Nohkuhi volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit: a sample of Bathurst- type mineralization in northwest of Kerman

The Nohkuhi copper deposit located at 40 Km Northwest of Kerman, occurred in the Central Iran structural zone (Bafq- Posht-e- Badam block), within Late Precambrian-Early Cambrian volcano-sedimentary sequences. Host sequence of mineralization consists of dominantly black shale, sandstone and dacitic lava of Rizu Series. Mineralization occurred as stratabound (vein-veinlets) and stratiform (bedded) in the three copper- and two iron-manganese horizons. The mineralization in the Nohkuhi area involves four ore facieses including stringer, vent complex, bedded, and hydrothermal-exhalative banded iron and manganese-rich sediments. This mineralization contains primary pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, hematite and pyrolusite. Wallrock alterations are dominated by chloritic and carbonatic-sericitic- silicic. Metal zonation was observed in the deposit. Based on characteristics of mineralization, such as tectonic setting, host rocks, ore textures and structures, mineralogy, metal and alteration zonation, and comparison with main characters of the volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, the mineralization shows most similarities with the siliciclastic felsic or Bathurst- type deposits.