Exploration and Mining
Ahmad Adib; Peyman Afzal
Abstract
In this research, the leaching of REEs from the tailing of the apatite-iron ore processing unit of Morvarid mine (NW Iran), has been investigated using nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. This tailing contains rare earth elements (REEs) specifically Ce, La, Nd, Y and its accompanying minerals are ...
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In this research, the leaching of REEs from the tailing of the apatite-iron ore processing unit of Morvarid mine (NW Iran), has been investigated using nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. This tailing contains rare earth elements (REEs) specifically Ce, La, Nd, Y and its accompanying minerals are magnetite, apatite, monazite, hematite, quartz. The appropriate dimensions for apatite release are 80-75μm. Leaching tests were performed for all three acids, and digestion process was also used for sulfuric acid. The leaching in the presence of sulfuric acid, under a temperature of 90°C, an acid concentration of 40% and a time of 60 minutes, leads to the total recovery of REE equal to 40.23%, and in acid sulfuric acid digestion at 200°C, equal to 61.21%. became. The recovery of REE when using hydrochloric acid at 72.64°C, concentration of hydrochloric acid 36.21% and time 56.28 minutes, was equal to 60.57%. In the presence of nitric acid, under the optimal conditions of temperature 61.51°C, acid concentration 40% and time 72.92 minutes. Furthermore, the maximum recovery of total REE equal to 51.9% was obtained. Due to the higher recovery and the lower price of sulfuric acid, this method is suggested for extracting for the extraction of REEs from the tailings.
Economic Geology
Maryam Khosravi; Wenchao Yu; Jintao Zhou
Abstract
The Gano bauxite deposit is located 90 km northeast of Semnan city in the eastern Alborz Mountains, northern Iran. The bauxite ores occur as stratiform discrete lenses with a length of 6 km and thickness of 2–20 m along the contact between carbonates of the Elika Formation and shale, sandstone, ...
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The Gano bauxite deposit is located 90 km northeast of Semnan city in the eastern Alborz Mountains, northern Iran. The bauxite ores occur as stratiform discrete lenses with a length of 6 km and thickness of 2–20 m along the contact between carbonates of the Elika Formation and shale, sandstone, siltstone, and coal of the Shemshak Formation. Mineralogical analyses revealed that the bauxite ores consist of diaspore, hematite, kaolinite, chlorite, anatase, illite, zunyite, goethite, quartz, and dolomite minerals. Fluctuations of the groundwater table level, acidic atmospheric waters, and an increase in pH of the weathering solutions close to carbonate bedrocks played an important role in the concentration of Fe-poor ores in the upper parts and Fe-rich ores in the lower parts of the studied profile. An increase in oxidation, the possible presentence of secondary phosphate minerals, fluctuations of the groundwater table level, and the role of carbonate bedrock as an active buffer played an important role in the extent of Ce anomaly in the ores (0.79–12.25). The pH variations of weathering solutions, fluctuations of the groundwater table level, the role of carbonate bedrock as a geochemical barrier, and simultaneous precipitation of Fe-bearing minerals and preferential scavenging of LREE(La–Eu) by hematite played an important role in the distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements in the bauxite ores. According to geochemical considerations (Eu/Eu* vs. TiO2/Al2O3 and Sm/Nd bivariate diagrams), the Gano bauxite deposit probably derived from the weathering of intermediate igneous rocks.
Economic Geology
nasrin khajehmohammadlou; Ali Asghar Calagari; Kamal Siahcheshm; Ali Abedini
Abstract
The Aghbolagh iron-copper skarn is located in ~21 km north of Oshnavieh, southwest of West-Azarbaidjan province. The intrusion of Cretaceous granitic body into the Cambrian Barut, Zagun, and Lalun Formations (carbonate, shale, and sandstone) was accompanied by development of calcic-type skarn, hornfels, ...
