Investigation of mineralogical, textural and geochemical properties in Amir Abad copper prospect area, Northwest of Neyshabur

Amir Abad prospect area is located in northwestern Neyshabur, Khorasan Razavi Province. Geology of the area includes post-Eocene subvolcanic igneous (diorite porphyry), Paleogene volcanic (andesite) and sedimentary (sandstone and conglomerate) units. Sedimentary units of the area consist of layers of oxidized red sandstone, gray sandstone and conglomerate. Sandstones deposited in a continental to oceanic island arc tectonic setting within sedimentary basin. Copper mineralization, as layer and lens (syndiagenetic), occurs in sections with mostly lithic arenite composition (coarse grain) and abundant plant fossil. Primary minerals (with disseminated, veinlet and replacement textures) include pyrite and chalcocite, which during secondary stages chalcocite, covellite, malachite, hematite and goethite were formed. Maximum geochemical anomalies in the horizons of mineralization for copper, silver, and zinc are %6, 14 ppm and 99 ppm respectively.. Based on type of host rock, sulfide minerals, texture and mineralization controlling agen (presence of plant traces as reducing factor and host rock permeability), mineralization type is similar to sedimentary copper deposits of Red Bed type.