Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.

8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

COPPER MINERALIZATION IN SELECTED AREAS OF KURDISTAN REGION,

IRAQ: A REVIEW ON MINERALOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY

Irfan O.M. Yara1

Received: 23/ 12/ 2018, Accepted: 05/ 08/ 2019
Keywords: Copper mineralization; Ore genesis; Ophilites; Kurdistan Region; Iraq

ABSTRACT
Copper mineralization in Iraq stretches along the northeast of Kurdistan Region, hosted
by various rock units of the Mawat Ophiolites Complex and the Qandil Series. The
mineralization in the Mawat Ophiolite is hosted by mafic igneous and associated quartz veins;
meanwhile they are hosted in phyllite and marble in the Sharosh area. Two types of copper
mineralization have been recognized by ore microscopy in the previous studies: disseminated
and vein filling. Textural relationships among the minerals suggest three stages of
mineralization: syngenetic, epigenetic and supergene enrichment. The dominant primary
mineralization assemblage is represented by chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrite,
magnetite, and ilmenite. On the other hand, covellite, hematite, limonite goethite, tenorite,
azurite, and malachite represent the supergene enrichment products. The Cu mineralization at
the Mawat Ophiolite was formed from magmatic segregation and hydrothermal solution
generated from tectonomagmatic activity. Mesothermal fluid system, with low to medium
density and dilute NaCl-type, is the source of the mineralization at the Sharosh area. There is
a promising potential to locate underground economic concentrations of copper in the
Kurdistan Region based upon the evaluation of the wide spread copper supergene minerals at
surface which indicate transportation of copper from subsurface sulfide mineralization to the
supergene enrichment zone.

:‫ العراق‬،‫تمعذن الىحاس في مىاطق مختارة مه إقليم كردستان‬

‫مراجعة في المعذويً والجيوكيمياء‬
‫عرفان عمر موسى ياري‬

‫المستخلص‬
ٍ‫ ٔحٕجذ فً ٔحذاث صخشٌت يخخهفت ي‬،ٌ‫حًخذ حًعذَبث انُحبط فی انعشاق عهى طٕل انشًبل انششلً إللهٍى كشدسخب‬
‫ حٕجذ حًعذَبث انُحبط فً أفٍٕنٍج يبٔاث فً صخٕس َبسٌت لبعذٌت ببالسحببط يع‬.‫يعمذ أٔفٍٕنٍج يبٔاث ٔسهسهت لُذٌم‬
‫ حى انخعشف فی انذساسبث انسببمت‬.‫عشٔق يٍ انكٕاسحض فً حٍٍ آَب حٕجذ فً صخٕس انفٍهٍج ٔانًشيش فً يُطمت شبسٔش‬
‫عهى َٕعٍٍ يٍ حًعذَبث انُحبط حٍذ حٕجذ ْزِ انًعبدٌ إيب عهى شكم يُخشش أٔبشكم عشٔق يٕصعت فی ٔحذاث صخشٌت‬
‫ اصهٍت انًُشأ ٔالحمت انًُشأ‬:ٌ‫ عهى ضٕء انعاللبث انُسٍجٍت بٍٍ انًعبدٌ حى انخعشف عهى رالد يشاحم يٍ انخًعذ‬.‫يخخهفت‬
‫ يٍ خالل انذساسبث انًجٓشٌّ نهخبيبث حبٍٍ اٌ يجًٕعبث انخًعذٌ انغبنبت فی أٔفٍٕنٍج يبٔاث‬.‫ٔيُخجبث االغُبء انفبئك‬
‫ ٔإالنًٍُبٌج ٔحًزم يعبدٌ انكٕفٍالٌج‬،‫حخًزم بًعبدٌ انجبنكٕببٌشٌج ٔانسفبنٍشاٌج ٔانغبنٍُب ٔانببٌشاٌج ٔانًبغٍُخبٌج‬
‫ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ‬
1
Department of Geology, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Iraq Qlyasan Campus,
Sulaimaniyah-Kirkuk Main Road, e-mail: [email protected]

GEOSURV Iraq: www.geosurviraq.iq

ISSN 1311 – 4539 41 IBGM: http://ibgm-iq.org/
Academic Scientific Journals: www.iasj.net
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

‫ حكٌٕ انخًعذٌ فی‬.‫ٔانًٍٓبحٍج ٔانهًٍٍَٕج ٔانجٕربٌج ٔانخٍُٕساٌج ٔاألصٔساٌج ٔانًبالخبٌج يُخجبث االغُبء انفبئك‬
‫ فی حٍٍ اٌ انخًعذٌ فی‬.‫أٔفٍٕنٍج يبٔاث يٍ انخجًعبث انصٍٓشٌت ٔانًحهٕل انحشاسي انًبئی انُبحج عٍ انُشبط انخكخَٕی‬
‫ ُْبن‬.‫يُطمت شبسٔش حكٌٕ فی دسجت حشاسة يخٕسطت بٕاسطت يحهٕل كهٕسٌذ انصٕدٌٕو رٔ كزبفت يخٕسطت انى ٔاطئت‬
‫احخًبالث يشجعّ نٕجٕد حشاكٍض الخصبدٌت نهُحبط ححج األسض فی إلهٍى كشدسخبٌ انعشاق بُبء عهى حمٍى انشٕاْذ انًعذٍَت‬
‫انسطحٍّ انخً حشٍش انى ححشس انُحبط يٍ يعبدَّ ححج انسطح َخٍجت االكسذة ٔاَخمبنّ ٔحشكٍضِ فی َطبق انخشكٍض انفبئك‬
.‫لشة سطح االسض‬

INTRODUCTION
The Tethyan Metallogenic belt stretches from the Alps, through the Balkans, Turkey,
Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Tibet, Indochina, and ultimately into the southwest Pacific. It was formed
during two major orogenic events, one in the early mid Mesozoic reflecting closure of the
Paleo-Tethys Ocean, and the second in the early Cenozoic to Recent, reflecting the closure of
the Neo-Tethys Ocean (Sengör and Yilmaz, 1981; Glennie, 2000; Ilbeyli et al., 2004). The
Neo-Tethys Ocean was characterized by the presence of numerous small continental and
island-arc fragments, which are now compacted between multiple sutures along the broad
Tethyan Orogenic Belt. A diverse array of mineral deposit types is also associated with the
belt (Richards et al., 2012). The central part of the Alpine-Himalayan Orogenic-Metallogenic
Belt in Kurdistan Region hosts various metallic mineralizations in diverse rock units (Jasim
and Goff, 2006). It remains one of the least understood and least explored geological domains
of Kurdistan Region.
Kurdistan Region of Iraq is divided into two metallogenic zones on the basis of the
tectonic framework and metallogenic features (Jassim and Goff, 2006 and Al-Bassam, 2007):
1) The Imbricate Zone of the Western Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt, characterized by low-
temperature hydrothermal vein and strata-bound, unmetamorphosed Zn, Pb, Cu, Ba, pyrite
and siderite deposits and placer deposits of Cr, Fe, Mn, and Cu, and (2) The Zagros Suture
Zone, characterized by magmatic, volcanic, metamorphic and hydrothermal types of ore
minerals (Al-Bassam, 2013).
Occurrences of copper mineralization are widespread in the NE of Kurdistan Region,
found as placer and secondary deposits in the Balambo-Tanjero Zone and magmatic, volcanic,
metamorphic and hydrothermal types in the Zagros Suture Zone (Al-Bassam, 2013). Many of
these occurrences are related to the serpentinized ultramafic rocks and gabbro of the
Penjween, Mawat and Bulfat massifs (Fig.1). Quartz veins in Mawat and Qandil districts are
occasionally hosting copper mineralization. Smirnov and Nelidov (1962) and Al-Hashimi and
Al-Mehaidi (1975) reported many copper mineralization from the crush zone in gabbro SW of
Korradawi Village and from granodiorites, pyroxenites and gabbros south of Konjrin Village.
The mineralization consists of chalcopyrite, pyrite, malachite and azurite. Nahab et al. (1979)
surveyed a part of the Waraz area, using five geophysical methods and concluded that the
copper content ranges between (0.5 – 3.5 %). Furthermore, they studied the petrography of
the rocks, and concluded that the most common rocks are metabasalt, metadiabase, quartzite,
epidosite, keratophyr amphibolite and chlorite-schist. A detailed petrography, geochemistry
and genesis of copper-iron mineralization and associated rocks in Waraz area has been done
by Musa (2007). Hadi et al. (2010) studied the genesis of copper-iron mineralization and the
associated rocks in the Waraz area. Yassin et al. (2015) studied copper ores in Mawat
Ophiolite Complex (part of the Zagros Suture Zone) NE Iraq. Mirza et al. (2017); Mirza and
Rashid (2018); and Yara and Mohammad (2018) studied the mineralogy, stable isotope,
geochemistry and genesis of sulfide mineralization in the Zagros Suture rock units of the
Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The present contribution is an overview of the copper mineralization

42
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

in the Mawat Ophiolite Complex and Qandil Series (Fig.1), based on previously published
data. The main objective of this work is to clarify the mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis
of copper mineralization in these areas. Unfortunately little is published on the mineral
chemistry and geochemistry of Cu-sulfide minerals in the Mawat area, which kept this part
lacking in the present contribution.

