Journal of Economic Geology

155-174

Authors: Abbas Golmohammadi; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Seyed Ahamad Mazaheri

Sangan magnetite skarn mine is located 300 km southeast of Mashhad, along the eastern part of Khaf-Drouneh volcanic-plutonic belt. Granitoids from three areas within the Sangan mine A, C-North and Dardvay were studied. Within the study area, three intrusive rocks including biotite-hornblende monzonite porphyry, biotite syenite and syenogranite were recognized. Based on field cross cutting, absence of garnet-magnetite skarn around the contact, and alteration by younger hydrothermal fluids, these granitoids are older than the magnetite skarn. U-Pb zircon age of the granitoid is 42 Ma (Middle Eocene). Magnetic susceptibility of the granitoids are 310-900 × 10-5 (SI units) and therefore, they are classified as belonging to the magnetite-series (oxidant type) I-type. Chemically, these granitoids are metaluminous, alkali-calcic to alkali and shoshonite to ultrapotassic. Enrichment of LREE, relative to HREE and enrichment of LILE (Sr, Cs, Rb, K and Ba) relative to HFSE (Nb, Ta, Ti, Hf and Zr) indicate that the magma formed in island arc setting. This magma originated from low partial melting (<1%) of garnet-spinel lherzolite (low garnet) and was contaminated in the continental crust. Based on the ratio of (La/Yb)N 6.23-34.73, indicate that small amount of garnet was left in the source rock. High ration of Rb/Sr, LILE/HFSE and high content of K2O, Th and Nb indicative of continental crust contamination. Petrognesis and geochronology of Sangan granitoid will help to know more about tectonomagmatic of Khaf-Kashmar-Drouneh volcanic-plutonic belt and their mineralization.

201-214

Authors: Mohamad Ali Rajabzadeh; Nazanin Zamansani

Manganese ore deposits occurred in various types of syngenetic, diagenetic and epigenetic mineralization in association with radiolarian cherts in colored melange of Neyriz ophiolite in Abadeh Tashk area, eastern Fars Province. Microscopic study and XRD analyses show a simple mineralogy for manganese compounds in all types. Psylomelane and braunite are the primary manganese compounds in syngenetic type that are found as alternative bands with amorphous silica and quartz in a sedimentary environment. Braunite and bixbite occur in lens shape deposits, showing diagenetic type of mineralization that formed in fold hinges during diagenesis process. Pyrolusite, auororite and rancieite are major minerals of epigenetic type that formed during remobilization and reprecipitation of manganese compounds in radiolarian cherts from upper horizons as open space fillings by supergene processes. Manganese ores show low values of TiO2 (0.012-0.13 %), Fe/Mn (0.02-5.45) and Al2O3 (0.019-2.13) and high values of Si/Al (21.84-427.46). The ores contain low contents of Co (31-131 ppm), Cu (17-277 ppm) and Ni (12-193 ppm) and have negative anomalies of Ce and positive Eu, low total REE and enriched LREE compared to HREE, indicating that primary manganese compounds and host cherts formed close to mid oceanic ridges above seafloor hydrothermal fluid channels.

235-254

Authors: Mehrdad Barati; Meysam Gholipoor

Zafarabad iron deposit is located northwest of Divandareh, in the northern margin of Sanandaj-Sirjan plutonic-metamorphic zone. The deposit is in lentoid to tubular shape, within a shear zone and occrrued in host rocks of calc-schist and limestone. Magnetite with massive, cataclastic and replacement textures are the main phases, while pyrite and other sulfide minerals are found. Major and trace elements are measured by ICP-MS and ICP-AES methods. Based on some ratios of trace elements in the ore samples and (Ti+V vs. Cal+Al+Mn and Ti+V vs. Ni/(Cr+Mn)) diagrams which are used for classification of iron deposit types, Zafarabad iron deposit fall in the range of skarn deposits. Spider diagrams show a steady decline from LREE to HREE elements with Eu (mean value of 0.06 ppm) and Ce (mean value of 0.94 ppm) negative anomalies. Comparing the distribution patterns of REE for the Zafarabad magnetites with those of various types of iron deposits shows that the REE pattern for Zafarabad is similar to these deposits. Analysis of calculated parameters for REE shows that the hydrothermal fluids responsible for mineralization are mainly of magmatic origin through fractionation and crystallization processes of a deep iron rich fluid phase and its emplacement within the carbonate rocks, forming iron skarn.

