Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
by
Graham M. Leroux
B.Sc., the University of Victoria, 2010
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
April 2016
Abstract
The Biga Peninsula in northwestern Turkey is part of the Western Tethyan Metallogenic Belt, known to be
one of the most prospective belts for porphyry and epithermal style copper and gold deposits in the world.
However, the limited spatial extent of mineral tenure boundaries around many deposits encumbers the
correlation of geological and structural features beyond tenure boundaries and to a district and regional
scale. High sulphidation epithermal Ag-Au-Cu and Au-Cu porphyry deposits in the Biga Peninsula are
hosted by two temporally discrete magmatic rock formations and are structurally reconfigured by
neotectonic faulting. New geological mapping between epithermal and porphyry deposits in the central
Biga Peninsula, coupled with petrographic characterization and geochronological constraints on
magmatism and mineralization, is used to correlate the Kkda and Kirazl high sulphidation epithermal
Au-Ag-Cu deposits across the TV Tower District and regionally. Identifying prospective magmatic
formations and relating structural controls on ore mineralization to regional structures will increase the
probability of new discoveries.
ii
Preface
In Chapter 1, a review of conceptual and theoretical literature relevant to the current project is
summarized by the author. Chapter 2 is based on work conducted in the field in the anakkale Province
of Northwestern Turkey and at the University of British Columbias Vancouver campus research facility by
the author who was responsible for collecting field data and analyzing that data after laboratory analysis.
Geochemical data was produced from field samples by ACME Labs in Vancouver. Analysis of that data
by the author was carried out using ioGAS computer software. Lithological and structural data collected
in the field was analyzed and presented using ArcGIS, OpenStereo and CorelDraw.
40
Ar/39Ar
geochronological analytical work was carried out by Janet Gabites at the Pacific Center for Isotopic
Research (PCIGR) at The University of British Columbia.
This project benefitted from the collaboration of Pilot Gold Inc. and Alamos Gold Ltd. geologists: Dr. Moira
Smith, April Barrios, Will Lepore, Hakan Boran and Methap Ozcan; they were fundamental in establishing
a scientific baseline for advancement in field research. Dr. Aleksandar Mikovi from the Mineral Deposit
Research Unit (MDRU) accompanied me in the field for five days in July of 2013 and two days in July 2014.
All the fieldwork for this thesis was conducted by the author during two seasons: April 1 Sept 1, 2013
and June 4 Aug 29, 2014.
Results contained in this thesis have been presented and published under sponsorship confidentiality until
May 1, 2016 as follows:
Technical Reports:
Smith, M., Lepore, W., Incekaraolu, T., Boran, H., Barrios, A., Leroux, G. M., Ross, K., Byksolak, A.,
Sevimli, A., and Raabe, K., [submitted], High Sulphidation Epithermal Au and Cu-Au Porphyry
Mineralization at the Karaayi Target, Biga Peninsula, Northwestern Turkey: Economic Geology, p.
1-35.
Leroux, G. M., Smith, M., Barrios, A., Raabe, K., Lepore, W., Mikovi, A. and Hart, C. J. R., 2013, Structural
and Geological controls on Epithermal Mineralization at TV Tower and Kirazl Projects, anakkale
Province, Northwestern Turkey (Field Report): In: Mikovi, A., and Hart, C. J. R. (eds.) Mineral
iii
Deposit Research Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: 1st Technical Meeting Report, Izmir,
Aug 23-25, 2013, p. 97 126.
Leroux, G. M., Smith, M., Barrios, A., Raabe, K., Lepore, W., Mikovi, A., and Hart, C. J. R., 2014, Broadcast
from TV Tower: Prospective Volcanic Stratigraphy for Epithermal Mineralization in the Central Biga
Peninsula, NW Turkey (Field Report): In: Mikovi, A., (eds.) Mineral Deposit Research Units
Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: 2nd Technical Meeting Report, Sofia, Aug 24-28, 2014.
Leroux, G. M., The TV Tower Au-Ag-Cu district of the central Biga Peninsula: Stratigraphy, structural
architecture and timing of hydrothermal activity: In: Mikovi, A., (eds.) Mineral Deposit Research
Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: Final Technical Meeting Report, Istanbul, Sept 1-2,
2015 p. 85 89.
Posters:
Leroux, G. M., Smith, M., Barrios, A., Lepore, W., Mikovi, A., Hart, C. J. R. and Raabe, K., 2014, Geological
Map and Structural Interpretation of TV Tower and Kirazl Prospects: Gold in the Biga Peninsula,
NW Turkey: at: Poster Sessions, AME BC Mineral Exploration RoundUp, January 26, 2014.
Leroux, G. M., Hart, C. J. R., Hart, Mikovi, A., Smith, M., Barrios, A., and Lepore, W., 2015, Stratigraphic
Mapping and Petrography of Kkda and Kirazl Epithermal Au-Ag Deposits, NW Turkey: at:
Poster Sessions, AME BC Mineral Exploration RoundUp, January 26 29, 2015.
Leroux, G. M., 2015, Petrographic Characteristics and Stratigraphic Correlation between Kkda and
Kirazl High Sulphidation Au-Ag-Cu Epithermal Prospects, NW Turkey: at: the Mineral Deposit
Research Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: Final Technical Meeting, Istanbul, Sept 1-2,
2015.
Leroux, G. M., 2015, MAP: Geology of the Kkda and Kirazl Epithermal Ag-Au Deposits and the
Columbaz Au-porphyry Deposit, Central Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey: at: the Mineral Deposit
Research Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: Final Technical Meeting, Istanbul, Sept 1-2,
2015.
iv
Presentations:
Leroux, G. M., 2013, Structural and Geological Controls on Epithermal Mineralization at TV Tower and
Kirazl Projects, anakkale Province, Northwestern Turkey: at: Mineral Deposit Research Units
Western Tethyan Metallogeny 1st Technical Meeting, Izmir, August 23-25, 2013.
Leroux, G. M., 2015, Prospective Volcanic Stratigraphy for Epithermal Mineralization in the Central Biga
Peninsula, NW Turkey: at: the Mineral Deposit Research Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny
Project: 2nd Technical Meeting, Sofia, Aug 24-28, 2014, and at: Student Presentations, AME BC
Mineral Exploration Roundup, January 28, 2015.
Leroux, G. M., 2015, The TV Tower Au-Ag-Cu District of Central Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey: Stratigraphy,
Structural architecture and timing of hydrothermal activities: at: Mikovi, A., (eds.) Mineral
Deposit Research Units Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project: Final Technical Meeting, Istanbul,
Sept 1-2, 2015 p. 90 - 96.
Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii
Preface ......................................................................................................................................................... iii
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... vi
List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................. viii
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... ix
List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... x
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................................... xi
Chapter 1....................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Justification and Objectives ................................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Epithermal Systems: Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................... 3
1.4 Regional Geological Setting ................................................................................................................ 6
1.4.1 Regional Tectonic Setting ............................................................................................................. 7
1.4.2 The Biga Peninsula Basement ...................................................................................................... 9
1.4.3 Cenozoic Magmatism ................................................................................................................. 10
1.5 Mineral Deposits in the Biga Peninsula ............................................................................................ 13
Chapter 2 Metallogeny of the TV Tower District, NW Turkey ................................................................. 17
2.1 Geological and Metallogenic Setting of the TV Tower District ......................................................... 17
2.1.1 Volcanic Rocks ............................................................................................................................ 20
2.1.2 Intrusive Rocks ........................................................................................................................... 25
2.1.3 Local Stratigraphy Epithermal and Porphyry Mineralization ..................................................... 27
2.2 Hydrothermal Alteration................................................................................................................... 31
2.2.1 Residual acidic alteration: vuggy quartz .................................................................................... 32
2.2.2 Advanced Argillic Alteration: Quartz, alunite, dickite and kaolinite .......................................... 34
2.2.3 Sericite, chlorite alteration ........................................................................................................ 34
2.2.4 Phyllic Alteration: Quartz, sericite and pyrite ............................................................................ 34
2.2.5 Propylitic Alteration: Chlorite, epidote, calcite, pyrite and magnetite ...................................... 35
2.2.6 Argillic Alteration: Kaolinite, Illite and white clay ...................................................................... 35
vi
vii
List of Tables
Table 1. Characteristics of end-member epithermal deposit types. ............................................................ 3
Table 2. Alteration and mineralization assemblages of the TV Tower District........................................... 32
Table 3. Age dates of magmatism and mineralization in the central Biga Peninsula ................................. 59
viii
List of Figures
Figure 1. Conceptual model of epithermal deposits..................................................................................... 5
Figure 2. Simplified geological distribution of metamorphic and magmatic rocks ...................................... 9
Figure 3. Simplified regional stratigraphic column of the Biga Peninsula .................................................. 10
Figure 4. Frequency distribution of U/Pb zircon magmatic ages ................................................................ 12
Figure 5. Magmatic and hydrothermal ages of the Biga Peninsula ............................................................ 15
Figure 6. TV Tower District stratigraphy and regional correlation. ............................................................ 17
Figure 8. TV Tower stratigraphic footwall rock photographs ..................................................................... 20
Figure 9. Petrography of EHFP rock unit. .................................................................................................... 21
Figure 10. Petrography of EDV rock unit. ................................................................................................... 23
Figure 11. Petrography of OKV rock units................................................................................................... 24
Figure 12. Petrography of EDT and OGD rock units. ................................................................................... 26
Figure 13. Petrography of Columbaz EHFP subunits .................................................................................. 27
Figure 14. Stratigraphic correlation of the northern TV Tower district ...................................................... 28
Figure 15. Kkda deposit, local rock types ............................................................................................ 30
Figure 16. Kirazl deposit, local rock units................................................................................................... 31
Figure 17. Textural styles of ore mineralization and ore-related alteration. ............................................. 33
Figure 18. Textures of ore-related alteration at Columbaz porphyry......................................................... 36
Figure 19. Mineralized stratigraphy of Kkda and Kirazl. .................................................................... 38
Figure 20. Petrography of silver zone mineralization. ................................................................................ 39
Figure 21. Petrography of stratiform gold mineralization. ......................................................................... 41
Figure 22. Mineralogy and textures characteristic of hydrothermal breccia mineralization. .................... 43
Figure 23. Mineralogy and textures of vein and micro breccia mineralization. ......................................... 45
Figure 24. Mineralogy and textures of phreatomagmatic mineralization at Kirazl. .................................. 46
Figure 25. Geochemical classification diagrams. ........................................................................................ 49
Figure 26. Rock/Primitive mantle REE spider plots of intrusive and volcanic rocks normalized values ..... 50
Figure 27. Molar ratio plot (2Ca + Na + K)/Al versus K/Al........................................................................... 51
Figure 28. Geochemical alteration plot. ..................................................................................................... 51
Figure 29. Structural domain map of the Kkda, Kirazl, Columbaz and Camelback deposits. ............. 55
Figure 30. U-Pb Concordia and Ar/Ar plateau diagrams for the samples determined in this study. ......... 60
Figure 31. Mineral deposit and magmatic host rock age correlation ......................................................... 63
ix
List of Abbreviations
PPL - Plane polarized light
XPL - Cross polarized light
RL - Reflected light
FOV - Field of view
SEM - Scanning electron microscope
SWIR - Short wave infrared
PIMA Portable infrared mineral analyzer
BSE - Back scatter electron
CL - cathode luminescence
fO2 Oxygen fugacity
LREE Light rare earth elements
Ab
Afs
Alu
An
Anl
Ang
Au
Aug
Bt
Bsm
Brt
Cal
Chl
Clv
Cp
Albite
Alkali feldspar
Alunite
Anorthite
Analcime
Angelsite
Native Au
Augite
Biotite
Bismuthinite
Barite
Calcite
Chlorite
Calaverite
Chalcopyrite
Cst
Cv
Dck
Ele
Eng
Ep
Fsp
Gn
Gth
Gp
Hall
Hbl
Hem
Ill
Jar
Cassiterite
Covellite
Dickite
Electrum
Enargite
Epidote
Feldspar
Galena
Geothite
Gypsum
Halloysite
Hornblende
Hematite
Illite
Jarosite
Kln
Kfs
Mag
Ms
Nac
Opx
Pl
Py
Qz
Rt
Scr
Ser
Sp
Ste
Te
Tnt-Ttr
Zrn
Kaolinite
K-feldspar
Magnetite
Muscovite
Nacrite
Orthopyroxene
Plagioclase
Pyrite
Quartz
Rutile
Scorodite
Sericite
Sphalerite
Stibioenargite
Native Te
Tennantite - Tetrahedrite
Zircon
Mineral abbreviations from Whitney and Evans (2010) with the exception of: Ang, Bsm, Clv, Cp, Hall, Scr,
Ste and Te, which were generated by the author for this thesis.
Acknowledgements
The conclusions of this work would not have been possible without the generous and continued support
of Pilot Gold Inc., Teck Resources Ltd. and Alamos Gold Ltd. It was a genuine pleasure to work with the
staff and contractors at these companies. Daily discussions with Pilot Gold geologists Dr. Moira Smith,
Hakan Boran, Alper Buyuksolak, Will Lepore, April Barrios, and Ken Raabe have been helpful in keeping
this study focused and consistent with the extensive knowledge they have of the study area.
I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. Craig Hart and Dr. Aleksandar Mikovi, at the Mineral Deposit
Research Unit (MDRU) for their support throughout this project; the manuscript has benefitted greatly
from their critiques. Mitacs International and SRK Consulting supported this work in form of an internship
and scholarship, respectively, and I thank them for their contributions. I would also like to give a special
thank you to my friends and family for the unwavering encouragement and kindness they have shown me
over the past three years.
xi
Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction
Epithermal gold, silver and copper deposits are recognized as a significant source of gold formed in the
upper crust (Kerrich et al., 2000). They contribute ca. 12% to global resources of gold (Robert et al., 2007)
and commonly include economically viable resources of other precious and base metals, including: silver,
copper, lead and zinc (Holliday and Cooke, 2007; Simmons et al., 2005). The epithermal environment has
been shown to be hydrothermally driven by mineralized porphyry intrusive rocks, therefore delineating
the stratigraphic and structural connection between epithermal systems and their porphyry source is
fundamental to effective exploration programs.
The Biga Peninsula in northwestern Turkey is a highly prospective region for epithermal and porphyry
style mineralization. With over 120 mineral deposits, 15 million ounces equivalent of gold defined and
numerous recent discoveries, the region justifiably has garnered attention (Bozkaya et al., 2016; Yiit,
2012; Smith et al., 2014). The area consists of Cenozoic intrusive and volcanic arc-related rocks including:
diorites, quartz diorites, dacites, basalts and epiclastic rocks which unconformably overlie a pre-Cenozoic
metamorphic basement rock assemblage. Episodic oceanic subduction, continental collision, spreading
and extension related to the interaction between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates since the
Cenozoic established the current structural and geological setting (Okay et al., 1996; Okay and Tysz,
1999; Okay, 2008). Metallogenic consequence of this tectono-magmatic history was the formation of high,
low and intermediate sulphidation (HS, LS and IS) epithermal Au-Ag (Cu, Pb, Zn) and structurallyconnected porphyry Cu-Au (Mo) deposits that are hosted in Eocene to Oligocene magmatic rock units.
