Sediment-Hosted Copper Mineralization in Bavanat Region, Southern Sanandaj-Sirjan, Iran

Abstract

Sedimentary Copper mineralization has been observed in Monj and Jolany locations in Bavanat (Sanandaj – Sirjan metamorphic belt). According to current study, the host rocks for copper mineralization in this area are green sandstones, generally in subarkose and arkose groups. Age of these sandstones is middle Jurassic. Copper mineralization is observed in two forms, sulfides form including chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite and also non-sulfide form including malachite, azurite and chrysocolla. Sedimentary Copper deposit of Bavanat is very similar to redbed type of sedimentary deposits such as Nacimiento deposit in USA for many reasons, including the host rock (green sandstone), concomitant rocks (habitual accompaniment with purple siltstone), age of forming, geological environment and the type of mineralization. These similarities can be useful in supplementary studies. Studied sedimentary copper deposits are different from the Jian copper mine in terms of attributes such as host rock, age of formation, upper and lower rocks and also the type of copper mineralization. Based on chemical analysis results, the average amount of copper concentration in the samples was 15509 ppm, which confirms the need for additional studies.