Paragenesis of Asnawa Iron Ore in Penjween Area, Zagros Suture Zone

Paragenesis of Asnawa Iron Ore in Penjween Area, Zagros Suture Zone

 Kurdistan Region, Northeastern Iraq

1* Kamal  H.  Karim, 1*Nabaz  R.H. Aziz ,   2* Mayssa A. A.A  Al-Bidary

1* University of Sulaimani, Department of Geology, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

2*University of Baghdad, Department of Geology, Iraq

Accepted for Publication in :  Iranian Journal of Earth Sciences (IJES) , 2016

Abstract

The Asinawa iron ore is located about 3km to the southeast of Penjween town, Sulaimaniya Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Northeastern Iraq near the Iraq-Iran border.  The exposed iron ore deposit is about 60 and 400m wide and long respectively. The present study re-studied the geology and geochemistry of the ore and concluded that the country rocks are consist of hornfels in which the original lamination or banding of the parent rocks (calc-silicate low grade metamorphic rocks) are preserved and inherited from its sedimentary precursors. Moreover than that, the facies that is associated with host rocks is generally hornblende-hornfels facies (550-650C^o).  This range is confirmed through thermobarometry.There are evidences of localized pyroxene-hornfels and sanidine hornfels facies too. Additionally, the detail of the different stages of the iron ore paragenesis is shown by discussion with the aid of suitable graphical drawing and geochemical variation diagrams. By these methods, the sedimentary stratigraphic unit of the parent rock (protolith) was fond for the first time which consists of Qulqula Radiolarian Formation (Kermanshah Radiolarites in Iran). The bedded chert, limestone and calcareous shale is the main lithology of the latter formation and after burial and deformation, it is regionally metamorphosed to calc-silicate rocks of green facies rocks. At a later stage, these rocks, remetamorphosed (polymetamorphism pattern) again to hornfels with concurrent changing to iron ore by basic iron rich hydrothermal solutions during Eocene (37-40Ma). This age is calculated using Ar³⁹/Ar⁴⁰ method of dating.

Keywords:  Asnawa iron ore, Qulqula Radiolarian Formation, hornfels, skarn, Penjween mineralization, paragenesis

1. Introduction

The Asnawa iron ore is located near the Iraq-Iran border, about 3 km to the southeast of Penjween Town, which has been identified as an important metallogenic province of the northeastern Iraq. The studied area occupies part of the Iraqi Zagros Suture Zone (Fig. 1).

The previous ideas about the origin of the iron ore and its country rocks were controversial. One idea suggested metasomatiic replacement of calc-silicate schist (as country rocks) by iron ions which are derived from alteration of nearby diorite body. Another one suggested metasomatism replacement of gabbro, as country rock, by hydrothermal iron rich solution. These ideas suggest that the replacement was occurred in relatively low temperature which was in the range of green schist facies.

The Asnawa iron ore occurs as contact skarn ore and situated near Penjween Town; the largest one is the Asnawa ore deposit. The exposed iron mineralization zone occurs along four small quarries on a steep, north-east facing slopes of a border mountain peak known as Asinkolen. The The Asnawa iron ore occurrence is preliminary studied by Site Investigation Co. (UK) in the early 50’s followed by the later Iraqi Geological Survey comprehensive investigation projects.

McCarthy (1956) [1] investigated Asnawa iron ore which is situated in a complex zone of igneous and metamorphic rocks of uncertain age. Bolton (1958) [3] indicated that the iron ore was found within metamorphic rocks in the Qandil Series. Teretenko and Khadikov (1962) [2] classified the Asnawa iron mineralization as contact metasomatic and considered that it originated along the contact of diorite intrusion in the carbonates of the Penjween Group. Pashdari (1983) [3] indicated that the contact rocks (intercalated marble and calc-silicates) around Asnawa are subjected to intense metasomatism (diffusion and infiltration processes), and added that the iron-bearing solutions were generated by alteration of nearby diorite body and the solutions had transformed the original skarn rocks into limy-skarn and magnetite ore-skarn. The same idea is confirmed by Aswad and Pshdari (1985) [4] whom indicated that the source of iron was mainly came from solutions that are derived from diorite. Al-Bidary (2011) [5] and Yara (2015) [6] have concluded the magmatic origin of the country rock. The reserve of Asnawa iron ore is estimated to be less than 1.5 million tones by Mc Carthy (1965) [1]. Form decays of the last century it is quarried from time to time and few thousand tones are used for improvement of Portland cement. The present study aims in studying the mineralogy, geochemistry of the iron ore and the country rocks to achieve Paragenesis of the Asnawa iron ore.

1.1. Geology of the studied Area

The study area is consisting of high mountainous terrain of Zagros type which has northwest–southeast trend. Between the mountains, there are low intermountain plains such as Rawgan Plain to the north and northwest of Penjween town.   In the area, the highest peak   does not exceed 1822 meters while the lowest elevation (such Rawgan plain) is about 400m below this elevation (Teretenko and Khadikov, 1962) [2]. The iron ore is located at the southeastern end of the Kani Shawqat Mountain which looks over the Penjween town. The peak at this end is called Asin Kolen Mountain.  At this end there is a small v-shaped valley which is called Belkian valley and contains a governmental picnic building. The iron ore is located at the head of this valley and exposed on the surface as small bodies along the northeastern side of the latter mountain which is about 1755m high from the mean sea level.

The ore body is about 250 m long and 50 m wide and has nearly the triangle shape with the base at lower slope of Asinkollen Mountain and its tip nearly coincides with the peak of the mountain (Fig.1 and 2).The ore  consists of several northeast-southwest trending nearly vertical veins of different sizes. The iron veins are thick and pure near the base of the triangle and have black color with metallic luster. Toward the top, the gangue minerals increase and the iron ore become secondary and dull in lusters which exist as narrow veins (Fig.4).

The Asnawa mineralized zone is located inside the lower part of Qandil metamorphic group. This group constitutes the main units of the Zagros Suture Zone in the northeastern Iraq. In Penjween area, Penjween Igneous complex (or Penjween Ophiolite Complex) replaces the group and has an outcrop of approximately 35 km2 within the Iraqi territories. The rest is located within adjacent Iranian territories.

The Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks are intensely shared and located between the diorite body at the east and ophiolite at west (Fig.1). The area around iron mineralization zone is intruded by a large mass of peridotite on the north-west and by a small plug-like body of diorite intrusion on the south and south-east.

The siliceous schist (regionally metamorphosed sedimentary rock of Qandil Unit) is metamorphosed by peridotite and diorite intrusions at the northwest and south respectively (McCarthy, 1956) [1]. He added that the main mineralized zone which lies between the marbles and the calc-silicates is terminated by a north-south trending local faults (fig.1).

  Fig. 1: The location  (A) and   geological (B) maps of the studied area with detail geological map of the area around Asnawa iron ore in side Qandil Group (C) Modified from Mc Carthy(1965) [1]  and Pshdari (1985) [3].

   Fig. 3: The three quarries (from Google Earth, 2009) of the Asnawa iron ore and four sampled sections. The Iron exists as veins of 1cm to 4 m thickness

  Fig. 4:  Upper Quarry of the Asnawa iron ore shows partial and veinal replacement of country rocks (banded hornfels) by iron

2. Methodology of the and Analytical techniques

The studied Asnawa iron ores exposed in four small quarries, a detailed geological study of the whole area is conducted in field for recording relations of all rocks that are related to the iron ore.  More than 40 samples are taken which are representing the whole Asnawa iron ore and its country rocks from four sections along the mineralization zone for thin section preparation and analytical analyses. The thin sections and samples are inspected using various analytical techniques. The geochemical data of Al-Bidary (2011) [5] are used for this study. The petrographical and geochemical studies of the samples are conducted at the Department of Earth Science, Dalhousie University, Canada. The bulk-rock major and trace rare earth elements (REEs) were analyzed using ICP-MS and INAA  techniques. The chemical compositions of minerals in iron ores and country rocks were determined by an electron microprobe technique using JEOL 8200 microprobe. The operating conditions were 15 kV accelerating potential and 20A probe current.

 3. Result  

3.1. Mineralogy and Mineral chemistry

3.1.1. The iron ore:

The iron ore body has spotty and localized distribution along the area of 50mx250 m and consists of magnetite and other associated minerals are accompanied by gangue minerals which consist mainly of hornblende with minor amounts of clinopyroxene. The magnetite occurs as dense massive aggregates under the microscope and changes to visible banded structure in outcrop with width of 3mm to 10cm and to large veins, more than 3m thick giving rise to banded structures in the rock (Fig.5).

