The Shaytor Apatite-Magnetite Deposit in the Kashmar-Kerman Tectonic Zone (Central Iran): A Kiruna-Type Iron Deposit

Abstract

The Shaytor apatite-rich iron deposit is located in the Kashmar-Kerman tectonic zone in the central of the Iranian plat, which is an important polymetallic belt in Iran. The ore bodies are interbedded with the upper inferacaamberian calc-alkaline igneous rocks that show well-preserved porphyritic and volcaniclastic textures. The iron ores have massive, disseminated, and brecciated structures. Magnetite from the Shaytor deposit is low in Ti (TiO2 = up to 0.70 wt.%) and different ore types show similar rare earth element (REE) and trace element-normalized patterns with weak-to-moderate enrichment in light REE and negative Eu anomalies, indicating a common source and genesis. The similar REE patterns for the magnetite and volcanic basaltic host rocks suggest their close genetic linkage and support a magmatic origin for the deposit. The Shaytor deposit shows the typical characteristics of Kiruna-type deposits with regard to the mineral assemblages, ore texture and structure, and the apatite and magnetite geochemistry. We propose that the Kiruna-type Shaytor apatite-rich iron deposit was derived from Fe-P-rich melt through liquid immiscibility and the activity of hydrothermal fluids.