Posht-e-Badam Metallogenic Block (Central Iran): A suitable zone for REE mineralization

One of the most important ores for REE mineralization are iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits. The Posht-e-Badam Block (PBB) is a part of the Central Iranian geostructural zone which is the host of most important Fe deposits of Iran. Exploration studies of the IOA deposits within the PBB (e.g. Esphordi, Gazestan, Zarigan, Lak-e-Siah, Sechahoun, Chahgaz, Mishdovan, Cheshmeh Firouzi and Shekarab) demonstrate that these deposits contain high contents of REE. Concentrations of ΣREE in the most important IOA deposits of the PBB include the following: the Esphordi deposit varies between 1.2 and 1.88%, the Gazestan deposit between 0.17 and 1.57%, the Zarigan deposit between 0.5 and 1.2% and the Lak-e-Siah deposit varies between 0.45 and 1.36%. Concentrations of ΣREE within the apatite crystals present within the IOA ores in the Esphordi, Lak-e-Siah and Homeijan deposits have ranges between 1.9–2.54%, 1.9–2.16% and of 2.55%, respectively. These elements are mainly concentrated in apatite crystals, but other minerals such as monazite, xenotime, bastnasite, urtite, alanite, thorite, parisite–synchysite and britholite have been recognized as hosts of REEs, as small inclusions within the apatite crystals, and in subsequent carbonate, hematite–carbonate and quartz veins and veinlets. Given the extent of this block and the presence of several IOA deposits within this block, and also the high grades of REEs within these deposits, one can reasonably state that it is obvious that there are significant resources of REEs in this part of Iran

Intermediate sulfidation type base metal mineralization at Aliabad-Khanchy, Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic belt, NW Iran

The Aliabad-Khanchy epithermal base metal deposit is located in the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic belt (THMB) of northwest Iran. The mineralization occurs as Cu-bearing brecciated quartz veins hosted by Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation. Ore formation can be divided into five stages, with most ore minerals, such as pyrite and chalcopyrite being formed in the early stages. The main wall-rock alteration is silicification, and chlorite, argillic and propylitic alteration. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusion assemblages show that the ore-forming fluids have eutectic temperatures between −30° and −52°C, trapping temperatures of 150° to 290°C, and salinities of 6.6 to 12.4 wt.% NaCl equiv. These data demonstrate that the ore-forming fluids were medium- to high-temperature, medium- to low-salinity, and low-density H2O–NaCl–CaCl2 fluids. Calculated δ18O values indicate that ore-forming hydrothermal fluids had δ18Owater ranging from +3.6 to +0.8‰, confirming that the ore–fluid system evolved from dominantly magmatic to dominantly meteoric. The calculated 34SH2S values range from –8.1 to –5.0‰, consistent with derivation of the sulfur from either magma or possibly from local volcanic wall-rock. Combined, the fluid inclusion and stable isotope data indicate that the Aliabad-Khanchy deposit formed from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. After rising to a depth of between 790 and 500 m, the fluid boiled and subsequent hydraulic fracturing may have led to inflow and/or mixing of early magmatic fluids with circulating groundwater causing deposition of base metals due to dilution and/or cooling. The Aliabad-Khanchy deposit is interpreted as an intermediate-sulfidation style of epithermal mineralization. Our data suggest that the mineralization at Aliabad-Khanchy and other epithermal deposits of the THMB formed by hydrothermal activity related to shallow late Eocene magmatism. The altered Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, especially at the intersection of subvolcanic stocks with faults were the most favorable sites for epithermal ore bodies in the THMB

