Journal of Economic Geology

15-27

Authors: Mohammad Hosien Zarrinkoub; Son Lin Chung; Sayed Saied Mohammadi; Mohammad Mehdi Khatib

Bibi Maryam granitoid body with about 5 Km2 has intruded into ophiolite mélange complex in sistan suture zone, in east of Iran. Thermal effects of this body on the host rocks show that this activity occurred after emplacement of ophiolite mélange. This intrusive body with general northwest – southeast trend is mainly tonalite-quartz diorite but there is a minor unit as dykes of granodiorite in the northwest side. Main texture in tonalite - quartz diorite is granular and in granodiorite part, granular, myrmekitic and graphic are popular. Quartz, plagioclase (oligoclase-andesin) and biotite are the main minerals and the minors are amphibol, apatite, zircon and opaque in the main body. Quartz, sodium plagioclase and alkali feldspar are the main minerals and the minors are garnet, apatite and opaque minerals in granodiorite unit. Bibi Maryam granitoid is magmatic arc type and has plotted in calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous field. High ratio of LREE / HREE, Sr/Y (average is 38.7), and SiO2 amount(average is 69.48) with absent of Eu negative anomaly show these rocks are very similar to high SiO2 adakites. High ratio of Sr/Y can be interpreted of high depth melting in plagioclase unstability and garnet stability field. The source of this magma can be an eclogite or garnet amphibolites which derived of subducted metamorphosed oceanic plate in east of Iran. Dating on zircon grains in the main body (tonalite-quartzdiorite) with zircon uranium – lead shows this magmatic event has occurred at 71.5 ± 0.6 Ma (maestrichtian). Based on this dating, the emplacement of host ophiolite mélange should occurred before maestrichtian.

41-60

Authors: Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Mohammad Hasan Karimpour

Eastern Iran has great potential for porphyry copper deposits, as a result of its past subduction zone tectonic setting that lead to extensive alkaline to calc-alkaline magmatic activity in Tertiary time. Maherabad is the first porphyry Cu-Au prospecting area which is discovered in eastern Iran. This is related to a succession o f monzonitic to dioritic porphyries stocks that were emplaced within volcanic rocks. Monzonitic porphyries have basic role in mineralization. Hydrothermal alteration zones are well developed including potassic, sericitic-potassic, quartz-sericite-carbonate-pyrite, quartz-carbonate-pyrite, silicified-propylitic, propylitic, carbonate and silicified zones. Mineralization occurs as Disseminated, stockwork and hydrothermal breccia. Based on early stage of exploration, Cu is between 179- 6830 ppm (ave. 3200 ppm) and Au is up to 1000 ppb (ave. 570 ppb). This prospect is gold- rich porphyry copper deposit. Laser-ablation U-Pb dating of two samples from ore-related intrusive rocks indicate that these two monzonitic porphyries crystallized at 39.0 ± 0.8 Ma to 38.2 ± 0.8 Ma, within a short time span of less than ca. 1 Ma during the middle Eocene. This provides the first precise ages for metallogenic episode of porphyry-type mineralization. Also, the initial 87Sr/86Sr and (143Nd/144Nd)i was recalculated to an age of 39 Ma. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios for monzonitic rocks are 0.7047-0.7048. The (143Nd/144Nd)i isotope composition are 0.512694-0.512713. Initial ε Nd isotope values 1.45-1.81. Based on isotopic data the magma had originated beyond the continental crust. The study will be used for tectonic-magmatic setting and evolution of eastern Iran.

79-92

Authors: Batoul Taghipour; Mohammad Ali Mackizadeh

The study area is a part of Cenozoic magmatic belt of Central Iran, which is located in the West of Yazd porovince. Contact metamorphism and skarn occurred in conglomerate part of Sngestan Formation. The Oligocene intrusion bodies of Ali-Abad-Darreh Zereshk are leucocerate and have the chemical composition of granite to granodiorite with calc-alkaline affinity from volcanic arc geological setting. The main mineral assemblage of skarn in order of imprtance is as follow: Garnet + epidote + quartz + calcite + pyrite + iron oxides. Brown garnets are the skarn characteristic mineral. EPMA analysis has shown that the chemical composition with garnet belong to andradite-grossular solid-solution (And 65, Gross 30) with more andradite component. The high permeability and presence of carbonate pebbles in conglomerate are two important factors for fluid flow and genesis of garnets. Distinct oscillatory zoning in garnets is resulted from the change of fO2 in fluids. The evolution of Ali-Abad skarn is took place in the range of 380 to 530 ºC, 0.5 Kbar pressure and high fO2. Also close association of this skarn with Ali-Abad intrusive with Cu-porphyry mineralization shows that this skarn is a Cu-porphyry type skarn.