267-290

Authors: Mohammad Hasan Karimpour; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Mehrab Moradi Neghondar; J. Lang Farmer; Charles Stern

Kalateh Ahani is located 27 km southeast of Gonabad within the Khorasan Razavi province. The area is part of Lut Block. Sub-volcanic monzonitic rocks intruded regional metamorphosed Shemshak Formation (Jurassic age). Magnetic susceptibility of less altered monzonitic rocks is < 25 ×10-5 SI, therefore they belong to reduced type ilmenite granitoid series. Both intrusive and metamorphic rocks are altered to argillic, propylitic, silicification and some iron oxides. Argillic alteration is dominant within the intrusive rocks. Two major quartz sulfide (sulfides are oxidized) veins trending NW-SE are recognized within the study area. Based on core logging, both disseminated and veinlet mineralization types are recognized within the intrusive and metamorphic rocks. Eight types of veinlet and vein are identified within the intrusive rocks. Maximum density of the veinlets is about 35 per meter within the biotite monzonite porphyry. Hypogene minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and quartz. Secondary minerals comprise malachite, hematite, chrysocolla, goethite and gangue minerals are quartz and siderite. Rock geochemistry shows high anomalies of Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn, As, and Au both in the surface and within the mineralized core. Cu > 0.6%., As, Pb and Zn > 1%, Au up to 150 ppb and Sn = 133 ppm. The Sn content of vein in the northern part of Kalateh Ahani (Rud Gaz) is > 1%. Based on mineralization, alteration and geochemistry, it seems that Sn mineralization is associated with the Cretaceous monzonitic rocks. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the age of the monzonitic rocks associated with mineralization is 109 Ma (Lower Cretaceous). Based on (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.71089-0.710647 and (143Nd/144Nd)i = 0.512113-0.51227 of the monzonitic rocks, the magma for these rocks were originated from the continental crust. This research has opened new window with respect to Sn-Cu mineralization and exploration within the Lut Block which is associated with Cretaceous granitoid rocks (reduced type, ilmenite series) originated from the continental crust.

307-324

Authors: Ali Imamalipour; Mastoureh Yousefi; Mahdiyeh Karimlou

Alteration of ophiolitic ultramafic rocks, formation of listwaenite and associated mineralization are interesting phenomena of metallogeny of Khoy ophiolite. It seems that the hydrothermal circulations responsible for mercury mineralization were derived from geothermal systems caused by intermediate to acidic magmatism in Neogene-Pleistocene time. Reactivation of brecciated serpentinite with hydrothermal solutions led to the silica-carbonate hydrothermal alteration and formation of listwaenite. The importance of these alteration types is due to associated Hg-Au mineralization. Based on the microscopic mineralogical studies, XRD analysis, geochemical characteristics and field relationships, three types of listwaenite including silica, silica-carbonate and carbonate have been recognized. Tavreh mercury occurrence has formed in relation with silica type listwaenite which also named as birbirite. Alteration zones have structural controls and are restricted to shale (marl)/serpentinite fault type contacts. Mineralogically, silica type listwaenite mainly consists of quartz, chalcedony, opal and secondary iron hydroxides. Magnesite, dolomite, calcite and clay minerals are the minor phases. Toward silica-carbonate and carbonate listwaenites, silica minerals decrease while carbonate minerals increase. Geological field relations and existence of residual chrome spinel in the listwaenite of Tavreh area confirmed the ultrabasic host rock. Based on geochemical studies, average values of SiO2, Fe2O3, MgO and L.O.I as the main components of silica listwaenite are 82.6, 6.99, 1.02 and 3.74 wt %, respectively. Among rare elements, average values of Hg, Pb, As and S have been obtained as 646.2 ppm, 517.7 ppm, 329.1 ppm and 281 ppm, respectively. Mass changes (gains and losses) of major and minor elements during the alteration process in the Tavreh area have considered, using Gresens’ equation in this study. Cinabar-bearing silica listwaenite is enriched in SiO2, Al2O3, K2O and Hg components and is depleted in MgO and MnO. Silica-carbonate type shows enrichment in CaO, Na2O, Al2O3, K2O and TiO2 and deplection in MgO, MnO P2O5, SiO2, Cr2O3 and Fe2O3. Carbonate type shows increase in CaO and Sr and reduction in SiO2, Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2 and MnO.