Fig.1: Location of the study area and distribution of the metallic mineralization in
the eastern parts of Kurdistan Region, Iraq (after Vanecek, 1972)

43
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Zagros Mountains in the northeastern Iraq are located in the Alpine–Himalayan
Mountain Range that extends in a NW – SE orientation (Fig.2). The Zagros Orogenic Belt
consists of several main parallel tectonic zones: 1) the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc
(UDMA); 2) the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SSZ); 3) the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFB) and
4) the Mesopotamian Foreland Basin (Fig.2b; Berberian and King, 1981; Alavi, 1994; Jassim
and Goff, 2006). The Zagros Suture represents the northwestern part of the Zagros Orogenic
Belt which extends approximately 1800 Km long zone of deformed crustal rocks from eastern
Turkey through northeastern Iraq to western and southern Iran, ending at the Strait of Hormuz
and into northern Oman (Moghadam and Stern, 2011, Fig.2). The Zagros Suture, formed as a
result of a collision between the Arabian passive margin and the Iranian microcontinent active
margin, is characterized by tectonic units of thrust sheets, which crop out in a (5 – 7) Km
wide belt along the Iraqi – Iranian borders.

Fig.2: Zagros Orogenic Belt and tectonic map of Kurdistan Region of Iraq showing the main
tectonic units and the location of the study area (after Jassim and Goff, 2006)

The units of the Zagros Suture Zone, formed within the Neo-Tethys, were thrusted over
the Arabian Plate during two distinct phases of obduction and collision, during the Late
Cretaceous and Mio-Pliocene (Jassim and Goff, 2006). The three tectonic zones identified
within Iraq and reported in Jassim and Goff (2006) comprise from: 1) The Qulqula –
Khwakurk Zone with deformed radiolarites, carbonate turbidities and volcanics, and an upper
thrust sheet of Triassic platform carbonates. These units were abducted onto the Arabian Plate

44
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

during the Late Cretaceous, 2) The Penjween – Walash Zone with upper thrust sheets of
metamorphosed volcanic, carbonates and pelitic rocks, and lower thrust sheets of non-
metamorphosed Paleogene arc volcanic and fore-arc flysch and 3) The Shalair Zone
comprising thrust sheets of meta-pelitic and metacarbonates of Mesozoic age, Upper
Cretaceous arc volcanics of Late Cretaceous age, and metamorphosed Paleozoic (?) rocks of
the Sanandaj – Sirjan Zone.
The Penjween – Walash Zone consists of three thrust sheets: the structurally lowest is
Naopurdan, the middle is Walash and the upper is Qandil (structurally highest). The upper
Qandil thrust sheet contains basic igneous massifs, mostly along the SW margin. The massifs
include, Penjween, Mawat, Bulfat and Pushtashan. The Penjween – Walash Zone represents
the oceanic scope of the central part of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and includes metamorphosed
volcanics and deposits of Cretaceous age. It also includes non-metamorphosed Paleogene
fore-arc and volcanic arc rocks that formed during the final closure of the Neo-Tethys,
therefore, it was considered a remnant of the ocean which was thrusted over the Arabian Plate
during the Miocene – Pliocene time (Jassim and Goff, 2006). Most of the copper
mineralization in the Kurdistan Region is classified as disseminated and vein filling (Musa,
2007; Yassin et al., 2015; Mirza et al., 2017; Mirza and Rashid, 2018; and Yara and
Mohammad, 2018). The areas selected for this overview are located in the Qandil
Metamorphic Series and Mawat Ophiolite Complex inside the Penjween – Walash Zone.

PETROLOGY OF HOST ROCKS AND COPPER MINERALIZATION

 Mawat District
 Host rocks: Metabasalt, metagabbro, serpentinized peridotite and quartz veins are the
main host rocks of copper mineralization in the Mawat ophiolite (Hadi et al., 2010; Yassin
et al., 2015). Fine clinopyroxene (50% vol.) and plagioclase (35% vol.) represent the major
mineral phases of the metabasalt. Amphibole and chlorite are the alteration products of
clinopyroxene. Plagioclase is characterized by deformation lamellae and partially altered into
epidote (Fig.3A and B). Amphibole shows zonation of white amphibole in the core to green
amphibole at the rim (Fig.3C). Porphyritic texture is dominated by clinopyroxene and
plagioclase phenocrysts. Amygdales filled with secondary quartz with wavy extinction and
sutured boundary and poikilitic texture are also observed.
Amphibole is the common mineral, present in white and green colors. The most abundant
is the white amphibole (tremolite-actinolite) overprinting preexisting pyroxene (Fig.3D).
Opaque minerals are enclosed in green amphibole and form poikiloblastic textures (Fig.3E).
Late fibrous amphibole is overprinting texture of an early plagioclase. The fibrous amphibole
appears to have formed during a second metamorphic episode accompanied by deformation
(Fig.3F). Most of the primary plagioclase is altered to secondary minerals due to
metamorphism and deformation. Epidote is the most common secondary mineral with fine
grained massive form (Fig.3G). Fine grains of plagioclase formed along grain boundary and
fractures by recrystallization (Fig.3H). Secondary quartz is characterized by lenticular shape,
andulose extinction and deformation bands (Fig.4A). Chlorite is an abundant mineral and
shows schistosity texture in metagabbro and metabasalt (Fig.4B).
– Ore minerals: Sulfides and oxides are the only ore minerals found in the metabasalt,
metagabbro and quartz veins. They mostly exist in the form of disseminated, small aggregates
and veinlets. The primary mineralogy is rather simple; sulfides are dominated by pyrite as the
major sulfide mineral in addition to minor amounts of chalcopyrite. Two pyrite generations
are recognized: Pre-tectonic pyrite and Post-tectonic pyrite (Yassin et al., 2015 and Yara and

45
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Mohamad, 2018). Pyrite with brecciation texture and weak anisotropy of isotropic elements
represents the pre-tectonic type (Ramdohr, 1980; Craig and Voughan, 1981; Awadh, 2006,
Fig.4C). This type was probably deformed during regional tectonic events of the Eurasian and
Arabian plates obduction and subduction. It is characterized by brecciation and cataclastic
texture (Fig.4D) and rim and vein replacement texture by hematite and goethite (Fig.4E)
(Yara andMohammad, 2018). On the other hand, the idiomorphic pyrite represents post-
tectonic pyrite formed after the tectonic events (Fig.4F) (Musa 2007, Yassin et al., 2015 and
Yara and Mohammad 2018).

Fig.3: Photomicrographs showing A) Plagioclase (Pl) crystals bent due to deformation,

B) Plagioclase is altered to epidote (Ep) in the core, C) Zonation in amphibole (Am),
D) Pyroxene (Px) altered to amphibole along their edge, E) Poikiloblastic textures of less
fibrous amphibole enclosed magnetite (Mgn), F) Fibrous amphibole penetrating into adjacent
plagioclase crystals, G) Plagioclase altered to massive epidote, H) Plagioclase show
recrystallization to fine grained. Under the microscope the major mineral phases in
metagabbro are pyroxene, amphibole, chlorite, magnetite, epidote, plagioclase and quartz.
(After Hadi et al., 2010 and Yara and Mohammad, 2018)

46
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Fig.4: Photomicrographs showing A) Lenticular quartz (Qtz) with andulose extinction,

B) Chlorite (Chl) showing schistosity, C) Pyrite grain (Py) shows weak anisotropy, observed
as dark blue color, D) Cataclastic texture of pyrite and the goethitziation of pyrite, E) Rim
zone replacement texture of pyrite by goethite (Go), F) Fine grain idiomorphic pyrite, G)
Poikilitic texture, small grains of pyrite trapped into chalcopyrite (Cpy), H) Vein of
chalcopyrite, after etching by HNO3 (After Musa, 2007, Yassin et al., 2015
and Yara and Mohammad, 2018)

Chalcopyrite is the only copper-bearing primary mineral and it is characterized by irregular

form scattered in the rocks as disseminated (Fig.4G) or as veinlets filling (Fig.5H) (Musa,
2007 and Yassin et al., 2015). The former texture indicates that the sulfide minerals were
derived from immiscible sulfide liquids (Ramdohr, 1981), whereas the latter texture indicates
the hypogene origin of the ore minerals (Lufkin, 2010). Chalcopyrite is often replaced by
various types of secondary minerals due to alteration and metamorphism (Musa, 2007; Yassin
et al., 2015 and Yara and Mohammad, 2018). The most common type is rim replacement by
secondary sulfides (covellite and bornite, Figs.5A and 5B respectively) and iron hydroxide
(goethite and hematite, Figs.5C and 5D respectively). Malachite and azurite show zonal
texture (Fig.5E) developed from the progressive intermittent replacement of chalcopyrite by
oxidizing solutions. Chalcocite replaces chalcopyrite forming core replacement texture
(Fig.5F). Vein replacement due to alteration is also observed between chalcopyrite with
covellite (Yassin et al., 2015). Ilmenite and magnetite are the primary oxide minerals. They
are observed forming exsolution texture (Fig.5G), while goethite and hematite are replacing
the primary oxides forming rim and vein replacement texture (Fig.5H).

47
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Fig.5: Photomicrographs showing A) Bornite (Bo) replaces chalcopyrite (Cpy) and pyrite (Py)
surrounded by covellite, B) Covellite (Co) forming rim-replacement texture,
C) Veinreplacement texture of chalcopyrite by goethite (Go), D) Chalcopyrite forming
islands arc replacement, E) Zoning texture after etching by HNO3, F) Atoll texture,
after etching by HNO3, between chalcocite (Chc) and chalcopyrite, G) Exsolution between
magnetite and ilmenite (Ilm), H) Vein replacement of goethite (After Musa, 2007; Yassin
et al., 2015 and Yara and Mohammad, 2018)

 Qandil District
 Host rocks: The copper mineralization is hosted by quartz veins within marble and
phyllite of the Qandil Series at the Sharosh area (Mirza et al., 2017 and Mirza and Rashid,
2018). Phyllite and marble at Sharosh area are found as lenticular massive bodies/beds usually
fractured and less often brecciated with wide spread quartz veins and veinlets that cut across
both rock units. Petrographic study of ten thin sections and XRD data show that the main
mineral phases of the marbles is calcite, dolomite, quartz, sulphides and traces of malachite
(Fig.6). Calcite characterized by deformation twin (Fig.7A) due to regional metamorphism
(Barker, 2014). Subhedral to anhedral quartz phenocrysts grains found as disseminated in
marble with serrated boundaries, and undulose extinction (Fig.7B). In addition, muscovite
grains occur as mica fish, mostly near the contact to the quartz veins (Fig.7C) (Mirza et al.,
2017). Phyllite shows a poorly foliated texture under microscope and the main mineral
assemblage consists of quartz, calcite chlorite and dark green amphibole, with a minor
constituent of Fe-oxides (Fig.7d). In addition, X-ray diffraction data revealed the presence of
illite-dominated mixed clay layers and Fe chamosite (Mirza et al., 2017).

48
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Fig.6: X-ray diffractograms of host rocks: a) Calcitic marble, b) Dolomitic marble

(after Mirza et al., 2017)

Fig.7: Photomicrographs showing: A) Deformation twin in calcite placed in the extinction

position, B) Elongated quartz in calcite matrix showing simple twining, C) Grain of
muscovite (mu) as mica fish, D) Phyllite showing fine-grained groundmass with quartz (Q),
calcite (C), chlorite (Ch), amphibole (am) and Fe oxides (Ir), E) Mineralized vein containing
sphalerite (sp) chalcopyrite (chp) and galena (Ga); sphalerite and chalcopyrite are replaced by
rimmed galena forming augen texture, F) Ore vein comprising galena and sphalerite
assemblage, with sphalerite replacing chalcopyrite and galena, G) Chalcopyrite (cp) replaced
by hematite (hem), H) Brecciation texture of pyrite (py) (after Mirza et al., 2017)

49
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

 Ore Minerals: Subhedral and anhedral granular textures are the most abundant textures
observed in the Cu ore minerals of quartz veins at Sharosh area, formed as a result of different
degrees of crystallization. The primary minerals were replaced by other minerals during
hydrothermal activity, forming replacement and remnant replacement textures. Chalcopyrite
and pyrite were replaced by hematite and sphalerite was replaced by iron oxide (Figs.7E – H
and Fig.8A and B). Secondary minerals, like malachite, azurite, goethite, hematite, tenorite
and covellite, are generated from the alteration of chalcopyrite and pyrite (Figs.8C – E).
Interlocking texture is observed between hematite and chalcopyrite and arranged in alignment
with the host rock fabric and parallel to the trend of the shear zone (Fig.8f). Galena mostly
appears as deformed micro-veins showing bands and characteristic triangular pits (Fig.8G)
(Mirza et al., 2017).

Fig.8: A) Back-scattered image shows sphalerite (sp) grain replaced by iron oxide,
B) Backscattered image shows replacement of sphalerite and chalcopyrite by tenorite (te) and
geerite (ge), C) Photomicrograph of malachite (ma) shows vein replacement texture in
chalcopyrite (cp), D) Photomicrograph of goethite (goe) shows red-brown internal reflection,
E) Photomicrograph of azurite (az) shows vein filling texture around dissolved carbonate
veins, F) Photomicrograph of interlacing texture between hematite, chalcopyrite and
rhombohedral dolomite (D) of the host rock, G) Photomicrograph of deformed galena
showing bands and characteristic triangular pits (after Mirza et al., 2017)

50
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

GEOCHEMISTRY
The results of 28 whole rock geochemical analyses are listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3. The
data from Musa (2007), Hadi et al. (2010) and Mirza et al. (2017) are used to illustrate the
compositional characteristics of host rocks from the Mawat ophiolites and the Sharosh area.