The most notable of these deposits includes: the Halilaa porphyry; the Kkda, Kirazl, Ai Dai HS
epithermal and the Kuukdere LS epithermal deposits.
Kkda and Kirazl contain over 1 million ounces of gold and 39 million ounces silver (Ferrigno et al.,
2012; Hetman et al., 2014). Both deposits have morphological and mineralogical characteristics that
suggest a spatial, and potentially structural connection to a porphyry deposit at depth, yet prior to this
work, no such relationship had been identified. Isolated, deposit-only studies surrounding these deposits
has led to gaps in stratigraphic correlation between deposits. The gaps in knowledge result from individual
mineral tenure boundaries being smaller than the alteration footprint of the hydrothermal systems in the
region. Lithological and stratigraphic mapping and correlation across mineral tenure boundaries, done as
part of this thesis, now characterizes more of the extinct magmatic-hydrothermal systems that caused
1
base and precious metal concentration in the central Biga Peninsula. The resulting data can be used to
develop exploration targets at a local scale within restrictive tenure boundaries and more hypothetically,
to define areas with a high potential for mineralization at a district and regional scale.
The Kkda and Kirazl deposits are situated in the heart of an emerging and highly prospective district
dominated by the epithermal and porphyry style mineralization within in the TV Tower region of central
Biga Peninsula. This creates an ideal scenario to examine mineral deposit spatial distributions, temporal
evolutions and the relative importance of stratigraphic versus structural control on ore mineralization in
the context of a district scale hydrothermal system.
of structural and lithological controls on Au-Ag-Cu mineralization on the surface and in drill core.
Characterization of the host rock stratigraphy, alteration types and mineralization styles at Kkda and
Kirazl deposits creates a basis for comparison to other prospective targets in the TV Tower District.
Furthermore, by extrapolating the relationships between HS epithermal and porphyry mineralization in
the TV Tower District into a regional geological and metallogenic context, exploration programs can
rationalize their extent in a given area.
Epithermal Type
High-Sulfidation (HS)
Intermediate-Sulfidation (IS)
Low-Sulfidation (LS)
Veins, stockworks
Veins, stockworks,
replacement bodies,
disseminated bodies
hydrothermal breccias
Main proximal
alteration types
quartz, quartz-alunite
Main gangue
minerals
Silicification, quartz-sericite/illite
Silicification, quartz-adularia,
illite
Sulfide abundance
Sulfidation-state
Enargite/luzonite/famatinite
Fe, sphalerite
Fe, sphalerite
Ag-Au-Zn-Pb-Mn Cu
Au Ag Se Mo
indicators
Typical metal
Au-Ag-Cu Bi Te
signature
(Sillitoe, 2015)
Low sulphidation (LS) epithermal deposits typically form from meteoric fluids at near neutral pH, with
relatively low total S and base metal (Pb, Zn) content, whereas high sulphidation (HS) epithermal deposits
typically form from mixed magmatic and meteoric fluids with an acidic pH (< 2), relatively high total S and
3
high base metal content (Cu; White and Hedenquist, 1990). LS epithermal deposits are not structurally
connected, either by faults or fractures, to the parental magma chamber which ultimately drives their
convection (Sillitoe, 1993; Robert et al., 2007). In contrast, HS epithermal deposits develop directly above
or slightly offset from the sub-volcanic porphyritic intrusions they are structurally connected to (White
and Hedenquist, 1995; Robert et al., 2007). Intermediate sulphidation (IS) epithermal deposits have an
intermediate mineralogy between typical HS and LS epithermal mineral assemblages and form in
environments akin to both HS epithermal and LS epithermal (Table 1; Sillitoe, 2015; Einaudi et al., 2003).
The epithermal system classification schemes are underpinned by the concept of progressive zoning and
association of ore and gangue (i.e. alteration) mineral assemblages and textures as they relate to acidbase equilibria, or more directly, oxidation-reduction reactions between hydrothermal fluids and host
rocks (Sillitoe 1977; Hedenquist, 1987; Sillitoe and Hedenquist, 2003; Simmons et al., 2005). A
nomenclature based on hydrothermal fluid sulphidation state relates to the source of the hydrothermal
fluids (either magmatic or meteoric) and to the thermodynamic environment at their deposition. Further
discussions will use the widely accepted classification nomenclature: high-sulphidation (HS),
intermediate-sulphidation (IS), and low-sulphidation (LS), which relate mineral assemblages to the
concept of sulphidation state.
HS epithermal deposits are commonly rich in pyrite and have a sulphide mineral assemblage dominated
by enargite, luzonite, covellite-digenite, famantinite, tennantite-tetrahedrite and orpiment. Their
alteration assemblages are typified by alunite, kaolinite (dickite), pyrophyllite and residual vuggy quartz
(Arribas, 1995; Sillitoe, 1999). These mineral assemblages are reflective of oxidized, so-called highsulphur-bearing species (HSO4-, SO42-, and SO2) present in the ore-forming hydrothermal fluid (Einaudi et
al., 2003). They most commonly appear in calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and related epiclastic rocks
(Simmons et al., 2005).
In general, these deposits are found along magmatic arcs that are dominated by neutral to extensional
stress regimes where they are hosted within volcanic rocks that show a wide range in geochemical
properties, ranging from calc-alkaline andesite-dacite suites to tholeiitic bimodal basalt-rhyolite suites
(Sillitoe and Hedenquist, 2003). The geometry and size of ore bodies in an epithermal system is dictated
by the controls on permeability, lithology and structural framework. Vein, vein swarms, stockworks and
fault intersections are examples of structural controls on ore bodies. Hydrothermal breccia and diatreme
breccia ore bodies are examples of structural controlled components, while strata-bound ore bodies are
examples of the lithologically controlled components (Simmons et al., 2005).
4
Figure 1. Conceptual model of epithermal deposits. Schematic diagram of the typical tectonic environment, structure and fluid
sources of: (a) HS epithermal deposits; (b) LS epithermal deposits and; (a and b) IS sulphidation deposits (Caprubi and Albinson,
2007; Taylor, 2007; Sillitoe and Hedenquist, 2003).
Common to nearly all HS epithermal deposits and also found in porphyry copper deposits, is the presence
of vuggy silicified rocks. These rocks form by leaching of the host rocks by acidic hydrothermal fluids. The
resulting lithological expression is referred to as a lithocap and typically consists of horizontal to subhorizontal layers of residual quartz and hypogene advanced argillic alteration (Figure 1; Sillitoe, 1995).
Lithocaps can host Au-Ag-Cu mineralization, as well, the faults and fractures which invariably connect
lithocaps to a hydrothermal fluid source, often contain Au-Ag-Cu mineralization. The stratiform style
mineralization is the primary expression of lithologically-controlled ore deposition, whereas the position
and size of faults and fractures structurally controls ore deposition.
Advanced argillic alteration is characterized by the presence of quartz and alunite with halos of kaolinite
and dickite. This type of alteration contains appreciable pyrophyllite and diaspore at greater depths in the
HS epithermal deposit model (Figure 1). The transition from lithocap alteration to pyrophyllite-bearing
zones reflects the greater abundance of SO2 and HCl-bearing fluids exsolved from an intrusive source at
greater deposit depths (Sillitoe, 1999; Hedenquist and Taran, 2013). Where permeable lithological
horizons are intersected by fault and fracture sets, hydrothermal fluids infiltrate the country rock and
deposit alteration and ore-mineralization mineral assemblages. (Sillitoe, 2010). A genetic link between the
HS epithermal environment and underlying porphyry deposits has been observed at numerous deposits,
leading to a conceptual framework for the development of a HS epithermal deposit that includes porphyry
style mineralization at depth (Figure 1; Arribas, 1995; Sillitoe 1999; Hedenquist and Sillitoe 2003; Simmons
2005; Sillitoe, 2010).
In the Biga Peninsula, lithocaps are abundant throughout the Eocene and Oligocene magmatic rocks and
their resistive nature controls the topography as they are prominently exposed at the majority of hill tops
and mountains. The well-established genetic link between the lithocap, HS, and porphyry system
environments makes lithocaps ideal targets for metal exploration, moreover, they commonly preserve
the stratigraphic record beneath them. Geological mapping of the stratigraphy, structures and alteration
zones that define a given lithocap environment is therefore critical for establishing the prospectivity
potential for HS epithermal mineralization within a district.
in an active tectonic region characterized by back-arc extension related to the southward moving Hellenic
subduction system (Bonev and Beccaletto, 2007). The spatial and temporal distribution of Cenozoic
magmatic rocks shows a southward younging trend defined by two main episodes of magmatism between
41 36 Ma and 32 22 Ma, both accompanied by ore-mineralization. The most economically important
mineral deposits resulting from Cenozoic magmatism include epithermal Au-Ag (Cu), porphyry Cu-Au
(Mo) and base metal skarn systems (Figure 3).
1.4.1 Regional Tectonic Setting
The Biga Peninsula is a part of the Rhodope-Sakarya Tectonic Block, bounded to the south by the IzmirAnkara Suture Zone, which separates it from the Anatolide-Tauride Block, and to the north by the IntraPontide Suture which separates it from the Istanbul and Rhodope-Sakarya blocks (Figure 2, inset; Okay et
al., 1996; Okay and Tysz, 1999; Bonev and Beccaletto, 2007; Okay, 2008; and Yiit, 2009). Extension in
the northern Aegean region has been continuous since the late Cretaceous and is a result of continuous
Hellenic trench retreat (Le Pichon and Angelier, 1981; Jolivet and Brun, 2010; Jolivet et al., 2013). The
basement rocks in the Biga Peninsula record ductile syn-orogenic, ductile-brittle and brittle post-orogenic
deformation during two distinct periods: an early stage from Paleocene to early Eocene and a later stage
from Late Oligocene to Recent (Beccaletto et al., 2007).
Paleocene, NE-SW directed, syn-orogenic ductile kinematics are recorded as mineral stretching lineations
in the metamorphic domes in eastern Rhodope-Thrace and the Kemer mica schists of northern Biga
Peninsula (Bonev and Beccaletto, 2007; Beccaletto et al., 2007). The non-deformed Karabiga Pluton was
emplaced into the Kemer mica schists between 52.7 1.9 Ma and 47.02 0.82 Ma based on U-Pb
geochronology on xenotime and zircon respectively, thus establishing the lower limit for post-orogenic
extensional ductile shearing (Beccaletto et al., 2007; Altunkaynak et al., 2012).
Oligocene to Recent NNE-SSW directed, ductile-brittle and brittle extensional exhumation is recorded in
the southern Biga Peninsula by the Kazda Massif. There, a two-stage structural evolution consists of: a)
late Oligocene-early Miocene, low-angle detachment faulting and subsequent infilling of supradetachment grabens with epiclastic and volcanic rocks (Kkkuyu Fm.), and b) Pliocene-Holocene, strikeslip faulting related to the westward propagation of the dextral strike-slip Northern Anatolian Fault Zone
(NAFZ) as well as steeply dipping normal faults associated with neotectonic extension (Armijo et al., 1999;
engr et al., 2005; Cavazza, et al., 2009; Bozkurt, 2001).
Figure 2. Simplified geological distribution of metamorphic and magmatic rocks of the Biga Peninsula (modified from MTA, 2001).
Compilation of select mineral deposits and prospects (modified after Yiit, 2012). Compilation of relevant geochronological data
from various sources listed on figure. Compilation of relevant structural data (modified after Agdemir et al., 1994; Boztepe-Gney
et al., 2001; Duru, et al., 2012; Ekinci and Yiiba, 2012; Murakami et al., 2005). Map system: ED 1950, UTM Zone 35N; Projection:
Transverse Mercator. Geochronological references: 1. Yiit, 2012; 2. Agdemir et al., 1994; 3. Kuu I., 2013; 4. Murakami et al.,
2005; 5. Ercan et al., 1995; 6. Unal, 2010; 7. Beccaletto et al., 2007; 8. Aldanmaz et al., 2000; 9. Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008; 10.
Okay and Satir, 2000; 11. Delaloye and Bingl, 2000. Map inset modified after Okay et al., 1996; Okay and Tysz, 1999; Bonev
and Beccaletto, 2007.
Topographic depressions aligned along the NAFZ and related splay faults that propagate westward into
the Aegean Sea form pull-apart and composite pull-apart basins (Bozkurt, 2001; Aydin and Nur, 1982;
Rojay and Koyiit, 2012) such as the an and Bayrami basins. Their movement results in a gently
northward dipping regional stratigraphy and displacements along moderately to steeply dipping, dextraloblique and dextral wrench faults. There are no post-Oligocene metallic mineral prospects in the Biga
Peninsula, therefore the late-stage extension of the NAFZ has not established a structurally permissible
architecture for subsequent mineralization processes.
1.4.2 The Biga Peninsula Basement
Basement rocks of the Biga Peninsula are divided into three groups: i) the amlica metamorphic massif,
composed of quartz, mica schist with calc-schists, quartzite and slivers of harzburgite (Yilmaz and Karaik,
2001); ii) the Kazda metamorphic massif, composed of gneiss with marble intercalations and metaophiolite (Okay and Satr, 2000; Beccaletto et al., 2007), and iii) the Karakaya complex composed of low
grade, weakly to strongly deformed Permo-Triassic clastic rocks, carbonates and meta-conglomerates that
transition upward into Carboniferous to Permian limestones and debris flows of basalt (Bingl et al., 1975;
engr et al., 1984 and Okay et al., 1991; Okay and Altiner, 2004). Prominent exposures of basement rocks
occur along a NE SW directed trend controlled by Oligocene, extensional exhumation-induced, crustalscale detachment faults in the northern, west-central and southern Biga Peninsula. These structures are
related to back-arc extension within the Hellenic subduction system (Bonev and Beccaletto, 2007).
The amlica massif in the west-central and northern regions of the Peninsula has protolith ages of 582
30 Ma and 559 17 Ma (Ediacaran; Tun et al., 2012) and underwent medium to high-grade
metamorphism in the latest Cretaceous to earliest Paleogene (Beccaletto et al., 2007; and references
therein). In the south, the Kazda massif records a metamorphic history in two stages, an early eclogite
facies metamorphism in the Mid Carboniferous (308 16 Ma; Okay et al., 1996) and an amphibolite facies
metamorphism in the Oligocene to Early Miocene (Okay and Satr 2000; Duru et al., 2004; Cavazza et al.,
2009). The amlica and Kazda massifs are interpreted to be juxtaposed along a Paleotethyan (Okay et
al., 2008) or Intra-Pontide (Duru et al., 2012; Okay and Gncolu 2004) ocean suture; however, recent
9
field-based stratigraphic correlation and geochronology by Tun et al. (2012) does not support the
existence of a suture between the southern and northern Biga Peninsula; rather, they conclude a
continuum between the two. The Permian to Triassic Karakaya complex described in detail by Okay and
Gncolu (2004) unconformably overlies both the amlica and the Kazda massifs and marks the top of
the basement rock succession; it a useful complex to use for stratigraphic correlation throughout the Biga
Peninsula (Figure 4).