Petrology and petrogenesis of Kamtal Intrusion Eastern Azarbaijan, NW Ian

Abstract The Kamtal Intrusion is located in Eastern Azarbaijan province, northwestern Iran, near the Armenian border. This body consists of an acidic part of monzogranitic composition, and an intermediate-basic part which is composed of quartz-monzonite and gabbro. The gabbro forms lenses within the intermediate rocks. Monzogranite has been intruded into the quartz-monzonite. Both monzogranites and quartz-monzonites are high-K calk-alkaline and metaluminous in composition and can be classified as I-type granitoids, while the gabbro has tholeiitic affinity. Monzogranite and quartz-monzonite are characterized by LREE-rich patterns and high LREE/HREE ratios. The similarities of their REE patterns suggest a genetic relationship among these rocks. The geochemical characters of the gabbro types indicate two different patterns: a flat pattern with low LREE/HREE ratio, and a steep pattern with high LREE/HREE ratio. The former was probably produced by high melting ratio of a depleted mantle source, and the steep pattern probably was the result of a low melting ratio of this mantle source. Negative anomalies of Nb and Ti can be seen in all rock types of the Kamtal Intrusion, which is indicative of subduction zones. The comparison of trace element variations with granitoid rocks of different tectonic settings allows observing a similarity between the Kamtal Intrusion and Andean volcanic arc granitoids. The Kamtal body is related to the VAG tectonic setting and was probably produced as a result of Khoy back-arc basin subduction beneath the Azerbaijan continental crust

Lithological sequence, geochemistry and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic data of Marshoun volcanic rocks, North Abhar (Tarom-Hashtjin subzone)

Marshoun area located 120Km Southeast of Zanjan, is a part of the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic-magmatic subzone within the Alborz-Azarbaijan zone. Similar to most parts of the Alborz-Azarbaijan zone, the Eocene-Oligocene volcanic and the intrusive rocks of this subzone were formed as a result of the Alpine orogenic phase, which has a close spatial and temporal relationship with metallic mineralization (Kouhestani et al., 2019). Several studies have been conducted on metallic mineralizations in different parts of the Tarom-Hashtjin subzone. The petrological studies carried out in this subzone are mainly focused on intrusive rocks (e.g., Seyed Qaraeini et al., 2020) and volcanic rocks' geochemical and petrological characteristics have been less considered. Marshoun area is composed of volcanic-sedimentary sequences which are hosts for Pb-Zn-Cu mineralization (Kouhestani et al., 2019). A detailed scientific study has not been done on the lithological sequence and their geochemical and petrological characteristics in the Marshoun area so far. In the present study, the lithological and geochemical characteristics including Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic data, as well as the tectonomagmatic environment of the volcanic rocks of the area have been investigated.Materials and methodsDuring fieldwork, a 1:25000 geological map prepared from different lithological units of the area and over 30 samples were taken. Also, 17 thin sections for petrographical studies, 10 samples for chemical and 4 samples (2 andesites and 2 dacites) for iaoopic analyses. Chemical analyses (XRF and ICP–MS methods) were carried out at Zarazma Laboratory, Tehran, Iran., and isotopic studies (i.e. Nd, Sr, and Pb isotope studies at Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Geosciences, Beijing, China.ResultsThe predominant rock units in the Marshoun area are Eocene acidic tuffs, dacitic-rhyodacitic lava, and occasionally ignimbrite at the base and alternation of intermediate tuff with minor andesite and basaltic andesite intercalation in the top, along with some intrusive rocks with (Zajkan intrusion), and some gabbroic dykes.Zajkan intrusion including pyroxene quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzodiorite, and granodiorite composition intruded acidic volcano-sedimentary rocks with a total thickness of 930 meters can be divided into 9 parts.Volcanic rocks of the Marshoun area are classified as rhyolite, rhyodacite, dacite, andesite, basaltic andesite, and trachy-andesite with high-K calc-alkaline affinity. Dacitic-rhyodacitic rocks have porphyritic, flow, and spherolitic textures, composed of plagioclase, quartz, alkali feldspar, and mafic minerals (amphibole and biotite) set in a quartz-felspathic groundmass whereas, andesitic rocks show porphyritic, glomeroporphyritic, and amygdaloidal textures, composed of plagioclase and mafic minerals (amphibole and some pyroxene) set in a fine-grained and occasionally microlithic groundmass.All samples under study on primitive mantle normalized spider diagrams, have similar patterns indicative of their genetic relations. LILEs and HFSEs. negative anomalies are remarkable features of these rocks. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns demonstrate a relatively steep to low slope pattern with LREE enrichment and a high ratio of LREE/HREE, (La/Yb)N, and (La/Sm)N ratio between 3.8-30.1 and 1.2-8.25, respectively. On tectonomagmatic setting discrimination diagrams, volcanic rocks of the Marshoun area have been formed in an active continental margin tectonic setting. Isotopic data of Sr (0.70485-0.70622), Nd (0.512695-0.712733), and Pb (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb between 18.743-18.803, 15.5938-15.6112 and 38.8138-18.0721, respectively) point to dominant role of mantle in the formation of the investigated rocks. According to the Pb isotopes, the area's acidic rocks originated either from a more enriched mantle or were contaminated by crustal materials during ascending magma.Discussion and ConclusionAs the geochemical data indicate the primary magma of Marshoun volcanic rocks is generated by the partial melting of subcontinental metasomatized mantle lithosphere as a result of the subduction process within the continental margin environment. According to data obtained from the present study as well as the previous research, it can be concluded that the result of the subduction of the active continental margin and the shortening of the crust in Alborz during the Eocene gave rise to the thickening of continental crust and further led to the separation and subsidence of the lower part of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (delamination).As a result of this event, the ascending of asthenosphere currents has led to an increase in the thermal gradient and partial melting of the subcontinental lithosphere and generation of basic magma which during ascending contaminated by crustal materials. Finally, the differentiation process led to the formation of intermediate and acidic rocks.AcknowledgmentThis research study was made possible by a grant from the office of the vice-chancellor of research and technology, University of Zanjan. We hereby acknowledge their generous support. The Journal of Petrology reviewers and editor are also thanked for their constructive comment

