Nima Nezafati | Deutsches Bergbau-Museum, Bochum (original) (raw)

Books by Nima Nezafati

Human Search for Resources, 2021

Publisher: National Museum of Iran and Deutsches Bergbau Museum Bochum, ISBN: 978-600-97737-7-0

The present study deals with two primary aims; (1) geological, mineralogical, and geochemical inv... more The present study deals with two primary aims; (1) geological, mineralogical, and geochemical investigations of the Deh Hosein, Astaneh, and Nezam Abad mineralizations in the Astaneh-Sarband area, west central Iran, with the aim to understand the characteristics of the occurrences and their conditions of formation, and (2) geochemical investigations on ancient bronze artifacts from Iran and Western Asia in order to compare their characteristics with the high-tin copper ore of Deh Hosein and examine their possible relationship.
The Astaneh-Sarband area is located in the northern part of the NW-SE aligned Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic belt and consists mainly of Mesozoic schists, Middle Jurassic to Middle Tertiary intrusive rocks and related contact metamorphic aureoles, and pegmatites. Regional metamorphism in the area has reached a peak of greenschist facies, but further metamorphism has occurred locally, associated with granitoid emplacement. Magmatism has produced large felsic to intermediate intrusive bodies along a general northwest trend. The main trend of the faults, fractures and other structural features of the area is NW-SE.
The Deh Hosein prospect is mainly hosted by Jurassic meta-sedimentary rocks, which have been intruded by the Astaneh complex. Mineralization continues into the southern part of the Astaneh intrusion. The meta-sedimentary rocks consist of alternating meta-sandstone, phyllite, schist, spotted slate and hornfels. The main faults and other structural features, with NW and NE trends, have controlled the mineralization, which occurs in the form of quartz, quartz-sulfide and quartz-gossan veins and veinlets, partly sheeted in structure. These veins are up to 1.5 m wide and several to tens of meters long. Mineralization also occurs as disseminations and impregnations, especially in the vein selvages. Adjacent to and within zones of intense quartz veining, the predominant alteration assemblage is quartz + sericite + tourmaline + monazite. Some 35 metalliferous minerals have been detected at Deh Hosein. Arsenopyrite is the dominant sulfide mineral, with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite > pyrite > pyrrhotite. Cassiterite and ferberite are the rather abundant oxide minerals. The sulfide content in the ore is generally less than two volume percent. Arsenopyrite associated with early alteration and veining typically contains 1-150µm large inclusions of native bismuth, bismite and bismuthinite. Gold occurs in “invisible” form in the arsenopyrite and bismuth-bearing minerals of Deh Hosein. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA in the ore ranged from 0.05 to 13.3 ppm, while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to 10%, 6.7%, 2420ppm, and 1800ppm, respectively.
At Astaneh, gold mineralization is confined to the NW-SE trending Astaneh intrusion that is composed mainly of biotite granite (98.9 ± 1.0 Ma; Masoudi 1997), which is locally accompanied by granodiorite, tourmaline granite and quartz diorite. The northeastern part of the Astaneh intrusion has been cut by the Shirmazd granodiorite. This stock is about 400 m in diameter and Eocene in age (Rb/Sr and single zircon evaporation methods, this study). The Shirmazd granodiorite has been cut by NE-trending microgranodiorite dykes. Gold mineralization occurs mainly as NE-trending quartz- and quartz-sulfide veins and veinlets, as well as in disseminations in the Shirmazd stock and the intersecting microgranodiorite dykes, and in some nearby, smaller, altered granitic stocks. Alteration minerals include sericite, chlorite, quartz, calcite and in some cases kaolinite. At Astaneh chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite are the major sulfide minerals, of which the latter contains 1-50 µm sized inclusions of native bismuth and bismite. Gold occurs in both visible and invisible forms at Astaneh. Visible gold has been reported in the form of very fine grained particles (<15 µm) either in goethite produced from the oxidation of chalcopyrite or in sericitized plagioclase (Hashemi 2002), while invisible gold occurs in arsenopyrite and bismuth-bearing minerals. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA ranged from 0.05 to 9.5 ppm, while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to 1%, 0.05%, 100 ppm and 138ppm, respectively.
The Nezam Abad mineralization is hosted by a Lower-Mid Eocene quartz diorite unit. This rock unit has been cut by several aplitic and quartz or quartz-tourmaline veins; the latter host the mineralization. The faults of the area are NW-, NE- and N-trending. Associated alteration minerals include quartz, chlorite, sericite, and tourmaline. At Nezam Abad, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and scheelite are the most abundant ore minerals. Gold occurs as “invisible” form predominantly in arsenopyrite with bismuth inclusions at Nezam Abad. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA ranged from 0.05 to 36.2 ppm while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to %10, %0.87, %3.37 and 548ppm, respectively (Farhadian 1999).
In all three occurrences, gold shows positive correlations with arsenic, bismuth, selenium, silver, tellurium and antimony. Microprobe investigations revealed that the arsenopyrites from Deh Hosein, Astaneh and Nezam Abad contain 32.3 to 34.3, 30.7 to 31.4, and 33.6 to 35.6 atomic percent of arsenic. Average compositions lead to the conclusion that the mineralization formed at temperatures of 460°C, 410° to 380°C and 565° to 510 °C, respectively. Oxygen isotope ratios for gold-bearing quartz veins in the area range from 13.6 to 19.2‰ for Deh Hosein, from 11.5 to 13.7‰ for Astaneh and from 11.6 to 15‰ (V-SMOW) for Nezam Abad. The oxygen isotope data suggest a metamorphic or a mixed magmatic-metamorphic source for the quartz veins. Measured sulfur isotope values for pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and arsenopyrite in quartz veins of the Deh Hosein, Astaneh and Nezam Abad range from -5.6 to 0‰, -0.5 to 1.8‰ and 1.2 to 4‰ (CDT), respectively. The sulfur-isotope values of all these occurrences are compatible with a magmatic sulfur source. Pb isotope ratios from the sulfide and host rock samples of the prospects indicate a good agreement between the lead ratios of the ore of Deh Hosein and the hosting meta-sandstone, the ore of Astaneh and the Shirmazd Stock and the ore of Nezam Abad and the hosting quartz diorite. The Pb isotope signatures of the ore from the three occurrences show also rather close ratios. According to the plumbotectonics model of Zartman and Doe (1981) the lead in the ores has a lower crustal Pb component.
The studied occurrences share several similarities in terms of their mineralogy, geochemistry, formation temperatures, isotope ratios, alteration and occurrence of gold. They also indicate many similar features with the “intrusion-related gold systems” that have been described from Alaska, the Yukon and other parts of the world (e.g., Lang et al. 1997, 2000; McCoy et al. 1997; Thompson et al. 1999). According to the present data, it appears that a fertile magmatic source (probably of lower crustal origin) has affected the already present metamorphic rocks of the area (by remobilizing some of their elements) and caused a rather intensive gold mineralization in the area during the Pyrenean Orogeny.
The extensive ancient mining relics at Deh Hosein, the simultaneous occurrence of tin and copper in it, together with frequent archaeological and ancient textual references which refer to the Iranian plateau as supplier of the raw material for the ancient Mesopotamia and southwestern Iran (Susa and Luristan) encouraged me to examine the possible relationship between the ore of this ancient mine and the ancient bronze artifacts. For this purpose, several bronze artifacts of typical Luristan style which date most probably to the Iranian Iron Age (from about 1300-1250 to 650 BCE) were investigated. The results were compared to the analyses of the Deh Hosein ore and other bronze artifacts previously published. Examination of 29 bronze artifacts from Luristan by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed that the Luristan bronzes show variable concentrations of As, Pb, Zn and Fe in addition to high concentrations of tin (0.48-15.4%). The ore composition of Deh Hosein is matched by several bronze artifacts from Luristan analyzed in this study as well as in previous investigations (Fleming et al. 2005). Even more noteworthy is the observation that the lead isotope ratios of the ore samples from Deh Hosein are in very good agreement with 25 samples of metal artifacts from Luristan and other bronze artifacts dated to the third millennium BCE from the southern Persian Gulf (Weeks 1999), the Aegean (Begemann et al. 1992), as well as from third millennium BCE sites in Luristan and Mesopotamia (Begemann & Schmitt-Strecker in preparation).
At Deh Hosein, which is located at the western rim of the Luristan area and is close to ancient civilization centers of Susa and Mesopotamia, the ancient workings appear as numerous big ellipsoidal open depressions in two rows along the mineralized horizons. The old workings are up to 70 by 50m in size and up to 15m deep and are aligned over some 500m. Several hammer stones of silicified phyllite and granite, pottery shards and grinding stones have been found in the open-cast mines and adjacent ancient settlements. The pottery shards can be dated to the early first millennium BCE. Pieces of charcoal found in one of the diggings yielded a radiocarbon date of 3380 ± 55, which on calibration (2 sigma) results in an age range of 1775-1522 BCE.
Several indications attest that Deh Hosein has been a major supplier of tin for ancient civilizations of Iran and Mesopotamia and perhaps even further west beginning in the third millennium BCE.
In summary: i) The lead isotope compatibility of ores from Deh Hosein with many bronze artifacts from Bronze and Iron Age sites distributed from the southern Persian Gulf to the Aegean is good. ii) This is combined with a good match for trace element patterns of ores and artifacts. iii) Copper and tin occur within one mineralization. iv) Ancient textual references mention tin and bronze supply from regions east of Mesopotamia. v) The dating of surface finds of pottery and charcoal finally supports these findings. At present Deh Hosein is the only known copper-tin occurrence close to Luristan and Mesopotamia.
The northern part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone which is characterized by intrusion of several intrusive bodies in metamorphic terranes favors the occurrence of similar deposits as in the Astaneh-Sarband area. Thus, the prospects are good for further exploration in the region which may also reveal some other ancient mines.

