Geology, geochemistry and genesis of Kaj-Kolah polymetallic deposit, SE Zanjan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

2 Department of Earth Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran

3 4- Teacher of geology, Ministry of Education, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

The Kaj-Kalah polymetallic deposit is situated in the southeastern Zanjan, specifically within the Tarom subzone and the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic belt. This deposit is associated with the Tarom intrusive rock. The composition of the Tarom intrusive rock in the area ranges from quartz monzonite to quartz monzodiorite, with the primary mineral constituents including plagioclase, alkali feldspar, quartz, and clinopyroxene. The geochemical characteristics of the Tarom intrusive rock exhibit a high potassium calc-alkaline to shoshonitic affinity, which is associated with a subduction tectonic setting. Manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and barium (Ba) mineralization has been occurred in the Kaj-Kalah deposit in the form of vein-veinlet and lens-shaped within the Tarem intrusive rock. The main ore minerals in this deposit include galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, psilomelan, pyrolusite, manganite, chalcocite, caveolite, malachite and goethite. Gangue minerals also include calcite, barite and quartz. The primary textures observed in this deposit encompass massive, needle-like, vein and veinlet, comb, and botryoidal forms. Additionally, on a microscopic scale, the textures include replacement, vein and veinlet, botryoidal, massive, relict, and open space filling. The primary and initial phase of mineralization within this deposit is characterized by sulfide mineralization, which is subsequently intersected by the oxide mineralization phase. The oxide phase in this deposit is further divided into two subphases: quartz-barite and quartz-manganese. In the final phase of mineralization, quartz and calcite vein-veinlets intersect the earlier mineralization stages. The distribution patterns of chondrite-normalized rare and rare earth elements in both mineralized and intrusive rock samples exhibit notable similarities. This observation suggests that the intrusive rock significantly contributes to the generation of alteration and ore-forming fluids within this deposit. Based on field investigations, microscopic studies, and geochemical characteristics, the Kaj-Kalah polymetallic deposit demonstrates the greatest resemblance to intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposits

Keywords


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