1-22

Authors: Zahra Alaminia; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour; Seyed Masoud Homam; Fritz Finger

Arghash – Ghasem-Abad area in NE Iran is located in the rim of the Sabzevar structural zone. Tertiary outcrops include granite and quartz monzodiorite porphyry associated with dacite and andesite volcanic rocks. In the study area, quartz gabbro and quartz monzodiorite dykes intruded the older rocks. Granite and volcanic rocks host Au-Sb-bearing quartz-calcite veins. Mineralized veins are mainly located around the dykes in the southern part of the area. According to geochemical studies, granites have high-K calc-alkaline affinity with transitional I/A-type features. The volcanic rocks with adakitic composition contain high abundances of Sr and Ba. The dykes in the area show characteristics of lamprophyric rocks. U-Pb zircon dating of granite yielded an age of 55.4±2.2 Ma (Lower Eocene). Initial 87Sr/86Sr and εNd values for the granites are 0.704142 and +5.84, respectively. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios strongly suggest a depleted mantle source for the magma. This dating demonstrates that the Au-Sb mineralization occurred later than Lower Eocene. Based on field observation, the mineralization is more related to the lamprophyric dykes than to the adakitic rocks.

37-47

Authors: Ali Reza Zarasvandi; Mohsen Rezaei; Houshang Pourkaseb; Adel Saki

The Nasirabad manganese deposit is located 5 km south of Nasirabad, 8 km SW of Neyriz in the Fars province. Structurally, the area is placed in the southeastern part of Zagros thrust belt. In this area, the manganese mineralization occurred as ore layers and nodules, interlayered with Pichakun radiolarite chert deposits. In this study, mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium, thorium and lead isotopes were used to investigate the primary and secondary processes. In this way, in addition to petrographic and XRD studies, ICP-MS analysis was carried out in order to measure the U, Th and Pb isotopes. The strong fractionation of Fe and Mn phases and also the absence of Fe-bearing minerals in the XRD results, presence of syngenetic todorokite and quartz crystals, high U/Th ratios in some samples and Th versus U diagrams, all indicate entrance of Mn-bearing hydrothermal fluids into the sedimentary basin of the Nasirabad manganese deposit. The pyrolusites in radiolarites tests as replacement textures, host rock space filling and fracture filling pyrolusites, indicates the influence of secondary exogenic processes on primary hydrothermal mineralization. Non-homogenous 206Pb/Pb204, 207Pb/Pb204 and 208Pb/Pb204 values show non-steady hydrothermal processes in the sedimentary basin and indicate mixing of hydrothermal lead isotopes with another secondary source. Strong positive correlation between absolute values of radiogenic lead isotopes and insoluble High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) such as 207Pb vs Nb (r=0.81), 207Pb vs TiO2 (r=0.93), 207Pb vs Th (r=0.79) and strong correlation between these elements and some mafic components like 208Pb vs Fe2O3 (r=0.94) and Th vs MgO (r=0.86) represent entrance of radiogenic lead with mafic detrital materials into the sedimentary basin. Similar linear trend among 206Pb/Pb204 vs 208Pb/Pb204 and 207Pb/Pb204 ratios in nodules and manganese layers show the same geochemical condition in Mn-nodules and layers formation and indicate that isotopic ratios were unaffected by secondary processes including leaching and redeposition of manganese.