Keywords:
Deh Hosein (Deh Hossein) Deposit, Nezam Abad Deposit, Astaneh Gold Deposit, Astaneh-Sarband (Shazand) area, Arak, Iran, Intrusion-Related Gold System

كليدواژه ها
كانسار ده حسين، كانسار طلاي آستانه، كانسار نظام آباد، منطقه آستانه-سربند (منطقه شازند) اراك، سيستم هاي كاني سازي طلا مرتبط با توده هاي نفوذي، فلزكاري و معدنكاري كهن، مفرغ هاي باستاني لرستان، مطالعات ايزوتوپي

Papers by Nima Nezafati

Metalla Sonderheft 12, 2023

The recent archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigations have revealed simulta-neous sil... more The recent archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigations have revealed simulta-neous silver and copper production in a number of central Iranian prehistoric sites includ-ing Arisman, Sialk, and Tappeh Sofalin during the Late Fourth- Early Third Millennia BCE. Some archaeometallurgical remains including ore (Figure 1a), slag, litharge fragments (Figure 1b), and metal artifacts from the sites, together with ore from some ancient mines in central Iran were studied using trace elemental, mineralogical, microstructural and lead isotope investigations. Based on our studies, it seems that there has been a strong technical and manufactural link between the copper production and the cupellation processes: the two processes were not separately carried out, but thoroughly interrelated. In this regard, an argentiferous polymetallic ore (possibly along with and argentiferous lead ore) has been used for the production of copper and silver. In other words, the whole metallurgical activity was designed to produce arsenical copper at the same time as silver from one polymetallic ore through two processes namely; (1) smelting for producing arsenical copper, argentiferous lead, and slag (Figure 1c); as well as (2) cupellation, which yielded silver and litharge.

Journal of Research on Archaeometry, 2017

Iran is rich in ancient mining and metallurgical relics. Nevertheless, the studies on these relic... more Iran is rich in ancient mining and metallurgical relics. Nevertheless, the studies on these relics have so far been mostly unsystematic. The road map for the ancient mining and metallurgical studies in Iran, that has been ordered by the Research Centre for Conservation of Cultural Relics of Iran (RCCCR), proposes a systematic multidisciplinary plan for the ancient mining and archaeometallurgical studies of Iran in the future. In this regard, following a brief review of the few systematic researches on the topic in Iran, the problems and challenges concerning the ancient relics of mining and metallurgy have been addressed. The conflict of interests between the modern mining sector and the cultural heritage organization, the lack of systematic plans for the documentation and study of ancient mining and metallurgical studies together with low contribution of the associated private sector in such studies as well as weak analytical infrastructures in the country are among the major challenges of the study of ancient mining and metallurgical relics in Iran. In this respect, an action plan for future studies in different aspects of ancient mining and metallurgy has been proposed. This plan is composed of five major pillars consisting of (1) “Collaboration”: interactive cooperation between associated Iranian institutions including the mining sector and the cultural heritage organization together with international institutions in the frame of the re-establishment of the “committee for studies on old mining and metallurgy”, (2) “Education”: training and education of mining archaeologists and archaeometallurgical experts together with familiarizing geologists, mining engineers, and archaeologists with the subject, (3)”Research”: research and study on the ancient mining and metallurgy by a number of substantial actions including preparation of an archive of the present level of knowledge on the subject which can eventually result in the preparation of an atlas of ancient mining and metallurgical relics of Iran, considering the old questions of archaeology concerning provenance and trade of raw and manufactured materials as well as the exchange of ancient technologies, performing systematic surveys for finding and documentation of the neglected ancient mines and metallurgical sites together with archaeological excavation of the significant ancient mines or metallurgical sites, and boosting the analytical and scientific infrastructure, (4) “Conservation”: preservation and conservation of selected representative ancient mining and metallurgical relics of the mines that are going to be exploited by modern mining sector, and (5) “Presentation”: publication and presentation of the results of the abovementioned aspects in diverse visual forms and appropriate scientific ways not only to the experts but also to the public. In the end, the paper has summarized the priorities concerning the future ancient mining and metallurgical studies of Iran. This road map that has mainly been prepared based on the knowledge and experience of the authors in the public and private sectors of Iran has also benefited from the constructive advices of the prominent international experts including Prentiss de Jesus, Vincent Pigott, Ernst Pernicka, Barbara Helwing, and Thomas Stöllner.

Ore Geology Reviews, 2021

The Haftcheshmeh porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt, northwe... more The Haftcheshmeh porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt, northwest Iran, with mineralization occurring mainly in gabbro-diorite and granodiorite porphyry. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are the most abundant sulfides that occur as disseminated and veinlet type ores in the potassic alteration zone. Platinum-group elements (PGEs), Au, and Cu concentrations of selected pyrite-and chalcopyrite-bearing samples were analyzed using in situ LA-ICP-MS and bulk rock Lead Fire Assay. Relatively high contents of PGEs and other precious elements are present in sulfide minerals, especially in pyrite that is the principal carrier of these elements in the deposit. Palladium is the most abundant of the PGEs in the sulfides. The contents of Pd are systematically higher than Pt in this deposit, consistent with other porphyry deposits, although Os, Rh, and Ir abundances are in general equal to or below the limits of detection in pyrite and chalcopyrite. The most important factors related to potential PGEs and chalcophile elements enrichment in the Haftcheshmeh deposit is the oxidized mafic endmember components of source magmas, i.e., high ƒO 2 conditions, possibly with a semimetal collector melt involved, and the high saline magmatic hydrothermal fractionation process. All these mechanisms seem to have enhanced the concentration of PGEs, Au, and other chalcophile metals. PGEs and other chalcophile elements were transported by exsolved high-T, saline magmatic hydrothermal fluids and then low T reaction and reduction to enhance saturation of sulfide phases during mineralization associated with potassic alteration.

Geopersia, 2019

The Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit is hosted by dolomitic carbonate of the Shotori formation which is ... more The Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit is hosted by dolomitic carbonate of the Shotori formation which is located in the SW Ardestan in Isfahan province. Ore body in this deposit is dominated by stratabound type. Primary ores in this type are composed of sphalerite, galena, barite and quartz with massive, banded, veined and disseminated structures. Evaluation of ore-grade at Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit, based on chemical analysis indicates average values of 4.35% Pb, 0.17% Zn, 20 ppm Ag in the form of galena, sphalerite, minor cerussite and smithsonite occurred along brecciated and silicified fractures mainly by NW-SE trending. Physico-chemical information of ore-solutions under chemical control, performed by entrapped fluid inclusion studies in gangue minerals. Through this way, liquid-rich two phase (L+V) inclusions as predominant types were recognized. These types of inclusions are homogenized into liquid state with a range of TH and related salinities ranges: 78-183 and 216-283 °C, respectively. Salinity ranges vary 3.5-5.86 and 9.7-25 wt% NaCl eq. The above microthermometric data reflect the nature of two populations of fluid inclusions originating from different source. The source materials would have provided by basinal brines, derived during compaction of sediments in shallow sea environment and then by upward movement into sediments, the stratabound dolomitized carbonate hosted Pb-Zn deposit will be formed. Furthermore; the range δ 34 S from-0.6 ‰ to-20.4‰ that have been extracted by galena can be an evidence of bacterial sulfate reduction in a subsidence sedimentary basin. This study suggests that the Gardeneshir Pb-Zn deposit is an epigenetic, thrust foldcontrolled and stratabound deposit with fluids and metals derived from the Triassic sedimentary strata.

Metalla, 2017

The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt i... more The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt in north central Iran and is hosted by middle-upper Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The focus of this paper is the investigation of ore and rock samples from Veshnaveh using diverse geochemical and mineralogical methods including ore microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and lead isotope analysis in order to better understand the nature of mineralization. The results were then compared with the results from the ancient metallurgical relics from some key sites in central Iran including Tappeh Sialk, Arismān, Tappeh Sarm and Jamkarān. The results show the Veshnaveh deposit is a Manto type mineralization whose ore has been possibly used from the Middle Bronze Age until the early Iron Age by surrounding communities.

Prehistoric Cultures at the Periphery of the Lut Desert; on the Basis of the Iran National Museum Collections, 2017

The Lut plain (Dasht-e Lut) composes the southern half of the Lut block and is located in south e... more The Lut plain (Dasht-e Lut) composes the southern half of the Lut block and is located in south east Iran. Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and sediments together with Paleogene volcanic rocks comprise the major outcrops of this plain which are mainly covered with fine-grained Pelio-Quaternary terrigenous sediments. The Lut Block hosts rather diverse types of mineralization including porphyry, epithermal, and sedimentary deposits of copper, gold, lead, and zinc. The porphyry and epithermal deposits have mainly occurred during Tertiary, while the sedimentary deposits are hosted by Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. From ancient mining and archaeometallurgical points of view, the most important and the oldest known metallurgical sites of southeast Iran are located at the periphery of Dasht-e Lut. This together with the resourcefulness of Lut and its adjacent areas demonstrate the economic geologic and archaeological importance of Dasht-e Lut. In this paper, following a brief review of the geology, economic geology, and ancient metallurgy at Dasht-e Lut, some questions concerning the ancient metallurgy and pertaining mineral deposits have been posed and some recommendations for further research and investigation on this area have been proposed. مروری بر زمین شناسی و منابع معدنی دشت لوت و اهمیت آنها در معدنکاری کهن

Metalla, 2016

The world heritage ancient site of Takht-e Soleyman and its assemblage of metal objects, together... more The world heritage ancient site of Takht-e Soleyman and its assemblage of metal objects, together with the geological wealth and the vast ancient mining relics of the Takab area motivated the authors to conduct the investigation that led to this article. The ancient mining and ore processing sites of the Takht-e Soleyman area were surveyed and investigated in an area of 5000 km 2. This contribution introduces briefly the geology and mineral resources together with the traces of ancient mining and ore processing in the area of Takht-e Soleyman. Some archaeological sites were found and documented for the first time during this investigation.

On salt, copper and gold: the origins of early mining and metallurgy in the CaucasusPublisher: Archéologie(s) 5, Lyon, MOM Éditions 2021, Nov 11, 2021

The Arisman ancient metallurgical site is located in western Central Iran. This site hosts hugeme... more The Arisman ancient metallurgical site is located in western Central Iran. This site hosts hugemetallurgical remains from the late 4th to early 3rdmillennium BCE, which attest to an extensiveproduction of arsenical copper and silver at the same time. Despite the archaeometallurgicalinvestigations that have so far been carried out at Arisman, some questions about the provenanceof the ore, the technological procedures utilized and the possible connection between copperand silver production are still open. Thus, the authors have reviewed the previously publisheddata and investigated and/or re-examined some of the metallurgical remains of the site includingore and slag pieces, as well as litharge fragments, through the use of ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, andoptical microscopy. The results demonstrate a sharper picture for the metallurgical processes anda clearer provenance for the ore. It seems that the ore was provided from two polymetallic oredeposits of Baqoroq and Komjan in Central Iran. The polymetallic ore contained copper, arsenic, lead, and silver and was processed in two interconnected steps of smelting and cupellation, which produced arsenical copper and silver.

فصلنامه علمی-پژوهشی علوم زمین, Jun 1, 2015

Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge, 2005

ABSTRACT The Darhand copper occurrence consists of disseminated. veinlet and pocket-shaped native... more ABSTRACT The Darhand copper occurrence consists of disseminated. veinlet and pocket-shaped native copper mineralization in Late to Mid-Ecocene basalt located 200 km south of Tehran, in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar metallogenic belt, in central Iran. The submarine amygdalo idal spilitic basalt, which hosts the mineralization has undergone a propylitic alteration (chloritic, epidotic) as well as a low-grade metamorphism resulting in zeolites and prehnite-pumpellyite-quartz. The pockets, veinlets and amygdales of prehnite, epidote, chlorite and laumonite (zeolite), which fill the open spaces of basalt, ost most of the copper mineralization. The Cu mineralization in veinlets, pockets and amygdales is composed of cuprite &amp;gt; native copper_&amp;gt; malachite_&amp;gt; tenorite_&amp;gt; chrysocolla. The round and ellipsoidal grains of native copper and cuprite range up to 2cm in size. With the exception of rare scattered pyrite grains, in the host rock, no sulfide minerals were observed in the mineralization. The Cu content of the ore reaches 3.5% with rather high values of silver (6 ppm). Also the copper concentration in the submarine basalt is anomalously high with 250 ppm. The mineralization is bound to a definite basalt layer underlying the Oligo-Miocene limestone.

Türkiye Bilimler akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi, 2009

Human Search for Resources, 2021

Publisher: National Museum of Iran and Deutsches Bergbau Museum Bochum, ISBN: 978-600-97737-7-0

