Magnetite Chemistry: Evidence of Skarn Fe Mineralization in the Ahangaran Range, Eastern Iran

The studied mining area is located in the northeast of the Lut block, within the Ahangaran mountain range. The rock units in the region generally include limestone and metamorphosed carbonate rocks that are penetrated by intrusive masses with the composition of diorite, monzodiorite, granodiorite and granite. Based on the structural control of the mineralization zone and the formation of metasomatism succession with the presence of low-temperature hydrous minerals such as chlorite and epidote along with magnetite, the iron mineralization of the area can be considered as a low-temperature skarn type. The mineral chemistry of magnetite and the amounts of Ca, Ti, Al, V, Cr, Ni and Mn are also similar to skarn deposits. Field studies indicate that another younger intrusive mass at depth is the origin of the iron mineralization of the ore zone. Based on analysis of components, calculated on the basis of REE, the ore solution with magmatic origin has moved upward along the faults and after mixing with atmospheric fluids, as a result, it has created a reaction with the carbonate rocks of the iron ore.