JOURNAL OF THE BALKAN GEOPHYSICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 6, No. 4, November, 2003, p. 179 – 187.

Geophysical Study of Ada Tepe Occurrence

in Eastern Rhodopes
A. Tzvetkov

Universiy of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia 1700, Bulgaria
E-mail: [email protected]

(Received 19 June 2003; accepted 31 October 2003)

Abstract: The low sulfidation epithermal gold occurrence Ada Tepe is located on the
north-eastern border of the Momchilgrad depression in Eastern Rhodopes. The use of
gravity, aeromagnetic, gamma-ray spectrometric data on 1:50000 scale and electric
and magnetic data on 1:10000 scale allows more detailed determination of the Ada
Tepe occurrence geological structure to be obtained. The south-north, east-west, north-
west and east-northeast oriented faults and their knots, as well as the areas of intensive
hydrothermal alterations were marked according to geophysical data. The main
geophysical anomalies related to the gold-silver-bearing mineralization in Ada Tepe
occurrence were separated. Based of the outlined geological, geophysical and
geochemical criteria three areas were distinguished favorable for epithermal
mineralization prospecting.

Key Words: Gamma-ray Spectrometry Electric profiling, VLF profiling,

Radiogeochemical specialization, Hydrothermal alteration, Fault, Gold-silver-bearing
Mineralization.

INTRODUCTION Paleogene sediments, which are cut by

intensive normal-slip and reverse-slip
The gold-bearing potential of Ada faults caused by thrusting.
Tepe occurrence was established in The region of investigation is
1994-1995 during the new East covered by gravity, aeromagnetic and
Rhodope`s geological mapping and was gamma-ray spectrometry studies on
accompanied with metallogenic- 1:50 000 scale. Magnetic studies,
prognostic evaluation of the studied apparent resistivity and radiowave VLF
areas. The consecutively performed profiling on 1:10 000 scale were also
geological, geophysical and carried out in the occurrence area.
geochemical works gave opportunity to
be revealed detailed new data about its REGIONAL POSITION OF
structure and mineralization. THE ADA TEPE OCCURRENCE
The low sulphidation epithermal ACCORDING TO GEOPHYSICAL
gold occurrence Ada Tepe is located on DATA
the north-eastern border of
Momchilgrad depression. The region A south-north oriented structure in
consists of hydrothermaly altered the area situated east of Ada Tepe Peak
modified metamorphic rocks and is characterized by well expressed

179
 180 Tzvetkov

Krumovgrad
Sindeltsi

Zvanarka
Ovchari
Ada tepe
Skalak Dazhdovni
Sarnak
Podrumch

Shtarbina
Golyama
Chinka Goliamo
Kameniane

Limets

1 2 3 4
a b
6 7 8 9

Fig. 1. Regional setting of the “Ada Tepe” occurrence, according to geophysical

data: 1–Fault zones, according to gravity data; 2–Regional Goliamo Kameniane gravity
maximum related to high density “ophiolite” rocks” 3–Local gravity maximum, related
to high density rocks uplifting; 4–Serpentinized body, according to 2D magnetic
inversion; 5–Apparent resistivity maximum, related to silica alterations; 6–Induced
polarization anomalies, associated with graphite in the metamorphic rocks; 7–Increased
uranium abundance, according to gamma-ray spectrometry data; 8–Anomalies of radio
geochemical specialization (K-RGS) of the rocks related to potassium enriched
alterations; 9–Anomalies of the ratio F = U.K/Th related to quartz-adular alterations: a)
intensive, b)more intensive.
 Geophysical Study of Ada Tepe Occurrence 181

∆Tа

Zvanarka -90

-100
Kaljik dere

-110

Ovchary -120

-130

-140

Ada tepe -150

-160

-180

-200
Dajdovnik
-210

0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00

Fig. 2. Total magnetic anomalous field ∆Ta map of the “Ada Tepe” occurrence.

gravity and magnetic gradients along linear anomaly marked between

the line Ladovo – Ovtchari – Podrumche village in the east and
Krumovgrad (Fig. 1, 2). This structure Skalak village in the west. The gravity
is marked distinctively on the apparent gradient is a result of an east-west
resistivity map of electrical profiling orientated boundary between the
data (Fig. 3) where it separates areas of metamorphic rocks of Strajetzco-
different resistivity values. According to Belorechka lithotectonic unit and the
the geophysical data, the structure Paleogene sediments.
represents a fault bundle that probably According to the geophysical and
had played essential part in the area`s geochemical data these two structures
tectonic evolution and the location of form a tectonic knot in the area of Ada
the gold-bearing mineralization. Tepe Peak and the village of Ovtchari
Another typical element of the where northwest and east-northeast
gravity field in the discussed area is the orientated structures are included. One
 182 Tzvetkov