Table 1: Concentration of major elements (in wt.%), trace and rare earth elements
(in ppm) of the Waraz samples, Mawat area (after Musa 2007)

W0 W1 W16 W31 W55 W57 W9 WBH-1 W12 W69

SiO2 50.63 43.62 42.92 54.50 54.37 53.96 51.75 49.41 39.59 41.23
Al2O3 14.21 9.88 15.12 11.37 13.16 14.52 13.81 15.54 17.61 18.35
Fe2O3 8.91 7.63 13.72 9.01 7.88 10.06 9.01 15.47 15.60 16.22
CaO 10.07 18.04 19.42 10.79 10.32 7.15 8.16 2.50 19.82 16.78
MgO 9.78 8.90 6.53 9.76 10.58 5.07 10.49 7.53 3.38 0.58
Na2O 3.47 2.52 0.24 1.87 2.11 4.24 3.75 2.99 0.32 0.04
K2O 0.23 0.14 0.02 0.10 0.09 0.14 0.17 0.11 0.03 0.00
Cr2O3 0.171 0.160 0.115 0.057 0.116 0.015 0.114 0.012 0.082 0.012
TiO2 0.28 0.20 0.34 0.22 0.23 0.64 0.37 0.55 0.41 0.69
MnO 0.127 0.473 0.332 0.165 0.129 0.202 0.168 0.268 0.223 0.206
P2O5 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.05
LOI 1.49 8.07 1.89 1.36 2.48 2.56 1.98 5.24 2.59 4.75
Total 99.92 99.68 100.69 99.22 101.51 98.56 99.79 99.66 99.67 98.89
Trace
ppm
Sc 44 37 31 45 40 40 47 38 35 39
Ag <.5 <.5 0.8 <.5 <.5 <.5 <.5 <.5 8.5 0.8
Ba 45.0 98.2 1.5 12.5 18.7 14.7 36.9 8.1 1.7 1.1
Ce 2.4 1.2 2.9 0.8 0.8 2.5 1.4 2.5 2.5 2.5
Co 13 6 10 7 12 14 26 28 29 30
Cr 1170 1094 787 390 793 103 780 82 561 82
Cu 14 25 1353 43 62 57 621 179 12565 1106
Dy 1.5 1.0 1.7 1.1 1.0 1.9 1.4 2.0 1.8 2.2
Er 1.2 1.0 1.2 0.9 0.7 1.4 0.9 1.5 1.3 1.6
Eu 0.2 0.2 0.4 <0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.8
Ga 9.3 7.2 26.2 8.3 8.8 13.7 10.4 14.5 29.8 31.9
Gd 1.0 0.7 1.3 0.6 0.6 1.3 0.9 1.5 1.3 1.4
Ho 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5
La 1.1 0.7 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.8 1.1 0.8
Lu 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3
Nd 1.2 1.1 2.7 0.8 0.8 2.3 1.5 2.3 2.4 2.4
Ni 77 34 30 12 53 11 57 33 46 5
Pr 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.4 0.5
Rb 5.2 2.1 0.1 1.2 0.6 1.0 2.3 1.5 0.0 0.0
Sm 0.6 0.4 1.0 0.4 0.5 0.9 0.7 1.0 1.0 1.1
Sr 115.8 87.0 129.8 52.0 75.7 104.8 100.8 52.9 178.5 819.9
Tm 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3
U 0.0 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.2
V 236 170 417 220 190 293 215 251 391 403
W 1.2 0.5 1.8 1.5 1.1 3.0 0.8 1.6 2.9 4.1
Y 11.1 8.6 12.1 7.1 6.5 12.1 7.5 13.8 13.1 15.0
Yb 1.3 1.1 1.5 0.9 1.0 1.5 1.1 1.8 1.5 1.9
Zn 18 9 12 11 16 66 27 119 58 15
Zr 8.2 4.6 17.3 5.2 4.7 18.5 10.3 19.4 16.0 22.5

51
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Table 2: Major and trace elements composition of the Sharosh marble host-rock
(after Mirza et al., 2017)

Oxide M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10
SiO2 13.82 16.32 16.70 15.20 10.48 15.20 15.19 10.06 14.76 11.98
TiO2 1.64 0.18 0.27 0.13 0.08 0.13 0.04 0.07 0.09 0.11
Al2O3 3.02 4.86 4.68 3.72 2.02 4.72 0.91 3.57 3.87 4.93
Fe2O3 2.48 12.47 2.12 12.39 7.85 10.39 9.77 10.68 12.12 11.70
MnO 0.15 0.22 0.03 0.05 0.08 0.05 0.19 0.28 0.27 0.24
MgO 0.73 16.22 0.58 17.68 18.77 17.28 15.53 17.08 17.82 18.82
CaO 76.85 42.95 73.64 47.12 55.71 47.15 53.70 52.84 46.23 50.37
Na2O 0.37 0.22 0.11 0.04 0.38 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.07
K2O 0.85 1.18 1.36 0.57 0.37 0.56 0.22 0.37 0.47 0.48
P2O5 0.06 0.08 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03
SO3 0.01 2.48 0.05 2.03 3.40 3.45 3.51 3.67 3.52 3.99
Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.02 0.04 0.03
Sum 100.0 97.2 99.6 99.0 99.2 99.1 99.2 98.7 99.3 98.8
Trace
ppm
Ni 83.1 236.2 72.4 13.1 24.0 13.2 273.0 21.9 21.6 24.9
Rb 56.3 68.6 79.2 24.0 12.3 25.0 8.8 14.9 17.6 21.1
Sr 2095.5 371.7 1618.6 508.0 845.0 506.0 142.0 198.0 85.4 106.5
Cu 105.3 22,940.0 1850.0 1145.3 1166.0 1345.3 10,021.0 1590.0 856.0 711.0
Co 72.5 159.4 126.6 5.7 4.0 5.0 51.9 26.1 17.2 16.0
W 350.5 218.3 829.3 31.0 4.5 31.0 65.0 93.3 8.7 3.5
Zn 0.0 3579.1 0.0 1122.0 1126.0 1022.0 936.0 86.0 123.0 1051.0
Zr 45.0 82.5 124.0 12.6 11.1 11.6 7.3 12.4 15.3 14.9
As <d.l. 49.8 <d.l. 6.3 2.6 8.6 82.2 335.5 43.5 35.0
Ba <d.l. 533.5 317.9 50.0 60.0 49.3 110.0 190.0 190.0 190.0
Ce <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. <d.l.
Ga <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. 3.6 2.4 9.8 <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. 5.7
Y <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. 11.8 10.1 <d.l. 4.6 <d.l. 8.4 <d.l.

Sum trace
2808.2 30,039.1 4018.0 2933.4 3268.0 3026.7 11,702.5 2568.1 1386.7 2179.6
in ppm

Sum trace
0.3 3.0 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2
in %
Sum
major and 100.3 100.0 100.0 99.3 99.6 99.4 99.3 99.0 99.4 99.0
trace

52
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Table 3: Major and trace elements composition of the Sharosh phyllite host-rocks
(after Mirza et al., 2017)

Oxide Ph1 Ph2 Ph3 Ph4 Ph5 Ph6 Ph7

SiO2 49.11 48.77 55.41 61.4 77.66 64.79 59.23
TiO2 0.72 0.87 0.65 0.63 0.47 0.84 0.56
Al2O3 15.35 13.55 13.17 16.89 8.22 14.66 12.98
Fe2O3 9.00 10.30 5.11 5.89 3.77 4.99 4.86
MnO 0.11 0.14 0.08 0.1 0.04 0.29 1.83
MgO 3.91 3.27 3.1 1.99 1.24 2.31 4.02
CaO 16.94 17.45 16.21 7.39 5.4 6.69 10.11
Na2O 1.22 1.42 1.28 0.32 1.08 0.99 1.3
K 2O 3.10 3.56 2.78 3.71 1.49 2.88 2.68
P 2O 5 0.19 0.09 0.16 0.16 0.09 0.09 0.15
SO3 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.14 0.2
Cl 0 0.1 0 0.09 0.085
Sum 99.66 99.44 97.96 98.6 99.48 99.76 98.005
Trace
ppm
Ni 143.40 98.00 49.1 66.8 29.9 56.9 48.67
Rb 135.10 140.40 74.4 152 58.5 114 89.78
Sr 448.50 456.32 185.5 133 43.5 45.66 56.98
Cu 251.70 345.00 93.3 52.4 11.5 101.45 88.32
Co 116.50 109.98 14.8 20.2 9.5 15.87 21.12
W 449.40 488.57 2.5 1820 5.5 423.11 136.43
Zn 146.10 139.89 76 86 49 75.34 35.6
Zr 247.50 239.58 25.1 23.4 37.1 39.11 20.1
As <d.l. 25.10 9.2 31.5 2.1 32.24 31.22
Ba 889.90 768.47 380 370 270 400.01 602.34
Ce <d.l. 400.00 211 365.35 268.12 <d.l. 111.03
Ga 33.68 26.70 18.55 24.2 10.2 22 30.11
Y 30.36 31.12 13.5 10.7 7.1 8.9 9.94
Sum trace
2892.14 3269.13 1152.95 3155.55 905.52 1334.59 1281.64
in ppm

