The mineralogy, texture and fluid inclusion characteristics of Meideh silicic zone, north Pariz, Kerman copper belt; investigation of genetic relations with porphyry systems

زمین شناسی اقتصادی

Article 1, Volume 13, Issue 4 - Serial Number 31, 2021, Pages 667-695   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/econg.2021.51673.84923

Authors

Zeinab Ramezani¹; Saeed Alirezaei^{* 1}; Morteza Einali²

¹Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

²Parsolang Engineering Consulting Co., Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
The widespread Cenozoic magmatic assemblages in Iran host a variety of ore deposits including porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, skarn type ores, and epithermal base and precious metals deposits. Silicic zones of variable sizes are common in the Kerman belt in the southern section of the Urumieh-Dokhtar arc, and some might be representing the upper parts of porphyry copper systems known as lithocap. To investigate this potential relation, a silicic zone in Meideh, north Pariz, is studied. The silicic zone lies in an area with several known porphyry copper deposits (PCD) including Sarcheshmeh, Nochun, Seridun, Sarkooh, and Bagh-Khoshk. For comparison, silica ledges and veins in Seridun and a mineralized silica vein system to the east of the Sarcheshmeh mine are also studied.
 
Materials and methods
The study is based on field studies and investigation of textures and structures, and sampling for mineralogy (microscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis), and fluid inclusions. The XRD analyses were accomplished in the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) and Kansaran Binaloud Co, Tehran. The fluid inclusion studies were performed in the Iranian Mineral Processing Research Center (IMPRC) using a Linkam THMS600 equipped with a Zeiss microscope.
Results
The silicic zone in Meideh is developed in andesitic lava flows and pyroclastic materials, and covers an area of ~ 1 km². Silica occurs in white to grey colors and in massive, brecciated and locally vuggy textures; the grain sizes range between 0.01mm to 1mm. The silica is locally associated by minor sulfides (pyrite and locally chalcopyrite) carbonates, and clay minerals.
The silicic zone grades outward into a silicic-argillic halo and into the host volcanic rocks with propylitic alteration. Chemical analysis of samples from the zone indicated enrichments in Cu, Mo, Ag, As, Bi and Au relative to the average composition of intermediate-mafic volcanic rocks in the Kerman belt. Small outcrops of a quartz-tourmaline rock occur in the southeast of the silicic zone.
In Seridun, silica ledges and veins occur in the periphery and in the upper parts of a porphyry copper deposit developed in Miocene shallow intrusive bodies and older volcanic rocks. In east of Sarcheshmeh, several N-S striking silica veins locally containing pyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, and Fe-oxides/hydroxides occur in Cenozoic volcanic and intrusive host rocks. In both areas, the silicic zones are products of pervasive silicic alteration, and occur in massive, breccia, and vuggy textures. Vuggy texture is well developed in Seridun. XRD analysis of representative samples from Meideh indicated the occurrence of kaolinite and illite, in addition to quartz. Minerals characteristic of advanced argillic alteration (i.e. alunite, pyrophyllite, diaspore and andalusite) are missing. The minerals, however, were identified in Seridun.
Fluid inclusions in quartz from all three areas are dominated by two-phase liquid-vapor. Homogenization temperature (T_H) varies between 140-263 ^oC (average: 202 ^oC) for Meideh, 195-320 ^oC (average: 247 ^oC) for Seridun, and 140-264 ^oC (average: 177 ^oC) for east of Sarcheshmeh. Salinities vary between 0.18-5.71 (average: 1.62), 1.22-4.18 (average: 2.27), and 0.7-3.39 (average: 1.57) wt.% NaCl eq., respectively. The quartz-tourmaline rock from Meideh is distinguished by the occurrence of liquid-vapor-halite±hematite and liquid-vapor-opaque inclusions, in addition to liquid-vapor inclusions. The T_H and salinity for the liquid-vapor inclusions, homogenizing to liquid, varies, respectively, between 202-269 ^oC (average: 231 ^oC) and 3.71-7.16 (average: 5.43) wt.% NaCl eq. The T_H and salinity for the halite bearing inclusions, homogenized by halite dissolution, varies between 240-480 ^oC (average: 345 ^oC) and 33.40-56.90 (average: 42.80) wt.% NaCl eq.
 
