Economic Geology
Alireza Zarasvandi; Mohsen Rezaei; Mansour Adelpour; Hadis Parvaneh
Abstract
Parkam (Sara) and Abdar porphyry Cu deposits containing mainly dioritic and quartz dioritic stocks are located in the southern part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB). The aim of this study is to characterize the phyllic alteration using sericite and sulfide (i.e., pyrite and chalcopyrite) chemistry. ...
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Parkam (Sara) and Abdar porphyry Cu deposits containing mainly dioritic and quartz dioritic stocks are located in the southern part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB). The aim of this study is to characterize the phyllic alteration using sericite and sulfide (i.e., pyrite and chalcopyrite) chemistry. Results imply for higher concentrations of Zn, Ag, Au, and As in the chalcopyrite samples (averages in wt. %; 0.07, 0.007, 0.012, and 0.043; respectively). Comparably, pyrite samples exhibit higher concentrations of Re, Te, Co, and Mo (averages in wt. %; 0.01, 0.003, 0.09, 0.07; respectively. Gold concentration in the pyrite samples is analogous to those reported previously for Meiduk porphyry Cu-Mo systems wherein gold occurs as inclusions, and/or nanoparticles (probably as Au0 or Au-telluride). In the both deposits, fine-grained micas are K-rich. Additionally, sericite samples exhibit an increasing trend of Si with Fe2+, Mg2+, and Al3+ substitution in the octahedral sites confirming the changes to celedontie - endmember. In accordance with other mineralized porphyry systems (i.e., Copper Cliff and Copper Flat deposits), most of the data follow the trend of ideal tschermak substitution occurring by the increasing of positive charges in the tetrahedral site of white mica owing to the increasing of Si substitution
Economic Geology
Sholeh Malekshahi; Masoumeh Khalajmasoumi; Hadi Mohammad Doost; Mona Sojdehee; Shahrzad Aboutorab
Abstract
Sarkuh Porphyry Copper deposit is located about 6 km southwest of Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit. Alterations in the region include advanced potassic, propylitic, phyllic and argillic. Copper mineralization is mainly associated with porphyry granodiorite mass. Minerals include chalcopyrite, pyrite, ...
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Sarkuh Porphyry Copper deposit is located about 6 km southwest of Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit. Alterations in the region include advanced potassic, propylitic, phyllic and argillic. Copper mineralization is mainly associated with porphyry granodiorite mass. Minerals include chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite and some molybdenite. Fluid inclusion studies were performed on quartz from the sulfide viens of the potassic fraction and showed that the main mineralization phase was present with a homogenization temperature between 250 and 527 ° C and a salinity between 13.6 and 52.9 wt ٪ NaCl, has a high salinity in Sarkuh deposit, between +1 Up to 2.7 which indicates the magmatic source of sulfur. The stable isotope data of oxygen on quartz vessels show a positive range between 7.6 to +3.3 with a minimum of +5.5. Shows magma for hydrothermal fluids. Also, due to the limited openness of the sulfur isotopic composition, it can be concluded that the sulfur isotopic mixture is subject to change or is not controlled by other sources or if its amount is very small.
Economic Geology
Maryam Khosravi; Wenchao Yu; Jintao u 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. An increase in oxidation, the possible presentence of secondary phosphate minerals, fluctuations of 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
Shohreh Hassanpour; Susan Ebrahimi
Abstract
Astmal deposit is located in the northwest of Iran and is structurally located in the Arasbaran Magmatic zone. Skarn mineralization related to the Eocene-Oligocene granodiorite rocks which have been permeated to the Upper Cretaceous rocks. Mineralization has formed in the exoskarn zone, and the metasomatic ...
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Astmal deposit is located in the northwest of Iran and is structurally located in the Arasbaran Magmatic zone. Skarn mineralization related to the Eocene-Oligocene granodiorite rocks which have been permeated to the Upper Cretaceous rocks. Mineralization has formed in the exoskarn zone, and the metasomatic process has started immediately after the penetration of the granodiorite into the limestone. Significant amounts of Si, Mg, and Fe elements lead to the development of anhydrous calc-silicate minerals with medium to coarse grains, and also significant amounts of Cu, Fe elements along with volatile substances such as CO2, H2S are added to the skarn system. As a result, hydrated calcsilicates (epidote, tremolite, and actinolite), sulfides (pyrite and chalcopyrite), oxides (magnetite and hematite) and carbonates (calcite) have replaced anhydrous calcsilicates. The results of δ34S isotope analysis on pyrite and chalcopyrite ores are in the range of -1.8 to +6.1 ‰, which indicates the magmatic source of sulfide. Also, the results of δ18O and δD isotope data on magnetite, sericite and epidote minerals, which are in the range of -56 to -73 ‰ for hydrogen and -0.5 to +6.8 ‰ for oxygen, indicate a mixture of magmatic fluids associated to the small amounts of meteoric fluids.
