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Regional magnetic lithologies and structures as controls on porphyry copper

deposits: Evidence from Iran

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DOI: 10.1071/EG16042

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Regional magnetic lithologies and structures as

controls on porphyry copper deposits: evidence
from Iran

Hassan Kheyrollahi, Firouz Alinia & Abdolreza Ghods

To cite this article: Hassan Kheyrollahi, Firouz Alinia & Abdolreza Ghods (2018) Regional
magnetic lithologies and structures as controls on porphyry copper deposits: evidence from Iran,
Exploration Geophysics, 49:1, 98-110, DOI: 10.1071/EG16042

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CSIRO PUBLISHING
Exploration Geophysics, 2018, 49, 98–110
http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/EG16042

Regional magnetic lithologies and structures as controls

on porphyry copper deposits: evidence from Iran

Hassan Kheyrollahi1 Firouz Alinia1,3 Abdolreza Ghods2

1
Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology,
Tehran, 158754413, Iran.
2
Department of Earth Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan, 451951159, Iran.
3
Corresponding author. Email: aliniaf@aut.ac.ir

Abstract. Tertiary magmatic activities in Iran are the main magmatic events responsible for porphyry copper deposit
occurrences. The Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt (UDMB), the Ahar-Arasbaran, the Taleghan-Tarom, the Kavir-Sabzevar
zones, and the Lut Block contain the greatest volume of the Tertiary magmatic rocks in Iran. Many porphyry copper deposit
indications have been found, especially in the south-east and north-west of the UDMB in the Kerman and the Ahar-Arasbaran
zones, respectively. New porphyry copper mineralisation found in central parts of the UDMB and the East Iran magmatic belt
(the Lut Block), in Tertiary rocks, have made these areas more interesting for porphyry copper prospecting, where
before that they were not noteworthy. In this paper, we used the combination of upward continuation and edge
enhancement filters to find and predict the pattern of distribution of porphyry copper deposits in the Tertiary magmatic
belts. The results show the high correlation between magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits at a
regional scale and new attractive areas have been proposed for prospecting based on deep geophysical features.

Key words: airborne magnetics, exploration, porphyry copper, Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt.

Received 11 April 2016, accepted 3 September 2016, published online 28 October 2016

Introduction stage of the closure of the Neotethys Ocean and evolution of

At the regional and local scales, airborne magnetic data are used
to provide geological information in three dimensions and from
different depths, particularly under cover or in areas of limited
outcrop. At the regional scale, interpretation of the magnetic
data enhances the geological and structural framework, mainly
by defining major compositional boundaries or structures that
may be favourable environments for mineralisation. At the local
scale, high resolution magnetic data are usually used to map
large scale structures which are directly related to mineralisation
(Hildenbrand et al., 2000; Holden et al., 2008; Jaques and
Milligan, 2004; Ponce and Glen, 2002).
In geology and mineral exploration, airborne magnetic data
are known as an important source of information for studying
geological features and subsurface structures such as faults,
intrusive bodies and hidden plutonic masses, altered areas and
different lithologies (Almasi et al., 2014; Austin and Blenkinsop,
2008; Bierlein et al., 2006; Henson et al., 2010). Ore deposits
may occur on the secondary structures adjacent to larger scale
primary structures, which were likely to have been pathways
for channelling fluids to and within the upper crust (Austin and
Blenkinsop, 2008, 2009).
Porphyry copper deposits are the most important copper
deposits that occur all over the world and are commonly large
mineralisation systems. These deposits are generally related
to regional structures, especially strike-slip faults (Cloos and
Sapiie, 2013), which control the emplacement of magmatic
intrusion bodies and provide pathways for mineralising fluids.
In Iran, the most important magmatic events for porphyry
copper deposit occurrences are of Tertiary age. Iranian porphyry
copper deposits formed over long time periods during the final
the Zagros orogeny in a post-subduction and post-collisional
tectonic setting (Aghazadeh et al., 2015; Richards, 2003, 2015).
In this research, we enhance the signature of regional magnetic
lithologies and structures to find the pattern of distribution of
porphyry copper deposits and some associated deposits, such
as skarn and intrusion related types, in regions where few or
no porphyry copper deposits have been found. We focus our
attention on Tertiary magmatic belts in Iran where the most
favourable geological metallogenic constraints for formation
of porphyry copper and associated deposits exist.
Geological setting and mineralisation
The distribution of the Tertiary and the Pliocene–Quaternary
igneous rocks in Iran is illustrated in Figure 1. Porphyry copper
deposits in Iran are predominantly attributed to Tertiary volcano-
magmatic events during the Eocene–Oligocene, the Mid–Late
Oligocene and the Early–Late Miocene. The peak mineralisation
occurred during the Miocene (Ghorbani et al., 2014; Haschke
et al., 2010; Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015; Shafiei et al., 2009;
Zarasvandi et al., 2005). The oldest Tertiary porphyry copper
mineralisation (Maher Abad deposit) occurred in the Late Eocene
in eastern Iran and the youngest (Abdar deposit) occurred in the
Late Miocene in the Kerman region (Aghazadeh et al., 2015). The
major zones of Tertiary rock distribution in Iran are the Urumieh-
Dokhtar magmatic belt (UDMB), the Taleghan-Tarom zone, the
Ahar-Arasbaran zone, the Kavir-Sabzvar zone and the Eastern
Iranian zone. The mentioned zones are related to collisional belts
in Tethyan arc systems (Emami, 2000; Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015;
Omrani et al., 2008; Richards et al., 2012; Richards, 2015).

Journal compilation Ó ASEG 2018 www.publish.csiro.au/journals/eg

Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits
45° 50°
35°
30°
Pliocene-Quaternary
igneous rocks
Ophiolite
Tertiary igneous rocks
Fault
Thrust
Porphyry Mo
Skarn (Cu or Fe)
Intrusion related Au or IOCG (Cu-Au)
Porphyry Cu-Mo-Au +/- epithermal Au
50°
Fig. 1. Distribution of the Tertiary and the Pliocene-Quaternary igneous rocks (modified from 1 : 1 000 000 geological map
of Iran, Geological Survey of Iran), and the locations of porphyry copper (epithermal) and important Cu-skarn deposits and
the trace of some important active faults overlain on SRTM30 shaded relief map of Iran.
The UDMB is a continental arc that was formed as a result
of the subduction of the Neotethyan oceanic crust under the
Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone in the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic (Alavi,
1994). The calc-alkaline and shoshonitic magmatic activity
in the UDMB started in the Eocene and continued into the
Quaternary (Agard et al., 2011; Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015;
Omrani et al., 2008). The younger volcanic activity in this
belt is mainly alkaline in nature and is associated with tectono-
magmatic processes related to post-collisional, intra-continental
rifting events (Richards, 2003, 2015).We arbitrarily divide the
UDMB into the Kerman zone (Southern zone), the Yazd-
Esfahan-Anarak zone (Central zone), and the Saveh-Urumieh
zone (Northern zone) for our investigation. The Central to
Southern zones are dominated by basic to intermediate igneous
rocks with calc-alkaline to alkaline affinities that host the
Sarcheshmeh and Meiduk porphyry copper mines. At the
Yazd-Esfahan-Anarak zone, some new Cu porphyry deposits
have been found recently, such as Ali Abad, Darreh Zereshk,
Dalli, Kahang, Zefreh, Zafarghand, Kal Kafi (Afshooni et al.,
2013; Ahmadian et al., 2016; Ayati et al., 2013; Zarasvandi
et al., 2005). Some new Cu  Au  Mo porphyry deposits
such as Ghahan and Estelaj and Siah Kamar Mo porphyry
mineralisation indications have been found recently at the
Saveh-Urumieh zone (Khaleghi et al., 2013) (Figure 1).
In the Ahar-Arasbaran zone, two cycles are metallogenically
the most productive magmatic systems: Late Oligocene–Early
Miocene, and Middle Miocene–Pliocene cycles (Aghazadeh
et al., 2015; Jahangiri, 2007; Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015).
Exploration Geophysics 99
55° 60° 65°
50 km 0 200 km
35°
30°
25°
55° 60°
The earlier cycle is dominantly associated with porphyry
Cu–Mo mineralisation, whereas the later cycle is associated
with porphyry Cu–Au and epithermal mineralisation. The age
of the magmatism and the mineralisation decreases from the
north to the south (Jahangiri, 2007; Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015).
The most important copper deposits in this zone are the Sungun
porphyry-skarn and Mazraeh skarn mines (Hezarkhani, 2006).
There are some other porphyry, epithemal and skarn mineralisation
prospects in this zone which are under exploration (Figure 1)
(Hezarkhani, 2008; Maghsoudi et al., 2014)
In the Teleghan-Tarom zone, the Eocene tonalitic to granitic
and alkaline monzonitic magmatism has caused copper
mineralisation in carbonate rocks in the form of carbonate
minerals and new indications of porphyry copper deposits in
Deh-e-Zaker and Hashtjin areas have been found and are in
prospecting stage (Emami, 2000; Mohammadi and Ali Akbari,
2000). Morvarid and Sorkhe Dizaj Fe-skarn mineralisation
systems and extensive Takestan epithermal prospect are the
most important mineralisation indications at this zone (Azizi
et al., 2009).
In the north-east of the country, the Kavir-Sabzvar zone
is located at the north of the Doruneh fault zone. The most
dominant igneous rocks in this region are related to tholeiitic
Tertiary volcanic rocks of Eocene–Oligocene age (Emami,
2000). The Arghash epithermal Au–porphyry Cu deposit,
Tanourjeh porphyry Cu and Kuh Zar iron-oxide gold (IOG)
are the most important deposits found in this zone (Karimpour
et al., 2007).
100 Exploration Geophysics
The Lut Block extends from the Doruneh fault zone in the
north to the Jazmourian basin in the south. Magmatic activities
began in the Jurassic and culminated in the Tertiary (Karimpour
et al., 2007). The Tertiary volcano-magmatic rocks show
alkaline–calc-alkaline affinities with ages ranging from the
Eocene to Oligocene (Karimpour et al., 2007; Pang et al.,
2013). Magmatic rocks such as Shahkuh and Bajestan
collisional ilmenite-series and reduced granitic and granitoidic
intrusions and Sorkhkuh oxidised granitoids with various ages
are some evidence of the subduction processes in the Lut
Block (Emami, 2000). In addition, lithospheric removal and
asthenospheric upwelling associated with extensional collapse
of the east Iranian ranges in the Eocene–Oligocene time have
resulted in the widespread magmatism in the Lut Block (Pang
et al., 2013). Maher Abad, Khupic, Rahimi, Chah Shalghami
porphyry Cu, Sheikhdar Abad (pophryry–epithermal), Hired
intrusion related Au and Ghaleh Zari iron-oxide copper gold
(IOCG) deposits are the most important deposits in this zone
(Karimpour et al., 2007; Malekzadeh Shafaroudi et al., 2015;
Richards et al., 2012).
Data and methods
From 1974 to 1977, aeromagnetic surveys that covered most
of Iran were conducted in two stages by the Aero Service
Corporation (Houston, Texas) in cooperation with the
Geological Survey of Iran. The line spacing of the surveys was
7.5 km, with 300 to 700 m nominal terrain clearance and tie
lines with 40 km spacing. The directions of survey lines in
different parts of the country were perpendicular to the general
geological strikes, so the country was subdivided into 62
survey blocks. The aircraft used for this operation was a two
