Geology, Alteration, Mineralization, Geochemistry and Petrology of intrusive units in the Shah Soltan Ali prospect area (Southwest of Birjand, South Khorasan province)

زمین شناسی اقتصادی

Article 4, Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 16, July 2017, Pages 117-139   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/econg.v9i1.61010

Authors

Samaneh Nadermezerji; Mohammad Hassan Karimpour^* ; Azadeh Malekzadeh Shafaroudi

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Introduction
The Shah Soltan Ali area is located 85 km southwest of Birjand in the South Khorasan province. This area is part of the Tertiary volcanic-plutonic rocks in the east of the Lut block. The Lut block is bounded to the east by the Nehbandan and associated faults, to the north by the Doruneh and related faults (Sabzevar zone), to the south by the Makran arc and Bazman volcanic complex and to the west by the Nayband Fault. The Lut block is the main metallogenic province in the east of Iran (Karimpour et al., 2012), that comprises of numerous porphyry Cu and Cu–Au deposits, low and high sulfidation epithermal Au deposits, iron oxide deposits, base-metal deposits and Cu–Pb–Zn vein-type deposits. The geology of Shah Soltan Ali area is dominated by volcanic rocks, comprised of andesite and basalt, which are intruded by subvolanic units such as monzonite porphyry, monzodiorite porphyry and diorite porphyry.

Materials and methods
1. 170 thin sections of the rock samples as well as 25 polished and thin polished sections were prepared for petrography, alteration and mineralization.
2. Twenty five samples were analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb, Mo and As elements by the Aqua regia method in the Zarazama laboratory in Tehran, Iran.
3. Nine samples were analyzed for trace elements [including rare earth elements (REEs)]. As a result of these analyses, trace elements and REE were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the ACME Analytical Laboratories (Vancouver) Ltd., Canada.
4. Ten samples were analyzed for major elements by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the East Amethyst laboratory in Mashhad, Iran.
5. Five samples were analyzed for Firre Assay analysis in the Zarazma Laboratory in Tehran, Iran.
6. The results of XRD analysis were used for 4 samples.

Discussion and results
Petrographic studies indicate that subvolcanic rocks consist of diorite porphyry, monzonite porphyry and monzodiorite porphyry. Based on field and lab work several alteration zones such as: quartz–sericite–pyrite (QSP), propylitic, argillic, silicified, sericitic and carbonate were identified. Geochemical studies show that intrusive units are metaluminous, high calcalkalic to shoshonitic. These rocks belong to the I-type granitoid (Chappell and White, 2001), and they have formed in a volcanic arc granitoids (VAG) tectonic setting (Pearce et al., 1984). Mantle-normalized, trace-element spider diagrams display enrichment in large ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Sr, K, and Cs, and depletion in high field strength elements, e.g., Nb, Ti, Zr. Enrichment of LREE versus HREE and enrichment of LILE and depletion in HFSE indicate magma formed in the subduction zone. Negative Nb and Ti anomalies are recognized as a fingerprint of a subduction process (Nagudi et al., 2003). All of the intrusive rocks have a weak negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.82–0.94) (Tepper et al., 1993), and a low ratio of (La/Yb)N. The magmatic source of intrusive rocks had been generated from 1% to 5% of partial melting of garnet-spinel lherzolite (Aldanmaz et al., 2000). In the south area, four types of mineralization such as: veinlet to vein, disseminated, hydrothermal breccia and stockwork occur from which stockwork is the most important type of mineralization. The veinlets that were found within the stockwork zone are:1) pyrite + chalcopyrite, 2) quartz + pyrite ± chalcopyrite, 3) quartz ± pyrite. Compositional variations of elements within the Shah Soltan Ali area are as follows: Cu = 30-454 (ppm), Zn = 27-279 (ppm), Pb = 11- 70 (ppm), Sb = 0.9-152 (ppm), Au= 5-128 (ppb), As = 7-203 (ppm). There is a high concentration of Cu – Zn – Au and Sb that is associated with the high density of veinlets in the quartz-sericite-pyrite zone in the southeast of Shah Soltan Ali area. Based on the obtained data, the Shah Soltan Ali area is a part of the porphyry Cu-Au deposit.

References
Aldanmaz, E., Pearce, J.A., Thirlwall, M.F. and Mitchell, J.G., 2000. Petrogenetic evolution of late Cenozoic, post-collision volcanism in western Anatolia, Turkey. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 102(1): 67–95.
Chappell, B.W. and White, A.J.R., 2001. Two contrasting granite types, 25years later. Australian Journal of Earth Sdiences, 48(4): 489-500.
Karimpour, M.H., Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A., Farmer, G.L. and Stern, C.R., 2012. Petrogenesis of Granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd Petrogenesis of granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics, and important occurrence of Tertiary mineralization within the Lut block, eastern Iran. Journal of Economic Geology, 4(1): 1-28. (in Persian with English abstract)
Nagudi, N., Koberl, Ch. and Kurat, G., 2003. Petrography and Geochemistry of the sigo granite, Uganda and implications for origin, Journal of African earth Sciences, 36(1): 1-14.
Pearce, J.A., Harris, N.B.W. and Tindle, A.G., 1984. Trace element discrimination diagrams for thetectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. Journal of Petrology, 25(4): 956-983.
Tepper, J.H., Nelson, B.K., Bergantz, G.W. and Irving, A.J., 1993. Petrology of the Chilliwack batholith, North Cascades, Washington: generation of calc-alkalinegranitoids by melting of mafic lower crust with variable water fugacity. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 113(3): 333-351.

Keywords

Alteration; mineralization; I-type granitoid; Cu porphyry; Shah Soltan Ali; Birjand; Lut block

References

Abdi, M. and Karimpour, M.H., 2012. Geology, alteration, mineralization, petrogenesis, geochronology, geochemistry and airborne geophysics of Kuh Shah prospecting area, SW Birjand. Journal of Economic Geology, 4(1): 77-107. (in Persian with English abstract)

Abdi, M. and Karimpour, M.H., 2013. Petrochemical Characteristics and Timing of Middle Eocene Granitic Magmatism in Kooh-Shah, Lut Block, Eastern Iran. Acta Geological SINICA, 87(4): 1032-1044.

Alavi, M., 1991. Tectonic map of the Middle East, Scale 1:2900000. Geological Survey of Iran.

Aldanmaz, E., Pearce, J.A., Thirlwall, M.F. and Mitchell, J.G., 2000. Petrogenetic evolution of late Cenozoic, post-collision volcanism in western Anatolia, Turkey. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 102(1): 67–95.

Arjmandzadeh, R., Santos, J.F. and Ribeiro, S., 2013. Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry and tectonomagmatic setting of the Dehsalm Cu–Mo porphyry mineralizing intrusives from Lut Block, eastern Iran. International Journal of Earth Science, 103(1): 123-140.

Asiabanha, A., Bardintzeff, J.M., Kananian, A. and Rahimi, G., 2012. Post-Eocene volcanics of the Abazar district, Qazvin, Iran: Mineralogical and geochemical evidence for a complex magmatic evolution. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 45(2012): 79–94.

Boynton, W.V., 1984. Cosmochemistry of the rare earth elements; meteorite studies. In: P. Henderson (Editor), The rare earth element geochemistry. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 115-1522.

Chappell, B.W. and White, A.J.R., 2001. Two contrasting granite types, 25years later. Australian Journal of Earth Sdiences, 48(4): 489-500.

Cotton, J., Le Dez, A., Bau, M., Caroff, M., Maury, R.C., Dulski, P., Fourcade, S., Bohn, M. and Brousse, R. 1995. Origin of anomalous rare earth element and yttrium enrichments in subaerially exposed basalts, evidence from French Polynesia. Chemical Geology, 119(1-4): 115-138.

Edward, C.M.H., Menzies, M.A., Thirlwall, M.F., Morrid, J.D., Leeman, W.P. and Harmon, R.S., 1994. The transition to potassic alkaline volcanism in island arcs: the Ringgite-Beser Complex, East Java. Journal of Petrology, 35(6): 1557-1595.

Enns, S.G., Thompson, J.F.H., Stanley, C.R. and Lang, J.R., 1995. The Galore Creek porphyry copper-gold deposits, northwestern British Columbia. Metallurgy and Petroleum, 46: 630−644.

Geochemical report of SAR-E-CHAH-E-SHUR, 2003. Geology and alteration maps of SAR-E-CHAH-E-SHUR scale: 100000, (Birjand area, West Iran). Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Report 1, 52 pp.

Gill, R., 2010. Igneous rocks and processes. Wiley-Blackwell, New Jersey, 428 pp.

Gustafson, L.B.G. and Hunt, J.P., 1975. The porphyry copper deposit at El Salvador, Chile. Economic Geology, 70(5): 857-912.

Gust, D.A., Arculus, R.A. and Kersting, A.B., 1977. Aspects of magma sources and processes in the Honshu arc. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35: 347-365.

Hassani Pak, A.A., 2010. Principles of Geochemical Exploration. University of Tehran, Tehran, 615 pp.

Helvacı, C., Ersoy, E.Y., Sözbilir, H., Erkül, F., Sümer, Ö. and Uzel, B. 2009. Geochemistry and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of Miocene volcanic rocks from the Karaburun Peninsula: Implications for amphibolebearing lithospheric mantle source, Western Anatolia. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 185(3): 181–202.

Irianto, B. and Clark, G.H., 1995. The Batu Hijau porphyry copper-gold deposit, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. In: J.L. Mauk and S. George (Editors), PACRIM’95 Congress. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 299–304.

Kampunzu, A.B., Tombale, A.R., Zhai, M., Bagai, Z., Majaule, T. and Modisi, M.P., 2003. Major and trace element geochemistry of plutonic rocks from Francistown, NEBotswana: evidence for a Neoarchaean continental active margin in the Zimbabwe craton. Lithos, 71(2- 4): 431-460.

Kan Azin, 2008. Exploration, Microthermometry and designing and interpretation of bore holes in Shah Soltan Ali (Birjand area, West Iran). Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Report 1, 120 pp.

Karimpour, M.H., Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A., Farmer, G.L. and Stern, C.R., 2012. Petrogenesis of Granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd Petrogenesis of granitoids, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sr-Nd isotopic characteristics, and important occurrence of Tertiary mineralization within the Lut block, eastern Iran. Journal of Economic Geology, 4(1): 1-28. (in Persian with English abstract)

Karimpour, M.H., Stern, C.R., Farmer, G.L., Saadat. S. and Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A., 2011. Rb-Sr geochemistry and petrogenesis of Jurassic to Quaternary igneous rocks in Lut Block, Eastern Iran. Geopersia, 1(1): 19-36.

MacKenzie, W.S., Donaldson, C.H. and Guilford, C., 1984. Atlas of igneus rocks and their textures. Halsted Press, London, pp. 146.

Mahdavi, A., Karimpour, M.H., Mao, M., Haidarian Shahri, M.R., Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A. and Li, H., 2016. Zircon U–Pb geochronology, Hf isotopes and geochemistry of intrusive rocks in the Gazu copper deposit, Iran: Petrogenesis and geological implications. Ore Geology Reviews, 72(1): 818–837.

Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A., Karimpour, M.H. and Mazaheri, S.A., 2010. Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic compositions and Petrogenesis of ore-related intrusive rocks of gold-rich porphyry copper Maherabad prospect area (North of Hanich), east of Iran. Iranian Journal of crystallography and mineralogy, 18(2): 15-32. (in Persian with English abstract)

Malekzadeh shafaroudi, A., Karimpour, M.H. and Stern, C.R., 2015. The Khopik porphyry copper prospect, Lut Block, Eastern Iran. Geology, alteration and mineralization, fluid inclusion, and oxygen isotope studies. Ore Geology, 65(2015): 522 – 544.

Martin, H., 1999. Adakitic magmas: modern analogues of Archaean granitoids. Lithos, 46(3): 411- 429.

McKenzi, D. and O'Nions, R.K., 1991. Partial melt distribution from inversion of rare earth element concentrators. Journal of Petrology, 32(5): 1021-1091.

Middlemost, E.A.K., 1985. Magmas and magmatic rocks rocks: An introduction to igneous petrology. Longman Group, United Kingdom, 390 pp.

Nagudi, N., Koberl, Ch. and Kurat, G., 2003. Petrography and Geochemistry of the sigo granite, Uganda and implications for origin, Journal of African earth Sciences, 36(1): 1-14.

Najafi, A., Karimpour, M.H., Ghaderi, M., Stern, C.R. and Farmer, G.L., 2014. U-Pb zircon geochronology, Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope geochemistry, and petrogenesis of granitiod rocks at Kaje prospecting area, northwest Ferdows: Evidence for upper Cretaceous magmatism in Lut block. Journal of Economic Geology, 6(1): 107-135. (in Persian with English abstract)

Pearce, J.A., Harris, N.B.W. and Tindle, A.G., 1984. Trace element discrimination diagrams for thetectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. Journal of Petrology, 25(4): 956-983.

Peccerillo, A. and Taylor, S.R., 1976. Geochemistry of Eocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the Kastamonu area, Northern Turkey. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 58(1): 63-81.

Peters, T.J., Menzies, M., Thirlwall, M. and Kyle, P. 2008. Zuni-Bandera volcanism, Rio Grande, USA – melt formation in garnet- and spinel facies mantle straddling the asthenosphere-lithosphere boundary. Lithos, 102 (1-2): 295–315.

Rollinson, H., 1993. Using geochemical data: evolution, presentation, interpretation. Longman Scientific and Technical, London, 248 pp.

Samiee, S., Karimpour, M.H., Ghaderi, M., Haidarian Shahri, M.R., Kloetzli, O. and Santos, J.F., 2016. Petrogenesis of subvolcanic rocks from the Khunik prospecting area, south of Birjand, Iran: Geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic and U–Pb zircon constraints. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 115: 170–182.

Saunders, A.D., Storey, M., Kent, R.W. and Norry, M.J. 1992. Consequences of plume–lithosphere interactions. In: B.C. Storey, T. Alabaster and R.J. Pankhurst (Editors), Magmatism and the Causes of Continental Break-up. Geological Society London Special Publication, London, pp. 41–60.

Seedorff, E., Dilles, J.H., Proffett, J.M., Jr., Einaudi, M.T., Zurcher, L., Stavast, W.J.A., Johnson, D.A. and Barton, M.D., 2005. Porphyry deposits: Characteristics and origin of hypogene features. Economic Geology, 29: 251-298.

Shand, S.J., 1947. Eruptive rocks; Their genesis, composition, classification and their relation to ore-deposits. Hafner Publishing Company, New York, 448 pp.

Shaw, D.M., 1970. Trace element fractionation during anataxis. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 34(2): 237-243.

Shelly, D., 1993. Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks Under the Microscope: Classification, Textures, Microstructures and Mineral Preferred Orientation. Springer, London, 445 pp.

Sillitoe, R., 2010. Porphyry Copper Systems. Economic Geology, 105(1): 3–41.

Srivastava, R.K. and Singh, R.K., 2004. Trace element geochemistry and genesis of Precambrian sub alkaline mafic dykes from the central Indian craton: evidence for mantle metasomatism. Jurnal of Asia Earth sciences, 23(3): 373-389.

Sun, S.S. and McDonough, W.F., 1989. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In: A.D. Saunders and M.J. Norry (Editors), Magmatism in the Ocean Basins. Geological Society of London, London, pp. 313–345.

Tepper, J.H., Nelson, B.K., Bergantz, G.W. and Irving, A.J., 1993. Petrology of the Chilliwack batholith, North Cascades, Washington: generation of calc-alkalinegranitoids by

melting of mafic lower crust with variable water fugacity. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 113(3): 333-351.

Vassigh, M. and Soheili, H., 1975. Geological map of Sar- E– Chah- E – Shur, Scale 1:100000. Geological Survey of Iran.

Walker, J.A., Patino, L.C., Carr, M.J. and Feigenson, M.D., 2001. Slab control over HFSE depletions in central Nicaragua. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 192: 533-543.

Wang, K., Plank, T., Walker, J.D. and Smith, E.I., 2002. A mantle melting profile across the Basin and Range, SW USA. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107: 5–21.

Wilson, M., 1989. Igneous petrogenesis. Uniwin Hyman, London, 466 pp.

Whitney, D. and Evans, B., 2010. Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American mineralogist, 95(1): 185-187.

Zarnab exploration consulting engineers company, 2009. Report of Geology and alteration maps of Sheykh Abad scale: 125000, (Birjand area, West Iran). Iranian mines and mining industrls development and renovation organization, Thehran, Report 1, 76 pp.