The article presents new data on the distribution, structure and composition of the platform cover deposits, obtained in 2016–2020 as a result of deep geological mapping at a scale of 1:200,000 (DGM 200) of the territory of the topo sheets N-36-XIX (Mogilev), N-36-XXV (Zhlobin), N-36-XXXI (Gomel) and N-36-XXXII (Dobrush). DGM 200 included a complex of areal geophysical survey and drilling of wells. The analysis of the distribution of sedimentary and igneous rock formations and geological mapping of the pre-Mezozoic and pre-Quaternary surfaces and сross-sections were also based on updated data from the drilling database and geological and geophysical data of regional survey along the seismic profile Loev – Gomel – Mogilev and parametric wells, conducted synchronously with DGM 200. The most significant results seem to be obtained for the Lower Triassic sedimentary formations and Upper Devonian igneous rocks complexes.

The article presents the results of the study insufficiently explored metasomatic rocks of the Shnipki site, located in the west part of the crystalline basement of Belarus. Groups of carbonate-silicate and carbonate skarns, skarn rocks, oligoclasites and albitites have been identified. Peculiarities of their chemistry and patterns of distribution of petrogenic and minor elements have been revealed. The conditions for their formation and the sequence of stages of mineral formation and metasomatic transformation of the original rocks have been determined. It has been concluded that the selected skarns belong to autoreactive calcareous skarns of the infiltration type.

The article gives a description of the detailed subdivision and correlation of the Visean deposits in seven wells located on two profiles in the central and eastern parts of the South-Yelsk synclinal zone in the southern part of the Pripyat trough. The Visean stage is subdivided into the Lower and Upper substages. The Lower Visean substage is represented by a kaolinic stratum, in which three member-cycles (I, II, III) of the Gostov and one membercycle (IV) of the Bobrik horizons have been identified and traced. The Upper Visean substage is subdivided into the Tula, Aleksin, Mikhailov, and Venev horizons. The spore and microfauna complexes, previously provided in reference sources and research reports, are given for some member-cycles and horizons.

The article presents the results of palynological and paleocarpological studies of ancient lacustrine deposits recovered by borehole 21.2 drilled near the village of Shilov Ugol (Mogilev district, Mogilev region). The age of the studied deposits has been substantiated: they accumulated during the final phase of the Narevian glaciation, the initial phases, the optimum, and one final phase of the Borkovian warm interval of the Belovezhian time of the Pleistocene. The corresponding phases of vegetation development in the research area and their paleotemperature parameters have been reconstructed. Several species have been identified for this interval for the first time: Corylus colurna, Ulmus glabra, U. suberosa, Acer tataricum. The seed flora studied from these deposits has been characterized. Carpoids of six extinct species were found: Azolla interglacialis, Spirea cf. gomeliana, Potamogeton panormitanoides, P. perforatus, Scirpus atroviroides, Carex paucifloroides.

Palynological data on the reference sections of the Muravian deposits (Upper Pleistocene) on the territory of Central Belarus have been summarized. The features of the floristic composition and the quantitative participation of the spore-pollen spectrum components in the local pollen zones of the studied sections served as the basis for clarifying the palynostratigraphic scheme of the Muravian deposits for the western, central, and eastern parts of the studied area, as well as for identifying regional features of vegetation and climate.

The migration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the Earth's crust plays a significant, determining role in the formation of natural oil deposits. The knowledge of the migration process in the depths is insufficient for unambiguous conclusions about its role in the formation of clusters. It is substantiated that the process of mass transfer of fluids in the pore space of real rocks is particularly strongly influenced by the signs that determine the interaction of phases and fluids themselves: these are the energy properties of the phases and the dispersity of the rock. The process of the sorption of oil, gases and water on the surface of rock voids has been considered in detail. The advantage of wettability and reversibility of the physical adsorption process has been shown. It has been concluded that the main force preventing the movement of oil in the void space of rocks is the force of intermolecular interaction of two phases, and the impossibility of lateral migration of oil over any significant distances.

Tectonic disjunctive dislocations (TDD) are of a widely common occurrence on the territory of Belarus. These linear zones of tectonic deformation, although not very significant in terms of their stretch area, have a close association with consistent anomalies of radon concentrations in the near-surface soils. Therefore the detection of such zones is an important element of inclusive radon-associated hazard assessments of residential areas. As a general practice, TDD zones are normally detected using the results of complex and expensive geophysical surveys. However, it has been substantiated that a TDD detection approach is based on routine field measurements of radon with simple, relatively inexpensive and express in situ analytical techniques. The essence of this method is the detection of anomalous ratio values of 214Bi and 226Rn that are used to diagnose TDD zone position.

The article presents the results of the studies of the manifestation of karst and suffosion processes on the territory of Central Belarus. The conditions and factors leading to the development of these processes in the region are being analyzed. It has been established that the total area of the actual manifestation of karst on the studied territory is 360 km2, and its potential development is possible on an area of approximately 13 800 km2. Areas with the density of suffosion sinkholes of more than 25 pieces/km2 occupy 710 km2 of the region. Human economic activity is difficult or even impossible within their limits. The areas with a lower density of such forms are about 8650 km2. Overground and underground morphological manifestations of karst and suffosion as well as geoecological consequences of these processes have been characterized.

