Model: IOCG deposit. Mining operations began around 2020, with the deposit estimated to host approximately 3–5 Mt of iron ore with ore grading about 34–54 wt% Fe over an area of ~3 km2.
Older stratigraphic units are conformably overlain by Eocene sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks and are locally intruded by Eocene igneous rocks. Quaternary volcanic rocks and alluvial sediments, the youngest units, unconformably overlie older strata. The oldest exposed rocks in the south are metamorphosed sandstones (unit ES1). In the eastern zone, slightly metamorphosed sandstones and shales (unit ES2) form a medium- to thick-bedded greyish green to dark gray sequence with interbedded shale. Both ES1 and ES2 sedimentary rocks host localized Fe mineralization associated with several hydrothermal alteration types including sericitization (mineral assemblage including quartz and sericite), epidotization (quartz, epidote, chlorite, and actinolite), and chloritization (chlorite, quartz, and pyrite). The Fe ore is also affected by weathering and supergene processes, associated also with weathering or supergene processes including limonitization (limonite, goethite, and quartz) and hematitization (hematite, magnetite, and quartz). In northern of the deposit, there is a granitoid batholith from granite to granodiorite, and dispersed granitic stocks throughout the study area. The granitic stocks are prominently exposed in the centre part. The granitoid batholith and granitic stocks consist of a composite and multiple intrusive phases in the Sanandaj–Sirjan Structural Zone) and are interpreted as the primary magmatic source for the Fe mineralization in Shabdiz.
Four temporally distinct alteration–mineralization stages are recognized: (I) actinolite–plagioclase (AP), (II) biotite–K-feldspar (BF), (III) chlorite–epidote (CE), and (IV) quartz–pyrite (QP).

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References