The present study deals with two primary aims; (1) geological, mineralogical, and geochemical inv... more The present study deals with two primary aims; (1) geological, mineralogical, and geochemical investigations of the Deh Hosein, Astaneh, and Nezam Abad mineralizations in the Astaneh-Sarband area, west central Iran, with the aim to understand the characteristics of the occurrences and their conditions of formation, and (2) geochemical investigations on ancient bronze artifacts from Iran and Western Asia in order to compare their characteristics with the high-tin copper ore of Deh Hosein and examine their possible relationship.
The Astaneh-Sarband area is located in the northern part of the NW-SE aligned Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic belt and consists mainly of Mesozoic schists, Middle Jurassic to Middle Tertiary intrusive rocks and related contact metamorphic aureoles, and pegmatites. Regional metamorphism in the area has reached a peak of greenschist facies, but further metamorphism has occurred locally, associated with granitoid emplacement. Magmatism has produced large felsic to intermediate intrusive bodies along a general northwest trend. The main trend of the faults, fractures and other structural features of the area is NW-SE.
The Deh Hosein prospect is mainly hosted by Jurassic meta-sedimentary rocks, which have been intruded by the Astaneh complex. Mineralization continues into the southern part of the Astaneh intrusion. The meta-sedimentary rocks consist of alternating meta-sandstone, phyllite, schist, spotted slate and hornfels. The main faults and other structural features, with NW and NE trends, have controlled the mineralization, which occurs in the form of quartz, quartz-sulfide and quartz-gossan veins and veinlets, partly sheeted in structure. These veins are up to 1.5 m wide and several to tens of meters long. Mineralization also occurs as disseminations and impregnations, especially in the vein selvages. Adjacent to and within zones of intense quartz veining, the predominant alteration assemblage is quartz + sericite + tourmaline + monazite. Some 35 metalliferous minerals have been detected at Deh Hosein. Arsenopyrite is the dominant sulfide mineral, with lesser amounts of chalcopyrite > pyrite > pyrrhotite. Cassiterite and ferberite are the rather abundant oxide minerals. The sulfide content in the ore is generally less than two volume percent. Arsenopyrite associated with early alteration and veining typically contains 1-150µm large inclusions of native bismuth, bismite and bismuthinite. Gold occurs in “invisible” form in the arsenopyrite and bismuth-bearing minerals of Deh Hosein. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA in the ore ranged from 0.05 to 13.3 ppm, while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to 10%, 6.7%, 2420ppm, and 1800ppm, respectively.
At Astaneh, gold mineralization is confined to the NW-SE trending Astaneh intrusion that is composed mainly of biotite granite (98.9 ± 1.0 Ma; Masoudi 1997), which is locally accompanied by granodiorite, tourmaline granite and quartz diorite. The northeastern part of the Astaneh intrusion has been cut by the Shirmazd granodiorite. This stock is about 400 m in diameter and Eocene in age (Rb/Sr and single zircon evaporation methods, this study). The Shirmazd granodiorite has been cut by NE-trending microgranodiorite dykes. Gold mineralization occurs mainly as NE-trending quartz- and quartz-sulfide veins and veinlets, as well as in disseminations in the Shirmazd stock and the intersecting microgranodiorite dykes, and in some nearby, smaller, altered granitic stocks. Alteration minerals include sericite, chlorite, quartz, calcite and in some cases kaolinite. At Astaneh chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite are the major sulfide minerals, of which the latter contains 1-50 µm sized inclusions of native bismuth and bismite. Gold occurs in both visible and invisible forms at Astaneh. Visible gold has been reported in the form of very fine grained particles (<15 µm) either in goethite produced from the oxidation of chalcopyrite or in sericitized plagioclase (Hashemi 2002), while invisible gold occurs in arsenopyrite and bismuth-bearing minerals. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA ranged from 0.05 to 9.5 ppm, while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to 1%, 0.05%, 100 ppm and 138ppm, respectively.
The Nezam Abad mineralization is hosted by a Lower-Mid Eocene quartz diorite unit. This rock unit has been cut by several aplitic and quartz or quartz-tourmaline veins; the latter host the mineralization. The faults of the area are NW-, NE- and N-trending. Associated alteration minerals include quartz, chlorite, sericite, and tourmaline. At Nezam Abad, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and scheelite are the most abundant ore minerals. Gold occurs as “invisible” form predominantly in arsenopyrite with bismuth inclusions at Nezam Abad. Bulk gold contents determined by NAA ranged from 0.05 to 36.2 ppm while the Cu, Sn, W, and Bi concentrations of veins range up to %10, %0.87, %3.37 and 548ppm, respectively (Farhadian 1999).
In all three occurrences, gold shows positive correlations with arsenic, bismuth, selenium, silver, tellurium and antimony. Microprobe investigations revealed that the arsenopyrites from Deh Hosein, Astaneh and Nezam Abad contain 32.3 to 34.3, 30.7 to 31.4, and 33.6 to 35.6 atomic percent of arsenic. Average compositions lead to the conclusion that the mineralization formed at temperatures of 460°C, 410° to 380°C and 565° to 510 °C, respectively. Oxygen isotope ratios for gold-bearing quartz veins in the area range from 13.6 to 19.2‰ for Deh Hosein, from 11.5 to 13.7‰ for Astaneh and from 11.6 to 15‰ (V-SMOW) for Nezam Abad. The oxygen isotope data suggest a metamorphic or a mixed magmatic-metamorphic source for the quartz veins. Measured sulfur isotope values for pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and arsenopyrite in quartz veins of the Deh Hosein, Astaneh and Nezam Abad range from -5.6 to 0‰, -0.5 to 1.8‰ and 1.2 to 4‰ (CDT), respectively. The sulfur-isotope values of all these occurrences are compatible with a magmatic sulfur source. Pb isotope ratios from the sulfide and host rock samples of the prospects indicate a good agreement between the lead ratios of the ore of Deh Hosein and the hosting meta-sandstone, the ore of Astaneh and the Shirmazd Stock and the ore of Nezam Abad and the hosting quartz diorite. The Pb isotope signatures of the ore from the three occurrences show also rather close ratios. According to the plumbotectonics model of Zartman and Doe (1981) the lead in the ores has a lower crustal Pb component.
The studied occurrences share several similarities in terms of their mineralogy, geochemistry, formation temperatures, isotope ratios, alteration and occurrence of gold. They also indicate many similar features with the “intrusion-related gold systems” that have been described from Alaska, the Yukon and other parts of the world (e.g., Lang et al. 1997, 2000; McCoy et al. 1997; Thompson et al. 1999). According to the present data, it appears that a fertile magmatic source (probably of lower crustal origin) has affected the already present metamorphic rocks of the area (by remobilizing some of their elements) and caused a rather intensive gold mineralization in the area during the Pyrenean Orogeny.
The extensive ancient mining relics at Deh Hosein, the simultaneous occurrence of tin and copper in it, together with frequent archaeological and ancient textual references which refer to the Iranian plateau as supplier of the raw material for the ancient Mesopotamia and southwestern Iran (Susa and Luristan) encouraged me to examine the possible relationship between the ore of this ancient mine and the ancient bronze artifacts. For this purpose, several bronze artifacts of typical Luristan style which date most probably to the Iranian Iron Age (from about 1300-1250 to 650 BCE) were investigated. The results were compared to the analyses of the Deh Hosein ore and other bronze artifacts previously published. Examination of 29 bronze artifacts from Luristan by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed that the Luristan bronzes show variable concentrations of As, Pb, Zn and Fe in addition to high concentrations of tin (0.48-15.4%). The ore composition of Deh Hosein is matched by several bronze artifacts from Luristan analyzed in this study as well as in previous investigations (Fleming et al. 2005). Even more noteworthy is the observation that the lead isotope ratios of the ore samples from Deh Hosein are in very good agreement with 25 samples of metal artifacts from Luristan and other bronze artifacts dated to the third millennium BCE from the southern Persian Gulf (Weeks 1999), the Aegean (Begemann et al. 1992), as well as from third millennium BCE sites in Luristan and Mesopotamia (Begemann & Schmitt-Strecker in preparation).
At Deh Hosein, which is located at the western rim of the Luristan area and is close to ancient civilization centers of Susa and Mesopotamia, the ancient workings appear as numerous big ellipsoidal open depressions in two rows along the mineralized horizons. The old workings are up to 70 by 50m in size and up to 15m deep and are aligned over some 500m. Several hammer stones of silicified phyllite and granite, pottery shards and grinding stones have been found in the open-cast mines and adjacent ancient settlements. The pottery shards can be dated to the early first millennium BCE. Pieces of charcoal found in one of the diggings yielded a radiocarbon date of 3380 ± 55, which on calibration (2 sigma) results in an age range of 1775-1522 BCE.
Several indications attest that Deh Hosein has been a major supplier of tin for ancient civilizations of Iran and Mesopotamia and perhaps even further west beginning in the third millennium BCE.
In summary: i) The lead isotope compatibility of ores from Deh Hosein with many bronze artifacts from Bronze and Iron Age sites distributed from the southern Persian Gulf to the Aegean is good. ii) This is combined with a good match for trace element patterns of ores and artifacts. iii) Copper and tin occur within one mineralization. iv) Ancient textual references mention tin and bronze supply from regions east of Mesopotamia. v) The dating of surface finds of pottery and charcoal finally supports these findings. At present Deh Hosein is the only known copper-tin occurrence close to Luristan and Mesopotamia.
The northern part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone which is characterized by intrusion of several intrusive bodies in metamorphic terranes favors the occurrence of similar deposits as in the Astaneh-Sarband area. Thus, the prospects are good for further exploration in the region which may also reveal some other ancient mines.