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The Aghbolagh iron-copper skarn is located in ~21 km north of Oshnavieh, southwest of West-Azarbaidjan province. The intrusion of Cretaceous granitic body into the Cambrian Barut, Zagun, and Lalun Formations (carbonate, shale, and sandstone) was accompanied by development of calcic-type skarn, hornfels, and marble in the study area. The garnets of the Aghbolagh skarn belong to solid solution series of grossularite-andradite in which andradite is the dominant phase (>80%). These garnets are isotropic and lack zonation. The pattern of REE distribution in these garnets shows the enrichment of LREE relative to HREE and also the occurrence of negative anomalies of Eu/Eu* and Ce/Ce*. The comparison of the distribution pattern of REE in garnets with those in igneous (granite and monzonite) and sedimentary (carbonates and sandstones) rocks demonstrates that the REE in garnets were derived mainly from the igneous rocks rather than the sedimentary units. The increase in Pr/Yb ratios in parallel with increase in the ƩREE is indicative of the magmatic origin of the ore-forming fluids in the Aghbolagh skarn. However, the lack of sensible variations between Ce/CE* and ƩREE values indicate that the meteoric waters might have also played a part in skarn-forming fluids at Aghbolagh.
Hasan Zamanian; Ghasem Beiranvand; Farhad Ahmadnejad
Abstract
Bagoushi deposit is located in 37 km northwestern Masiri in Fars province. Structurally the deposit is situated in the Zagros Simply Folded Mountain belt and developed in Upper Cretaceous carbonates. From the top to bottom, the deposit is consisting of red, pisolitic, brown, brecciate, and kaolinitic ...
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Bagoushi deposit is located in 37 km northwestern Masiri in Fars province. Structurally the deposit is situated in the Zagros Simply Folded Mountain belt and developed in Upper Cretaceous carbonates. From the top to bottom, the deposit is consisting of red, pisolitic, brown, brecciate, and kaolinitic bauxite horizons. Boehmite, kaolinite, hematite, pyrophyllite, anatase, calcite and diaspore are the major mineral phases. The main ore textures of the deposit include pisolitic, pisolitic-oolitic and clastic with pelitomorphic and microgranular matrixes. According to the formation conditions of the major minerals, the Bagoushi deposit formed in an environment ranging from acidic-oxidizing surface water to basic and reducing groundwater. Some textural features such as pelitomorphic matrix, pisolitic and oolitic textures, radial fractures in pisoids, growth of simple cortex around earlier pisoids, pisoids with cortexes lacking radial and circular fractures, are indicative of allochthonous origin; and broken pisoids, allogeneic pisoids and clastic grains reveal the transportation of bauxitic materials; therefore the bauxite materials is authigenic, but in some parts were transported and re-deposited, at least locally. The mass change calculations relative to the immobile element Ti show that elements such as Si, Fe, Mg, K and Na are leached out; Al, Zr, V, Th, Nb, Ba and REEs particularly LREE are concentrated; and Hf, Ta, Co, Rb, Cs, Be and U are relatively immobile during the bauxitisation process. The bauxite ores are characterized by progressive enrichment of the REE compared to parent rock, intense LREE/HREE fractionation, relatively stable negative Eu anomalies, and weak negative Ce anomalies.
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 ...
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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.
A Abedini
Abstract
The Basir-Abad area (northeast of Ahar, East-Azarbaidjan province) is a part of the Cenozoic Ahar-Arasbaran magmatic belt in northwest of Iran. Intrusion of granitic and granodioritic igneous rocks of Oligocene age into the Eocene volcanic rocks (andesite, trachy-andesite, andesi-basalt and basalt) resulted ...
