Supergene alteration mineralization of ore veins in Hurd Peninsula, Livingston Island, Antarctica

This study investigates the mineralogical and geochemical processes of supergene alteration of ore veins in the Hurd Peninsula, Livingston Island. The area, part of the South Shetland Island arc, features hydrothermal veins and supergene zones (enrichment, oxidized, and leached) within the rocks of the Miers Bluff Formation. Fieldwork during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Bulgarian Antarctic campaigns revealed significant base metal mineralization, including gold. Supergene processes, such as oxidation and secondary enrichment, enhance the concentration of valuable metals, highlighting the economic potential of these ore veins. This research contributes to better understanding ore-forming processes in Antarctica.