153-165

Authors: Batool Taghipour; Faride Moore

Northwest of Shir-Kuh batholith, a number of leucocratic granitic and granodioritic plutons have intruded sedimentary hosts including shale-sandstone (Triassic-Jurassic) and sandstone-conglomerate (Lower Cretaceous). Contact metamorphism and hydrothermal alterations are widespread. Late alteration assemblage mainly occurs in arkosic sandstones of Sangestan Formation and includes propylitic, quartz-sericitic, advanced argillic and silicific zones. Quartz-sericite zone is the most widespread. Advanced argillic alteration is characterized by the following assemblage: jarosite, alunite, turquoise, from the Al-Phosphate-Sulfate group (APS). Considering this mineral assemblage and probable interactions taking place between the minerals, a geochemical environment with high fO2 and low pH is thought to be prevailing at the time of alteration and formation of alunite, jarosite and turquoise.

191-197

Authors: Balandeh Aminzadeh; Jamshid Shahabpour; Mortaza Asadipour

Molybdenite occurs in five forms in the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, namely, (1)-veinlets with quartz-molybdenite, (2)-veinlets with quartz-molydenite that were filled with pyrite, (3)-veinlets with quartz-molybdenite-pyrite–chalcopyrite, (4)-Molybdenite veinlets with very low quartz and (5)-disseminated molybdenite grains. Because of their large size, the veinlet-related molybdenite grains are easily liberated from the gangue minerals, provided the grinding is properly conducted (74 micron). Because of their fine-grain size, the disseminated molybdenite grains are not liberated from the gangue and enter the tailings during the flotation process.

217-234

Authors: Zahra Alaminia; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour; Mohammad Reza Haidarian Shahri

The area is located 20 km northwest of Kashmar and about 4 km of Kalateh Taimour in Khorasan Razavi province. The study area is part of Tertiary volcanic-plutonic belt north of Daruneh fault and its situation in tectonic inliers between two important active faults, Doruneh and Taknar. Volcanic rocks are mainly intermediate to acid pyroclastic type. They formed during early Tertiary. The volcanic rocks of the Kalateh Taimour area are predominantly andesitic basalt, andesite, latite, trachyte, dacite and rhyodacite and are observed as lava, tuff, lapilli tuff and agglomerate. Field evidences and study show several subvolcanic bodies including quartz hornblende biotite monzodiorite porphyry, quartz biotite monzodiorite porphyry, quartz diorite porphyry and microdiorite which are intruded sometime in mid-Tertiary. In this belt, new methods of image processing were used for enhancing the alteration zones to help near infra red and short wavelength infrared and bands example band ratios and principle component method. Propylitic, sericitic and argillic are the main alteration types. Minor silicification is found in some areas. Alteration is extent but mineralization is limited. Mineralization is mainly controlled by fault system. Several mineralized faults are being discovered. Open space filling features are abundant. In the study area, disseminate and stock work mineralization are abundant. The amount of sulfide minerals is very small. Ancient mining is present in the area. Stream sediment geochemical study shows a very broad and high level of gold anomaly. Rock geochemical study show very high levels of Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn and Au value is correlative to Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag values. Due to alteration modeling, non uniformity in mineralization and low abundance of sulfide mineralization suggest study in low sulphidation Au-Cu deposit.

21-37

Authors: Mohadese Panahi Shahri; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour; Fatemeh Shabani

The investigated area is located 30 Km south of Sabzevar in Halakabad village. Geological phenomenons in area follow a trend of NW-SE. Mineralization consists of metallic and non-metallic (kaolin) mineralization. Disseminated and veinlet mineralization is generally associated with argillic alteration type. Pyrite is the most widespread type of sulfide mineralization in Halakabad occurrences. It usually displays a euhedral habit and have occurred at least in two generations. Calcopyrite is common in veinlets although in minor amounts. Secondary sulfuric acid weathering of the ore has generated huge surficial amounts of oxide and sulfate minerals which of hematite and jarosite are the most abundant. Geochemical exploration was conducted over both drainage geochemistry and rock geochemistry. Results show that some of the stream sediments have higher concentrations of Copper and Zinc than normal. This anomalies maches with monzonite outcrops in area. The chip rock geochemical data shows highest values in west of halakabad mine for Cu and Zn respectively 500 and 900 ppm. These data represents that all samples collected from surficial areas of east of area contain lower concentrations of Copper while sulfide mineralization is more than the other parts. Presence of favorable alteration system in region, presence of monzonite subvolcanic intrusions and regional geological criteria indicates a possible Cu-Au porphyry system in Halakabad area.