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The Basir-Abad area (northeast of Ahar, East-Azarbaidjan province) is a part of the Cenozoic Ahar-Arasbaran magmatic belt in northwest of Iran. Intrusion of granitic and granodioritic igneous rocks of Oligocene age into the Eocene volcanic rocks (andesite, trachy-andesite, andesi-basalt and basalt) resulted in occurrence of metallic mineralization along with development of widespread alteration zones in this area. Mineralogical studies indicate that these alteration zones include silicic (quartz), intermediate and advanced argillic (kaolinite, smectite, quartz and alunite), and propylitic (chlorite, epidote, albite and calcite). Hypogene ores within veins and veinlets of silicic alteration zone contain pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena accompanied by covellite, copper-carbonate minerals (malachite and azurite) and iron-oxides and- hydroxides (goethite, limonite and hematite) of supergene origin. The distribution patterns of REEs normalized to chondrite display differentiation and enrichment of LREEs relative to HREEs and occurrence of variant negative Eu anomalies in all alteration zones. Mass balance calculations of elements, using isocon method, indicate that during development and evolution of the silicic and the intermediate argillic alteration zones, REEs experienced enrichment in the former and depletion in the latter. Furthermore, development of advanced argillic and propylitic alteration zones was accompanied by enrichment of LREEs and selective depletion of HREEs. Further investigation revealed that occurrence of negative Eu anomaly (0.20-0.23) in silicic alteration zone is related to abundance of chloride ions, increase of oxygen fugacity of hydrothermal system and highly acidic nature of the fluid. The results obtained from geochemical studies (mass balance calculations, changes in values of Eu and Ce anomalies and ratios of REEs) suggest that changes of pH, temperature, oxygen fugacity, difference in abundance and type of complexing ions in solution, fluid/rock ratio, and presence of minerals such as kaolinite, goethite, smectite, hematite and alunite played important role in differentiation, mobilization and distribution of lanthanides in the studied alteration system.
S. A. Majidi; M. Lotfi; M. H. Emami; N. Nezafati
Abstract
The Origin of Iron Oxide-Apatite deposits (IOA) with low Ti or Kiruna type deposits has long been a matter of debate. In this case, several provenances have been proposed for these deposits which include: magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, hydrothermal, banded iron formations, and sedimentary-exhalative. ...
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The Origin of Iron Oxide-Apatite deposits (IOA) with low Ti or Kiruna type deposits has long been a matter of debate. In this case, several provenances have been proposed for these deposits which include: magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, hydrothermal, banded iron formations, and sedimentary-exhalative. Bafq-Saghand metallogenic zone is located in central Iran and hosts several large IOA type deposits including Chadormalu, Choghart, Se-Chahun, and Esfordi with nearly ~1500 mt ore with an average grade of 55%. Mineralization of REE-rich apatite is very common in these deposits, an issue that could be utilized for the study of their genesis. Fifteen apatite samples from the deposits of Chadormalu, Choghart, Se-Chahun, and Esfordi were taken and analyzed using LA ICP-MS. According to the geochemical analysis, the apatite of the abovemnetioned deposits show high enrichment of Y, Na, and Si, while very low content of Cl. Total REE content varies from 0.36-2.25% in which the LREE show an enrichment indicating strongly fractionation from HREE. Strong negative Eu anomaly (0.69-0.256) is observed. Sr and Y contents in apatites are 165-365 and 743-1410 ppm, respectively. The Fe-OH-Cl diagram shows that apatites is situated in the Hydroxil-fluoroapatite domain. The results show that these deposits are similar to those of IOA type deposits (e.g. Kiruna, El Laco, Abagong, Avnik, etc.). Apatite mineralization is unlikely related to carbonatitic magmatism, but situated in the Kiruna type and mafic rocks domain. The main mineralization event was likely related to tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) and diorite-granite of arc magmatism (525-532 Ma) which were intruded into the Cambrian volcano sedimentary units (as country rock). Then the hydrothermal processes following alkaline intrusion (syenite and monzosyenite) led to mineralization. In general, the iron oxide-apatite (IOA) mineralization with low Ti has occurred through the magmatic-hydrothermal processes in the Bafgh-Saghand zone.
S.J Moghaddasi
Abstract
Jeirud phosphate deposit is located about 45 km north of Tehran, in the central part of the Alborz geological-structural zone. This deposit is occurred in Jeirud Formation, which is one of the major hosts of phosphate deposits in Iran. Jeirud phosphate deposit is composed of several phosphatic sandstone ...
