Petrography and mineral chemistry of metasomatites related to Iron-Apatite mineralization in Kiruna-type deposits in the Bafq region with a focus on Choghart and Chadormalu mining district, Central Iran

The Iron-apatite deposits of Choghart and Chadormalu mining district are located in the western margin of the Bafq block and are hosted by Precambrian metamorphic basement complex, Late Precambrian sedimentary-volcanic units, and Late Precambrian-Early Cambrian plutonic rocks. The origin and relation of the rocks for a long time, which are known as metasomatites, have always been questioned. Based on petrography and mineral chemistry studies, five types of hydrothermal alterations have identified in these rocks. The oldest one is Na-alteration, which occurs at farther distances of iron deposits and is characterized by the presence of chessboard albite. The youngerst one is sodic-calcic alteration which is widespread and two-stages of the metasomatism model are characterized by the presence of tremolite-actinolite and is synchronous with the Fe-oxides. Potassic alteration occurs after two previous alteration phases, because of the influence of K-rich fluids and the formation of K-feldspar and secondary biotite. Silicate and sericite alteration has occurred as a late phase in the region.