Investigation of alteration and mineralization of Cu, Pb and Zn in the Talahuiyeh (Tal Ahu) deposit, north of Bam, southeast of Iran

Abstract

The Talahuiyeh deposit area is located 25 km northwest of Bam city and in the east of Kerman province. Its location is in the geographical coordinate system of "55'17°29and "38'17°29   latitude and "11'14°58 and "30'16°58   longitude. The rock units of this area include andesite, dacite, ignimbrite, sandstone, conglomerate and limestone. The volcanic units of this area are related to Eocene volcanic activity. The main alterations observed in the area include silicic, phyllic, argillic and iron oxide. Lead mineralization is in the form of galena and copper mineralization is in the form of chalcopyrite and malachite. Mineralization has occurred along with silicic veins-veinlets with volcanic hosts. The minimum, maximum and average grades of copper are 3 ppm, 3518 ppm and 257 ppm and lead is 5 ppm, 39000 ppm and 1664 ppm. The genetic relationship of the elements was investigated with the help of the statistical method of examining the Spearman correlation coefficient, tree diagram and factor analysis. The results of the statistical studies showed that the elements copper, lead and zinc have a high correlation and also the values ​​of REE in different facies show no correlation with the elements Cu, Pb and Zn. Based on the available evidence, the Talahuiyeh lead and copper deposit is very similar to epithermal deposits.