M. Esmaeli; M. Lotfi; N. Nezafati
Abstract
Khalyfehlou Cu deposit (southeast of the Zanjan), is the volcanic-hosted vein-type deposit located in the Tarom metallogenic zon,Western Alborz (northwest of Iran) . Tarom zone consist mainly of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation (Early to Middle Eocone). Regarding the stratigraphic ...
Read More
Khalyfehlou Cu deposit (southeast of the Zanjan), is the volcanic-hosted vein-type deposit located in the Tarom metallogenic zon,Western Alborz (northwest of Iran) . Tarom zone consist mainly of volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation (Early to Middle Eocone). Regarding the stratigraphic position, the Karaj Formation is divided into two members: Kordkand and Amand. The Kordkand member is overlain by the Amand member .The Amand member is divided into six units, Ea1 through Ea6. The Khalyfehlou Cu deposit is located in Ea5 and Ea6 units of Amand member .The Karaj Formation is interrupted by large and linear intrusions with calc alkaline affinities. Host rocks are green tuffs and, rarely, andesites. The patterns of rare earth elements in the studied samples indicate the negative anomaly of Eu element due to plagioclase subtraction. In all the samples, the enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and large lithophil ion (LILE) elements and the depletion of strong field strength elements (HFSE) are observed. This probably indicates the common origin of these rocks. Main minerals include chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, and covellite and gangue minerals including quartz, sericite, and calcite. In this paper the origin of ore-forming fluids and genesis of Khalyfehlou Cu deposit is studied using sulfur and oxygen isotope data. The sulfur isotope values for the chalcopyrite range from −2.0 to −5.3‰. Negative sulfur isotopes values and the occurrence of framboidal pyrite in the tuffaceous sandstone host rocks suggests a sedimentary origin for the sulfur. The oxygen isotope composition of quartz from the veins ranges from 12.3 to 14.3‰. The δ18Ofluid values calculated from the oxygen isotope data range from 0.6‰ to 3.6‰. The O isotopic characteristics indicate that the ore-forming fluids for the Khalyfehlou deposit was meteoric-formational water.This study suggests that mineralization at the Khalyfehlou deposit is similar to cordilleran vein-type deposits.
S. A. Majidi; M. Lotfi; M. H. Emami; N. Nezafati
Abstract
The metallogenic zone of Bafgh-Saghand in central Iran hosts huge low-titanium iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits (also called Kiruna type iron deposits) with more than 1500 Million tons grading 55% iron. The genesis of these deposits including Chadormalu, Choghart, She-Chahun, and Esfordi has long been ...
Read More
The metallogenic zone of Bafgh-Saghand in central Iran hosts huge low-titanium iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits (also called Kiruna type iron deposits) with more than 1500 Million tons grading 55% iron. The genesis of these deposits including Chadormalu, Choghart, She-Chahun, and Esfordi has long been a subject of debate. In this regard, several hypotheses such as magmatic, hydrothermal, carbonatititc, BIF, and sedimentary-exhalative have been proposed so far. In this study, 20samples of the magnetite ore from the deposits of Chadormalu, Choghart, She-Chahun, and Esfordi were selected and analyzed for their oxygen isotope values. Based on the analyses results, the variations of δ18O values in the deposits are meaningful and result from the characteristics of the ore forming processes involved. The δ18O values of the analyzed magnetite samples range from -0.1 to +2.2‰ and indicate the role of both orthomagmatic (>0.9‰) and hydrothermal (<0.9‰) processes in the formation of these deposits. On the other hand, the values lower than +0.3‰ can be attributed to secondary oxidation or hydrothermal processes and/or a combination of both. The oxygen isotope data of the investigated samples are identical to the deposits such as El Laco of Chile, Kiruna and Grängesberg of Sweden, and Zhibo and Chagangnuoer of China with a magmatic-hydrothermal genesis. According to the geological and analytical evidence obtained from the iron oxide-apatite deposits of the Bafgh-Saghand area, first a tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite, diorite, and granite magmatism related to a continental margin subduction at 533 to 525Ma has caused a magmatic mineralization of iron in the area, while a later hydrothermal process related to an alkaline intrusion (syenite and monzosyentie) has caused a hydrothermal mineralization. Therefore a magmatic-hydrothermal source can be suggested for the formation of the low-titanium iron oxide-apatite deposits of the Bafgh-Saghand area.
S Afzali; N Nezafati; M Ghaderi
Abstract
The Gazestan magnetite–apatite deposit is located 78 km east of Bafq, in the Bafq-Poshtebadam subzone of the Central Iran structural zone. The rock units in the area belong to the Rizou series and consist of carbonate rocks, shale, tuff, sandstone and volcanic rocks. Intrusive rocks in the form ...
