Mineralization, stratigraphic position and elemental distribution of copper-bearing minerals in the Sorkheh Redbed-type sedimentary copper deposit in the Upper Red Formation sedimentary sequence, NE of Tasuj

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Economic Geology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The Sorkheh copper deposit formed in the Upper Red Formation sedimentary sequence. In the Sorkheh Cu deposit, repeating sequences of oxidized red and green-gray reduced layers can be seen, and the ore horizons are hosted by sandstones are chemically reduced and rich in woody fragment. In the mineralization host sequence, the parts rich in ore mineral with Cu mineralogy are associated with the parts rich in remaining woody fragments, where copper sulfide minerals have replaced woody debris or replaced primary framboidal pyrite. In the studied deposit, younger gabbro dykes of upper Miocene age have been injected into the mineralized zone and cut them, but these dykes lack mineralization, which indicates that they are late compared to the mineralized host sequence. The ore mineral can be seen with different structures and textures such as replacement and disseminated. The main ore minerals in this deposit is copper and iron sulfides, are chalcocite, digenite, covellite and pyrite. In order to determine the chemical composition and elemental distribution of mineral phases, SEM studies were performed and using the elemental distribution map, it was confirmed that the copper ores are sulfidic because the elements of copper and sulfur have a positive correlation and on the other hand, they have a negative correlation with oxygen. Correlation of elements such as oxygen and aluminum can indicate the presence of clay minerals in parts of woody fragment. The presence of oxygen is probably related to subsequent processes such as weathering and oxidation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Advanced Applied Geology
Volume 14, Issue 1
April 2024
Pages 122-145

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