Fluid inclusion, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and O-S isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the tashvir and varmazyar epithermal base metal deposits, NW Iran

Tashvir and Varmazyar deposits are part of the epithermal ore system in the Tarom–Hashtjin Metallogenic Belt (THMB), NW Iran. In both deposits, epithermal veins are hosted by Eocene volcanic-volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation and are spatially associated with late Eocene granitoid intrusions. The ore assemblages consist of pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, galena, and sphalerite (Fe-poor), with lesser amounts of bornite and minor psilomelane and pyrolusite. Fluid inclusion measurements from the Tashvir and Varmazyar revealed 182–287 and 194–285°C formation temperatures and 2.7–7.9 and 2.6–6.4 wt.% NaCl equivalent salinities, respectively. The oxygen isotope data suggested that the mineralizing fluids originated dominantly from a magmatic fluid that mixed with meteoric waters. The sulfur isotope data indicated that the metal and sulfur sources were largely a mixture of magma and surrounding sedimentary rocks. LA-ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating of the granitoid intrusion at Tashvir and Varmazyar, yielded a weighted mean age of 38.34–38.31 and 40.85 Ma, respectively, indicating that epithermal mineralization developed between 40.85 and 38.31 Ma. Our data indicated that fluid mixing along with some fluid boiling were the main drives for hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Tashvir and Varmazyar. All these characteristics suggested an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal style of mineralization. The THMB is proposed to be prospective for precious and base metal epithermal mineralization. Considering the extensional tectonic setting, and lack of advanced argillic lithocaps and hypersaline fluid inclusions, the THMB possibly has less potential for economically important porphyry mineralization

Petrology and geochemistry of Granitoids at Khanchay-Aliabad region, Tarom sub-zone, East of Zanjan

