Metallogeny of Manto-type copper deposits in the northwest and west of Bardaskan, Razavi Khorasan with a special view in Nasim, Mes-e-Sorkh and Zarmehr mines

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Ali Sheykhi ¹
• Mohammad Hassan Karimpour ²
• Ali Asghar Sepahi ³
• Behnam Rahimi ⁴

¹ M.Sc., Parsikankav Company, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Department of Geology and Research Center for Ore Deposit of Eastern Iran, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, U.S.A

³ Professor, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

⁴ Professor, Department of Geology and Research Center for Ore Deposit of Eastern Iran, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22067/econg.2025.1137

Abstract

Manto-type copper mines in the Bardaskan-Doruneh metallogenic belt are located in the northwest and west of Bardaskan, Razavi Khorasan province. Hydrothermal solution has a special chemistry, including rich of copper and poor of gold, silver, lead, zinc, iron and silica compared to porphyry copper, IOCG and massive sulphide deposits. Misunderstanding of solution chemistry and paragenesis is lead to challenging the origin of elements. Majority of the units from the belt are Tertiary volcanic rocks with a spectrum of basalt, basaltic andesite, trachyandesite and andesite, associated with sedimentary and evaporite units such as conglomerate, limestone, siltstone and gypsiferous marls. Also, some intrusive units are sometimes visible as dyke and stock. There are more than ten active mines in the region. The main host-rock of mineralization is conglomerate. The conglomerate is a database and a treasure, containing information about rock units, alteration and mineralization pre-formation, and provides a suitable environment for mineralization post-formation due to porosity. The conglomerate unit is different in size, material and cement. The most important sulphide mineral is chalcocite. Various alterations have been formed during different times and can be investigated in two groups and at least three stages in the region: the first group occurred pre-formation of the conglomerate, the second group occurred post-formation of the conglomerate and especially alterations created syn- and related to mineralization. 
 
Introduction
The Bardaskan-Doruneh copper belt that is located on the volcanic belt related with subduction zone includes numbers of Manto-type copper mines such as Zangalu, Zarmehr, Kooh-Siah, Kimia, Mehr-Ajin, Mes-e-Sorkh, Cheshme Hadi, Nasim, Cheshme Marzieh and many cases of mineral areas with the northeast-southwest direction. Host rock is conglomerate. According to the studies on different types of Manto-type copper deposits, mineralization is younger than volcanic activities, conglomerate and limestone units. Mineralization is controlled by lithology and the thickness and grade of ore increase in fault boundaries.
 
Materials and Methods
This study was done in two parts: field studies and laboratory works. During 60 km, field operations were carried out in the region. Works include field surveying and searching in the study area that important indicators for mineralization were controlled and tectonic structures were investigated. Samples were taken from rock units and mineralization for microscopic studies. Drilling cores in different mines were visited and studied. Mineralization, grade changes and host rock were investigated in the mining pits of the region.
 
Discussion and Results
There are two types of conglomerate with two different ages in the area: The Pliocene-Pleistocene conglomerate is the extensive sedimentary unit in the study area. Paleocene-Eocene conglomerate is the most important rock unit related to Manto-type copper deposits in the Bardaskan as the host rock for mineralization. Volcanic activities and rocks in the study area were formed in non-marine conditions because no sedimentary units were formed in the sequence of volcanic rocks and also volcanic rocks did not show the structure and texture of formation in sea environment. During formation of Conglomerate, environment was erosive and water erosion (rivers) was lead to the formation of conglomerate. lithological units are eroded and transported by water, and finally the conglomerate rock unit is formed, and the environment gradually turns into the sea and nomulitic limestone is formed. Conglomerate is a database that show information and evidences of rock units and alterations before the erosion period and this unit had been the best choice for circulation of ore solution for mineralization due to its porosity. The conglomerate contains rounded fragments of andesite, pyroxene andesite, trachyandesite, basalt and basaltic andesite, and also fragments of intrusive and sedimentary units. At the base, the conglomerate cement is made of volcanic units, and it becomes carbonate cement towards the upper parts.
All phenomena in the conglomerate, especially alteration, are not related to the time of mineralization.
 
Acknowledgments
This Research has been done with financial support of the vice President for Research and Technology Ferdowsi University under Project No.59745/3. We would like to thank Mr Engineer Zarin Far and Mr Dr Kazemi, and to my friends at Komeh Madan Pars Company, Parsi-Kan Kav Company, Mehad Company and Zarmehr Tehran-Oxin Company for cooperating this research.

Keywords

• Conglomerate
• Origin of elements
• Solution chemistry
• Alteration
• Bardaskan

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