engine airplane carrying a caesium-vapour magnetometer with
0.02 gamma recording sensitivity. After data acquisition and
processing, the blocks were merged and the altitude effects
was corrected. The cell size of the final gridded total magnetic
intensity map is 1080 m. The IGRF model of 1975 was used
to remove the magnetic effect of the core field of the earth to
prepare the residual total magnetic map. Despite new high
resolution surveys in some parts of the country, the Aero
Service Corporation data is still the only one with near
complete coverage in Iran.
For the present research, we used the aeromagnetic data of
Iran to investigate and extract the regional magnetic lithologies
and structures. For the regional study, the scale or the resolution
of the data is sufficient to enhance the target geological features.
The different lithological boundaries used in this work are based
on the geological map in the scale of 1 : 1 000 000 of Iran
prepared by Geological Survey of Iran (GSI). The information
about mineral deposits/indices of Iran is mostly from National
Geosciences Database of Iran (NGDIR) (Table 1).
Sharp gradients in magnetic anomalies caused by the edge of
magnetic sources represent lithological contacts, faults, fractures
and crustal discontinuities (Bierlein et al., 2006; Henson et al.,
2010; Hildenbrand et al., 2000 and Jaques and Milligan, 2004).
In recent years, many methods have been proposed to enhance
the edges of magnetic sources for geological mapping and
interpretation (Cooper and Cowan, 2008; Li, 2013; Li et al.,
2014; Ma, 2013; Ma and Li, 2012). Total horizontal gradient
(THD) (Cordell and Grauch, 1985), the tilt angle (Miller and
Singh, 1994), the horizontal tilt angle (TDX) (Cooper and
Cowan, 2006), the total horizontal derivative of tilt angle
(Verduzco et al., 2004), Theta map (Wijns et al., 2005) are
some common methods for edge detection of magnetic
sources. Most of these methods are a combination of horizontal
H. Kheyrollahi et al.
and vertical derivatives and enhance the boundary of the deep
and shallow magnetic sources simultaneously. Some new
methods have also been developed that use a combination of
the above methods, such as the tilt angle of the total horizontal
gradient (TAHD) (Ferreira et al., 2013) and the tilt angle of
vertical derivative of horizontal derivative (Zhang et al., 2015).
In order to extract the regional magnetic lithologies we used
a multi-stage algorithm. At first, the magnetic data were reduced
to the pole (RTP) in order to place the anomalies above their
causative bodies (Baranov, 1957). Since the studied areas were
at different latitudes, the data of each area were reduced to the
pole based on the local inclination and declination values of
IGRF model-1975, using Oasis Montaj Software (Geosoft Inc.).
After applying RTP, the data were upward continued to 3000 m
above the current survey altitude. This filter removes or
attenuates the surficial high frequency magnetic anomalies
whereas the anomalies associated with sources deeper than
~1500 m below the sensor remain (approximately 1 km below
the surface) (Jacobsen, 1987). The magnetic field anomalies
have signals with large amplitude variations that originate
from sources with different geometries, located at different
depths and with different magnetisation properties. In addition,
the shape of magnetic anomalies depends on the direction of the
induced and remanent magnetisation, making the interpretation
of magnetic anomalies from original data a difficult task. The
effect of the variations of inclination of magnetic vector with
latitude on induced magnetisation can be corrected easily with
a reduction to the pole filter. For the effect of remanent
magnetisation on the shape of magnetic anomalies, one should
have the direction of remanent magnetisation which is not
available for our case. However, all of the volcanic rocks
considered in this study have ages not older than 50 myr. This
implies that the location of these rocks have not been changed
significantly during the last 50 myr (~100 km) (Agard et al.,
2005; Nilforoushan et al., 2003), so remanence of normal polarity
is approximately aligned with the present geomagnetic field,
reversed remanence is almost opposite the geomagnetic field,
and the resultant magnetisation is therefore more or less parallel to
the present field. Thus the RTP map effectively places magnetic
anomalies on top of their causative bodies. To remove the
magnetic complexity of geological environment, the third step
for magnetic lithology mapping was to apply TDX filter on the
upward continued data (Figure 2). This processing enhances
the boundaries and extents of magnetic blocks deeper than one
km and makes the magnetic areas smoother and divides the
geological environment to binary magnetic and non-magnetic
areas.
For structural mapping, we also used a multi-stage procedure.
Porphyry copper deposits are generally large mineralisation
systems and related to regional structures, therefore, we enhanced
the magnetic structures in upper level of regional magnetic
environments. To do this, after reduction to magnetic pole, we
applied upward continuation to 1000 m above the current flight
altitude, to make the magnetic anomalies smoother. Afterwards,
we applied the tilt angle of total horizontal derivative filter to
enhance the source edges and magnetic structures (Figure 2).
We used these regions near the surface structures to show
the structural controls on large mineralisation systems such
as porphyry copper, some skarns and other intrusion related
deposits.
Results
The magnetic lithologies deeper than 1 km and the near surface
magnetic structures were enhanced by applying the mentioned
Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits Exploration Geophysics 101