Keywords:
Deh Hosein (Deh Hossein) Deposit, Nezam Abad Deposit, Astaneh Gold Deposit, Astaneh-Sarband (Shazand) area, Arak, Iran, Intrusion-Related Gold System

كليدواژه ها
كانسار ده حسين، كانسار طلاي آستانه، كانسار نظام آباد، منطقه آستانه-سربند (منطقه شازند) اراك، سيستم هاي كاني سازي طلا مرتبط با توده هاي نفوذي، فلزكاري و معدنكاري كهن، مفرغ هاي باستاني لرستان، مطالعات ايزوتوپي

Metalla Sonderheft 12, 2023

The recent archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigations have revealed simulta-neous sil... more The recent archaeological and archaeometallurgical investigations have revealed simulta-neous silver and copper production in a number of central Iranian prehistoric sites includ-ing Arisman, Sialk, and Tappeh Sofalin during the Late Fourth- Early Third Millennia BCE. Some archaeometallurgical remains including ore (Figure 1a), slag, litharge fragments (Figure 1b), and metal artifacts from the sites, together with ore from some ancient mines in central Iran were studied using trace elemental, mineralogical, microstructural and lead isotope investigations. Based on our studies, it seems that there has been a strong technical and manufactural link between the copper production and the cupellation processes: the two processes were not separately carried out, but thoroughly interrelated. In this regard, an argentiferous polymetallic ore (possibly along with and argentiferous lead ore) has been used for the production of copper and silver. In other words, the whole metallurgical activity was designed to produce arsenical copper at the same time as silver from one polymetallic ore through two processes namely; (1) smelting for producing arsenical copper, argentiferous lead, and slag (Figure 1c); as well as (2) cupellation, which yielded silver and litharge.

Journal of Research on Archaeometry, 2017

Iran is rich in ancient mining and metallurgical relics. Nevertheless, the studies on these relic... more Iran is rich in ancient mining and metallurgical relics. Nevertheless, the studies on these relics have so far been mostly unsystematic. The road map for the ancient mining and metallurgical studies in Iran, that has been ordered by the Research Centre for Conservation of Cultural Relics of Iran (RCCCR), proposes a systematic multidisciplinary plan for the ancient mining and archaeometallurgical studies of Iran in the future. In this regard, following a brief review of the few systematic researches on the topic in Iran, the problems and challenges concerning the ancient relics of mining and metallurgy have been addressed. The conflict of interests between the modern mining sector and the cultural heritage organization, the lack of systematic plans for the documentation and study of ancient mining and metallurgical studies together with low contribution of the associated private sector in such studies as well as weak analytical infrastructures in the country are among the major challenges of the study of ancient mining and metallurgical relics in Iran. In this respect, an action plan for future studies in different aspects of ancient mining and metallurgy has been proposed. This plan is composed of five major pillars consisting of (1) “Collaboration”: interactive cooperation between associated Iranian institutions including the mining sector and the cultural heritage organization together with international institutions in the frame of the re-establishment of the “committee for studies on old mining and metallurgy”, (2) “Education”: training and education of mining archaeologists and archaeometallurgical experts together with familiarizing geologists, mining engineers, and archaeologists with the subject, (3)”Research”: research and study on the ancient mining and metallurgy by a number of substantial actions including preparation of an archive of the present level of knowledge on the subject which can eventually result in the preparation of an atlas of ancient mining and metallurgical relics of Iran, considering the old questions of archaeology concerning provenance and trade of raw and manufactured materials as well as the exchange of ancient technologies, performing systematic surveys for finding and documentation of the neglected ancient mines and metallurgical sites together with archaeological excavation of the significant ancient mines or metallurgical sites, and boosting the analytical and scientific infrastructure, (4) “Conservation”: preservation and conservation of selected representative ancient mining and metallurgical relics of the mines that are going to be exploited by modern mining sector, and (5) “Presentation”: publication and presentation of the results of the abovementioned aspects in diverse visual forms and appropriate scientific ways not only to the experts but also to the public. In the end, the paper has summarized the priorities concerning the future ancient mining and metallurgical studies of Iran. This road map that has mainly been prepared based on the knowledge and experience of the authors in the public and private sectors of Iran has also benefited from the constructive advices of the prominent international experts including Prentiss de Jesus, Vincent Pigott, Ernst Pernicka, Barbara Helwing, and Thomas Stöllner.

Ore Geology Reviews, 2021

The Haftcheshmeh porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt, northwe... more The Haftcheshmeh porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposit is located in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt, northwest Iran, with mineralization occurring mainly in gabbro-diorite and granodiorite porphyry. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are the most abundant sulfides that occur as disseminated and veinlet type ores in the potassic alteration zone. Platinum-group elements (PGEs), Au, and Cu concentrations of selected pyrite-and chalcopyrite-bearing samples were analyzed using in situ LA-ICP-MS and bulk rock Lead Fire Assay. Relatively high contents of PGEs and other precious elements are present in sulfide minerals, especially in pyrite that is the principal carrier of these elements in the deposit. Palladium is the most abundant of the PGEs in the sulfides. The contents of Pd are systematically higher than Pt in this deposit, consistent with other porphyry deposits, although Os, Rh, and Ir abundances are in general equal to or below the limits of detection in pyrite and chalcopyrite. The most important factors related to potential PGEs and chalcophile elements enrichment in the Haftcheshmeh deposit is the oxidized mafic endmember components of source magmas, i.e., high ƒO 2 conditions, possibly with a semimetal collector melt involved, and the high saline magmatic hydrothermal fractionation process. All these mechanisms seem to have enhanced the concentration of PGEs, Au, and other chalcophile metals. PGEs and other chalcophile elements were transported by exsolved high-T, saline magmatic hydrothermal fluids and then low T reaction and reduction to enhance saturation of sulfide phases during mineralization associated with potassic alteration.

Geopersia, 2019

The Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit is hosted by dolomitic carbonate of the Shotori formation which is ... more The Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit is hosted by dolomitic carbonate of the Shotori formation which is located in the SW Ardestan in Isfahan province. Ore body in this deposit is dominated by stratabound type. Primary ores in this type are composed of sphalerite, galena, barite and quartz with massive, banded, veined and disseminated structures. Evaluation of ore-grade at Gardaneshir Pb-Zn deposit, based on chemical analysis indicates average values of 4.35% Pb, 0.17% Zn, 20 ppm Ag in the form of galena, sphalerite, minor cerussite and smithsonite occurred along brecciated and silicified fractures mainly by NW-SE trending. Physico-chemical information of ore-solutions under chemical control, performed by entrapped fluid inclusion studies in gangue minerals. Through this way, liquid-rich two phase (L+V) inclusions as predominant types were recognized. These types of inclusions are homogenized into liquid state with a range of TH and related salinities ranges: 78-183 and 216-283 °C, respectively. Salinity ranges vary 3.5-5.86 and 9.7-25 wt% NaCl eq. The above microthermometric data reflect the nature of two populations of fluid inclusions originating from different source. The source materials would have provided by basinal brines, derived during compaction of sediments in shallow sea environment and then by upward movement into sediments, the stratabound dolomitized carbonate hosted Pb-Zn deposit will be formed. Furthermore; the range δ 34 S from-0.6 ‰ to-20.4‰ that have been extracted by galena can be an evidence of bacterial sulfate reduction in a subsidence sedimentary basin. This study suggests that the Gardeneshir Pb-Zn deposit is an epigenetic, thrust foldcontrolled and stratabound deposit with fluids and metals derived from the Triassic sedimentary strata.

Metalla, 2017

The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt i... more The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt in north central Iran and is hosted by middle-upper Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The focus of this paper is the investigation of ore and rock samples from Veshnaveh using diverse geochemical and mineralogical methods including ore microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and lead isotope analysis in order to better understand the nature of mineralization. The results were then compared with the results from the ancient metallurgical relics from some key sites in central Iran including Tappeh Sialk, Arismān, Tappeh Sarm and Jamkarān. The results show the Veshnaveh deposit is a Manto type mineralization whose ore has been possibly used from the Middle Bronze Age until the early Iron Age by surrounding communities.

Prehistoric Cultures at the Periphery of the Lut Desert; on the Basis of the Iran National Museum Collections, 2017

The Lut plain (Dasht-e Lut) composes the southern half of the Lut block and is located in south e... more The Lut plain (Dasht-e Lut) composes the southern half of the Lut block and is located in south east Iran. Mesozoic sedimentary rocks and sediments together with Paleogene volcanic rocks comprise the major outcrops of this plain which are mainly covered with fine-grained Pelio-Quaternary terrigenous sediments. The Lut Block hosts rather diverse types of mineralization including porphyry, epithermal, and sedimentary deposits of copper, gold, lead, and zinc. The porphyry and epithermal deposits have mainly occurred during Tertiary, while the sedimentary deposits are hosted by Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. From ancient mining and archaeometallurgical points of view, the most important and the oldest known metallurgical sites of southeast Iran are located at the periphery of Dasht-e Lut. This together with the resourcefulness of Lut and its adjacent areas demonstrate the economic geologic and archaeological importance of Dasht-e Lut. In this paper, following a brief review of the geology, economic geology, and ancient metallurgy at Dasht-e Lut, some questions concerning the ancient metallurgy and pertaining mineral deposits have been posed and some recommendations for further research and investigation on this area have been proposed. مروری بر زمین شناسی و منابع معدنی دشت لوت و اهمیت آنها در معدنکاری کهن

Metalla, 2016

The world heritage ancient site of Takht-e Soleyman and its assemblage of metal objects, together... more The world heritage ancient site of Takht-e Soleyman and its assemblage of metal objects, together with the geological wealth and the vast ancient mining relics of the Takab area motivated the authors to conduct the investigation that led to this article. The ancient mining and ore processing sites of the Takht-e Soleyman area were surveyed and investigated in an area of 5000 km 2. This contribution introduces briefly the geology and mineral resources together with the traces of ancient mining and ore processing in the area of Takht-e Soleyman. Some archaeological sites were found and documented for the first time during this investigation.

On salt, copper and gold: the origins of early mining and metallurgy in the CaucasusPublisher: Archéologie(s) 5, Lyon, MOM Éditions 2021, Nov 11, 2021

The Arisman ancient metallurgical site is located in western Central Iran. This site hosts hugeme... more The Arisman ancient metallurgical site is located in western Central Iran. This site hosts hugemetallurgical remains from the late 4th to early 3rdmillennium BCE, which attest to an extensiveproduction of arsenical copper and silver at the same time. Despite the archaeometallurgicalinvestigations that have so far been carried out at Arisman, some questions about the provenanceof the ore, the technological procedures utilized and the possible connection between copperand silver production are still open. Thus, the authors have reviewed the previously publisheddata and investigated and/or re-examined some of the metallurgical remains of the site includingore and slag pieces, as well as litharge fragments, through the use of ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, andoptical microscopy. The results demonstrate a sharper picture for the metallurgical processes anda clearer provenance for the ore. It seems that the ore was provided from two polymetallic oredeposits of Baqoroq and Komjan in Central Iran. The polymetallic ore contained copper, arsenic, lead, and silver and was processed in two interconnected steps of smelting and cupellation, which produced arsenical copper and silver.

فصلنامه علمی-پژوهشی علوم زمین, Jun 1, 2015

Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge, 2005

ABSTRACT The Darhand copper occurrence consists of disseminated. veinlet and pocket-shaped native... more ABSTRACT The Darhand copper occurrence consists of disseminated. veinlet and pocket-shaped native copper mineralization in Late to Mid-Ecocene basalt located 200 km south of Tehran, in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar metallogenic belt, in central Iran. The submarine amygdalo idal spilitic basalt, which hosts the mineralization has undergone a propylitic alteration (chloritic, epidotic) as well as a low-grade metamorphism resulting in zeolites and prehnite-pumpellyite-quartz. The pockets, veinlets and amygdales of prehnite, epidote, chlorite and laumonite (zeolite), which fill the open spaces of basalt, ost most of the copper mineralization. The Cu mineralization in veinlets, pockets and amygdales is composed of cuprite &amp;gt; native copper_&amp;gt; malachite_&amp;gt; tenorite_&amp;gt; chrysocolla. The round and ellipsoidal grains of native copper and cuprite range up to 2cm in size. With the exception of rare scattered pyrite grains, in the host rock, no sulfide minerals were observed in the mineralization. The Cu content of the ore reaches 3.5% with rather high values of silver (6 ppm). Also the copper concentration in the submarine basalt is anomalously high with 250 ppm. The mineralization is bound to a definite basalt layer underlying the Oligo-Miocene limestone.

Türkiye Bilimler akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi, 2009

Arabian Journal of Geosciences

Sedimentary Ore Deposits-Stratiform Deposits

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities 8 - Fluorite, Chromite, Kyanite, Garnet, Graphite کانی... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities 8 - Fluorite, Chromite, Kyanite, Garnet, Graphite
کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-فلوریت، کرومیت، کیانیت، گارنت، گرافیت

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities 7- Silica, Cement, Phosphate کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی- س... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities 7- Silica, Cement, Phosphate
کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی- سیلیس، سیمان، فسفات

کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-زیرکن، ژیپس، سنگ آهک و دولومیت، سنگ آهن، سولفات سدیم Industrial Minerals ... more کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-زیرکن، ژیپس، سنگ آهک و دولومیت، سنگ آهن، سولفات سدیم Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities 6- Zircon, Gypsum, Limestone and Dolomite, Iron Ore, Sodium Sulfate

Industrial Minerals and Rocks - Diatomite, Clays, Zeolite

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities4 (Pumice, Pyrophyllite, Talc, Trona, Titanium) کانی ها ... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities4 (Pumice, Pyrophyllite, Talc, Trona, Titanium)
کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-پومیس، پیروفیلیت، تالک، ترونا، تیتانیوم

Industrial Minerals and Rocks (Borates, Bauxite, Potash, and Perlite) کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-بور... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks (Borates, Bauxite, Potash, and Perlite)
کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-بورات، بوکسیت، پتاس و پرلیت

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities2 (Olivine, Barite, Bromine, Beryllium, Bentonite)

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities1 (Aggregates, Asbestos, Strontium, Diamond) کانی های و ... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Commodities1 (Aggregates, Asbestos, Strontium, Diamond)
کانی های و سنگ های صنعتی-خرده سنگ ها، آزبست، استرانسیم و الماس

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Mining and Mineral Processing کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-معدنکاری و فر... more Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Mining and Mineral Processing
کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-معدنکاری و فرآوری

Industrial Minerals and Rocks-Introduction کانی ها و سنگ های صنعتی-مقدمه

Geochemistry of Stable Isotopes-An Introduction

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-Cathodolumineschence

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-Fluid Inclusion

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-INAA

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-ICP

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-Atomic Absorption

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-Mass Spectrometer

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-SEM-EPMA

Instrumental Analyses in Economic Geology-XRD

Metalla 23/2, 2017 (2018) 67-90., 2018

The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt i... more The Veshnaveh ancient copper mine is located in the middle of the Orumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt in north central Iran and is hosted by middle-upper Eocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The focus of this paper is the investigation of ore and rock samples from Veshnaveh using diverse geochemical and mineralogical methods including ore microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrom-etry and lead isotope analysis in order to better understand the nature of mineralization. The results were then compared with the results from the ancient metallurgi-cal relics from some key sites in central Iran including Tappeh Sialk, Arismān, Tappeh Sarm and Jamkarān. The results show the Veshnaveh deposit is a Manto type min-eralization whose ore has been possibly used from the Middle Bronze Age until the early Iron Age by surrounding communities.