Genetic relation between skarn mineralization and petrogenesis of the Darreh Zerreshk granitoid intrusion, southwest of Yazd‫ ‬

Abstract

Most skarn deposits are directly related to magmatic activity, and there is a systematic correlation between composition of causative plutons and the metal contents of the related skarns. Darreh Zerreshk deposit is located in southwest of Yazd. Petrological and geochemical studies show that Darreh Zerreshk granitoid ranges in composition from granite through quartz monzodiorite and has subalkaline, calc-alkaline and metaluminous to prealuminous characteristics like most worldwide skarn granitoids. This study shows that geochemical characteristics of the Darreh Zerreshk granotoid rocks are similar to granitoids of Millstream Cu-Fe skarn deposit in Canada, Fe skarns in British Columbia and Au-Cu skarns in the RioNarcea gold belt in Spain. The similarity between REE patterns in Darreh Zerreshk intrusion and skarns also confirms the strong petrogenetic relationship between magmatic and skarnization processes.

Keywords

• granitoid
• skarn
• geochemistry
• Darreh Zerreshk
• southwest of Yazd
• Iran