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.
Economic Geology
Behzad Hajalilou; M. Razmara; Nasim Hajalilou
Abstract
The placer ore deposit of Ataeieh is located in south west of Mashhad and central Iranian microplate. The petrography and mineralography studies of VTM placer ore deposit, showed that the main ores in this area from high to low amounts are: magnetite, titanomagnetite, hematite and ilmenite. It revealed ...
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The placer ore deposit of Ataeieh is located in south west of Mashhad and central Iranian microplate. The petrography and mineralography studies of VTM placer ore deposit, showed that the main ores in this area from high to low amounts are: magnetite, titanomagnetite, hematite and ilmenite. It revealed that the ultramafic and gabbros are the main source for opak minerals by mineralography Studies. The SEM-EDS, EPMA and XRM studies on the placer ore deposit and their origion presentaded remarkable results. The SEM investigation showed that, in the magma crystallization the solid soulution is formed between titanomagnetite and ilmenite at 800°C and then with the decreasing of temperature up to 600°C the ilmenite and magnetite exsolution lamella segreqates and separated from titanomagnetite phase either the ophiolite sequence is the source of this deposit. Titaniumand Vanadium enter to the ilmenite and titanomagnetite in gabbroic rocks whit continuing of magma crystallization. The EPMA analysis on gabbroic units showed that these rocks are origion for Ti and V in placers.
Economic Geology
Mona Mahdevari; Fardin mousivand; Mahmoud Sadeghian; Mehdi Movahednia
Abstract
Kuhe Rig iron- strontium-(manganese) deposit is located in south of Shahrood, in the northern part of the central Iran zone. Mineralization occurred in the Eocene volcano-sedimentary sequence dominated by andesite basalt, basalt and crystal lithic tuffs. Geometry of main ore body is lense-shaped which ...
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Kuhe Rig iron- strontium-(manganese) deposit is located in south of Shahrood, in the northern part of the central Iran zone. Mineralization occurred in the Eocene volcano-sedimentary sequence dominated by andesite basalt, basalt and crystal lithic tuffs. Geometry of main ore body is lense-shaped which is concordant with lithic tuff host rock layering. Vein-Veinlet mineralization occurs beneath the main ore lense. Based on stratigraphic position, mineralogy, and texture of mineralization, three different ore facies can be distinguished: vein-veinlet (feeder zone), bracciated ore and banded ore facies. Ore minerals includes: goethite, hematite, magnetite, celestite, pyrolusite, psilomelane, barite and iron hydroxides which are accompanied by calcite and quartz gangue minerals. Sericitization and chloritization are the main wall-rock alteration styles. Based on volcono-sedimentary host sequence, geometry of ore body, ore textures and facies, mineralogy, alteration zones and geochemical features, Kuhe Rig can be classified as volcanic-exhalative iron deposits. It's worth mentioning that high amounts of celestite is of special characters of the mineralization in Kuhe Rig deposit and any similar deposits has not been reported in Iran and the world.
Economic Geology
Robabe masoomi; Yoseph Rahimsouri; Hemayat Jamali; Ali Abedini
Abstract
The action of alteration processes on the Eocene tuffs has led to the formation of a spread argillic alteration zone in the Kamar district (south of Ardebil, Tarom-Hashtjin Zone). The aim of this study is to determine the factors controlling argillic alteration, using mineralogical studies and chemical ...