51-59

Authors: Jafar Abdollahi Sharif; Ali Imamalipour; Aref Alipour; Mojtaba Mokhtarian Asl

In recent days, computer is becoming one of the most essential instruments in advanced countries for the researchers and the domain of its application is going to be increased every day. Using the 3D modeling of the earth, its mine resources and the brilliant details which are given by the models, the researching and exploring groups will find out the inconspicuous and attractive aspects of the genetic structure and the geological history of these resources. In this paper which is a result of the researches done as the case study on a group of aragonite deposits in West Azarbaijan province, modeling of under study mineral deposits and the genetic approaches obtained from the models lead into explore and discover some other resources of the same minerals which is widely accepted recently in the market of decorative rocks in Iran. In modeling procedure of these resources which is a product of the geysers, the profile of these lime generating springs and their directional order on some specific hidden fracture is determined and approximate location of the new resources for the next explorations is assigned. At the moment, these assigned locations as new resources are being explored and even exploited.

77-96

Authors: Geology, mineralization, geochemistry and Ground magnetic studies in iron mineralization Kalateh Shahin region, Razavi Khorasan province

Iron mineralization of Kalate Shahin is located 107 km on the Ghoochan-Neyshaboor road (in Khorasan Razavi province). Subvolcanic intrusive bodies of quartz monzonite to monzonite porphyry intruded the Cretacous limestone. Sedimentary units of the area in decreasing age include Cretaceous limestone and Eocene and Paleocene-Quaternary microconglomerate to sandstone. Mineralization in the region formed in two stages, hypogene and supergene. Pyrite, magnetite and specularite formed in the hypogene and goethite and hematite in the later. Investigation of ƒO2 and temperature conditions indicated that temperature of hydrothermal minerals in the east of the area was less than 350ºC. The amount of goethite and hematite in the west of the area is much less than the east and is frequently present as vein and veinlet associated with hydrothermal dolomite. The source of mineralization, hydrothermal solution in west of the area had lower sulfide and temperature but was more oxidized than the east. The result of geochemical analysis using AAS method for Fe, Mn, Mg and Ca elements indicated the highest amount of iron (30.4%) at the trench on the east of the area. Iron showed positive correlation with Mg at this location. There is also relation between the amount of these elements and the distance from the intrusive bodies. Therefore, the intrusive bodies of the area had no role in the mineralization. Total magnetic intensity (TMI) was measured at 742 stations on 2 grid of 20×5 meter. Map of TMI colour image along with contour, Reduction To the Pole (RTP) and upward continued were prepared using ER Mapper. Inspection of magnetic maps indicated distributed anomalies in the area, maybe related to the covered hornblend diorite porphyry which outcrops at about 40 meter apart. Due to the presence of hematite in limestone that correlates with anomalies B and C,magnetite mineralization at depth also may be the causative source of these magnetic anomalies. Therefore, drilling exploration at location of anomalies B and C is proposed.

19-46

Authors: Ghasem Nabatian; Majid Ghaderi; Nematoolah Rashid Nejad; Farahnaz Daliran

Sorkheh-Dizaj apatite-iron oxide deposit is located 32 km southeast of Zanjan. The area is situated within the Tarom subzone of Western Alborz-Azarbaijan structural zone. The oldest units at the Sorkheh-Dizaj area are Eocene trachyte, trachyandesite, olivine basalt and volcanoclastic brecciate tuff and lapilli tuff which intruded by a quartz-monzonite, monzonite and granite subvolcanic pluton of Upper Eocene- Early Oligocene age. Subvolcanic plutonic rocks in the area show characteristics of the I-type granites. Magmatism of the area is of synorogenic to postorogenic related to magmatic arc environments. Mineralization at the area is divided into three main zones (A, B and C) that all of which are located in the host subvolcanic pluton. These three zones are similar in terms of host rock, mineralogy, alteration, structure, texture and metal content. Mineralization in the volcanic rocks occurs as veins similar to those in three main zones, but less abundant. Geometry of the ore bodies is of vein type and their textures are stockwork, massive, banded, brecciate and vein-veinlet. The most important minerals at Sorkheh-Dizaj deposit are magnetite (low Ti) and apatite that associated with them minor sulfide minerals such as chalcopyrite, bornite and pyrite. Minerals such as ilmenite, spinel (titanium magnetite), galena and sphalerite occur in low contents. The supergene minerals like chalcocite, malachite, azurite, covellite, hematite and goethite have been formed due to weathering and supergene processes. The main alterations at the deposit are K-feldspar metasomatism, actinolitization, argillic, sericitization, silicification, tourmalinization, and chlorite-epidotic. Rare earth elements (REE) studies demonstrate that the deposit is more enriched in LREE than in HREE. The REE patterns in the apatite, magnetite and host rocks are similar suggesting a magmatic relationship. The REE contents of the apatites are higher than those of the host rocks and magnetites. Fluid inclusion studies were conducted on two generations of apatite in the deposit. Based on the studies, the temperature and salinity of the first generation apatites are higher than those for the second generation apatites. The most important characteristics of the Sorkheh-Dizaj iron-oxide apatite deposit indicated magmatic Fe-P-REE-rich fluids source for the mineralization. Comparison of the most important characteristics of the Sorkheh-Dizaj iron-oxide apatite deposit (including tectonic setting, host rock, mineralogy, alteration, structure and texture and geochemistry) with those of various types of iron mineralization in the world suggest that Sorkheh-Dizaj iron-oxide apatite deposit shows the most similarity with the Kiruna type iron-oxide apatite deposits classified as a subgroup of hydrothermal Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) deposits.