Sum trace
0.30 0.33 0.12 0.32 0.01 0.13 0.13
in %

Sum major
99.96 99.77 98.08 98.92 99.49 99.89 98.14
and trace
SiO2/Al2O3 3.2 3.60 4.21 3.64 9.45 4.49 4.56
K2O/Na2O 2.54 2.51 2.17 11.59 1.38 2.91 2.06
K2O/Al2O3 0.202 0.26 0.21 0.22 0.18 0.20 0.21

53
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

 Geochemistry of Country Rocks

– Metagabbro and metabasalt of the Mawat Ophiolite Complex in the Waraz area: The
samples from the Waraz area exhibit a wide range of SiO2 content (39.59 – 54.5 %, Table 1),
indicating magmatic fractionation and alteration (Shafaii et al., 2010). Generally the samples
are characterized by low TiO2 (0.2 wt.% – 0.69 wt.%), low Zr (4 – 22 ppm) and high Mg#
(49 – 1273), showing boninitic affinity (Crawford et al., 1989). Most of the samples show
depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE) with low Zr/Y ratio (Table 1) referring to
depleted mantle source (Pearce and Norry, 1979). A wide range in Cu content (14 – 12565
ppm) is observed showing a negative correlation with MgO, Co and Ni which may be
attributed to segregation of immiscible melt (Scoates and Mitchel, 2000).
On the spider diagram (Fig.9) the large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and the HFSE
have depleted values and they lie parallel but at lower level than those of the mid-oceanic
ridge basalts (MORB) values which may be indicating oceanic island arc tholeiitic basalt or
reflecting the pre-subduction characteristic of the source mantle (Miyashiro and Shido, 1975;
Wilson, 1989; Xu et al., 2003; and Maheo et al., 2004). The diagram in Fig. (9) shows
enrichment of some LILE relative to other elements. The concentrations of these elements
may be affected by hydrothermal alteration processes and hence reflect involvement of these
elements to the source melt during the subduction process (Hadi et al., 2010).
The REE patterns are characterized by a slight depletion in the light rare earth elements
(LREE) relative to the heavy rare earth elements (HREE) where (LaN/SmN = 0.49 – 1.29)
(Fig.10). The negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.89) for the basalt samples W0, W9 and
WBH-1 can be attributed to the cumulative effects of plagioclase fractionation (Van Wagoner
et al., 2002; Zhang et al., 2003), while the positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*)ave = 1.25 for the
other analysed rock types can be attributed to model concentration of plagioclase in the rocks
and accumulation of calcic plagioclase which influences the increase of Eu2+ (Al-Hassan,
1987; Savov et al., 2001). According to the Ti/V ratio (4.8 – 10.2), the samples lie in the
region of island arc tholeiite and boninite field of Shervais (1982) (Fig.11). Such behavior is
characteristic of back-arc basin basalt (Pe-Piper et al., 2004). The very low concentration of
the REE and enrichment of the HFSE and LILE indicate that these rocks were derived from a
depleted mantle source (Hadi et al., 2010).

Fig.9: Spider diagram of Waraz host rocks (after Hadi et al., 2010) normalized according to
the values of Sun and McDonough (1989)

54
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Fig.10: Chondrites-normalized REE pattern of the mafic rocks of Waraz (after Hadi et al.,
2010). Normalization values are after Sun and McDonough (1989)

Fig.11: Ti versus V diagram (Shervais, 1982) for Waraz mafic rocks

(black circles) (after Hadi et al., 2010)

 Marble and Phyllite: Two types of marble have been distinguished in the Sharosh area:
the first one is calcite marble and contains <1% MgO (Samples M1 and M3), whereas the
second type is dolomitic marble (MgO = 15.53% – 18.82%) (Table 2, Mirza et al., 2017). The
SiO2 abundance in the marble covers a range (10.48% – 16.70 %), related to quartz and
indicating deposition in shallow depth of protolith and increased terrestrial influx. The marble
samples are characterized by very low total alkalis (Na2O + K2O < 2%). The abundance of
silicate minerals in the dolomitic marble samples shows relatively higher values of K2O and
Al2O3. The marble was affected by hydrothermal alteration, emphasized by the poor
correlation between Ba, Sr and Zr. The Sharosh phyllites are characterized by moderate SiO 2
and Fe2O3 contents ranging between 48.77 and 77.66 wt.% and 3.77 to 10.30 wt.%,

55
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

respectively (Table 3). Figure (12) shows the different types of rocks. Based on the
Fe2O3/K2O vs. SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, the analysed Sharosh phyllite samples lie in the wacke and
lithic arenite fields (Herron, 1988).

Fig.12: Geochemical classification of the Sharosh phyllites

(after Herron, 1988)

 Geochemistry of Sulfide Minerals

The bulk sulfide veins of the Sharosh mineralization have high Cu content
(0.2% – 33.2%) and CaO content (0.66% – 24%) (Table 4). The origin of the sulfides can be
assessed by Ti vs. Ni/Cr and Cr vs. V diagrams of Dare et al. (2014) which indicate that all
samples of this study lie in the hydrothermal field as shown in Figure (13).

 Fluid Inclusions
Primary and liquid-rich type of fluid inclusions have been recognized in the quartz
associated with copper mineralization in the Qala Diza area (Qandil Series) by Mirza and
Rashid (2018), Figs.14 and 15). Freezing-heating stages and fluid inclusion assemblages were
selected based on the criteria and recommendations of Roedder (1958 and 1984); and
Goldstein (2003). Salinities are expressed as wt.% NaCl equivalent and are estimated from the
melting temperatures of the last crystal of ice for two-phase fluid inclusions (Bodnar, 1993).
The fluid inclusions range in size between 7.2 and 19.3 μm, and 18 – 50 % of vapor/liquid/
(V/L) ratio (Mirza and Rashid, 2018). The measured eutectic temperatures range between -35
°C to -48 °C define its composition in the H2O-KCl-CaCl2-NaCl, possibly with smaller
amounts of MgCl2 (Fig.14a). Ice from quartz melted between -1.5 °C and 4.6 °C, corresponds
to salinities of (2.6 – 7.3) wt.% NaCl eq. (Fig. 14b). The homogenization temperature of fluid
inclusions occurred between (194.1 °C) and (386.8 °C) (Fig.14c). The microthermometric
data show two types of fluid inclusions, one with homogenization temperature ranging
between (335.5 °C) and (386.8 °C) and the other is characterized by lower homogenization
temperatures ranging between (194.1 °C) and (298.5 °C) (Fig.15A). The results of
homogenization temperature and salinity of fluid inclusions refer to fluid derived from a
metamorphic fluid regime (Fig.15B) (Mirza and Rashid, 2018).

56
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Table 4: Major and trace element contents of the bulk sulfide ores at Sharosh area
(after Mirza et al., 2017)

Sample S101 S201 S301 S401 S402 S403 S501 S502 S601 S602 Av.

