Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Garnetization as a ground preparation process for copper mineralization: evidence from the Mazraeh skarn deposit, Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Mazraeh Cu–Fe skarn deposit, NW Iran is the result of the intrusion of an Oligocene–Miocene granitic pluton into Cretaceous calcareous rocks. The pluton ranges in composition from monzonite to quartz monzonite, monzogranite, tonalite and granodiorite with I-type, calc-alkaline, and weakly peraluminous characteristics. The Mazraeh pluton was emplaced in a volcanic arc setting in an active continental margin at a depth of ~8 km. Pyroxene skarn, garnet skarn, and epidote skarn zones were formed during the intrusive phase. The garnet skarn developed as exoskarn and endoskarn from the calcareous wall rocks and the pluton, respectively, prior to mineralization. Garnet skarn from the exoskarn zone is identified by relict layering inherited from the precursor calcareous lithologies. Mass balance calculation of garnet skarn in the endoskarn zone indicates that hydrothermal fluids originating from the cooling magma introduced Si, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, P, Ag, Cu, Zn, La, Pb, Cd, Mo, and Y. The main mass loss in the garnet skarn was due to destruction of feldspars in the Mazraeh plutonic rocks and leaching of K2O and Na2O. Released Ca has been fixed in the andraditic garnet. Garnetization of the Mazraeh pluton was accompanied by mass and volume increase. The magnitude of these changes depends mainly on the degree of alteration and composition of the precursor. The brittle behavior of the endoskarn zone was increased due to formation of massive garnet which subsequently fractured. These fractures not only facilitated movement of hydrothermal fluids but also provided new locations for Cu mineralization. Therefore locating strongly garnetized zones may be a vector to ore in skarn deposits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Babaie HA, Ghazi AM, Babaei A, La Tour TE, Hassanipak AA (2001) Geochemistry of arc volcanic rocks of the Zagros crush zone, Neyriz, Iran. J Asian Earth Sci 19:61–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett T, MacLean WH (1991) Chemical, mass, and oxygen-isotopic changes during extreme hydrothermal alteration of an Archean rhyolite, Noranda. Econ Geol 86:406–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett T, MacLean WH (1994) Mass changes in hydrothermal alteration zones associated with VMS deposits of the Noranda area. Explor Min Geol 3:131–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett T, MacLean WH, Tennant SC (2001) Volcanic sequence and alteration at the Parys Mountain volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposit, Wales, United Kingdom: application of immobile element lithogeochemsitry. Econ Geol 96:1279–1305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bazin D, Hubner H (1969) Copper deposits in Iran. Report No. 13, Geological Survey of Iran, pp 1–29

  • Berberian F, Muir ID, Pankhurst RJ, Berberian M (1982) Late Cretaceous and early Miocene Andean-type plutonic activity in northern Makran and Central Iran. J Geol Soc London 139:605–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brunet MF, Cloetingh S (2003) Integrated peri-Tethyan basins studies (peri-Tethys programme). Sediment Geol 156:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cail TL, Cline JS (2001) Alteration associated with gold deposition at the Getchell Carlin-type gold deposit, north-central Nevada. Econ Geol 96:1343–1359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darvishzadeh A (1991) Geology of Iran. Neda Publication, Tehran, pp 1–901

    Google Scholar 

  • De la Roche H, Leterrier J, Grande Claude P, Marchal M (1980) A classification of volcanic and plutonic rocks using R1–R2 diagrams and major element analyses—its relationships and current nomenclature. Chem Geol 29:183–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dini A, Rocchib S, Westermanc DS (2004) Reaction microtextures of REE–Y–Th–U accessory minerals in the Monte Capanne pluton (Elba Island, Italy): a possible indicator of hybridization processes. Lithos 78:101–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Droop GTR (1987) A general equation for estimating Fe3+ concentrations in ferromagnesian silicates and oxides from microprobe analyses, using stoichiometric criteria. Mineral Mag 51:431–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eftekharnejad J (1975) Brief history and structural development of Azarbaijan. Geological Survey of Iran, Internal Report, pp 1–8

  • Goodfellow WD, Peter JM (1993) Geochemistry of hydrothermal altered sediment, Middle Valley, Northern Juan de Fuca Ridge. In: Devis E et al (eds) Proceedings of ocean drilling program, scientific results, Leg 139, College Station

  • Grant JA (1986) The isocon diagram—a simple solution to Gresens’ equation for metasomatic alteration. Econ Geol 81:1976–1982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenner GA (1996) Trace element geochemistry of igneous rocks: geochemical nomenclature and analytical geochemistry. In: Wyman, DA (ed) Trace element geochemistry of volcanic rocks: applications for massive sulfide exploration, Geological Association of Canada, Short Course Notes 12:51–77

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A (2004a) Geochemical effects of endoskarn formation in the Mazraeh Cu-Fe skarn deposit in northwestern Iran. Geochem Explor Environ Anal 4:307–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A (2004b) Garnet composition as an indicator of Cu mineralization: evidence from skarn deposits of NW Iran. J Geochem Explor 81:47–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A (2005) Petrology and geochemistry of Early Tertiary volcanism of the Mendejin area, Iran, and implications for magma genesis and tectonomagmatic setting. Geodin Acta 18:343–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A (2006) Geology and geochemistry of the Mendejin plutonic rocks, Mianeh, Iran. J Asian Earth Sci 27:819–834

