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Geochemistry of stratabound scheelite mineralisation and associated calc-silicate rocks from Chitral, NE Hindu Kush, Pakistan

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Abstract

Tungsten mineralisation in the NE Hindu Kush terrain occurs 8 km NW of the Tirich Boundary Zone suture between Karakoram and Eastern Hindu Kush. Scheelite occurs mainly in calc-silicate rocks and subordinately in tourmalinites associated with metasediments at Miniki Gol, Chitral. The investigated area underwent two phases of deformation and was metamorphosed up to sillimanite grade, followed by the emplacement of leucogranite and hydrothermal activity. The mineral assemblages of the calc-silicate rocks, comprising clinozoisite, quartz, calcic-amphibole, plagioclase, chlorite, biotite, calcite, sphene, garnet and scheelite, clearly express a skarn type environment. The coexistence of the scheelite grains with clinozoisite and the occurrence of anomalous values of ZrO2 and Ta2O5 in the scheelite grains imply a genetic link between the scheelite mineralisation and post-magmatic hydrothermal fluids. The enrichment of Zr, Hf, Be, Sn, W, Th, U, Ga, Nb, F and Y along with total REE in the scheelite-bearing calc-silicate rocks compared with the associated metasediments assigns that the rocks at Miniki Gol have undergone a pronounced hydrothermal activity. Strong positive correlations between Zr, Hf, Nb, Y, Ta, F and REE, and the mobility of REE are consistent with this consideration. Aqueous fluid inclusions in the scheelite-bearing calc-silicate rocks display very low salinity, suggesting a mixing of magmatic fluids with meteoric water. The formation of intergrown scheelite and clinozoisite indicates a high pH and CO2-deficient fluid. The tungsten mineralization may be related to the Miniki Gol leucogranite which occurs at a distance of only 400 m.

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Acknowledgments

The Association of the Commonwealth Universities in UK financed this study. Mr. Rob Kelly helped in preparing samples and Mr. Nick Marsh facilitated the performance of analytical work at the Department of Geology, University of Leicester, UK. Dr. David Alderton helped in the microthermometric analyses of the fluid inclusions at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. We are also thankful to A. Zanchi and other reviewers for critically reviewing the manuscript and offering useful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan

    Mohammad Zahid

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, CIIT, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan

    Mohammad Zahid

  3. National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar 25130 & COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    M. Q. Jan

  4. Camborne School of Mines, The University of Exter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ, UK

    Charlie J. Moon

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Zahid, M., Jan, M.Q. & Moon, C.J. Geochemistry of stratabound scheelite mineralisation and associated calc-silicate rocks from Chitral, NE Hindu Kush, Pakistan. Arab J Geosci 9, 620 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2637-x

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