Table 1. Porphyry and some skarn deposits in Iran.

E, Early; L, Late; POR, porphyry; EPI, epithermal; SK, skarn; IOCG, iron-oxide copper gold; IOG, iron-oxide gold (age data from Aghazadeh
et al., 2015 and NGDIR)

No. Deposit/prospect Long. Lat. Province Structural Type of Age of

zone mineralisation mineralisation
1 Sarcheshmeh 55.8700 29.9500 Kerman Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
2 Meiduk 55.1700 30.4200 Kerman Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
3 Darreh zar 55.9000 29.8810 Kerman Central Iran POR Early Miocene
4 Kuh Panj 56.0700 29.8700 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
5 Chahar Gonbad 56.1764 29.5916 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
6 Abdar 55.3100 30.3200 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
7 Chah Firoozeh 55.0800 30.3810 Kerman Central Iran POR Early Miocene
8 Sara 55.1400 30.4500 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
9 Lachah 55.1342 30.4324 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
10 Seridun 55.9000 29.9900 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
11 Dehsiahan 56.0000 30.0000 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
12 Nowchun 55.8550 29.9200 Kerman Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
13 Sarkuh 55.8163 29.9347 Kerman Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
14 Latala 55.2240 30.4320 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
15 Kerver 54.9700 30.4800 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
16 Bagh Khoshk 55.9900 29.8295 Kerman Central Iran POR Early Miocene
17 Hossein Abad 55.7514 29.9038 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
18 Daralu 57.1046 29.1453 Kerman Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
19 Palangi 55.5892 30.3195 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
20 Sarno 54.9816 30.4835 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
21 Iju 54.9487 30.5391 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Miocene
22 Gode Kolvari 54.9779 30.5926 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
23 Sarbagh 56.1137 29.9880 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
24 Kader 54.7577 30.6225 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
25 Bidkhan 56.5097 29.6143 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
26 Allah Abad 56.6841 29.6522 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
27 Narap 56.6839 29.7085 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
28 Dozarktar 56.8692 29.6489 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
29 Hararan 56.6855 29.4837 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
30 Band Manzar 55.9847 29.8694 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
31 Lalehzar 1 56.7862 29.3528 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
32 Lalehzar 2 56.8803 29.3993 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
33 Pay Negin 56.9342 29.4382 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
34 Sar Mashk 57.1441 29.3967 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
35 Bondar Hanza 57.2137 29.3797 Kerman Central Iran POR Late Oligocene
36 Hanza 57.2067 29.3285 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
37 Guru 57.2897 29.3643 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
38 Godar Siah 57.4352 29.4653 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
39 Surakh Mar 1 57.4348 29.3209 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
40 Surakh Mar 2 57.4747 29.2879 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
41 Damaneh 57.1852 29.2172 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
42 Sin Abad 57.2648 29.2062 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
43 Zamin Hossein 57.3046 29.0243 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
44 Baghrai 57.2421 29.0119 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
45 Sargoad 57.3205 29.0579 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
46 Babnam 57.3782 29.1005 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
47 Jushin 57.5934 29.1635 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
48 Zarvork 57.6997 28.9962 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
49 Bolboli (Skarn) 56.2180 29.5747 Kerman Central Iran POR-SK L Oligocene–Miocene
50 Razi Abad 57.7358 28.9371 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
51 Takht 56.2295 29.5906 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
52 Darbidoo 55.1250 30.4833 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
53 Bahr Aseman 57.4166 29.0305 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
54 Rigan 58.7916 28.2513 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
55 Galeh Asgar 56.6889 29.4667 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
56 Rabor 56.4888 29.4095 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
57 Chehel Tan Jonubi 56.4084 29.7392 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
58 Chehel Tan Shomali 56.3994 29.8534 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
59 Ab Talkhun 56.1237 29.8040 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
60 Zavark 57.7290 29.0211 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
61 Jonub Sharg Abdar 55.4807 30.2227 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
62 Delfard 57.6719 28.9581 Kerman Central Iran POR L Oligocene–Miocene
63 Sungun (PC-Skarn) 46.7000 38.7000 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR-SK Early Miocene
64 Haft Cheshmeh 46.6521 38.7609 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR Late Oligocene
(continued next page)
102 Exploration Geophysics H. Kheyrollahi et al.