Read More
The Gazestan magnetite–apatite deposit is located 78 km east of Bafq, in the Bafq-Poshtebadam subzone of the Central Iran structural zone. The rock units in the area belong to the Rizou series and consist of carbonate rocks, shale, tuff, sandstone and volcanic rocks. Intrusive rocks in the form of stock and dyke crop out as granodiorite and granite in various places. Trachytic and dacitic rocks in the area are green due to chloritic alteration and host iron and phosphate mineralization. The main alteration types are chloritic and argillic, while sericitic, potassic, and silicic alterations as well as tourmalinization and epidotization are also found in the rock units. Five forms of mineralization are distinguished in the Gazestan deposit, including massive iron ore with minor apatite, apatite-magnetite ore, irregular vein-veinlets (stockwork) in the brecciated green rock and disseminated and monomineralic massive apatite veins. Fluid inclusion studies were conducted on the apatites of two stages. According to these studies, temperature and salinity values in the stage-I apatite are higher than those in stage-II apatite. Lower salinity values in the stage-II apatite could be due to contamination of magmatic fluids with meteoric waters during later stages of mineralization. Oxygen, hydrogen and carbon stable isotope composition of magnetite, quartz, apatite and calcite; and calculation of oxygen isotope composition in the fluid equilibrated with the oxide minerals suggest mixing the magmatic fluids with basin brines in mineralization of the Gazestan deposit.
H Hadizadeh1; A.A Calagari; N Nezafati; H Mollaei; H Azmi
Abstract
The Neian epithermal deposit in northwest of the Lut block is located in ~35 km southwest of Bejestan. The studies done on this deposit indicate the development of zonation in altered rocks around the ore-bearing siliceous veins and the existence of silicic (quartz, chalcedony, adularia, calcite, illite, ...
Read More
The Neian epithermal deposit in northwest of the Lut block is located in ~35 km southwest of Bejestan. The studies done on this deposit indicate the development of zonation in altered rocks around the ore-bearing siliceous veins and the existence of silicic (quartz, chalcedony, adularia, calcite, illite, and sericite), silicic-argillic (quartz, adularia, illite, sericite, and pyrite), argillic (illite, quartz, calcite, adularia, sericite, kaolinite, smectite, and chlorite), and propylitic (chlorite, calcite, albite, epidote, quartz, and smectite) alterations as the major alteration zones in this deposit that were formed during the five stages. Th geochemical diagrams, molar elemental ratios, and petrographic consideration illustrate the presence of transitional transformation and mineral conversion arrays during the development of hydrothermal system at Neian. Consideration of these diagrams indicate a wide spread of argillic and silicic and a relatively limited extent propylitic alteration zones in the Neian deposit. These diagrams also show that the mineral arrangements such as plagioclase-illite, plagioclase-adularia, illite-adularia, and plagioclase-smectite were developed during the prograde stages, whereas adularia-illite arrangement was formed during the retrograde (waning) stages of hydrothermal system. Permeability, high water/rock ratio in the host rocks (generated by faulting and the presence of extensive pyroclastic rocks) are the main factors for development of alteration zones and formation of widespread adularia in the area. In addition, considering the mineralogical composition of the deposit, the presence of minerals such as adularia and illite in the central and kaolinite in the peripheral part of the system may suggest that they were formed by the fluids having temperatures > 220 °C and <140 °C, respectively. The presence of mineral assemblage of quartz, adularia, illite, pyrite, chlorite, and calcite may reflect the involvement of upward flowing Chloride-bearing fluids with pH ranging from almost neutral to moderately alkaline. The contemporaneous formation of calcite, smectite, illite, and kaolinite in peripheral parts of the system was resulted by the reaction of CO2-rich fluids (containing hot vapors) with the host rocks. Increasing of temperature and potassium metasomatism in the central parts of the system caused widespread formation of illite at the first stage of alteration and of adularia-illite at the second (maximum K-metasomatism) during the geothermal activity at Neian. Concurrent with the waning stage of hydrothermal alteration and decreasing of K-metasomatism, illite replaced adularia again. The prevalence of conditions (for a long period of time) suitable for stability of illite may account for the greater abundance and extent of this mineral relative to adularia in the host rocks of Neian deposit.
P Didar; N Nezafati; M.H Emami; A Solgi
Abstract
In the south of Mashhad city, situated in the Khorasan-eRazaviProvince, NE Iran, there are a number of granitic intrusive bodies intersected by several pegmatite veins. These granitic bodies are of orogenic (collisional), peraluminous, S- type and host the pegmatites in an area of 40km2. This paper presents ...
