Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Genesis of Sb-As-Au deposit in volcano-plutonic complex of Dash-kasan (East Qorveh, Kordestan Province)

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
1 Economic Geology Group, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
2 Geological Survey of Iran , Tehran, Iran
3 Petrology Group, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Dashkasan antimony-arsenic-gold deposit is located in west Iran, 42 km NE of Qorveh (Kordestan province). The area is a part of Sanandaj- Sirjan magmatic-metamorphic zone. Based on geological observations, the oldest rock units in the area belong to the Jurassic series and are slates, phyllites and quartzites. The youngest units are Neogene volcano-elastic conglomerates, basaltic flows, block lavas and Quaternary agglomerates. The plutonic rocks in the area consist of a Neogene (Pliocene?) calc-alkaline microgranite-microgranodiorite intrusive with microgranular porphyritic textures. The subvolcanic equivalent of these plutonic rocks, is represented as Agh Dagh and Sari Dagh dacite-rhyodacite domes. Dashkasan mine is considered as a vein-type deposit in which its related mineralization is controlled by tectonic structures. The deposit is hosted by dacite, rhyodacite and microgranodiorite subvolcanic rocks which are mainly associated with silicic, argillic, and pyritic alterations. The ore parageneses in the veins includes quartz, stibnite, pyrite, realgar, orpiment, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena, boulangerite, aurostibite (?), gold, stibiconite, kermesite and iron-hydroxide. The Gold content of the vein's ranges between 55 and 266ppm, whereas in sulfide-silicic zone, it ranges from 10 to 18 ppm. Gold grains are between 10 and 150 microns in diameter commonly occurring with quartz and in smaller sizes within the oxidized pyrites. Scanning Electron Microprobe (SEM) studies display quantities of Sb, Ag and Hg within the gold grains. The analytical results for samples from six lithogeochemical profiles vertically cutting the main stibnite veins in Agh Dagh and Sari Dagh areas indicate that high-grade gold is limited to stibnite veins and also to silicic-pyritic alteration zones. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that homogenization temperatures range between 183 C and 255 C and salinity from 8.9 to 18.8 wt% NaCl equivalent. Field observations and laboratory studies show a close relationship between the antimony-arsenic-gold mineralization, and silicic solutions derived from subvolcanic body in the area. It is therefore suggested that, the mineralization belongs to epithermal group and acid-sulfate type.
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Volume 10, 37-38
Autumn & Winter 2001, Vol. 10, No. 37-38
Winter 2000
Pages 2-23