Figure 3. Simplified regional stratigraphic column of the Biga Peninsula geology. Modified from Yiit, 2012 and Duru et al., 2012,
and Integrated from sources cited in text. Sources for plutonism geochronology are given on Figure 2 and Appendix 4.
10
contemporaneous with well documented extensional exhumation of the Kazda Massif in the southern
Biga Peninsula.
The onset of Cenozoic magmatic activity in the Biga Peninsula occurred with the emplacement of the
Sevketiye pluton (71.9 1.8 Ma; K-Ar muscovite; Delaloye and Bingl, 2000), Karabiga pluton (52.7 1.9
Ma; U-Pb xenotime; Beccaletto et al., 2007) and Dikmen pluton (51.9 2.6 to 46.6 2.3; K-Ar whole-rock;
Yiit, 2012) into northern exposures of the amlica massif. Following these isolated intrusions, two
punctuated stages of calc-alkaline to mildly alkaline, plutonic and volcanic activity covered much of the
Peninsula. The most recent magmatic products, represented by high-K basalts, crop out near the town of
Ezine in the southern Peninsula and range in age from 11.3 8.4 Ma (Ercan et al., 1995; Kaymaki et al.,
2007 and Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008).
Geochronological data and field relationships suggest that post-collisional magmatic activity commenced
with intrusions defined by a calc-alkalic differentiation trend (Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008; Ercan et al.,
1995). The rocks are represented by shallow intrusions and medium to coarse grained hornblende,
feldspar porphyritic andesitic to dacitic lavas intercalated with ignimbrite flows, reworked ash-fall tuffs
and ash-block flow deposits (Gen and Yilmaz, 1997). Collectively this assemblage is referred to as the
Baliklieme Fm (Figure 4).
The Oligocene to Miocene an Volcanic Fm. conformably overlies the Baliklieme Fm. and consists of
andesitic, dacitic, rhyodacitic lavas with a calc-alkaline signature. Efforts to constrain the age of these
rocks have all focused on Ar-Ar and K-Ar methods, yielding a range of ages between 23.6 34.3 Ma
(Krushensky, 1976; Ercan et al., 1995; Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008; Yiit, 2012; and others). The best
exposures are found in the central and southern Biga Peninsula, where typically unaltered but locally
silicified and argillitized andesites and dacites crop out. Rhyodacitic lavas typically contain pyrite and form
discontinuous thin lenses within the andesite and dacite layers. Tuffs are often intensely argillitized and
silicified and are favorable horizons for the development of lithocaps, disseminated and infill
mineralization styles and propagation of hydrothermal quartz veins.
The Oligo-Miocene magmatism records a change in the nature of volcanism from calc-alkaline to more
high-K, trachyandesites and dacites with lesser basaltic andesites and basalts (Ercan et al., 1985, 1995;
Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008; Rojay and Szen, 2010). The dacites and trachyandesites in this group are
referred to as the Kirazl Volcanics, they are composed of a dark grey, green and black microcrystalline
groundmass containing abundant coarse euhedral phenocrysts of vitreous plagioclase, hornblende,
11
biotite, and rare olivine. These rocks yielded late Oligocene ages which overlap in time with the calcalkaline suite of the an Volcanics (Ercan, 1995). The more alkaline trachyandesites to basaltic andesites
and basalts have been dated with K-Ar and Ar-Ar methods, yielding ages between 27.6 - 31.4 Ma (Ercan
et al. 1985; Ercan et al., 1995).
Figure 4. Frequency distribution of U/Pb zircon magmatic ages in the Biga Peninsula since the Cretaceous. Source data listed in
supplementary tables in Appendix 4.
The Miocene andesitic to latitic lavas, tuffs, ignimbrites, dacites and rhyodacite crop out immediately west
of Etili and around Ayvaik. These rocks, known as the Behram Volcanics, are split into two groups: i)
augite, biotite, plagioclase-phyric andesites and; ii) plagioclase-phyric latites, dacitic to rhyodacitic quartzphyric lavas and ignimbrites (Borsi et al., 1972). These rocks have been described as high-K trachyandesite
to trachyte (Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008), and range between 19.6 and 21.9 Ma (Ercan et al., 1995;
Aldanmaz et al., 2000).
The Hseyinfaki Volcanics assemblage is composed of basalts, trachyandesite dykes and lava flows that
cross cut and overlie the Behram volcanics. Excellent exposures are seen around Ayvaik and on the west
flank of Kirazl. Compositionally, the Hseyinfaki Volcanics are similar to the Behram Volcanics as
12
described by Altunkaynak and Gen (2008), consisting of mildly alkaline trachyandesites and andesites
with abundant intercalated ignimbrites. They are composed of a fine grained, magnetic, feldspar microlitic
groundmass with rare augite and olivine phenocrysts. A wide range of ages are reported for this
formation, ranging between 15.2 and 19.7 Ma (Aldanmaz et al., 2000; Ercan et al., 1995; Altunkaynak and
Gen, 2008).
The most recent products of Tertiary volcanism in the Biga Peninsula are olivine basalts near the town of
Ezine (Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008; Ercan, 1995). Known as the Ezine Volcanics they are characterized by
distinctly higher alkalinity. Small exposures occur as fresh, black, basalt dykes and zeolite-filled
amygdaloidal lavas. These rocks were described by Alamos, (2007) as basalts with microlitic texture where
plagioclase (labradorite), olivine and Ti-augite and augite phenocrysts are set within a groundmass of
plagioclase microlites, small pyroxene crystals, opaques, iddingsite and volcanic glass. Age determinations
on these basalts show an age range between 8.4 and 11.3 Ma (Kaymaki et al., 2007; Ercan et al., 1995).
13
The Halilaa porphyry, discovered in 2007, is estimated to be the largest Cu-Au deposit in the Biga
Peninsula, with an indicated resource of 1,112,223,000 lbs. Cu and 1,665,000 oz. Au and a nearly
equivalent inferred resource (Gray et al., 2012). It is located in the central Peninsula, ca. 15 km north of
the Eviler pluton (Figure 2). Cu-Au mineralization is hosted in quartz, hornblende, feldspar porphyritic
andesites, and medium grained diorite, quartz diorite and monzonite dated to between 39.56 0.21 Ma
by the Re-Os method on molybdenite and 38.79 0.30 Ma by the U-Pb method on zircon (Brunetti et al.,
2015).
The Tepeoba porphyry was discovered in 2002, with a drill hole that shows an average grade of 0.5 % Cu
and ca. 1 g/t Au in the upper 100 m, and an average grade of 1 % Cu in the upper 53 m (Murakami et al.,
2005). The deposit is located at the southern margin of the Miocene Eybek granodiorite complex and
forms a 4 km long and 0.5 to 1 km wide contact metasomatic zone with breccia and Permo-Triassic
metamorphic and sedimentary rocks of the Kazda massif (Murakami et al., 2005; Yiit, 2012). Mineralized
breccia and vein zones in the Permo-Triassic rocks contain pyrite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, gold, bornite,
malachite, magnetite and Fe-oxides. Alteration mineralogy is controlled by the host lithology, such that,
biotite-rich (potassic) alteration is concentrated in breccia zones, surrounded by sericite, tourmaline,
epidote, chlorite and calcite in the metamorphic and sedimentary rock zones (Yiit, 2012). Re-Os age dates
on molybdenite indicate that hydrothermal activity at Tepeoba lasted 0.51 0.23 m.y. and occurred
between 25.62 and 25.03 Ma (Murakami et al., 2005).
LS epithermal deposits are concentrated in the central and southeast Peninsula and hosted within Eocene
and Oligocene magmatic rocks. They are economically important targets because of their potential to host
high-grade, low-tonnage deposits, exemplified by Kuukdere which contains 223,000 oz. Au in 1.406 Mt
of ore at 4.92 g/t Au (Koza Gold, 2006). Mineral deposits such as Kak, Koru and Arapucandere are
examples of IS epithermal deposits, however, their contribution to precious and base metals reserves is
minor relative to HS epithermal and porphyry deposits (Yiit, 2012).
HS epithermal deposits are by far the most numerous metal deposit types in the Peninsula and some show
a transition to a porphyry environment (i.e. Alankoy, Karaay, hypothesized for Kkda and Kirazl.) The
majority of HS epithermal deposits are clustered in the central Biga Peninsula, where regionally extensive
HS alteration zones are comparable to those seen at the world class Yanacocha HS epithermal Au-Ag-Cu
deposit in Peru (Sillitoe, 1999). In that region, the Ai Dai, Kirazl and Kkda deposits are the largest
classical examples of HS epithermal Au-Ag-Cu mineralization.
14
Figure 5. Magmatic and hydrothermal ages of the Biga Peninsula. Excluding metamorphic-related ages or older than 66 Ma.
Mineral prospect host rock ages are separated according to styles of mineralization. Source data listed in supplementary tables
in Appendix 4.
The Ai Dai deposit contains an indicated 942,312 oz. Au and 6,687,543 oz. Ag, making it the largest HS
epithermal deposit with a resource estimate (Ferrigno et al., 2012). It is hosted in Eocene and Oligocene
andesites, dacites, breccia, schists and overburden. Advanced argillic and vuggy silica alteration is
pervasive throughout the deposit and directly associated with Au-Ag mineralization. 40Ar/39Ar age dating
on alunite separates from advanced argillic alteration zones, yielded an age of 26.4 0.9 Ma (Yiit, 2012).
The Kirazl deposit contains an indicated 583,248 oz. Au and 9,295,713 oz. Ag and is comparable in size to
Kkda, which contains 470,000 oz. Au and 20,479,000 oz. Ag (Ferrigno et al., 2012; Hetman et al.,
2014). These two deposits are located in the TV Tower District of the Biga Peninsula and are hosted in
38.5 to 37.3 Ma basaltic andesites, andesites, breccia, tuffs and epiclastic rocks that were affected by
advanced argillic alteration. The age of mineralization at Kirazl is constrained to 30.7 1.5 Ma by a
40
Ar/39Ar age date on alunite from drill core (Yiit, 2012), whereas at Kkda, this study constrains
mineralization to between 29.7 and 29.2 Ma. Interestingly, the HS epithermal Au-Ag (Cu) mineralization
at these two deposits occurred up to ca. 9 years after host rock deposition.
Porphyry and epithermal style mineral deposits are products of Stage 1 magmatism, whereas Stage 2
magmatism produced abundant skarn style mineral deposits (Figure 5). The disparity between skarn
mineralization in the Eocene and Oligocene can be explained by examining the known geochronological
and structural constraints around three Pb-Zn Cu skarn deposits. The Handeresi, Bairkadere and
15
Frnckde Pb-Zn Cu deposits are hosted by carbonate layers in Permo-Triassic calcareous schists of the
Kalabak Fm which tectonically overlies the Kazda Massif in the southeast Peninsula region (Akiska et al.,
2013; Aysal et al., 2012).
16
Figure 6. TV Tower District stratigraphy and regional correlation. Explanation of the geology for the regional stratigraphic column
is presented in Figure 3. The Kkda and Kirazl HS epithermal deposits are indicated with red boxes within the northern TV
Tower district which includes geochronological constraints on crystallization and mineralization. Ar-Ar age dates on alunite
constrain the timing of HS epithermal mineralization whereas U-Pb age dates constrain the timing of intrusive and volcanic rock
crystallization. The K-Ar age date of the stratigraphic hangingwall may constrain the timing of crystallization or alteration. Central
Biga Peninsula Stratigraphy modified from Yiit, 2012). Geochronology age A is from Ercan, 1995 and age I is from Yiit, 2012;
all other reported age dates were determined as part of this study.
TV Tower geology is broadly considered in three units, pre- syn- and post-ore mineralization, as they relate
to the timing of epithermal and porphyry style mineralization: i) A pre-ore mineralization unit of quartz,
mica schists and phyllites, arkosic arenites and quartz pebble conglomerates, which together comprise
17
the footwall; ii) A pre- and syn-ore mineralization Eocene aged magmatic and epiclastic sequence of the
hangingwall which consists of diorite, quartz diorite, dacitic-andesite, andesite, dacite volcanics with
tuffaceous pyroclastic rock and a lacustrine-fluvial volcanisedimentary sequence; iii) A post-ore
mineralization Oligocene aged sequence of the upper most hanging wall which consists of dacites and
trachyandesites with dacite crystal tuffs and minor intercalations of sandy to granular epiclastic rocks
(Figure 6).
The Ediacaran (573 9 Ma) amlica Metamorphic massif forms the geological base to Kkda and Kirazl
HS epithermal deposits (Tun et al., 2012; Yiit 2012; Yilmaz and Karaik, 2001; Smith et al., 2014). These
rocks crop out in thin discontinuous slivers at the base of Kkda in the footwall of an ESE-striking,
steeply south-dipping normal fault and as continuous exposures east and southeast of Kirazl (Figure 7).
Compositionally they consist of medium to dark grey, well foliated, quartz mica schists and phyllites with
rare garnet porphyroblasts. Quartz-augens, stretched quartz veins, boudins, and strong ductile
deformation are distinct features of this unit (Figure 8. D, E). Medium to high-grade metamorphism
affected the amlica massif in the Cretaceous to earliest Paleogene period (Beccaletto et al., 2007; and
references therein). Local silicification hardens and seals the schist thus reducing its porosity, however,
alteration intensity rarely matches that seen in the overlying volcanic stratigraphy. The true thickness of
this unit is unknown due to strong deformation, detached and displaced outcrops and a hidden basal
contact, however Tun, 2012 estimates an apparent thickness of ca. 5000m. The upper contact of the
schists and phyllites is unconformably overlain by Permian to Triassic arkosic arenites, quartz pebble
conglomerates and polymictic lithic tuffs of the Karakaya complex that were affected by low grade
metamorphism (Okay and Gncolu, 2004).
Metamorphic clast-bearing conglomerates are a distinct sub-unit of the basement complex and they are
composed of sandy matrix to framework supported, rounded to subrounded pebbly sandstone, white
quartz, phyllitic schist, and silica-cemented red jasperiod clasts (Figure 8. A). The upper contact of the
conglomerates is gradational into a well-sorted sub-unit consisting of thinly to thickly bedded arkosic
arenites (Figure 8.B, C). The arkosic sandstone has a characteristic systematic blocky fracture pattern,
weakly disseminated pyrite, <5 modal % quartz grain abundance and a uniform medium grain size.