Read More
In the south of Mashhad city, situated in the Khorasan-eRazaviProvince, NE Iran, there are a number of granitic intrusive bodies intersected by several pegmatite veins. These granitic bodies are of orogenic (collisional), peraluminous, S- type and host the pegmatites in an area of 40km2. This paper presents the geological, geochemical, and mineralogical investigations on the pegmatite veins in order mainly to examine their economic value for lithium and lithium bearing minerals. For this purpose, the pegmatite veins of the area were first mapped and sampled. In this regard, more than 100 samples from the pegmatites and associated granites were taken and investigated using polarized microscopy, SEM, XRD, and ICP. According to the field observations and laboratory examinations, seven individual pegmatite facies were recognized, all of which of LCT (Li, Cs, Ta) type (based on Cerny-2005-classification). The studied pegmatites contain three main types of mica including muscovite, lepidolite, and biotite and host from 430 to 1150 ppm lithium. Beside lithium bearing mica, presence of some other minerals such as garnet (almandine-spessartite), tourmaline (schorl-dravite series and schorl-elbaite series), and apatite are of interest, especially because of their potential for hosting REEs. The average of A/CNK index for the pegmatites is 1.3 to 1.6, while the average of Mg/Li is 3.9 to 24.1. The average of lithium for the facies of "quartz + tourmaline ± muscovite" is 19.3ppm, while the average of Li for the facies of "quartz+ potassium feldspar + plagioclase + muscovite + lepidolite + biotite + tourmaline" is 177.2 ppm. The low Mg/Li ratio, the high content of lithium, and the mineralization of lepidolite introduce the pegmatites of Mashhad as a significant potential for lithium, what that is being introduced for the first time from these pegmatites.
H Hadizadeh; A.A Calagari; N Nezafati; H Mollaei
Abstract
The Neian area in northwest of the Lut block host a polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Ag) vein system which was developed within a series of volcanic rocks ranging in composition from dacite through rhyo-dacite and andesite to trachy-andesite. These rocks were formed by two distinct stages of lava eruption. ...
Read More
The Neian area in northwest of the Lut block host a polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Cu-Au-Ag) vein system which was developed within a series of volcanic rocks ranging in composition from dacite through rhyo-dacite and andesite to trachy-andesite. These rocks were formed by two distinct stages of lava eruption. The rocks hosting mineralization possess calc-alkaline and shoshonitic nature and were formed in an orogenic environment. The concurrent and opposite function of two major faults in two sides of the mining area caused the generation of tensional conditions in the middle of the block and led to the development of a series of minor faults with dip-slip and strike-slip components within the block. These fracture zones acted as suitable conduits for fluid infiltration and development of ore-bearing siliceous veins. The factors such as extensive fractures and existence of pyroclastic rocks with high permeability caused the development of widespread alteration zones within the host rocks. Three distinct types of alterations were developed in the Neian deposit: (1) silicified (quartz, chalcedony, adularia, calcite, illite, and sericite); (2) argillic (illite, smectite, quartz, kaolinite, adularia, chlorite, sericite, and zeolite); and (3) propylitic (chlorite, calcite, albite, epidote, quartz and smectite) which are accompanied by five stages of mineralization. These alterations were formed by the chloride-bearing solutions with pH ranging from neutral to very alkaline. Mineralization at Neian is in the form of vein, veinlet, and dissemination within the host rocks and is also associated with hydrothermal breccias. The most important ore minerals at Neian are pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, melnikovite, and hematite. The most important gangue minerals also include quartz (chalcedony), cristobalite, calcite, dolomite, siderite, barite, fluorite, and adularia. The evidences like (a) the association of mineralization with siliceous-carbonate veinlets, (b) the presence of adularia, illite, bladed calcite, and hydrothermal breccias, and (c) the presence of alteration minerals such as quartz, adularia, illite, albite, chlorite, interlayered illite-smectite, calcite, and pyrite in the Neian hydrothermal system indicate that these minerals were formed by chloride solutions with almost neutral to very alkaline pH in a low-sulfidation epithermal environment.
S Afzali; N Nezafati; M Ghaderi; J Ghalamghash; M.R Ghassemi; A Karimi Bavandpur
Abstract
The Gazestan magnetite–apatite deposit is situated 78 km east of Bafq. The Gazestan deposit is located in Bafq-Poshtebadam subzone of Central Iran structural zone. The rock units in the area belong to the Rizu series and consist of carbonate rocks, shale, tuff, sandstone and volcanics. In addition ...
