Evaluation of iron mineralization in Chahpalang index of Anarak, Central Iran

Chahpalang iron index is located in 90 km northeast of Ardakan city in Yazd province and Central Iran structural Zone. Rock units in the study area consist of meta-volcanics, recrystallized carbonates and schists. Ore body is hosted by meta-volcanics and carbonate rocks. Magnetite (two types), hematite (three types) associated with a few pyrite and secondary minerals of goethite, limonite are as ore minerals. Outcrops of orebody are disseminated, lenses and veins in the host rock. Disseminated, massive, corrosion, brecciated, replacement, network are textures of mineralization and alteration halos are chloritization, epidotization and sillicification. Total iron values vary between 28 and 91% in the samples. Low values of Cr, V and Ni-Co diagram confirm hydrothermal origin of Chahpalang iron index. REE values are between 10 and 110 ppm and distribution pattern diagram of these elements indicate the decreasing trend from LREEs to HREEs, resulting the fractionation of these elements in the hydrothermal process. Negative Ce and positive Eu anomalies and REE calculated ratios show the similarity of Chahpalang iron index with hydrothermal deposits.