Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Geochemistry and Genesis of Narigan Ferromanganese Deposit, Bafgh, Yazd Province

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Geology, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
The Narigan ferro-manganese deposit is located in 30 km NE of Bafq, and 20 km of Chogart mine. The deposit is situated in Central Iran. Dolomitic limestone and rhyolitic tuffs are the main host rocks.
Petrological and ore microscopic data indicate that ore and associated host rocks formed in shallow water, on a platform. Furthermore, geochemical studies show that hydrothermal genesis was responsible for the formation of the ore deposit.
Field and petrographical studies show that two stages of hydrothermal activities were involved:
1- Exhalation of hydrothermal fluids from seafloor, then primitive ore forming process in the form of precipitation of Fe and Mn oxide and hydroxide gels followed by final crystallization.
2- Migration of secondary hydrothermal fluids from reducing to oxidizing area, and transportation and   precipitation of Fe and Mn in the latter area; therefore, an increase of ore grade in the oxidizing area.
Finally, it could be concluded that at the time of ore formation, rifting had probably occurred in the area, and large volumes of felsic magmas formed. In this way and due to hydrothermal activities, Fe and Mn leached from these rocks and precipitated on the sea floor.
Keywords

Subjects


Acharya, B.C., Rao, D.S., Sahoo, R.K., 1997- Mineralogy, chemistry and genesis of Nishikhal manganese ores of South Orissa, India. Mineralium Deposita, Vol. 32, PP. 79-93.
Bonatti, E., Kramer,T., Tydell,H., 1972b- Classification and genesis of submarine iron- manganese deposits, in: Horn,D.R.,(Ed.) Ferromanganese deposits on the ocean floor: Palisides,N.Y., Lamont-Doherty observatory,Columbia Uni., PP.149-165.
Cann, J.R., Winter, C.K. & Pritchard, 1977- A hydrothermal deposit from the floor of the Gulf of Aden. Mineralogical Magazine, Vol. 41, PP. 193-199.
Choi, J.H., Harya, Y., 1992-  Geochemistry and depositional environment of Mn oxide deposits in the Tokoro belt, Northeastern Hokaido, Japan. Econ. Geol., Vol. 87, PP. 1265-1274.
Crerar, D.A., Cormic, P.K., Barnes, H.L., 1980- Geochemistry of manganese: An overview, in: Varetsov, I.M. and Grassely, G.Y., ed.; Geology and geochemistry of manganese, Vol. I, Akademical, Budapest, PP. 293-334.
Crerar, D.A., Namson, J., Chyi, M.S., Williams, L., Feigenson, M.D., 1982- Manganiferous cherts of Franciscan Assemblage: I. General geology, ancient and modern analogies, and implication for hydrothermal convection at oceanic spreading centers. Econ. Geol., Vol. 77, PP. 519-540.
Hem, J.D., 1972- Chemical factors that influence the availability of iron and manganese in aqueous system. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., Vol. 83, PP.443-450.
Krauskopf, K.B., 1967-Separation of manganese from iron in sedimentary processes .Geochim.et cosmochim.Acta, Vol.12 , PP. 61-84.
Lavelle, J.W., Cowen, J.P., Massoth, G.J., 1992 - A model for the deposition of hydrothermal manganese near ridge crests. Jour. of Geophysical Research, Vol. 97, PP. 36-47.
Laznicka, P., 1992- Manganese deposits in the global lithogenetic system: Quantitative approach. Ore Geology Review, Vol.7, PP.279-356.
Nicholson, K., 1992- Contrasting mineralogical-geochemical signature of  manganese oxides: Guides to metallogenesis.Econ. Geol., Vol. 87, PP. 1253-1264.
Roy, S., 1980- Genesis of sedimentary manganese formations: Processes and products in recent and older geological ages, in Varentsov, I.M. and Grasselly, G.Y., ed., Geology and geochemistry of manganese. Akademial Kiado, Budapest, Vol. 2, PP. 13-44.
Sugisaki, R., 1984- Relation between chemical composition and sedimentation rate of Pacific ocean-floor sediments deposited since the Middle Cretaceous: Basic evidence for chemical constraints of depositional environments of ancient sediments. Jour. of Geology, Vol. 92, PP. 235-259.