The concentrations of Fe₂O₃ in the iron ore body (R1&R2) range from 93.98% to 84.74% (see Al-Bidary, 2011[5], appendix 5, 6 and7). Microprobe analysis indicated that the gangue minerals consist of fine grains hornblend (common gangue minerals) range in composition from magneso-hastingsite to ferro-hornblende and clinopyroxene ranges in composition from ferrosalite (Wo _50.07 En _13.57 Fs _36.36), hedenbergite (Wo _49.99 En _7.01 Fs _42.99), ferrohedenbergite (Wo _32.14 En _5.53 Fs _62.33) to ferroaugite (Wo _56.26 En _0.04 Fs _43.71). The iron ore additionally contain grunerite and Andradite (al_3.26 py_0.3 gr_40.17 sp_0.89 uv_0.07 an_55.03).

3.1.2. The country rocks

The country rocks of the Asnawa iron ores composed mainly of hornfels with thin layer of carbonate skarn. These rocks   represent the lower part of Qandil Group and wedged between the diorite and the much older peridotite intrusion. The metamorphosed country rocks show a wide variety in mineral composition.  According to Al-Bidary (2011) [5] microprobe analysis indicated that the country rocks are mainly composed of clinopyroxene, plagioclase-pyroxene, amphibolite, clinozeosite, perhnite and chlorite with accessory minerals sphene, sulfides, calcite, quartz, apatite, zircon and magnetite. The latter auther added that     Clinopyroxene is the most important forming mineral group in the country rocks and consists of ferrosalite, hedenbergite and ferroaugite. It occurs as small aggregate, the composition of ferrosalite is Wo _49.89 En _16.77 Fs ₃₃, hedenbergite Wo _46.68 En _8.7 Fs _45.2 and ferroaugite Wo _41.8 En _17.53 Fs _40.83. Plagioclase is fine grained; most grains have lost twin lamella due to metamorphic effect (Nesse, 1986) [7]. There are two generations of plagioclase; it is either a primary in the rocks or secondary mineral deposited in fractures by hydrothermal veins to Al-Bidary (2011) [5].

The minerals of the plagioclase series shows composition ranges albite (An _4.32 Ab _95.21 Or _0.46) to (An _9.17 Ab _90.33 Or _0.50), Andesine composition is An _33.90 Ab _65.64 Or _0.45, Labradorite composition is An ₆₀ Ab _39.28 Or _0.72 to An _64.20 Ab _35.06 Or _0.74. Amphibole group in the country rocks composed of Ferro-actinolite and Magnesio-Hastingsite. Ferro- actinolite is found in the country rocks as veins cutting the county rocks or as fine acicular, elongate or fiberous grains parallel to the vein walls. Ferro-actinolite composition is K _0.05 Na _0.06 Ca _2.1 Mg _1.28 Fe ⁺² _3.56 Fe ⁺³ _0.0 Mn _0.01 Ti _0.1     Al _0.38 Si _7.68. Magnesio-Hastingsite occurs as aggregates with a schistose texture or as fine-grain with composition of K _0.32 Na _0.45 Ca _2.12 Mg _0.99 Fe ⁺² _3.08 Fe ⁺³ _0.13 Mn _0.02 Ti _0.1 Al _2.67 Si _6.0.

 3.2. Geochemistry

3.2.1. Major elements

The obtained major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) data for the Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks are given in (Tables 1). Major element geochemistry shows that both Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks are characterized by an extend range of major oxide concentration. Fe₂O₃ is the dominant major oxide in the iron ore which derived from magnetite ranging between 30.31-70.18% with an average of 63.26%. This concentration increases in the pure iron ore and range between 84.74-93.98%. Fe₂O₃ concentration in the country rocks range between 6.93-24.79% with an average of 15.86%, the main source of Fe₂O₃ in the country rocks came from the amphibole minerals.