Khanchay-Aliabad area as a part of Tarom magmatic belt contains some shallow depth intrusions which are intruded the Eocene volcanic- sedimentary rocks and have very close association with Cu mineralization. The Eocene volcanic- sedimentary rocks include alternation of basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite, various kinds of tuff, tuffaceous sandstone, sandstone, siltstone and occasionally shale. Petrographical studies demonstrate that intrusions are pyroxene quartz monzonite and olivine gabbro in composition. The Khanchay pyroxene quartz monzonite have porphyritic to porphyroidic, hetero-granular to sereitic, ophitic and sub- ophitic textures and composed of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, hornblende, quartz, K-feldspar and biotite. The Aliabad pyroxene quartz monzonite shows porphyritic to porphyroidic textures composing of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and hornblende in the quartz- feldspatic matrix. The Khanchay olivine gabbro is characterized by the presence of coarse grained granular, ophitic and sub- ophitic textures as well as the occurrence of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and olivine. Geochemical studies indicate that the Khanchay- Aliabad pyroxene quartz monzonitic intrusions have SiO2 content varying from 59.58 to 61.34 %. These intrusions have high- K calc- alkaline nature and are classified as I-type metaluminous granitoids. Their similar patterns on spider diagrams are indication of genetic relation of these intrusions. On these diagrams LILEs (Ba, K, Th and Pb) enrichment along with negative anomalies of HFSEs (Nb and Ti) are observed. Moreover, the Chondrite normalized REE patterns demonstrate LREE enrichment with high ratio of LREE/HREE and Lan/Ybn ratio ranging from 3.08 to 3.72. The overall  field investigation, petrological and geochemical studies as well as  tectonic setting discrimination diagrams confirm that the Khanchay- Aliabad high-K intrusions were formed from a subduction related metasomatized lithospheric mantle in a post- collisional setting

Geology, geochemistry, fluid inclusion data, stable isotope characteristics, and ore genesis of the Barout Aghaji gold deposit, NW Zanjan, Iran

The Barout Aghaji gold deposit is located ∼90 km northwest of Zanjan, within the Takab-Takht-e-Soleyman subzone of the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphosed-deformed zone. Ore-bearing quartz veins are hosted by Neoproterozoic amphibolite and Eocene to Oligocene granitic gneisses. Oligo-Miocene Upper Red Formation unconformably overlies the amphibolite and granitic gneisses. Field observations and petrographic studies show that two deformation stages occurred in this area. The first deformation stage was ductile, producing mylonitic and proto-mylonitic microstructures, but the second one was brittle, represented by sheeted quartz veins and veinlets. In the first stage, barren milky quartz veins occurred containing minor sulfide minerals, but dark to light gray ore-bearing quartz veins and veinlets are formed in the latter stage. The mineralized veins appear as massive microcrystalline quartz cut by sheeted quartz veins with comb, druse, and crustiform textures. The gold-bearing quartz veins contain as much as 3% sulfide minerals. Pyrite is the main sulfide mineral and is associated with minor chalcopyrite. Sulfides are commonly altered to hematite, goethite, and rarely malachite. Hydrothermal alteration around the quartz veins consists of silicification, pyritization, and sericitization. The whole-rock geochemistry of the collected samples from the granitic gneisses and quartz veins shows that Au is enriched in the quartz veins (average of 114 ppb) relative to host rocks (average of 22.5 ppb). Au shows strong positive correlations with As, Ba, Mo, Pb, Sc, Tl, Ag, and negative correlations with Cu, Bi, Se, and Te in the granitic gneisses. It also shows strong positive correlations with S, Hg, Th, Co, Bi, Pb, and Ag and negative correlations with P, V, Te, W, Sc, Zn in quartz veins. Four types of primary fluid inclusions were identified, including type I, two-phase aqueous-rich fluid inclusions (liquid > vapor; LV); type II, two-phase vapor-rich fluid inclusions (gas > liquid; VL); type III, three-phase fluid inclusions containing CO2 with clathrate formation (L1L2V); and type IV three-phase fluid inclusions (aqueous, vapor, and solid; LVS). The homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions in auriferous quartz veins range from 199 −446 with a mode of 270–300 °C. Salinities range from 0.8 to 49.02 wt% NaCl Equiv. with two distinct populations at 0.8–8.5 and 31.1–49.02 wt% NaCl Equiv. The large variations in the homogenization temperatures and salinities can be attributed to the cooling and isothermal mixing of fluids. The δ34S values for four pyrites separated from auriferous quartz veins range from +2.9 to +7.1‰, with an average of 4.5‰. δ34S values of fluids in equilibrium with pyrite were calculated from +3.5 to +7.3‰, with an average of 5.4‰, indicating a metamorphic source for the sulfur using temperatures estimated from the fluid inclusion study. The Field observations, vein textures, mineralogy, ore geochemistry, fluid inclusion studies, and sulfur isotope data indicate that gold mineralization in the Barout Aghaji area has many similarities to orogenic and intrusion-related gold deposits, such that low salinity fluids derived from metamorphic rocks are mixed with high salinity fluid inclusions possibly derived from granitic gneisses during syn to post tectonic magmatism

