Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rare native Ni, Fe, Cu, and Sn metals in Hemrin Basalt, northern Iraq: implications for mineral chemistry and ore genesis

  • Research
  • Published:
Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Hemrin Basalt (HB) is an abnormal occurrence because of its genesis, mineralogy, textures, rare native metals content, and odd geographic-geologic-tectonic setting. It occurs as a caprock for few NW/SE trending hills in a nearly flat-lying area. The HB is a high-K calc-alkaline, collision-related, continental-arc basalt and consists of diopside, labradorite and volcanic glass as the predominant constituents displaying rare firework and feathery textures. The accessory minerals in HB comprise small, discrete grains of native Ni, Fe, Cu, and Sn metals, and scattered grains of sulfides (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, molybdenite), oxides (magnetite, ilmenite, Cr-spinel), and apatite. These minerals occur as disseminated individual or composite grains of variable shapes within the groundmass of HB. Vesicle-filling secondary minerals are zeolite, calcite, anhydrite, and gypsum. The native metals were formed under reducing conditions. The reducing conditions were created as a result of assimilation of C- and S-rich sedimentary rocks by the ascending magma from the continental lithospheric mantle through the thick pile of sedimentary formations. The possible C- and S-rich rocks include the carbonates and evaporites of Fatha Formation and the Hemrin Coal Seam within the upper part of Injana Formation hosting the HB and overlying the Fatha Formation, and possibly the petroleum source, reservoir and caprocks forming the sedimentary column underlying the area. Assimilation of S from these rocks created sulfides, while assimilated C resulted in the formation of native metals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agafonov LV, Stupakov SI, Izoch AE (1989) Native metals and other minerals from panning halos of ultrabasic massifs of Mongolia. Giperbazitovye assotsiatsii skladchatykhoblastei (Ultrabasic Associations of Fold Areas). Nauka, Novosibirsk, pp 41–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali S, Mohajjel M, Aswad K, Ismail S, Buckman S, Jones B (2014) Tectono-stratigraphy and general structure of the northwestern Zagros collision zone across the Iraq-Iran border. J Environ Earth Sci 4(4):92–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ameri TK, Zumberge J (2012) Middle and Upper Jurassic hydrocarbon potential of the Zagross Fold Belt, North Iraq. Mar Petrol Geol 36:13–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ameri TK, Zumberge J, Markarian ZM (2011) Hydrocarbons in the Middle Miocene Jeribe Formation, Dyala Region. NE Iraq J Petrol Geol 34(2):199–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Bassam KS (2012) Mineral deposits and occurrences of the low folded zone. Geology of the Low Folded Zone. Iraqi Bull Geol Mining Special Issue(5):159–188

  • Barnes SJ, Ripley EM (2016) Highly siderophile and strongly chalcophile elements in magmatic ore deposits. In (eds. Harvey, J., Day, J.M.D.), Highly Siderophile and strongly chalcophile elements in high-temperature geochemistry and cosmochemistry. Rev Mineral Geochem 81:725–774

  • Barwary AM, Slewa NA (1991) The geology of Samarra quadrangle NI-38-6, scale 1:250,000. GEOSURV, Baghdad, Iraq

  • Basi MA, Jassim SZ (1974) Baked and fused Miocene sediments from Injana area, Hemrin South, Iraq. J Geol Soc Iraq 7:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird JM, Goodrich CA, Weathers MS (1981) Petrogenesis of Uivfaq Iron, Disko Island, Greenland. J Geophys Res 86(B12)(11):787–11,805

  • Borishanskaya SS, Vinogradova RA, Krutov GA (1981) Minerals of Kobal’t i Nikelya (Minerals of Cobalt and Nickel), Moscow MSU

  • Botto RI, Morrison GH (1976) Josephinite: a unique nickel-iron. Am J Sci 276(3):241–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buday T, Jassim SZ (1987) The Regional Geology of Iraq. Tectonism, magmatism and metamorphism. Iraqi Geological Survey. Baghdad v. 2, pp 351

  • Buslaeva EY, Novgorodova MI (1989) Element–organic compounds in the problem of ore matter migration. Nauka, Moscow, Russian

