Comparison of Qaleh Zari Cu-Au-Ag deposit with other Iron Oxides Cu-Au (IOGC-type) deposits, a new classification

Abstract

The Qaleh-Zari specularite- rich Cu-Au-Ag deposit is located 180 Km south of Birjand. Host rocks are mainly Tertiary andesites and andesitic basalts and some Jurassic shales and sandstones. Andesitic rocks from the western region of Qaleh-Zari were dated to 40.5±2 Ma. Four trends of faults and joints are identified in the mine area.  The oldest is mineralized. Three major sub-parallel quartz veins are present. No. 2 vein is the main vein and can be traced for more than 3.5 km along strike (N40°W) and more than 350 m down dip. Paragenesis: Stage I: specularite, quartz, Fe-chlorite, chalcopyrite and sulfosalts. Specularite deposited first and forms 10 to 25 percent of the vein. Ore grade is 2 to 9% Cu, Ag 100 to 650 ppm, and Au 0.5 to 35 ppm. Propylitic alteration is dominant and epidote is very abundant. Argillic alteration is locally present. Silicification is mainly found within the vein zone. Temperature of homogenization of primary fluid inclusions in quartz associated with specularite and Cu, Ag, and Au mineralization was between 240°C and 360°C. The salinity of ore fluid was between 1.0 and 6.0 wt% equiv. NaCl and the CO2 was < 0.1 mole%. Based on the presence of hematite, chalcopyrite, Fe-rich chlorite, and, locally pyrite, and on the absence of magnetite and pyrrhotite, the ore fluid was very oxidizing. Some important differences between Qaleh-Zari and other iron-Oxides Cu-Au deposits are: (1) The salinity is very low (< 6 wt% NaCl equiv.), (2) absence of magnetite and apatite, (3) low REE and P., and 4) high grade Cu, Ag, and Au. Differences in the amount of Cu, Au, REE, P, U, F and some other elementals in iron-oxides Cu-Au deposits are related to: Tectonic setting, depth of magmatism, source of magma, degree of partial melting, physicochemical condition of melting, rate of ascending, crystal assimilation, degree of fractionation, and depth of emplacement.

Keywords

References

[1] Jensen E. P., Barton M. D., "Gold deposits related to alkaline magmatism", Reviews in Econ. Geol. 13 (2000) 279-314.

[2] Barton M. D., Johnson D. A., Zurcher L., "Phanerozoic iron-Oxide (-REE-Cu-Au-U) systems in Southwestern North America and their origins", Geological Society of Nevada Symposium (2000).

[3] Hitzman M. W., Oreskes N., Einaudi M. T., "Geological characteristics and tectonic setting of Proterozoic iron oxides (Cu-U-Au-REE) deposits", Precambrian Research 58 (1992) 241-287.

[4] Sillitoe R. C., "Iron oxide-copper-gold deposits: an Andean view", Mineralium Deposita 38 (2003) 787–812.

[5] Lensch G., Schmidt K., "Plate tectonic, orogeny, and mineralization in the Iranian fold belts results and conclusions", N. Jb. Geol. Palaont. Abh. 168, 2/3 (1984) 558-568.

[6] Kluyver H. M., Griffts R. J, Tirrul R., Chance P. N., Meixner H. M., "Explanatory Text of the Lakar Kuh Quadrangle 1:250,000", Published by Geol. Surv. Iran (1978).

[7] Sadaghyani-Avval F., "Etude geologique de la region de la mine de Khali-Eh-Zari (Iran) mineralization et inclusions fluids", Ph.D theses, unpublished equipe de recherche aur les equilibrites entre fluides et mineraux, Universite de Nancy I. (1976) 165p.

[8] Tarkian M., Lotfi M., Bauman A., "Tectonic, magmatism and the formation of mineral deposits in central Lut, East of Iran", Geol. Survey of Iran, Rep. No. 57 (1983) p. 357-383.

[9] Roedder E., "Fluid Inclusions in Ribbe", P. Reviews in Mineralogy, MSA. V 12 (1984).

[10] Karimpour M. H., Khin Z., "Geochemistry and physicochemical condition of Qaleh-Zari Cu-Ag-Au ore bearing solution based on chlorite composition", Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy 8 (2000) 3-22.

[11] Suzuki Yuichi, Katsumi Ogawa, Niihito Akiyama, "Copper ores from Qaleh Zari mine", Iran. Mining Geology 26 (1976) 385-391.

[12] Espinoza S., Veliz H., Esquivel S., Arias J., Moraga A., "The cupriferous province of the Costal Range, Northern Chile: Andean copper deposits", Society of Economic Geology Spec Publ. 5 (1966) 18-32.

[13] Leveille R., Marschik R., "Iron oxides copper-gold deposits in south America", International Geological Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 6-17 (2000).