Table 1. (continued )
No. Deposit/prospect Long. Lat. Province Structural Type of Age of
zone mineralisation mineralisation
65 Mirkuh Mirza Ali 47.5614 38.1174 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
66 Sonajil 47.3156 38.2016 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR Neogen
67 Siah Kamr (Por_Mo) 47.5953 37.3998 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
68 Masjed Daghi 45.9574 38.8826 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone EPI-POR Early Miocene
69 Mazraeh(Skarn) 47.0609 38.6456 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone SK L Oligocene–E Miocene
70 Ajnerd (Skarn) 46.9086 38.6523 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone SK L Oligocene–E Miocene
71 Zand Abad (Skarn) 46.9562 38.6329 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone SK L Oligocene–E Miocene
72 Astamal 46.4261 38.7230 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR-EPI L Oligocene–E Miocene
73 Nabi Jan 46.8089 38.7339 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
74 Zaglik 47.3472 38.4328 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone EPI L Oligocene–E Miocene
75 Shirin Daragh 47.1417 38.5037 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
76 Khan Baz 47.4537 38.4057 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
77 Safi Khanlou 47.3026 38.3931 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone EPI L Oligocene–E Miocene
78 Saahab Divan 47.5666 38.5604 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
79 Keyghal 46.7232 38.6075 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
80 Shallu 47.4765 38.1229 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
81 Kalijan 46.4909 38.6119 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
82 NW Ahar 47.0191 38.5637 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
83 Shomal Niaz 47.3908 38.4347 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
84 SE Kharvana 46.2478 38.5465 Azarbayjan Alborz Zone POR L Oligocene–E Miocene
85 Estelaj 49.4429 35.4132 Qazvin Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
86 Takestan 49.5784 36.1624 Qazvin Central Iran EPI Eocene–Miocene
87 Ghahan 50.2236 34.7151 Markazi Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
88 Tachte Chaman 50.5453 35.1338 Markazi Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
89 Dali 50.3354 34.2862 Markazi Central Iran POR Early Miocene
90 Kahang 52.4680 32.9287 Esfahan Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
91 Sharif Abad (Skarn) 51.1100 33.9850 Esfahan Central Iran SK-POR Eocene–Miocene
92 Kal Kafi 54.2286 33.4256 Esfahan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
93 Zefreh 52.2334 33.0589 Esfahan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
94 Zafar Ghand 52.4305 33.1806 Esfahan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
95 Mahur Ghah Kaleh 52.4411 33.9355 Esfahan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
96 Ghahroud 51.3832 33.6602 Esfahan Central Iran SK Eocene–Miocene
97 Ali Abad 53.8431 31.6359 Yazd Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
98 Darreh Zereshk 53.8431 31.5621 Yazd Central Iran POR Middle Miocene
99 Gazu 57.3968 33.2107 Yazd Tabas Zone POR Cretaceous
100 Khut 53.6994 31.8791 Yazd Central Iran SK-POR Eocene–Miocene
101 Nasr Abad 53.8784 31.7366 Yazd Central Iran SK Eocene–Miocene
102 Chah Khatab 53.3359 31.8372 Yazd Central Iran SK Eocene–Miocene
103 Mil Sefid 53.7367 31.9474 Yazd Central Iran POR-SK Eocene–Miocene
104 Shomal Chah Khatab 53.3834 31.9172 Yazd Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
105 Darestan 54.6766 35.4335 Semnan Central Iran IOCG-POR(?) Eocene–Miocene
106 Maher Abad 58.9000 32.5000 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Late Eocene
107 Khupik (Shadan) 58.9770 32.3570 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Late Eocene
108 Hired 59.2350 31.9410 South Khorasan Lut Block IRG Eocene–Miocene
109 Qaleh Zari 58.9750 31.8000 South Khorasan Lut Block IOCG Eocene–Miocene
110 Dehsalm 59.3423 31.0317 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Eocene–Miocene
111 Chah Shalghami 58.9491 31.7358 South Khorasan Lut Block POR-EPI Eocene–Miocene
112 Rahimi 57.7610 34.1935 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Eocene–Miocene
113 Sorkh Kuh 58.3878 32.3038 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Jurassic
114 Sheikh Abad 59.0447 32.4529 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Eocene–Miocene
115 Shadan 58.9135 32.3984 South Khorasan Lut Block POR Eocene–Miocene
116 Kuh Lar 60.8837 29.6817 Sistan and Baluchestan Sistan Zone SK Eocene–Miocene
117 Chehel Kureh 60.1311 30.2326 Sistan and Baluchestan Sistan Zone POR Eocene–Miocene
118 Kharestan 60.9720 28.6603 Sistan and Baluchestan Sistan Zone POR Eocene–Miocene
119 Tanurjeh 58.6095 35.3799 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
120 Tanurjeh 2 58.3999 35.3952 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
121 Jonub Tanurjeh 58.6430 35.2983 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
122 Shargh Tanurjeh 58.7861 35.3285 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
123 Kalateh Ahani 58.9010 34.1756 North Khorasan Central Iran IOCG Eocene–Miocene
124 Halak Abad 57.6083 35.9687 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
125 Sharg Arghash 58.5869 35.8628 North Khorasan Central Iran POR Eocene–Miocene
126 Sangan 60.4364 34.4956 North Khorasan Central Iran SK Eocene–Miocene
127 Kuh Zar 58.9228 35.3512 North Khorasan Central Iran IOG Eocene–Miocene
128 Morvarid 48.8317 36.6281 Zanjan Alborz Zone SK Eocene–Miocene
129 Hashtjin 48.2949 37.3085 Ardebil Alborz Zone POR Eocene–Miocene
Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits Exploration Geophysics 103

Total magnetic intensity filters. Figure 3 illustrates the reduced to the pole magnetic map
RTP filter
(TMI) grid of the Kerman region in the south-east of Iran. This region is
known as a favourable geological environment for the porphyry
copper (PC) deposits. More than 60 deposits or indications
Upward continuation Upward continuation of porphyry mineralisation have been known in this area.
filter (3000 m) filter (1000 m) Sarcheshmeh and Meiduk are the active mines and many of
the other deposits are under exploration. As the magnetic map
Horizontal tilt angle Total horizontal derivative shows, most of the porphyry deposits are located on relatively
(TDX) filter (THD) filter high magnetic anomalies, implying highly magnetic lithologies
associated with the porphyry copper deposits. However, complex
Extracting regional Tilt derivative filter patterns of magnetic anomalies do not show specific magnetic
magnetic lithologies (Peaks) responses to locate the porphyry copper deposits precisely
(Figure 3a). The TDX filter map, illustrating magnetic and non-
magnetic zones or lithologies, shows that most of the deposits are
Extracting regional
magnetic structures confined within highly magnetic regional lithologies (Figure 3b).
Some deposits are inside the regional magnetic zones and some
Fig. 2. Different steps in the processing of aeromagnetic data for extracting are near or at the boundaries. Near surface magnetic structures,
magnetic lithologies and structures. which were overlain on magnetic lithologies, are shown in

55°E 60°E
N
(a)
215
133
87
58
37
23
12
3 30°N
30°N –5
–12
–20
–29
–39
–51
–64
–81
–105
–138
–204
nT

Porphyry Cu
100 km

55°E 60°E

55°E 60°E
N
(b) 1.41
1.25
1.09
0.93
0.77
0.61
0.43
0.19
–0.20 30°N
30°N –0.34
–0.46
–0.57
–0.69
–0.81
–0.93
–1.06
–1.20
–1.34
–1.49

Radian

Pliocene-Quaternary igneous rocks

Tertiary igneous rocks

Ophiolite

Porphyry Cu

100 km

55°E 60°E

Fig. 3. (a) Magnetic anomaly map of the Kerman region. (b) Map of TDX filter of 3000 m upward
continuation (background) and maximum peak of the tilt of horizontal derivative of 1000 m upward
continuation (dark curves) overlain by the Tertiary and the Pliocene–Quaternary igneous rocks. Yellow
circles show the porphyry copper mines/deposits in the area.
104 Exploration Geophysics H. Kheyrollahi et al.

