Economic Geology
H Tajeddin; Ebrahim Rastad; Abdolmajid Yaghoubpour; Mohammad Mohajjel; Richard Goldfarb
Abstract
Barika gold (and silver)-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit is located 18 km east of Sardasht city in the northwestern of Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic Zone. The rocks in the vicinity of the Barika deposit predominantly consist of Cretaceous volcanosedimentary sequences of phyllite, slate, ...
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Barika gold (and silver)-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit is located 18 km east of Sardasht city in the northwestern of Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic Zone. The rocks in the vicinity of the Barika deposit predominantly consist of Cretaceous volcanosedimentary sequences of phyllite, slate, andesite and tuffite, metamorphosed under greenschist facies grade. Barika deposit is composed of stratiform ore and stringer zone that both are hosted in an altered and sheared metaandesite unit. Fluid inclusion studies indicated that quartz (stringer zone) and barite (stratiform ore) samples homogenized between 132° and 283°C. Salinities of the fluids inclusions show a range from 1.4 to 9.6% wt NaCl equivalent that are close to that of normal seawater. The study indicates the colling occurred in the initial ore fluids, as a result of mixing with sea water, is an important process in the formation of Barika deposit. The δ34S values of sulfide minerals (pyrite, sphalerite and galena) from stockwork mineralization in the Barika deposit range from -0.8 to +5.6 per mil and fall within the range of values observed for volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. The narrow range of measured δ34S values from the sulfide minerals suggests that similar to almost of Kuroko VMS deposits, the ore-forming sulfur derived from the leaching of igneous sulfur from the underlying andesitic rocks. Calculated sulfur isotope temperatures for twelve coexisting galena-sphalerite and galena-pyrite pairs range from 146-293 ْ C that is consistent with temperatures estimated from fluid inclusion studies.
Economic Geology
Behzad Hamamipour; H. A. Tajeddin; Leila Barahmand
Abstract
The Sebandoon gold deposit is located 40 km north of the Bardaskan in the northern part of the Central Iran. The rock units exposed in the area consist of upper Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequences of trachyte-trachyandesite, andesibasalt,tuff and carbonaceous shale which intruded by post Eocene ...
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The Sebandoon gold deposit is located 40 km north of the Bardaskan in the northern part of the Central Iran. The rock units exposed in the area consist of upper Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequences of trachyte-trachyandesite, andesibasalt,tuff and carbonaceous shale which intruded by post Eocene syenite-quartz monzonite subvolcanic intrusions and diabasic dikes. The main gold reservoir in the Sebandoon deposit has occurred in cone-shaped and mostly in the trachyte-trachyandesite lava with dimensions of 90×150 m in the surface which continue up to the depth of 70 m. The hydrothermal alterations occurred in the deposit area include silicic, sulphidic, partly argillic (supergen) and propylitic which two former contains most of the high grade gold ores. The main ore structures and textures in the deposit are vein-veinlets (stockwork) and breccia which consists of quartz, sulphide minerals and rare adularia. Primary ore mineral assemblages of the deposit are simple and consist of pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena, arsenopyrite and gold. Covellite, chalcocite and iron hydroxides are secondary minerals in the deposit. Gold grains with less of than 60 microns in size has been found as inclusion in pyrite and chalcopyrite, in sulfides rims and intergrowth with quartz. Fluid inclusion studies on ore-bearing quartz reveal that majority of primary inclusions are liquid-rich two-phase (LV). The studies indicate homogenization temperatures between 165 and 254°C and salinity between 0.9 to 7.8 wt% NaCl eq. Comparison of the main characteristics of the Sebandoon deposit with epithermal gold deposits reveals that the geology, alteration, ore mineralogy, geochemical characteristics and fluid inclusions of the Sebandoon gold deposit is similar to low to intermediate-sulphidation type epithermal deposits.
E. Rastad; H. Tajedin; A. Yaghubpur; M. Mohajel
Abstract
The Barika gold (and silver) rich-massive sulfide deposit is located 18 km east of Sardasht city, north western part of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Rock units outcropped in this area are metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks in green schist facies, and include association of meta-andesit, meta-tuffite, ...