[14] Vila T., Lindsa, N., Zamora R., "Geology of the Manto Verde copper deposit, Northern Chile. A specularite-rich, hydrothermal-tectonic breccia related to the Atacama fault zone", Soc. Econ. Geologist Special Publication No. 5, ed. by: Camus F., Sillitoe R.H., Peterson R., (1996) p.157-170.

[15] Drobeck P, Hillemeyer F. L., Frost E. G., Liebler G. S., "The Picacho mine: A gold mineralized detachment in Southeastern California", Arizona Geological Society Digest V. XVI (1986) pp. 187-221.

[16] Marschik R., Leveille R. A., "The Candelaria-Punta del Cobre iron oxide copper-gold deposits, Chile", Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs (1998) A-371.

[17] Skirrow R. G., "Gold-Copper-Bismuth Deposits of the Tennant Creek District, Australia: A Reappraisal of Diverse High-Grade Systems", ed. by: Porter T.M., "Hydrothermal iron Oxide Copper-Gold & Related Deposits. A Global Perspective", Australian Mineral Foundation, Adelaide 1 (2000) 350.

[18] Large R. R., "Zonation of hydrothermal minerals at the Juno Mine, Tennant Creek Goldfield", Central Australia. Econ. Geol. 70 (1975) pp. 1347-1413.

[19] Khin Z., Huston D. L, Large R. R., Mernagh T., Hoffmann C. F. "Microthermometry and geochemistry of fluid inclusions from the Tennant Creek gold-copper deposits: implications for ore deposition and exploration", Mineralium Deposita 29 (1994) pp. 288-300.

[20] Nie-Fengjun., "Geology and origin of the Dongping alkalic-type gold deposit, northern Hebei Province, People's Republic of China", Resource Geology 48 (1998) 139-158.

[21] Hodgkison J., "Olympic Dam-Expanding and Changing the Geological Interpretations of a Major Deposit and Its Implications", Technology- Australia's Future: New Technology for Traditional Industries, Academy Symposium, November (1998).

[22] Haynes D., Cross K., Bills R., Reed M, "Olympic Dam Ore Genesis. A Fluid-Mixing Model", in Econ. Geol. 90 (1995) pp. 281-307.

[23] Oreskes N., Hitzman M.W., "A model for the origin of Olympic Dam-type deposits. Mineral deposit modeling", Gelogical Association of Canada, Special paper 40 (1993).

[24] Fox Kari A., Hitzman M. W., "Superimposed magnetite and iron oxide-Cu-Au mineralization at Productora, Chilean iron", Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. Programs 33: No. 6 (2001).

[25] Pollard P. J., "Evidence of a Magmatic Fluid Source for iron Oxide-Cu-Au Mineralisation", ed. By: Porter T.M., "Hydrothermal iron Oxide Copper-Gold & Related Deposits: A Global Perspective", Australian Mineral Foundation, Adelaide, volume 1 (2000) 350.

[26] Sillitoe R. H., Thompson J. F. H., "Intrusion-related vein gold deposits: Types, tectono-Magmatic settings and difficulties of distinction from orogenic gold deposits", Resources Geology 48, 4 (1998) pp. 237-250.

[27] Karimpour M. H., Khin Zaw, Huston D. L., "S-C-O isotopes, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and the genesis of ore bearing fluids at Qaleh-Zari Fe-oxide Cu-Au-Ag mine, Iran", (2005) In press.

[28] Hassan Nejad A. A., "Geology and Geochemistry of Qaleh-Zari Cu Au-Ag deposit", Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Shiraz, Iran (1993).

[29] Barton M. D., Johnson D. A., "Evaporitic-source model for igneous-related Fe oxide-(REE-Cu-Au-U) mineralization", Geology 24(3) (1996) pp. 259-262.

[30] Barton M. D., Johnson D. A., "A comparison of Fe-oxide (Cu-Au-REE-U-Co-Ag) mineralization", Annual meeting abstracts with programs. Geological Society of America 29; 6 (1997) 51.

[31] Barton M. D., Johnson D. A, Hanson R. B., "Evaluation of possible roles of non-magmatic brines in igneous-related hydrothermal systems, especially Fe (-Cu-Au-REE) deposits", Annual meeting abstracts with programs, Geological Society of America 30; 7 (1998) 127.

[32] Barton M. D., Johnson D. A., "Evaporitic source model for igneous-related Fe oxide-(REE-Cu-Au-U) mineralization", Geology 24 (1996) pp. 259-262.

[33] Haynes D. W., "Iron oxide copper (-gold) deposits: their position in the ore deposit spectrum and modes of origin", ed. by: Porter T.M., "Hydrothermal iron oxide copper-gold and related deposits, A global perspective", Australian Mineral Foundation, Adelaide (2000) pp 71–90.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 02 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 February 2026
  • Accept Date: 02 July 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics