Evaluation of the Wadi Mandahah ancient mine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a section on a geophysical survey

Abstract

The Wadi Mandahah mine is an ancient gold mine that probably was worked during the Abbas id Caliphate in the eighth and ninth centuries A.D.The mine is in complexly folded and faulted metavolcanic and pyroclastic rocks of the Baish group of Precambrian age. The mineralized outcrop consists of weakly limonitic gossan containing malachite and chrysocolla veinlets.The deposit has been mined in shallow pits and trenches. Geochemical and geophysical surveys indicated weak mineralization along shear zones and in the nose of a fold that plunges southwest. Four holes aggregating 887.4 m were drilled to explore the mineralized zones below ancient workings. No significant ore bodies were discovered.

Geological and geochemical studies in the Wadi Bidah District, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…M. Merghelani, DGMR, conducted self-potential and Turam electromagnetic surveys over the the Wadi Mandahah ancient mine (Mawad, 1980 Smith and Helaby also mapped the geology of area B-29.…”

“…M. Mawad (1980), USGS, made a detailed geologic map and conducted a geochemical survey at the Wadi Mandahah ancient mine. Three diamond drill holes were completed.…”