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Geochemistry and Fertility Assessment of Sub-Volcanic Rocks from the Bam Area, North of the Kerman Magmatic Copper Belt, SE Iran

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Abstract

The Bam area is located north of the Kerman magmatic copper belt (KMCB) in SE Iran. It belongs to the Urumieh-Dothtar magmatic assemblage (UDMA) that hosts many large Cu-porphyry deposits such as Sarchemeh, Iju, Meiduk, Pakram, and Dalli. The area comprises volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Eocene intruded by some sub-volcanic patches. Geochemical analyses show that the sub-volcanic rocks are calc-alkaline granodiorites formed on an active continental margin. The rare earth elements (REE) distribution patterns are differentiated (LaN/YbN = 4–31), having weak to moderate Eu negative anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.4–0.8) and flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) sections. The MgO, SiO2, La, Yb, Sr, Sm, and Y contents of these rocks are consistent with adakite-like magmas formed by partial melting of thickened lower crust containing no garnet. Negative correlations of Al2O3, Y and Ba with SiO2 and moderate to weak Eu negative anomalies, indicate the role of hornblende, K-feldspar, and plagioclase fractionation in the formation of these rocks. Geochemical features of the Bam sub-volcanic rocks are similar to those of the Cu-porphyry deposits from UDMA and Malmyzh deposit from eastern Russia, indicating fertility of these rocks for Cu mineralization that should be considered in the future explorations.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz for support the research (grant no. SCU.EG1400.44295). The authors are grateful to Dr. S.A. Silantyev for handling of the manuscript as an associated editor. We also appreciate Dr. B.A. Bazylev and Dr. Mohsen Rezaei for their useful comments that greatly improved the paper.

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  1. Geology department, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

    Mirmohammad Miri, Alireza Zarasvandi & Samaneh Razi Jalali

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Mirmohammad Miri, Zarasvandi, A. & Jalali, S.R. Geochemistry and Fertility Assessment of Sub-Volcanic Rocks from the Bam Area, North of the Kerman Magmatic Copper Belt, SE Iran. Geochem. Int. 62, 300–313 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702924030078

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