Fe % 1.07 12.00 15.00 7.39 7.20 8.20 10.00 0.66 24.00 2.30 10.98

Si % 15.00 14.00 13.00 <d.l. 16.00 11.00 1.10 0.20 8.79

Pb % 1.80 2.4 0.05 0.02 0.01 <d.l. 0.20 1.30 0.01 1.40 0.60

Zn % 0.19 2.25 1.62 2.37 3.11 9.77 0.89 0.00 6.10 0.01 3.29

Cu % 1.10 13.00 13.00 30.00 33.20 13.50 13.00 0.20 25.00 1.30 17.91

Element
(mg/kg)

Ag 31.00 84.00 26.00 12.00 <d.l. <d.l. 63.00 114.00 75.00 179.00 73.00
Al 224.00 273.00 392.00 4037.0 4625.3 5.80 481.00 236.00 474.00 <d.l. 1343.51
As 923.00 88.00 61.00 69.00 <d.l. <d.l. 230.00 16.00 263.00 19.00 208.63
B 4.00 1.80 <d.l. 6.30 <d.l. <d.l. <d.l. 2.00 <d.l. <d.l. 1.76
Ba 13.00 129.00 54.00 85.00 <d.l. <d.l. 41.00 90.00 234.00 24.00 83.75
Be 0.04 0.09 0.10 0.40 <d.l. <d.l. 0.08 0.06 0.20 <d.l. 0.12
Bi 545.00 20.00 4.50 2.00 0.20 0.10 3.40 686.00 21.00 573.00 231.00
Cd 23.00 10.00 6.10 11.00 20.90 81.30 6.10 28.00 29.00 25.00 30.05
Co 103.00 97.00 67.00 202.00 141.30 129.70 162.00 62.00 36.00 15.00 126.88
Cr 15.00 37.00 <d.l. <d.l. <0.1 <0.1 40.00 36.00 53.00 82.00 32.88
Cs 0.05 0.20 0.06 0.30 1.20 0.50 0.20 0.20 0.30 0.04 0.38
Ga 0.50 4.50 2.80 4.60 6.70 5.30 2.00 2.50 7.90 0.70 4.69
Ge 0.90 1.20 1.50 0.50 <d.l. <d.l. 1.30 0.60 1.10 0.01 0.89
Li 0.90 1.40 1.10 6.10 <d.l. <d.l. 1.40 1.50 1.40 0.20 1.75
Mn 81.00 203.00 14.00 695.00 957.00 1680.8 180.00 320.00 277.00 702.00 638.73
Mo 23.00 11.00 47.00 2.50 <d.l. <d.l. 17.00 2.70 7.30 2.20 14.09
Ni 40.00 112.00 635.00 221.00 208.10 478.00 404.00 11.00 526.00 52.00 335.89
Rb 0.50 2.40 0.60 1.00 13.50 7.00 1.80 2.70 3.30 0.30 4.14
Re 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.01 <d.l. <d.l. 0.02 0.01 0.01 <d.l. 0.02
Se 201.00 4.90 23.00 7.50 <d.l. <d.l. 11.00 255.00 11.00 227.00 92.55
Sr 14.00 18.00 5.20 10.00 10.90 22.90 19.00 66.00 12.00 71.00 31.13
Ti 52.00 98.00 61.00 437.00 <d.l. <d.l. 75.00 148.00 160.00 121.00 144.00
U 6.70 36.00 17.00 28.00 14.70 7.20 19.00 2.30 7.90 1.90 17.59
V 4.90 12.00 <d.l. 13.00 <0.1 <0.1 13.00 13.00 20.00 27.00 12.86
W 1054.00 571.00 471.00 124.00 <d.l. <d.l. 1500.00 632.00 75.00 78.00 563.13
Zr 8.90 3.40 1.90 15.00 <d.l. <d.l. 2.80 4.80 7.00 0.70 5.56
Ni/Co 0.39 1.15 9.48 1.09 1.47 3.69 2.49 0.18 14.61 3.47 4.11

57
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Fig.13: The Ti vs. Ni/Cr and Cr vs. V diagrams from Dare et al. (2014) and plots of the
studied sulfide ore minerals (after Mirza et al., 2017). The dotted line represents the boundary
between hydrothermal and igneous sulfides

Fig.14: Frequency distributions of eutectic, salinity, and homogenization temperature of

measured fluid inclusions from SH-11V sample (after Mirza and Rashid, 2018)

A B

Fig.15: Fluid inclusions characteristics (after Mirza and Rashid 2018). A) Homogenization
temperature vs. salinity (wt.% NaCl eq.) diagram of measured fluid inclusions from
sample SH-11V, B) Determination of the ore fluid type using a homogenization
temperature salinity diagram (dark zones inside lines show approximate
T-salinity range for ore-forming fluids, after Kesler, 2005)

58
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

 Sulfur Stable Isotopes

Sulfur stable isotopes for galena and chalcopyrite have been measured in the mineralized
samples of the Qala Diza area (Qandil Series) by Mirza and Rashid (2018). The galena and
chalcopyrite exhibit close isotopic values of -17.7 and -17.6‰ respectively. This range is very
close to the values of δ34S reported by Ohmoto and Rye (1979), Nielsen (1979), Ohmoto
(1986); Seal (2006) and Hoefs (2009). The δ34S values of the studied sample show that the
sulfur of the Sharosh sulfide minerals is in the range of sedimentary and metamorphic sources
(Fig.16).

Fig.16: Sulfur isotope composition of chalcopyrite and galena from the Sharosh area
(after Mirza and Rashid, 2018). The dashed line represents the sulfur isotopic
composition of the analysed samples which intersects with the isotopic
range of sedimentary and metamorphic sources (after Hoefs, 2009)

GENESIS
 Mawat Ophiolite Mineralization
The mineralogy of the copper mineralization at the Mawat Ophiolite Complex is very
simple. Chalcopyrite and bornite represent the primary copper sulfides of endogenic origin.
They are found as disseminations through the metagabbro and metabasalt. The origin of
mineralization in the Mawat ophiolites is based essentially on petrographic and geochemical
characteristics. The data show that the mineralization started in the orthomagmatic stage
which formed the disseminated sulfide minerals (Hadi et al., 2010; and Yassin et al., 2015).
Magmatic fluids, enriched by Fe, Ti, Cu, and volatiles through magmatic differentiation,
formed immiscible sulfide liquid which was collected in the interstial space of the early-
formed minerals or injected to shear zones (Pearce and Gale, 1977; and Klein and Hurlburt,
2002). This is indicated by ore microscopy observations (pyrite and chalcopyrite relation with
the silicate minerals) and by geochemical data (Cr and Ni decrease as Ti increase) which
indicate that the melt was enriched with Ti at the late stages of magma fractionation reaching
maximum when magnetite began to crystallize (Table 1).
The replacement of the primary sulfide minerals by iron and copper sulfide minerals,
forming pseudomorphic relict texture, island arc texture and rim texture, is considered to
represent supergene origin (Musa, 2007; Yassin et al., 2015; Yara and Mohammad, 2018).

59
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Hydrothermal solutions resulted in the copper enrichment and mineralization, forming fine
euhedral pyrite and chalcopyrite filling the cavities and fractures (Hadi et al., 2010 and Yassin
et al., 2015). Supergene enrichment is the last stage of mineralization where the copper
mineralization underwent extensive alteration and oxidation largely by the supergene
solutions. The primary sulfide minerals were altered producing secondary minerals (covellite,
limonite, hematite, malachite and goethite) (Musa, 208; Hadi et al., 2010; and Yassin et al.,
2015).

 Sharosh Mineralization
The paragenesis of copper mineralization at Sharosh area probably occurred in three
stages: the first stage is represented by disseminated chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrite in
metasedimentary rocks; the second stage is dominated by chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and
galena, precipitated from metal-rich hydrothermal fluids; and the last stage is represented by
supergene enrichment or alteration of preexisting minerals, dominated by hematite, goethite,
malachite, azurite, geerite, covellite and tenorite (Mirza et al., 2017). The δ34S value refers to
sulfur of hydrothermal fluid derived from the sedimentary and metamorphic country rocks
such as those of the Qandil Metamorphic Series (Mirza and Rashid, 2018). Copper, Fe, Pb,
and Zn were extracted from these country rocks by migration, circulation, and interaction with
hydrothermal fluids, transporting them into faults and cavities which were favorable sites for
ore deposition and mineralization (Mirza et al., 2017). The studied area is highly deformed
and intersected by major and minor faults, which play a significant role for the indication and
localization of the ore minerals. In addition, faults were considered to be the main conduits for
the transport of ore-bearing fluids to structurally favorable sites for the deposition of ore
minerals in this area (Mirza et al., 2017). Hypogene mineralizations, formed before the last
tectonic event, are characterized by brecciation of pyrite and deformation of chalcopyrite
(Fig.4) and andulose extinction, as well as bending and orientation of the muscovite crystals
(Fig.2).