3.2.2. Geochemistry of REEs

Rare earth elements (REE) geochemical data are obtained for both iron ore and country rocks in Asnawa. The obtained data have been normalized relative to chondrite values of Sun & McDonough, (1989) [8] and the results are given in (Table 2). The residence of REE in metamorphic rocks depends on the minerals present in the rock, the model abundance of those minerals, and the physical and chemical conditions in which those minerals grew (Lipin and McKay, 1989) [9].

The REE patterns of a metamorphic rock can be used as evidence of the mineralogy of the source rock, the rock phases altered by the solution and the chemistry of solution (Joseph and Graf, 1977) [10]. Implying that the alteration processes and metamorphic fluid (hydrothermal solution) is capable of complexing the REE and removing them from the system (Henderson, 1984[11]; Hongo et al, 2007) [12]. Accordingly the overall chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the Asnawa iron ore and their country rocks studied display significant REE variability.This indicates that hydrothermal solutions which deposited magnetite are rich with REE and tends to remain in the solution (Henderson, 1984) [11].

The REEs in the iron ore rocks have a noticeably negative Eu anomaly due to plagioclase fractionation as well as enrichment in light-REE (LREE) and in heavy REE (HREEs) due to increasing of Fe within magnetization. The country rock display enrichment in the total REEs of 10 x chondrite to 100 x chondrite because the country rocks contain high amount of hornblende deposited from hydrothermal solutions, essentially the REE are hosted in hornblende, whereas Ca⁺² in hornblende is replaced by REE (Masson, 1966[13]; Hanchar and Hoskin, 2003) [14]. Generally the country rocks shows enrichment in       light-REE and Depletion in heavy REE with slight negative Eu-anomaly due to plagioclase fractionation. The Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks REE pattern is coincides strongly with that of the average REE pattern of metasedimentary rocks (Cullers et al, 2001) [15], these clear similarities indicate that  they are derived from metasedimentary protoliths.

Fig. 5: Chondrite-normalized REE plots for Asnawa country rocks, which is compared to the metasedimentary rock pattern (Data from Cullers et al., 1997) [15].

Table 1: Whole-rock major (wt %) and trace (ppm) element analysis of Asnawa iron ore (R), pure magnetite (RM) and country rock (C).

3.3. Normalized Multi-elements spider diagram

The multi-element variation diagrams (spider diagrams) of Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks were shown in Fig. (6). In the figure the trace elements are arranged in order of decreasing incompatibility from left to right, and normalized to the N-MORB source mantle concentrations of Sun & McDonough (1989) [8]. Bulk-rock N-MORB normalized profiles of iron ore are almost flat in the MREE–HREE region with the flattening of profiles in the Gd–Lu range (5-11) times N-MORB composition). Compared to the country rocks, iron ore has extremely high content of REEs, displaying variable depletions in the moderately incompatible high-field-strength elements (HFSE) (Zr, Hf, Y) relative to their adjacent.

Notable differences in the iron ore spider diagram patterns (Fig.6) include: (1) Large ion lithophile element (LILE) and

LREE values are notably high, with low content of Rb, K,Sr. The low variations in Rb, K and Pb concentrations and the ‘spiky’ LILEs indicate interaction of hydrothermal fluids and mobility of these trace elements during magnetite formation. (2) The spider diagrams show a significant negative Ti anomaly for all samples, with relatively flat patterns in the HFSEs, the Ti negative anomaly is due to reduction environment existing during magnetite formation. The country rocks spider diagram patterns (Fig.6) shows, (1) comprehensible enrichment in the LILEs elements indicating their sedimentary protolith (impure limestone of Qulqula Formation metamorphosed to calc-schist and hornfels) with low content of Rb and K; (2) relatively flat patterns in the HFSEs with, (3) negative Ti anomaly doe to accessible reduction environment available as indicated by occurrence of dark bands of magnetite in the calc-schist country rock.

Table 2: Present the real REE analysis Normalized whole-rock REE analysis of Asnawa iron ore (R), pure magnetite (RM) and the country rocks (C). Chondrite normalized values from (Sun and McDonough, 1989) [8].

Fig. 6: A multi-element spider diagram, normalized against N-MORB of iron ore. Values of normalizing from Sun & McDonough (1989) [8]. Elements arranged in order of increasing compatibility (Hofmann, 1988) [16].

