ISRN GeologyVolume 2014 (2014), Article ID 865941, 10 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/865941

Research Article

Fluid Evolution of the Magmatic Hydrothermal Porphyry Copper Deposit Based on Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Studies at Darrehzar, Iran

B. Alizadeh Sevari¹ and A. Hezarkhani²

¹Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, P.O. Box 19395-3697, Tehran, Iran²Department of Mining and Metallurgy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Received 3 August 2013; Accepted 22 September 2013; Published 8 January 2014

Academic Editors: A. C. Riccardi and A. V. Travin

Copyright © 2014 B. Alizadeh Sevari and A. Hezarkhani. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

The Darrehzar porphyry Cu-Mo deposit is located in southwestern Iran (~70 km southwest of Kerman City). The porphyries occur as Tertiary quartz-monzonite stocks and dikes, ranging in composition from microdiorite to diorite and granodiorite. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Darrehzar are centered on the stock and were broadly synchronous with its emplacement. Early hydrothermal alteration was dominantly potassic and propylitic and was followed by later phyllic and argillic alteration. The hydrothermal system involved both magmatic and meteoric water which were boiled extensively. Copper mineralization was accompanied by both potassic and phyllic alterations. Based on number, nature, and phases number which are available in room temperature, three types of fluid inclusions are typically observed in these veins: (1) vapor rich, (2) liquid rich and (3) multi phase. The primary multiphase inclusions within the quartz crystals were chosen for microthermometric analyses. Early hydrothermal alteration was caused by high-temperature, high-salinity orthomagmatic fluid and produced a potassic assemblage. Phyllic alteration was caused by high-salinity and lower-temperature orthomagmatic fluid. Magmatic and meteoric water mixtures were developed in the peripheral part of the stock and caused propylitic alteration which is attributed to a liquid-rich, lower temperature.

1. Introduction

Due to their low metal grade and very large volume, porphyry-type deposits are described as disseminated and mineralization is, to a great extent, controlled by fractures and faults.

Porphyry copper deposits are formed where magmatic-hydrothermal fluids are expelled from a crystallizing magma [1, 2] and initiated by injection of oxidized magma saturated with S- and metal-rich, aqueous fluids from cupolas on the tops of the subjacent parental plutons. The sequence of alteration-mineralization is principally a consequence of progressive rock and fluid cooling caused by solidification of the underlying parental plutons and downward propagation of the lithostatic-hydrostatic transition [3]. Cooling, depressurization, and reaction between the fluids and the wall rocks cause metals to precipitate in and around the fractures, forming veins with alteration envelopes. Alteration assemblages and associated mineralization in porphyry ore deposits develop from huge hydrothermal systems dominated by magmatic and meteoric fluids [4, 5].

Porphyry Cu systems host some of the most widely distributed mineralization types at convergent plate boundaries including porphyry deposits centered on intrusions. The systems commonly define linear belts, some many hundreds of kilometers long, as well as occurring less commonly in apparent isolation [3].

Sahand-Bazman volcanic belt in Iran is a part of the collisional Alpine-Himalaya orogenic belt, which extends north-westward from Sahand volcano in Azerbaijan province, to Bazman volcano in southeast Iran, a distance of approximately 1700 km. This belt was formed by subduction of the Arabian plate beneath central Iran during the Alpine orogeny as first identified by Stocklin and Setudenia [6] and consists of alkaline and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and related intrusions (I-type) [7–11].

Darrehzar deposit is located southeast of the Sarcheshmeh porphyry Cu deposit. Proven reserve of Darrehzar deposit is >80 million tons of disseminated sulfide ore, with an average grade of 0.55% Cu and approximately 0.005% Mb [12].

First studies at Darrehzar were carried out in 1969 by Geologic Survey of Iran, containing detailed geophysical, geochemical, and geological surveys. Next studies were published by Grujicic and Volickovic [13], Maanijou [14], and Ranjbar et al. [15].

In this study, for the first time at Darrehzar area, we will elucidate the hydrothermal history of the Darrehzar porphyry deposit in order to identify the factors controlling copper-molybdenum mineralization. We have conducted a fluid inclusion study and analyzed oxygen and sulfur isotopic compositions of selected minerals. This information has enabled us to determine the conditions under which the deposit formed, reconstruct the fluid evolution, and develop a model which satisfactorily explains the concentration of Cu mineralization.