However, it can be strongly altered to a bleached, white to cream coloured variety where only minor
quartz-granules, remnant pyritic specs and granular composition can be used as distinguishing features
(Figure 8. C). Deformation intensity in the arenites and conglomerates is typically subtle, however, near
18
19
Figure 7. Geological Map the Kkda, Kirazl high-sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag-Cu epithermal prospects and the Columbaz
Au-Cu porphyry prospect. Detailed version of this map is available in the pocket at the back of the thesis.
Kirazl foliation is tight in a similar fashion to the quartz, mica schists below. Exposures of this sandstone
are best observed in Ksrelik Creek between Kkda and Columbaz, where continuous exposures are
unconformably overlain by polymictic welded lithic tuffs. The quartz, mica schists and the arkosic arenites
located east of Kirazl are correlated with those south and west of Kkda, forming the stratigraphic
footwall of the TV Tower district (Figure 6 and 6A).
Figure 8. TV Tower stratigraphic footwall rock photographs. A: Polymictic quartz-pebble conglomerate. B: Bedded arkosic arenite.
C: Fe-Oxide stained fractures typical in massive to thickly bedded intervals. D: Quartz boudins stretched along foliation plane in a
quartz-mica schist. E: Tightly folded regions of the quartz-mica schist are convoluted, displaying no observable trend. F: Massive
serpentinite with characteristic blocky fracture and soapy sheen.
Figure 9. Petrography of EHFP rock unit. A: Outcrop photo of a blocky, monolithic, auto-brecciated andesite flow. B: Outcrop photo
of a coherent porphyritic, diorite xenolithic-rich (inset), sub-volcanic andesite. C: Outcrop photo of fault controlled alteration of
the EHFP unit. EHFP is completely replaced by kaolinite-illite-sericite on one side of the fault, leaving the other relatively un-altered.
Inset images on either side of the fault show the difference in textures. D: Outcrop photo of a section of apparent pillow formations
in a coherent andesite flow. E: Hand sample showing the porphyritic texture of hornblende and plagioclase phenocrysts set in a
relatively fresh fine crystalline groundmass. F: Stained slab of E showing the relative abundance of albitic and anorthitic feldspars
including the strong selective sericite replacement of primary feldspars (pink phenocrysts). G: Crowded hornblende-plagioclase
porphyritic andesite, interlocking crystals are akin to sub-volcanic crystallization. H: XPL image showing a fine grained weakly
trachytic groundmass with trace disseminated opaques (magnetite). Euhedral and subhedral phenocryst are typical of this unit. I:
XPL image of a plagioclase phenocryst partially replaced by sericite. J: XPL image of a hornblende phenocrysts partially replaced
by chlorite and epidote. K: XPL image of a patchy zone of phyllic (quartz, sericite, pyrite) alteration, a feature pervasive proximal
to porphyry and HS epithermal mineralization.
EHFP is characterized by a light grey to green, weakly magnetic and trachytic groundmass, pitted and
embayed quartz phenocrysts and 15 30 modal % plagioclase and hornblende phenocrysts which are
often variably altered with sericite, epidote and chlorite. (Figure 9 E, F, G). In least altered samples,
plagioclase phenocrysts are typically 30 - 70 % replaced by sericite, whereas hornblende phenocrysts are
typically less than 5 % replaced by epidote and chlorite; although, complete epidote pseudomorphs of
21
hornblende are noted (Figure 9 H, I, J). Strong alteration of EHFP throughout the TV Tower district typically
obscures primary textures of this unit (Figure 9 C inset). Phenocryst pseudomorphs and stratigraphic
position are used to interpret an EHFP protolith in the absence of fresh or weakly altered outcrops.
The Dede Tepe Volcanics form a 50 - 200 m thick package of pre- and syn-ore mineralization interlayered
dacitic andesites, andesite breccias and crystal tuffs that conformably overlie the EHFP. This unit hosts HS
epithermal mineralization at Kirazl and is juxtaposed with quartz monzonite of the Camelback porphyry
(Figure 7). Three sub-units are identified within the EDV, from top to bottom: i) massive to thickly bedded,
greenish grey, auto-brecciated quartz, magnetite, hornblende, feldspar phyric dacitic andesite with a
phenocryst assemblage of typically 30 modal % plagioclase and 15 modal % hornblende and a fine grained
to aphanitic groundmass. Blebby agglomeratic magnetite and clear quartz grains rarely exceed 5 modal %
of the total phenocryst content; ii) buff to white coloured, massive to thickly bedded, plagioclase and
quartz crystal rich, dacitic lithic tuff, correlated with lithic tuffs hosting HS epithermal mineralization at
Kkda. Quartz grains, constituting up to 5 modal % of the total phenocryst volume, are a ubiquitous
feature of this unit; iii) andesite breccia compositionally equivalent to the EDV dacitic andesite flows,
characterized by in situ hydrothermal re-brecciation and a mosaic texture cemented by symmetrically
zoned pyrite, enargite, quartz, alunite and dickite. This sub-unit is the lowest known stratigraphic host to
the ore mineralization at Kirazl (Figure 6 F).
The post-ore mineralization stratigraphic hanging wall consists of the Oligocene (24.7 0.7 Ma) dacite and
trachyandesite of the Kirazl Volcanics (OKV; Figure 6). This unit conformably overlies the upper
stratigraphic successions of lapilli tuff (EQT) and reworked epiclastic rocks (EVS) grouped into the
Kkda Volcanic unit (EKDV) at both Kkda and Kirazl. The OKV forms a greater than 200 m thick
sequence of dacitic ignimbrites grading into columnar and blocky dacite and trachyandesite flows. The
unit is recognized as two sequences (OKVa and OKVb) separated by a layer of kaolinite and zeolite-rich
polymictic lithic tuffs and opaline deposits less than 3 m thick. The lower sequence (OKVb) is characterized
by weakly altered blocky flows with a dacite composition and the upper (OKVa) sequence by welldeveloped columnar jointing and a trachyandesite composition (Figure 11 A, J).
OKVb outcrops north of Kkda HS epithermal deposit and overlies the dacitic crystal lapilli tuffs (Map
unit: EQT) in the upper stratigraphy there. At the outcrop scale, coherent sections of the OKVb dacites
have poorly developed columns but a well-developed flow foliation fabric (Figure 11 J). Fragmental layers
comprise the majority of the unit, typically they are auto-brecciated blocky flows. Flow layer boundaries
are often marked by epiclastic horizons less than 20 m thick. At hand sample scale, a phenocryst
22
Figure 10. Petrography of EDV rock unit. A: Dede Tepe Andesite (EDV) characterized by fine-grained, medium green groundmass,
non-magnetic, trace disseminated pyrite, strong epidote, chlorite alteration, and moderate silicification. Vuggy quartz texture
develops locally. B: Fine to medium-grained hornblende-feldspar porphyritic andesite. Argillic alteration of felsic phenocrysts and
silicified groundmass are common features. C: PPL image of photo F showing a pervasive and patchy distribution of strong phyllic
(quartz, sericite, pyrite) alteration. D: PPL image of A showing strong propylitic (chlorite and epidote) altered euhedral hornblende
phenocrysts and epidote-albite altered felsic phenocrysts. E: PPL image showing a relict crowded porphyritic texture and selective
pyrite replacement of hornblende phenocrysts. F: Silicified, fine-grained, hornblende and feldspar porphyritic, pyrite-bearing,
phyllic altered andesite. G: XPL image of C showing the complete replacement of primary phenocrysts by sericite and a strongly
quartz, sericite and pyrite altered groundmass. H: XPL image of D showing epidote-albite replacement of primary felsic
phenocrysts and epidote-chlorite replacement of mafic phenocrysts. Quartz and sericite alteration of the groundmass is strong in
this sample. I: XPL image of E showing a strongly silicified groundmass, quartz pseudomorphs of felsic phenocrysts and selective
pyrite, chlorite and quartz replacement of mafic phenocrysts.
population of biotite, augite, oligoclase, anorthite is embedded in a fine grained crystalline magnetic
groundmass (Figure 11 K, L). Fracture-controlled hematite alteration of variable intensity is pervasive in
the groundmass (Figure 11 K, L, O, P). Phenocrysts are selectively affected by zeolite and epidote alteration
while the agglomerophyric nature of phenocrysts results in a mottled alteration texture (Figure 11 P, N,
R). In thin section, hematite alteration is observed to exploit the trachytic groundmass fabric (Figure 11
M). Oligoclase phenocrysts up to 2 mm in length display simple twins while anorthite phenocrysts are
typically normally zoned with albitic rims (Figure 11 Q).
23
OKVa trachyandesite outcrops north of the Kirazl HS epithermal deposit and conformably overlies
polymictic lithic tuffs found atop OKVb. Macroscopically, well-developed columnar joints and entablature
zones are the most prominent features of this sub-unit (Figure 11 A). In hand sample, fresh surfaces are
grey to dark bluish black, moderately magnetic and have a porphyritic texture (Figure 11 B, F). The least
altered sections of the trachyandesite contain ca. 15 modal % of phenocrysts comprised of biotite, augite,
alkali and plagioclase feldspar as well as augite set in a trachytic, magnetite-bearing groundmass of
microlitic plagioclase and fine grained augite, biotite and alkali feldspar (Figure 11 C, G). Weak alteration
is microscopically evident as partial epidote replacement of augite phenocrysts and partial to full
replacement of other phenocrysts with zeolite (Figure 11 D, H). Patchy zeolite (analcime) alteration of
microlitic feldspar groundmass and selective phenocryst replacement locally develops a blebby texture
similar to that observed in the OKVa sub-unit (Figure 11 E, I).
Figure 11. Petrography of OKV rock units. A: Outcop photo of columnar jointed trachyandesite (OKVa). The unit is characterized
by trachyandesite flows, auto-breccia and mudflows. Entablature zones are common. B: Hand sample photo of un-altered
trachyandesite. Typical appearance has buff coloured weathering surfaces and dark bluish-black fresh surfaces. Phenocryst
assemblages are most visible on the weathered surfaces. C: PPL image showing representative abundances, textures and
composition of phenocryst and groundmass assemblages. D: PPL image showing partial epidote replacement of augite
phenocrysts and partial to full replacement of other phenocrysts with zeolite (analcime). E: PPL image showing patchy zeolite
alteration of microlitic feldspar groundmass and selective phenocryst replacement. Biotite is intergrown with plagioclase and
forms a trace component in the groundmass. F: Hand sample photo of OKVa with weakly altered selective epidote replacement
of phenocrysts. Biotite, pyroxene, alkali and plagioclase feldspar phyric trachyandesite. G: XPL image of C showing interference
colour discrimination of augite from feldspar phenocrysts and un-altered fine-crystalline groundmass of lath shaped feldspar. H:
XPL image of D showing pyroxene-selective epidote alteration. I: XPL image of E showing un-altered OKVa phenocryst assemblage.
J: Outcrop photo of flow foliated section of OKVb dacite. K: Hand sample photo of OKVb with a pervasively hematite stained
24
groundmass. Mafic phenocrysts are selectively altered by white clay minerals. L: Hand sample photo of OKVb showing an
indistinguishable composition and texture to photo K ca. 2 km to the east. M: PPL image showing phenocrysts of subhedral Kfeldspar, anhedral plagioclase, secondary biotite and opaque magnetite. N: PPL image of diopside phenocryst showing weak
greenish colour and high relief, overgrowths of colorless low relief anhedral analcime, partially analcime replaced diopside. O and
P: Hand sample photo showing blebby zeolite and epidote alteration and hematite stained fractures. Q: XPL image of B showing
crystals of K-feldspar with simple twins, early plagioclase with anorthitic core and albitic concentric overgrowths, birdseyeextinction and interference colours of biotite, hematite staining in the groundmass. R: XPL image of E showing overgrowth of
analcime with very low first order interference colours and near isotropic optics, fracture-controlled Fe-oxide staining.
Figure 12. Petrography of EDT and OGD rock units. A: Hand sample photo of OGD granodiorite showing the quartz, hornblende,
feldspar porphyritic texture. This photo is taken proximal to local concentrations of disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite and
shows characteristic hematite groundmass staining, quartz veining, selective white clay alteration of phenocrysts and a weak
pervasive quartz-recrystallized groundmass. B: Crowded feldspar porphyritic quartz diorite to quartz monzonite of the EDT
intrusive stock. Here, weak clay and sericite alteration targets phenocrysts and groundmass. C: PPL image of B showing biotite,
epidote pseudomorphs and anorthite phenocryst assemblage. D: PPL image of A showing chlorite replacement of primary
phenocrysts and weak sericite alteration of the groundmass. E: XPL image of C showing the crowded porphyritic texture and
interlocking groundmass. F: XPL image of D showing the high order interference colours of epidote pseudomorphs (after
hornblende) and low order blue-grey interference colours of chlorite replacing hornblende.
The quartz diorite is greenish grey, with a fine crystalline magnetic groundmass. A euhedral phenocryst
assemblage consisting of <2 % quartz, 1-7 % hornblende and 10-20 % alkali and plagioclase feldspar
characterizes the intrusive phases of this rock (Figure 13 A, C). Fine-grained diorite dykes typically less
than 10 m thick rarely traverse Columbaz and are intensely propylitically and phyllitically altered similar
to coarser grained quartz diorite phases (Figure 13 E). A relatively high fracture density and abundant
26
hydrothermal alteration locally obliterates primary mineralogical and textural identifiers within the
mineralized zone to a point where alteration assemblages are indistinguishable (Figure 13 B, D).
Figure 13. Petrography of Columbaz EHFP subunits. A: Greenish-grey, hornblende-feldspar porphyritic andesite. Rounded xenoliths
of fine grained diorite and pebble-sized quartz-magnetite fragments are sparsely distributed throughout. B: Moderately chloriteepidote + quartz-sericite-pyrite altered weakly silicified, quartz-magnetite fragment bearing quartz-monzonite. C: Intrusive
contact between medium grained and coarse grained hornblende-feldspar quartz-diorite. D: Blocky quartz-epidote-magnetite rich
volcanic breccia cement supporting sub-rounded clasts of feldspar-phyric andesite. E: Greenish-grey, fine-grained anhedral
feldspar-phyric, non-magnetic diorite. Pervasive disseminated pyrite up to 5% is common. F: Greenish grey very fine grained
crystalline groundmass, quartz-hornblende-plagioclase phyric andesite. Hornblende phenocrysts are selectively replaced with
quartz-pyrite + epidote, feldspar phenocrysts are selectively replaced by sericite. G: XPL image showing characteristic phyllic
(quartz-sericite-pyrite) alteration of andesite porphyry groundmass. H: XPL image of phenocrysts pseudomorphed by sericiteepidote mantled by pyrite. I: XPL image of strongly quartz-sericite-pyrite + epidote altered groundmass, vuggy texture is partially
infilled with quartz. J: XPL image of embayed quartz phenocrysts, the only primary phenocryst to remain un-altered in zones of
strong phyllic and argillic alteration.
m to >100 m thick layers of lithologies above and below the FWFZ, which together represent a marker
horizon between Eocene (EHFP) and Oligocene (OKV) magmatism in the TV Tower district.