Economic Geology
Maryam Emami Jafari; Saeid alirezaei; iraj rasa; Jochen Kolb
Abstract
The Hired gold deposit in the Lut block, east Iran, is closely associated with an Eocene intermediate-mafic intrusive complex consisting of granodiorite to diorite, hornblende monzonite, and gabbro-diorite intruded into Eocene volcanic rocks. The intrusions are distinguished by high contents of CaO,FeOt, ...
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The Hired gold deposit in the Lut block, east Iran, is closely associated with an Eocene intermediate-mafic intrusive complex consisting of granodiorite to diorite, hornblende monzonite, and gabbro-diorite intruded into Eocene volcanic rocks. The intrusions are distinguished by high contents of CaO,FeOt, and MgO and rather low K2O+Na2O implying they crystallized from weakly differentiated magmas. This, and the relatively high Mg# (36.36 to 52.32) imply the involvement of a mantle source in the production of the parent magma. The intrusions are metaluminous, calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline, and distinguished by the occurrence of ilmenite as an accessory mineral. Mineralization occurs in veins and veinlets and disseminations in the granodiorite intrusion and in the volcanic rocks closely associated with tourmaline, silicic, and carbonate alterations, and is distinguished by abundant pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, and minor chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. Gold occurs mostly as submicroscopic grains in the pyrite and arsenopyrite. The mineralogical and geochemical attributes of the intrusive complex, and the ore mineralogy, allow the Hired to be classified as a gold deposit related to reduced I-type granitoids.The reducing nature of the parent magma can be explained by introduction of reduced crustal materials into the source area, and/or assimilation of carbonaceous metasedimentary rocks.
Economic Geology
Mahdi Ghorbani Dehnavi; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Mohammad Hasan Karimpour
Abstract
Chahnar Pb-Zn deposit is located south of Rutchun plain, 110 km SW Baft, within Sanandaj- Sirjan Zone. Mineralization occurs at calitic-dolomitic marble of Rutchun complex as epigenetic with structural control. Paragenetic minerals are galena and minor sphalerite and pyrite associated with quartz, and ...
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Chahnar Pb-Zn deposit is located south of Rutchun plain, 110 km SW Baft, within Sanandaj- Sirjan Zone. Mineralization occurs at calitic-dolomitic marble of Rutchun complex as epigenetic with structural control. Paragenetic minerals are galena and minor sphalerite and pyrite associated with quartz, and minor calcite and dolomite, as gangue minerals. These minerals show veinlets, open space filling, berrecia, and dessiminated textures. Galena can be seen in the form of coarse graine crystal and cuboctahedral texture and fine graine crystal. Silicification and carbonatization are the most important alteration zones. Galena chemistry indicates galena is Ag, As, Cd and Zn -rich and Sn, Bi-poor. Sb/Bi ratio in galena is close to 3, which is indicator of low temperature deposits. Host rock type, stratabound and epigenetic mineralization, postsedimentary fault controlling, texture, ore types and gangue minerals, and lack of significant correlation between mineralization and igneous activities, chemistry of galena, indicate that Chahnar deposit is similar to MVT deposits, although it has some differences with this deposits type.
Economic Geology
Shaghayegh Sadat Hashempour; Sajjad Maghfouri; Ebrahim Rastad
Abstract
The Goft and Mohammadabad manganese deposits are located in the southwestern part of Sabzevar, whitin the Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequences. This sequence is located inside a 100 km long folded structure with northeast-southwest trend. Mohammadabad manganese deposit located in the southeastern ...
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The Goft and Mohammadabad manganese deposits are located in the southwestern part of Sabzevar, whitin the Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequences. This sequence is located inside a 100 km long folded structure with northeast-southwest trend. Mohammadabad manganese deposit located in the southeastern edge of the southern anticline in the unit 4 of regional stratigraphic column and Goft manganese deposit is occurred in the southeastern edge of the northern anticline in the first unit of the regional stratigraphic column. The host rocks of Goft and Mohammadabad deposits include red tuff and Marly tuff and limy tuff, respectively. According to geochemical studies, tectonic environment of manganese deposits in the southwest of Sabzevar is a rifting environment that has been formed in the Sabzevar back-arc basin. The rocks of the region have a wide range of basalt, rhyolite, dacite, olivine-basalt, andesite-basalt and trachy-andesite, which formed aligned with pyroclastic sediment and Late Cretaceous sedimentary units. Dacite rocks are the thickest felsic rock unit in the area. The values of major oxides, the pattern of rare earth elements (REE), and the changes in trace elements in spider diagrams indicate the bimodal and tholeiitic nature of the volcanic rocks of the region, which are deposited in extension environment with a mixed range from basalt to rhyolite.
Economic Geology
Shayan Akrami; Mohammad Ali Aliabadi; Mohammad Reza Hazareh; Abbas Askari; Tayebeh Ramezani
Abstract
Nineh Pb-Zn deposit is located in the east of the Markazi province, in the Middle to Upper Jurassic rock units of the Malayer-Esfahan metallogenic belt. Stratified and epigenetic mineralization, in the form of veins, replacement and open spaces filling, including the main minerals of galena, sphalerite ...
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Nineh Pb-Zn deposit is located in the east of the Markazi province, in the Middle to Upper Jurassic rock units of the Malayer-Esfahan metallogenic belt. Stratified and epigenetic mineralization, in the form of veins, replacement and open spaces filling, including the main minerals of galena, sphalerite and barite accompanied by dolomite and siliceous alterations are observed. The microthermometry results of fluid inclusions in calcite and barite, display mean homogenization temperature of about 168.6°C and 127.3°C, and a mean salinity of 5.7 and 13.9 wt. % NaCl equiv., respectively, which indicates slight difference in their formation conditions. The homogenization temperature versus salinity diagram suggests a basinal brine fluid mineralizer and mixing and cooling processes for the mineralization. The values of δ34S in galena and sphalerite (7.5‰ to 21.5‰) of this deposit are similar to the values of δ34S in the upper Mississippi deposits, indicating the supply of sulfur during the process of thermochemical reduction of sulfate. The values of δ18OSMOW (-9.2 to -11.2‰) and δ13CPDB (0.1 to 0.5‰) of the calcite veins indicate a multi-origin of oxygen, and the origin of carbon from dissolved and remobilized marine carbonates. According to the evidence obtained during this study, the Nineh deposit can be classified as the Mississippi Valley type deposits, which was formed during the orogeny processes and the movement of basinal brine fluids.
Economic Geology
Fatemeh Esmaeili; Fardin mousivand; Mahmoud Sadeghian; Seyed Mehran Heidari
Abstract
Miandasht copper deposit is located in 110 km east of Shahrood, 24km north west of Abbasabad, and in the Cenozoic volcanic belt of north of Central Iran zone. The major rock units of the study area have Eocene age and include submarine flows (andesite, basalt, and trachyandesit), pyroclastic (tuff breccia ...
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Miandasht copper deposit is located in 110 km east of Shahrood, 24km north west of Abbasabad, and in the Cenozoic volcanic belt of north of Central Iran zone. The major rock units of the study area have Eocene age and include submarine flows (andesite, basalt, and trachyandesit), pyroclastic (tuff breccia and agglomerate) and sedimentary complex (Nomullitic limestone, tuffacous limestone, shale, sandstone and conglomerate). Mineralization in the Miandasht copper deposit occurred as parallel to layering of the host rocks (tuff breccia and agglomerate), and also along with cross- cutting faults of the host rocks in form of stratabound and epigenetic ores. The main ore textures include vein- veinlets, open space filling, disseminated and replacement. The Ores contain primary pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, bornit, and secondary covellite, chalcocite, malachite, hematite and limonite. The most important wall rock alterations accompanied with mineralization are carbonatic- silicic, sericitic, argillic, and chloritic, and that the amound of carbonatization and silicification increases with closing to mineralization zones. According to geochemical studies, tectonic setting of the deposit was extensional environment formed in a continental margin volcanic arc. Based on essential characteristics of the copper mineralization such as tectonic setting, host rocks, mineralogy, and type of alterations, the Miandasht copper deposit shows many similarities with Manto- type deposits, dominantly formed during orogeny, folding and faulting of the host sequence. It should be mentiond that some charachteristic features of the Miandasht copper deposit including development of argillic alteration, and lack of extensive zeolitic alteration, distinguishes it from other copper deposits in the region including Abbasabad deposit.
Economic Geology
Hossein Ali Tajeddin; Ebrahim Rastad; Abdolmajid Yaghoubpour; Mohammad Mohajjel
Abstract
The Mirgenaghshineh gold deposit is located 43 km northwest of Saqqez in the northwestern part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone. The rocks in the deposit area predominantly consist of Precambrian volcanosedimentary sequences of schist, metasandstone, slate and metaandesite which are intruded by granitoid ...
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The Mirgenaghshineh gold deposit is located 43 km northwest of Saqqez in the northwestern part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone. The rocks in the deposit area predominantly consist of Precambrian volcanosedimentary sequences of schist, metasandstone, slate and metaandesite which are intruded by granitoid bodies. The Gold mineralization in the Mirgenaghshineh deposit is hosted mostly in Northwest-Southeast shear zone. The high grade gold ores occure in highly deformed mylonitic and ultramylonitic rocks that are associated with quartz, sericite-muscovite and sulfide alteration minerals. Ore mineral assemblages of the deposit are simple and consist of pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and electrum. The electrum grains range in size from less than 5 µm to 140 µm and occur in quartz and also in the form of inclusion and veinlet in pyrites. According of geochemical data, gold-bearing ores carry up to 64.3 ppm Au, 9.9 ppm Ag, 2096 ppm As, 506 ppm Pb, 354 ppm Zn, and 244 ppm Cu. Fluid inclusion studies on gold-bearing quartz indicate homogenization temperatures between 158 and 215°C and salinity between 3.3 to 14.5 wt% NaCl eq. for the ore fluid. The study indicates that main characteristics of the geology and mineralization of the Mirgenaghshineh are similar to those of the epizonal orogenic gold deposits.
Economic Geology
Nima Rahimi; Shojaeddin Niroomand; Mohammad Lotfi; Mojtaba Rahimi Shahid
Abstract
The Janja Cu-Mo porphyry deposit is located at 70 km south of the Nehbandan, Sistan suture zone, Eastern Iran. The porphyry mineralization in the Janja deposit is temporally and spatially associated with the diorite to quartz diorite and granodiorite granular to porphyry stocks that intruded in the Cretaceous ...
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The Janja Cu-Mo porphyry deposit is located at 70 km south of the Nehbandan, Sistan suture zone, Eastern Iran. The porphyry mineralization in the Janja deposit is temporally and spatially associated with the diorite to quartz diorite and granodiorite granular to porphyry stocks that intruded in the Cretaceous flysch units. The Janja intrusions are represented by a Calc-alkaline and metaluminous geochemical affinity, and belong to the I-type granitoid series and subduction-related magmas in composition. Hydrothermal alterations in the area have been completely influenced by the Janja intrusion and as a result of the activity of these hydrothermal fluids, various types of potassic, propylitic, argillic and rarely phyllic alteration zones have been formed. In this deposit, three mineralization styles have been recognized including disseminated, vein-veinlet and stockwork which mineralization is mainly associated with potassic alteration. Mineralization zones in porphyry systems, including the supergene, enriched and hypogene zone, have been identified in the Janja deposit, which are the result of changes in the water table, weathering and erosion effects. The main sulfide minerals consist of chalcopyrite, pyrite, covellite, chalcocite, molybdenite, bornite, and oxide minerals including magnetite, hematite, goethite and hydro carbonate minerals including malachite and azurite. Fluid inclusion studies showed a homogenization temperature range from 301 to 540 ˚C and a mean salinity of 19 wt%NaCl for two-phase inclusions and a homogenization temperature range between 254 and >550 ˚C and mean salinities of 54 wt % NaCl for multiphase fluid inclusions. The results of these studies show that mixing processes have taken place in the Janja deposit and have caused the deposition of Cu-Mo-(Au) mineralization. Eventually, according to the various characteristics of the Janja deposit, including tectonic environment, host rock, mineralogy, ore-forming fluid, metal ore assemblage, mineralization and alteration patterns, and comparison of these characteristics with other porphyry deposits, it can be concluded that mineralization in Janja deposit is comparable with continental margin-type porphyry Cu-Mo-(Au) deposits.
Economic Geology
Shahram Mobaser; Taher Farhadinejad; Abbas Asgari; Mohammad Ali Ali Abadi; Shirin Fatahi
Abstract
The Barzavand copper deposit with Oligocene age located in 30 Km northeast of Zefreh along a tension fault with W-E trend and developed within basaltic lava with stratabound form. Alterations mainly include: pyritization, propylitization, zeolitization, silicification, saussuritization and uralitization ...
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The Barzavand copper deposit with Oligocene age located in 30 Km northeast of Zefreh along a tension fault with W-E trend and developed within basaltic lava with stratabound form. Alterations mainly include: pyritization, propylitization, zeolitization, silicification, saussuritization and uralitization of basaltic lava. Furthermore geochemical studies in Barzavand show enrichment of SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, Na2O, P2O5, TiO2, ∑REE, Ag, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cs, Cu, Li, Mo, Nb, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tl, Te, Th, U, W, Y, Zn and Zr, enrichment- depletion of CaO, Fe2O3, MnO, Hf, Sc and V and depletion of S, Ni, Cr, MgO and Co during alteration. The positive correlation between (La/Lu)N, (La/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N and (La/Y)N and CaO (r= 0.70 to 0.96) indicate propylitization of host rock basalt and increase in pH of fluid responsible for mineralization that play important role in differentiation of lanthanides in study area. Ore minerals include chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite, azurite, malachite, hematite, goethite and pyrite. Copper is transported by means of chloride complexes into oxidized brines water related to late diagenesis stage and precipitated by substitution within pyrites formed during the volcanism process. It seems that the Barzavand copper deposit has submarine volcanism, early and late diagenesis, burial metamorphism and weathering stages during its evolution. According to alteration properties, mineralogy and the whole rock geochemistry, the Barzavand copper deposit is most similar to Manto type copper deposits.
Economic Geology
Monireh Sakhdari; Mehrdad Behzadi; Mohammad Yazdi; Nematollah Rashidnejad-Omran; Morteza Sadeghi Naeini
Abstract
The Godar Sorkh area is located in the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, 20 km southwest of the Muteh region. Gold mineralization at Godar Sorkh occurs in quartz-sulfide veins that hosted in metasedimentary rocks. Veins of mineralization typically formed along normal faults. Rock sequences ...
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The Godar Sorkh area is located in the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, 20 km southwest of the Muteh region. Gold mineralization at Godar Sorkh occurs in quartz-sulfide veins that hosted in metasedimentary rocks. Veins of mineralization typically formed along normal faults. Rock sequences are affected by several deformation phase, gold mineralization occurs in ductile to ductile-brittle shear zones and had been under poly-phase metamorphism. The main alterations are Sulfidation, carbonization, silicification, chloritization, and sericitization. Ore-mineral assemblages include pyrite and chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and Fe-oxide. Mean homogenization temperature in gold-bearing quartz range between 275oC and 300oC. Fluid inclusions in quartz veins are dominated by CO2-H2O-NaCl fluid. Salinity ranges from 9 to 17 wt. % NaCl equivalent. Corresponding to a depth of <2 km, Godar Sorkh deposit is formed in epizonal environment. Measured δ18O values for the gold-bearing quartz range between 12.7 to 14.3 permil, estimated δ18Ofluid values range from +6.4 to +7.3 permil, δ34S values range from –16 to +5 permil, and estimated δ34Sfluid values range from +4.2 to -17.3 permil. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies on ore-bearing quartz-sulfide veins indicating the major role of metamorphic fluids. Gold derived from metasedimentary rocks. Gold mineralization in the Godar sorkh deposit classified as an orogenic gold deposit.
Economic Geology
Kiamars Hosseini; Majid Shahpasandzadeh; Roghayeh zabihi khargh
Abstract
The Sangan Mining District (SMD) in the north of the Cenozoic magmatic belt of eastern Iran is constituted of predominantly acidic to intermediate volcanic and pyroclastic rocks, intruded by the Eocene granitoids. In the Baghak Fe skarn deposit, these granitoids are composed of pre-mineralization ...
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The Sangan Mining District (SMD) in the north of the Cenozoic magmatic belt of eastern Iran is constituted of predominantly acidic to intermediate volcanic and pyroclastic rocks, intruded by the Eocene granitoids. In the Baghak Fe skarn deposit, these granitoids are composed of pre-mineralization biotite quartz monzonite, biotite syenite to biotite syenogranite, alkali feldspar quartz syenite to alkali feldspar granite and syn-mineralization quartz alkali syenite and quartz syenite. These I type granitoids have a magnesian metaluminous, calcalkaline, high K alkaline to shoshonitic nature. The granitoids show enrichment of LREE/HREE and LILE/HFSE with negative anomalies of Eu,Sr,Ta,Th and Ti, posetive anomalies of U, K, Ba, and Rb together with high La values and Zr/Nb, Nb/Th, Nb/U, and Nb/La ratios which suggest not only their slab-derived mantle source, but also crustal mixing in evolution of the magma. The Sm/Yb versus La/Sm, Sm/Yb versus Sm and Dy/Yb versus La/Yb show derivation of the primary melt from low partial melting (2-5 %) of a garnet-spinel lherzolite at depth of ~66-68 kilometers of the upper mantle, affected by continental crust melts. According to this research, the tectono-magmatic setting of the granitoids is suggested syn- to post-orogenic magmatic arc.
Economic Geology
Mohammad Ali Rajabzadeh; Mohammad Amini
Abstract
This is the first report on the presence of podiform chromititeLenses associated with the Marivan ophiolite. These ore deposits with granular massive fabric are hosted by dunite and harzburgite occurred in south Marivan city. Chemistry of chromian spinel in the chromite Lenses indicated that Cr# for ...
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This is the first report on the presence of podiform chromititeLenses associated with the Marivan ophiolite. These ore deposits with granular massive fabric are hosted by dunite and harzburgite occurred in south Marivan city. Chemistry of chromian spinel in the chromite Lenses indicated that Cr# for two ore occurrences is high (0.85) with very low TiO2, but for the other ore occurrence is lower (0.67) with higher TiO2 (0.05). The finding shows that the chromite ore Lenses and consequently their host ophiolite were developed in two different geotectonical settings. Geochemical data indicated that some of the studied ore deposits occurred during the opening of oceanic crust in a Mid Oceanic Ridge setting from a tholeiitic magma while the others were fractionated form a boninitic melt in a Supra Subduction Zone. Formation of these ore Lenses and the host rocks occurred in response to the very fast divergence and then convergence of Neo-Tethys oceanic crust. A wide range of gabbros including coarse-grained gabbro, melagabbro and microgabbro host ilmenite, magnetite and titanite in three regions at the northwest of Kamyaran (Yakhtekhan village), the east of Sarvabad (Mianeh village) and the south of Marivan (Dragashikhan-Vyseh villages). Ilmenite is found in all the three regions, but magnetite and titanite are only found in the east of Sarvabad. Plagioclase (andesine-labradorite) and diopside, the main rock-forming minerals with minor augite, olivine and amphibole are the minerals of the host rocks. The chemical composition of the ilmenites showed that the average concentration of TiO2 increases from Kamyaran (43.19 wt.%) to Sarvabad (46.09 wt.%) and then to Marivan (47.42 wt.%). These minerals occur as interstitial fine to medium grains (up to 1.5 mm) and often in the amoeboid, anhedral and to a lesser extent as subhedral forms. Based on textural and mineral chemistry evidence, mineralization of titanium occurred as the result of magma oxidation. The oxidation of magma resulted in the formation of iron-titanium immiscible liquid droplets, following the plagioclase crystallization.
Economic Geology
Kourosh Shabani; Nima Nezafati; Morteza Momenzadeh; Mohammad Hashem Emami; Seyed Jamal Shaykhzakaryaii
Abstract
The Tareek Darreh gold Gold & Copper deposit is located 40km north of Torbat- e Jam in the Khorasan-Razavi province,NE-Iran. The study area is mainly comprised of slightly metamorphosed, sedimentary rocks of Jurassic age including alternation of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. These rocks have been ...
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The Tareek Darreh gold Gold & Copper deposit is located 40km north of Torbat- e Jam in the Khorasan-Razavi province,NE-Iran. The study area is mainly comprised of slightly metamorphosed, sedimentary rocks of Jurassic age including alternation of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. These rocks have been intruded by plutonic rocks such as gabbronorite, diorite, quartz-diorite, and rhyodacite. The ore bodies are exposed by trenching and pitting. The alteration minerals quartz, chlorite, albite, and sericite which are observed mostly on the top or margin of the stocks. Alteration is more intensive at the contacts of the stocks where vein type mineralization has occurred. The veins are mainly composed of silica type and calcite type, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite main ore minerals. Probably more than 2-stages telescopic mineralization occurred in these zones and the conditions of temperature and pressure, as seen below. Appears to be a continuation of tectonic activity in the same place as intrusive and a little later the main cause of this phenomenon. According to our studies, The Tareek Darreh gold deposit is considered to be similar to the "intrusion-related gold "type.
Economic Geology
Seyed Mehran Heidari; Sara Safavy; Afshin Akbarpour; Azra Hassanlou; Bahram Mohaghegh
Abstract
Saveh-Razan copper (± gold) area, with WNW direction in the northwest of Urmia-Dokhtar magmatic belt, with the highest reaction to right-sided shear zones and structural trend change during the Oligomyocene, leads to the placement of semi-deep Oligomyocene diorite massifs in shallow rock depths. ...
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Saveh-Razan copper (± gold) area, with WNW direction in the northwest of Urmia-Dokhtar magmatic belt, with the highest reaction to right-sided shear zones and structural trend change during the Oligomyocene, leads to the placement of semi-deep Oligomyocene diorite massifs in shallow rock depths. It is an Eocene volcano. By creating different types of mass-related hydrothermal alteration (propylitic, intermediate-advanced argillaceous, and phyllite) along the fractures, the system concentrates the mineralizations in quartz-sulfide veins, hydrothermal incisions, and concentrated sulfide-bearing filaments. Common features of metallurgy in this area are fluid homogenization temperature between 250 to 350 ° C and salinity range of 6-28% by weight of salt, containing CO2 gas and liquid phase of liquid and the presence of sulfides such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, burnite, chalcocite and sulfosalts in related reserves. There is also more gold than silver. Therefore, these features are most similar to the mass-related intermediate-type epitermal deposits that form in calcoalkalkene magmatic arcs.
Economic Geology
Ali reza zarasvandi; Mohammad Ali Ali Abadi; Mohsen Rezaei; Houshang Pourkaseb
Abstract
The Mohammadabad deposit is located in vicinity of Delijan in central province and in terms of structural zones of Iran,in the Uremia dokhtar zone. Stratabound Fe-Ce mineralization in brecciated, vein, massive, layered and laminar forms, consists ore minerals such as hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and ...
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The Mohammadabad deposit is located in vicinity of Delijan in central province and in terms of structural zones of Iran,in the Uremia dokhtar zone. Stratabound Fe-Ce mineralization in brecciated, vein, massive, layered and laminar forms, consists ore minerals such as hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and magnetite ,is seen in lower Eocene volcano sedimentary unites. Amounts , ratios and diagrams of trace elements and rare earth elements show hydrothermal mineralization with the predominance of magmatic fluids. The values of δ34SCDT of sulfide minerals (-2.76 to1.51 ‰) and suggest the magmatic source for sulfur or mineralizing fluid with magmatic sulfur. The values of δ13C (mean 3.61 ‰), δ18O(mean12.946‰) related diagrams show a magmatic source for carbon, hydrothermal genesis for calcite and a mineralizing fluid dominantly magmatic source. above evidences,وthe location of the region in tensile tectonic regime in western edge position of uremia dokhtar magmatic arc during the Eocene and presence of magmatic mass in the depths of the region with high potential for iron and copper mineralization , sulfur supply ,also has played role of a heat engine to circulating and transfer of mineralizing fluids to the sea bed. Offers exhalative-hydrothermal processes model for deposit genesis in Eocene volcano sedimentary units
Economic Geology
Almasi Alireza; Ghasem Nabatian; Amir Mahdavi; Qiuli Li
Abstract
The Maher abad and Khopik porphyry Cu deposits occurred in the Upper Eocene (39-37 Ma) in Lut block. All of them associated with intermediate (mostly monzonite) rocks. Porphyry deposits are closely associated with oxidized magmas. Oxygen fugacity (fO2) is a key factor that controls the formation of porphyry ...
