Geology of the Yeşilyurt gold deposit: an example of low-angle normal fault related mineralization, Eastern Anatolia-Turkey

Year 2021, Volume: 164 Issue: 164, 261 - 279, 15.04.2021

Esra Yıldırım Nail Yıldırım Cahit Dönmez Kurtuluş Günay

https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.797729

Abstract

Yeşilyurt gold mineralization is located within the provincial borders of Malatya and Adıyaman in the East Anatolian Region. This mineralization is one of the gold deposits which correlated with low-angle normal/detachment fault. Low-angle normal fault associated with a tectonic setting which is potential extensional in Paleogene-Neogene (?) term. Marble-recrystallized limestone which belongs to the metamorphic core is the dominant rock (footwall) type in the bottom plate of the fault zone. There are deformed graphitic calc-schists (hanging wall) in the upper plate of the fault zone. The fault zone is characterized by fault gauge, cataclasite, and breccia. While the cataclasite, and breccia are the principal ore host, there is weaker mineralization in fault gauge. Alteration assemblages are: (1) silica replacements/veinlets and, (2) quartz-pyrite replacements / veinlets. High gold contents are closely related to silicification and quartz-pyrite alteration which damaged the primary textures. Small volume syn-tectonic magmatic rocks are simultaneous and typically monitored in the silicified areas which are border on the high-grade gold mineralization. Mineralization is a non-base metalliferous Au depositthat contains Au/Ag ~ 1.07, As (~0.27%), F (1.59%), and a trace amount of Sb. This deposit will lead to finding new gold deposits in Eastern Taurus Orogenic Belt.

Keywords

Yeşilyurt gold mineralization, Detachment fault/Lowangle normal fault, Fault gauge, Cataclasite, Breccia.

Supporting Institution

General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration.

Project Number

2018/2020-32-13-01-1

Thanks

This study was carried out as a part of MTA project titled “Maden Karmaşığı Polimetal Maden Aramaları (2018/2020-32-13-01-1)”, affiliated to the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration. We would like to thank Geological Engineer (MSc.) Mahmut Eroğlu and Geological Engineer Turan Bengin who contributed to the field studies, Geological Engineers Tahsin Aksoy and Füsun Niğdeli (Feasibility Department), who estimated the reserve of the mineralization, and the Geological Engineer Yunus Sönmez for the revision of the figures in the article. Last but not least, we would like to thank all the MTA team. We also thank Ali Sholeh for his constructive criticism and suggestions.

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