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Despite the numerous showings of copper mineralization in the Kurdistan Region of NE
Iraq, none of which have been investigated in detail to enable accurate assessment of tonnage,
grade, mining conditions and upgrading potential. However, in view of the numerous Cu
deposits in Cyprus, Turkey, Iran and Oman, which are all related to the Cretaceous ophiolites
and are commercially producing copper, it can be anticipated that the potential of discovering
commercial Cu deposits in the age-equivalent ophiolite complexes of the Kurdistan Region is
encouraging (Al-Bassam, 2013). This assumption is supported by the high density of Cu
showings in suitable suit of host rocks in the Mawat Ophiolite Complex and in other
Cretaceous basic and ultrabasic complexes in the region, as well as due to the development of
subsurface supergene Cu-enrichment zone(s) in the mineralization areas. The assessment of
Cu potential in the region, however, requires detailed geophysical and geochemical
exploration surveys coupled with exploratory drilling in the anomalous areas. The supergene
enrichment zones as well as the Cu-bearing quartz veins are potential exploration targets in
this respect.

CONCLUSIONS
The copper mineralization underwent different stages of deformation and alteration,
indicating that there were many mineralization periods before and after the subduction event.
Two types of primary mineralization occur in the Mawat Ophiolite Complex: (1) sulfides,
which are represented by pyrite and chalcopyrite, and (2) oxides, represented by magnetite

60
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

and ilmenite. The mineralization occurs as disseminated and vein filling. The mineral
assemblage is chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite and ilmenite as primary minerals, whereas
covellite, malachite, hematite and goethite are the secondary minerals. They are distributed
throughout metamafic igneous rocks (gabbro and basalt) and quartz veins. The mineralization
is considered as endogenic (magmatic and hypogene origin). Chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena
and pyrite as primary minerals and azurite, malachite, gerrite, tenorite covellite, and hematite
as secondary minerals are the common ore mineral described in the Qandil Series, with open-
space filling and replacement textures. They are distributed within metamorphic rocks
(marble and phyllite. These sulfide ore minerals have been formed from mesothermal fluids.
Based on field observations and evaluation of the examined samples, probably there is an
economic concentration of copper that could be found under the surface of the studied areas,
originated by the oxidation of covellite and the subsequent transportation of copper to a
subsurface zone of second cycle enrichment.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This contribution is an overview article based on research work of Iraq Geological
Survey, Iraqi universities and published papers of the author and various colleagues. The
author is grateful to Dr. Yousif O. Mohammad, Department of Geology, College of Science,
University of Sulaimani, Iraq, for his review and insightful suggestions and comments.

REFERENCES
Alavi, M., 1994. Tectonics of the Zagros Orogenic Belt of Iran: New data and interpretations:
Tectonophysics, Vol.229, p. 211 – 238.
Al-Bassam, K.S., 2007. Minerogenic map of Iraq, scale 1: 1000 000 2nd ed., GEOSERV, Baghdad, Iraq.
Al-Bassam, K.S., 2013. Mineral Resources of Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Iraqi Bul. Geol. Min., Vol.9, No.3,
p. 102 – 127.
Al-Hashimi, A. R. and Al-Mehaidi, H. M. 1975. Cu-Ni-Cr dispersion in Mawat Ophiolite Complex, NE Iraq.
Journal of Geological Society of Iraq, Special Issue, p. 37– 44.
Al-Hassan, M.E., 1987. Rare earth element pattern of layered gabbro of the Penjwin Complex, NE. Iraq. Ofioliti,
Vol.12, p. 437 – 444.
Awadh, S.M., 2006. Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Origin of the Lead-Zinc-Barite Deposits From Selectied
Areas, North of Zakho, Northern Iraq. Ph.D. Thesis, Baghdad University.
Barker, A.J., 2014. A Key for Identification of Rock-Forming Minerals in Thin Section. CRC Press, Boca Raton.
188pp.
Berberian, F. and King, G.C.P., 1981. Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran: Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol.18, p. 210 – 265.
Bodnar, R.J., 1993. Revised equation and table for determining the freezing point depression of H2O – NaCl
solutions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta, Vol.57, No.3, p. 683 – 684.
Campbell, I.H., Lesher, C.M., Coad, P., Franklin, J.M., Gorton, M.P. and Thurston, P.C., 1984. Rare earth
elements mobility in alteration pipes below massive sulphide deposits. Chemical Geology, Vol.45,
p. 181 – 202.
Craig, J.R. and Vaughan, D.J., 1981. Ore Microscopy and Ore Petrography. John Wiley and Sons. New York,
406pp.
Crawford, A.J., Falloon, T.J. and Green D.H., 1989. Classification, petrogenesis and tectonic setting of boninites.
In: A.J. Crawford (ed.), Boninites and Related Rocks: London, Unwin Hyman, p. 1– 49.
Dare, S.A.S, Barnes, S-J, Beaudoin, G., Méric, J., Boutroy, E. and Potvin-Doucet, C., 2014. Trace elements in
magnetite as petrogenetic indicators.Mineral. Deposita, Vol.49, No.7, p. 785 – 796.
Glennie, K.W., 2000. Cretaceous tectonic evolution of Arabia’s eastern plate margin: A tale of two oceans.
SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) Special Publication, Vol.69, p. 9 – 20.
Goldstein, R.H., 2003. Petrographic Analysis of Fluid Inclusions. Ch.2, in: Fluid Inclusions Analysis and
Interpretation, I. Samson, A. Anderson and D. Marshall, (eds.), Mineral. Assoc. Can., Short Course Ser.,
Vol.32, p. 9 – 53.
Hadi, A., Musa, E. and Al-Bassam, K.S., 2010. Genesis of copper-iron mineralization and the associated rocks in
Waraz area, Northeast Iraq. International Journal for Sciences and Technology, Vol.5, No.4, p. 27 – 47.

61
Copper Mineralization in Selected Areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq: A Review on
Mineralogy and Geochemistry Irfan O.M. Yara

