Mineralization characteristics and the source of ore-forming fluids in the Chah-Mesi ore deposit using the oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, northern Shahr-e-Babak

In this study, mineralogical aspects of ore genesis at Chah-Mesi deposit was examined using microscopic and EPMA techniques. Also, oxygen isotopic ratio of quartz, and oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios of sericite were measured for discerning the nature of ore fluids and sericitic alteration, respectively. In these investigations, it was recognized that pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena are the main ore constituents, so that firstl pyrite, second chalcopyrite, and finally sphalerite and galena have been crystallized. The presence of tetrahedrite, enargite, and tennantite was, also, detected by EPMA, with the latter two minerals containing 950 ppm Au and 1520 ppm Ag, respectively. Subsequent supergene processes partially altered this original mineralogy to secondary oxide and carbonate minerals. Oxygen isotope studies on quartz in equilibrium with mineralization show a magmatic source for ore-forming fluids. Furthermore, oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios of sericite from host rocks to mineralization indicate a meteoric source for fluids causing sericitic alteration.