Copper Ores in Mawat Ophiolite Complex (Part of ZSZ) NE Iraq
Author(s)
Ali T. Yassin1,
Abdulkadhim J. Alabidi2,
Mohemmed L. Hussain3,
Nadhir Al-Ansari4,
Sven Knutsson4
Affiliation(s)
1 Iraq Geological Survey, Baghdad, Iraq. 2 Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq. 3 Babylon University, Hila, Iraq. 4 Nadhir Al-Ansari and Sven Knutsson, Lulea University of Technology, Lulea, Sweden.
1 Iraq Geological Survey, Baghdad, Iraq. 2 Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq. 3 Babylon University, Hila, Iraq. 4 Nadhir Al-Ansari and Sven Knutsson, Lulea University of Technology, Lulea, Sweden.
ABSTRACT
Ore microscopy study for some samples from Mawat complex NE Iraq (part of Zagros Suture Zone) showed the presence of copper ore minerals was irregularly distributed, mainly throughout the basic rocks of Mawat Ophiolite Complex. The main sulfides minerals identified were: chalcopyrite, pyrite, bornite, chalcocite and covellite. Iron hydroxides/oxides including goethite and magnetite were also observed associated with sulfide ore. Chalcopyrite and pyrite were the main primary minerals from which other ores were formed. They were originated at the orthomagmatic stage, and also deposited from aqueous solution of final stage in the consolidation of a magma forming vein textures which was observed in many samples. Two types of pyrite generations were recognized. They were pre-tectonic pyrite and post-tectonic pyrite. The secondary recognized ore textures were rim, pseudo morph, zoning, relicts, atoll and vein replacement textures. Secondary textures resulting from exsolution were also presented. Three stages of mineralization could be concluded: orthomagmatic stage (Earliest), the hydrothermal activations stage (Hypogene) and the weathering stage (Supergene). Paragenaticaly, the primary copper sulfides including chalcopyrite and bornite were responsible for other copper ores formation. These minerals were observed disseminated throughout the host mafic rocks which were considered as endogenic deposits (magmatic and hypogene origin) and they were modified as small patches of chalcocite and covellite.
Ore microscopy study for some samples from Mawat complex NE Iraq (part of Zagros Suture Zone) showed the presence of copper ore minerals was irregularly distributed, mainly throughout the basic rocks of Mawat Ophiolite Complex. The main sulfides minerals identified were: chalcopyrite, pyrite, bornite, chalcocite and covellite. Iron hydroxides/oxides including goethite and magnetite were also observed associated with sulfide ore. Chalcopyrite and pyrite were the main primary minerals from which other ores were formed. They were originated at the orthomagmatic stage, and also deposited from aqueous solution of final stage in the consolidation of a magma forming vein textures which was observed in many samples. Two types of pyrite generations were recognized. They were pre-tectonic pyrite and post-tectonic pyrite. The secondary recognized ore textures were rim, pseudo morph, zoning, relicts, atoll and vein replacement textures. Secondary textures resulting from exsolution were also presented. Three stages of mineralization could be concluded: orthomagmatic stage (Earliest), the hydrothermal activations stage (Hypogene) and the weathering stage (Supergene). Paragenaticaly, the primary copper sulfides including chalcopyrite and bornite were responsible for other copper ores formation. These minerals were observed disseminated throughout the host mafic rocks which were considered as endogenic deposits (magmatic and hypogene origin) and they were modified as small patches of chalcocite and covellite.
Cite this paper
Yassin, A. , Alabidi, A. , Hussain, M. , Al-Ansari, N. and Knutsson, S. (2015) Copper Ores in Mawat Ophiolite Complex (Part of ZSZ) NE Iraq. Natural Resources, 6, 514-526. doi: 10.4236/nr.2015.610049.
Yassin, A. , Alabidi, A. , Hussain, M. , Al-Ansari, N. and Knutsson, S. (2015) Copper Ores in Mawat Ophiolite Complex (Part of ZSZ) NE Iraq. Natural Resources, 6, 514-526. doi: 10.4236/nr.2015.610049.
References
[1] Plumer, C.C., Carlson, D.H. and Hammersley, L. (2013) Physical Geology. 14th Edition, McGraw Hill Inc., 635 p. [2] Al-Mehaidi, H.M. (1974) Geological Investigation of Mawat-Chwarta Area NE of Iraq. GEOSURV, Iraq, Internal Report No. 609. [3] Jassim, S.Z. and Goff, C. (2006) Geology of Iraq. Published by Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, Brno, 341 p. [4] Alavi, M. (2004) Regional Stratigraphy of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt of Iran and Its Proforeland Evolution. American Journal of Science, 304, 1-20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2475/ajs.304.1.1 [5] Ricou, L.E. (1971) Le Croissant ophiolitique Peri-Arab: Uneceinture de nappesmises en place an Cretacesuperieur. Revue Geographique Physique et Geologie Dynamique, 13, 327-349. [6] Mohammad, Y.O. (2008) Petrology of Ultramafic and Related Rocks along Iraqi Zagros Thrust Zone. PhD Thesis, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, 138 p. [7] Craig, J.R. and Vaughan, D.J. (1981) Ore Microscopy and Ore Petrology. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., Hoboken, 406 p. [8] Ramdohr, P. (1981) The Ore Minerals and Their Intergrowth. Pergamon Press., New York, 1202 p. [9] Walash, C.A. and Rimstiut, J.D. (1986) Retas of Reaction of Covellite and Blaplei Bender Covellite with Ferric Iron at PH 2.0. Canadian Mineralogist, 24, 35-44. [10] Abdollahi, M.J., Karimpar, M.H. and Kheradmand, A. (2009) Petrography and Sulphur Isotope Studies of Pyrites in the Mutch Gold Deposite. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6, 1086-1092.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2009.1086.1092 [11] Edwards, A.B. (1960) Textures of the Ore Minerals. The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Victoria, 242 p. [12] Lufkin, J.L. (2010) Origin of Ore Textures: Porphyry Copper Deposits, Rocky Mountain. 62th Annual Meeting of Geological Society of America (GSA), Vol. 42, No. 3, 1. [13] Musa, E.O. (2007) Petrography, Geochemistry and Genesis of Copper-Iron Mineralization and Associated Rocks in Waraz Area, Sulaimanya, NE Iraq. Unpubl. M. Sc. Thesis, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 155 p.
[1] Plumer, C.C., Carlson, D.H. and Hammersley, L. (2013) Physical Geology. 14th Edition, McGraw Hill Inc., 635 p. [2] Al-Mehaidi, H.M. (1974) Geological Investigation of Mawat-Chwarta Area NE of Iraq. GEOSURV, Iraq, Internal Report No. 609. [3] Jassim, S.Z. and Goff, C. (2006) Geology of Iraq. Published by Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, Brno, 341 p. [4] Alavi, M. (2004) Regional Stratigraphy of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt of Iran and Its Proforeland Evolution. American Journal of Science, 304, 1-20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2475/ajs.304.1.1 [5] Ricou, L.E. (1971) Le Croissant ophiolitique Peri-Arab: Uneceinture de nappesmises en place an Cretacesuperieur. Revue Geographique Physique et Geologie Dynamique, 13, 327-349. [6] Mohammad, Y.O. (2008) Petrology of Ultramafic and Related Rocks along Iraqi Zagros Thrust Zone. PhD Thesis, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, 138 p. [7] Craig, J.R. and Vaughan, D.J. (1981) Ore Microscopy and Ore Petrology. John Wiley & Sons. Inc., Hoboken, 406 p. [8] Ramdohr, P. (1981) The Ore Minerals and Their Intergrowth. Pergamon Press., New York, 1202 p. [9] Walash, C.A. and Rimstiut, J.D. (1986) Retas of Reaction of Covellite and Blaplei Bender Covellite with Ferric Iron at PH 2.0. Canadian Mineralogist, 24, 35-44. [10] Abdollahi, M.J., Karimpar, M.H. and Kheradmand, A. (2009) Petrography and Sulphur Isotope Studies of Pyrites in the Mutch Gold Deposite. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6, 1086-1092.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2009.1086.1092 [11] Edwards, A.B. (1960) Textures of the Ore Minerals. The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Victoria, 242 p. [12] Lufkin, J.L. (2010) Origin of Ore Textures: Porphyry Copper Deposits, Rocky Mountain. 62th Annual Meeting of Geological Society of America (GSA), Vol. 42, No. 3, 1. [13] Musa, E.O. (2007) Petrography, Geochemistry and Genesis of Copper-Iron Mineralization and Associated Rocks in Waraz Area, Sulaimanya, NE Iraq. Unpubl. M. Sc. Thesis, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, 155 p.