Geochemistry of davidite from the quartz veins in the Narigan area (Central Iran); Evidence for uranium mineralization type

Abstract

Narigan area in the southern part of the Bafq-Saghand metallogenic zone in Central Iran is a host of davidite-bearing quartz veins. Davidite is an important key mineral for exploration of not only uranium but also REE's in Central Iran. Narigan granite in the Narigan area is characterized by high-K calc-alkaline nature and its parental magma was partially contaminated by the Precambrian crust. The REE pattern of quartz veins is brought about by REE contents in davidite. The homogenization temperatures of vapor-liquid-solid (V-L-S) fluid inclusions in quartzes are >500˚C in quartz veins. Furthermore, the ∑REE contents (71910 to 90292 ppm) and U/Th ratios (<1000) in the studied davidites indicate upper 450˚C temperature for the generation of them. Based on the similarity of REE pattern of davidite to REE pattern of oxide-uranium minerals in the vein-type ores (characterized by negative Eu anomaly and high LREE/HREE ratio) as well as achievement of the homogenization temperatures for fluid inclusions and davidite formation; mineralization of this mineral can be related to granite related vein-type uranium deposits.

Keywords

• narigan
• davidite
• geochemistry
• fluid inclusions
• granite-related vein-type uranium