Distribution pattern of Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Fe elements in Sara (Parkam) porphyry copper deposit, Shahr- Babak, Kerman Province

The Sara (Parkam) porphyry copper deposit is located in Kerman province, 87 km northwest of the Sarcheshmeh deposit and 2 km from Miduk deposit. This deposit is hosted by Razak volcanic complex with Eocene age. Mineralization of copper and molybdenum is associated with emplacement of diorite and quartz diorite intrusive of Miocene age. Six alteration zones are distinguished at the Sara deposit, including potassic, potassic–phyllic, biotitic, phyllic, propylitic and argilic. Mineralization in Sara deposit is low-grade with an average grade of 0.16% Cu (range of 0.01-2.01 %) and 12 ppm Mo (range of 0.5-489 ppm). Leached–oxidized zone contain minimum grade of Cu (0.12 %) with range of 0.01-1.4 %. Maximum grade of Cu (0.4 %) with range of 0.09-1.91 % and Mo (15.93 ppm) with regard to number and amplitude of variation (0.5-489 ppm) belong to hypogene zone. Maximum grade of Pb, Zn and Fe is associated with hypogene zone. In leached–oxidized zone, correlation coefficient between Cu with Mo, Pb and Fe is negative and with Zn is slightly positive that is compatible with geochemical behavior of these elements. Cu shows good correlation coefficient with Pb in supergene sulfidation enrichment zone and that correlation coefficient with other elements is medium positive. In hypogene zone, Cu shows weak positive correlation coefficient with Mo, very weak positive correlation coefficient with Pb, Zn and negative correlation coefficient with Fe. Except in leached–oxidized zone, Pb and Zn show good positive correlation coefficient in supergene sulfidation enrichment and hypogene zones. Cu/Mo ratio decreases from dipper part of Sara deposit (hypogene zone) toward the surface (leached–oxidized zone). Variation and distribution of Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Fe in Sara deposit somewhat are effected by mineralization zones. Comparison of Sara deposit with porphyry copper deposits of Sarcheshmeh, Miduk and Sungun displays that Sara deposit is similar to Miduk deposit in regard to composition of intrusive stock and wall rocks and alteration pattern of Sara deposit relatively similar to Miduk, Sarcheshmeh and Sungun deposits.