Formation of Various Types of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Deposits and Its Relationship With Tectono-Magmatic Evolution in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

Various types of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits occurred within the northern and southern parts of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone (SSZ). The most important VMS deposits of the south SSZ includes the Bavanat Cu-Zn Ag (pelitic mafic- or Besshi-type), Sargaz Cu-Zn (bimodal mafic- or Noranda-type), and Chahgaz Zn-Pb-Cu (silicicalstic felsic-or Bathurst type) deposits, and the north SSZ hosts the Barika gold-rich (bimodal felsic- or Kuroko-type) VMS deposit. Comparison of the VMS deposits, and investigating of possible relationship between formation of these deposits and tectono-magmatic processes within the SSZ indicate formation of all the deposits within intra-arc rift basins related to subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust beneath the Iranian plate during Mesozoic period. Main reasons for formation of the different VMS types within the SSZ might be due to evolution of magma nature and intra arc rift basins. Comparison between the deposits in many aspects including host and associated rock types and ore mineral paragenesis indicate clear differences between the Bavanat and Sargaz deposits and the Chahgaz deposit. It is inferred that the differences could be due to variations in magma compositions, i.e., felsic in the Chahgaz, and mafic in the Bavanat and Sargaz host sequences. Indeed, development of the intra-arc rifting was at early/nascent stage in the Bavanat and Sargaz regions and at mature stage in the Chahgaz area. The SSZ (particularly the southern part) due to hosting various VMS type deposits and involving the known largest and majority VMS deposits in Iran is the most attractive structural zone for VMS exploration.