Geochemistry, mineralization and alkali-Fe oxide alteration of the Lake Siah iron±apatite deposit (northeastern Bafq), Bafq-Saghand metallogenic province

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Mahin Rostami
• Ebrahim Tale Fazel

Bu-Ali Sina

10.22067/econg.v10i2.63377

Abstract

Introduction
Ore deposits of the Bafq-Saghand metallogenic province (IRAN) with Proterozoic age represent that they belong to classic genetic model for hydrothermal iron oxide (Cu, Au, U, REE) deposits, which is widely referred to as iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits (Samani, 1988; Daliran et al., 2007; 2010; Jami et al., 2007; Nabatian et al., 2015; Rajabi et al., 2015). According to the structural zone of Iran, the Bafq mining district is part of Central Iran and therein Kashmar-Kerman tectonic zone (Zarigan-Chahmir basin), and Lake Siah deposit occurs in Early Cambrian Volcano-Sedimentary Sequence (ECVSS). According to Förster et al. (1988) and Torab (2008), the Bafq mining district is composed of a huge volcanic suite in which sedimentary structures, fossils, and even glassy volcanics a surprisingly are well preserved. Calderas are important features in all volcanic environments and are commonly the sites of geothermal activity and mineralization (Cole et al., 2005). The Lake Siah iron±apatite deposit is located between Kusk and Esfordi deposits and 40 km northeastern Bafq (31°46´47² N and 55°42´56² E).
 
Materials and methods
A total of 50 samples were collected from the Lake Siah mine district. Ten samples of least-altered igneous rocks were analyzed for major, trace and rare earth elements by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) at the Acme laboratory (Canada). The detection limit for major oxide analysis is 0.01%. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) and backscattered electron (BSE) images of minerals were obtained using a Cameca SX100 electron microprobe at the Iran Mineral Process and Research Center (IMPRC). An accelerating voltage of 15 to 25 kV and beam current of 20 mA was used for all analyses.
 
Results and discussion
The Lake Siah deposit with a covering area of about 5 km2 is located in the Central Iran Block and therein Kashmar-Kerman tectonic zone (Zarigan-Chahmir basin). The Nb/Y versus Zr/TiO2 diagram shows a typical trend from rhyolite and evolving to andesite/trachyandesite compositions, with few data plotting in the dacite/rhyodacitic rocks. Most of the igneous rocks plot within the high-potassic calc-alkaline to shoshonitic fields in the Th/Yb versus Ta/Yb diagram (Pearce, 1983). All studied rocks show similar incompatible trace element patterns with an enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (LILE: K, Rb, Ba, Th) and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE: Nb and Ti), which are typical features of magmas from convergent margin tectonic settings. The Lake Siah deposit is composed of the hematite and magnetite as major minerals and apatite, goethite, pyrite and chalcopyrite as minor minerals. The deposit is controlled by NE-SW normal faults and occurs within early Cambrian trachyte, trachyandesite and rhyolite of the Lake Siah caldera. Intermediate argillic, sodic (albitic), silisic, potassic-calcic, hydrolytic (acidic), and sodic-calcic (Fe) alterations occur near the ore deposit. Lipman (1992) identifies a number of stages in the development of a caldera which includes: 1) pre-collapse volcanism, 2) caldera subsidence, 3) post-collapse magmatism and resurgence, and 4) hydrothermal activity and mineralization. Flow of dacite and andesite into the shallow magmatic system is facilitated by regional fault systems which provide pathways for magma ascent. Dacite and remobilized rhyolite rise buoyantly to form domes by collapse of the chamber roof and producing surface resurgent uplift. The resurgent deformation caused by magma ascent fractures the chamber roof, increasing its structural permeability and allowing rhyolite magmas to intrude and/or cause eruption. Explosive eruption of high viscosity magma is the cause of creating fractures and breccia in the host rocks and facilitated percolation Fe-P bearing magmatic fluids.
 
References
Cole, J.W., Milner, D.M. and Spinks, K.D., 2005. Calderas and caldera structures: a review. Earth Science Reviews, 69‌(1): 1–26.
Daliran, F., Stosch, H.G. and Williams, P., 2007. Multistage metasomatism and mineralization at hydrothermal Fe oxide-REE-apatite deposits and apatitites of the Bafq District, Central-East Iran. In: C.J. Andrew (Editor), Proceedings of the 9th Biennial Society for Geology Applied meeting, The Society for Geology Applied, Dublin, pp. 1501–1504.
Daliran, F., Stosch, H.G., Williams, P., Jamali, H. and Dorri, M.B., 2010. Early Cambrian iron oxide- apatite-REE (U) deposits of the Bafq District, east-central Iran. In: L. Corriveau and H. Mumin (Editors), Exploring for Iron Oxide Copper–gold deposits: Canada and global analogues. Geological Association of Canada, Canada, pp. 147–160.
Förster, H., Knittel, U. and Sennewald, S., 1988. Resurgent cauldrons and their mineralization, central Iran. Economic Geology, 74‌(6): 1485–1510.
Jami, M., Dunlop, A.C. and Cohen, D.R., 2007. Fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of the Esfordi apatite–magnetite deposit, Central Iran. Economic Geology, 102‌(6): 1111–1128.
Lipman, P.W., 1992. Ash-flow calderas as structural controls of ore deposits-recent work and future problems. United State Geological Survey Bulletin, 104‌(2): 32–39.
Nabatian, G., Rastad, E., Neubauer, F., Honarmand, M. and Ghaderi, M., 2015. Iron and Fe-Mn mineralization in Iran: implications for Tethyan metallogeny. Australian Journal of Earth Siences, 62‌(2): 211–241.
Pearce, J.A., 1983. Role of the sub-continental lithosphere in magma genesis at active continental margins. In: C.J. Hawkesworth and M.J. Norry (Editors), Continental Basalts and Mantle Xenoliths. The Royal Society, London, pp. 230–249.
Rajabi, A., Canet, C., Rastad, E. and Alfonso, P., 2015. Basin evolution and stratigraphic correlation of sedimentary-exhalative Zn-Pb deposits of the Early Cambrian Zarigan-Chahmir Basin, Central Iran. Ore Geology Reviews, 64‌(1): 328–353.
Samani, B., 1988. Metallogeny of the Precambrian in Iran. Precambrian Research, 39‌(1): 85–106.
Torab, F.M., 2008. Geochemistry and metallogeny of magnetite-apatite deposits of the Bafq mining district, central Iran. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Technical University of Clausthal, Clausthal, Germany, 131 pp.

Keywords

• alkali-Fe oxide alteration
• high-potassic to shoshonitic
• Lake Siah caldera complex
• Bafq
• Central Iran

20.1001.1.20087306.1397.10.2.12.7

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