Mineralogical, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies in the Band-e-Cherk Iron-Manganese Prospect Area, Anarak Zone, Central Iran

Band-e-Cherk prospect is located in the north of Isfahan province, on the western boundary of the Central Iran zone. The rock outcrops in this area are mainly comprised of Anarak Palaeozoic-Mesozoic metamorphic complex, Lower Cretaceous sedimentary sequence, Paleocene conglomerate, and Eocene volcanic rocks. The host sequence involves two units, from bottom to top: 1) Palaeozoic-Mesozoic metamorphic complex, and 2) Lower Cretaceous succession. Mineralization is occurred as vein/veinlet, replacement, banded, breccia, banded, spotted, and microbial remains (botryoidal, radial, and needle). The main ore minerals are hematite, goethite, pyrolusite, braunite, psilomelane, and minor todorokite, cryptomelan, and manganite associated with pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Gangue minerals mostly are dolomite, quartz, calcite, barite, and amorphous silica. Magnetic survey reveals a high-positive magnetic anomaly (up to 2900 nT) which coincides with the location of a magnetite-enriched metagabbroic body, east of the study area. Interpretation of the magnetometry results using geological evidence points to an asymmetric anticline, and occurrences of hematiteare found on its limbs. the ore samples have higher Ba, Pb, Si, and Sr contents, and lower Co, Ni, P, and Ti concentrations .Our results indicated that the mineralization form during the three metamorphic, hydrothermal, and supergene processes, respectively. Based on mineralogy, textures, and chemical variations, Band-e-Cherk mineralization is similar to those typical of hydrothermal deposits where the circulation of fluids into the fractured Anarak metamorphic complex has provided the conditions for the formation of iron and manganese mineralization.