Figure 3b. Most of these structures have a NW trend, parallel to
subduction trend in the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt. Most
of the porphyry deposits in the Kerman region are located along
these structures, parallel to the Zagros subduction trend and are
associated with Tertiary igneous rocks.
The central part of UDMB (Yazd-Esfahan-Anarak) hosts
porphyry deposits such as Ali Abad, Darreh Zereshk and
Milsefid (Yazd), and the recently discovered Kahang, Zefreh,
Zafarghand, Dalli, Ghahan (Esfahan), and Kal Kafi, Mahur
Chah Kale (Anarak) (Figure 4). Some Cu-skarn type deposits
such as Khatab Nodushan, Sharif Abad and Gohroud have
also been considered similar to PC deposits genetically or
geometrically. Figure 4b shows that these deposits are located
on the magnetic structures within the regional magnetic lithologies
associated with Tertiary igneous rocks. The trend of magnetic
structures is also NW, parallel to subduction trend.
The north-west of Iran hosts porphyry (epithermal) and
skarn type deposits, where Sungun and Mazraeh are currently
active mines and some other deposits are under exploration
(Figure 5a). In this zone, the PC deposits are related to the
Tertiary volcano-magmatic rocks that show correlation to
regional magnetic lithologies. Most of the deposits in this

50°E 55°E

(a) N

215
133
87
58
37
23
12
3
–5
–12
–20
–29 33°N
–39
–51
33°N –64
–81
–105
–138
–204
nT

Porphyry Cu

Skarn Cu or Fe

100 km

50°E 55°E

50°E 55°E

(b) N

1.41
1.25
1.09
0.93
0.77
0.61
0.43
0.19
–0.20
–0.34
–0.46
–0.57
–0.69
–0.81
–0.93
–1.06
–1.20
–1.34
–1.49

Radian 33°N
33°N Pliocene-Quaternary igneous rocks

Tertiary igneous rocks

Ophiolite

Porphyry Cu

Skarn Cu or Fe

100 km

50°E 55°E

Fig. 4. (a) Magnetic anomaly map of the Yazd-Esfahan-Anarak region (Central Iran). (b) Map of TDX
filter of 3000 m upward continuation (background) and maximum peak of the tilt of horizontal derivative
of 1000 m upward continuation (dark curves) overlain by the Tertiary and the Pliocene–Quaternary igneous
rocks. Yellow and brown circles show the porphyry copper and skarn type mines/deposits in the area,
respectively.
Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits Exploration Geophysics 105

zone are located on the magnetic structures (Figure 5b). However,
the northern part of this region of the country was not covered
by airborne magnetic data, and we cannot discuss the correlation
between the magnetic features and the deposit locations.
In the East Iran magmatic zone, the Tertiary volcano-
magmatic rocks are widespread. The Maher Abad, Sheikhdar
Abad, Khupic (Shadan), Rahimi and Dehsalm deposits are the
most important porphyry systems discovered in the East Iran
magmatic belt of Eocene age, and some others such as Gazu and
Sorkh Kuh are of Cretaceous and Jurassic age, respectively
(Karimpour et al., 2007). Figure 6 shows that in East Iran
magmatic zone, the porphyry deposits occur within magnetic
lithologies and structures where the Tertiary igneous rocks crop
out. Some magnetic lithologies are coincident with ophiolitic
units in the east of the East Iran magmatic zone. In western part of
the East Iran magmatic zone in the Lut Block, no PC deposit

47°E 50°E
(a)
Porphyry Cu +/– epithermal Au

Skarn Cu or Fe

Porphyry Mo

37°N
37°N

215
133
87
58
37
23
12
3
–5
–12
–20
–29
–39
N
–51
–64
–81
–105
–138
–204 100 km
nT
35°N

47°E 50°E

47°E 50°E
(b) Pliocene-Quaternary igneous rocks

Tertiary igneous rocks

Porphyry Cu +/– epithermal Au

Skarn Cu or Fe
Porphyry Mo

37°N
37°N

1.41
1.25
1.09
0.93
0.77
0.61
0.43
0.19
–0.20
–0.34
–0.46
–0.57
–0.69
–0.81 N
–0.93
–1.06
–1.20
–1.34
–1.49

Radian 100 km

35°N
47°E 50°E

Fig. 5. (a) Magnetic anomaly map of the Ahar-Arasbaran and the Tarom-Talegan regions. (b) Map
of TDX filter of 3000 m upward continuation (background) and maximum peak of the tilt of
horizontal derivative of 1000 m upward continuation (dark curves) overlain by the Tertiary and
the Pliocene–Quaternary igneous rocks. Yellow, green and brown circles show the porphyry
copper, porphyry Mo and skarn type mines/deposits in the area, respectively.
106 Exploration Geophysics H. Kheyrollahi et al.

has been reported, despite the extensive occurrences of the Discussion

Tertiary igneous rocks (Figure 6b), because of the lack of
distinct surficial alteration.
In the Kavir-Sabzevar zone, the Tertiary magmatic rocks
overlap with magnetic lithologies, but in many parts it seems
that the most magnetic lithologies represent the ophiolitic units
(Figure 7). However, the PC mineralisation indications are
associated with the magnetic lithologies and structures and the
Tertiary magmatic events.
The majority of the porphyry copper deposits in Iran formed
during the final closure of Neotethys Ocean (Richards, 2015).
Collision between the Arabian and Iranian plates in the
Late Eocene–Oligocene led to localised deformation and
crustal thickening (Agard et al., 2011). Extensive Cenozoic
magmatism occurred in the Iranian plateau, and the Late
Paleocene to Neogene magmatism is interpreted in a syn-post-
collisional tectonic framework (Agard et al., 2011). Closure of the

