Mineralogy and geochemical varations of altered host rock in Irankuh Pb-Zn mining district, SW Isfahan

Irankuh Pb-Zn mining district is located Malayer-Isfahan Metallogenic Belt and it is MVT type. Mineralization is hosted by carbonate rock (mostly coarse-grained dolostone) and minor shale-siltstone as epigenetic. Mineral assembelages are sphalerite, galena, pyrite, and minor chalcopyrite associated with dolomite, ankerite, quartz, organic matter, calcite, and barite. Dolomitization is the most important alteration, which is occurred as karst and dissolution cavities filling, fossil replacement, veinlet, and fault berrecia cement. Silicification is mostly occurred at clastic host rock as vein-veinlet and open space fillinig. Geochemically, ore-bearing fluid is Fe- and Mn-rich, which is formed Fe-rich dolomite and ankerite at carbonate host rock. In clastic host rock, pyrite is mainly occurred due to reaction of iron of fluid and sulfur. In addition, As, Sb, Cd, and Cu contents of both carbonate and clastic host rocks are high that these elements can be exploratory tracker. This study in Irankuh mining district can be pattern of exploration for hidden sources in this area and similar deposits in Iran and the world.