Discussion
The textures, structure, and spatial relations with the host volcanic rocks suggest that the Meideh silicic zone developed as a result of pervasive silicic alteration, rather than open space filling. Textures indicative of open space filling, including crustification and symmetric banding, are absent in Meideh. The silicic ledges in Seridun, and the N-S striking silicic zones in east of Sarcheshmeh, are the products of pervasive silicic alteration of the host volcanic and intrusive rocks.
The XRD analysis of representative samples from Meideh indicated the occurrence of kaolinite and illite, in addition to quartz. Minerals characteristic of advanced argillic alteration (i.e. alunite, pyrophyllite, diaspore and andalusite) are missing. The minerals, however, were identified in Seridun. Fluid inclusions in quartz from the three silicic zones are dominated by two-phase liquid-dominant L-V inclusions. No distinction in salinity can be made between the three zones; Seridun, however, is distinguished by higher homogenization temperature. The local quartz-tourmaline zones in Meideh developed from distinctly higher temperature and salinity fluids (240-480 ^oC and 33.9-64 wt.% NaCl eq., respectively). A comparison of fluid inclusion data with several epithermal base and precious metals systems in the Urumieh-Dokhtar arc and elsewhere in Iran suggest that no meaningful distinction can be made between barren (i.e. Meideh, at current exposure level) and productive epithermal systems.
Our data indicate that the silicic zone in Meideh cannot be considered as a porphyry-related lithocap at current exposure. The quartz-tourmaline rock developed from fluids of higher salinity and temperature suggests a link with magmatic-hydrothermal systems and warrants further investigation.
 
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Mr. Afrouz for introducing the area, help with field works, and discussions. We are grateful to Mr. Imani from Parsolang for his help with field works and discussions, and to Ms. Aghajani from Iranian Mineral Processing Research Center for her invaluable help with the fluid inclusion studies. Dr. Ashrafpour kindly provided us with geological maps and chemical analysis of samples from the Meideh silicic zone. The study was supported by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) and a Shahid Beheshti University grant to S.A.  

Keywords

lithocap; Meideh silicic zone; porphyry copper; fluid inclusion; epithermal; Kerman magmatic belt

References

Akhiaei, M., Kharqani, M., Rahimi, M. and Sereshki, F., 2015. Hydrothermal alteration zones in Torud-Chahshirin belt, using various processing techniques of Aster images. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 24(94): 107–116. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2015.43263

Alimohammadi, M., Alirezaei, S. and Kontak, D.J., 2015. Application of ASTER data for exploration of porphyry copper deposits: A case study of Daraloo–Sarmeshk area, southern part of the Kerman copper belt, Iran.  Ore Geology Reviews, 70(4): 290–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.04.010

Ashrafpour, E., Alirezaei S. and Ansdell, K.M., 2009. Ore geology and fluid inclusion studies of Arghash gold prospect, southwest Neishabour, NE Iran. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 71(18): 129–136. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2010.57001

Ashrafpour, E. and Haghighi, E., 2012. Report on the geology and mineralization in north Pariz prospecting area, Sirjan, Kerman province. Pariz steel co., Kerman, 85 pp.

Atapour, H., 2007. Geochemical evolution and metallogeny of potassic igneous rocks in Dehaj-Sardoieh, Kerman Province, with emphasis on specific elements. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran, 280 pp. (in Persian with English abstract)

Ayuso, R.A., Barton, M.D., Blakely, R.J., Bodnar, R.J., Dilles, J.H., Gray, Floyd, Graybeal, F.T., Mars, J.C., McPhee, D.K., Seal, R.R., Taylor, R.D. and Vikre, P.G., 2010. In: D.A. John (Editor) Porphyry copper deposit model: Chapter B in mineral deposit models for resource assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5070–B, Denver, 169 pp.

     https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20105070B

Bakshieev, I.A., Prokof’ev, V.Y., Zaraisky, G.P., Chitalin, A.F., Yapaskurt, V., Nikolaev, Y.N., Tikhomirov, P.L., Nagornaya, E.V., Rogacheva, L.I., Gorelikova, N.V. and Kononov, O.V., 2012. Tourmaline as prospecting guide for the porphyry-style deposits. European Journal of Mineralogy, 24(6): 957–979. https://doi.org/10.1127/0935-1221/2012/0024-2241