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The action of alteration processes on the Eocene tuffs has led to the formation of a spread argillic alteration zone in the Kamar district (south of Ardebil, Tarom-Hashtjin Zone). The aim of this study is to determine the factors controlling argillic alteration, using mineralogical studies and chemical alteration indices. Quartz, kaolinite, muscovite (sericite), rutile, anatase, illite, diaspore, alunite, albite, clinochlore, jarosite, gypsum, pyrite, orthoclase and dolomite are the mineral assemblage of this alteration zone. The mineralization of sulfides includes pyrite (predominantly), chalcopyrite, borneite, chalcocite, galena, and sphalerite. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values are between 51.55 to 74.3 %, and the mineralogical index of alteration (MI) values vary from 8.22 to 48.3%. The mafic index of alteration (MIA(O)) ranges from 55.88% to 87.48%, Depletion of a large number of elements, including some immobile elements (Zr, Y, V, Al and LREEs), the presence of minerals indicating acidic pH, such as jarosite and alunite, and high-temperature minerals such as rutile and anatase, the presence of the vuggy quartz in some altered regions, and concomitant enrichment of As, Sb and Mo, in the Kamar argillic zone, bear similarities to the hot fluid alterations of high-sulfidation epithermal deposits.
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.
Economic Geology
Ebrahim Tale Fazel
Abstract
Study of carbon-oxygen isotopic variations in the gangue carbonate minerals and related host rocks has an important role in identifying carbonate hosted lead and zinc deposits and its mechanism of sulfide ore formation. The yellow color dolostone unit attributed to the Shotori Formation with the Middle ...
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Study of carbon-oxygen isotopic variations in the gangue carbonate minerals and related host rocks has an important role in identifying carbonate hosted lead and zinc deposits and its mechanism of sulfide ore formation. The yellow color dolostone unit attributed to the Shotori Formation with the Middle Triassic age is the main host of sulfide mineralization which deposited on the shale horizon attributed to the Sorkh-Kuh Formation. Galena, sphalerite, pyrite and silver-bearing sulfosalts are the most important sulfide ore minerals in the area, which were formed accompanied with the first (Cal-1) and second (Cal-2) generation calcites. Based on the results of carbon-oxygen isotope data, δ13C and δ18O values in Cal-1 varies from -3.2 to -0.7 ‰ and 12.9 to 14.6 ‰, respectively; and δ13C and δ18O values in Cal-2 varies from -7.3 to -4.4 ‰ and 13.7 to 16.4 ‰, respectively. The carbon-oxygen isotopic composition in the dolostone host rock with compared to calcites has a higher δ13C content (varies between -3.2 to 2.9 ‰) and a wider δ18O range (varies between 22.6 to 28.8 ‰).
Economic Geology
maryam sadat lajouei kalaki; Afshin Akbarpour; Alexandre Tarantola; Shohreh Hassanpour; Behzad Mohammadi; Monireh Poshtkoohi
Abstract
The Gheshlaghe mil deposit is located in the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt. Vein- type mineralization is concordance within the rhyodacitic and rhyolite meta-tuff with Eocene age. Alteration zones of sericite, silica, argillic and iron oxides are observed in the investigated area. Primary sulfide minerals ...
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The Gheshlaghe mil deposit is located in the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt. Vein- type mineralization is concordance within the rhyodacitic and rhyolite meta-tuff with Eocene age. Alteration zones of sericite, silica, argillic and iron oxides are observed in the investigated area. Primary sulfide minerals of pyrite, fine-grained chalcopyrite and Oxidized specularite and Secondary minerals goethite, limonite, malachite and quartz in Microscopic and field studies have been identified. Based on X-ray diffraction analysis studies minerals such as chlorite, illite, kaolinite, hematite, quartz, mica group and calcite have been observed in the bearing gold veins. According litho-geochemical studies, the gold element has a positive correlation with iron, molybdenum, nickel and lead. A number of 157 fluid inclusion studies in the Gheshlaghe Mil ore mineralization area has been showed mineralization temperature of 99 to 299 °C, rate of salinity ore deposit 1.81 and 12.30 equivalent to the Nacl weight percent. Using Raman laser studies (13 points), the presence of gaseous phases (CO2, N2, H2O) in the fluid inclusions have been demonstrated. Regarding to studies have been done in this area, the Gheshlaghe Mil ore mineralization can to know to a vein type- hydrothermal bearing gold-copper ore deposit.
