The Cu-Mo±Au Mineralizations Associated to the High-K Calc-Alkaline Granitoids from Tifnoute Valley (Siroua massif, Anti-Atlas, Morocco): an Arc-Type Porphyry in the Late Neoproterozoic Series

Abstract

The Tifnoute valley Cu-Mo±Au mineral occurrences are located NW of Siroua massif in the central Moroccan Anti-Atlas. This mineralization appears to be associated to the Imourkhssan granite and the Asskaoun granodiorite dated respectively 561 ± 3 and 558 ± 2 Ma. These highly potassic granitoids show an arc signature and are in-placed in an extensional tectonic setting typical of the post-collision Late Pan-African period. In places, these rocks are strongly to slightly affected by hydrothermal alterations of phyllic, propylitic and argillic types with development of a pyritic facies around the Imourkhssan granite.

The mineralization can be divided into two types:

A molybdenite mineralization and some sulphides spatially linked to the Imourkhssan granite. It is disseminated in the granite or appears in lamellar or pluri-millimetric fragments. It also occurs as spots and nets along chloritized fractures planes oriented NNE-SSW and dipping 40 to 60 SE. The paragenesis consists of molybdenite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite.

Talat N’Lbnour Cu-Au mineralization linked to NS fractures affecting Askaoun granodiorite. The vein is about 0.5 to 2 m thick that extends about 400 m. The mineralized fractures are filled essentially with quartz, siderite and chlorite. Metallographic study reveals a diverse paragenesis that consists of pyrite, chalcopyrite, gold, bornite and chalcocite.

The secondary paragenesis consists of chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, malachite, azurite and hematite.

These features of these mineralizations are discussed in the context of an arc-type Cu-Mo±Au porphyry mineralization.

Keywords: Anti-Atlas, Siroua, Molybdenum, Copper, Gold, Porphyry.