Bodnar, R.J., 1993. Revised equation and table for determining the freezing point depression of H2O–NaCl solutions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 57(3): 683–684.  https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(93)90378-A

Bodnar, R.J., Lecumberri-Sanchez P., Moncada, D. and Steele-MacInnis M., 2014. Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal ore deposits. In: H.D. Holland and K.K. Turekian (Editors), Treatise on Geochemistry. Oxford: Elsevier, pp. 119–142.  https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-095975-7.01105-0

Bodnar, R.J., Reynolds, T.J. and Kuehn C.A., 1985. Fluid-inclusion systematics in epithermal systems. In: B.R. Berger and P.M. Bethke (Editors), Geology and Geochemistry of Epithermal Systems. Reviews in Economic Geology, pp. 73–97. https://doi.org/10.5382/Rev.02.05

Bove, D.J., Mast, M.A., Dalton, J.B., Wright, W.G. and Yager, D.B., 2004. Major Styles of Mineralization and Hydrothermal Alteration and Related Solid- and Aqueous-Phase Geochemical Signatures. In: S.E. Church, P. von Guerard and S.E. Finger (Editors), Integrated Investigations of Environmental Effects of Historical Mining in the Animas River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado. U.S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 1651, pp. 165–230. Retrieved June 05, 2021 from https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1651/downloads/Vol1_combinedChapters/vol1_chapE3.pdf

Cairncross, B. and Bahmann U., 2006. Minerals from the Goboboseb Mountains: Brandberg Region, Namibia. Rocks & Minerals, 81(6): 442–457.  https://doi.org/10.3200/RMIN.81.6.442-457

Chang, Z., Hedenquist, J.W., White, N.C., Cooke, D.R., Roach, M., Deyell, C.L., Garcia, J., Jr., Gemmell, J.B., McKnight, S. and Cuison, L., 2011. Exploration tools for linked porphyry and epithermal deposits: Example from the Mankayan intrusion-centered Cu-Au district, Luzon, Philippines. Economic Geology, 106(8): 1365–1398. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.106.8.1365

Chiu, H.-Y., Chung, S.L., Zarinkoub, M.H., Mohammadi, S.S., Khatib, M.M. and Iizuka, Y., 2013. Zircon U–Pb age constraints from Iran on the magmatic evolution related to Neotethyan subduction and Zagros orogeny. Lithos, 162–63: 70–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2013.01.006

Corbett, G.J., 2009. Anatomy of porphyry-related Au-Cu-Ag-Mo mineralised systems: Some exploration implications. In: K. Camuti and D. Young (Editors) Northern Queensland Exploration and Mining 2009 and North Queensland Seismic and MT Workshop Extended Abstracts. Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) Bulletin 49, pp. 33–46. Retrieved Jan. 12, 2021 from

     https://www.aig.org.au/publication-shop/digital-aig-bulletin-no-49-northern-queensland-exploration-mining-2009/

Dimitrijevic, M.D., 1973. Geology of the Kerman region. Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Report Yu/52, 334 pp.

Dimitrijevic, M.D., Dimitrijevic, M.N., Djordjevic, M. and Voluvic, D., 1973. Geological map of Pariz, No. 7149, scale 1:100,000. Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran.

Ebrahimi, S., Alirezaei S. and Pan, Y., 2011. Geological setting, alteration, and fluid inclusion characteristics of Zaglic and Safikhanloo epithermal gold prospects, NW Iran. In: A.N., Sial, J.S., Bettencourt, C.P. De Campos and V.P. Ferreira (Editors), Granite-Related Ore Deposits. Geological Society, London, pp. 133–147. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP350.8

Ebrahimi, S., Alirezaei, S., Pan, Y. and Mohammadi, B., 2017. Geology, mineralogy and ore fluid characteristics of the Masjed Daghi gold bearing veins system, NW Iran. Journal of Economic Geology, 9(2): 561–586.  (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22067/ECONG.V9I2.51493