The basaltic andesite breccia (EKDV) intersected by drilling beneath the FWFZ at Kkda and exposed
at low elevations west of Kirazl is not mineralized (Figure 15 L). In thin section, the basaltic andesite
breccia has a trachytic groundmass and phenocryst composition similar to flow foliated basaltic andesites
intersected above the FWFZ. However, primary augite and plagioclase phenocrysts beneath the FWFZ are
pervasively altered to chlorite with epidote and sericite, respectively.
Figure 14. Stratigraphic correlation of the northern TV Tower district geology to the local stratigraphy of Kkda and Kirazl HS
epithermal deposits. Mineralization styles are indicated on the local stratigraphic columns and represent the relative position of
occurrence, these styles are discussed in detail in section 2.3
Conformably overlying the footwall andesite is a sequence of welded lithic tuff (EWT) which consists of
variably silicified and argillitized, crystal-rich tuffs. These rocks were intersected by drilling immediately
below the footwall fault and do not contain economic ore grades. The welded tuff is composed of porous
28
fiamme and rare jasperoid clasts supported in a crystal rich matrix. The upper contact of the welded tuff
is marked by the FWFZ, above which lies a < 10 m thick pyritic, micro-brecciated sandstone dipping north
along the FWFZ ultimately pinching out to the west and east of the deposit (Figure 15 I, J). Conformably
overlying the pyritic micro-breccia is a wedge shaped, polymictic, blebby dacitic tuff with poorly sorted
angular light and dark coloured lithic clasts supported in a crystalline tuffaceous matrix.
Sedimentary rock strata which lie above the blebby dacitic tuff are the most distinct horizons at Kkda
and are correlated with the upper most stratigraphic levels at Kirazl. Three main expressions are noted:
i) well-laminated mudstones and siltstones with sparse rounded lithics and discontinuous soft sediment
deformed lignite seams (Figure 15 E); ii) normally graded beds of sandstone and conglomerate with local
cross-bedding and soft-sediment deformation such as slumps, load casts, and differential density flame
structures (Figure 15 D); iii) weakly graded beds of rounded, polymictic, matrix to clast-supported pebbly
and sandy volcanic conglomerate (Figure 15 F).
Above the epiclastic rock package is a sequence of interstratified andesites, silty sandstones and
tuffaceous volcaniclastic rock that form a stratiform zone with chaotic texture. The chaotically textured,
coarsely fragmental andesite is composed of polymictic angular lapilli supported by a fine grained,
tuffaceous matrix. It grades into massive to weakly flow foliated porphyritic basaltic andesite with a
trachytic plagioclase-rich groundmass and 5-10 modal % magnetite, augite and agglomerophyric
plagioclase (Figure 15 C). Locally, orbicular textures are developed in the flow foliated basaltic andesite.
In these intervals, zoned alteration of alunite, dickite and kaolinite around monomictic andesite fragments
is common. The orbicular andesite is distinguished by concentric light and dark zones of clay alteration
zoning around subrounded monomictic andesite fragments and represents the upper limit to silver
mineralization (Figure 15 B). The flow foliated basaltic andesite grades into dacitic crystal lapilli tuffs (Map
unit: EQT) which mark the upper most lithology at Kkda.
The quartz grin crystal lapilli tuff (EQT) is pervasively oxidized with jarosite and goethite with the primary
textures often obliterated. Creamy white, intense kaolinite alteration of phenocryst and lithic fragments
is common. Quartz grains up to 5 mm across with rounded boundaries, in abundance of <5 % are a
distinguishing feature of the EQT unit (Figure 15 A).
Cross-cutting the stratigraphy are up to 100 m wide, matrix-supported polymictic breccia pipes. Angular
to sub-rounded fragments range in size from sand to cobble and are composed of the entire locally
observed lithologic spectrum. Fragments of the sedimentary rock package can be seen in the breccia more
29
than 100 m below their stratigraphic levels, as well fragments of the metamorphic basement are observed
up to 100 m above their stratigraphic levels. Ore mineralization is weak to non-existent in the breccias
which ultimately dilutes grade of the principal mineralized zones.
Figure 15. Kkda deposit, local rock types. A: (EQT) Rhyodacite tuff. B: (EKDV) Orbicular andesite breccia. C: (EKDV) Pyroxene
phyric andesite flow. D: (EVS) Graded siltstone-wacke. E: (EVS) Carbonaceous silt- and mudstone. F: (EVS) Polymictic epiclastic
rock. G: (ELT) Lithic tuff. H: (ELT) Blebby lithic tuff. I: Pyrite-network andesite breccia. J: (FWFZ) Footwall fault zone. K: (EWT)
Welded tuff. L: (EKDV) Basaltic andesite auto-breccia.
grained equivalents resemble tuffaceous rocks in strongly argillitized areas (Figure 16 G). Crystal-rich lithic
lapilli tuffs with white and dark grey lithic clasts are intercalated with the massive and brecciated varieties
of andesite and increase in thickness upward in stratigraphy. Advanced argillic alteration and epithermal
ore mineralization preferentially affects these intercalated tuffaceous horizons at the Kirazl deposit,
representing a lithologically controlled style of mineralization.
Overlying the in situ andesite breccias and quartz diorite sills is an epiclastic sequence of laminated
mudstones, carbonaceous siltstone, graded polymictic sandy granulestones and clast-supported pebble
conglomerates (Figure 16 A-D). These rocks crop out prominently on the summit of Kirazl Dai and are
typically strongly silicified. The granulestones and conglomerates at the Kirazl HS epithermal deposit have
a high permeability that is established by inter-grain fractures. Dickite, alunite and quartz replacement of
the cement in graded beds of polymictic sandy granulestone develops preferentially in strata proximal to
hydrothermal breccia shoots with a relatively high fracture density or inherent permeability.
Figure 16. Kirazl deposit, local rock units. A: (EVS) Polymictic pebble conglomerate. B: (EVS) Conglomerate. C: (EVS) Graded bed
epiclastic strata. D: (EVS) Carbonaceous sandstone. E: (EDV) Massive porphyritic andesite. F: (EDV) Monolithic volcanic breccia
andesite (mosaic breccia texture). G: (EDV) Porphyritic andesite flow.
spatially to reflect their position relative to the Ag-Au ore as: i) ore-related alteration; ii) ore-proximal
alteration; and iii) distal alteration (Table 1).
Table 2. Alteration and mineralization assemblages of the TV Tower District
Alteration
Mineral
Type
Assemblage
Vuggy Quartz
Qz, Py
Anomalous Au
ore-related
KCD, KZ
Advanced Argillic
Au:Ag up to 1:7
ore-related
KCD, KZ
Argillic
distal
Phyllic
Qz, Ser, Py
anomalous Cu-Au
ore-proximal
CO, CAM
Propylitic
anomalous Cu-Au
ore-proximal
CO
Sericite-Chlorite
Ser, Chl
ore-distal
ubiquitous
Supergene
Au:Ag up to 1:>1000
ore-proximal
KCD, KZ
Veins
n/a
n/a
KCD
Mineralization
Spatial
Group
Deposit
32
33
throughout the recrystallized quartz grains. Gold, silver and copper is deposited along with the sulphides
in the residual vugs (Figure 18 A).
2.2.2 Advanced Argillic Alteration: Quartz, alunite, dickite and kaolinite
Quartz, alunite, dickite and kaolinite alteration forms a hydrothermal cement in structurally controlled
vertical breccia shoots, as residual vuggy quartz infill, and pervasively throughout the high-grade gold
zones at Kkda and Kirazl. Alunite that forms as mineral infills or cement typically has well-developed
crystals observed to be cross-cut by veinlets of bluish dickite (Figure 17 G and Figure 18 B). Quartz, alunite,
dickite and kaolinite alteration occurs with assemblages of Ag-Au-tellurides, enargite, tennantitetetrahedrite and pyrite. (Figure 21 B, D and Figure 22 A, B). This type of alteration is present in nearly all
high-grade samples.
In a hand specimen, this alteration assemblage is also characterized by infill and replacement textures. At
both Kkda and Kirazl, alunite and dickite have pink and bluish hues, respectively. Characteristics so
common that colour is a useful mineralogical indicator in these two hydrothermal systems (Figure 18 C).
In thin section, hydrothermal breccia cement of alunite and dickite is observed to consist of discrete
aggregates of crystals 20 - 50 m in size (Figure 21 D and Figure 22 A, G, H). Within this alteration type,
dickite veinlets cross-cut alunite infilled vugs and also infill alunite lined vugs, indicating that alunite was
deposited paragenetically earlier than dickite (Figure 22 B, C).
2.2.3 Sericite, chlorite alteration
Sericite and chlorite alteration occurs distal to HS epithermal and porphyry mineralization centers at
Kkda, Kirazl and Columbaz. It generally lacks economic concentrations of metals and has a patchy
footprint that affects all pre- or syn-ore mineralized rock units. It extends several kilometers laterally from
the Columbaz porphyry and the Kkda and Kirazl HS epithermal deposits. Sericite replacement of
primary plagioclase and alkali feldspar phenocrysts. Pervasive chlorite in the groundmass and
replacement of amphibole phenocrysts can be observed in hand specimen. In thin section, the feldspar
and amphibole phenocrysts are typically between 30 - 60 % replaced by sericite and chlorite, respectively
(Figure 9 H, I, F).
2.2.4 Phyllic Alteration: Quartz, sericite and pyrite
Quartz, sericite and pyrite alteration is most prominent in drill cores from sections of EHFP at the
Columbaz deposit and in EDV, on the north side of Camelback porphyry. It is characterized by irregular
sericite and pyrite stringers typically less than 1 cm thick cross-cut by 1 10 mm curviplanar quartz veins
34
(Figure 18 E). The quartz veins are texturally massive at depths greater than ca. 200m, whereas at higher
topographic levels, they commonly include bladed quartz after calcite pseudomorphs and display a
partially developed crustiform banding. In thin section, phyllic alteration is observed to completely replace
both the groundmass and phenocrysts with quartz agglomerates, sericite and disseminated pyrite up to 5
modal % (Figure 18 F).
2.2.5 Propylitic Alteration: Chlorite, epidote, calcite, pyrite and magnetite
Chlorite, epidote, calcite and pyrite alteration is the most widespread alteration type in the TV Tower
district, found as an ore-related, ore-proximal and distal alteration. It occurs pervasively with variable
intensity throughout EKDV, EHFP and EDV stratigraphic units. In hand specimen, pervasive, ore-related
chlorite and epidote (propylitic) alteration of EHFP is overprinted by quartz, sericite and pyrite (phyllic)
alteration at Columbaz, indicating phyllic alteration is paragenetically later than propylitic alteration
(Figure 18 G). However, in thin section, chlorite forms fine-grained drusy coatings on quartz and sericite
altered substrate, as well, epidote infills drusy-chlorite cavities, indicating that phyllic alteration occurred
paragenetically earlier propylitic alteration (Figure 18 H). In the basaltic andesite unit (EKDV), above the
FWFZ at Kkda, calcite rather than epidote infills drusy chlorite cavities.
Weak but pervasive chlorite-rich groundmass alteration is a ubiquitous feature throughout the TV Tower
District intrusive and magmatic rocks (Figure 9 E). Magnetite veins with subordinate quartz, chlorite and
epidote were intersected by drilling at Columbaz and are typical at that deposit (Figure 17 I). Such
alteration typically forms fracture selvages 2 cm thick, containing residual vuggy quartz, pervasive
groundmass silicification and local zones of blebby dickite. These veins cross-cut pervasive chlorite and
epidote alteration, indicating they were emplaced after pervasive propylitic alteration which affected the
District.
2.2.6 Argillic Alteration: Kaolinite, Illite and white clay
A white clay mineral assemblage that includes kaolinite, illite, smectite, sericite, halloysite and
montmorillonite pervasively replaces the groundmass of EHFP, EDV and intercalated tuffaceous horizons
up to 200 m peripheral to the zones of advanced argillic alteration (Figure 18 J). This alteration typically
lacks sulphide minerals and is non-metalliferous. It occurs paragenetically later than quartz, cassiterite,
barite alteration associated with silver mineralization at Kkda and overprints ore-related alteration
assemblages at Columbaz and Kirazl.
35
In hand sample, this alteration is white to buff in color, pervasively present in the groundmass of volcanic
rocks while replacing cement in the TV Tower epiclastic rocks. In thin section, white clays appear
transparent and foggy under plane polarized light and fuzzy brownish grey in cross polarized views.
Individual crystals are indistinguishable in thin section therefore prompting SWIR analyses to determine
the OH-bearing, clay minerals (Appendix 1).
Figure 18. Textures of ore-related alteration at Columbaz porphyry. A: Residual Vuggy Quartz Alteration. B: Advanced Argillic and
Fe-oxide Alteration. C: Advanced Argillic Alteration. D: Phyllic Alteration: Quartz-sercite-pyrite. E. Phyllic Alteration: Quartzsercite-pyrite. F: Propylitic Alteration: Chlorite-epidote-sericite + quartz veins. G: Propylitic Alteration: Chlorite-epidote-sericite.
H: Magnetite-chlorite Alteration: magnetite vein network, pervasive chlorite dickite. I: Argillic Alteration: Kaolinite-illite-white
clays.
dominantly hematite, jarosite and goethite (Figure 17 A, B). An assemblage of hematite and acicular rutile
overprint advanced argillic alteration in the silver zone at Kkda and infills open spaces throughout
ore-bearing hydrothermal breccia pipes.
2.2.8 Calcite, Gypsum and Barite Veining
Veins of calcite, gypsum and barite contain only remobilized sulfides and show no textural or temporal
similarities to the alteration associated with either the HS epithermal or porphyry mineralization. Coarse
bladed barite veins up to 1.5 cm thick at Kkda exploit earlier enargite and pyrite veins (Figures 16. S
and 23. D). Similarly, coarse grained gypsum and calcite veins share a similar jagged and planar
morphology however, no crosscutting relationships were observed between the sets. Gypsum and calcite
veins carry no sulphide minerals and do not exploit earlier veins or fractures. As such, they are interpreted
to be paragenetically younger than the barite veins.
37
in this alteration zone have been exploited by subsequent mineralizing events. Episodic deposition of gold,
silver and copper-bearing sulphides and sulphosalts into previously developed vugs and within the
interconnected networks of fractures is the principle characteristic of stratiform mineralization at Kirazl
(Figure 14).