2. Geological Setting

The Darrehzar porphyry copper deposit is located ~70 km southwest of Kerman City in the Kerman province of southwestern Iran (Figure 1). The stock is a part of the Sahand-Bazman igneous and metallogenic belt, a deeply eroded Tertiary volcanic field, roughly 100 by 1700 km in extent, consisting mainly of rhyolite and andesite, with numerous felsic intrusions. Subduction and subsequent continental collision from Paleocene to Oligocene caused extensive alkaline and calc-alkaline volcanic and plutonic igneous activity [16–18].

(a)

(b)

Figure 1: (a) Geological map of Iran (7 and 20) showing Sahand-Bazman belt: calc-alkaline volcanic and quartz-monzonite and quartz diorite intrusions, hosting Cu-Mo-porphyry-type mineralization and (b) detailed geological map of the Darrehzar area showing the distribution of different sites.

The Darrehzar porphyries occur as Tertiary quartz-monzonite stocks and dikes, ranging in composition from microdiorite to diorite and granodiorite, intruding into volcanic, volcanic-clastic, and volcanic sedimentary complexes. The volcanic sedimentary complex is the oldest rock with eocene age, covering a large area of Darrehzar.

Andesite and pyroclastic rocks are situated in the peripheral parts of altered rock while microdiorite, diorite, and granodiorite stocks build the central part of alteration zone. In this part, alterations are more intensive, rocks are crushed, and system of fracturing is well developed. Along both sides of Darrehzar rivers remnant, of the river trace are situated and composed of pebbles of andesite and altered rocks, cemented with clay and limonite.

The Darrehzar stock is highly altered, and even in the outermost part of the intrusion it is not possible to find completely fresh rock. Surface weathering has developed Fe-rich lithological units in leached zone and concentrated copper minerals in supergene zone.

3. Hydrothermal Alteration and Mineralization

Alteration assemblages and related mineralization in the Darrehzar porphyry copper deposit have been investigated by geological mapping, and detailed mineralogical petrographical and chemical studies of a large number of drill cores and outcrop samples from various parts of the stock have been carried out. Hydrothermal alterations at Darrehzar deposit are very intensive and weathering process changed them even more. The central part of Darrehzar is composed of intensively hydrothermally altered rocks, covering the surface of about 1.8 km². Altered zone is elongated in eastwest direction, 2.2 km × 1 km in size. Boundary between the altered and unaltered rocks is sharp and in some parts it is very irregular. At some area altered rocks interfinger with unaltered ones.

Early hydrothermal alteration was dominantly potassic and propylitic and was followed by later phyllic and argillic alterations. The earliest alteration is represented by potassic mineral assemblages developed pervasively and by halos around veins in the deep and central parts of the Darrehzar stock. Potassic alteration is characterized by K-feldspar and secondary biotite. This alteration displays a close spatial association with mineralization. Eastern boreholes reached potassic alteration in shallower depth than western boreholes, indicating the presence of north-south reverse fault and erosion of overall alterations in this area.

The change from potassic to phyllic alteration is gradual and is marked by an increase in the proportion of muscovite. Phyllic alteration is characterized by the replacement of almost all rock-forming silicates by sericite and quartz and overprints the earlier formed potassic alteration. Surface samples of phyllic alteration with gray color have quartz content in rocks and veins and are harder. Quartz veins are surrounded by weak sericitic halos. Vein-hosted pyrite is partially replaced by chalcopyrite. Silicification was synchronous with phyllic alteration and variably affected a large part of the stock and most dikes. In contrast to the transition zone, appreciable Cu was added to the rock during phyllic alteration.

Because of erosion, propylitic alteration zone especially at eastern area of Darrehzar was rarely detected in borehole samples and only was seen in contact area of porphyry stock with eocene volcanic and volcano-clastic rocks.