3.4. Geochronology

Hornblende (Mg-hastingsite) separates from two samples representing Asnawa country rock and iron ore have been dated using ⁴⁰Ar/³⁰Ar method (table 3 and 4). Mg-hastingsite in country rock sample is associated with ferrosalite, plagioclase, clinozoisite and sphene, while in iron ore sample it is associated with magnetite and ferroaugite.  Country rock and iron ore samples yield perfect plateau ages 37.5±0.8 Ma and 40.8± 0.8 Ma respectively (Fig.7 and 8). Different ages of the two Mg-hastingsite examples indicate presence of two generation of hornblende in Asnawa and the interrelation between magnesio-hastingsite and magnetite in iron ore rock suggests the contemporaneous formation (mineralization age) of hornblende with magnetite during Eocene time.

Table -3 Argon summaries for hornblende in country rock

TOTAL GAS AGE = 37.5 ± .8 Ma,   J = .002329 ± 2.329E-05

Fig.(7) plateau  age of   Asnawa  country   by  released Ar ³⁹ from hornblende

Table -4 Argon summaries for hornblende in Iron ore body

TOTAL GAS AGE = 37.5 ± .8 Ma,   J = .002329 ± 2.329E-05,

% IIC – INTERFERING ISOTOPES CORRECTION

Fig.(8) plateau  age of   Asnawa  Iron ore body  by  released Ar ³⁹ from hornblende

3.5. Thermo-barometry

Mineralogical study of the Asnawa iron ore reveals that the amphibole and plagioclase are the major constituents of the Asnawa iron ore. Amphibolite minerals exist in both iron ore body and the country rock, it occurs as gangue and main mineral constituent respectively.  The amphibole (hornblende) minerals within the iron ore body range in composition from magneso-hastingsite to ferro-hornblende, while the amphibole mineral in the country rock iscomposed of Ferro-actinolite and Magnesio-Hastingsite.

Based on amphibole thermobarometry of Ernst and Liu (1998), amphiboles of the iron ore represent high PT metamorphic conditions (Fig.9). The estimated metamorphic temperature of the iron ore range between 550-650 C^o (Hornblende Hornfels facies), while the temperature of the country rocks range from 420-540 C^o (Albite-Epidote Hornfels to Hornblende Hornfels facies).

Fig. (9) Compositions of amphiboles in Asnawa iron ore (o) and Asnawa county rocks (*) plotted on an isopleth of Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ diagram of calcic amphibole (after Ernst and Liu, 1998) [17].

4. Discussion

4.1. Paragenesis of Asnawa Iron Ore

The paragenesis of the of the Asnawa Iron Ore is depending on the field and lab evidence. The paragenesis elements include the deposition and age of the parent rocks in additions to burial and metamorphism of these rocks to calc-silicate   rocks. The metamorphic calc-silicate rocks are suffered from second phase of metamorphism by intrusion of iron rich hydrothermal solution.

4.1.1. Field evidences

In the area, there are two types of metamorphic rocks (both are called calc–silicate rocks in this study) that are related to iron ore; the first one is relatively thin (10-30cm thick) layer (or vein) of skarn rocks which exist at the northwestern boundary of the iron ore. This skarn is assigned as carbonatite (magmatic carbonate rocks) by Yara (2014) [6]. The second is banded hornfels (previous schist of McCarthy, 1956[1], Pishdari, 1983[3]; Aswad and Pshdari, 1985[4] and orthogneiss of Yara, 2014[6]. The hornfels is covering both the first one and iron ore from all sides to the distance of three hundred meters between diorite at southeast and peridotite at the south and southwest. Outside this distance, the hornfels rocks changes to calc-silicate marble, especially inside and around Penjween town.

In the present study and according to the field evidence and Karim (2004) [18] it is proved that the above three rock have sedimentary parenthood (protolith). This proof is important for introduction of new explanation of the association of iron ore, different metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and effect of metamorphism on them.