The distribution of carbon and oxygen isotopes in the Emsian to Frasnian carbonate and carbonate-containing rocks of the Privolye parametric borehole section within the North Pripyat Shoulder (south-east of Belarus) has been studied.
The δ13C variations trace an evaporite episode (carbonate-sulphate rocks, nodules, veins and other manifestations of gypsum and anhydrite) by two negative excursions (up to -6…-8‰) in the Emsian to Middle Eifelian part of the section. These excursions are associated with the activation of the continental water inflow enriched with soil carbon, under the conditions of a strong basin shallowing and, possibly, its division into land areas and evaporite ponds. The first phase of the evaporite episode is marked within the interval of the Vitebsk horizon to the Adrov-Osveya border. At the beginning of the Osveya time, there occurred a return to normal marine conditions (δ13C increase to -2…-1‰); subsequently the land water inflow was activated again; the second evaporation phase began, which ended at the Gorodok time.
In the carbon-isotope curve of the Upper Eifelian to Frasnian interval of the section, there is a three-time alternation of intervals with normal marine δ13C values (0…+ 1‰) and slightly lower ones (-2…-3 and up to -3.8‰ in sporadic cases). The decreased values trace three phases of soil carbon inflow with continental runoff waters. These are: the short-term phase, which dates back to the first half of the Polotsk time; the long-term phase, which covers the greater second half of the Polotsk time; and the emerging phase, which dates back to the end of the Lan time.
The δ18О dynamics in the section basically repeats the behaviour of the values in the Devonian segment of the Global Chemostratigraphic curve. The oxygen isotopic composition that mainly has a marine appearance, does not “react” to negative δ13C excursions associated with the activation of continental runoff. The reason of that is the actual absence of difference between the δ18O values of precipitation, which gives rise to originate land waters, and sea water in low latitudes, where the territory of Belarus was located during the Devonian.

The schematization of hydrogeological conditions within the catchment area of the quarry fields of the Pinsk Prospective Area (PPP) has been completed. Regional and local numerical geofiltration models of PPP have been created. For the first time, a digital map of the relief and hydrographic network of the catchment area of the quarry fields of the Pinsk prospective area was used to quantify the intensity of the infiltration recharge of groundwater (GW). Within the simulated area, the natural resources of groundwater were estimated, the value of which was divided into groundwater runoff into rivers and discharge of GW by evaporation. Numerical modelling of groundwater filtration was performed for various schemes of drainage of open pit fields under conditions of stationary and non-stationary filtration modes. Recommendations are given for carrying out further work on the territory of the Pinsk prospective area.

The article is devoted to obtaining, for the first time in Belarus, an industrial inflow of oil from the rocks of the crystalline foundation. The previous stage of research, carried out in the last century, was briefly analyzed. According to the project, wells were drilled along the foundation of the Barsukovsky and Ostashkovichsky oil fields. Within the Rechitsa field, oil shows were previously established in wells 240, 601, and the oil prospectivity of the foundation rocks was confirmed in well 385 only in 2022. The well is in operation. The geological and geophysical criteria for assessing the prospects for oil potential were analyzed on the basis of data from well 385, which is to be used during subsequent oil operations in the Pripyat trough.

Currently, not only within the Pripyat oil and gas-bearing basin, but also in other regions of the world, there are no reliable and clear criteria and regulatory documents that allow determining the right order of geological exploration in complex geological conditions. The article examines the most appropriate approach of ranking the sequence of operations on the basis of the three key criteria, including the degree of geological and geophysical study, features of the geological structure and direct signs of oil and gas content.

The counter–territorial expansion of oil and potassium salts operations – the two main types of strategic raw materials in Belarus – is steadily leading to a conflict of interest. On the example of the relationship between oil and gas-bearing and potassium-bearing complexes at different stages of the exploration cycle, it has been proposed to develop common standards for the spatially combined mining of different types of raw materials, whether it is a complex simultaneous or separate sequential development. To perform this, a detailed comprehensive analysis of the available information on the main object of potassium salts development in Belarus – the Starobinskoye field – has been conducted, an assessment of the prospects for oil and gas potential of the north-west of the Pripyat trough has also been carried out and options for a possible territorial combination of the development of different types of raw materials have been considered.

In recent years there has been a significant growth in the role and importance of mineralogical and technological indicators in the compilation of mineral resourse base and the sustainable development of the mining and processing complex of the potash industry. The article examines the requirements for technological exploration of potash deposits of the Pripyat potassium-bearing basin. Despite the fact that potash ore mining in the Republic of Belarus has been done since the middle of the last century, extensive and thorough mineralogical and technological studies have not been carried out. There are no unified methods for the geological and technological assessment of potash ore reserves during geological exploration and development of deposits. The main drawback of the ongoing geological and technological research is the absence of full consideration of the variability of the material composition of ores in space and the degree of dressability of various types and varieties of potash ores. Therefore even the most careful selection and study of the representative samples, which are the basis of the technological assessment of reserves, does not give the desired effect.