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamberlain JA, Mcleodr R, Traill J, Lachance GR (1965) Native metals in the Muskox intrusion. Can J Earth Sci 2:188–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corgne A, Wood BJ, Fei Y (2008) C- and S-rich molten alloy immiscibility and core formation of planetesimals. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 72:2409–2416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dekov V (2006) Native nickel in the TAG hydrothermal field sediments (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 26ºN). Space trotter, guest from mantle, or a widespread mineral, connected with serpentinization? J Geophys Res 111:B05103

  • Delura K (2005) Magnetite-nickel sulphides–awaruite association in serpentinites from Braszowice-Brzeznica Massif (Sudetic ophiolite, SW Poland), Polsk. Towarzystwo Mineralogiczne − Prace Spec. Mineralogical Society of Poland, Sp. Pap 197(26):149–152

  • Donaldson MJ (1981) Redistribution of ore elements during serpentinization of some Archean dunites, Western Australia. Econ Geol 76:1698–1713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunnington HV (2005) Generation, migration, accumulation, and dissipation of oil in Northern Iraq. GeoArabia 10(2):39–84. Reprint of AAPG. 1958 in “Habitat of Oil”, L.G. Weeks (ed.), AAPG, p.1194–1251. http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geoarabia/article-pdf/10/2/39/5441955/dunington.pdf

  • Etschmann P, Pring A, Putnis A, Grguric BA, Studer A (2004) A kinetic study of the exsolution of pentlandite (Ni, Fe)9S8 from the monosulfide solid solution (Fe, Ni)S. Am Mineral 89:39–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleet ME, Stone WE (1991) Partitioning of platinum-group elements in the Fe-Ni–S system and their fractionation in nature. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55(1):245–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis CA (1974) A crystallographic study of the FeS–NiS monosulfide solution. M.Sc. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

  • Francis CA, Fleet ME, Misra K, Craig JR (1976) Orientation of exsolved pentlandite in natural and synthetic nickeliferous pyrrhotite. Am Mineral 61:913–920

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich CA (1984) Phosphoran pyroxene and olivine in silicate inclusions in natural iron carbon alloy, Disko Island. Greenland Geochim Cosmochim Acta 48(5):1115–1126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich CA, Bird JM (1985) Formation of iron-carbon alloys in basaltic magma at Uivfaq, Disko Island: The role of carbon in mafic magmas. J Geol 93(4):475–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gressman TM, Szegeny I, Wilson WE (2010) Sperrylite from the Talnakh orefield, Noril’sk region: eastern Siberia. Russia Mineral Rec 41(2):31p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatert F, Burke EAJ (2018) The IMA–CNMNC dominant-constituent rule revisited and extended. Can Mineral 46:717–728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkesworth CJ, Lightfoot PC, Fedorenko VA, Blake S, Naldrett AJ, Doherty W, Gorbachev NS (1995) Magma differentiation and mineralisation in the Siberian continental flood basalts. Lithos 34:61–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howarth GH, Day JM, Pernet-Fisher JF, Goodrich CA, Pearson DG, Luo Y, Ryabov VV, Taylor LA (2017) Precious metal enrichment at low-redox in terrestrial native Fe-bearing basalts investigated using laser-ablation ICP-MS. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 203:343–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iacono-Marziano G, Marecal V, Pirre M, Gaillard F, Arteta J, Scaillet B, Arndt NT (2012) Gas emissions due to magma-sediment interactions during flood magmatism at the Siberian Traps: Gas dispersion and environmental consequences. Earth Planet Sci Lett 357:308–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jassim SZ, Goff JC (2006) Geology of Iraq. Brno, Czech Republic, Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, p 341p

    Google Scholar 

  • Jassim SZ, Karim SA, Basi M, Al Mubarek MA, Munir J (1984) Final Report of the Regional Geological Survey of Iraq, v 3, Stratigraphy. Geological Survey of Iraq

  • Kamenetsky VS, Charlier B, Zhitova L, Sharygin V, Davidson P, Feig S (2013) Magma chamber–scale liquid immiscibility in the Siberian Traps represented by melt pools in native iron. Geol 41(10):1091–1094