Economic Geology
Hossein Bagherpour; Mir Ali Asghar Mokhtari; Hossein Kouhestani; Ghasem Nabatian
Abstract
Qoyjeh Yeylaq volcanic rocks is located approximately in the 120 km southwest of Zanjan, within the Central Iranian zone. The rock units in this area belong to the Cenozoic which consist of mainly Oligo-Miocene volcanic (Basaltic- andesitic lavas) and sedimentary rocks. Based on geochemical classification, ...
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Qoyjeh Yeylaq volcanic rocks is located approximately in the 120 km southwest of Zanjan, within the Central Iranian zone. The rock units in this area belong to the Cenozoic which consist of mainly Oligo-Miocene volcanic (Basaltic- andesitic lavas) and sedimentary rocks. Based on geochemical classification, the mentioned volcanic rocks are basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite in composition, and have calc- alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline affinity. In the primitive mantle normalized spider diagrams, all of the volcanic rocks show similar patterns with enrichment in LILE (Ba, Th, K, Pb) and negative anomalies of HFSE (Nb, Ti). These rocks show LREE enrichment relative to HREE and high ratio of LREE/HREE. Based on tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams these volcanic rocks were formed in a continental arc setting. Based on geochemical data, it seems that volcanic rocks of the Qoyjeh Yeylaq area were formed from 5-20 % partial melting of a garnet- spinel lherzolite enriched mantle by subduction of Neo-Tethys under the central Iran, within the Orumieh- Dokhtar magmatic arc.
Economic Geology
Kolsoum Fani Chenar; Mansour Ghorbani; Reza Kohansal; Jamshid Lotfian
Abstract
Ali abad chromites mines (north east of Forumad) are as a part of chromites assemblage dependent on ophiolite Sabzevar that are located in NW Sabzevar city. Chromitites deposits in these mines have been located as irregular lenses and layered or banded along with pods of dunite in depleted harzburgite. ...
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Ali abad chromites mines (north east of Forumad) are as a part of chromites assemblage dependent on ophiolite Sabzevar that are located in NW Sabzevar city. Chromitites deposits in these mines have been located as irregular lenses and layered or banded along with pods of dunite in depleted harzburgite. In attention to mineralogy observation, incongruent melting of orthopyroxenes and exsolution lamellae of clinopyroene in the orthopyroxenes, indicate that these rocks were originally formed at mantle pressures and temperatures conditions. Mineralography study on the textures and structures of Ali abad chromites indicate two types main textures that are primary and secondary. The primary textures and structures include massive and disseminated or separated grain. The milonitic, brecciated and tensional textures are from secondary types in chromites. On the basis of geochemical results the structural formula are calculated as the chromite minerals [(Mg,Fe2+)O (Cr,Al,Fe3+)2O3].These studies represent height percent Cr2O3 chromite mineral in disseminated texture than massive textures. Geochemical study on the chromitite area, site them in height Cr types and associated to podiform type that are originated from a parent melt with boninitic character resulting from high degree of partial melting of mantle peridotite in Supra Subduction Zone (SSZ).
Economic Geology
Seyevahid Shahrokhi
Abstract
The chemical composition of chlorite group minerals show that physicochemical condition of crystallization and their formation. The chemical analysis of chlorite from biotite alteration has done based on 30 points of 8 rock samples by electron microprobe. The composition of chlorite samples is located ...
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The chemical composition of chlorite group minerals show that physicochemical condition of crystallization and their formation. The chemical analysis of chlorite from biotite alteration has done based on 30 points of 8 rock samples by electron microprobe. The composition of chlorite samples is located in repidolite- pychnochlorite domain. The mole fraction in the interlayer phase, range from 0.97 to 0.99, indicating a complete lack of smectite layers and purity of chlorite. Calculation of the structural formula of chlorites in Malvak area show that the number of silicon atoms are in the range of 2.64 to 2.91 (apfu) and the sum of the octahedral cations are 6 (apfu). Chlorites of the Malvak area are trioctahedral type. The low titanium content of chlorites, the presence of titanium minerals coexite with chlorite cleavage, and the presence of early biotite crystals are evidence of biotite to chlorite alteration. The mean temperature of chlorites in the Malvak area is 340 ºC, which corresponds to the temperature obtained with the geothermometry of biotite-altered to chlorites. Mesothermal type fluids from the granitoid mass in the study area have been effective in chlorite occurrence. Also, regional metamorphism has played an important role in the chlorite formation.
Economic Geology
Fatemeh Sabahi; Mohammad Lotfi; Peyman Afzal; nima nezafati
Abstract
Gardaneshir carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposit on the ground of study area located southwest of Ardestan in Isfahan province. Base on lithostratigraphy,the main structure, besides the small outcrops of Jurassic shales, has been made up of carbonate and detrital rock materials depending on Paleozoic,Triassic ...
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Gardaneshir carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn deposit on the ground of study area located southwest of Ardestan in Isfahan province. Base on lithostratigraphy,the main structure, besides the small outcrops of Jurassic shales, has been made up of carbonate and detrital rock materials depending on Paleozoic,Triassic and Cretaceous time stages. Dolomitic carbonate which is attributed to Shotori Formation , played the major role of host rock in ore-mineralization. Ore-mineral description obtained from the mineralized zone and caused the following ore-paragenesis in ascending order.of:pyrite,chalcopyrite,galena,sphalerite,malachite,cerussite,smithsonite,iron oxides and gangues of barite, quartz and calcite. Physico-chemical information of ore-solutions performed by entrapped fluid inclusion studies in gangue minerals. Liquid-rich two phase(L+V) inclusions as predominant types were recognized. These type of inclusions are homogenized into liquid state with a range of TH and related salinities between; TH :78 to 183 and 216 to 283°C, Salinity:3.5 to 9.7 and 10.2 to 25 wt% NaCl eq. The microthermometric data reflect the nature of two population of fluid inclusions originating from different sources. The source materials could have been provided by basinal brines, derived during compaction of sediments in a shallow sea environment and by movement into sediments, the stratabound Pb-Zn deposit are formed. Furthermore, the negative delta value ranges(δ34S) from -0.6 ‰ to -20.4 ‰ that have been extracted by galena can be an evidence of bacterial sulfate reduction in a subsidence sedimentary basin. In conclusion, based on field, mineralogical, fluid inclusion and sulfur isotope evidence, we propose that Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit is a stratabound carbonate hosted of Mississipi Valley Type(MVT).
Economic Geology
Leila Jaberansari; habibollah Torshizian; Nader Kohansal Ghadimvand; Mohsen Pourkermani
Abstract
The current study was conducted on sedimentary units of the 1:100000 sheet of Jam and Sorkheh in Semnan Province, northeast of Iran. Because of its special geochemical properties, lithium can be concentrated in sedimentary rocks with clay minerals. Samples were collected from stream sediments and lithogeochemical ...
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The current study was conducted on sedimentary units of the 1:100000 sheet of Jam and Sorkheh in Semnan Province, northeast of Iran. Because of its special geochemical properties, lithium can be concentrated in sedimentary rocks with clay minerals. Samples were collected from stream sediments and lithogeochemical in three steps and were processed using Concentration-Number fractal modeling. Concentration-Number fractal modeling is a suitable geochemical exploration method to separate anomaly from the background. It was utilized to identify anomalous areas for lithum and the results were presented in the form of maps. As a result, The Gharavol kooh area of Biabanak in central part of sheet of Sorkheh. According to the lithology of the area, which contains marl and clay minerals (Illite and Cholorit), It was main anomaly between the two sheets. This area should be further investigated in Detailed exploration studies.
