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Marble-hosted sulfide ores in the Angouran Zn-(Pb–Ag) deposit, NW Iran: interaction of sedimentary brines with a metamorphic core complex

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Abstract

The Angouran Zn-(Pb–Ag) deposit, Zanjan Province, NW Iran, is located within the central Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone of the Zagros orogenic belt. The deposit has proven and estimated resources of 4.7 Mt of sulfide ore at 27.7% Zn, 2.4% Pb, and 110 g/t Ag, and 14.6 Mt of oxidized carbonate ores at 22% Zn and 4.6% Pb. It is hosted by a metamorphic core complex that is unconformably overlain by a Neogene volcanic and evaporite-bearing marine to continental sedimentary sequence. The sulfide orebody, precursor to the significant nonsulfide ores, is located at the crest of an open anticline at the contact between Neoproterozoic to Cambrian footwall micaschists and hanging wall marbles. 40Ar–39Ar data on muscovite from mineralized and unaltered footwall micaschists suggest a rapid Mid-Miocene exhumation of the metamorphic basement (∼20 Ma) and yield an upper age constraint for mineralization. The fine-grained sulfide ore is massive, replacive, often brecciated, clearly postmetamorphic and dominated by Fe-poor sphalerite, with minor galena, pyrite, anhydrite, quartz, muscovite, dolomite, and rare calcite. Sphalerite contains Na–Ca–Cl brine inclusions (23–25 mass% total dissolved solids) with homogenization temperatures of 180–70°C. Fluid inclusion chemistry (Na–K–Li–Ca–Mg–Cl–Br), ore geochemistry, S, and Pb isotope data suggest that the Angouran sulfide ore formed by the interaction of modified, strongly evaporated Miocene seawater and the lithotypes of an exhumed metamorphic core complex. Minor contributions of metals from Miocene igneous rocks cannot be excluded. Mineralization occurred in a collisional intra-arc setting with high heat flow, probably during the transition from an extensional to a compressional regime. The Angouran deposit may represent a new type of low-temperature carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb ore that is distinct from Mississippi Valley type and sedimentary-exhalative deposits.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the Iranian Zinc Mines Development Company (IZMDC), R. Mohammadi Niaei, and S. Modabberi for generous help during field work. M. Sadeghi provided some samples during the early stage of this study. We would like to thank G. Chi (fluid inclusions) and M. Heizler (40Ar–39Ar chronology). Alwyn Annels and Farahnaz Daliran are acknowledged for discussions on the genesis of the Angouran deposits. M. Parente determined the fossils in the Qom limestones. The careful reviews by G. Borg and B. Lehmann are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Ingenieurgeologie, Technische Universität München, Arcisstr. 21, 80290, Munich, Germany

    H. Albert Gilg

  2. Dipartimento Geofisica & Vulcanologia, Università di Napoli, Naples, Italy

    Maria Boni

  3. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Maria Boni

  4. Dipartimento Scienze della Terra, Università di Napoli, Naples, Italy

    Giuseppina Balassone

  5. Teck Cominco American, Spokane, WA, USA

    Cameron R. Allen

  6. School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    David Banks

  7. Geological Department, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran

    Farid Moore

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  1. H. Albert Gilg
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Correspondence to H. Albert Gilg.

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Editorial handling: B. Lehmann

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Gilg, H.A., Boni, M., Balassone, G. et al. Marble-hosted sulfide ores in the Angouran Zn-(Pb–Ag) deposit, NW Iran: interaction of sedimentary brines with a metamorphic core complex. Miner Deposita 41, 1–16 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-005-0035-5

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