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanehira K, Banno S, Yui S, Botto RI, Morrison GH (1975) Heazlewoodite, and native copper in serpentinizet peridotite from the Mineoka district, southern Boso peninsula. J Japan Assoc Min Petrol Econ Geol 70(11):388–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keays RR, Lightfoot PC (2010) Crustal sulfur to form magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide deposits: evidence from chalcophile element signatures of Siberian and Deccan Trap basalts. Miner Deposita 45(3):241–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ketris MP, Yudovich YE (2009) Estimations of Clarkes for Carbonaceous biolithes: World averages for trace element contents in black shales and coals. Int J Coal Geol 78:135–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettanah YA (2021) Geology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Zarloukh Bentonite −Tuff deposit, Hemrin South Mountain, northern Iraq: implications for genesis and geotectonics. Turk J Earth Sci 30:973–989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettanah YA, Abdulrahman AS (2022) Petrography and geochemistry of sandstones from the Injana Formation, Hemrin South Mountain, Northern Iraq: Implications for provenance, weathering and tectonic setting. Geol J 57(5):2007–2023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettanah YA, Abdulrahman AS, Ismail SA, McDonald D, Al Humadi H (2021) Petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Hemrin Basalt, Northern Iraq: Implications for petrogenesis and geotectonics. Lithos 390–391(5–6):106109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettanah YA, Eble CE (2017) Petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry of Hemrin Coal Seam, Hemrin South Mountain, Northern Iraq. Int J Coal Geol 181:39–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klock W, Palme H, Tobsehall HJ (1986) Trace elements in natural metallic iron from Disko Island, Greenland. Contrib Mineral Petrol 93:273–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnarao JSR (1964) Native nickel-iron alloy, its mode of occurrence, distribution, and origin. Econ Geol 59(3):443–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krivolutskaya NA, Latyshev AV, Dolgal AS, Gongalsky BI, Makarieva EM, Makariev AA, Svirskaya NM, Bychkova YV, Yakushev AI, Asavin AM (2019) Unique PGE–Cu–Ni Noril’sk deposits, Siberian Trap Province: Magmatic and tectonic factors in their origin. Minerals 9(66). https://doi.org/10.3390/min9010066

  • Lan CY (1987) Nickeliferous opaque minerals associated with the East Taiwan ophiolite. Memoir Mem Geol Soc China 8:113–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen LM, Pedersen AK (2009) Petrology of the Paleocene Picrites and Flood Basalts on Disko and Nuussuaq. West Greenland J Petrol 50(9):1667–1711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, Ripley EM (2005) Empirical equations to predict the sulfur content of mafic magmas at sulfide saturation and applications to magmatic sulfide deposits. Miner Deposita 40(2):218–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, Ripley EM, Naldrett AJ (2009) A new genetic model for the giant Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits associated with the Siberian flood basalts. Econ Geol 104(2):291–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot PC, Hawkesworth CJ, Hergt J, Naldrett AJ, Gorbachev NS, Fedorenko S, Doherty W (1993) Remobilisation of the continental lithosphere by a mantle plume: major-, trace-element, and Sr-, Nd-, and Pb-isotope evidence from picritic and tholeiitic lavas of the Noril’sk District. Contrib Mineral Petrol 114(2):171–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot PC, Keays RR (2005) Siderophile and chalcophile metal variations in flood basalts from the Siberian trap, Norl’sk region: Implications for the origin of the Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide ores. Econ Geol 100(3):439–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medenbach O, El Goresy A (1982) Ulvospinel in Native Iron-Bearing Assemblages and the Origin of These Assemblages in Basalts from Ovifak, Greenland, and Bühl, Federal Republic of Germany. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80:358–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mungall JE, Brenan JM (2014) Partitioning of platinum group elements and Au between sulfide liquid and basalt and the origins of mantle-crust fractionation of the chalcophile elements. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 125:265–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naldrett IJ, Lightfoot PC, Fedorenko VA, Gorbachev NS, Doherty W (1992) Geology and geochemistry of intrusions and flood basalts of the Noril’sk region, USSR with implication for the origin of the Ni-Cu ores. Econ Geol 87:975–1004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nickel EH (1959) The occurrence of native nickel-iron in the serpentine rocks of eastern townships of Quebec province. Can Mineral 6:307–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Olade MA (2019) Perspectives on the recently discovered native nickel deposit in Dangoma, Kaduona State, Nigeria. Archievers. J Sci Res 2(1):8p

