Exploration
Mojtaba Bazargani Golshan; Mehran Arian; Peyman Afzal; Lili Daneshvar Saein; Mohsen Aleali
Abstract
The purpose of this research is application of the Concentration-Number and Concentration-Area fractal models for determining the distribution pattern of REEs and lithium in mining area of the North Kochakali coal deposit. According to the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal graphs, four ...
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The purpose of this research is application of the Concentration-Number and Concentration-Area fractal models for determining the distribution pattern of REEs and lithium in mining area of the North Kochakali coal deposit. According to the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal graphs, four different geochemical groups were obtained for REEs and lithium in the mining area of North Kochakali coal deposit. The comparison of the threshold values and the models obtained based on the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal models indicate that the Concentration-Area Fractal model has performed better in determining different geochemical groups and separating anomalies from the background for REEs and lithium in North Kochakali coal deposit. Based on the fractal models in the mining area, the southeastern and western parts have the highest concentrations of REEs and the northeastern parts have the highest concentrations of lithium. These parts should be considered in mining operations due to their higher economic value. The locations of the REEs anomalies are consistent with the location of right-lateral faults with a normal component, since these faults are young and have operated after the formation of coal seams, so the mineralization of REEs in North Kochakali coal deposit is epigenetic.
Seyyed S. Ghannadpour; A. Hezarkhani
Abstract
In several uranium (U) prospecting projects in Iran, particularly Central Iran, the association and enrichment of rare earth elements (REEs) are known as the usual features. Sometimes the association of REEs and U with high economic perspective has caused that the relation between the rare earth and ...
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In several uranium (U) prospecting projects in Iran, particularly Central Iran, the association and enrichment of rare earth elements (REEs) are known as the usual features. Sometimes the association of REEs and U with high economic perspective has caused that the relation between the rare earth and radioactive elements is taken into consideration in other types of mineralization, and if there is any relation, radioactivity will be applied in the exploration of REEs. In the current work, sampling from Baghak anomaly in the Sangan mines is carried out based on the radioactivity and radiation measurement methods (as the optimal sampling pattern). In fact, the goal of this work is to survey the presence or absence of such a relation in a skarn mine, which is a different case study from Central Iran. In the case of presence, this will lead to a new exploration method and sampling pattern for REEs. The mineralogical studies (based on the optical and electronic microscopic observations), statistical investigations, and geochemical analyses are applied in this research work. The results obtained from the statistical studies show that the Baghak anomaly due to involving a significant amount of U, Ce, and La and a high concentration of REEs can be considered as one of the important mines. Spider diagrams and their geochemical investigations include the features that are typical of the subduction-related magmas in the calcalkaline volcanic arcs of the continental active margins. The chondrite-normalized REE pattern shows the enrichment of LREE, and a positive pattern close to flat HREE due to the entry of LREE ions into the allanites network. The mineralogical study results also confirm that REEs (especially Ce) are accumulated as a solid solution in the allanite minerals. Moreover, from the mineralogical, geochemical, and statistical analyses, it can be observed that in addition to the presence of such a relation in the mentioned mineralization (Central Iran mineralizations), there is an acceptable correlation between these elements in the Baghak iron-skarn mineralization. Eventually, it can be said that the idea and introduced method for the exploration of REEs in this work could present a new viewpoint to the decision-makers of this industry.
