S Lali faz; B Shafiei; Gh.H Shamanian; H Taghizadeh
Abstract
Present study is the first report of the rhenium and osmium isotopic data in the hypogene Cu-Fe sulfides (chalcopyrite and pyrite) from the Kerman porphyry copper deposits. Although data set was limited in this study, their interpretation helped to understand the possible sources of the metal for mineralization ...
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Present study is the first report of the rhenium and osmium isotopic data in the hypogene Cu-Fe sulfides (chalcopyrite and pyrite) from the Kerman porphyry copper deposits. Although data set was limited in this study, their interpretation helped to understand the possible sources of the metal for mineralization in the porphyry copper system. Based on this study, initial 187Os/188Os value in deposits recorded at least 0.1 to maximum 10 that the variation range for this ratio is much larger than the range detected in the Chilean porphyry copper deposit (from 0.15 to 5.2). The recorded non-radiogenic to radiogenic values for initial osmium ratio in primary sulfides of the Kerman porphyry copper deposits revealed isotopic heterogeneity and diversity in metal source for mineralization in these deposits. The record of the non-radiogenic values for initial 187Os/188Os (0.10- 0.15) in sulfides of the Miduk and Now Chun deposits, in the range of mantle values (0.13- 0.15), showed the main role of ore-forming fluids derived from mantle-derived magma (intrusive body) for supplying of the metal required for mineralization in these deposits. In contrast, too large deviation observed in initial 187Os/188Os values in sulfides of the Kerver (10) and Abdar (1) deposits respect to the mantle values showed the greater share of crustal sources (continental crust) rather than mantle sources in supplying of the metal for mineralization in these deposits. The Sar Cheshmeh deposit revealed less radiogenic value of initial osmium ratio in potassically sulfides (0.22) respect to phyllically sulfides (0.79), showing the contribution both the mantle and the crustal materials in supplying of the metal for mineralization, although the role of crust during the final stages of mineralization has been more important. The observed general trend in 187Os/188Os values being more radiogenic from old, high-grade deposits (middle Miocene) to young, low-grade deposits (upper Miocene- Pliocene) in the Kerman porphyry copper belt is attributed to increasing of the crustal sources contribution in generation of the young sub-productive-to-barren magmas and also in supplying of the metal for associated weak mineralization. This relationship can be suggested as a key for distinguishing and exploration of porphyry copper deposits with economic grades, the deposits that have been inherited greater share of the mantle source for generation of productive magma and also required metal for mineralization in porphyry system.
S Soltaninejad; B Shafiei
Abstract
The Now-Chun deposit, in the Kerman porphyry copper belt, with proved reserve of 268 Mt ore grading 0.034% Mo (100 ppm cut off) and 62 Mt ore grading 0.43% Cu (0.25 cut off), is the first known occurrence of Mo-rich,relatively Cu-poor porphyry mineralization in Iran which is studied from the mineralogical, ...
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The Now-Chun deposit, in the Kerman porphyry copper belt, with proved reserve of 268 Mt ore grading 0.034% Mo (100 ppm cut off) and 62 Mt ore grading 0.43% Cu (0.25 cut off), is the first known occurrence of Mo-rich,relatively Cu-poor porphyry mineralization in Iran which is studied from the mineralogical, l, and genetic point of view. The alteration and mineralization of the Now-Chun deposit is related to the highly differentiated porphyritic stock (rhyodacite) belonging to the Oligo-Miocene Mamzar batholith. Based on the present study, the main part of Mo and Cu mineralization in the Now-Chun deposit occurred more in the form of cross-cutting veinlets (stockwork) and less as dissemination type. The presence of molybdenite with/without chalcopyrite association in quartz-anhydrite-orthoclase-biotite potassic veinlets and chalcopyrite occurrence in primary quartz-magnetite veinlets is indicative of the priority of part of the Cu mineralization respect to the Mo during the primary stage of mineralization. The initial mineralization of Mo in the form of molybdenite occurred in quartz-anhydrite-orthoclase-biotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite. The weak correlation between Mo and Cu in the potassic alteration zone (r= -0.2) especially in the high grade ores indicates the difference between the enrichment conditions of both elements in responsible hydrothermal fluids for this alteration and mineralization zone. The presence of thick quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets with sericitic halo and quartz-molybdenite without alteration halo either as independent or as intruded within early veinlets (quartz-molybdenite-anhydrite-orthoclase-biotite) have been associated with increasing of Mo and Cu grades in moderately phyllic alteration zone (sericitic and silicified rocks). The positive correlation between Mo and Cu in moderate phyllic zone (r≥ 0.0 to +0.5) which affected potassic ores indicates the similar behavior of both Mo and Cu during formation and evolution of the hydrothermal solution, which is responsible for the alteration and mineralization in the phyllic zone. This study revealed that the main concentration of Mo occurred in deep parts (potassic zone) of the deposit; whereas, Cu is associated with the shallow parts, especially with moderate phyllic zone which affected the potassic zone. As a result, the high grade Mo ores are not Cu-rich and vice versa. The present study indicated that the Now-Chun deposit in comparison with the Sar Cheshmeh deposit (Cu-Mo porphyry) is categorized within the Mo-Cu porphyry deposits. This sub-group of porphyry Cu and Mo deposit is attributed to the function of the Mo-rich and relatively Cu-poor hydrothermal fluids. The more differentiated composition of the ore-hosting porphyry in the Now-Chun deposit (rhyodacite) in comparison with the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry stock (granodiorite-quartzmonzonite), which indicates the late water saturation in its parent magma, was probably the factor of generating such fluids that could segregate the significant proportion of Mo in respect to Cu from the residual melts into H2O, alkalies and silica-enriched fluid phase which ultimately resulted in forming the Mo-Cu porphyry deposit.