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Jeirud phosphate deposit is located about 45 km north of Tehran, in the central part of the Alborz geological-structural zone. This deposit is occurred in Jeirud Formation, which is one of the major hosts of phosphate deposits in Iran. Jeirud phosphate deposit is composed of several phosphatic sandstone (phosphorite) layers occurring in the laminated black shale unit of Jeirud Formation. Based on the petrographic studies, phosphatic layers of Jeirud formation have simple mineralogy. Phosphate mineralization mainly consists of apatite and quartz with subordinate calcite, dolomite, pyrite, iron oxides and clay minerals. Jeirud phosphate samples show similar REE patterns, total REE contents and element ratios, suggesting contribution of common processes in their formation. Average total REE contents of the Jeirud phosphate samples are much more than those in the average oceanic water. Normalized REE patterns of Jeirud phosphate samples show differentiation and enrichment in LREEs in comparison to HREEs. Ce anomaly was not distinguished in the deposit. Investigating chondrite normalized REE patterns of the Jeirud phosphates indicate their deposition under reducing conditions. Post Archean Average Shale (PAAS) normalized patterns of the Jeirud phosphates show a nearly convex pattern with moderate positive Eu anomaly, revealing an anoxic or (sulfate reducing) diagenetic environment for phosphate formation.
M Afarin; M Boomeri; A Mahboubi; M Gorgij; M.A Hamzeh
Abstract
In this study, geochemical and sedimentological assessment was carried out on mudstone and sandstone deposits of Eastern coasts of Chabahar. Fifty samples were taken from five sectione of Tiss, Ramin, Lipar, Gorankesh and Garindar estuary and subjected to grain size analysis and chemical analysis ...
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In this study, geochemical and sedimentological assessment was carried out on mudstone and sandstone deposits of Eastern coasts of Chabahar. Fifty samples were taken from five sectione of Tiss, Ramin, Lipar, Gorankesh and Garindar estuary and subjected to grain size analysis and chemical analysis using XRF and ICP AES methods. Positive sorting and skewness (with the frequency of fine grain particles) of samples indicate deposition in a low energy environment. Plotting geochemical data of major elements from Late Miocene- Pleistocene age 10 mudstone and sandstone samples in east coasts of Chabahar in Makran zone, on siliciclastic rocks classification diagrams, showed that the sandstones are wacky and Mudstones are shale. The mean calculated chemical indexes of alteration (CIA) and weathering (CIW) for siliciclastic sediments, confirm low level weathering of source rocks of this sediments. The average index of combinational variety (ICV) for the studied sediments was 1.57, which indicates that these deposits have a moderate chemical maturity and are derived from the first cycle of sediments. Distribution pattern of rare earth elements on spider diagrams shows the enrichment of light rare earth elements (LRRE) relative to heavy rare earth elements (HRRE) in the rocks. High ratios of LILE/HFSE and LRRE/HRRE in the rock samples and similarity of their chemical composition with subduction zone facies, indicates that siliciclastics of Chabahar coasts have formed in a subduction zone. The diagrams of tectonic setting associated with patterns of multivariate charts also shows that the studied rocks have been developed in an active continental margin.
M Roohafza; S Alipour; A Abedini
Abstract
Ghareh-bolagh area is located in 20 Km of east of Mahabad, south of West-Azarbaidjan province. Carbonate rocks of Bayandour formation and dolomites of Soltanieh formation in this area are the host of mineralizations from Barium, iron and manganese. Based upon mineralogical investigations, barite, magnetite, ...
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Ghareh-bolagh area is located in 20 Km of east of Mahabad, south of West-Azarbaidjan province. Carbonate rocks of Bayandour formation and dolomites of Soltanieh formation in this area are the host of mineralizations from Barium, iron and manganese. Based upon mineralogical investigations, barite, magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, pyrolusite were major mineral assemblages of these mineralizations which that is accompanied by chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite, and calcite in low amounts. The most important geochemical characteristic these mineralizations are relative weak differentiation of LREE from HREE in barite and iron-manganese ores, Eu negative anomalies in iron-manganese ores (0.26-0.76) and Eu positive anomalies in barite (7.7-10.51). Incorporation of the obtained results from investigations of field, petrographic and geochemical (analytic data and correlation coefficients between elements) indicate that factors such as changes in physicochemical conditions of environment (pH, Eh, temperature), activity of complexing ligands, and presence of minor mineral phases (clay minerals, zircon, zenotime, and monazite) played important role in distribution of rare earth elements during mineralization and development of these ores.
Y Bayati-Rad; H Mirnejad; J Ghalamghash
Abstract
Gol-Gohar mining complex, located southwest of Sirjan (KermanProvince) and within the Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone, has a number of iron-rich deposits that provides 30% of steel demand in the country. The main ore in this deposit is magnetite with subordinate amounts of hematite and accessory pyrite ...
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Gol-Gohar mining complex, located southwest of Sirjan (KermanProvince) and within the Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone, has a number of iron-rich deposits that provides 30% of steel demand in the country. The main ore in this deposit is magnetite with subordinate amounts of hematite and accessory pyrite and chalcopyrite phases. Comparison of rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns of Gol-Gohar magnetite with those of magmatic magnetite (Kiruna) and also magnetite associated with granite and basalts show similar enrichment in light REE relative to the heavy REE and negative Eu anomaly. Such features can also be observed in apatite from Kiruna, Iron Spring, Choghar and Esfordi Fe ore deposits, the origin of all of which have been ascribed as magmatic due to a lack REE distribution patterns similar to phosphorites. Based on these characteristics, it seems that the magnetite in Gol-Gohar Fe deposit has dominantly originated from a magmatic fluid.
D Raeisi; S Dargahi; S.H Moeinzadeh; M Arvin; B Bahrambeigi
Abstract
Gandom-Berian area, located on southern part of the Kavir-e Lut, covers an area around 480 km2 and morphologically is a covered messa by very dark basaltic lava flows. Their major minerals are olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts along with plagioclase microlites and their main textures are microlitic ...
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Gandom-Berian area, located on southern part of the Kavir-e Lut, covers an area around 480 km2 and morphologically is a covered messa by very dark basaltic lava flows. Their major minerals are olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts along with plagioclase microlites and their main textures are microlitic porphyry to glomeroporphiry with interestal to intergranular groundmass. The in line position of volcanic cones along the line of movements of Nayband fault show its effect on the formation of Gandom-Berian basaltic magma. The genetic realationship of these lava flows with deep seated lithospheric fractures as a result of Nayband fault, the presence of mantle xenoliths and alkaline nature of basalt all reveal a fast deep ascending of magmas. Based on geochemical analysis and occurrence of nepheline in the norm composition the Gandom-Berian basaltic lava flows belong to basanite-tephrite group. The investigation on Gandom-beriyan alkali basalts clearly shows their relationships to an intera-continental extensional environment. Low ratio of Ce/Nb, Th /Nb, U/Nb, Ba/Nb and High levels Zr with mean 234.81 indicate a none depleted asthenospheric mantle source the origin of Gandom-Berian basaltic lava flows. Enrichment and depletion of light and heavy rare earth elements respectively indicate the existence of garnet in the source rock.
Seyed Javad Moghaddasi; Y. Negahban
Abstract
Robat Karim manganese deposit is located in 7 km northwest of Robat Karim (southwest of Teharan), within northeastern margin of Orumiyeh-dokhtar volcanic belt. Based on regional geology, the studied area is situated in the northern Saveh Eocene volcanic assemblage, composed of rhyolite, trachyte, andesite ...
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Robat Karim manganese deposit is located in 7 km northwest of Robat Karim (southwest of Teharan), within northeastern margin of Orumiyeh-dokhtar volcanic belt. Based on regional geology, the studied area is situated in the northern Saveh Eocene volcanic assemblage, composed of rhyolite, trachyte, andesite and basalt. Manganese mineralization is occurred as veins, in faults, joints and fractures that crosscut the volcanic rocks. According to mineralogical studies, the manganese ore of the studied area is composed of pyrolusite, psilomelane, ramsdelite and hollandite, as well as calcite and quartz. Intergrowths of manganese oxides and quartz (or calcite) associated with various open space filling textures support the epithermal origin of the ore forming fluids in this area. Geochemistry of major and trace elements in Robat Karim manganese ores, similarity of their chondrite normalized REE pattern with volcanic host rocks and other hydrothermal manganese deposits of the world, as well as negative Ce anomaly indicate a probable epithermal origin of the deposit. Ore forming fluids could be originated from meteoric and/or magmatic waters circulating through Eocene volcanic rocks, dissolve manganese and other metals and deposit them in fault planes and major fractures. High pressure of the ore forming fluid has caused the formation of brecciated trachyte.