Read More
The Gazestan magnetite–apatite deposit is situated 78 km east of Bafq. The Gazestan deposit is located in Bafq-Poshtebadam subzone of Central Iran structural zone. The rock units in the area belong to the Rizu series and consist of carbonate rocks, shale, tuff, sandstone and volcanics. In addition to sedimentary and volcanic rocks, intrusive rocks in the form of stock and dyke outcrop as diorite gabbro, gabbro, diabase, quartz-monzonite and granite in various places. The green rocks with acidic to intermediate composition (trachyte and dacite demonstrate green color due to alteration) host iron and phosphate mineralization which in some localities, show subvolcanic facies. The alteration is more obvious in the volcanic rocks and includes chloritization, argillic, silicification, and also formation of mafic minerals such as epidote, tremolite and actinolite. The host rocks are strongly altered. Mineralization at the Gazestan deposit comprises a combination of iron oxides and apatite with various ratios accompanied by quartz and calcite, observed in different forms mainly within the trachytic-dacitic rocks and a small proportion in the rhyolites. Five forms of mineralization are distinguished in the area including massive iron ore with minor apatite, apatite-magnetite ore, irregular vein-veinlets (stockwork) in the brecciated green rocks, disseminated, and pure massive apatite veins. The host rocks in the Gazestan area plot on calc-alkaline field. Comparison of the most important characteristics of the Gazestan deposit (including tectonic setting, host rock, mineralogy, alteration, structure and texture) with those of various types of mineralization in the world suggest that the deposit is quite similar to the iron oxide - apatite deposits.
D Refahi; A Khakzad; N Nezafati; Kh Bahar Firozi; A Bayatani
Abstract
Development of advance tools in remote sensing and airborne geophysics during recent decades shows this industry importance. In this paper, aster sensor imagery (Advanced Space born Thermal – Radiometer) and airborne geophysics employed in order to zoning alteration area, mineralization system ...
Read More
Development of advance tools in remote sensing and airborne geophysics during recent decades shows this industry importance. In this paper, aster sensor imagery (Advanced Space born Thermal – Radiometer) and airborne geophysics employed in order to zoning alteration area, mineralization system analysis and prospecting in 1:25000 Oghlansar sheet, which is situated in north of Sarab City in East Azerbaijan province. The area is located in structural zone of theEastern Alborz-Azerbaijan. The lithology of area contains Eocene-Neogene magmatic-volcanic complex such as andesite, rhyodacite, rhyolite, and granodiorite associated with pyroclastics such as tuffs, volcanic breccia and lava flows. In this investigation, we applied different methods of spectral analysis and normal classification such as SAM (Spectral Angel mapping), MF (Match Filtering) using ASTER images. Furthermore, spectral analysis methods on airborne geophysics data were engaged in order to extract shallow bodies and recognition of faults. ASTER imagery process and airborne geophysics data led to primary potential mineral map of the area. For credibility of results, 200 samples were taken and analyzed by XRD, XRF and ICP methods. Consequently, 190 samples (95%) confirmed the results of remote sensing and airborne geophysics processes. Conclusions of this research revealed that applying concurrency both the remote sensing and airborne geophysics data could be led to improve the precision of the results.
M.R Omidvar Ashkalack; A Khakzad; N Nezafati; M.A.A Mokhtari; B Borna; S Rozbeh Kargar
Abstract
The studied area is located in the western part of the Central Alborz structural zone and contains a bauxitic- lateritic horizon between the Elika and Shemshak formations. This horizon belongs to the middle Triassic, and croups out with E-W trend in the four regions (trends) including Zard Kuh- Loriteh, ...
Read More
The studied area is located in the western part of the Central Alborz structural zone and contains a bauxitic- lateritic horizon between the Elika and Shemshak formations. This horizon belongs to the middle Triassic, and croups out with E-W trend in the four regions (trends) including Zard Kuh- Loriteh, Shagol- Sangrood, Abasak- Hir, and Arsheh Kuh- Zakabar. The complete cross section of bauxitic- lateritic horizon contain dark grey pisolites in the lower part, yellowish red laterite in the middle part, and an upper part with light grey color. Kaolinite and quartz are the main mineral components of this horizon. The minerals such as diaspore, bohemite, anatase, hematite and goethite present as minor phase. The grey- colored upper and lower parts contain high grade of Al2O3 and low grade of Fe2O3 while in the middle part, high grade of Fe2O3 and low grade of Al2O3. The average grades of Al2O3, Fe2O3, SiO2 and TiO2 in the samples are in turn 35%, 14%, 35% and 5%. The maximum grades of Al2O3 in the mentioned four trends are 51%, 61%, 48% and 48%. There is a distinctive negative correlation between Al2O3 and Fe2O3, between Fe2O3 and SiO2, and between Fe2O3 and TiO2. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between Al2O3 and TiO2. The results of laboratory investigations indicated that the best bauxitic- lateritic horizon in the studied area considering grades of major oxides is the Abasak- Hir trend.
