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Mineral occurrences and deposits in the northern and northeastern parts of Iraq, Kurdistan Region, and investment opportunities

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Abstract

Iraqi northern and northeastern parts (Kurdistan Region) are mountainous areas with exposed igneous and metamorphic rocks with which the other sedimentary rocks witness hundreds of metallic mineral showings. Tectonically, the region is under the influence of the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian (Iranian) plates. The collision has caused thrusting of parts of the Cretaceous Ophiolite which includes different mineralization zones. Moreover, hydrothermal activities have deposited different metallic minerals in the sedimentary cover. The main mineral showings in IKR indicate the presence of different metallic minerals, such as Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr–Ni, and Mn, besides U and Th. The presence of these mineral showings is related to the tectonic frame work of the region that is developed due to the major tectonic events associated with the Tethys development and movement of the Arabian Plate towards the Iranian Plate. Most of the metallic mineralizations are of the Alpine type, of Cretaceous age. Some Zn–Pb showings are related to early Alpine activities. U and Th of Cretaceous and Jurassic ages are also restricted to the northeastern part. Evaluation of the mineral wealth in IKR is still vague. This is attributed to the lack of geological data base. This article is a new review of the available data and discusses the potential of the mineral occurrences (wealth). Moreover, recommendations are given to have a better view of the mineral wealth with available opportunities for investments and main obstacles.

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modified from Mirza and Rashid 2019)

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Data availability

We have used published data only. All presented data are referred clearly to the original publications.

Code availability

The only used code in the current manuscript is: JORC (Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources) (1999). The link of the code is: http://www.jorc.org/docs/historical_documents/1999_jorc_code.pdf.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Professor Dr. Tola Mirza (University of Sulaimani, Iraq) for supplying valuable data which enabled us to amend the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kurdistan Hewler, KRG, Erbil, Iraq

    Varoujan K. Sissakian

  2. Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq

    Hamed M. Jassim

  3. Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, Szeged University, Szeged, Hungary

    Hawkar A. Abdulhaq

  4. Department of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technical Engineering, Al-Salam University College, Baghdad, Iraq

    Abdulsattar M. Jassim

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  1. Varoujan K. Sissakian
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  2. Hamed M. Jassim
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  3. Hawkar A. Abdulhaq
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  4. Abdulsattar M. Jassim
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We all confirm that we have contributed to writing of the manuscript almost equally.

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Correspondence to Varoujan K. Sissakian.

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Responsible Editor: Domenico M. Doronzo

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Sissakian, V.K., Jassim, H.M., Abdulhaq, H.A. et al. Mineral occurrences and deposits in the northern and northeastern parts of Iraq, Kurdistan Region, and investment opportunities. Arab J Geosci 15, 616 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09881-y

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