Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Origin of Iron Deposits in North of Semnan

The iron deposits in north of Semnan are located in the south of Central Alborz structural zone. Stratigraphically, the area consists of Paleozoic to Quaternary rock series exposures. The area has been affected by Semnan, Darjazin, Attari and Diktash faults. An intermediate to acidic granitoid body of calc-alkaline and metaluminous composition, representing I-type granite characteristics, has intruded the Eocene volcanopyroclastic rocks in the north of Semnan. Skarn development and iron mineralization have occurred at the contact of the intrusive body and the volcanopyroclastic rocks. Mineral Paragenesis consists of magnetite accompanied by hematite, oligist, pyrite, chalcopyrite, garnet, pyroxene and epidote. Geometry of the ore bodies is massive, lenticular and vein type and their texture is disseminated, brecciated, vein-veinlet and massive. Dominant alterations in the area are propylitic, argillic, silicic, sericitic, chloritic and pyritic, respectively. The intrusive body has many similarities with intrusive bodies which form Fe-skarn deposits. Variations in the calculated parameters for REE indicate contribution of magmatic origin hydrothermal fluids to mineralization and that the intrusive body has had the dominant role as source of the skarn ore materials. Along with the intrusion, emplacement and crystallization of intrusive body, Fe-bearing fluids have intruded the volcanopyroclastic rocks, forming sodic metasomatism and deposited iron ores in the north of Semnan which have many similarities with calcic Fe-skarn deposits.