Ebrahimi, S., Pan, Y., Alirezaei, S. and Mehrparto, M., 2009. Mineralogy and fluid inclusion studies of Sharafabad epithermal gold deposit, northwest Iran. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 71(18): 149-154. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2010.57004

Einali, M., Alirezaei, S., Bakker, R.J. and Mohammadzadeh, Z., 2015. Laser Raman Microspectroscopy of fluid inclusions and evolution of ore fluids in Baghkhoshk porphyry copper system, southern Urumieh- Dokhtar magmatic belt. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 97(25): 21–36. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2015.41349  

Farhoudi, G., 1978. A comparison of Zagros geology to island arcs. The Journal of Geology, 86(3): 323–334.

     https://doi.org/10.1086/649694

Ghorbani Kahrizsangi, M., Alirezaei, S. and Asadi Harooni, H., 2014. Physicochemical characteristics, sulfur isotope ratio, and source of ore fluids in Kalchueh Cu-Au deposit, Central Iran. Researches in Earth Sciences, 18(2): 75–96. (in Persian with English abstract) Retrieved Oct. 12, 2020 from http://esrj.sbu.ac.ir/article_95295.html

Guilbert, J.M. and Park, C.F. (Translated by Alirezaei S.), 2016. The Geology of Ore Deposits, Amirkabir Publisher, Tehran, 983 pp.

Haghighi, E., Alirezaei, S. and Ashrafpour, E., 2013. Mineralization, alteration, and ore fluid characteristics in the Cheshmeh Hafez base and precious metals deposits, Torud-Chahshirin belt, North-Central Iran. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 88(22): 99–110. (in Persian with English abstract) http://dx.doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2013.53682

Hassanzadeh, J., 1993. Metallogenic and tectono-magmatic events in the SE Sector of the Cenozoic active continental margin of Iran (Shahr-e-Babak area, Kerman province). Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A, 204 pp.

Hedenquist, J.W., Arribas, A. and Gozales-Urien, E., 2000. Exploration for epithermal gold deposits. In: S.G. Hagemann and P.E. Brown (Editors), Reviews in Economic Geology. Society of Economic Geologists, Special Publication 13, Littleton, pp. 245–277. https://doi.org/10.5382/Rev.13.07

Hedenquist, J.W. and Taran, Y., 2013. Modeling the formation of advanced argillic lithocaps: volcanic vapor condensation above porphyry intrusions. Economic Geology, 108(7): 1523–1540. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.108.7.1523

Hosseini, M.R., Hassanzadeh, J., Alirezaei, S., Sun, W. and Li, C.Y., 2017. Age revision of the Neotethyan arc migration into the southeast Urumieh-Dokhtar belt of Iran: Geochemistry and U–Pb zircon geochronology. Lithos, 284–285(1): 296–309.  

 

     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2017.03.012

 

 

Kazemi Mehrnia, A., 2010. Characteristics of the leached cap and evolution of the supergene-enriched blanket in the NW Kerman belt porphyry Cu-Mo deposits. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, 310 pp. (in Persian with English abstract)

Kazemi Mehrnia, A., Rasa, A., Alirezaei, S., Asadi Haroni, H. and Karami, J., 2011. Alteration mapping in Seridun porphyry copper deposit using infrared spectrometry (PIMA), ASTER satellite images and XRD. Scientific Quarterly Journal, Geosciences, 79(20): 3–12. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22071/gsj.2018.54987

Lambrecht, G. and Diamond, L.W., 2014. Morphological ripening of fluid inclusions and coupled zone-refining in quartz crystals revealed by cathodoluminescence imaging: Implications for CL-petrography, fluid inclusion analysis and trace-element geothermometry. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 141(15): 381–406.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.06.036

Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Steele-MacInnis, M. and Bodnar, R.J., 2012. A numerical model to estimate trapping conditions of fluid inclusions that homogenize by halite disappearance. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 92(1): 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2012.05.044

McInnes, I.A., Evans, N.J., Fu, F.Q. and Garwin, S., 2005. Application of thermochronology to hydrothermal ore deposits. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 58(1): 467–498. https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2005.58.18

Moncada, D., Mutchler, S., Nieto, A., Reynolds, T.J., Rimstidt, J.D. and Bodnar, R.J., 2012. Mineral textures and fluid inclusion petrography of the epithermal Ag–Au deposits at Guanajuato, Mexico: Application to exploration. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 114: 20–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2011.12.001

Naden, J., Kilias, S.P., Leng, M.J., Cheliotis, I. and Shepherd, T.J., 2003. Do fluid inclusions preserve δ18O values of hydrothermal fluids in epithermal systems over geological time? Evidence from paleo- and modern geothermal systems, Milos Island, Aegean Sea. Chemical Geology, 197(1–4): 143–159.