Herron, M.M., 1988. Geochemical classification of terrigenous sands and shales from core or log data. J.
Sediment. Petrol., Vol.58, No.5, p. 820 – 829.
Hoefs J., 2009. Stable Isotope Geochemistry. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. 293pp.
Ilbeyli, N., Pearce, J.A., Thirlwall, M.F. and Mitchell, J.G., 2004. Petrogenesis of collision-related plutonics in
Central Anatolia, Turkey. Lithos, Vol.72, p. 163 – 182.
Jassim, S.Z. and Goff, C., 2006. Geology of Iraq. Published by Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, Brno,
341pp.
Kesler, S.E., 2005. Ore-Forming Fluids. Elements, Vol.1, No.1, p. 13 – 18.
Klein, C. and Hurlburt, C., 2002. Mineral Science. John Wiley and Sons. New York. 641pp.
Lufkin, J.L., 2010. Origin of Ore Textures: Porphyry Copper Deposits, Rocky Mountain. 62th Annual Meeting
of Geological Society of America (GSA), Vol.42, No.3, 1pp.
Maheo, G., Bertrand H., Guillot S., Villa I.M., Keller F. and Copiez P., 2004. The South Ladakh ophiolites (NW
Himalaya, India): An intraoceanic tholeiitic arc origin with implication for the closure of the Neo-Tethys.
Chemical Geology, Vol.203, p. 273 – 303.
Mirza, T.A. and Rashid, S.Gh., 2018. Mineralogy, fluid inclusions and stable isotopes study constraints on
genesis of sulfide ore mineral, Qala Diza area, Qandil Series, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Arab. J. of Geosci.,
Vol.11, 146pp.
Mirza, T.A., Kalaitzidis, S.P., Mohammed, S.H., Rashid, S.Gh. and Petrou X., 2017. Geochemistry and genesis
of sulphide ore deposits in Sharosh Village, Qandil Series, Kurdistan Region, NE Iraq, Arab. J. Geosci.,
Vol.10, 428pp.
Miyashiro, A. and Shido, F., 1975. Tholeiitic and calcalkaline series in relation to the behavior of Ti, V, Cr and
Ni. Am. Jour. Sci., Vol.275, p. 265 – 277.
Moghadam, H.S. and Stern, R.J., 2011. Geodynamic evolution of Upper Cretaceous Zagros ophiolites: formation
of oceanic lithosphere above a nascent subduction zone. Geological Magazine, Vol.148, p. 762 – 801.
Musa, E.O., 2007. Petrography, Geochemistry and Genesis of Copper-Iron Mineralization and Associated Rocks
in Waraz Area, Sulaimaniyah, NE Iraq. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, University of Baghdad, Baghdad,
155pp.
Nahab, M.Y., Fattah, A.S., Saffo, J.K. and Mohammad, S.N., 1979. Complex geophysical investigation for
copper mineralization at Mawat area. GEOSURV, int. rep. no. 938.
Nielsen, H., 1979. Sulfur isotopes. In: E. Jager and J. Hunziker (eds.), Lectures in Isotope Geology. Springer,
Berlin, p. 283 – 312.
O’Neill, H.S.C. and Palme, H., 1998. Composition of the silicate Earth: implications for accretion and core
formation. In: Jackson, I. (ed.) The Earth’s Mantle: Composition, Structure and Evolution, Vol.1. The
Ringwood. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. p. 3 – 126.
Ohmoto, H., 1986. Stable isotope geochemistry of ore deposits. Rev Mineral Geochem., Vol.16, No.1,
p. 491 – 559.
Ohmoto, H. and Rye, R.O., 1979. Isotopes of sulfur and carbon. In: Barnes, H.L. (ed.) Geochemistry of
Hydrothermal Ore Deposits, 2nd ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, p. 509 – 567.
Pearce, J.A., 1982. Trace elements characteristics of lavas from destructive plate boundaries. In: Thorpe, R.S.
(ed.), Orogenic Andesites and Related Rocks, John Wiley and Sons, New York, p. 525 – 548.
Pearce, J.A. and Gale, G.H., 1977. Identification of ore deposition environment from trace element geochemistry
of associated igneous host rocks. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ., Vol.17, p. 14 – 24.
Pearce, J.A. and Norry, M.J., 1979. Petrogenesis implications of Ti, Zr,Y and Nb variations in volcanic rocks.
Contrib. Min. Petrol., Vol.69, p. 33 – 47.
Pe-Piper, G., Tsikouras, B. and Hatzipanagiotou, K., 2004. Evolution of boninite and island arc theoliites in the
Pindos Ophiolite, Greece. Geol. Mag., Vol.141, No.4, p. 455 – 469.
Ramdohr, P., 1980. The Ore Minerals and Their Intergrowths. 2nd ed. Vol. 1 and 2. International Series in Earth
Sciences. Edited by Ingreson, D.E. Pergamon Press. Oxford. 1205pp.
Ramdohr, P., 1981. The Ore Minerals And Their Intergrowth. Pergamon Press., New York, 1202 pp.
Richards, J.P., Spell, T., Rameh, E., Razique, A. and Fletcher, T., 2012. High Sr/Y magmas reflect arc maturity,
high magmatic water content, and porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au. Potential: examples from the Tethyan arcs of
Central and Eastern Iran and Western Pakistan. Econ. Geol., Vol.107, p. 295 – 332.
Roedder, E.W., 1958. Technique for the extraction and partial chemical analysis of fluid-filled inclusions from
minerals. Econ. Geol., Vol.53, No.3, p. 235 – 269
Roedder, E.W., 1984. Fluid Inclusions. Mineral Soc. Am. Rev. Mineral., Vol.12, 644 pp.
Savov, I., Ryan, J., Haydoutor, I. and Schijf, J., 2001. Late Precambrian Bulkan-Carpathian ophiolite- a slice of
the Pan-African ocean crust?: Geochemical and tectonic insights from the Tcherni Vrah and Deli Joran
massifs, Bulgaria and Sebria. Jour. Volcano. Geotherm. Res. Vol.110, p. 229 – 318.

62
Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining Special Issue, No.8, 2019,
The Geology and Economic Potential of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of Iraq p 41  63

Scoates, J.S. and Mitchell, J.N., 2000. The evolution of troctolitic and high-Al basaltic magma in Proterozoic
anorthosite plutonic suites and implications for the Voisey’s Bay massive Ni-Cu sulfide deposit. Econ.
Geol., Vol.95, p. 677 – 701.
Seal, R.R. II., 2006. Sulfur isotope geochemistry of sulfide minerals. Rev. Mineral Geochem., Vol.61,
p. 633 – 677.
Sengör, A.M.C. and Yilmaz Y., 1981. Tethyan evolution of Turkey: A plate tectonic approach. Tectonophysics,
Vol.75, p. 181 – 241.
Shafaii, M. H., Stern R. J. and Rahgoshay, M., 2010. The Dehshir Ophiolite (Central Iran): geochemical
constraints on the origin and evolution of the Inner Zagros Ophiolitic Belt. Geological Society of America
Bulletin, Vol.122, p. 1516 – 47.
Shervais, J.W., 1982. Ti-V plots and the petrogenesis of modern and ophiolitic lavas. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
Vol.59, p. 101 – 118.
Silva, F.C., Chavet, A. and Faure, M., 1998. General features of the gold deposits in the Rio Itapicuru
Greenstone belt (Rigb, NE Brazil), discussion of the origin, timing and tectonic model. Revista Barsileira
de Geociencias, Vol.28, p. 377 – 390.
Smirnov, V.A. and Nelidov, V., 1962. Report on 1: 200 000 prospecting correlation of Sulaimaniyah, Chwarta,
Penjwin area, carried out in (1962). GEOSURV, int. rep. no. 290.
Sun, S. and McDonough, W.E., 1989. Chemical and isotopic systematics of ocean basalt: Implications for
mantle composition and processes. In Sauders, A.D. and Norry, M.J. (eds.), Magmatism in the Ocean
Basins. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ. Vol.42, p. 313 – 345.
Van Wagoner, N.A., Leybourne, M.I., Dadd, K.A., Baldwin, D.K, and McNeil, W., 2002. Late Silurian bimodal
volcanism of Southwestern New Brunswick, Canada: Products of continental extension. Geol. Soc. Am.
Bulletin, Vol.114, No.4, p. 400 – 418.
Vanecek, M., 1972. The principal metallogenic features of Iraq. Acta Universitatis Carolinne-Geologica, Vol.3,
p. 237 – 252.
Wilson, M., 1989. Igneous Petrogenesis. Unwin Hyman Ltd. London. 466pp.
Xu, J.F., Castillo, P.R., Chen, F.R., Niu, H.C., Yu, X.Y. and Zhen, Z.P., 2003. Geochemistry of Late Paleozoic
mafic igneous rocks from the Kuerti area, Xinjiang, Northwest China: Implications for back-arc mantle
evolution. Chem. Geol., Vol.193, p. 137 – 154.
Yara, I. and Mohammad, Y., 2018. Iron-copper mineralization associated with metagabbro in Mirawa Village,
Kurdistan Region, Northeastern Iraq, Journal of Zankoy Sulaimani, Vol.20, No.2, p. 95 – 108.
Yassin, A.T., Alabidi, A.J., Hussain, M.L., Al-Ansari, N. and Knutsson, S., 2015. Copper ores in Mawat
Ophiolite Complex (Part of ZSZ), NE Iraq. Natural Resources, Vol.6, p. 514 – 526.
Zhang, Z., Mao, J., Paul, R.T., Mei, F.Z., Zao, G., Yang, J., Wang, Z. and Zhang, Z., 2003. The Aoyougou
mafic-ultramafic complex in the North Qilian Mountains, Northwest China: A possible middle
Proterozoic ophiolite along the southern margin of the North China Craton. International Geology
Review. Vol.45, p. 1 – 16

About the author

Dr. Irfan O.M. Yara, Lecturer at the University of Sulaimani, Iraq. He

teaches undergraduate and postgraduate. Yara received his B.Sc. in geology
from Sulaimani University, Iraq (2002) and M.Sc. degree in Petrology from
the University of Baghdad in 2007, he got his Ph.D. degrees in
Geochemistry and Ore Geology from TU Bergakadimie Freiberg –
Germany in 2014. He taught in University of Kurdistan Hawler
(2015 – 2018) as visiting lecturer. Yara published about 8 papers in
petrology, ore mineralization, mineralogy and geochemistry in Iraqi and
regional journals.
e-mail: [email protected]

63