Propylitic alteration is represented mainly by chloritization of primary and secondary biotite and groundmass material in rocks peripheral to the central potassic zone. Epidote replaced plagioclase, but this alteration is less pervasive and less intense than chloritization. Minor mineral associated with propylitic alteration are albite, calcite, sericite, anhydrite (gypsum), and pyrite.

The shallow argillic alteration is interpreted to represent a supergene blanket over the deposit and the deeper clay alteration of feldspar may have had the same origin. Rocks with argillic alteration are highly fractured and bleached. Some samples have aggregation of chlorite and clay minerals.

Feldspar is locally altered to clay down to a depth of 300 m, and within 80 m of the erosional surface the entire rock has been altered to an assemblage of clay minerals. XRD analyses indicate that kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral mixed with rarely montmorillonite and other erosion minerals. This alteration is manifested by advanced replacement of plagioclase and mafic phases by clay minerals.

Based on drill cores, hypogene copper mineralization was introduced during potassic and phyllic alteration and exists as disseminations and as veinlets form. During potassic alteration, the copper mineralization consisted of chalcopyrite and bornite; later hypogene copper mineralization consisted mainly of chalcopyrite.

Copper grades and sulphide content increase toward the margins of the central potassic zone, from less than 0.10 wt% to 0.9 wt%. There is also a positive correlation between silicification and copper mineralization.

At the exposed surface of the deposit, rocks are highly altered and the only mineral which has survived supergene argillization is quartz. Most of the sulfide minerals have been leached, and copper was concentrated in an underlying supergene zone by downward percolating ground waters.

4. Vein and Veinlet Classification

The veinlet sequence in porphyry Cu deposits, first detailed by Gustafson and Hunt [19] and widely studied since [18], is highly distinctive. Based on mineralogy and cross-cutting relationships at Darrehzar area, it is possible to distinguish four main groups of veins representing four episodes of vein formation: (I) quartz + pyrite ± molybdenite ± anhydrite ± k-feldspar ± chalcopyrite ± bornite ± cu and fe oxidic minerals (peripheral); (II) quartz + chalcopyrite + pyrite + molybdenite; (III) quartz + pyrite ± calcite ± chalcopyrite ± anhydrite (gypsum); (IV) quartz or calcite, gypsum or ± pyrite.

5. Fluid Inclusions Studies

Fluid inclusions from sulfide-bearing quartz veins obtained from drill cores were studied (Figure 2). The samples of fluid inclusions are abundant in quartz of all vein types, and range in diameter from 1 μm up to 15 μm. The majority of inclusions examined during this study had diameters of 4–12 μm. Only fluid inclusions within the quartz crystals in quartz-sulfide and quartz-molybdenite veinlets were chosen for microthermometric studies. Most of the observations were restricted to fluid inclusions in coarse-grained quartz of early mineralized veins.

Figure 2: Location map of drill holes (red circles refer to locations of drill holes that were sampled).

Fluid inclusions were classified into three main types based on the number, nature, and proportion of phases at room temperature. The following types of fluid inclusions have been identified (Figure 3). (1) Liquid vapor (LV) inclusions consist of liquid + vapor ± solid phases with the liquid phase volumetrically dominant. These fluid inclusions are common in all mineralized quartz veins and are abundant in Groups II and III veins. (2) Vapor liquid (VL) inclusions also contain vapor + liquid ± solid phases. These inclusions mainly homogenize to vapor, and rarely to liquid, or by Critical Homogenization. (3) Liquid vapor halite solid (LVHS) inclusions are multiphase and consist of liquid + vapor + halite + other solids. Based on the number and type of the solids, this type of inclusions is further classified into three subtypes. Subtype LVHS₁ inclusions are characterized by the presence of halite + chalcopyrite ± anhydrite ± K-Fe-Cl phase. Halite, anhydrite, and chalcopyrite have consistent phase ratios and are interpreted to be daughter minerals. Vapor bubbles occupy <25% of the inclusions by volume. Subtype LVHS₂ inclusions contain sylvite in addition to the phases in LVHS₁ inclusions. The solid phases occupy 60% of inclusion volumes, and the vapor bubbles cccupy 20% of inclusion volumes. Subtype LVHS₃ inclusions contain halite, which is commonly accompanied by hematite, but do not contain chalcopyrite, sylvite, or K-Fe-Cl phases. The volume of the solid phases is typically <40% of the inclusions, and bubble volumes range between 20 and 60%.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: Photomicrographs of different inclusion types within mineralized quartz vein.

5.1. Microthermometric Analysis

The Linkam operating unit was applied to measure the temperatures of phase changes in fluid inclusions, which operates by passing preheated or precooled N₂ vapor around the sample [20]. Stage calibration was performed using synthetic and/or well-known fluid inclusions. Accuracy at the standard reference temperatures was ±0.2°C at −56.6°C (triple point of CO₂), ±0.1°C at 0°C (melting point of ice), ±2°C at 374.1°C (critical homogenization of H₂O), and ±9°C at 573°C (alpha to beta quartz transition). The heating rate was approximately 1°C/min near the temperatures of phase transitions. Descriptive statistics of microthermometric data in vein groups are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of microthermometric data in vein groups at Darrehzar area.

FI type
Statistical parameter

NaCL

Salinity

LV
Minimum
215
—
1.2
2.01

Maximum
514
—
19
16.32

Mean
297
—
4.38
8.02

Standard deviation
56.64
—
2.96
3.8

VL
Minimum
287
—
0.11
0.87

Maximum
575
—
1
18.55

Mean
421
—
0.49
9.36

Standard deviation
67.83
—
0.3
5.2

LVHS
Minimum
211
211
0.47
31.44

Maximum
487
510
9
59.86

Mean
330
351
3.66
43.21

Standard deviation
65.98
72.19
2
6.74

5.2. Homogenization Temperatures

LV fluid inclusions homogenize to liquid at temperatures between 215° and 514°C, with an average of 297°C. Most of VL inclusions homogenize to vapor between 287° and 575°C.

In the halite-bearing inclusions, NaCl (the temperature at which halite dissolves) and (L-V) (temperature of vapor and liquid homogenization) were recorded (Figure 4).

(a) Group I

(b) Group II

(c) Group III

Figure 4: Histograms of homogenization temperatures for LV, VL, and LVHS fluid inclusions from mineralized quartz veins (p: primary, ps: pseudosecondary, and s: secondary).

The liquid and vapour phases in LVHS inclusions homogenize to liquid at temperatures between 211° and 487°C. The liquid-vapour homogenization temperature for LVHS inclusions is from 215° to 350°C in quartz veins. The halite dissolution temperatures ( NaCl) for LVHS inclusions are between 211° and 510°C. Anhydrite and chalcopyrite did not dissolve on heating to temperatures in excess of 600°C. Chalcopyrite was identified on the basis of its optical characteristics (opacity and triangular cross-section) and composition in opened inclusions (SEM-EDAX analyses yielded peaks for Cu, Fe, and S). Anhydrite forms transparent anisotropic prisms and was shown by SEM-EDAX analyses to consist only of Ca and S (elements lighter than F could not be analyzed) [21].

5.3. Salinity in the Fluid Inclusions

Halite-bearing and non-halite-bearing liquid-rich inclusions at Darrehzar exhibit a wide variation in salinity, ranging from 0.9 to 59.9 wt% NaCl (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Scatter plot of salinity versus homogenization temperature showing two different populations.

LVHS fluid inclusions (high-salinity population) have higher salinities than LV and VL inclusions (low-salinity population) and clearly separated each other by a salinity gap within the range of 19–31 wt% (Figure 5). Low-salinity inclusions have salinity from 0.9 to 18.6 wt% NaCl and their correlation coefficient between the salinity and their homogenization temperature is weak . High-salinity inclusions have salinity between 31.4 and 59.9 wt% NaCl and have good correlation coefficient between the salinity and their homogenization temperature (Figure 6).

(a)

(b)

Figure 6: (a) Weak correlation coefficient between the salinity and their homogenization temperature in low-salinity population. (b) Good correlation coefficient between the salinity and their homogenization temperature in high-salinity inclusions.

6. Stable Isotope Investigation

Samples containing veinlets of sulfides, quartz, and sulfates were selected for stable isotope analysis.