The closest sedimentary unit to the iron ore calc-silicate rocks is Merga Red Bed (Miocene) and the Qulqula Radiolarian Formation, the outcrop of which is located about 5 kms to the south and southwest of the studied area near Kani Manga village (Fig.1). The country rock around the iron ore (now metamorphosed to hornfels) is very similar to the lithology and bedding pattern of Qulqula Radiolarian Formation which was  studied in detail by (Baziany, 2013) [19] and Karim et al. (2008) [20].  If the distance of the five kilometers is not covered by the peridotite and later series, it is possible to trace laterally the formation into calc-silicate marble. According to the latter two authors, the latter formation contain both impure    limestone and calcareous shale, therefore the parent rock of the calc-silicate rock is most possibly the Qulqula Radiolarian Formation. The hornfels has of clear banded and foliated texture (or structure) which originally inherited from impure or banded limestone which was regionally metamorphosed. Karim (2004) [18] found layered (bedded) metamorphic rocks that were very similar to the bedded limestone and cherts of latter formation in thickness, stacking pattern and color. Therefore he considered the formation as the parent rock of the marbles (present calc-slicate rocks) in Penjween area. According to Karim (2003) [21], the Qulqula Radiolarian Formation is deposited in the trench of the Neo-Tethys and finally deformed and accumulated as accretionary prism during colliding of Arabian and Iranian plates. The pressure and temperature of the colliding metamorphosed the rocks of the accretionary prism regionally. During the metamorphism the calc-silicate marble obtained the clear foliation which appears as black and white bands (similar to lamination in sedimentary rocks). These bands can observe on the outcrop and quarries of calc-silicate marble which used as decorative stone in the Iraqi Kurdistan, including studied area, and studied by Karim (2004) [18].

4.1.2. Hornfels rocks

Pashdari (1983) [3] and Aswad and Pshdari, 1985) [4] assumed that the iron or exist in the skarn and calc-silicate rocks as contact aureole of the Asinawa iron ore while the Al-Bidary (2011) [5] concluded that the ore has contact with gabbro. While Yara (2014) [6] has proved that the iron ore surrounded by carbonatite and orthogneiss rocks. The present study does not aid these assumptions and introduces new rocks as contact aureole of the iron ore. These newly introduced rocks are hornfels rocks which consist of banded (finely layered) and coherent rock and sound when strike with hammer. These rocks consist of light and dark color bands of thickness ranging from less of millimeter to few centimeters (Fig.10).

The dark bands consist of amphibole and pyroxene minerals while the light ones consist of plagioclase minerals (albite, oligoclase and andesine). The bands are originally consisted of the pure and impure calcitic limestone bands of calc-silicate rocks.  The intrusion of a hot iron solution into the calc-silicate marble transformed the rocks to contact metamorphic rocks (hornfels). By this process the pure calcite changed to plagioclase and impure one changed to amphibole and pyroxene minerals due to presence of silicate minerals. It is clear that the original texture and structure of the calc-silicate marble not changed but remained as they were and only the mineralogy is changed by heat and solutions (Fig.10). The hornfesl can be called the banded hornfels due to the freezing of original texture and structure of the parent metamorphic rocks.

The evidence of this assumption is the finding of sanidine inside the iron ore by Al-Bidary (2010) [5] (Fig.11 B, C and D). This mineral is envisaged as index mineral of sanidine hornfels facies of high temperature contact metamorphism. Other evidence is the texture of the country rock which is mostly granobalstic (Fig.11A). Jassim and Goff (2006) [22] had mentioned occurrence of some anthophyllite hornfels in Bulfat area about 80 kms to the northwest of the studied area. The properties of mentioned hornfels are similar to that of the present study such as fineness of grains, spotty appearance with dark and light parts and association with diorite body.     McCarthy (1956) [1] considered the present hornfels as siliceous schist which regionally m etamorphosed between both igneous intrusions. He added that the parent rock of the schist was sedimentary rock of Qandil Group. In Iran, East Azarbaijan, NW Iran, Mollai et al. (2009) [23] studied geology and geochemistry of skarn deposits in the northern part of Ahar batholith. The deposit is associated nearly with similar mineral assemblage, replacement and facies of the present study. They concluded that a limestone was thermally metamorphosed to hornfels in the range of 698-754 ^oC.

Fig. 10: Banded hornfels of the country rock of the iron ore, the white and dark bands   consist of pyroxene (with amphibole) and plagioclase respectively as seen from the upper left thin section.

   Fig. 11: The different features of the country rocks (hornfels), A) Granoblastic texture.     B, C and D) Sanidine in the country rock.

