Mineralogy, mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of post-mineralization dykes of the Sungun Cu–Mo porphyry deposit (Northwest Iran)

Abstract

The Sungun copper–molybdenum porphyry deposit is located in the north of Varzaghan, northwestern Iran. The Sungun quartz-monzonite is the oldest mineralized intrusive body in the region and was emplaced during the Early Miocene. Eight categories of the late and unmineralized dykes, which include quartz diorite, gabbrodiorite, diorite, dacite, microdiorite and lamprophyre (LAM), intrude the ore deposit. The main mineral phases in the dykes include plagioclase, amphibole and biotite, with minor quartz and apatite and secondary chlorite, epidote, muscovite and sericite. The composition of plagioclase in the quartz diorite dykes (DK1a, DK1b and DK1c) varies from albite-oligoclase to andesine and oligoclase to andesine; in the diorite, it varies from andesine to labradorite; in the LAM, from albite to oligoclase; and in the microdiorite (MDI), it occurs as albite. Amphibole compositions are consistent with classification as hornblende or calcic amphibole. Based on their AlIV value (less than 1.5), amphibole compositions are consistent with an active continental margin affinity. The average percentage of pistacite (Ps) in epidotes formed from alteration of plagioclase and ferromagnesian minerals is 27–23% and 25–30%, respectively. Thermobarometric studies based on amphibole and biotite indicate approximate dyke crystallization temperature of 850–750℃, pressure of 231–336 MPa and high fO2 (>nickel-nickel-oxide buffer). The range of mineral compositions in the postmineralization dyke suite is consistent with a genetic relationship with the subduction of the Neotethys oceanic crust beneath the continental crust of the northwest part of the Central Iranian Structural Zone. Despite the change from calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism, the dykes are likely related to the late stages of magmatic activity in the subduction system that also generated the porphyry deposit.

Keywords

• mineralogy
• mineral chemistry
• post-mineralization dykes
• porphyry deposit
• sungun