Figure 20. Petrography of silver zone mineralization. Mineralogy and textures of silver zone mineralization. A: Veinlets of
bismuthinite intergrown with bismuthian tetrahedrite with <1mm wide quartz selvages. B: Bismuthinite with anhedral inclusions
of bismuthian tetrahedrite and covellite infill. C: Patchy replacement of residual vuggy quartz texture by acicular rutile and
amorphous hematite. Alunite infills open spaces. D: Banded stibio-bismuthinite intergrown with quartz + alunite. Composite Agsulphosalt blebs are unevenly distributed throughout bands. E: Sulphosalt bleb. Rough concentric zoning, Ag-telluride rich core
with tetrahedrite grading outwards to bismuthian tetrahedrite. F: Ag-Te-S phase, possibly cervelleite, intergrown with bismuthian
tetrahedrite and tetrahedrite. G: Drusy vug lining and disseminated pyrite + enargite in recrystallized vuggy quartz. H. Weakly
subhedral pyrite and interstitial enargite. Open spaces and fractures are partially infilled with covellite. I: Rutile crystal with core
inclusions of pyrite, cassiterite and smaller rutile crystals. J: Pyrite and interstitial enargite + tennantite-tetrahedrite,
representative of the typical sulphide assemblage that replaces the host rock. K: BSE element map of microphotograph J
highlighting the distribution of antimony (Sb), used as a proxy for tennantite-tetrahedrite. L: BSE element map of microphotograph
J highlighting the distribution of arsenic (As), used as proxy for enargite.
39
assemblage consists of: pyrite, enargite, tetrahedrite, cassiterite, covellite, bismuth sulphosalts,
bismuthinite, silver-telluride (Cervelleite?), acanthite and argentite (Figure 20 E, F).
Quartz is the most abundant component in this assemblage, commonly observed to comprise greater
than 90 vol. % of the altered rocks. Pyrite grains with interstitial enargite selectively replaced host rock
fragments and formed subhedral drusy crystalline coatings in vugs (Figure 20 G). Rutile and cassiterite
were disseminated throughout the quartz and occur as inclusions and fracture infills (Figure 20 I). Fe-oxide
alteration including hematite, jarosite and goethite typically overprints the silver zone.
2.3. 2 Gold Zone: Gold-Copper Stratiform Mineralization
High-grade gold and copper mineralization is hosted by andesitic volcanic breccias, andesitic to dacitic
lapilli tuffs and minor reworked tuffs (EDV, ELT and EVS). Lithic tuffs (ELT) with highly porous or vuggy
texture and a silicified matrix are the most typical rocks associated with the stratiform gold and copper
mineralization. The tuffs are composed of up to 98 vol. % secondary quartz and display 10 to 20 volume
% vug-related porosity. Enargite and pyrite preferentially replace and infill fragments and vugs and
distinctly bladed rutile has replaced pyrite.
The bulk of this mineralization style occurs below the silver zone and forms a stratiform body within
strongly developed vuggy quartz alteration. Typical gold grades range between 5 and 25 g/t with maxima
in excess of 100 g/t where veins and micro-breccias occur. Very finely disseminated pyrite and alunite
replace the breccia framework clasts. The vugs are lined with enargite, covellite and native gold
surrounded by coarse pyrite.
Enargite is petrographically observed in solid solution mixtures with Sb-enargite and tennantitetetrahedrite, which together form local high-grade copper zones. Enargite is typically hosted within
recrystallized quartz grains. Individual enargite crystals are less than 500 m in length and occur as
disseminations within pyrite or as selective replacements of relict phenocrysts and as a vug infill. Enargite
and pyrite both have curviplanar and wormy dissolution textures that form an interconnected network
Galena occurs in trace amounts within the dissolution voids of enargite and pyrite.
Intense and pervasive silicification and recrystallization of the tuffaceous matrix are demonstrated by
highly annealed quartz crystals that form a microscopic network of vugs, many of which are lined with
coarse quartz at their inner margins before a sharp transition to dickite and kaolinite dominated cores.
40
Figure 21. Petrography of stratiform gold mineralization. A: Silicification and quartz recrystallization, embayed microcrystalline
quartz, pervasive disseminated and corroded pyrite-enargite. B: Vug infill assemblage: blocky enargite, quartz, bladed alunitequartz + kaolinite-dickite. C: Pyrite + Au-Ag-telluride phases have a similar infill texture. Tennantite-tetrahedrite is partially
replaced by a Au-Te-Ag phase (petzite?). D: Hydrothermal alteration of groundmass is domainal and patchy quartz-alunite +
dickite-kaolinte. E: Enargite fragment with pyrite + tennantite-tetrahedrite cassiterite overgrowths, surrounded by hydrothermal
clays + quartz. F: Au-Te-Ag phases interpreted as infill are focussed at margins of blocky enargite. G: Corroded enargite within
pyrite (black). Galena partially infills dissolution vugs and tennantite-tetrahedritte is differentiated to enargite rim. H: Blocky
enargite + tetrahedrite inclusions. Gold and Au-Te phases are focussed near fractures. I: Enargite overgrown by pyrite. Fractures
infilled with a native Au + minor Te, late-stage fractures are infilled with Te + minor Au. J: Brecciated enargite remobilized in hydrothermal quartz-alunite cassiterite. Phases of Au-Ag-Te (Petzite?) infill sulphosalt cavities. K: Quartz-brecciated enargite has core
of gold and auriferous tellurides that replace enargite. L: Enargite overprinted(?) by Ag-Te phase (hessite?). Ag-Te phase
surrounded by pyrite, enargite and a halo of S-Cl-Sb + Ag-Te.
41
High-grade gold values are positively correlated with arsenic however, the relationship is not exclusive, as
elevated concentrations of arsenic also occur in the absence of significant Au mineralization in some
intervals. Lead, silver, and to a lesser extent bismuth also show positive correlations with gold. No silverbearing minerals have been directly observed within the stratiform gold zone at Kirazl, yet high-grade
silver is encountered locally in the gold zone (Figure 19).
2.3. 3 Gold-Copper-Silver Breccia Mineralization
The Kkda gold, copper, and silver-bearing breccia zone is a steeply dipping, narrow feature that cuts
across lapilli tuffs and overlying reworked volcanics. It is framework supported and characterized by the
presence of relatively angular clasts cemented by an advanced argillic mineral assemblage. The clasts are
polymictic, typically reflecting the composition of the host rocks. The hydrothermal breccias of Kirazl are
near vertical shoots that crosscut stratigraphy and increase in width from 5 10 m at depths near 200 m,
to over 100 m in width at the surface. These breccia shoots crop out extensively at the summit of Kirazl
Dai and constitute the most significant source of ore.
Breccias here are characterized by angular to sub-rounded, sand to cobble-sized fragments and a
mineralogically highly variable cement. The cement is composed of quartz, dickite, alunite, illite, jarosite,
goethite and scorodite. Silicified vuggy fragments are common and presumably consist of intensely
altered equivalents of the host stratigraphy. Zoned Fe-oxides and successive pulses of silica, Fe-sulphides
and advanced argillic assemblage suggests an energetically passive environment of formation. Mineral
texture relationships observed in the breccias indicate enargite, luzonite and minor tennantitetetrahedrite are overgrown by alunite in a colloform and comb texture and subsequently brecciated by
quartz, dickite and kaolinite. Occasionally, marcasite is observed overprinting enargite, chalcopyrite and
bornite (Figure 22 D).
2.3. 4 Gold-Copper-Silver Vein and Micro-breccia Mineralization
Sheeted sets of steeply dipping enargite, pyrite, alunite and quartz veins at Kkda have the highest
gold contents in the TV Tower district. The veins are 1-15 mm thick and occur in swarms that are hosted
by lithic tuffs (ELT) and to a lesser extent by overlying reworked volcaniclastic rocks (EVS). They crosscut
earlier pervasive advanced argillic mineral assemblages and contain vuggy silica selvages that permeate
into the host rock for ca. 10 times their thickness. Gold concentration ranges between 2 and 10 g/t,
although bonanza grades of up to 880 g/t and containing visible gold have been intersected by drilling.
42
Figure 22. Mineralogy and textures characteristic of hydrothermal breccia mineralization. A: Brecciated enargite fragments
supported by hydrothermal cement of alunite + kaolinite. B: Massive enargite fragment overgrown by alunite. Kaolinite + quartz
further brecciates hydrothermal cement, remobilizing alunite. C: Remobilized dogs-tooth alunite in kaolinite + quartz cement with
interstitial hematite + rutile. D: Chalcopyrite bornite intergrown with enargite. Blocky, euhedral marcasite overgrows enargite.
E: Fractures within enargite banded on fragment margins are infilled with tennantite-tetrahedrite + Ag-Au tellurides phases. F:
Element map highlighting the distribution of gold and silver phases in fractures with euhedral quartz. G: Brecciated fragment edge
of enargite overprinted by marcasite-pyrite, surrounded by alunite + kaolinite. H: Hydrothermal cement composed of domainal
kaolinite-dickite + alunite. I: Tennantite-tetrahedrite exsolution from enargite in brecciated massive sulphide fragment. J: Blocky
enargite overgrown by zoned alternating marcasite-pyrite +enargite. K: Growth zoning of enargite with marcasite-pyrite.
Blackened areas are quartz and kaolinite. L: Element map used as proxy for mineral distributions: Orange = enargite, Green =
pyrite, Blue = quartz, Purple = Kaolinite.
43
Micro-breccias at Kirazl are 1 - 10mm in width and show a high degree of cataclasis. The cement and
matrix-supported breccia are composed of 60 % cement, 20 % matrix and 20 % clasts. The matrix is
composed of <1 mm sized quartz and pyrite altered host rock fragments and fragmented pyrite.
Comminuted blocky fragments of pyrite and quartz are scattered amongst the breccia cement which
contains native gold, electrum, calaverite, galena and native-tellurium mineral phases. These ore-bearing
minerals occur as trace component in the breccias or form overgrowths on comminuted pyrite grains.
Calaverite and native gold are intergrown with one another and show a similar distribution pattern to
galena and other Te-bearing sulphosalts. Native gold and electrum are intergrown with Te-bearing
sulphosalts. This type of mineralization style is marked by anomalous enrichments of lead and zinc and
minor enrichments of silver. However, there is no correlation of arsenic with gold, a feature observed in
the gold zone at both Kirazl and Kkda (Appendix 1).
The micro-breccias cross-cut zones with stratiform mineralization and are interpreted to have formed
later. Bonanza gold grades are coincident with occurrences of micro-breccia. Therefore, the bonanza gold
deposition appears to have occurred with the micro-breccia and took place paragenetically later than the
gold and copper deposition typically found in stratiform mineralization zones.
2.3. 5 Gold-Bearing Phreatic Breccia Mineralization
The phreato-magmatic breccia units at Kirazl crosscut the entire stratigraphic column and represent the
last stage of mineralization. Relatively deep sections (200 m depth or greater) of this breccia have welded
and ragged clast textures and deformed juvenile magmatic clasts suggesting a phreato-magmatic origin.
Welded sections are mineralized with pyrite, enargite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite,
galena and angelsite. Gold grades are highly variable through this unit and range between nil and up to
50 ounces per ton. Disseminated pyrite and enargite that comprise rock-flour matrix are associated with
high gold values however, it is where hydrothermal brecciation overprints phreatic brecciation that
highest grades are encountered.
The breccia is characterized by matrix to cement-supported, fine sand to lapilli sized, polymictic clasts that
are weakly to moderately aligned, elongated and are re-brecciated by hydrothermal fluids and brittle
fractures. The majority of the ore-bearing minerals are found within the breccia cement. Brittle fractures
and residual quartz vugs are commonly infilled with crystalline dickite, nacrite and minor quartz. Fine
grained, strongly recrystallized quartz appears blurred in thin section and intergrown with crystalline
dickite and nacrite. Coarse quartz grains are scattered throughout the cemented matrix and partially or
completely infill irregular shaped voids.
44
Figure 23. Mineralogy and textures of vein and micro breccia mineralization. A: Inner vein margin, enargite with colloform pyrite.
Bladed alunite forms at the boundary between massive enargite and kaolinite. B: Au-Ag telluride phase is overgrown on enargite
margins in contact with alunite-quartz. C: Corona textured prismatic pyrite forming agglomerates overprinting coarse barite. D:
Enargite brecciated by coarse bladed barite brecciated blocky enargite. Corona and prismatic pyrite crosscut barite. E: Prismatic
pyrite found only in the vein whereas blocky anhedral pyrite is disseminated only in the groundmass. F: Enargite is intergrown
with tennantite-tetrahedrite. G: Colloform pyrite intergrown with blocky enargite within vein cores. H: Au-Te phase partially
replacing enargite in contact with alunite infill layers. I: Recrystallized quartz groundmass of vein host rock. Au-Te phases occur in
contact with selective disseminated pyrite grain margins. J: Hydrothermal breccia veinlets cross cut strong quartz pyrite alteration.
K: Native gold with minor electrum and Gn + Ag-bearing lead sulphosalts are deposited on the margins of comminuted pyrite
grains. L: Red = gold-rich tellurides, purple = pyrite, Yellow = silver-rich tellurides (hessite?), green = Kaolinite, blue = quartz, light
blue = alunite.
.
45
Figure 24. Mineralogy and textures of phreatomagmatic mineralization at Kirazl. A: Residual vuggy quartz texture of matrix. B:
Illite, kaolinite and dickite breccia cement with enargite, pyrite and sphalerite grains seen between recrystallized quartz fragments.
C: Brecciated enargite with jarosite, pyrite-filled fractures and pyrite on the outer margin of the enargite. D: Sulphide-composite
fragment in quartz and kaolinite hydrothermal cement. Enargite with galena inclusions overgrows pyrite. E: Sphalerite with galena
mantle. Enargite and pyrite have equilibrated grain contacts. Dickite is main component of the hydrothermal cement. F: Cubic
pyrite in breccia cement has pyrite overgrowths and interstitial galena + barite. Galena and barite are not intergrown. G: Weakly
developed chalcopyrite disease in sphalerite with minor enargite inclusions. Dickite is the main cement component. H: Pyriteinterstitial enargite-stibioenargite + tennantite-tetrahedrite. Dickite and kaolinite are interstitial to composite sulphosalt grains.
I: Elemental proxy for mineral distribution: green = As-bearing sulphosalts, red = pyrite, blue = dickite-kaolinite, white = galena. J:
Galena intergrown with embayed sphalerite. Alunite is brecciated by kaolinite. K: Sphalerite-galena + secondary reaction rim of
enargite + stibioenargite + anglesite. L: Elemental proxy for mineral distribution: yellow = kaolinite, pink = pyrite, orange =
enargite, purple = galena, blue = sphalerite, green = alunite.
46
Scattered sphalerite crystals within the hydrothermal cement are overgrown and embayed by galena.
Sphalerite is subject to weak oxidation that resulted in oxide staining around many sphalerite crystals.
Angelsite occurs on the outer rims of galena or as isolated broken fragments. In hand sample, enargite
forms dark- and honey-brown (luzonite) crystal aggregates that are not microscopically distinguishable.
Blebby inclusions of tennantite-tetrahedrite, <100 m in size, are found within the enargite crystals.
Subhedral, growth-zoned, cubic pyrite occurs in the hydrothermal cement while the sulphosalt
assemblage is typically found interstitially.
2.4 Geochemistry
Geochemistry of the Kkda Kirazl igneous rocks was characterized by analyses from 63 samples
selected from the mapped units. Wide range of the loss on ignition values (LOI), from <1 to 19 wt. %,
reflects extensive hydrothermal alteration to which the TV Tower district was subjected. Post-ore
mineralization dacites and trachyandesites of the Oligocene Kirazl Volcanics (OKV) are the only
consistently unaltered rocks and are classified on a Total Alkali versus Silica diagram (Na2O + K2O versus
SiO2). However, the alkalis are observed to be mobile during water-rock interactions in the pre- and synore mineralization Eocene units throughout the TV Tower District. Therefore, a Pearce trace element
discrimination diagram was used for anhydrous geochemical classifications of the variably altered Eocene
units (i.e. EHFP, EKDV, EDV, EDT) (1996; Figure 25).
2.4.1 Chemical classification of magmatic rocks
Eocene intrusive and volcanic units which host porphyry and epithermal mineralization in the northern
TV Tower district are classified as andesites, basaltic andesites, basalts, diorite and quartz diorite (Figure
25 A). These plots indicate Zr/Ti and Nb/Y ratios of EHFP generally behave as immobile element ratios and
plot in the same location regardless of alteration. However, the Nb/Y ratio in EDV significantly increases
within 500 m of the Kirazl HS epithermal deposit, a result that incorrectly classifies the rocks as
trachyandesite and monzonite. The skew in EDV rocks is likely a result of Y depletion associated with orerelated alteration of feldspar and the breakdown of accessory minerals in regions of intense alteration
(Van Dongen et al., 2010; Figures 25 C).
Basalt and basaltic andesites (EKDV) above and below the FWFZ at Kkda, are petrographically and
geochemically distinct from EHFP and EDV units. The basalt and basaltic andesite flows stratigraphically
overlie EHFP and the two units plot as discrete groups on the Y versus Zr discrimination diagram of
MacLean and Barrett (1993), suggesting EKDV has a tholeiitic affinity while EHFP displays transitional calcalkaline series (Figure 25 C).
47
48
Figure 25. Geochemical classification diagrams. A: Trace element discrimination diagram log log (Zr/Ti) vs (Nb/Y) of Pearce (1996).
Filled and hollow symbols represent fresh and altered rock, respectively. B: Total Alkali versus Silica diagram of Le Maitre (1984).
Dacites and trachyandesites of the OKV unit are the only lithology in the TV Tower not affected by porphyry and epithermal style
alteration, therefore in this case, major oxide discriminants are suitable for rock classification. C: Y versus Zr discrimination
diagram of MacLean and Barrett (1993). Volcanic rocks above and below the FWFZ at Kkda plot as a distinctly tholeiitic series
whereas rocks at Columbaz and Kirazl are transitional to calc-alkaline series. Notice the altered (hollow symbols) EDV are depleted
in Y, as a result, altered samples are skewed left in this plot. One fresh sample from EDV plots similarly to EHFP.
The Oligocene OKVa, b units stratigraphically overlie Kirazl and Kkda. They cover an area greater than
100 km2 immediately north of the deposits. They were emplaced ca. *24.7 Ma and therefore after oremineralization and related alteration which occurred ca. 29.7 29.2 Ma (*Altunkaynak and Gen, 2008).
Geochemically the lower volcanic flow unit (OKVb) plots as a dacite, gradationally transitioning to upper
flow layers of trachyandesite characterized by columnar jointed outcrops, laharitic and dacitic tuffs (OKVa;
Figure 25 B).
2.4.2 REE and multi-element characterization
The two uppermost stratigraphic units in the TV Tower district (OKVa, b) show the highest light rare earth
element (LREE) enrichment while the younger of these two has a strong negative Eu anomaly, indicative
of plagioclase fractionation from the melt (Figure 26 A). Stratigraphically below OKV, the basalt and
basaltic andesites (EKDV) have weak LREE enrichments and relatively smooth primitive mantle normalized
patterns, similar to enriched MORB (Piercy, 2007; Figure 26 C). Transitional to calc-alkaline intrusive an
volcanic rock units EHFP, EDV and EDT show strong LREE enrichment akin to a volcanic arc tectonic setting
(Figure 26 B, D).
2.4.3 Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Alteration
White clay alteration is widespread throughout Eocene rocks in the TV Tower district. This alteration
typically bleaches outcrops to a white-cream colour and obliterates primary magmatic textures. A
portable near-infrared spectrometer used to differentiate the OH-bearing alteration mineralogies
identified: kaolinite, illite, smectite, dickite, alunite, montmorillonite and halloysite as the most typical.
The least altered samples used as benchmarks for assessing alteration were selected based on
petrographic observations described in the previous section and the molar ratio plot (2Ca + Na + K)/Al
versus K/Al (Warren et al., 2007; Figure 27). On the molar ratio plot, least altered samples do not exhibit
Ca and Na depletions typically associated with plagioclase alteration to muscovite (sericite), illite and
kaolinite. The quartz diorites, andesites and tuffs (EDV) that host Kirazl ore-mineralization, are the most
altered of all the sampled rocks due to their close proximity to the deposit. They have a pervasive
alteration mineralogy of quartz, kaolinite, dickite, illite, sericite, chlorite, alunite and pyrophyllite. The
49
Figure 26. Rock/Primitive mantle REE spider plots of intrusive and volcanic rocks normalized values from Sun and Macdonough
(1989). A: Oligocene dacites and trachyandesites of the Kirazl Volcanics. B: Fresh rock samples from the Eocene quartz diorite at
Kirazl (EDV) and at Camelback (EDT). B: Eocene basalts and basaltic andesites comprising the Kkda Volcanics. D: Eocene
diorite, quart diorite and andesites (EHFP) which represent the most widespread magmatic unit in the TV Tower.
diorite, quartz diorites and andesites (EHFP) as well as the basalts to basaltic andesites (EKDV) have
experienced variable Ca and Na loss reflective of plagioclase alteration to sericite, kaolinite and illite. As
expected, the Oligocene dacites and trachyandesites (OKVa, b) do not show evidence of argillic (quartz,
kaolinite, illite and chlorite) or advanced argillic (quartz, dickite, alunite and pyrophyllite) alteration
signatures which characterize the host Eocene rocks (Figure 27).
The Ishikawa Alteration Index (AI; 100 x (K2O + MgO)/(K2O + MgO + Na2O + CaO); Ishikawa et al., 1976)
reflects the abundance of chlorite, sericite and feldspar destruction associated with CaO and Na2O
depletions. The AI value generally increases toward zones of phyllic alteration, with values >90 near
Columbaz and Kirazl. This trend reverses with progression to advanced argillic alteration, where AI values
fall to <50 (Figure 28). This reversal reflects low pH alteration of ferromagnesian minerals (mainly chlorite),
K-loss and a change from lower temperature alteration minerals such as muscovite and kaolinite in the
distal alteration zones to higher temperature phyllosilicates such as pyrophyllite in ore-proximal zones.
50
Figure 27. Molar ratio plot (2Ca + Na + K)/Al versus K/Al of Warren et al. (2007). The least altered box indicates the region on the
plot where rocks will plot if they have undergone little to no changes to their Ca, Na, K or Al content. Altered samples (hollow
symbols) will plot toward a region defined by a given mineral composition (i.e. chlorite, kaolinite, illite, K-mica, smectite, Kfeldspar, plagioclase, albite and biotite).
Figure 28. Geochemical alteration plot. The AI versus AAAI box plot has indices defined by the Ishikawa Alteration Index (AI; 100 x
(K2O + MgO)/(K2O + MgO + Na2O + CaO) of Ishikawa et al. (1976), and the Advanced Argillic Alteration Index (AAAI; 100 x
SiO2/SiO2 + (10 x MgO) + (10 x CaO) + (10 x Na2O)) of Williams and Davidson (2004). The plot illustrates the alteration
geochemistry characteristics of mineralogical changes associated with advanced argillic alteration zones in high sulphidation
systems.
51
The Advanced Argillic Alteration Index (AAAI; 100 x SiO2/SiO2 + (10 x MgO) + (10 x CaO) + (10 x Na2O);
Williams and Davidson, 2004) is used to quantify strong SiO2 enrichment and destruction of chlorite,
feldspar and carbonate (if present), related to ore related alteration. Thus, the AI vs. AAAI diagram
illustrates the geochemical trends characteristics of advanced argillic alteration zones in high sulphidation
systems (Figure 28; Hedenquist et al., 1994).
is observed to correspond to the intersection trend established by three of the major fault trends in that
area, indicating that these are pre or syn ore-mineralization structures. Intersections of these major
structures that host hydrothermal breccia are the best locales for significant ore deposition and certainly
at the summit of Kirazl Dai, structural intersections of this type are ubiquitous.
Bedding of volcanic and epiclastic strata that hosts HS epithermal and porphyry mineralization is
measured directly in the field and using three-point solutions from drill core intersections. Additionally,
bedding in fine grained epiclastic rocks targeted by lithocap-style alteration at the top of Kkda and
Kirazl can be measured indirectly by taking the intersection of silicification cooling joints as the pole to
bedding.
2.5.2 Local Structural Setting
In the central Biga Peninsula, multiple HS epithermal and porphyry mineralization deposits are recognized
(Yiit, 2009 and 2012). The geometry of fault and fracture sets at these deposits controls the position of
where hydrothermal pathways are established. Such pathways are the principle way in which oremineralized breccias are formed and ore-bearing minerals are introduced to stratiform horizons. Post oremineralization faults have disjointed the stratigraphy and reconfigured many deposits. For example, the
Eocene aged Halilaa porphyry ca. 15 km south of Kkda is believed to be truncated by post oremineralization faults that removed theoretically high-level porphyry mineralization (pyrite and
chalcopyrite), from the hypothesized core-level porphyry mineralization (chalcopyrite and bornite). The
Columbaz and Camelback porphyry systems share a similar history in that, HS epithermal mineralization
predicted to lie theoretically and stratigraphically above core-level porphyry style ore-related alteration
and mineralization, has been displaced northward along moderately dipping, recurring, normal-sense
shear zones. Nowhere is this more evident than in drill core from Kkda HS epithermal deposit where
a, moderately northeasterly dipping fault zone (FWFZ) sharply truncates all styles of Au, Ag and Cu
mineralization (Figure 19 and Figure 30).
Stratigraphy in the TV Tower is classified into domains characterized by local differences in the attitude of
their structures (Figure 29). Domains 1 and 2 are characterized by extensive brittle extensional faulting.
Many similarities in fault geometry exist in domain 1 and 2, however, variations in fault attitude result in
different attitudes of near-vertical, high-permeability fault intersection zones. Domain 3 is reserved for
pre ore-mineralization and pre-Cretaceous ductile deformation that acted on the metamorphic basement
rocks. Systematic fault sets in the TV Tower area have of three main trends in strike: i) NW-SE; ii) NE-SW;
iii) E-W, and a fourth subordinate N-S directed minor fault set.
53
54
Figure 29. Structural domain map of the Kkda, Kirazl, Columbaz and Camelback deposits. Domain one includes the Kkda
HS epithermal, and Columbaz porphyry deposits. Domain two includes the Kirazl HS epithermal, and Camelback porphyry
deposits. Domain three outlines the pre-Cretaceous rocks affected by ductile deformation prior to emplacement of the host rocks
to ore mineralization.
E-W, normal-sense faults have a mean displacement direction trending N11W in structural domain 1
(Columbaz-Kkda). Similarly oriented faults in structural domain 2 at Kirazl, have a mean displacement
direction of S36E, and W25S at atalkaya. Kinematic indicators on E-W oriented faults indicate two
senses of motion, one plunging moderately to steeply SW and one plunging shallowly ENE. These two
orientations provide evidence for ENE wrench style dextral faulting and SW oblique-slip normal faulting
on the E-W structures. A similar comparison on NE-SW faults indicates they have a mean displacement
vector trending N, plunging 65 in structural domain 1; whereas in structural domain 2 (Kirazl and
atalkaya), NE-SW faults have two distinct displacement vectors which are analogous to the mean
displacement observed on E-W faults. In contrast, the NW-SE faults have considerably fewer wrench-type
displacement indicators and are typically characterized by normal and oblique-slip kinematic indicators.
2.5.2.1 Domain 1: Kkda and Columbaz
Volcanic and epiclastic rocks that host HS epithermal and porphyry mineralization are shallowly tilted to
the north at a regional scale. Local variations of bedding exist due to tilting, rotating and brittle
deformation associated with faulting. At Kkda and Columbaz, shallowly dipping bed attitudes are
preserved in laminated mudstones, siltstones, conglomerates and as a mineral foliation in basalt and
basaltic andesites (EKDV). Variations in strike exist over 10s to 100s of meters, reflecting a low amplitude
wavy depositional setting; however, a well-defined bed attitude average indicates an overall shallow
north dipping trend (Figure 29). Massive, autobrecciated, laharitic and columnar jointed dacites and
trachyandesites (OKV) that stratigraphically overlie Kkda and Columbaz deposits, dip shallowly
northeast (Figure 29). A conformable contact between the overlying dacite (OKV) and lithic tuff (EQT) at
the highest stratigraphic levels of mineralization at Kkda is reflected in a gradual transition of
northward to northeastward bedding attitudes.
At Columbaz and Kkda, alteration pathways have two main orientations: i) striking WNW, dipping
steeply NE and; ii) striking SW, dipping steeply NW. NW striking pathways are most pronounced in the
field; they are up to five meters wide and are typically bounded by faulted planes. SW striking conduits
are typically less than five meters wide and are bounded by joints with little or no evidence of fault motion.
Major fault planes have damage zones of cataclastic fault breccia, smoothed surfaces ornamented with
grooved lineations and slip-lines, stepped slip-lines, and fault gouge. In general, fault planes are smoothed
55
and have a low amplitude undulation along a strike-parallel axis. Kinematics of the fault surfaces show a
range of deformation directionality from dip-slip to strike-slip, all of which can be observed on the E-W
trends and NE-SW trends. NW-SE faults however consistently show dip-slip to oblique-slip kinematic
indicators.
Surrounding Columbaz, planar faults form prominent cliffs, ornamented with cataclastic breccia and
extensional slip-lines. Kinematic indicators there, have two observable extensional vectors: one with a
dip-slip direction and, one apparently later, with a right-lateral strike-slip direction. Sub-vertical, E-W
oriented major fault zones such as that between Columbaz and Kkda also have right-lateral, strikeslip lineations. In local tectonic windows there, remnant dip-slip lineations are observed on structurally
sheltered pockets on fault planes that are typically ornamented with strike-slip lineations.
2.5.2.2 Domain Two: Kirazl-atalkaya and Camelback
At the Kirazl HS epithermal deposit, bedding is best preserved in laminated to thinly bedded epiclastic
rocks in the upper deposit stratigraphy (ELT, EVS and EQT). Low amplitude undulations exist over an
average axis of 210 where bedding dips shallowly to the northwest and southeast (Figure 29). Bedding
planes there, are ornamented with slip-lines and stepped ridges that indicate a reverse sense
displacement to the NNE.
