Mineralogy,,Geochemistry and mineralization origin of magnetite in Yapal, northwest of Divandareh, Kurdistan

Yapal iron ore body is located in northwest of Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. A complex of Paleozoic metamorphed rocks including green schist, mica schist, chlorite schist with green schist facies degree, plus skarn and marble outcrop in this area.. Iron mineralization generally occurs as magnetite with the shapes of lentoid, veins, veinlets and dots in garnet schist and greenschist and near marble outcrop in area. Ore textures are observed as dispersed, stock, replacement and network like. The iron oxide grade varies between 30 to 60 percent. Iron element negatively correlates with sulfur and positively correlates with titanium, magnesium, manganese and the other main oxides. Based on the relation between cobalt and nickel, this ore body is located within hydrothermal-originated category. Some samples are located in the hydrothermal-volcanogenic boundary. Based on distribution patterns of rare earth elements, Yapal iron ore has more similarities with skarn type mineralizations. Geochemical evidences of magnetite and the variations of cobalt, nickel, silica and aluminum suggest the skarn origin for Yapal iron ore. That means the iron has been mobilized by the hot fluids originated by intrusive stocks and precipitated in contact of metamorphic and marble units.