Petrology
kiamars hosseini; Majid Shahpasandzadeh
Abstract
The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian albite-bearing metasomatite, rhyolites and rhyodacites predominantly constitute the host rocks of the Choghart magnetite-apatite deposit in Central Iran. The geologic evidences show three types of albites in the host albite-bearing metasomatite. The performed mineralogical ...
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The Late Neoproterozoic-Early Cambrian albite-bearing metasomatite, rhyolites and rhyodacites predominantly constitute the host rocks of the Choghart magnetite-apatite deposit in Central Iran. The geologic evidences show three types of albites in the host albite-bearing metasomatite. The performed mineralogical and geochemical investigations display enrichment of REE-Y-Ti-Th in the pink and fleshy red albites, whereas the white albites are barren without any ore mineralization. The concentration of REE-Y-Ti-Th-U bearing minerals along the fractures, the variation of Th/U ratio and result of stable isotopes studies of the calcites syn-paragenesis with the abiltes reveal the involvement of mixed magmatic and high-midium temperature hydrothermal processes play an important role in the ore genesis. The similarity pattern of the REEs and trace elements in different types of abilte-bearing metasomatite and rhyolite manifest the origin of REE-Y-Ti-Th mineralization as the rhyolitic-rhyodacitic magmas, related to a continental/oceanic subduction zone. According to this research, tectono-magmatic setting of the albite-bearing metasomatite in the Choghart deposit is suggested as a Calc-alkaline magmatism, associated with the active continental margin and oceanic island arcs.
Economic Geology
masoumeh Norouzi; Ali Abedini; Ali Asghar Calagari; Fatemeh Kangarani Farahani
Abstract
The kaolin occurrence in the Abolhasani-Zereshkouh area (south of Shahroud, northeast of Iran) is a product of alteration of Eocene andesitic rocks. With attention to mineralogical studies, kaolinite, quartz, chlorite, montmorillonite, illite, rutile, calcite, orthoclase, albite, vermiculite, palygorskite, ...
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The kaolin occurrence in the Abolhasani-Zereshkouh area (south of Shahroud, northeast of Iran) is a product of alteration of Eocene andesitic rocks. With attention to mineralogical studies, kaolinite, quartz, chlorite, montmorillonite, illite, rutile, calcite, orthoclase, albite, vermiculite, palygorskite, jarosite, and hematite are the mineral assemblege of this alteration occurrence. Calculations of mass balance of elements with assuming Zr as monitor immobile element show that elements such as Si, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Ti, Cr, Ba, Be, Co, Cs, Rb, Sn, U, V, W, Ni and REE were partially depleted and elements such as Hf, Zn and Cd enriched during the kaolinitization processes of andesitic rocks. Other elements including Al, Ca, P, Mn, Ga, Nb, Sr, Ta, Th, Y, Cu, Pb and Tl were undergone both leaching and fixation processes. The mass decrease of Si, Fe, K, Rb, Cs and Ba reveals destruction of plagioclase and hornblende by highly acidic hydrothermal fluids. The presence of two abnormal decreasing and increasing trends for the elements Al, Ga, P, Nb, Ta, and Y can be attributed to the low pH of the altering fluids, the high water-to-rock ratio and the abundance of complexing legands.
Economic Geology
afshin akbarpour; Masoud Moslehi
Abstract
Yapal iron ore body is located in northwest of Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. A complex of Paleozoic metamorphed rocks including green schist, mica schist, chlorite schist with green schist facies degree, plus skarn and marble outcrop in this area.. Iron mineralization generally occurs as magnetite with the shapes ...
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Yapal iron ore body is located in northwest of Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. A complex of Paleozoic metamorphed rocks including green schist, mica schist, chlorite schist with green schist facies degree, plus skarn and marble outcrop in this area.. Iron mineralization generally occurs as magnetite with the shapes of lentoid, veins, veinlets and dots in garnet schist and greenschist and near marble outcrop in area. Ore textures are observed as dispersed, stock, replacement and network like. The iron oxide grade varies between 30 to 60 percent. Iron element negatively correlates with sulfur and positively correlates with titanium, magnesium, manganese and the other main oxides. Based on the relation between cobalt and nickel, this ore body is located within hydrothermal-originated category. Some samples are located in the hydrothermal-volcanogenic boundary. Based on distribution patterns of rare earth elements, Yapal iron ore has more similarities with skarn type mineralizations. Geochemical evidences of magnetite and the variations of cobalt, nickel, silica and aluminum suggest the skarn origin for Yapal iron ore. That means the iron has been mobilized by the hot fluids originated by intrusive stocks and precipitated in contact of metamorphic and marble units.
Economic Geology
Meysam Nikfarjam; Ardeshir Hezarkhani
Abstract
In this research, we have used different integration methods for creating the geochemical evidential map that is one of the most important layers in mineral potential mapping. The Study area (Varzaghan 1:100,000 sheet) is located in East Azarbaijan province and Ahar-Arasbaran metallogenic zone. This ...
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In this research, we have used different integration methods for creating the geochemical evidential map that is one of the most important layers in mineral potential mapping. The Study area (Varzaghan 1:100,000 sheet) is located in East Azarbaijan province and Ahar-Arasbaran metallogenic zone. This region, because of its geological situation and presence of several porphyry copper deposits like Sungun porphyry-skarn deposit, is considered as an important metallogenic province in the northwest of Iran. In this study, we have used 1067 stream sediment samples as primary data that picked up by Geological Survey & Mineral Explorations organization of Iran. By selecting indicator elements of porphyry copper deposit, like Cu, Mo, Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Au and As, the evidential map of each element have generated by the continuous fuzzy method. In the next step, by using Union Score (US) method, fuzzy OR operation, and geometric average, the individual geochemical maps have integrated. Finally, Prediction-Area plots have drawn to validate the evidential maps. This plot showing that geochemical evidential map that produced by US method, can predict 76 percent of known mineral occurrences and it can consider as a proper method for creating the geochemical evidential map for porphyry copper deposits.
Economic Geology
Elnaz Zahmatkesh; Seyed Mehran Heidari
Abstract
Zavarian gold occurrence formed within andesitic volcanic units in northwestern Iran. The volcanic complex is in fact a part of magmatism related to Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt crosscutting northwestern rim of Central-Iran zone. This system is a part of the volcanic-sedimentary sequence of the Qom ...
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Zavarian gold occurrence formed within andesitic volcanic units in northwestern Iran. The volcanic complex is in fact a part of magmatism related to Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt crosscutting northwestern rim of Central-Iran zone. This system is a part of the volcanic-sedimentary sequence of the Qom Basin that is formed as an intercontinental stratovolcane in a tension environment. Gold has the highest correlation with Mo, Bi, As, Sb, Ag, Cd and Cu which indicates relationship mineralization with magmatic fluids and role of bi-sulfide complexes in gold transport. Hydrothermal alteration in this area is most in the vicinity and within intrusions, and along fractures with NE-SE trending and have more intense around siliceous zones. The activity of hydrothermal system starts by alterations related to the subvolcanic intrusive, and creates the first mineralization phase by oxid-silicic alteration along the fractures. This mineralization phase continued by hydrothermal breccia with tourmaline and copper sulfide, and finally finished with high sulfide mineralization and deposition of gold mineralization in the cavities and fractures. Therefore, Characteristics of this mineralization indicate that it is most similar to epithermal related to subvolcanic deposits.
Economic Geology
Zafari Zafar Abad; Ebrahim Tale Fazel; Mehrdad Barati; Abbas Oroji
Abstract
The Yenganli gold deposit is one of the important indices of the Takab orefeild is located in the southern Zarshuran deposit and 42 km north of Takab Province. Based on structural subdivision of Iran, this deposit is situated between the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone and Uremia-Dokhtar magmatic arc and is related ...