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A, Ashley P (2004) Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of the Glen Eden Mo-W-Sn deposit: a leucogranite-related hydrothermal system, Southern New England Orogen, NSW, Australia. Miner Deposita 39:282–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A, Moayyed M (2002) Granite- and gabbrodiorite-associated skarn deposits of NW Iran. Ore Geol Rev 20:127–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimzadeh Somarin A, Lentz DR (2008) Mineralogy, geochemistry and fluid evolution of a fossil hydrothermal system in the Paleogene Mendejin volcanic sequence, East Azarbaijan, Iran. Mineral Petrol 94:123–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuscu I (2001) Geochemistry and mineralogy of the skarns in the Celebi district, Kirikkale, Turkey. Turk J Earth Sci 10:121–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwak TAP, Askins PW (1981) Geology and genesis of the F-Sn-W(-Be-Zn) skarn (wrigglite) at Moina, Tasmania. Econ Geol 76:439–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre RW (1989) A classification of igneous rocks and glossary of terms: recommendations of the International Union of Geological Sciences Subcommission on the systematics of igneous rocks. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 1–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Leitch CHB, Lentz DR (1994) The Gresens approach to mass balance constraints of alteration systems: methods, pitfalls, examples. In: Lentz D (ed) Alteration and alteration processes associated with ore-forming systems. Geological Association of Canada, Short course notes, vol 11, pp 166–192

  • Lentz DR (2005) Mass-balance analysis of mineralized skarn systems: implications for replacement processes, carbonate mobility, and permeability evolution. SGA 2005, mineral deposit research, meeting the global challenge, Beijing, vol 1, pp 421–424

  • Lentz DR, Walker J, Stirling J (1995) Millstream Cu-Fe skarn deposit: an example of a Cu mineralised magnetite-rich skarn system in northern New Brunswick. Explor Min Geol 4:15–31

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLean WH (1990) Mass change calculations in altered rock series. Miner Deposita 25:44–49

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLean WH, Hoy LD (1990) Geochemistry of hydrothermally altered rocks at the Horne mine, Noranda, Quebec. Econ Geol 86:506–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maniar PD, Piccoli PM (1989) Tectonic discrimination of granitoids. Geol Soc Am Bull 101:635–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meinert LD (1992) Skarns and skarn deposits. Geosci Can 19:145–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Meinert LD, Dipple GM, Nicolescu S (2005) World skarn deposits. In: Hedenquist JW, Thompson JFH, Goldfarb RJ, Richards JP (eds) Economic geology 100th anniversary volume. Society of Economic Geologists, Littleton, pp 299–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Moazzen M, Modjarrad M (2005) Contact metamorphism and crystal size distribution studies in the Shivar aureole, NW Iran. Geol J 40:499–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohajjel M, Fergusson CL (2000) Dextral transpression in Late Cretaceous continental collision, Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, western Iran. J Struct Geol 22:1125–1139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mollai H (1993) Petrochemistry and genesis of the granodiorite and associated iron-copper skarn deposit of Mazraeh, Ahar, East Azarbaijan, Iran. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Roorkee, Roorkee, pp 1–265

  • Newberry RJ, Burns LE, Swanson SE, Smith TE (1990) Comparative petrologic evolution of the Sn and W granites of the Fairbanks-Circle area, interior Alaska. In: Stein HJ, Hannah JL (eds) Ore-bearing granite systems; petrogenesis and mineralizing processes. Geol Soc Am, Special Paper 246:121–142

  • Pearce JA, Harris NBW, Tindle AJ (1984) Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. J Petrol 25:956–983

    Google Scholar 

  • Seward TM, Barnes HL (1997) Metal transport by hydrothermal ore fluids. In: Barnes HL (ed) Geochemistry of hydrothermal ore deposits. Wiley, New York, pp 435–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahabpour J (1999) The role of deep structures in the distribution of some major ore deposits in Iran, NE of the Zagros thrust zone. J Geodyn 28:237–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spear FS, Cheney JT (1989) A petrogenetic grid for pelitic schists in the system SiO2–Al2O3–FeO–MgO–K2O–H2O. Contrib Mineral Petrol 101:149–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vander Auwera J, Verkaeren J (1993) Occurrence of contrasting skarn formations in dolomites of the Traversella deposit (Ivrea, Italy). Geol Rundsch 82:726–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AD (1955) Determination of ferrous iron in rocks and minerals. Bull Geol Surv G B 9:56–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemann J, Wedepohl KH (1972) Copper. In: Wedepohl KH (ed) Handbook of Geochemistry. Springer, Berlin, p 29

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This contribution is based on field and laboratory studies carried out at the University of Tabriz, Iran. Funding for this project was provided by Research Office at the University of Tabriz and I wish to acknowledge the generous support from all staff of this office. The manuscript benefited greatly from critical reviews by P. Ashley, P. Sengupta, and I. Braun.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB, Canada

    Alireza Karimzadeh Somarin

Authors
  1. Alireza Karimzadeh Somarin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alireza Karimzadeh Somarin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karimzadeh Somarin, A. Garnetization as a ground preparation process for copper mineralization: evidence from the Mazraeh skarn deposit, Iran. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 99, 343–356 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0394-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0394-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation