Economic Geology
Fatemeh Naderlou; Mir Ali asghar Mokhtari; Hossein Kouhestani; Ghasem Nabatian
Abstract
North Chargar Cu-Au mineralization located within the Tarom-Hashtjin sub-zone. This area composed of andesite and quartz-andesite lavas alternated with tuffaceouce rocks. The volcanic rocks have calc-alkaline nature and were formed in an active continental margin. Mineralization present as ore-bearing ...
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North Chargar Cu-Au mineralization located within the Tarom-Hashtjin sub-zone. This area composed of andesite and quartz-andesite lavas alternated with tuffaceouce rocks. The volcanic rocks have calc-alkaline nature and were formed in an active continental margin. Mineralization present as ore-bearing quartz vein-veinlets within a silicified zone. Based on mineralogical studies, chalcopyrite and pyrite are the main ore minerals, and malachite, covellite, chalcocite and goethite were formed by supergene processes. Quartz, barite and chlorite present as gangue minerals. Hydrothermal alterations include silicification, chloritization, sericitization and argillic. Ore and gangue minerals show disseminated, vein-veinlet, brecciated, cockade, comb, replacement, relict and open space filling textures. Based on field and microscopic studies, Cu-Au mineralization in the north Chargar can be divided into four stages: 1- the first stage is silicification of volcano-sedimentary host rock along with disseminated pyrite mineralization, 2- the second stage present as chalcopyrite and pyrite-bearing quartz vein-veinlets and hydrothermal breccia cement, 3- the third stage includes barite vein-veinlets crosscutting the previous stages of mineralization, 4- the last stage is related to supergene processes. Geological features, mineralogy and ore structure-textures in the north Chargar Cu-Au occurrence indicate most similarity with base metal epithermal (intermediate sulfidation) deposit type.
M.A.A Mokhtari; H Kouhestani; A Saeedi
Abstract
Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy Cu occurrence is located in the Tarom area, 30 km east of Zanjan. Rock units exposed in this area consist of Eocene volcanic and volcano-sedimentary units (equal to Karaj Formation) which are intruded by Oligocene quartz-monzonitic plutons. In this area, Cu mineralization occurs ...
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Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy Cu occurrence is located in the Tarom area, 30 km east of Zanjan. Rock units exposed in this area consist of Eocene volcanic and volcano-sedimentary units (equal to Karaj Formation) which are intruded by Oligocene quartz-monzonitic plutons. In this area, Cu mineralization occurs as Cu-bearing quartz veins and veinlets within the intermediate tuffs and andesitic lavas. Based on microscopic studies, ore minerals are include chalcopyrite with minor pyrite and oligist, and quartz and chlorite are present as gangue minerals at the Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy Cu occurrence. The ore minerals show disseminated, vein and veinlets, breccia, open space filling and replacement textures. Alteration is restricted to the silicified and chloritic altered parts of the ore zones. Two stages of hypogene and supergene mineralization can be distinguished at the Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy Cu occurrence. The hypogene stage of mineralization is progressed from disseminated crystals of pyrite and chalcopyrite within the tuffs and lavas (substage 1) to quartz- chalcopyrite- pyrite‒cemented veins and breccias (substage 2), individual or sets of quartz veins and veinlets (substage 3) and finally quartz- oligist veins and veinlets (substage 4). Malachite, azurite and Fe-hydroxides with veins and veinlets and open space filling textures are formed during supergene stage. REE pattern of the host rocks and the mineralized samples indicate that mineralized samples are enriched in REE. This signature may indicates high concentration of REE in ore-forming fluids and/or high W/R interaction at Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy area. Enrichment of ore-forming elements (Cu, Pb, Zn) in ore zones is also specifies leaching of elements from altered host rocks to ore zones by ore-forming fluids. Characteristics of Aliabad Mousavi- Khanchy Cu occurrence are comparable with vein type of Cu deposits.