Geochemical aspects of molybdenum and precious metals distribution in the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, Iran

Abstract

Constraints on hypogene distribution of Mo and precious metals (Au and Ag) in the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper deposit indicated that much of the metals tend to be concentrated within the Cu-rich potassic core as well as with strongly phyllic alteration. The gradual increase in metal concentrations from weak potassic alteration to strong potassic and phyllic alteration zones is observed that could be related to cumulative effects of the early to the late stages of alteration and mineralization which is increased vein density and metal deposition. Comparison between inter-element relationships in hypogene ore types indicated that precious metals and Cu positively correlate over a wide range of values, indicating a spatial and temporal association of precious metals with Cu sulfides. In contrast, the sympathetic relationship of Mo with Cu and precious metals is only present in low-grade ores which are deposited in weak potassic alteration zone. This suggests contemporaneous deposition of minor Mo with Cu and precious metals during the early stage of mineralization. In the transitional stages of mineralization, significant portion of Mo deposition occurred independent of Cu and precious metals which is supported by negative correlation between Mo and Cu (also with precious metals) in silicified ores. In the late stage of mineralization, where the highest values of the metals had occurred with sericitization, differences in the distribution of the metals and inter-element relationships are significant that could be attributed to the heterogeneous distribution of Mo, Cu, and precious metals during the evolution of the porphyry system. The hypogene metal arrangement indicated that ores with the highest values of Cu and precious metals are not essentially enriched in Mo.