Pb-Zn Deposits in Ruchun-Mazar Region, Kerman Province: Geology, Alteration and Mineralization

Ruchun-Mazar region is located in southern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, southwest of Baft city in Kerman province, Iran. Seh Chah, Chah Sorbi, Chah Nar, Zardbazi Dar, and Chah Sorbi Arjmand Pb-Zn deposits located in this region were investigated. The most outcrops of the geological units in the area include the Paleozoic metamorphic complexes of Gol Ghohar (amphibolite, gneiss and micaschist), Ruchun (schist, marble, calcschist, black chert, slate and phyllite), and Khabar (marble, calcschist). Microdioritic, monzodioritic and diabasic dykes have intruded into the metamorphic units. Dolomitic and calcitic marble of Ruchun complex is the host rock for Pb-Zn mineralization. Primary mineralization in Seh Chah, Chah Sorbi, and Chah Nar deposits includes galena, sphalerite, and pyrite ± chalcopyrite along with quartz, calcite, and dolomite ± barite. Vein-veinlet, open space filling, brecciated ± disseminated ± laminate structures and textures can be seen in these deposits. The most important alterations in these deposits are silicification and carbonitization (calcitic and dolomitic alterations). Primary sulfide ore in Zardbazi Dar and Chah Sorbi Arjmand deposits has been weathered and mining has been carried out on nonsulfide ore (supergene ore). The nonsulfide ore formed at the expense of sulfides, and mainly consists of smithsonite, hydrozincite, hemimorphite, and cerussite. It seems that these deposits belong to the direct replacement and, to a lesser extent, wall rock replacement nonsulfide zinc deposits. Based on the geological, mineralogical and alteration evidence, the primary mineralization in the region can be divided into two groups of SEDEX type (Chah Sorbi deposit) and vein type (Chah Nar and Seh Chah deposits). It was concluded that under supergene conditions in some deposits, nonsulfide ore was also formed. Moreover, the deposits of this region can be categorized into primary sulfide (hydrothermal) and nonsulfide (supergene).