     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(02)00289-9

Nazarinia, A., Mortazavi M., Arvin, M. and Poosti, M., 2019. Thermobarometry of Mamzar granitoid body and its tectonomagmatic implication. Iranian Journal of Crystallography and Mineralogy, 27(1): 122–134. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.29252/ijcm.27.1.123

Noorizadeh, M., Moradian, A., Ahmadipour, H., Ghassemi, M.R. and Santos, J.F., 2018. Petrology, geochemistry and tectonomagmatic evolution of Hezar igneous complex (Rayen-South of Kerman-Iran): the first description of an arc remnant of the Neotethyan subduction zone. Journal of Sciences Islamic Republic of Iran, 29(4): 341–359. https://doi.org/10.22059/jsciences.2018.67446

Ohmoto, H. and Goldhaber, M.B., 1997. Sulfur and Carbon Isotopes. In: H.L. Barnes (Editor), Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 517–611.

Ramezani, Z., 1995. The Meideh silicic zone in Meideh area, north Pariz, Kerman: Mineralogy and conditions of formation. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran, 203 pp. (in Persian with English abstract)

Roedder, E., 1984. Fluid Inclusions. Reviews in Mineralogy, vol. 12, Mineralogical Society of America, 646 pp.

Shafiei, B., Haschke, M. and Shahabpour, J., 2009. Recycling of orogenic arc crust triggers porphyry Cu mineralization in Kerman Cenozoic arc rocks, southeastern Iran. Mineralium Deposita, 44(3): 265–283. 

     https://doi.org/10.1007/S00126-008-0216-0

Shahabpour, J., 2005. Tectonic evolution of the orogenic belt in the region located between Kerman and Neyriz. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 24(4): 405–417.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2003.11.007

Shahabpour, J., 2015. Economic Geology. Shahid Bahonar University Press, Kerman, Iran, 548 pp. (in Persian)

Sillitoe, R.H., 2010. Porphyry Copper Systems. Economic Geology, 105(1): 3–41. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.105.1.3

Sillitoe, R.H., 2015. Epithermal paleosurfaces. Mineralium Deposita, 50(7): 767–793.   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-015-0614-z

Steele-MacInnis, M., Bodnar, R.J. and Nadan, J. 2011. Numerical model to determine the composition of H2O-NaCl-Cacl2 fluid inclusions based on microthermometric and microanalytical data, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 75(1): 21–40.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.10.002

Stöcklin, J., 1974. Possible ancient continental margins in Iran, In: C.A. Burk and C.L. Drake (Editors), The Geology of Continental Margins. Springer, Berlin, pp. 837–887. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-01141-6_64

Sun, W., Huang, R.F., Li, H., Hu, Y., Zhang, C., Sun, S., Zhang, L., Ding, X., Li, C., Zartman, R.E. and Ling, M., 2015. Porphyry deposits and oxidized magmas. Ore Geology Reviews, 65(1): 97–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2014.09.004

Taghipour, B. and Makizadeh, M.A., 2009. The origin of hydrothermal alterations using stable isotopes in Takestan area (Lower Tarom). Journal of Economic Geology, 1(1): 101–115. (in Persian with English abstract) https://doi.org/10.22067/ECONG.V1I1.3683

Taylor, H.P., 1997. Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Relationships in Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits. In: H.L. Barnes (Editor), Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, pp. 229–302.

Van den Kerkhof, A.M. and Hein, U.F., 2001. Fluid inclusion petrography. Lithos, 55(1–4): 27–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-4937(00)00037-2

Wilkinson, J.J., 2001. Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal ore deposits. Lithos, 55(1–4): 229–272.

     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-4937(00)00047-5