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The Maher abad and Khopik porphyry Cu deposits occurred in the Upper Eocene (39-37 Ma) in Lut block. All of them associated with intermediate (mostly monzonite) rocks. Porphyry deposits are closely associated with oxidized magmas. Oxygen fugacity (fO2) is a key factor that controls the formation of porphyry Cu deposits. The composition of the major and trace elements of zircon grains related to several ore-bearing monzonite were measured in Maher abad and Khopik porphyry copper indices. Zircon grains show moderate to low Ce4+/Ce3+ with a range of 19 to 610 and an average of 155. The average of oxygen fugacity (logfO2) values of Meher abad and Khopik ore-bearing magmas, range ∆FMQ -3.2 to MFMQ -1.3 with mean ∆FMQ -2.2, indicate formation under moderate oxidation conditions (between Ni-NiO (NNO) and Faylite magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffers, but magnetite-hematite (HM) buffer, which ), which is not ideal for the formation of porphyry deposits. This is supported by whole-rock and Sr-isotopic data, and absence of high oxidation minerals such as hematite, and the poor adakitic charactristic of rocks in both deposits, which are due to factors involved in magma origin such as rock type and partial melting rate (possibly peridotite with low participation of slab).
Economic Geology
Negar Kaboudmehri; Hossein Kouhestani; Mir Ali asghar Mokhtari; Afshin Zohdi
Abstract
The Toryan occurrence is located in the Central Iran zone, 120 km northwest of Zanjan. Pb–Zn mineralization at Toryan occurred as laminated and lens-shaped parallel to lamination of grey sandstone units of the Upper Red Formation. Mineralization often formed around and within the fragments of the ...
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The Toryan occurrence is located in the Central Iran zone, 120 km northwest of Zanjan. Pb–Zn mineralization at Toryan occurred as laminated and lens-shaped parallel to lamination of grey sandstone units of the Upper Red Formation. Mineralization often formed around and within the fragments of the plant fossils, and shows disseminated, replacement, solution seems, intergranoular cement, framboidal, and vein-veinlet textures. At Toryan, ore horizon has 1 m thickness and approximately 350 m length and contains three zones include the red oxidized zone, the bleached zone and the mineralized reduced zone. Galena, sphalerite, pyrite and arsenopyrite are the main ore minerals at Toryan occurrence. Cerussite and goethite are formed during supergene and wethering processes. Comparison of trace elements and REE patterns of barren red and grey host sandstones and mineralized samples indicate that mineralized samples show lower concentrations of trace elements and REE. Based on tectonic setting, sedimentary environment, host rock, presence of plant fossils, geometry, ore texture and mineralogy and alteration, Toryan occurrence can be classified as sediment-hosted Cu deposits of Redbed type, and is comparable with another Redbed type of Cu and Pb–Zn deposits in the Avaj-Zanjan-Tabriz-Khoy belt.
Economic Geology
Hadi Mohammadian; vartan simmonds; kamal Siahcheshm
Abstract
The Sarikhanloo area is located within the Qaradagh metallogenic zone in northwest Meshgin Shahr. Igneous rocks cropped out in this area include successions of Paleocene-Eocene pyroclastic rocks (tuff and andesitic-dacitic lavas with intercalations of ignimbrite) and basaltic andesite lava flows. Igneous ...
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The Sarikhanloo area is located within the Qaradagh metallogenic zone in northwest Meshgin Shahr. Igneous rocks cropped out in this area include successions of Paleocene-Eocene pyroclastic rocks (tuff and andesitic-dacitic lavas with intercalations of ignimbrite) and basaltic andesite lava flows. Igneous rocks show high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic nature and are mainly metaluminous, formed in a post-collisional uplift tectonic setting. Hydrothermal activities in this area brought about formation of vast silicic veins and caps, along with silicic, propylitic, phyllic (non-pervasive) and intermediate argillic alterations around the veins, as well as intermediate to advanced argillic alteration halos at the margins of silicic caps. Ore minerals in the silicic veins includes pyrite, arsenopyrite and Fe-oxides, accompanied by minor malachite, formed during four mineralization stages. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions ranges from 175 to 355 °C, considering the low pressure of fluid inclusions (≤ 0-40 bars), can signify the fluid temperature at the time of entrapment. The estimated salinity values are between 0.2 and 3 wt% NaCleq.
Economic Geology
Reza ShakorShahabi; Ali Nouri Qarahasanlou; Seyed Reza Azimi; Adel Mottahedi
Abstract
Despite the undeniable contribution of small-scale and artisanal mines (ASMs) in the mining industry and small-scale enterprises (SMEs), no clear and comprehensive definition has been provided. Each country and governorate have defined this sector. However, ASMs are entirely different from large-scale ...
