HYPOGENE ZN CARBONATE ORES IN THE ANGOURAN DEPOSIT, NW IRAN

Abstract

The world-class Angouran nonsulfide Zn-Pb deposit is one of the major Zn producers in Iran, with resources estimated at about 18 Mt at 28% Zn, mainly in the form of the Zn carbonate smithsonite. This study aims to characterize these carbonate ores by means of their mineralogy and geochemistry, which has also been extended to the smithsonite II. The variable, but still relatively heavy carbon isotope values of supergene smithsonite II, suggests only a very minor contribution by organic soil carbon, as is generally the case in supergene nonsulfide deposits.