Ouansimi copper mineralization (Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Paragenetic sequence and circulation of gangue hosted paleofluids.

Basbas, Abdelaziz El; Aoudia, Mohamed; Ouguir, Hassane; Mahdoudi, M.L.; Madi, Atman; Zouhair, Mohamed

doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.103692

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The absence/scarcity of azurite is quite common in supergene copper deposits of Morocco such as the Jbel N'Zourk deposit (Central Anti-Atlas), for which a similar mineralogical assemblage (except for some Cu-oxides) in the same host rocks (Basal Series-Tamjout Dolomite) is observed [62,63], and the Jbel La'Sal deposit [64,65] in Bou Azzer-El Graara inliers (Table 3), or elsewhere in the world (e.g., Luiswishi deposit, DRC) [66]. On the contrary, other deposits located in the Anti-Atlas, such as Agoujgal, Tazalaght or Ouansimi (Table 3) [5,6,8,9,67], show higher proportions of azurite, even in quite similar host rocks than at Tizert. This is also the case in the Yangla deposit (China) [68] and the Tsumeb deposit (Namibia) [69].…”

Section: Weathering Processesmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Since 2011, exploration studies have been carried out by the Managem group; the resources are now estimated to be 56,820,000 t with 1.03% Cu and 23 g/t Ag [4]. Other copper deposits are currently mined in this part of the Anti-Atlas, especially in Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian rocks: the Tazalaght mine (reserves of 260,000 t with 1.89% Cu) [5,6], the Ouansimi mine (reserves of 1,087,000 t with 2.63% Cu) [7,8] and the Agoujgal mine (reserves of 5,000,000 t with 1% Cu and 20 g/t Ag) [6,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

et al. 2020

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The giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Formation of Tamjout Dolomite) and sandstones/siltstones (Basal Series) of the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. The supergene enrichment is most likely related to episodes of uplift/doming (last event since 30 Ma), which triggered the exhumation of primary/hypogene mineralization (chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, chalcocite I and bornite I), generating their oxidation and the precipitation of secondary/supergene sulfides, carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The Tizert supergene deposit mainly consists of (i) a residual patchwork of laterite rich in Fe-oxyhydroxides; (ii) a saprolite rich in malachite, or “green oxide zone” where primary structures such as stratification are preserved; (iii) a cementation zone containing secondary sulfides (covellite, chalcocite II and bornite II). The abundance of Cu carbonates results from the rapid neutralization of acidic meteoric fluids, due to oxidation of primary sulfides, by carbonate host rocks. Chlorite is also involved in the neutralization processes in the sandstones/siltstones of the Basal Series, in which supergene clays, such as kaolinite and smectites, subsequently precipitated. At Tizert, as can be highlighted in other supergene Cu-deposits around the world, azurite is absent due to low pCO2 and relatively high pH conditions. In addition to copper, Ag enrichment is also observed in weathered rocks; Fe-oxyhydroxides contain high Zn, As, and Pb contents. However, these secondary enrichments are quite low compared to Cu in the whole Tizert site, which is therefore, considered as relatively homogeneous.

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Section: Weathering Processesmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

et al. 2020

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“…In ad di tion, NE-SW and NNW-SSE trending faults filled with sim i lar mineral as sem blages (e.g., Tigrinine-Taabast) were re ac ti vated and formed in re sponse to the Eocene-Mio cene Al pine orogeny. In gen eral, the role played by orog eny in large-scale fluid move ment is widely rec og nized (Bradley and Leach, 2003;Leach et al, 2010;El Basbas et al, 2020). In par tic u lar, the Alpine orog eny pro duced two im por tant mech a nisms of fluid flow: com pressio nal forces (tec tonic "com pres sion" model) and top o graphic gra di ent, both of which have been pro posed as ma jor causes in var i ous re gions of MVT de pos its (Garven and Freeze, 1984;Garven, 1985;Ol i ver, 1986).…”

Section: Genesis Of the Zn-pb Ore Mineralizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geological features of the Zn-Pb prospect in the Bou-Izourane district (Morocco)

Achmani,

Chraibi,

Courba

et al. 2024

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The Zn-Pb mineralization in the Bou-Izourane district, located in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, contains estimated reserves of 40 200 tons of ore with an average grade of 20% Zn and 3.5% Pb. It is developed on N–S to NNW–SSE-trending faults that cut Liassic carbonate marl deposits. The paragenetic mineral sequence consists of galena, sphalerite and late-stage calcite. Oxidation phases of galena into cerussite and sphalerite into smithsonite are common in the Bou-Izourane ore, linked to the infiltration of meteoric waters and the oxidation of these sulphides. The Zn-Pb mineralization runs parallel to the fluorite veins associated with the igneous rocks of Tamazeght, but no petrographic or field relationship has been demonstrated between these two mineralizations (i.e., Zn-Pb and fluorite). The distribution of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in the Zn-Pb mineralization of Bou-Izourane shows a notable similarity with the Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) mineralization of the Central High Atlas of Morocco, although the concentrations more closely resemble those of REY in fluorite linked to the magmatic-hydrothermal activity of Tamazeght. However, the analysis of their distribution in post-fluorite calcite and post-Zn-Pb calcite reveals a strong concordance, suggesting that these two calcites are associated with the same phase and have a common origin. The classification of the Zn-Pb prospect in Bou-Izourane remains controversial, fluctuating between an MVT-type mineralization, similar to most Zn-Pb mineralizations in the Central High Atlas of Morocco, and a mineralization linked to the magmatic-hydrothermal activity of Tamazeght, which could provide heat and metallogenic material. Characterizing the Zn-Pb ore of Bou-Izourane is crucial for the future exploration of zinc and lead deposits in the High Atlas of Morocco and could advance the development of Zn-Pb mining in the region, from artisanal exploitation to professional mining

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The Pb-Zn-Ag±Au-W-Sn Vein System in Variscan (Hercynian) Belts in North Africa

Boushaba,

Aabi,

Mouttaqi

et al. 2024

Regional Geology Reviews

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Ouansimi copper mineralization (Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Paragenetic sequence and circulation of gangue hosted paleofluids.

Cited by 11 publications

References 52 publications

Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Geological features of the Zn-Pb prospect in the Bou-Izourane district (Morocco)

The Pb-Zn-Ag±Au-W-Sn Vein System in Variscan (Hercynian) Belts in North Africa

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