65-82

Authors: Samineh Rajabi; Ghodrat Torabi

The Eocene volcanic rocks from the southwest of the Jandaq (Kuh-e-Godar-e-Siah, Central-East Iran micro-continent) are andesitic basalt and andesite in composition. These rocks contain xenoliths with granulitic mineralogy. Mineral assemblage of these xenoliths is plagioclase + phlogopite + corundum + sillimanite + chlorite + phengite with granublastic, poiklioblastic and foliated textures in the pick metamorphic condition. Thermometry of phlogopite in these xenoliths suggests the average temperature 782oC. The characteristics of the xenoliths are consistent with the granolitic facies metamorphism of the Al-saturated Si-undersaturated crustal sediments at the lower crust condition. Melting of these granulites forms the magma which crystallized the S-type granitoids. Differentiation and crystallization of this magma causes the S-type granite formation. Therefore, the S-type granites in the study area are probably generated from melting of the granulites parts of which brought to the surface as xenoliths by Eocene magmatism in south of the Jandaq (Kuh-e-Godar-e-Siah). S-type granites in the study area are located along the Doruneh, Chupanan and Aeirakan faults in the Aeirakan area and Jandaq ophiolite. These granites are the source of uranium, thorium and uranium ore in southwest of the Aeirakan mountain.

93-104

Authors: Mohamad Ali Rajabzadeh; Soheila Esmaeili

Jian Cu deposit is hosted by Surian volcano-sedimentary complex of Permo-Triassic age on the eastern edge of the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone at a distance of 195 km from Shiraz, southwestern Iran. The complex consists mainly of metabasalt, chlorite-quartz schist, chlorite-muscovite schist, mica schist and graphite schist. Pyrite is the most important sulfide and chalcopyrite is the major Cu-bearing mineral occurring as disseminated grains and veinlets in host chlorite-quartz schist and chlorite-muscovite schist. Chondrite-normalized REE pattern of metabasalt with La/LuN=2/9 indicates mantle tholeiitic basalt as the source of metamorphosed igneous rocks. Geochemical data on the metabasalts, especially the content of immobile elements (e.g., Ti) and High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) (e.g., Zr، Nb and Y), show low degree of partial melting for parental magma with E-MORB affinity. Chloritic, silicification and minor sericitic assemblages are the main alteration types associated with the Jian Cu deposit. The Y/Ho ratio of Cu ores varies from 29.9 to 32.5, indicating the important role of sea water in the mineralizing system. Petrographical and geochemical data indicate that the Jian Cu deposit was formed as volcano-sedimentary hosted massive sulfide. The Ishikawa alteration index (AI) in association with chlorite-carbonate-pyrite index (CCP) is useful for the geochemical exploration of Cu deposits in the study area.

117-136

Authors: Hossein Hajimirzajan; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi; Mohammad Reza Haidarian Shahri; Seyed Javad Hamooni

Roudgaz prospect area is a Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn, and Au polymetal vein system located to the southeast of Gonabad and in the northeast of Lut block. Oxidan subvolcanic Tertiary rocks with monzonite to monzodiorite porphyry composition intruded the metamorphic rocks of middle Jurassic. The majority of intrusive bodies are affected by carbonation, argillic, sericitic, and silicification-tourmaline alteration. Mineralization in the area is controlled by fault and is present as vein with domination of NW-SE direction and 85-90º dip. Primary minerals are quartz, tourmaline, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and secondary minerals are malachite, azurite, and goethite. Geochemical sampling using chip composite method indicated high anomalies of Cu, Sn, Pb, and As (up to 10000 ppm), Zn (up to 5527 ppm), and Au (up to 325 ppb). Broad gossan zone is present in the area and is related to the oxidation of sulfide minerals. IP/RS survey was performed over the geochemical anomalies for identification of the location and extension of sulfide mineralization at depth. Generally, chargeability increases in gossan zones, veins, old workings and geochemical anomalies. Resistivity over the quartzite unit and also in locations where mineralized vein is associated with quartz has a high anomaly of up to 425 ohm-m. Due to high geochemical anomaly of Sn and its relation with reduced subvolcanic intrusives, ground magnetic survey was performed to identify the location of magnetite (oxidant) and ilmenite (reduced) series at depth. Variation of Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) is 335.1 Gamma in the TMI map. The highest magnetic anomalies in the RTP map are located to the north of the survey area which is related to magnetite series (hornblende biotite monzodiorite porphyry) and extend to the south at depth. The lowest magnetic anomaly is located to the center of the survey area and particularly to the east of the Roudgaz village correlating the highest chargeability and geochemical anomaly. Based on coincidence of geochemical and chargeability anomalies, two holes were drilled in the area and 24 samples were collected from the core drills for geochemical analyses. The highest anomalies are accompanied by silicification and chlorite alteration and locations of extension of secondary Fe oxides.