    Google Scholar 

  • Pernet-Fisher JF, Day JM, Howarth GH, Ryabov VV, Taylor LA (2017) Atmospheric outgassing and native-iron formation during carbonaceous sediment–basalt melt interactions. Earth Planet Sci Lett 460:201–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian G, Xia F, Brugger J, Skinner WM, Bei J, Chen G, Pring A (2011) Replacement of pyrrhotite by pyrite and marcasite under hydrothermal conditions up to 220 °C: An experimental study of reaction textures and mechanisms. Am Mineral 96:1878–1893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossetti P, Zucchetti S (1988) Occurrence of native iron, Fe-Co and Ni-Fe alloys in the serpentinite from the Balangero asbestos mine (western Italian Alps). Ofioliti 13(1):43–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudnick RL, Gao S (2014) Composition of the Continental Crust (Chapter 4): Treatise on Geochemistry, 2nd Edition), v. 4, p. 1–51

  • Ryabov VV (2007) Geodynamic control of trap magmatism and ore-formation (Siberian platform). In: Large igneous provinces of Asia, mantle plumes and metallogeny: International symposium, Novosibirsk, pp. 190–192. Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk

  • Ryabov VV, Lapkovsky AA (2010a) Unique polymineral association of Co-Ni and noble metal phases in gabbro-dolerite of the Dzhaltul trap intrusion (Siberian Platform). Dokl Earth Sci 434(2):1325–1329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryabov VV, Lapkovsky AA (2010b) Native iron (–platinum) ores from the Siberian Platform trap intrusions. Aust J Earth Sci 57(6):707–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandimirova EI, Sidorov EG, Chubarov VM (2016) Accessory iron and nickel minerals from the Mt. Poputnaya ultramafic massif, eastern Kamchatka, Russia. Geol Ore Deposit 58(7):586–593

  • Sidorov EG (1987) Native Ni-minerals in ultrabasic rocks. Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 295(6):1456–1459

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinton JM (1976) Compositional relationships of Fe-Ni alloy and coexisting phases in serpentinite, Red Mountain, New Zealand. Mineral Mag 40:792–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sissakian V, Fouad SF (2012) Geological Map of Iraq, 1:1,000,000 Scale Series: Geological Map Publication of GEOSURV, Iraq

  • Turekian KK, Wedepohl KH (1961) Distribution of the elements in some major units of the Earth’s Crust. Geol Soc Am Bull 72:175–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulff-Møller F (1990) Formation of native iron in sediment-contaminated magma: I. A Case Study of the Hanekammen Complex on Disko Island, West Greenland: Geochim Cosmochim Acta 54:57–70

    Google Scholar 

  • van Bellen RC, Dunnington HV, Wetzel R, Morton DM (1959) Iraq – Lexique Stratigraphique International, Paris, v. III, Asie, Fascicule 10a

  • Vymazalová A, Welch MD, Laufek F, Kozlov VV, Stanley CJ, Plášil J (2022) Sluzhenikinite, Pd15(Sb7-xSnx) 3 ≤ x ≤ 4, a new platinum group mineral (PGM) from the Oktyabrsk deposit, the Noril`sk deposits, Russia. Mineral Mag 86:577–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang C, Hirama J, Nagasaka T, Ban-Ya S (1991) Phase equilibria of liquid Fe-SC ternary system. ISIJ Int 31(11):1292–1299

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The whole-rock analysis of the studied HB was performed at the ACTLABS of Canada for which I am thankful. Thanks to Grant Wach for allowing the use of his labs and research facilities, Daniel MacDonald for his help in EMPA analyses, and Kenneth Martyns-Yellowe for language corrections of the manuscript, all from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Canada. I am grateful to both anonymous reviewers for reviewing the manuscript; their comments and suggestion were essential in improving the revised manuscript. This research was self-supported and did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Funding

This research is fully self-supported by the author who did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Yawooz A. Kettanah

Authors
  1. Yawooz A. Kettanah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yawooz A. Kettanah.

Additional information

Editorial handling: L. Bindi

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kettanah, Y.A. Rare native Ni, Fe, Cu, and Sn metals in Hemrin Basalt, northern Iraq: implications for mineral chemistry and ore genesis. Miner Petrol 117, 709–728 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-023-00840-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-023-00840-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation