Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Occurrence and geochemistry of chromite mineral, PGE(S) and REE in the Khaj-e-Jamali-Mines-Neyris-Iran

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Geology Department, Earth Sciences Faculty , Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Geology Department, Earth Sciences Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University , Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Geology, Earth sciences Faculty, Shiraz University, Iran
Abstract
The Khajeh-e-Jamali chromite mines are located in southwestern Iran, about 100 km north-west of Neyriz and 150 km north-east of the city of Shiraz. Field, microscopic and geochemical studies indicate that partial melting, magmatic segregation and magmatic miscibilty were responsible for the generation of the Khajeh-e-Jamali deposits. MORB and boninitic magmatic series are considered to have formed this Alpine type deposit.
Ru, os and Ir enrichment in chromite and in host rock (dunite and harzburgite) implies the deficiency or lack of sulphur phase and hence higher values of ƒo2 during the crystallization. Similarity in the correlation pattern of [Al, Ir] and [Cr, Ir], positive correlation of Ir and Cr, lower value of ƒs2 in early stages of crystallization, association of various phases, lack of preferred orientation of platin group metals (PGM) in chromite crystals and double - phase inclusions indicate a similarity in the deposition of Cr and PGM from a boninitic melt, simultaneous crystallization of chromite and IPGMs during the slow cooling or fractional crystallization and mixing of boninitic magma with a silica bearing liquid (transitional zone gabbro), lack of exsolution arid the association of PGMs with chromite composition. Wide v-shaped pattern of REE spider diagram is a confirmation of partial melting and the presence of boninitic series.
Keywords

Subjects


Amose, J., Allibert, M., Fisher, W., and Piboule. M., 1987- "A study of the influence of oxygen and sulfur fugacities on the differentiation of plationoids in ultramafic magmas; Preliminary results. Acad. Sci. [Paris] Comptes Rendus, V, 304, P 1183-1185.
Aria, S., 1992- "Chemistry of Chromian spinel in volcanic rocks as a potential guide to magma chemistry", Mine. Mag, vol 56, 173-184.3
Auge, T., 1985- "Platinum- group Mineral inclusions in ophiolitic chromitie from the vourinous complex, Greece; Cana.  Mineralogist, V.26, P 177-192.
Bonvia, F.F, Diella, V., Ferrario, A., 1993- "Precambrian podifrom chromitities from kenticha Hill. Southern Ethiopia, Econ.  Geol. 88:198-202.
Cameron, E. N., 1983 - "Evolution of the lower critical Zone, central Sector, Eastern Bushveld complex and its chromite deposits", Econ. Geol, 75, 845-871.
Campbell, I.H, Barnes, S.J., 1984- "A model for the geochemistry of the platinum- group elements in magmatic sulfide deposits" cana. Mineralogist, V.22, PP 151-160.
Cassard, D., Nicolas, A., Rabinovitch. M., Moutte, J., Leblace, M. and Prinzhofer. A.,1981- "Structural classification of chromite nods in southern New Caledonia", Econ. geal, Vol. 176, PP 505-581.
Cocherie, A, Auge, T. and Meyer., 1989- "Geochemistry of the platinum- group elements in various types of spinets from the vourinos ophiolitic complex, Greece" chem. Geo. V.77 PP 27-39.
Constantinides et al., 1980 - " The occurrence of platinum- group minerals in the chromitites of the kekkinorotsos chrome mine, cyprus. In ophiolites, proc". Int. Ophiolite symp (cyprus)(A.Panayiotouo). Gool. Surv. Dep. Nicosia.
Dickey. J.C, JR., 1974 - "A hypothesis of origin for podiform chromite deposits" geoche. Cosmo.acta, Vol 139, PP 1061- 1074.
Economou- Eliopoulos, M., 1986- "Platinum group element distribution in chromite ores from ophiolite complexes: Implications for their exploration", Ore; geo. Rew. V.11 PP 363-381.
Eliopoulos. M., 1996- "Platinum group element distribution in chromite ores from ophiolite complexes: Implication for their exploration", ore, geo. Rew. V.ll, pp363-381.
Elipoulos, M., Parry, S.J., 1997- "Platinum group element content of chromite ores from the othyres ophiolite complex, Greece: Mineral deposits, papuneted, Balkrna, Rotterdam, ISBN 9054108894.
Giaramita, M., Macpherson, G.J., Phipps, S.P. ,1998- "Petrologically diverse basalts from a fossil oceanic forearc in California: The Ianada and Blaok mountain remnants of the coast range ophiolite", GAS. Bull, V 11. No. 5 P 553-571.
Green. D.R., 1975- "Genesis of Archean peridotitic magmas and constraints on Archean geothermal gradients and tectonics' Geology, 3-15-18.
Greenbaum, D., 1977- "The chromitiferous rocks of the Troodos ophiolite complex, cyprus" Econ. Goel., V.79, ppl 175- ll94
Guild, P.W., 1947- "Petrology and structure of the Moa district, orient province, cuba, Ame. Geophys, union, trans., 28, 218- 246.
Irvin, T.N., Barager, W.R.A., 1971- "A guide to the chemical classification of the common volcanic rocks, candian Journal of earth sciences, vols, pp. 523-548.
Lago, B.L. et al., (1982), "Podiform chromite ore bodies: a genetic model" J. petrol., 23: 103-125.
Lensch. S., 1986- "Major element geochemistry of the ophiolites in north - eastern Iran", Geol. Surv. Iran.
Meijer., 1980- "Primitive are volcanism and a boninite series: examples from western pacific island arcs. In the Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands "ed. D.E. Hayes" Amer. Geophys. Union Mongor. 23. PP 269- 289. 
Mullen, E.D., 1983- "Mon/fio2/P2O5: a minor element discriminant for Basaltic rocks of oceanic environments and its implications for petrogenesis, Earth and planetary science letters, vol. 62, pp. 53-62
Nicoloas, A., and Prinzhofer, A., 1983- "Cumulative or residual origin for the transition zone in ophiolites. Structural evidence", J. petrol., 24:188-206.
Paktunc, A.D., 1990- "Origin of podiform chromite deposits by multistage melting, melt segeration and magma mixing in upper mantle" Ore, geol. Rew. V.5, P 211-222.
Peck, D. C., Keays. R.R., 1990-" Geology geochemistry, and origin of platinum- group elements-chromite occurrences in the ... ", Econ. geol, V. 85, PP 765-793.
Prinzhofer, A., and Allegre, C.J.,1985 -Residual Peridotite and the mechanism of partial melting. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 74, 251-265.
Proenza, J., Gervilla, F., Melgarejo, J.C., 1997- "Compositional variation of podiform chromitite among different mining districts in the Mayari Baracoa ophiolite belt", Mineral deposits, Paounen (ed) Balkema Rotterdom.
Ribe, N.M., 1988- "Ophiolitic chromitite formation: a marginal basin phenomenon?". Econ. Geol., 83:1034 -1036.
Ricou., 1975- "Les racianes denappes du crossiant opiolitique peri-arab" sympo. Geodyn. Sw.Asia, Thran abstr. P43. in Geol. Surv. Iran; Tehran.
Shaw, H.R., 1980- "The fracture mechanism of magma transport from the mantle to the surface" In: RB. Hargraves, physics of magmatic processes. Princeton univ. press. Princeton. N.Y., 201-265.
Shervais, J. W, 1982- "Ti- V' plots and the petrogenesis of modem and ophiolitic lavas", Earth. Plan. Sci. Letter. V. 59, PP 1010-118.
Stockman, H. W., Hlava, P.F., 1984- "Platinum- group minerals in Alpine chromitites from southwestern Oregon", Econ. Geol., V.pp.491-508.
Talkington, R. W., Lipin, B.R., 1986- "Platinum-group minerals in chromite seams of stillwater complex, Montana" Econ. geol. Vol 81, PP ll79-1176.
Zhou, M.F, Bai, W.J., 1992- "Chromite deposits in China and their origin", Mineral. Deposita., V 27 P 192-199.
Zhou, M.F., Robinson, P.T., Malpas, J., Li, Z.,1996- "Podiform chromite in the loubusa ophiolite ... ", Jour. Of petrol, V 37, No.1.
Volume 12, 47-48
Spring & Summer 2003, Vol. 12, No. 47-48
Autumn 2003
Pages 78-95