The application of stream sediment and heavy mineral exploratory methods on evaluation of mineralization potential in Soltan Meydan basalts, north of Shahroud

In order to assess the potential of copper mineralization and its associated elements in Soltan Meydan basaltic formation situated in the north of Shahrud, the method of stream sediment and heavy mineral has been used. To achieve this aim, totally 68 samples of sediments (-80 mesh in particle size) and 6 samples of heavy minerals (-20 mesh in particle size) have been collected in an optimized network of sampling. Stream sediment samples have been analyzed in for Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe and Ni. Statistical processing of geochemical data resulted in identifying of elements with anomaly values, discrimination between anomalous and background values, and also assigning the inter-element relationships. Among the elements, Cu and Ni show first and second order anomalies in the samples. Results show that Fe, Pb, and Zn are associated together and also indicate positive correlation with Co and Mn, strongly (r?0.5). The study of heavy mineral samples indicates the presence of magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, pyrite, oxidized pyrite, ocher, barite, apatite, rutile, zircon, nigrine, anatase, sphene, leucoxene, gold and ferromagnesian silicates. Statistical processing of heavy mineral data shows the association of Au, Ti, and Fe-oxides. The results of geochemical data processing and their integration with results of distribution pattern of fractures indicates good correlation between geochemical anomalies and highly fractured regions, as a result promising area for Cu and Ti mineralization has been identified and suggested for performing of further exploration.