Abstract
We have studied geochemical characteristics, mineralogy and origin of the manganese deposits in Bela ophiolitic complex. Geochemical investigation was conducted in order to discuss the elemental correlations and to infer the probable origin of manganese deposits in Bela ophiolites. Ore microscopy was conducted to identify different manganese minerals and their paragenesis. Psilomelane and braunite were found to be the major ore minerals. Mineral paragenesis sequence as observed was braunite forming first. Psilomelane formed in later stages because it has been found that psilomelane is altering the braunite. Magnetite was observed as a secondary mineral as vein filling and cutting through both the braunite and psilomelane, therefore, younger than the psilomelane and braunite. The gangue minerals observed in the studied samples were quartz, cryptocrystalline silica and calcite. The correlations among different major and trace elements showed diversity of relations. MnO showed negative correlation with Fe2O3 (− 0.73), Si2O (− 0.27), positive correlation with Al2O3 (0.54), TiO2 (0.36), MgO (0.22), Pb (0.23), Ni (0.07), Cr (0.12), and no correlation was established with Zn, Cu, Co. Binary diagram of Si versus Al and ternary discrimination diagrams of Fe–(Ni + Co + Cu) × 10–Mn and Ni–Zn–Co showed hydrothermal-diagenetic-type deposits. Furthermore, the present study suggests that the enriched manganiferous fluid during its upward movement within the Tethys oceanic crust near spreading center started precipitating Mn along with Fe on the sea floor. Later on, these manganese minerals were obducted on land between Indian plate and Helmond block of Eurasian plate in existing position accompanying pillow basalt and pelagic sediments.
Highlights
Manganese metal and its alloys play a significant role in various industrial sectors including, metallurgical, non-metallurgical and steel industries; there is considerable controversy about its origin (e.g., Magaritz and Brenner 1979; Shah and Moon 2007; Oksuz 2011; Öksüz and Okuyucu 2014)
In order to assess the quality of manganese ore deposits and to determine the origin, the geochemical analysis
Cu and Ni indicate scattered correlations when plotted against manganese (Mn). These findings suggest that the hydrothermal fluid containing elements of from different sources with dominating mafic source contributed to the formation of manganese deposit in Bela ophiolite complex
Summary
Manganese metal and its alloys play a significant role in various industrial sectors including, metallurgical, non-metallurgical and steel industries; there is considerable controversy about its origin (e.g., Magaritz and Brenner 1979; Shah and Moon 2007; Oksuz 2011; Öksüz and Okuyucu 2014). Manganese addition enhances the forging qualities of steel, the steel strength, durability, stiffness, hardness; it improves the wearing resistance and hardenability of Geological Survey of Pakistan, Ministry of Energy, Petroleum Division, Karachi, Pakistan. Geological Survey of Pakistan, Ministry of Energy, Petroleum Division, Quetta, Pakistan the steel structures. Manganese ore can be deposited in various forms based on their origin. The manganese deposits occur in various grades, size and origin including different oxides manganese ores (e.g., El-Hasan et al 2008, Heshmatbehzadi and Shahabpour 2010). Manganese deposits on industrial scale are discovered in various parts around the globe: (e.g., Nikopol of Ukraine, Georgia, Groote Eylandt deposit of Northern Australia (Varentsov 1982; Frakes and Bolton 1992), manganese deposits of Japan (e.g., Miura and Hariya 1997), manganese deposits of Turkey (Öztürk and Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology (2019) 9:2543–2554
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