Economic Geology
Hanieh Kiaei; Ahmad Kazemi-Mehrnia; Hamid Samari; Peyman Afzal; Nazanin Zaheri-Abdehvand
Abstract
The Fatehabad Cu deposit is located in the Khorasan Razavi province, 35 km SE of the Torbat-e Heydariyeh and in the Khaf-Kashmar-Bardaskan metal belt. The vein and veinlet mineralization consist of chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite, chalcocite, bornite, covellite, malachite and iron oxides associated with ...
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The Fatehabad Cu deposit is located in the Khorasan Razavi province, 35 km SE of the Torbat-e Heydariyeh and in the Khaf-Kashmar-Bardaskan metal belt. The vein and veinlet mineralization consist of chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite, chalcocite, bornite, covellite, malachite and iron oxides associated with siliceous-sericite, argillite and propylitic alteration in the volcanic rocks formed parallel to the sub-faults that branch off from the Dorouneh fault. The similar pattern of REE and trace elements in the mineralized veins and associated volcanic rocks suggests an magmatic-hydrothermal origin of the ore elements. In the vein system of Fathabad district, quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and magnetite veins with propylitic alteration in the early stage of mineralization, quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite and magnetite veins with sericite alteration in the main stage of mineralization and quartz, pyrite and chalcopyrite veins were identified along with argillic and iron oxide alterations. Calcite veins along with sericite and iron oxide alterations were also identified in the late stage of mineralization. The enrichment of trace, LREEs/HREEs ratio, positive Eu anomalyand negative Ce anomaly, indicate reducing conditions and a high pH of the mineralized fluids. Fluid inclusion studies with low salinity (13.9 to 4.74 wt% NaCl eqv.) and low temperature (111 to 192 oC) indicate dilution and mixing of the sulfur- and element-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluid with meteoric water, leading leaching and precipitation of trace, rare and copper elements. The δ34S isotopes values (-1.58 to -2.86‰) in the chalcopyrite minerals indicate the magmatic origin of sulfur. The geology, geochemistry, and fluid inclusions evidences indicate that the Fathabad Cu deposit is belong to epithermal style mineral systems.
Masoumeh Nabilou; Mehran Arian; Peyman Afzal; Ahmad Adib; Ahmad Kazemi Mehrnia
Abstract
The multifractal modelling is an effective approach for separation of geological and mineralized zones from the background. Following cases are addressed in this study; Concentration-Distance to Major Fault structures (C-DMF) fractal model and distribution of the known Fe indices/mines in the Bafgh ...
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The multifractal modelling is an effective approach for separation of geological and mineralized zones from the background. Following cases are addressed in this study; Concentration-Distance to Major Fault structures (C-DMF) fractal model and distribution of the known Fe indices/mines in the Bafgh area to distinguish the Fe mineralization based on their distance to basement faults, surface faults and master joints, using remote sensing information, airborne geophysics information and field surveys. Application of the C-DMF model for the classification of Fe mineralization in the Esfordi and Behabad 1: 100,000 sheets reveals that the main Fe mineralizations have a strong correlation with their distance to the major and basement faults. Accordingly, the distances of Fe mineralization that has the grades upper than 55% in this area )43%≤S≤60%), are lower than 1 km related to basement faults, while such distance for this threshold is 2344<DMJ≤1778 meter for the master joint and also for the faults of 1:100,000 Behabad and Esfordi geology sheets in 43%S≤60% threshold (for the graides) the distances are 3162<DGF≤4365 meter to the faults. This indicates a positive correlation between Fe mineralization and distance to the basement faults. On the other words, the proximity evidence for the Precambrian high grades Fe deposits related to basement faults indicates syn-rifting tectonic events. This C-DMF fractal model can be used in exploration of the magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits.
Ahmad Kazemi Mehrnia; I. Rasa; S. Alirezaei; H. Asadi Harooni; J. Karami
Abstract
The Saridoon porphyry system is located 3 km northeast of Sarcheshmeh copper mine. Alteration mapping of the area was carried out using PIMA (Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer) analysis of 145 samples, ASTER satellite images, XRD analysis of 22 samples, field observations and petrographic studies. The ...
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The Saridoon porphyry system is located 3 km northeast of Sarcheshmeh copper mine. Alteration mapping of the area was carried out using PIMA (Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer) analysis of 145 samples, ASTER satellite images, XRD analysis of 22 samples, field observations and petrographic studies. The lithocap is characterized by an advanced argillic alteration assemblage. The alteration occurs at high topographic levels and on the flanks of the topographic heights. Despite extensive exposures, the alteration varies in intensity and occurs as patches or partially exposed. Pyrophyllite spectral feature is used as a measure of alteration intensity (pyrophyllite abundance).
Phyllic alteration occurs in the central part of the sampled area. This spectrally distinct alteration assemblage occurs at all elevations, and is partially overprinted by advanced argillic alteration. Intermediate argillic alteration occurs on the flanks of advanced argillic and phyllic alterations. The mineral assemblage might have been formed by supergene processes, or alternatively, by low temperature hydrothermal fluids. The PIMA and XRD samples were analyzed by ICP-MS for a number of metals and semi-metals. A comparison of data from Saridoon and those from three other porphyry systems in northwest Kerman belt (Darrehzar, Abdar, and Chah Firuzeh) shows lower contents of Cu and Mo, and higher contents of As, Sb, Pb in Saridoon. The extend alteration systems in Iranian magmatic arc with low frequency of Cu and Mo shall be checked for advanced argillic alteration mineral assemblage using modern spectrometry instrument (e. g. PIMA). This distribution pattern of elements, coupled with the widespread occurrence of advanced argillic alteration at surface, suggests that stripping of overlying rocks at Saridoon was not as deep and effective as in many other porphyry systems in the Kerman belt. These findings suggest that alteration systems with low Cu and Mo contents and mineral assemblages typical of advanced argillic alteration merit closer and deeper inspection.