4.1.2. Carbonatite versus calc-silicate marble (skarn)

Yara (2014) [6] has assumed that the thin skarn rock at the northwestern boundary is carbonatite rocks (Fig.12).  His assumption is based on   several points: 1) the presence of apatite, sanidine, clinopyroxene and igneous zircon, 2) calcite inclusion within clinopyroxene and sanidine, 3) the geological setting of the carbonatite as lenses within orthogneiss, 4) the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the rock (0.7069).  He further added that this ratio suggests that the rock was mantle-derived and represents a carbonatite rather than limestone. Its intrusive age is determined by the zircon evaporation method; its weighted mean age yielded 310±13 Ma.

The present study does not aid presence of carbonatite in the area due to the five below facts. The first one is that Al-Bidary (2011) [5] found sanidine inside the iron ore and in the country rocks (Fig.11 B, C and D). The second is presence of laminations in the exposed carbonatite (skarn of present study). These laminations are inherited from the sedimentary protolith (Fig.13A). The third on is occurrence of clear bedding of the country rock around iron ore (Fig.12B and 13).These beds belong to Qulqula Radiolarian Formation and now exists as hornfels.

The fourth one is that the claimed orthogneiss by Yara (2014) [6] is proved in present study that it is hornfels which metamorphosed from calcslicate marble. Therefore, the presence of carbonate in it is normal. The fifth one is the fact that metamorphic rock can contain reworked Zircon of igneous origin. The calculated age of 310 million years (Carboniferous)n may be belong to the age of crystalization of the igneous body from which the zircon grain inflexed into Qulqula Radiolarian Formation  after erosion.

Fig. 12: The main quarry of the iron ore which surrounded by skarn and hornfels. The skarn is assumed as carbonatite by Yara (2014) [6].

Fig.13: A) Sample of the carbonatite of Yara (2014) [6] shows laminations of possible sedimentary precursor. B) Sedimentary bedding around iron ore at the distant of 150 to its northwest, the beds now metamorphosed to hornfels.

Fig.14: The country roc at the distance of 200 meters from iron ore showing clear bedding of parent rock which was metamorphosed  and now can be seen as  hornfels

5. History and processes of paragenesis

The history and processes of paragenesis of the iron ore is shown in the   figure (15) and described in the below points.

1-The Qulqula Radiolarian Formation (marls, bedded charts and limestone) was deposited in the trench of the Neo-Tethys basin during Jurassic and Early Cretaceous (Fig.15 a).

2-The formation had deformed to an accretionary prism in between the Arabian and Iranian plates during their collision in Late Cretaceous with concurrent obduction of ophiolite (Karim, 2003) [23].

3- The part of the formation that is located inside Sanandij-Sirjan Zone (Penjween area) was regionally metamorphosed and transformed to calc-silicate marble (Fig.15 B and b) while that part of  the formation that is  located at 4 km to the south (inside thrust Zone) remained as highly deformed sedimentary rock (Fig.15a).

4- The basic igneous bodies were intruded   into calc-silicate marble during Eocene and this latter rock was re-metamoorphism to hornfels (Fig.15C, c₁ and c₂).

5-Iron-bearing magmatic solution separated from a possible deep seated igneous body. The iron ions    had partially   replaced calc-silicate which was transformed to Iron-ore (Fig.15D, d1 and d2).

6- The studied area had uplifted and the iron ore exposed due to erosion of cover rocks during Quaternary (Fig.15E).

6. Conclusion

1-The overall chondrite-normalized REE patterns  and multi-element  variation diagrams of Asnawa iron ore and the country rocks shows that the protolith of the country rock was sedimentary impure limestone metamorphosed to calc-schist.

2- The sedimentary parent rock of the iron ore and their country rocks was Early Cretaceous Radiolarite (Qulqula Radiolarian Formation) which regionally  metamorphosed to calc-silicated schist and finally to hornfels.

3- The metamorphic facies of the country rock is hornblende hornfels with localized and minor occurrence of pyroxenite and sandine facies.

4- The igneous intrusions and contact metamorphism were occurred during Eocene.

5- The study does not aid the presence of previously mentioned carbonatite.

  Fig. 15: Graphical model (not to scale) for paragenesis of Asinawa iron ore which evidenced by field and thin section photos.