GEOLOGY, MINERALIZATION, RB-SR & SM-ND GEOCHEMISTRY, AND U–PB ZIRCON GEOCHRONOLOGY OF KALATEH AHANI CRETACEOUS INTRUSIVE ROCKS, SOUTHEAST GONABAD

Abstract

Kalateh Ahani is located 27 km southeast of Gonabad within the Khorasan Razavi province. The area is part of Lut Block. Sub-volcanic monzonitic rocks intruded regional metamorphosed Shemshak Formation (Jurassic age). Magnetic susceptibility of less altered monzonitic rocks is 0.6%., As, Pb and Zn > 1%, Au up to 150 ppb and Sn = 133 ppm. The Sn content of vein in the northern part of Kalateh Ahani (Rud Gaz) is > 1%. Based on mineralization, alteration and geochemistry, it seems that Sn mineralization is associated with the Cretaceous monzonitic rocks. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the age of the monzonitic rocks associated with mineralization is 109 Ma (Lower Cretaceous). Based on (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.71089-0.710647 and (143Nd/144Nd)i = 0.512113-0.51227 of the monzonitic rocks, the magma for these rocks were originated from the continental crust. This research has opened new window with respect to Sn-Cu mineralization and exploration within the Lut Block which is associated with Cretaceous granitoid rocks (reduced type, ilmenite series) originated from the continental crust.