NEW DATA ON COPPER MINERALIZATION OF THE PRIBERZHNY VOLCANIC COMPLEX OF SOUTHERN KAMCHATKA

New information is presented on copper mineralization in the Priberzhny Volcanic Complex (PVC), which is part of the Eastern Kamchatka-Kurilsk volcanic plutonic belt (part of Kurile-Southern Kamchatka island arc system). The study area is situated along the eastern coast of the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, from Avacha Bay to Mutnaya Bay. The study of the selected rock material revealed elevated copper contents in a significant part of volcanic and intrusive rock samples compared to clark ones. The sources of copper intrusion into the PVC rocks are debatable, and the article considers its possible origin. The distribution of copper porphyry deposits in comparable tectonic settings among other island arcs of the Pacific Rim gives rise to the question of whether such deposits may be present in the coastal strip of the southeastern part of Kamchatka. Based on the geological and structural characteristics of the PVC, the authors admit the principal possibility of existence of copper porphyry systems in the region, despite their absence on the surface. The findings of our research provide a rationale for further thematic prospecting works.