Procedure of Supergene processes with an interpretation from leached capping and oxide enrichment zone in Mahour polymetal deposit, west of Dehsalm

Mineralogy of oxide zone as clue about past climate reveals occurrence of supergene enrichment processes in Mahour Zn-Cu-(Pb-Bi-Ag) mineralization, in central Lut, during two stages: In first stage that supergene processes have occurred from meteoric waters in an arid climate during Oligocene to Upper Miocene, leached capping contains jarosite, natrojarosite and goetite in various ratios and less hematite and sulfur has formed with supergene argillic alteration with quartz, alunite, kaolinite, montmorilonite, and gypsum. In response to neutrialization of solutions, an abundance of smithsonite and malachite with neotocite, greenokite /hawleite and minor azurite and silicate, phosphate and arsenate minerals precipitated in oxide zone and immature sulfide enrichment generated. In second stage, atachamite, paratacamite and chrysocolla have been formed through the interaction of saline waters and preexisting copper oxides after the onset of hyperaridity at Pliocene, and have been preserved since that time. Mineralogy features of leached capping provide insighs into hypogene ore mineral and alteration types and indicate sufficient acid has not been produced for effective leaching of Cu and hence, do not suggest extensive chalcocite enrichment under water table. An interpretation that mineralogy of oxide zone is also illustrative of it and results from exploration drill holes confirm it. With respect to style of Mahour polymetal mineralization and similar mineralizations in district, detail investigation of oxide zone and mapping leached caps in deposit and district scale can be used as suitable exploration tool in the search for conceal ore deposits..