55°E 60°E

(a) 215
N
133
87
58
37
23
12
3
–5
–12
–20
–29
–39
–51 33°N
–64
–81
33°N –105
–138
–204

nT

Porphyry Cu
Intrusion related or IOCG

Skarn Cu or Fe

100 km
30°N

55°E 60°E

55°E 60°E
N
(b)
1.41
1.25
1.09
0.93
0.77
0.61
0.43
0.19
–0.20
–0.34
–0.46
–0.57
–0.69
–0.81
–0.93 33°N
–1.06
–1.20
–1.34
33°N –1.49

Radian

Pliocene-Quaternary rocks

Tertiary igneous rocks

Ophiolite

Porphyry Cu

Intrusion related Au or IOCG

Skarn Cu or Fe

100 km
30°N
55°E 60°E

Fig. 6. (a) Magnetic anomaly map of the Lut region (Lut Block). (b) Map of TDX filter of 3000 m upward
continuation (background) and maximum peak of the tilt of horizontal derivative of 1000 m upward
continuation (dark curves) overlain by the Tertiary and the Pliocene–Quaternary igneous rocks and
ophiolites. Yellow, red and brown circles show the porphyry copper, intrusion related or IOCG and skarn
type mines/deposits in the area, respectively.
Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits Exploration Geophysics 107

Neotethys Ocean by subduction beneath the Iranian plate
caused the formation of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Magmatic Zone
(SSMZ), the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt (UDMB), the
Alborz magmatic belt (AMB) and the Zagros fold-and-thrust
belt (Agard et al., 2011; Omrani et al., 2008).
Evidence from several ophiolite belts across the country
strongly suggests that several small (back-arc) basins existed
in addition to the main Neotethyan ocean, which were finally
eliminated by collision between Iranian and Arabian plates
along the Zagros suture zone in the Neogene (Richards, 2015).
In the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt, the closure
of the Neotethyan Ocean and subduction of the Tethyan
oceanic lithosphere under the Central Iran microcontinent and
collisional tectonics during Tertiary times generated a highly
fertile metallogenic environment with abundant porphyry copper
deposits (Asadi et al., 2014; Richards, 2015; Shafiei et al., 2009).
The Cenozoic tectono-magmatic activity and porphyry copper
mineralisation along the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt are
attributed to the Eocene-Late Miocene times (Aghazadeh et al.,
2015; Asadi et al., 2014; Richards, 2015; Shafiei et al., 2009;
Zarasvandi et al., 2005). Transition from normal calc-alkaline
arc magmatism in the Eocene–Oligocene to adakite-like calc-
alkaline magmatism in the Mid–Late Miocene–Pliocene reflects
the syn-post-collisional tectonic framework in the UDMB
(Agard et al., 2011; Asadi et al., 2014)
In the Ahar-Arasbaran to the Teleghan-Tarom zone,
subduction-derived magmas metasomatised the peridotitic
mantle by fluxing of calc-alkaline melts (adakitic or not) and
lithosphere extension caused melting and emplacement of
the metasomatised mantle in the upper crust forming typical
calc-alkaline intrusions (Castro et al., 2013). The presence of
most of the porphyry and epithermal mineralisation in the
Late Oligocene (20 Ma) to Late Miocene (10 Ma), post-
collisional, adakite-like, calc-alkaline intrusions, is related to
crustal thickening and delamination of the lower crust (Jamali
and Mehrabi, 2015). This suggests that they formed at a
late stage of the Arasbaran magmatic arc evolution following a
major volcanic stage in the Eocene (Jamali and Mehrabi, 2015).

55°E 60°E
N
(a)

215
133
87
58
37
23
12
3
–5
–12
–20
–29 35°N
–39
–51
35°N –64
–81
–105
–138
–204

nT

100 km Porphyry Cu +/– epithermal Au

Intrusion related or IOCG

55°E 60°E

55°E 60°E

(b) N

1.41
1.25
1.09
0.93
0.77
0.61
0.43
0.19
–0.20
–0.34
–0.46
–0.57
–0.69
–0.81
35°N
–0.93
35°N –1.06
–1.20
–1.34
–1.49

Radian Pliocene-Quaternary igneous rocks

Tertiary igneous rocks

Ophiolite
Porphyry Cu +/– epithermal Au
100 km
Intrusion related or IOCG

55°E 60°E

Fig. 7. (a) Magnetic anomaly map of the Kavir-Sabzevar region. (b) Map of TDX filter of 3000 m upward
continuation (background) and maximum peak of the tilt of horizontal derivative of 1000 m upward
continuation (dark curves) overlain by the Tertiary and the Pliocene–Quaternary igneous rocks and
ophiolites. Yellow and green circles show the porphyry copper and intrusion related or IOCG type mines/
deposits in the area, respectively.
108 Exploration Geophysics
In this zone, with widespread alteration zones implying high
potential for epithermal gold, recent discoveries of some
porphyry copper deposits have confirmed the association of
porphyry systems with the epithermal systems (Jamali and
Mehrabi, 2015).
In East Iran, the magmatism was triggered by convective
removal of the lithosphere and resultant asthenospheric upwelling
during extensional collapse of the east Iranian ranges in the
Eocene–Oligocene (Pang et al., 2013). The Eocene–Oligocene
magmatism was followed by alkali basaltic volcanism along
two strike-slip fault systems east and west of the Lut Block in
the Middle Miocene to Quaternary. Most of the rocks have
calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline affinity but shoshonitic
rocks are also present, similar to coeval magmatic rocks in the
Urumieh–Dokhtar and the Alborz regions (Pang et al., 2013).
The Tertiary porphyry copper mineralisation in Iran occurred
over a long period of time from the Late Eocene to Late Miocene
(39 to 6.19 Ma) in the Maher Abad deposit (East Iran) and the
Abdar deposit (Kerman zone), respectively (Aghazadeh et al.,
2015). There is a temporal–spatial relationship between adakites
and worldwide porphyry Cu and/or epithermal Au–Cu deposits.
Ore-bearing porphyry stocks in the UDMB, Arasbaran, East
Iran and north-east of Iran porphyry copper belts have adakitic
affinity (Castro et al., 2013; Karimpour et al., 2007; Richards
et al., 2012; Shafiei et al., 2009). In zones of the Tertiary
magmatism in Iran, the PC deposits occurred during an
~30 myr period, but their emplacements follow a specific spatial–
structural pattern. The best defined dispersion pattern is seen in
the Kerman region, where more than 60 PC deposits/indices
with 30 myr time duration formed along magnetic structures
in regional magnetic lithologies. These structural frameworks
involve both productive and barren porphyry copper deposits
in the Kerman region.
In the central part of UDMB (Yazd-Esfahan-Anarak), the
deposits follow the magnetic structural trends. Some deposits
such as Khut, Milsefid, Nasr Abad and Ali Abad deposits
occurred dominantly in regional low magnetic zones. This is
because of the widespread non/low magnetic lithologies such
as Jurassic–Cretaceous sedimentary or Tertiary felsic units in
these parts. These deposits are generally skarn type and intrusion
of the felsic-intermediate granites-granodiorites into sedimentary
units has caused the occurrence of them. But, some other
deposits in this zone, such as Chah Khatab, occurred within
relatively mafic Tertiary volcanic units. However, all of these
deposits are controlled by regional magnetic structures in both
high and low magnetic lithologies (Figure 4).
In the Ahar-Arasbaran zone, some deposits are located on
regional Tertiary high magnetic mafic volcanic units and the
others are formed in regional Tertiary low magnetic felsic volcanic
units (Figure 5). In this area, the boundary between regional
felsic and mafic magmatism can be defined by changes in the
magnetic properties of the lithologies. In addition, the trend
of these low magnetic zones which host the PC deposits are
probably wide structural zones (probably graben structure
zones) hosting huge volumes of the felsic units or altered
volcanic rocks and the PCs have been formed at or near the
boundaries. In all cases, the PC deposits are mainly associated
with the magnetic lithological boundaries or structures. In the
north part of the Ahar-Arasbaran some deposits are located out
of the areas covered with airborne magnetic data and could not
be investigated from a magnetic lithological and structural point
of view (Figure 5).
In the Eastern Iran magmatic zone and the Kavir-Sabzevar
zone at north-east of the country, most of the areas containing
the Tertiary magmatism overlap with highly magnetic lithologies
H. Kheyrollahi et al.
reflecting the intermediate to mafic nature of these rocks
(Figures 6 and 7). Also, ophiolitic belts in these regions
coincide with the high magnetic anomalies, but are not suitable
suites for porphyry copper prospecting.
Conclusions
Using magnetic data and mapping the lithologies and
structures could help to predict the geological controls on
the porphyry copper or intrusion related deposits emplacement
in Iran. The Tertiary magmatic belts generally coincide
with the regional high magnetic lithologies. In all areas, the
mineralisation systems are associated with the magnetic
structures inside or at the boundary of magnetic lithologies
which seem to represent structures that control emplacement of
potentially mineralising intrusions and/or mineralising fluids.
The magnetic structures are not simply straight lines and in
some cases are curved trends. Most of the deposits are at a
distance of less than 1 km from the magnetic structures. The
Kerman region is relatively well explored for the porphyry
deposits and prospecting for new deposits is in progress. It
seems that the south-east part of the Kerman region has
potential for PC deposits along the magnetic structures
inside the regional magnetic lithologies associated with the
Tertiary igneous rocks (Figure 3).
In the Yazd-Esfahan-Anarak region, several porphyry
systems have been found during recent years, mostly based on
surficial alteration indications, but this zone is not well explored
and a new plan for prospecting of suitable environments is
necessary. The trends of magnetic lithologies and structures
overlapping with the Tertiary igneous rocks are guides for new
area selection for more detailed prospecting and exploration
programs (Figure 4).
In the Taleghan-Tarom zone where few porphyry copper
indications have been formally reported yet, the wide Tertiary
igneous environs associated with magnetic lithologies and
structures imply the high potential of these areas for porphyry
or epithermal deposits if we consider the model of the Kerman
region (Figure 5).
In the Ahar-Arasbaran area, the known PC deposits/
prospects are generally correlated with boundaries of high and
low magnetic zones and magnetic structures and the Tertiary
rocks. The low magnetic zones are mainly due to felsic or altered
rocks in structural zones. Overlapping magnetic structures and
lithologies and the distribution of the Tertiary magmatic rocks
in this area could help predict the most favourable suites for
porphyry systems (Figure 5).
In the East Iran magmatic zone, which has been recognised
in recent years as a new attractive geological environment for
porphyry and intrusion related deposits, the porphyry deposits
are generally controlled by the magnetic boundaries. The
Tertiary igneous rocks in the western part of the Lut Block
coincide with magnetic lithologies (Figure 6). However, there
is still no specific porphyry or skarn system reported in this
region. Therefore, it seems that a widespread portion of the
western part of the Lut Block has a high potential for porphyry
copper or intrusion related deposits, especially in areas
overlapping with the magnetic structures.
In the Kavir-Sabzevar zone, some of magnetic lithologies
are related to ophiolites and some are related to the Tertiary
igneous rocks. The known PC deposits are also associated with
the magnetic boundaries, but the Tertiary igneous rocks are
not as widely distributed as in the other zones. The magnetic
structures overlapping with the Tertiary igneous rocks are highly
prospective for porphyry copper deposits.
Magnetic lithologies/structures and porphyry copper deposits
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Geomatics Management of Geological
Survey of Iran (GSI) for data access and support. The authors thank Greg
Hodges for improving the English of the manuscript. Special thanks to the
reviewers for their constructive comments which improved the manuscript.
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