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The Barika gold (and silver) rich-massive sulfide deposit is located 18 km east of Sardasht city, north western part of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Rock units outcropped in this area are metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks in green schist facies, and include association of meta-andesit, meta-tuffite, phyllite, and slate rocks. The Barika deposit is metamorphosed to greenschist facies, and underwent Barika shear zone- related deformation. The metamorphism/deformation events have superimposed on the synvolcanic stratiform ore and resulted in a variety of mineralogy and textures. Ore minerals in the deposit were originally composed of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite- tenantite and stibnite which were deposited during synvolcanogenic hydrothermal activity. Gold probably was occurred as submicroscopic inclusions or invisible gold locked in pyrite and electrum in barite. Prograde metamorphism/deformation obliterated almost the sedimentary textures in the stratiform ore. the regional metamorphism have resulted in the development of granoblastic textures with triple junctions in pyrite which lead to migration of submicroscopic gold to the crystal boundary to form microscopic electrum. Shear zone - related deformation, lead to chemical remobilization of pre-existing mobilizable metallic constituents (e.g., Au, Ag, Pb, Sb, As and Hg) and eventually reconcentrated them as visible electrums associated َwith Ag, As, Sb, Pb, Hg – rich sulfosalt minerals at microfractures and open spaces which have developed during the shearing deformation. Metamorphic/deformation remobilization was important in releasing refractory Au from sulfides and locally concentrating it in a recoverable form (electrum).
Soroush Modabberi; Y. Rahimsouri; A. Yaghubpur; S. Alipour
Abstract
Black shales of the abandoned antimony mine of Aq-Darreh Bala Village in northwest of Takab city, northwest Iran, contain high concentrations of toxic elements, especially As (4403–11883 ppm), Sb (405–1022 ppm) and Hg (30–58 ppm). Enrichment factor calculations revealed that some ...
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Black shales of the abandoned antimony mine of Aq-Darreh Bala Village in northwest of Takab city, northwest Iran, contain high concentrations of toxic elements, especially As (4403–11883 ppm), Sb (405–1022 ppm) and Hg (30–58 ppm). Enrichment factor calculations revealed that some trace elements including As, Sb, Hg, Zn, U, Sr, Ni, V, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zr have been depleted, while, Pb, Th, Ga, Rb, and Ta are enriched during weathering. Mass balance calculation results show the highest release percents (% loss) belongs to Cd, Zn, U, Sr, Ni, V, Cu, As, Mo, Tl, Zr, Hg and Sb respectively. The highest weight amount of released elements belongs to As, Sb, Sr, Zn, Ni, V, Zr, Cu, U, and Hg respectively. As a result, it can be concluded that the black shale outcrops in the Aq-Darreh Bala abandoned antimony mine area have a main role as a geogenic source in environmental contamination of downstream environments.
H. A. Tajeddin; E. Rastad; A. Yagoubpour; M. Mohajjel
Abstract
Barika deposit is the first and only recognized gold (and silver) rich – massive sulfide deposit in Iran which is located at 18 km east of Sardasht city, north western part of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Rock units outcropped in this area are volcano sedimentary metamorphosed rocks in green ...
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Barika deposit is the first and only recognized gold (and silver) rich – massive sulfide deposit in Iran which is located at 18 km east of Sardasht city, north western part of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. Rock units outcropped in this area are volcano sedimentary metamorphosed rocks in green schist facies, and include association of metaandesite, metatuffite, phyllite and slate rocks, among which the metaandesitic unit (KMv1) is host rock of the deposit. Ore mineral assemblages in stratiform part of the deposit, which contain massive and banded pyrite and barite associated with subordinary silica bands, are very variable in composition and consist of pyrite, sphalerite, galena, stibnite and a variety of sulfosalt minerals and electrum. Ore mineral assemblage in silicic veins in stringer zone, are simpler and consist of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite and rare chalcopyrite. Average gold and silver grades in stratiform ore are 4.2 and 260 g/t respectively and in silica stringer veins are 0.7 and 30 g/t. Base metal content in both part of the deposit is less than 1%. Lithotectonic study and trace and rare earth elements diagrams associated with Ce/Pb and Nb/U ratios of the metavolcanic rocks in the deposit area indicate that the rocks were generated from a lithospheric mantle source in the active continental margin of the SSZ. A geochemical study of Barika deposit reveals that distribution patterns and correlation coefficient of ore elements in parts of the Barika stratiform ore and stringer zone are completely in correlation with an undeformed massive sulfide deposit. The geochemical documents indicate that despite the metamorphism and highly deformation on the deposit, the primary distribution patterns and proportion of the ore elements are well conserved, as geochemical characteristics of the Barika deformed deposit is as well as correlated with an undeformed gold- rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit. However there is clear textural evidence for remobilization of As, Sb, Ag and Pb minerals together with Au in Barika deposit, but, remobilized constituents of the ores do not appear to have moved beyond the margins of the ore bodies and primary metal zonation.
Y. Rahimsouri; A. Yaghubpur; S. Modabberi
Abstract
The results of physicochemical parameters (pH, Eh, EC, TDS, TH, TA, T, and Salinity) and chemical analyses of the springs and drinking water samples of the study area indicate obvious variation compared to each other. Based on these results, the minimum pH and maximum of TDS, EC, salinity, total hardness(TH), ...
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The results of physicochemical parameters (pH, Eh, EC, TDS, TH, TA, T, and Salinity) and chemical analyses of the springs and drinking water samples of the study area indicate obvious variation compared to each other. Based on these results, the minimum pH and maximum of TDS, EC, salinity, total hardness(TH), total alkalinity(TA) parameters and cations and anions, major and trace elements (especially As and Sb) concentrations in spring water samples belong to spring Aq.D1-1(located downstream of Aq-Darreh Bala abandoned antimony mine) and spring Sp.5 (downstream of tailing dams of Aq-Darreh Au mineral processing unit) samples, and the drinking water samples of the Aq-Darreh Paeen village ( spring D.W.P). The Aq-Darreh Paeen drinking water, supplied from the spring near the village, outpoured from the mineralized travertine. Compare to the international standards, main cations and anions concentrations and physicochemical parameters values (exception total hardness) of the springs and drinking water samples are located in permissible ranges. While, Aq-D1-1, Sp.5 and W.D.P springs water samples are polluted regarding to total hardness value and As concentration. Based on the geological map of the study area and location of the all spring water samples (except spring Sp.5), it can be concluded that the chemical composition of the bed rocks around the springs had the main role in controlling the water quality, and the main cause of Sp.5 water spring contamination is polluted waters leaked from the tailing dams of Aq-Darreh Au mineral processing unit.
S. Orandi; A. Yaghubpur; M. Nakhaei; B. Mehrabi; H. Sahraei; M. Behrouz
Abstract
Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, one of the well known porphyry copper deposits, is located in 55 km south of Rafsanjan, south-eastern Iran. Metalliferrous deposit mining, prepare proper conditions for oxidation of sulphide minerals and acid mine drainage will be produced easily by chemical reactions between ...
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Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, one of the well known porphyry copper deposits, is located in 55 km south of Rafsanjan, south-eastern Iran. Metalliferrous deposit mining, prepare proper conditions for oxidation of sulphide minerals and acid mine drainage will be produced easily by chemical reactions between metal sulphides and water, with the presence of air. Investigations on impact of waste dumps on producing acid mine drainage at Sarcheshmeh copper mine shows decreased pH up to 3-5.5 in acid drainages with the presence of some dissolved toxic and heavy metals higher than permitted standard limits (WHO). In such degraded water and improper environment for aquatic life, just some of microorganisms are able to survive. At Sarcheshmeh copper mine in some of acidic drainages which maintain high dissolved elements, an acid tolerant alga recognized. The genus of this filamentous green alga is Ulothrix and species is Ulothrix gigas without antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The alga is observed in the drainages with high dissolved solids (TDS≈1800mg/l). It seems pH values, type of dissolved elements and secondary minerals formed on the substrate, are important factors in distribution of Ulothrix. This research shows the most prolific and densely populated communities occur in effluent with the pH 3- 4.5. The colloidal conditions and presence of suspended Iron and Aluminium prevent growth or reproduction of them. Sampling and chemical analysis of algae show elevated absorption of heavy metals. Therefore the presence of this alga is a factor to remove heavy metals from acid mine drainage naturally and improve the water quality.
