara terrane, the main stages of tectono-magmatic activity at the border of two large structures—the Central Asian fold belt (CAFB) and the Siberian craton—have been established. The formation of the initial volcanogenic–sedimentary formations of this terrane, which mark the continental-marginal stage of development, took place in the range of 680–640 Ma. The age of accretion–collisional events in the CAFB fragment adjacent to the Siberian platform is fixed by the intrusion of postcollisional granitoids with an age of 480 Ma. Subsequent manifestations of Ordovician intraplate volcanism (464–462 Ma) are associated with the decay of the collisional orogen under the conditions of incipient rifting. Another stage in the development of this block is also associated with the processes of intracontinental extension and is represented by Late Paleozoic basic volcanism with an age of 267 Ma. The first established manifestations of rifting processes of different age levels within the fragment of the CAFB considered are associated with its location on the border of large inland structures separated by faults that retain their activity for a long time.

Isotope study of ore-bearing rocks at Fe–Mn rift deposits of the Atasu and Zhezdy (Dzhezdy) ore districts in Central Kazakhstan has been carried out for the first time. The Atasu felsic effusive rocks (Ushkatyn-1 deposit), synchronous to ore genesis, were formed at the boundary between the Frasnian and Famennian (373 ± 4 Ma). The Zhezdy ore-bearing gravelites began to accumulate not earlier than the end of the Early Devonian (after 400 Ma), but before the felsic volcanism impulse at the turn of 370 Ma. The data obtained can be indicative of asynchronous Fe–Mn deposition in the Zhezdy and Atasu ore districts.

On the basis of petrographic and mineralogical studies, we have established the presence of clastic rocks with a strong predominance of K-feldspar among the rock-forming fragments within the Late Precambrian sedimentary sequence in the southwestern part of the Siberian Platform. Two types of mineralogical occurrence of K-feldspars are determined: (1) huge zonal crystal clasts with increased Ba concentrations in the central parts of the grains and (2) the main mineral phase in the form of a decrystallized glassy mass. In both cases, low concentrations of Na (lower than 0.1 wt %) are detected. K-feldspars of the second type contain intergrowths of idiomorphic rhombic dolomite with a high ankerite component. Dolomite grains contain inclusions of K-feldspar. The prevailing accessory minerals are F-apatite (with high concentrations of REEs), zircon (with high concentrations of Th), magnetite, rutile, monacite, and sinchizite. Encasement minerals with an idiomorphic shape are identified, with K-feldspar being located in the center, while the middle shell is formed by apatite with a high REE content, and the outer shell is formed by apatite without rare earth elements. These rocks are products of high-potassium volcanic activity. The age of this event has been established on the basis of U–Pb zircon dating to about 640 Ma. The Lu–Hf zircon systematics for these rocks indicates the connection of volcanism with igneous events of mantle genesis within its range. The products of explosive eruption, which are widespread within the Biryusa uplift of the Siberian Platform, were erroneously considered earlier as Riphean sedimentary rocks of the Karagas Series.

New data on the Sm–Nd isotopic composition of the dolerites of the Nersa complex that are consistent with the petrographic study and the U–Pb dating of detrital zircon from the overlying sedimentary sequences of the Biryusa–Sayan area are presented. The data obtained indicate the absence of the supposed magmatic event 1.6 billion years ago and clearly indicate the Neoproterozoic age of the intrusions. Their source could have been the metasomatized mantle; dolerites went through several stages of metasomatism during their formation, which was reflected in the evolution of its isotopic systems.

U–Pb geochronological studies of detrital zircons from the Late Precambrian coarse sequence of the Ulutau massif are studied. The concordant ages of detrital zircons from the Satan Fm. composing the lower part of the Ulutau Series are formed by Neoproterozoic (740–888 Ma) and Paleoproterozoic (1989–2600 Ma) populations with the main peaks at 810 and 840 Ma, while less expressed peaks at 2017, 2036, and 2073 Ma. The concordant ages of detrital zircons from the upper part of the studied series, represented by coarse terrigenous rocks of glacial genesis (Baikonur Fm.), are predominantly within the intervals of 650–708, 721–729, and 754–889 Ma with peaks at 674, 721, 763, 772, 791, 821, and 840 Ma. The data obtained indicate that the lower age limit of coarse rocks from the Ulutau Series is about 670 Ma; these rocks formed mainly due to erosion of Neoproterozoic igneous complexes of the basement, which are widespread in the adjacent Maityube zone, with an insignificant role played by older basement rocks of the Ulutau massif.

U–Pb dating of detrital zircon from the Kokdjot Group and Bolshekaroi Formation (Malyi Karatau) yielded for all the samples age clusters at about 800–805, 855–890, 1980–2100, and 2440–2470 Ma. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test suggests they have identical provenance sources. The Kokdjot Group and Bolshekaroi Formation ages are presumably Neoproterozoic, not older than 800 Ma, though a somewhat younger age (not older 770 Ma) cannot be ruled out.

Application of the method of isotope stratigraphy showed that the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the least altered carbonate rocks of the Severnaya Rechka and Sukhaya Rechka formations in the Vorogovka Group of Yenisei Ridge ranges from 0.70813 to 0.70828, and δ13C varies from –0.7 to +1.8‰. Comparison of these data with similar data for the Late Precambrian sequences from other regions provides evidence for the Vendian age of the Vorogovka Group. This is supported by the results of LA ICP-MS U–Pb dating of detrital zircons from sandstone of the Severnaya Rechka Formation, which is the basal level of the group: the mid-weight age of the youngest zircon population is 584 ± 3 Ma.

The results of geochemical, mineralogical, and isotope (U–Pb and Sm–Nd) studies of metasedimentary manganese-bearing rocks from the Itantsa Formation of the Ikat terrane are presented. It is found that the carbonate-effusive-shale complex of the Itantsa Fm. formed under the continental margin environment, with volcanic activity accompanying sedimentation, in the interval of 650–540 Ma ago.

The U–Pb age of zircons from Ediacaran sandstones of the cover of the Tuva–Mongolian microcontinent and the rocks of its Early Precambrian basement (Gargan block) was analyzed by the LA–ICP–MS method. The major stages of tectonomagmatic activity of this block include the Neoarchean, Paleoproterozoic (no younger than 2 Ga), and Neoproterozoic. Comparison of the age of zircons from Ediacaran terrigenous rocks of the Tuva–Mongolian microcontinent and sandstones of the reference sections of the Ediacaran shelf of the Siberian platform undeniably indicates their independent accumulation.

The geochemical and Sm–Nd isotope characteristics of Late Precambrian and Early Cambrian sandstones previously related to the sedimentary cover of the Dzabkhan continental block are reported. It is established that the Riphean and Vendian sedimentary rocks of the Ul’zitgol’skaya and Tsaganolomskaya Formations were accumulated within the Dzabkhan continental block as a result of recycling of the terrigenous deposits formed at the expense of destruction of basement rocks and younger granite. The formation of terrigenous rocks of the Bayangol’skaya Formation after a gap in sedimentation occurred in the sedimentary basin, where only the Late Riphean formations of the juvenile crust, probably of the Dzabkhan–Mandal block were the sources, without the contribution of the ancient crustal material. The Tsaganolomskaya and Bayangol’skaya Formations were formed in different sedimentary basins and cannot be related to the same complex.

Isotope–geochemical studies of Mn, P, and Ba ores were performed in order to establish the influence of submarine hydrotherms on the formation of Early Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the southern environs of the Siberian Platform. Based on study of the geochemical and isotope (eNd) characteristics of the shallow-water Mn and Ba ores and phosphorites of southern environs of the Siberian Platform with similar ages, two types of sedimentary basins of the different geodynamic origins were distinguished: intraplate oceanic and those of the active continental margin, for which the sources of ore materials differ by the proportions of the mantle and contaminated crustal matter.

The basement of the south Ulutau sialitic massif, which is located in the western part of Central Kazakhstan, comprises metamorphized volcanogenic-sedimentary and plutonic complexes of Proterozoic age. The upper boundary of the metamorphism age corresponds to the age of nonmetamorphized syenites from the Karsakpai massif (673 ± 2 Ma, Late Riphean). U-Pb geochronological studies of accessory zircon were made, and a Late Riphean age of biotite alkali granite from the Aktas massif (the youngst metamorphic Precambrian igneous units in South Ulutau) was found. The obtained age estimate of 791 ± 7 Ma can be considered as the lower age limit of metamorphism. Thus, the last stage of regional metamorphism in South Ulutau took place in the second half of the Late Riphean, in the time interval of 790–670 Ma.

This paper presents the first Sr isotopic data for the Late Precambrian carbonate rocks of the southern Yenisei Ridge. Their geochemical study allowed estimation of the degree of secondary alterations and gave the possibility to reveal rocks with a less disturbed Rb-Sr isotopic system. The Sr isotopic data indicated Neoproterozoic sedimentation of the rocks about 1070–750 Ma ago. Sr and C isotopic data showed that carbonate rocks of the Sukhoi Pit, Tungusik, and Shirokino groups are Late Riphean and could be comparable with sedimentary sequences of three Precambrian key sections of the Northern Eurasia: the subsequent Derevnino, Burovaya, and Shorikha formations from the Turukhansk Uplift, the Lakhanda Group from the Uchur-Maya region, and the Karatav Group from the South Urals. All studied carbonate rocks are older than 750 Ma and, according to the International Stratigraphic Chart, accumulated prior to global glaciations in the Cryogenian. This is evident from sedimentological study indicating the absence of tillite horizons in the studied sections. δ13C values in the sections vary from +0.4 up to +5.3‰, which testifies to the absence of periods of great cold.

The Ulutau massif is located in the western part of Central Kazakhstan and is one of largest Precambrian sialic massif of this region. Geologically, the southern part of the massif is composed of volcanogenic and volcanogenic–sedimentary rocks of acid and rare basic composition metamorphosed under the green schist metamorphism facies. The northern and eastern parts of the massif are composed mainly of amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks, represented by amphibolites, gneisses, and amphibole crystalline schists (Fig. 1a).

The first geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic characteristics of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian manganese ores from the south folded framing of the Siberian Craton have been obtained. For manganese ores from the Podikat deposit, Tsagan-Zaba and, in part, for Slyudyanka ore manifestations, an explicit positive Eu anomaly and variable Ce behavior are typical no depending on degree of metamorphism. In the rocks of Itantsa ore manifestation and, in part, in those of Slyudyanka, REEs have distribution patterns similar to the normal sedimentary pattern and are characterized by a gentle slope with a negative Eu anomaly and by the absence of a Ce anomaly. With the geochemical peculiarities, including REE distribution in them, on aggregate, reconstruction of vast hydrothermal fields within the south framing of the Siberian Craton and spatial position of the studied manganese basins relative to the craton has become possible.

The U-Pb(Pb-Pb) age was determined for limestone from member III of the Sorna Formation out- cropped on the Azyr-Tal Range, Kuznetsk Alatau. The weighted average value from three calculated values is 523 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 0.02, 2σ). This age coincides with the Early Cambrian age interval determined with Sr isotopic chemostratigraphy (87Sr/86Sr ratio is 0.70850–0.70852). The low value of μ2 = 238U/204Pb for limestone is due to the evolution of diagenetic fluid containing lead from the mantle reservoir into the Sorna sediments.

This paper presents comprehensive geochemical characteristics of highly aluminiferous schists discovered in the Tunka Bald Mountains and associated with the Vendian-Cambrian cover of the Tuva-Mongolian Microcontinent. The Al2O3 content varies within a wide range, the maximum being up to 36.11 wt. %. A specific feature of the geochemical composition of these rocks is the simultaneously high contents of Cr (up to 1400 ppm), V (up to 2700 ppm), and Zr (up to 800 ppm). The origin has been interpreted, and the conditions in which the highly aluminiferous rocks formed have been considered. Based on geochemical data, it is assumed that the main origin could be weathering crusts formed after ultramafic and mafic rocks, with a felsic source playing a secondary role.

This study uses Sr isotope chemostratigraphy to place constraints on the depositional age of carbonate rocks from the Tuva-Mongolian microcontinent. The age of carbonate rocks of the Irkut Formation (87Sr/86Sr initial ratio equal to 0.70480–0.70485) is determined to be older than 1250 Ma, whereas carbonates of the Zabit (0.70706–0.70727 and 0.70828–0.70848) and Agarin Gol (0.70725–0.70743) formations were deposited in the interval 630–560 Ma.

The U-Pb (LA-ICP-MS) age was determined for detrital zircons from the Upper Triassic volcanomictic rocks of the Osipai Formation (Bulkur River) of the northeastern Siberian Platform. The mineral composition and textural and structural peculiarities of these rocks indicate their formation as a result of eruptive high-potassium trachitic volcanism 235 Ma ago. More local manifestation of this volcanism in the area of the Lena River is evident from the U-Pb age of detrital zircons from the area of the Khatystakh River, which were previously ascribed to the Carnian Stage. Our data indicate redeposition of the clastic material of the Carnian diamond horizon in the post-Jurassic period.