Oxygen isotope analyses were conducted on the samples of quartz veins in the potassic, transition, and phyllic alteration zones. Quartz grains were separated using both heavy liquid and hand picking methods.

Sulfide (pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite) and sulfate (anhydrite) samples were selected for sulfur isotopic analyses. These samples were prepared through crushing, sieving, and hand-picking. S, O isotope analyses were carried out in the laboratories at Centre for Stable Isotope Research and Analysis, University of Gottingen, Germany.

6.1. Oxygen Isotopes

The values of quartz are in range of 9% to 10.3 relative to standard mean ocean water (SMOW) with a mean of 9.6%. values were calculated from the quartz analyses using the fractionation equation of Matsuhisa et al. [24].

The range of valuesis between 6.13% and 7.06% (Group I veins), 4.92% and 6.25% (Group II veins), and 3.31% and 4.22% (Group III veins) (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Oxygen isotope results of the mineralized group quartz veins.

The result showed that hydrothermal fluids with deferent origin have circulated in three phases, responsible for fluid mineralization. In the first phase, orthomagmatic fluid ( > 6%) was circulated at system and caused paragenic mineralization of quartz + k-feldspar + molybdenite + anhydrite ± pyrite ± chalcopyrite which formed Group I veins.

In the next phase by decreasing temperature and fluid cooling up to 350°C, meteoric water flowed inward system (% to 6%) and formed Group II veins consisting of quartz + chalcopyrite ± pyrite ± bornite ± molybdenite. Phyllic alteration resulted from invasion of mixed meteoric waters with decreasing temperature of the system.

In the last phase, the hydrothermal system changed from magmatic to meteoric water and caused porphyry stock alteration (%). Based on fluid inclusion study and calculation of the isotopic composition of ore-forming fluid with decreasing of temperature up to 300°C, ore- forming fluid with properties close to the meteoric water caused paragenic mineralization of quartz + pyrite + calcite + chalcopyrite ± anhydrite and made Group III veins.

6.2. Sulfur Isotopes

Sulfur isotopic analyses were performed on pyrite, anhydrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite samples separated from Groups I, II, and III veins. The eight pyrite samples analyzed have S values between −3.1% and −0.4%, the three chalcopyrite samples have S values of −1.8% to −1.3%, the two molybdenite samples have S values ranging from −1.8% to −0.7%, and the eleven anhydrite samples have S values from 10.3% to 11.7%.

The S values of the anhydrite are approximately constant and heavier than those of associated or coexisting sulfides. One of two samples of molybdenite is enriched with S relative to pyrite and pyrite in turn is similarly enriched with S relative to chalcopyrite. These isotopic trends are consistent with isotope equilibrium theory and sulfur-isotope fractionation trends [25].

7. Discussion

The maximum pressure of fluid entrapment can be calculated from the estimated thickness of the overlying rock column at the time of intrusion. The latter represents 1500 m to 2000 m of volcanic, volcanic-clastic, and volcanic sedimentary complexes. This corresponds to a lithostatic pressure of 450 to 500 bars, assuming an average rock density of 2.7 g/cm³ and a hydrostatic pressure of 150 to 200 bars, assuming a fluid density near 1 g/cm³.

LVHS₂ fluid inclusions occur with VL inclusions in Group I quartz veins associated with potassic alteration, defining fluid population I. The homogenization temperatures for type LVHS₂ inclusions ((L-V) > NaCl) vary between 330° and ~500°C and for coexisting VL inclusions vary between 400° and 500°C (Figure 8).

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 8: Liquid-vapour homogenization temperature versus salinity plotted on a section from the NaCl-H₂O system (halite saturation and critical curves from [22, 23]).

At these temperatures, the maximum pressure for the coexistence of these two fluid inclusion types (bubble point curve) is approximately 300 to 400 bars. On the other hand, the existence of LVHS fluid inclusions with NaCl > (L-V) implies that pressure was locally or temporarily much higher. In fact, pressures estimated for those inclusions (fluid pressure) range up to 800 bars which is excessive lithostatic pressure (as already discussed, the lithostatic pressure was 450 to 500 bars) and that pressure generally oscillated between 150 to 200 bars (hydrostatic) and >500 bars in response to repeated cracking and sealing of the rock at 450°C. So pressure during the trapping of fluid population I varied from 150–200 to >500 bars and temperature was ~450°C.