57-69

Authors: Alireza Mazloumi Bajestani; Eraj Rassa

Kuh- e -Zar gold deposit located 35 km west of Torbat-e-Heydaryeh, (Khorassan e- Razavi province), East of Iran. This deposit is a specularite-rich Iron oxide type (IOCG). This mine is situated within Khaf-Bardascan volcanic plutonic belt. Based on recent exploration along this belt, several IOCG type system plus Kuh-e-Zar deposit are discovered. In the study area, several type of tuff and lava having acid to intermediate composition are identified (upper Eocene). Oligo-Miocene granite, granodiorite, synogranite and monzonite intruded upper Eocene andesite-dacite-rhyolite. Intrusive rocks are meta-aluminous, medium to high-K series I-type. Based on spider diagram, intrusive rocks show enrichment in LILE = K, Th, Rb and depletion in HFSE = Nb, Sr, Ti. Based geochemistry of igneous rock, they formed in continental margin subduction zone. Propylitic (chlorite) alteration is dominated and covers large area. Silicification is restricted only to mineralized zones. Argillic and albitization is found in certain location and cover small areas. The style of mineralization was controlled by the type and geometry of fault zones. Mineralization is found as vein, stockwork and breccias. Hypogene mineral Paragenesis include: specularite-quartz-gold-chlorite ± chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± galena ± barite. Secondary minerals formed due to oxidation are: goethite, limonite, lepidocrucite, Malachite, Azurite, Covelite, Cerucite, hydrocerucite, Pyrolusite and Smitsonite. In a few localities, chalcopyrite and minor pyrite and galena are found. Based on SEM analysis gold is present as electrum. Mineralization appeared in different type such as vein, stockwork and Hydrothermal breccia in strike sleep fault zone which are hidden inside volcano plutonic rocks. The average gold grade is between 3.02 ppm and ore reserve is estimated more than 3 million tons (cut off grade = 0.7 ppm).

83-100

Authors: Malihe Ghoorchi; Sayide Saadat; Alireza Ashouri

Study area is located in district of Bajestan and Ferdows cities, NE of Iran. Structurally, this area is part of Lut block. The oldest exposed rocks, to the north of intrusive rocks and in Eastern Bajestan, are meta-chert, slate, quartzite, thin-bedded crystalline limestone and meta-argillite. The sedimentary units are: Sardar Formation (Carboniferous), Jamal Formation (Permian), Sorkh Shale and Shotori Formations (Triassic), carbonateous rocks (Cretaceous) and lithostratigraphically equivalent to Kerman conglomerate (Cretaceous-Paleocene) are exposed in this area. Based on relative age, magmatism in eastern Bajestan and Taherabad started after Late Cretaceous and it has been active and repeated during Tertiary time. At least, three episodes of volcanic activities are recognized in this area. The first stage was mainly volcanic flow with mafic composition and minor intermediate. The second episode was mainly intermediate in composition. The third stage was changed to acid-intermediate in composition. Since the plutonic rocks intruded the volcanic rocks, therefore they may be Oligo-Miocene age. Bajestan intrusive rocks are granite-granodiorite-quartz monzonite. Taherabad intrusive rocks are diorite-quartz diorite- monzonite-latite. Bajestan intrusive rocks are reduced type (ilmenite series) and Taherabad intrusive rocks are oxidized type (magnetite series).Based on geochemical analysis including trace elements, REE and isotopic data, Bajestan intrusive rocks formed in continental collision zone and the magma has crustal origin. Taherabad intrusive rocks were formed in subduction zone and magma originated from oceanic crust. Taherabad intrusive rock has exploration potential for Cu-Au and pb.

117-134

Authors: Farima Ayati; Sayide Mahdevari

Sakhtehesar mountain is located in Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt and is composed of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks (Pliocene andesite to dacite) which intruded the volcanics and pyroclastics of Paleocene age. Three alteration zones including potassic, phyllic and propylitic are recognized in the area. In this paper, the mineral chemistry of magmatic and primary biotite and the mineral chemistry of biotite in potassic and phyllic alteration zones have been studied. Investigations show that primary and secondary biotites are different from each other and hydrothermal fluids associated with the potassic alteration are distinctively different from the fluids associated with the phyllic alteration zone in the area.