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The Yenganli gold deposit is one of the important indices of the Takab orefeild is located in the southern Zarshuran deposit and 42 km north of Takab Province. Based on structural subdivision of Iran, this deposit is situated between the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone and Uremia-Dokhtar magmatic arc and is related to sedimentary-hydrothermal activities of the Takab orefield. The Yeganli deposit in the western part of the NW-SE-trending Iman Khan anticline and is similar to the Zarshuran deposit is composed of three Neoproterozoic lithostratigraphic unites, including, schist and serpentinite (Iman-Khan unit), limestone and dolomite (Chaldagh unit) and black shale and siltstone (Zarshuran unit). Mineralization occurs as vein-type, disseminated and breccia with a NNE-trending and 5 km2 thickness in the Zarshuran shale and siltestone and Chaldagh limestone host rocks.
Economic Geology
Susan Ebrahimi; Alireza Arabamiri; Hadi Ghanbari
Abstract
The Sharifabad-Bardeskan copper mineralization is located in northeast of Bardeskan and south section of Sabzevar Zone. Mineralization occurs as vein in the pyroxene andesite, tuff, sandstone and conglomerate of Eocene age, which bearing local sericite - carbonate and silicic alterations and regional ...
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The Sharifabad-Bardeskan copper mineralization is located in northeast of Bardeskan and south section of Sabzevar Zone. Mineralization occurs as vein in the pyroxene andesite, tuff, sandstone and conglomerate of Eocene age, which bearing local sericite - carbonate and silicic alterations and regional propylitic alteration. Mineralization occurs as open space filling, disseminated, veinlets and consists of chalcocite pyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite with calcite and quartz as gangue minerals. Fluid inclusion studies in calcite show the evidence of mixing trend during the ore formation occurred at a wide range of temperature 200to 437 °C and varying salinity between 0.1 to 9.2 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The stable isotope composition of δ34S fall in a range of -23 to -24.3‰ could be considered as biogenetic sulfur from bacterial sulfate reduction. The δ13C values of calcite vary between -3.4 to -24.5‰ suggest a major contribution of marine carbonates associated igneous carbonates. Copper and sulfide rich hydrothermal fluid has flowed upward through the local faults and permeable interbeds within the Eocene volcanic sequence and formed the mineralized veins. Based on the mineralization, alteration, fluid inclusion and stable isotopes, Sharifabad mineralization is similar to those manto type deposits in Chile.
Economic Geology
Morteza Delavari; Amir Ali Tabakh Shabani; Samaneh Ghanbari
Abstract
The Oligocene dacitic volcanic rocks display widespread exposures in south of Julfa (eastern Azerbaijan). They generally show porphyritic to hyalo-porphyritic textures with major minerals of plagioclase, amphibole, quartz and biotite. Electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) data indicates oscillatory zoning ...
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The Oligocene dacitic volcanic rocks display widespread exposures in south of Julfa (eastern Azerbaijan). They generally show porphyritic to hyalo-porphyritic textures with major minerals of plagioclase, amphibole, quartz and biotite. Electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) data indicates oscillatory zoning and chemical variation of amphiboles (pargasite and edenite). The plagioclase crystals are, chemically, andesine (An= 29-51%) which mostly display oscillatory zoning. Based on geobarometric calculations, plagioclase displays pressures of 5 to 8 kb and amphiboles demonstrate different pressure ranges of 1.5 to 3 and 5 to 9 kb. Moreover, geothermometric calculations of plagioclase and amphibole provide temperatures of 1020-1050 and 850-900 °C, respectively. On the basis of geobarometric results, crystallization and growth of the minerals took place in magmatic chambers of different levels. Some of the amphiboles nucleated in lower continental crust and subsequently grown during magma ascent in middle crust whereas some others crystallized in the upper continental crust. Therefore, existence of minerals of different levels inside the studied rocks could be related to magma mixing in shallow magma chambers.
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.