Fluid II is defined by the coexistence of LVHS₃ and VL inclusions. In Groups I and II veins, LVHS₃ inclusions homogenize by vapor disappearance after halite dissolution at a modal temperature of 350°C. Based on data from Sourirajan and Kennedy [26] and Chou [27] for the NaCl-H₂O system, the corresponding fluid pressure was ~200 bars. VL inclusions homogenize to a vapor at between 380° and 520°C; that is, at significantly higher temperatures than LVHS₃ inclusions, those of they could indicate heterogeneous entrapment of liquid and vapor during boiling. In Group III veins, the LVHS₃ inclusions homogenize at temperatures <300°C by both vapor disappearance and halite dissolution.

Fluid II was thus trapped at considerably lower temperatures than fluid I (350° versus 350–500°C) and underwent cooling with the development of a progressively more open fracture system represented by Group III veins. The pressure was dominantly hydrostatic (150–200 bars).

Fluid III is defined by the existence of LV inclusions and represents a later fluid that circulated in the intrusion. These inclusions homogenize to liquid at temperatures between 240° and 330°C. Based on data of Chou [27], the minimum corresponding pressure is between 30 and150 bars.

7.1. Fluid Evolution

The high trapping temperatures and high salinity of LVHS₁ and LVHS₂ fluid inclusions suggest that Fluid population I probably represents an orthomagmatic fluid which is exsolved as a high-density phase from diorite-granodiorite magma and subsequently saturated with halite and boiled.

We propose that the source of Fluid II (LVHS₃ and VL fluid inclusions) was also mainly orthomagmatic (high salinity), but it circulated at lower temperature than Fluid I and mixed with an external fluid. This is also suggested by a trend from higher temperature and higher salinity to lower temperature and lower salinity for LVHS₃ and LV fluid inclusions. Coexistence of LVHS₃ fluid inclusions with VL fluid inclusions indicates that Fluid II boiled extensively. Fluid III was mainly meteoric water (low salinity), and it mixed to a great value with magmatic fluids (low temperature) (Figure 8). Also it circulated mainly in Group II and Group III veins.

8. Conclusions

The multiple intrusions of microdiorite to diorite and granodiorite rocks at Darrehzar indicate a long-lived intrusive episode associated with repeated fracturing and hydrothermal activity. Fluid inclusion and isotopic analyses from the deposit indicate three distinct hydrothermal fluids. The first hydrothermal was characterized by high temperatures, high salinities, and > 6%. The presence of molybdenite and anhydrite in Group I veins, chalcopyrite and anhydrite in Group II veins, and chalcopyrite and anhydrite in LVHS₁ and LVHS₂ inclusions from vein Groups I and II suggests that Fluid I was responsible for the transport and eventual deposition of Fe, Cu, Mo, and S. Fluid population I could indicate an orthomagmatic fluid which is subsequently saturated with halite and boiled. The second hydrothermal fluid (Fluid II) was formed mainly by mixing magmatic fluid, at moderate-to-high temperature, and to 6%. This fluid was responsible for sericitic alteration zones in the upper portion of the stock.

The third hydrothermal fluid (Fluid III) consisted of low temperature, low-to-moderate salinity, and %. This fluid was responsible for peripheral propylitic alteration. The circulation of Fluid III, which did not penetrate into the hotter and most central part of the intrusion, caused this alteration zone. This fluid also caused some distribution of argillic alteration, in which almost all the feldspars were altered to kaolinite and other clay minerals.

These three interpreted hydrothermal fluids correspond to three different populations of fluid inclusions in Darrehzar veins.

Fluid III formed by progressive dilution of magmatic fluid with a great volume of meteoric waters. Incursion of dilute meteoric fluids into the permeable stockwork system increased Na/K ratios and caused the remobilization redeposition of previously precipitated copper sulfides in fractured zones through acidification and oxidation.

Conflict of Interests

B. Alizadeh Sevari and A. Hezarkhani, as the authors of the paper, have no direct financial relation that might lead to a conflict of interests for any of them.

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