A study on the magnetite skarn mineralization (Gümüşhane, Türkiye): a magnetic survey

Iron (Fe)-skarn mineralizations (Çambaşı, Dereli, Eğrikar, Karadağ, Kopuz, Sekü, Donguldere, Arnastal, Özdil, Ögene, İkizdere, Ovit Dağı, Kartiba, etc.) in the eastern part of the Pontides (NE Türkiye) are accommodated in the Pontide paleomagmatic arc and the eastern part of the Pontides Metallogenic Belt containing numerous various deposits. Fe-skarn mineralization around the Arnastal Plateau (Gümüşhane-Türkiye) is fragmentary in this area, which is covered with plants (grasses, flowers, etc.). Thus, it was attempted to describe the subsurface structures and Fe mineralization using an interpretation of the available geological and existing magnetic data in this area. Granitoid and volcano-sedimentary series (Upper Cretaceous) outcrop in the study area. These volcanosedimentary series consist of limestone, sandy limestone, marl, andesite, quartz andesite, basalt, and their equivalent pyroclastics. They include a thin layer of the red limestone (Upper Cretaceous) and olistolith recrystallized limestones (Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous). Zigana granitoid, intruding into all of these rocks, is high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous and is classified as quartz monzonite, monzogranite, granite, and syenogranite as a result of its modal composition. Contact pyrometasomatic mineralization occurs in between the limestone and granitoids in the Arnastal Plateau. In addition to petrographic and mineralogical studies, magnetic methods were applied to an area of approximately 10 km2 to find any covered Fe deposits. Magnetic susceptibility values measured on the outcropped rocks ranged from 1 to 34 (10–7 SI) for limestone, 78 to 3750 (10–7 SI) for basalt, and 105 to 3946 (10–7 SI) for granitoids. It is considered that these ranges express the alteration (physical or chemical) of the rocks, their homogeneity, and the lack or presence of Fe minerals. The magnetic survey was conducted along a study area measuring 12,075 m long with 25 and/or 50 m station spacing. Processing of the magnetic data revealed the presence of eight buried Fe ores that could represent either massive or disseminated mineralization between the Sarıtaş and Kurtdere plateaus. Magnetite ore bodies may be present from the surface to a depth of approximately 15–25 m inside the limestone. In addition to the identification of new magnetite ore mineralization or bodies, a new geological map was designed by determining probable formation boundaries with this magnetic survey.