of them is located near Ada Tepe Peak Additional attention deserves the
and follows northwestern direction. fact that within the limits of the
The statistical analyses of the aero complicated tectonic knot, determined
gamma-ray spectrometric data on 1:50 from geophysical data, intensive
000 scale allow construction of maps of hydrothermal alterations were
the parameter F = U.K/Th and the established in quartz-sericite-adular
radiogeochemical specialization of the facies and monoquartz facies, as well as
rocks based on potassium and thorium the best expressed gold anomalies from
contents (Portnov, 1987). A well the soil sampling data were observed.
expressed maximum of the parameter F
and a break in the correlation between
these radioactive elements (K, Th) were
detected. They are due to the RESEARCH OF THE
determined increase of potassium and GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF
decrease of thorium contents in the ADA TEPE OCCURRENCE BASED
occurrence area. These anomalies are ON DETAILED GEOPHYSICAL
often directly related to the process of DATA
potassium metasomatism of the rocks In order to obtain a more detailed
and are considered favorable for picture of the geological structure of
epithermal mineralization prospecting. Ada Tepe occurrence area, detailed
Similar anomalies were also registered geophysical studies were performed.
in the areas around Shtarbina, Skalak, They include apparent resistivity four-
Podrumtche villages as well as in the electrode profiling, very low frequency
region of the Sarnak deposit. This is the (VLF) profiling and magnetic research
reason to presume that in the indicated over a 100 by 25 m network. The
areas can be expected with considerable PSDV-1 receiver constructed in Sofia
degree of authenticity the presence of University of Mining and Geology was
hydrothermal alternations that in these used for the acquisition of the VLF data
parts of Eastern Rhodopes are in close (Lozenski and Tzvetkov, 1971).
relation to the gold-silver-bearing Readings for vertical Hz and horizontal
mineralization. Hy magnetic components were taken
along the lines stepwise at 12,5 m
All areas mentioned above are in intervals (6, 25 m over line 17). The
the periphery of the intensive gravity source frequency is equal to 16 kHz.
and magnetic maxima of Goliamo Based on the graphs of the apparent
Kameniane, which are predetermined resistivity and radiowave frequency 16
probably by the presence of ophiolite kHz magnetic components, as well as
rocks slabs – high density slab of on the composed magnetic (Fig. 2) and
orthoamphibolites, unaltered electrical (Fig. 3) maps on 1:10 000
ultramafites, schists with garnet, etc., as scale the main lithological boundaries
well as high magnetization slab of and faults were outlined. Since the
serpentinites. These slabs might tolerate terrain is quite covered by Paleogene
a screening effect on the movement of sediments (Goranov and Atanasov,
the ore-bearing solutions and their 1992) the geophysical data essentially
presence has been presumably a facilitates the tracing of the east-
beneficial precondition of the gold- western, north-southern and north-
bearing ore localization. western orientated structures. Figure 4
illustrates the constructed geophysical
 Geophysical Study of Ada Tepe Occurrence 183

ρa,
Ωm

440
Zvanarka 0
2400
2000
Kaljik dere

1600
1200
Ovchary
1000

800

600

400
Ada tepe 300

200
Krumovitca

100

50
Dajdovnik
25

0
0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 km
Fig. 3. Apparent resistivity map of the “Ada tepe” occurrence

profiles and geological section with orientated faults of quartz veins and
results presented along line 17 that also disseminated sulphide mineralization
passes trough Ada Tepe Peak. The exact filling were marked. The typical
location of line 17 is shown in Figure 5. corelatation of the profiles for these
The Karous-Hjelt filter is applied to the conductive zone anomalies are shown in
VLF data (Karous and Hjelt, 1983) and Fig. 5. In some occasions in such zones
the filtered data are given in Figure intensive pyritizations with contents of
4(b). pyrite from 1-2 to 10 % is observed.
According to the resistivity and The subequatorial conductivity zones,
VLF profiling data east-western determined using electrical profiling
 184 Tzvetkov

methods, cross the rock formation of 3. East-western, south-northern

three different complexes - and north-western oriented faults,
allochthonous, autochthonous and marked by characteristic gravity,
neoautochthonous. On the constructed magnetic and electrical anomalies as
2-D currrent density pseudosections by well as the junctions of the faults where
the radiowave VLF method data these are established the most intensive
structures are outlined clearly as geochemical gold anomalies and
shallow vertical conductivity zones metasomatic alterations of the rocks of
(Fig. 4). They have best expression at Ada Tepe occurrence;
depth under 20 m from the Earth’s 4. Electrical resistivity maxima
surface. associated with intensive silicification
The areas of intensive in the areas with hydrothermal
hydrothermal alterations in quartz- alterations in quartz-sericite-adular and
adular-sericite and monoquartz facies monoquartz facies.
are characterized by anomalies of 5. Conductive zones with east-
increased electrical resistivity. Such western orientation marked by the
areas having length about 200 m and electrical resistivity and VLF
width from 2 –3 m up to 15 – 20 m electromagnetic data that cross the
were registered near Ada Tepe Peak and rocks of autochthonous, allochthonous
to the south of the Ovtchari village. In and neoautochthonous structures. In
these areas the apperent resistivity of these zones are located quartz veins and
the electrical profiling frequently has disseminated sulphide mineralization.
values in the interval between 600 and Based on the outlined geological,
1200 Ωm. geophysical and geochemical criteria
Figure 5 shows a map of the are distinguished (Fig. 5) three areas in
geological, geophysical and the boundaries of Ada Tepe occurrence
geochemical criteria for metallogenic favorable for gold-silver-bearing
evaluation (A. Tzvetkov, D. Tzvetanov, mineralization searching.
Y. Gergelcheva, 1997 – unpublished
data) and is presenting all geophysical CONCLUSION
anomalies asociated with the occurrencе
“Ada Tepe”: The interpretation results from
1. Anomalies of increased values gravity, magnetic, gamma-ray
(over 2-3%) of potassium spectromety and electrical data show
radiogeochemical specialization of the the high effectiveness of geophysical
rocks and of the ratio F = U.K/Th (over methods in obtaining important
1,5%) according to the gamma-ray information about the structure of Ada
spectrometric data marking areas of Tepe epithermal occurrence and its gold
potassium metasomatism of the rocks perspective.
and representing hydrothermal East-west and south-north oriented
alterations as adularization, faults were marked using electrical,
argillization, seritization etc.; gravity and magnetic data. These
2. Local gravity maxima associated structures form a complicated tectonic
with local uplifting of the metamorphic knot in the area of Ada Tepe Peak and
basement covered with Paleogene the village of Ovchari, where
sediments, which also create favorable northwestern and east-northeastern
conditions for the localization of the orientated structures are included.
gold-bearing mineralizations; Within its limits, related to intensive
 Geophysical Study of Ada Tepe Occurrence 185

10
depth, m
0
20
01
30
0 a
Hz/Hy, F, %
40

20

-20

-40 b
ρa, Ωm
1000

100
c
∆Ta, gamma
-100
-120
-140
0 d 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 m
500

400

300
m e
1 2 3 4 5 6

Fig. 4. Geophysical profiles and geological section over “Ada Tepe” occurrence
a) VLF current density pseudo-section; b) VLF horizontal Hy, vertical Hz magnetic field
and filtered data F, c) apparent resistivity ρa, based on the symmetric four-electrode
profiling; d) anomalous magnetic total field ∆Ta; e) geological section.
1–Sandstones, argillites, limestones; 2–Breccia, breccia conglomerates, sandstones; 3–
Metagranites; 4–Sericite-adular alterations; 5–Silica alterations; 6–Faults. 0 – pipeline
 186 Tzvetkov

Fig. 5 Map of the geological, geophysical and geochemical criteria, related to the
gold- silver-bearing mineralization of the ”Ada Tepe” occurrence
Lithological criteria: 1 – Metagranites; 2 – Biotite and hornblend-biotite gneisses,
amphybolites; 3 – Paleogene sediments; 4 – Rhyolite tuffs; Mineralogic and
geochemical criteria: 5 –Argillic alterations; 6 - Quartz-sericite-adular alterations; 7 –
Silica alterations; 8 – Chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite; 9 – Gold; 10 – Pyrite; 11 – Gold
anomalies from the soil sampling data a: a) > 0,02 ppm b) > 0,1 ppm; Structural
criteria: 12 – Faults; 13 – Thrust faults; Geophysical criteria: 14 - Area of increased
radochemical specialization, according to gamma-ray spectrometric data; 15 - Apparent
resistivity maximum, related to silica alterations; 16 - Gravity maximum, associated
with local uplifting of the high density “ophiolite” rocks; 17 – Faults, marked by: a)
apparent resistivity data. b) magnetic data; 18 –Quartz-sulphide veins, according to: a)
apparent resistivity data, b) VLF EM data; 19 –Area favorable for gold-silver-bearing
mineralizations searching: а) well expressed, b) supposed
 Geophysical Study of Ada Tepe Occurrence 187

hydrothermal alterations in argillite and their Au-Ag-polymetallic potential and

monoquartz facies, anomalies of mineralizations prospects.
increased potassium geochemical
specialization were established REFERENCES
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the area of investigation. District: Geologica Balcanica, 22, 71-
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faults with quartz veins and Filtering of VLF Dip-angle
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The obtained results represent Relation to the Mineralization:
sufficient evidence to prove the Proceeding of the Academy of
essential role of the geophysical Sciences USSR, series Geology, 3,
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