Mineralization study on Dehbid magnetite deposit, Fars; using mineralogical and geochemical data

The Dehbid magnetite deposit is located in northeastern part of Fars province, in the southern border of Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic zone. The mineralization occurred as veins and lenses along NW-SE faults. The ores are mainly hosted in silicified dolomite of early Mesozoic (Triassic). Mineralogical studies show that the ores are dominated by magnetite and minor hematite with massive texture occurring as cement of angular remnants of silicified host dolomite. According to geochemical data, Fe2O3 content in the mineralized zones show extensive variation between 34 to 75 wt %. The P, Ti, Cr and V contents of the iron ores are remarkably low and Co/Ni, Cr/V and LREE/HREE ratios, positive Eu anomalies, negative Ce anomalies, Eu/Sm = 1, along with field and textural observations of Dehbid ores indicate that the deposit belongs to the class of hydrothermal iron ores. At Dehbid, the magnetite ores are formed as open space fillings. The sparse rhyolites and basalts in the area may be regarded as the origin of iron and heat in the hydrothermal system. A decrease in temperature and likely pressure due to fluid mixing are the major causes of iron oxide deposition.