Geology, Petrography, Modern Mineralogy, and Formation of Minerals and Ore Minerals of the Qareh Tappeh Cu (–Au) Deposit (East of Maku, Northwestern Iran)
1
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2
University of Tabriz
10.22128/ijcm.2025.3078.1013
Abstract
The Qareh Tappeh mineralized zone, situated east of Maku, consists of Permian carbonate rocks that include organic-rich dolomites and evaporite layers. Copper occurs in veins and veinlets, primarily as chalcocite, covellite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite, with oxidation producing secondary minerals such as malachite, azurite, and goethite. Microdioritic sills are suggested as a potential copper source, while faults have served as principal conduits for hydrothermal fluids. Analyses using XRD, FTIR, and SEM reveal multiphase, epigenetic mineralization; chalcocite and dolomite dominate, accompanied by pyrite, hematite, and quartz, reflecting multiple hydrothermal events with varied fluid compositions. Structural changes in dolomite correlate with the intensity of alteration, and fine gold disseminations occur within dolomite and alongside copper sulfides. Overall, dolomite acted both as the host rock and as the main geochemical regulator of mineralizing fluids. The Cu–Au mineralization was governed by lithology, fault systems, and hydrothermal processes, highlighting the area’s significant exploration potential.
Hosseinzadeh, M. R., Asadi, A., Vahed, Y., & Simmonds, V. (2025). Geology, Petrography, Modern Mineralogy, and Formation of Minerals and Ore Minerals of the Qareh Tappeh Cu (–Au) Deposit (East of Maku, Northwestern Iran). Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy, (), -. doi: 10.22128/ijcm.2025.3078.1013
MLA
Mohamad Reza Hosseinzadeh; Ali Asadi; Yalda Vahed; Vartan Simmonds. "Geology, Petrography, Modern Mineralogy, and Formation of Minerals and Ore Minerals of the Qareh Tappeh Cu (–Au) Deposit (East of Maku, Northwestern Iran)", Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.22128/ijcm.2025.3078.1013
HARVARD
Hosseinzadeh, M. R., Asadi, A., Vahed, Y., Simmonds, V. (2025). 'Geology, Petrography, Modern Mineralogy, and Formation of Minerals and Ore Minerals of the Qareh Tappeh Cu (–Au) Deposit (East of Maku, Northwestern Iran)', Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22128/ijcm.2025.3078.1013
VANCOUVER
Hosseinzadeh, M. R., Asadi, A., Vahed, Y., Simmonds, V. Geology, Petrography, Modern Mineralogy, and Formation of Minerals and Ore Minerals of the Qareh Tappeh Cu (–Au) Deposit (East of Maku, Northwestern Iran). Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.22128/ijcm.2025.3078.1013
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