Mineralogy and skarnification processes at the Avan Cu-Fe Skarn, northeast of Kharvana, NW Iran

Introduction The Avan Cu-Fe skarn is located at the southern margin of Qaradagh batholith, about 60 km north of Tabriz. The Skarn-type metasomatic alteration is the result of Qaradagh batholith intrusion into the Upper Cretaceous impure carbonates. The studied area belongs to the Central Iranian structural zone. In regional scale, the studied area is a part of the Zangezour mineralization zone in the Lesser Caucasus. Several studies (Karimzadeh Somarin and Moayed, 2002; Calagari and Hosseinzadeh, 2005; Mokhtari, 2008; Baghban Asgharinezhad, 2012; Mokhtari, 2012) including master’s theses and research programs have been done on some skarns in the Azarbaijan area considering their petrologic and mineralization aspects. However, before this study, the Avan skarn aureole has not been studied in detail. In this paper, various geological aspects of the Avan skarn including mineralogy, bi-metasomatic alteration, metasomatism and mineralization during the progressive and retrograde stages of the skarnification processes have been studied in detail. Research Method This research consists of field and laboratory studies. Field studies include preparation of the geological map, identifying the relationship between the intrusion and the skarn aureole, identifying the relationship between different parts of the skarn zone and also collecting samples for laboratory studies. Laboratory studies include petrography, mineralography and microprobe studies. Cameca SX100 Microprobe belonging to Geological Survey of the Czech Republic was used in order to determine the chemical composition of the calc-silicate minerals such as pyroxene and garnet in garnet skarn and pyroxene- garnet skarn sub-zones. Discussion and conclusion Qaradagh batholith is composed of discrete acid to mafic phases including gabbro, diorite, quartz diorite, quartz monzonite, quartz monzodiorite, tonalite, granodiorite, monzogranite and granite porphyry which is dominated by granodiorite-quartz monzonite. Granitoids of this batholith are metaluminus, high K calc-alkaline I-type granite (Mokhtari, 2008). The Avan Cu-Fe skarn is related to the intrusion of granodioritic-quartz monzonitic part of the Qaradagh batholith into the Upper Cretaceous flysch- type rocks consisting of biomicrite, clay limestone, marl, siltstone and mudstone. The Avan skarn consists of three zones of endoskarn, exoskarn and marble. The main Cu-Fe mineralized zone is related to the exoskarn zone, which has 600 meters of length and 50 meters of thickness, respectively. The Exoskarn zone consists of garnet skarn, pyroxene-garnet skarn and ore skarn sub-zones. Garnet, belonging to ugrandite series (Ad53-89) with more than 50 percentage in volume, is the most important anhydrous calc-silicate mineral in the garnet skarn and the pyroxene-garnet skarn sub-zones. Some of the garnet crystals are zoned and their chemical composition changes toward the rim to almost pure andradite (Ad99). Clinopyroxene which has diopsidic composition (Di75-96), is another anhydrous calc-silicate mineral in the exoskarn zone with an abundance that reaches up to 50 percent in volume in pyroxene-garnet skarn sub-zone. The ore skarn sub-zone is located toward the outer part of the exoskarn zone and close to the border of the marble zone. The abundance of ore minerals in this sub-zone reaches up to 50 percentage in volume and includes magnetite, hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, malachite and goethite among which pyrite is the most abundant. In this sub-zone, anhydrous calc-silicate minerals of garnet and clinopyroxene have undergone intensive alteration and are replaced with hydrous calc-silicate (epidote and tremolite- actinolite), oxide (magnetite and hematite) and sulfide (pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite) minerals. Based on the textural and mineralogical studies, the skarnification processes in the studied area can be categorized into two main stages: 1) prograde and 2) retrograde. During the prograde stage, the heat flow of the granitoid has caused isochemical metamorphism and changing more pure limestones to marble and marlly limestones to skarnoid (metamorphism and bi-metasomatism). The high temperature magmatic fluids have caused prograde metamorphism during which anhydrous calc-silicate minerals including garnet and pyroxene have appeared. During the early retrograde stage, i.e. the mineralization sub-stage, lower temperature hydrothermal fluids have caused hydrolysis and carbonization because of which anhydrous calc-silicate minerals along with their fractures and microfractures are changed to hydrous calc-silicate (epidote and tremolite-actinolite), oxide (magnetite and hematite), sulfide (pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite) and carbonate (calcite) minerals. During the late retrograde stage, relatively low temperature fluids have altered anhydrous and hydrous calc-silicate mineral assemblage formed during the previous stages into a very fine grained mineral assemblage including clay minerals, chlorite and iron hydroxides. Presence of replacement textures in ore minerals and anhydrous calc-silicate minerals accompanied with open filling textures in the anhydrous calc-silicate minerals, for example oxide and sulphide veinlets within the garnet crystals, indicate that the mentioned ore minerals have been simultaneously generated with hydrous calc-silicate minerals (epidote and tremolite-actinolite) during the early prograde stage. The presence of minor amounts of wollastonite among the mineral assemblage of the Avan skarn, intergrowth of garnet and pyroxene, absence of reaction rim between garnet and clinopyroxene and absence of replacement textures indicate that these minerals have been simultaneously generated within the temperature ranges of 430–600 ºC and ƒO2 > 10-26, respectively. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the Journal of Economic Geology reviewers and editors for their constructive suggestions to the manuscript. Reference Baghban Asgharinezhad, S., 2012. Investigation of genesis, mineralogy and geochemistry of Fe-Cu skarn in Astamal area, NE Kharvana, Eastern Azarbaijan. MSc. Thesis, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, 185 pp. (in Persian with English abstract) Calagari, A.A. and Hosseinzadeh, G., 2005. The mineralogy of copper-bearing skarn to the east of the Sungun-Chay River, East-Azarbaijan, Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 28(4-6): 423-438. Karimzadeh Somarin, A. and Moayed, M., 2002. Granite and gabbro-diorite associated skarn deposits of NW Iran. Ore geology reviews, 20(3-4): 127-138. Mokhtari, M.A.A., 2008. Petrology, geochemistry and petrogenesis of Qaradagh batholith (east of Syahrood, Eastern Azarbaijan) and related skarn with considering mineralization. Ph.D. Thesis, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, 347 pp. (in Persian with English abstract) Mokhtari, M.A.A., 2012. The mineralogy and petrology of the Pahnavar Fe skarn, in the Eastern Azarbaijan, NW Iran. Central European Journal of Geosciences, 4(4): 578-591