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Despite the undeniable contribution of small-scale and artisanal mines (ASMs) in the mining industry and small-scale enterprises (SMEs), no clear and comprehensive definition has been provided. Each country and governorate have defined this sector. However, ASMs are entirely different from large-scale mines (LSM). Therefore, collective decision making will not lead to successful results for this sector. A review of previous definitions provided by the various developing countries is a sign of disagreement over a single definition in the first part of the paper. Therefore, in the next section, the objectives of presenting a definition and its effects at different levels for different countries, especially developing countries (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), are examined. Then, the definitions to obtain the main criteria of a single definition were gathered. Apart from this, it should be noted that the presentation of a single definition also depends on internal criteria and inter-organizational interactions to achieve the most appropriate case. Therefore, in the last section, a multi-criteria definition consisting of four elements of mineral characteristics, amount of human resources, amount of investment, and an annual financial statement was presented.
Remote Sensing
Mahya Nazarian; Mohammad Lotfi; Arash Gourabjeripour; Majid Ghasemi Siani
Abstract
The Chomalu Polymetallic deposit is located in western part of Alborz magmatic belt (Alborz-Azarbaijan) and central part of Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province. Eocene volcanic settings in the Chomalu deposit consist of basic rocks (olivinebasalt), intermediate (andesite basalt, andesite to trachyandesite) ...
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The Chomalu Polymetallic deposit is located in western part of Alborz magmatic belt (Alborz-Azarbaijan) and central part of Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province. Eocene volcanic settings in the Chomalu deposit consist of basic rocks (olivinebasalt), intermediate (andesite basalt, andesite to trachyandesite) and acidic rocks (dacite to rhyolite) which is intruded by quartz monzodiorite, monzosyenite and quartz monzonite intrusive rocks of Eocene. The main texture of volcanic rocks is more porphyritic. Olivine and plagioclase are the main phenocrysts in the olivinebasalt, andesite rocks compose of plagioclase and clinopyroxene and dacite to rhyolite consist of plagioclase, alkali feldspar and quartz. On the basis of AFM diagram, Chomalu volcanic rocks located in the high- K calc- alkaline to shoshonitic affinities in relation to subduction zone magmatism. Primitive mantle-normalized of volcanic rocks indicate that LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion in consistent with subduction zone magmatism. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show LREE/HREE enrichment. Geochemical results suggesting primary source magmas source for volcanic rocks were generated by partial melting of the metasomatized lithospheric mantle-wedge in relation to subduction arc and were subsequently affected by both fractional crystallization and crustal contamination during magmatic evolution.
Economic Geology
Mohammad Amin Jafari; Ahad Nazarpour; Ghodratollah Rostami Paydar
Abstract
In this research, using fuzzy logic (gamma) methods, analytic hierarchical analysis (AHP), and based on the weighting of exploratory layers by the opinion of geoscientists, modeling of mineral potential for lead and zinc metals in the Khondab sheet. The geochemical layer related to Pb-Zn metals has been ...
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In this research, using fuzzy logic (gamma) methods, analytic hierarchical analysis (AHP), and based on the weighting of exploratory layers by the opinion of geoscientists, modeling of mineral potential for lead and zinc metals in the Khondab sheet. The geochemical layer related to Pb-Zn metals has been prepared using the singularity index (SI) method, which has high accuracy in detecting weak and hidden anomalies. All exploratory layers and substrates including lithology, geochemistry, the density of lead and zinc deposits and mineral signs, the density of faults and silica and carbonate alterations were weighted using the fuzzy logic (gamma) method and ranged from 0 to 1 and fuzzy layers with gamma value (γ) of 0.95 were combined with each other and prepared the potential maps for Pb-Zn metals in the study area. Then, using the AHP method and forming a suitable matrix for the exploratory layers, the layers were weighed and a potential map of the desired metals was obtained. The results showed that the AHP method identified more anomalies compared to the fuzzy logic (gamma) method and the anomalies obtained from this method show more compliance with the Pb-Zn deposits in these regions.
Economic Geology
Mehrdad Movahedi; Mohammad Yazdi; Mehrdad Behzadi
Abstract
The Oshvad skarn type deposit was formed during the intrusion of a felsic mass into the Permian and Triassic carbonate rocks and ion exchange occurred between the intrusion mass and these units. In order to determine the properties of the mineralizing fluid in this skarn, several fluid inclusions in ...
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The Oshvad skarn type deposit was formed during the intrusion of a felsic mass into the Permian and Triassic carbonate rocks and ion exchange occurred between the intrusion mass and these units. In order to determine the properties of the mineralizing fluid in this skarn, several fluid inclusions in quartz and calcite minerals of the mineralization zone were analyzed. The results show that these minerals have two types of fluids inclusion. The first group includes L+V type, low to medium salinity, and with homogenization temperature of 194 to 480°C. The second group includes V+L type, low to moderate salinity, and homogenization temperature of 338 to 448°C. The origin of L+V type fluid inclusions are magmatic-meteoric and metamorphic type and V+L fluid inclusions are metamorphic type. Mixing and dilution of fluids occurred during the mixing of meteoric waters with magmatic-metamorphic fluids. These processes are the main factors of mineralization in this deposit. Fluid inclusions data show that fluid pressure has been 50 to 150 bars during the ore-forming minerals. Also, the fluid temperature has been between 200 to 360°C. The data suggest that the ore minerals have been formed in depth of 650 meters lower than the old water table.