At Kirazl, two main trends of structurally-controlled alteration pathways are identified as striking NE-SW
and NW-SE. Exposures at atalkaya ca. 1 km south of Kirazl have NNE trending pathways of intense
residual vuggy quartz alteration. The distribution of lithocaps in the atalkaya area is similar to the attitude
of these residual quartz alteration pathways and reflects the dominant NE trend to lithocap distribution
in domain two (Figure 7).
Breccia pathways at Kirazl and atalkaya used in structural analysis were interpreted as hydrothermal in
nature if they consist of a strongly jarosite-goethite-hematite altered matrix, altered sub-rounded to
angular clasts, and a matrix to clast-supported texture. Additionally, they have typical alteration minerals
including: quartz, alunite, dickite and kaolinite. In general, two main hydrothermal breccia trends are
defined as: i) ENE-WSW and; ii) NNE-SSW (Figure 29).
Quartz vein geometry in domain two at the Camelback porphyry, reflects a conjugate fracture set with
planes that strike NE and ESE, dipping steeply SE and SSW. In contrast, the orientation of quartz veins at
Columbaz and Kkda in domain one is characterized by early quartz veins with anomalous gold values
striking E-W, which are cross-cut by a N-S striking vein set barren of base or precious metals (Figure 29).
56
At Kirazl, two distinct sets of slip-line are evident on fault planes: one that has well-developed dextral
strike-slip sense and the other has an oblique-slip, dextral-normal sense. On the north side of Kirazl the
dominant dip direction of faults is NW and NE, whereas on the southern flanks, moderate to steeply SE
and SW dipping structures are more typical. On the north side and summit of atalkaya, NW and NE
dipping fault planes are the most dominant fault attitudes. On the south side, SW dipping faults are
conspicuous cliff forming features and often have smoothed, well ornamented slip-lines and grooves. The
strike of these fault sets in the vicinity of Kirazl and atalkaya projects directly towards the valley between
Sarp and Kkda along low lying river valleys.
Domain two extends south from atalkaya and encompasses the Camelback porphyry. Major fault sets
are grouped into moderate to steep angle oblique-normal and low angle normal faults. Steeply south
dipping ESE-striking dextral oblique-slip, normal-sense faults are similar in orientation to the vein network
observed at Camelback (Figure 31). SW striking faults are ornamented with slip-lines, grooves and
stepped-ridges that indicate multiple reactivated motion on the faults was right- and left-lateral with a
minor dip-slip component.
Dense fault and fracture sets at Kirazl point to the importance of structural corridors in the development
of the HS epithermal mineralization (Figure 19).The attitude of an intersection defined by three primary
fault sets at Kirazl strikes between 110 and 120 while plunging 76 in a southeasterly direction. This
fault intersection attitude structurally controls the position and attitude of ore-bearing hydrothermal and
phreato-magmatic breccias. The mineralized breccias are zoned, layered and hydrothermally cemented.
Episodic mineralizing events preferentially targeted these near-vertical fault intersections, widening the
footprint of individual hydrothermal breccia bodies with each successive episode.
2.5.2.3 Domain 3: Metamorphic basement rocks
Metamorphic basement rocks and thickly bedded arkosic arenites and conglomerates form the
foundation for Cenozoic magmatism and volcanism (Map units: PSC, PSP, TQC and TAS). Quartz, mica
phyllites and schists have a well-developed mineral schistosity (S1) and a locally well-developed
crenulation cleavage (S2). S1 is characterized by dominantly N-S striking foliation planes. On the eastern
side of Kirazl, mineral stretching lineations in the S1 foliation plane are indicative of NW-SE extensional
deformation. Such ductile deformation is not present in post-Cretaceous magmatic rocks of the Biga
Peninsula and therefore represents pre-Triassic extension. S2 strikes NE, dipping steeply to the NW and
documents NW-SE directed compression. Arkosic arenites and quartz-pebble conglomerates that
unconformably overlie the quartz, mica phyllites and schists are locally deformed in a ductile fashion.
57
Rocks in structural domain three dip moderately to the SW at a regional scale, which is distinctly different
from the consistent north dipping attitude of the Eocene and Oligocene rock units (Figure 29).
2.6 Timing of Magmatism and Au-Ag-Cu Mineralization in the Central Biga Peninsula
2.6.1 Methodology
Samples used for U-Pb age determination in this study were collected from mineralized and nonmineralized intrusive and volcanic rocks where cross-cutting and stratigraphic relationships are well
defined by drilling and field mapping. These U-Pb dates are used to determine the age of magmatism and
porphyry mineralization. Ar/Ar age dates determined from coarse-crystalline alunite intergrown with ore
minerals at Kkda and Kirazl, as well as two U-Pb age dates from the Pirentepe host rocks, constrains
the timing of HS epithermal mineralization.
For each U-Pb age determination, groups of 10 - 20 zircon grains free of alteration, fractures, inclusions
or cores were analyzed using a Thermo Finnigan Element2 single collector, double-focusing magnetic
sector ICP-MS at the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) in Canada. The
concordia age of the Pleovice zircon standard (338 1.0 Ma; Slma et al., 2008) in the analytical sequence
was 337.0 1.7 Ma and the concordia age of the Temora zircon standard (416.8 1.1 Ma; Black et al.,
2003) was 416.5 3.1 Ma, both are within error of the accepted values and validate the precision of the
ages determined in this study. Final U-Pb Concordia ages were calculated using Isoplot version 3.09
(Ludwig, 2003) at the University of British Columbia.
Ar/Ar analyses on alunite was carried out at PCIGR using irradiated alunite separates step-heated at
increasing laser powers in the defocused beam of a 10-W CO2 laser. Gas liberated from each step was
analyzed using a VG5400-Mass Spectrometer equipped with an ion-counting electron multiplier. Final
Ar/Ar plateau ages were calculated using Isoplot ver. 3.09 (Ludwig, 2003) at UBC.
2.6.2 Geochronological Constraints on Magmatism and Mineralization
Geochronological constraints of magmatism and mineralization in the central Biga Peninsula are
determined from samples of mineralized and non-mineralized rocks at the Halilaa, Valley, Columbaz and
Camelback porphyry deposits, as well as the Kunk, Pirentepe, Kirazl and Kkda HS epithermal deposits
(Table 2). These data augment a regional geochronology dataset which is defined by two periods of
magmatism; an early magmatic stage that occurred between 41 and 36 Ma peaking at 39 Ma (Stage 1)
and a later stage between 32 and 22 Ma peaking at ca. 24 Ma (Stage 2; Figure 31). The results indicate
58
that in the central Biga Peninsula, porphyry mineralization occurred at the peak of Stage 1 magmatism,
whereas HS epithermal mineralization is constrained to within early Stage 2 magmatism.
Table 3. Age dates of magmatism and mineralization in the central Biga Peninsula (*Brunetti and Mikovi, 2015).
Location
Deposit
Age
UTM
UTM
Age
/Prospect
Type
Type
North
East
(Ma)
*Eviler
pluton
zircon
4417735
486781
26.1
0.51
*Pirentepe
PB-2014-061
zircon
4421529
480296
28.4
0.59
host/pre-mineral
PB2013046
zircon
4421349
482697
28.5
0.3
HSE
mineralization
GML-2013-96
alunite
4431869
470645
29.2
0.33
Kkda
HSE
mineralization
GML-2013-97
alunite
4432010
470690
29.7
0.42
Kirazl
HSE
plutonic
GML-2014-293
zircon
4431654
477799
30.8
0.31
Camelback
porphyry
post-mineral
GML-2013-315
zircon
4427402
472036
37.3
0.89
*Halilaa
porphyry
post-mineral
HD-13A-488
zircon
4419112
483431
37.8
0.36
Columbaz
porphyry
host/pre-mineral
GML-2013-231
zircon
4431560
472715
38.4
0.5
Columbaz
porphyry
host/pre-mineral
GML-2013-143
zircon
4428986
469295
38.5
0.44
*Halilaa
porphyry
syn/post mineral
PB2014106
zircon
4418910
482281
38.8
0.3
*Halilaa
porphyry
pre/syn-mineral
HD-37-112
zircon
4419154
483139
39.4
0.77
Valley
porphyry
post-mineral
GML-2014-332
zircon
4423243
465969
39.5
0.31
*Halilaa
porphyry
mineralization
HD-94 402
moly
4419052
483246
39.6
0.21
*Kunk
HSE
host/pre-mineral
PB2013018
zircon
4418781
483406
40.1
0.34
Valley
porphyry
syn-mineral
GML-2014-331
zircon
4423243
465969
40.2
0.37
Camelback
porphyry
pre/syn-mineral
GML-2014-329
zircon
4427009
473687
40.2
0.34
Sample ID
Material
plutonic
HD-29
HSE
host/pre-mineral
*Pirentepe
HSE
Kkda
The Columbaz porphyry is built on and hosted within diorite, quartz diorites and andesites. The age of the
andesite is dated at 38.51 0.44 Ma, and 38.35 0.50 Ma from surface samples proximal to the deposit
(Figure 30). Southwest of Kirazl, the Valley and Camelback porphyry prospects are hosted within stocks
of the Kuscayir pluton. At Camelback, pre/syn ore-mineralization quartz diorite is dated at 40.19 0.34
Ma which is similar to the 40.17 0.37 Ma pre/syn ore-mineralization quartz diorite at the Valley porphyry
and similar to the of the age of Columbaz andesites. Post ore-mineralization quartz diorite at Valley
porphyry is dated at 39.53 0.53 Ma, which constrains the timing of porphyry mineralization to between
40.19 39.53 Ma; a result that occurs at the peak of Stage 1 magmatism. A southern exposure of the
Kirazl diorite (EDV) is dated at 37.34 0.89 Ma on the north side of the Camelback porphyry.
Approximately 15 km southeast of the TV Tower district, the age of the host rocks at Halilaa porphyry is
determined for three samples: a pre/syn ore-mineralization intrusion dated at 39.36 0.77 Ma, a syn/post
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ore-mineralization intrusion dated at 38.79 0.30 Ma and a post ore-mineralization intrusion at 37.79
0.36 Ma (Brunetti et al., 2015). Additionally, a Re-Os date of 39.56 0.21 Ma obtained from molybdenite
within the ore-zone effectively constrains the timing of syn-magmatic porphyry mineralization at the
Halilaa porphyry (Brunetti et al., 2015). Approximately 2 km south of Halilaa, host rocks to the Kunk HS
epithermal target were dated at 40.14 0.34 Ma (Brunetti et al. 2015). Currently, there are no constraints
on the timing of mineralization at Kunk; however the age of the host rocks there, indicates they are part
of the same suite of rocks that host the Halilaa, Valley, Camelback and Columbaz porphyry deposits.
Figure 30. U-Pb Concordia and Ar/Ar plateau diagrams for the samples determined in this study.
A granodiorite intrusion 2 km north of Kirazl is dated at 30.79 0.31 Ma, similar result to Yigits (2012)
Ar/Ar age of 30.7 1.5 Ma on alunite from drill core at the Kirazl deposit. At Kkda, ca. 5 km west of
Kirazl, the age of mineralization is constrained to 29.69 0.42 and 29.23 0.33 Ma, by two Ar/Ar age
dates on coarse grained alunite intergrown with ore minerals. The Pirentepe HS epithermal deposit ca. 2
km north of Halilaa is hosted within a sequence of coarsely porphyritic dacitic andesites dated at 28.54
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0.30 Ma and 28.36 0.59 Ma. These results constrain the timing of HS epithermal magmatism and
mineralization to between 30.79 28.36 Ma, occurring in the early stages of Stage 2 magmatism.
2.7 Discussion
The TV Tower District has been subjected to extensive textural- and mineralogical-destructive alteration
associated with porphyry and epithermal systems, in addition, post ore-mineralization structural
reconfiguration makes stratigraphic differentiation of these deposits not obvious. This hinders exploration
efforts to expand prospective zones by stratigraphic correlation between known mineral deposits.
Detailed stratigraphic and structural field mapping in conjunction with geochemical and petrographic
analysis has characterized the differences between Eocene and Oligocene magmatism in this District.
Stratigraphic correlation between rocks that host porphyry and HS epithermal mineralization in the TV
Tower District are discussed here in the context of a regional metallogeny.
2.7.1 Space-Time Relationship of Magmatism and Mineralization in the Biga Peninsula
Stratigraphic definition of porphyry and HS epithermal mineralization in the central Biga Peninsula, aided
by new geochronological data and petrographic mineral deposit studies show evidence that porphyry
mineralization is older than HS epithermal mineralization (Table 3). Age dating of mineralized and nonmineralized intrusive phases at the Halilaa, Valley, Columbaz, and Camelback porphyry deposits,
indicates coeval magmatic crystallization and mineralization occurred between 41 - 39 Ma, during the
peak of Stage 1 magmatism (Figure 4). Additionally, Oligocene (*30.7 - 29.23 Ma) ages of alunite separates
from the HS epithermal mineralization at Kkda and Kirazl indicate epithermal mineralization there
took place up to 8.8 Ma after porphyry mineralization in the TV Tower (*Ar/Ar on quartz-alunite separate;
Yiit 2012).
A regional compilation of mineral deposit host rock ages in the Biga Peninsula are grouped into four
classes: 1. Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) hosts; 2. skarn hosts; 3. porphyry and 4. epithermal deposit
hosts (Figure 31). The oldest known porphyry style mineralization host rocks are represented by the
Karabiga pluton (akirli Cu-Au porphyry) and the 44.3 to 54.5 Ma Dikmen pluton (Dikmen Cu-Mo-Au
porphyry) located at northern latitudes (Yiit, 2012). The youngest are the 21.3 0.3* andesites of the
Ayvaik formation and the Kestanbol Pluton (*K/Ar whole rock analyses by Aldanmaz et al., 2000). The
timing of porphyry and epithermal mineralization coincides with the two magmatic stages, whereas only
2 (Cataltepe and Hacidedetepe) of the 24 skarn deposits in the Biga Peninsula are associated with preOligocene intrusions.
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The paucity of Eocene skarn deposits can be explained in relation to regional scale extensional exhumation
of the basement metamorphic complex. The Kazda Massif was exhumed and cooled to below 350 and
300 C between 27 and 24 Ma from peak P-T conditions of 6.9 and 5.7 kbar and 706 and 587 C (Bonev et
al., 2009). During this time the calcareous basement rocks of the Kalabak Fm were exhumed with the
Kazda Massif from depths of ca. 15 km into the shallow crust and subsequently displaced southeastward
along detachment faults (Bonev et al., 2009; Cavazza et al., 2009; Aysal et al., 2012). The 23.94 0.31 Ma
post-kinematic Eybek Pluton (U/Pb on zircon; Altunkaynak et al., 2012) intruded the Kalabak Fm and is
believed to be the causative intrusion for poly-metallic skarn mineralization (Akiska et al., 2013).
Therefore, the paucity of pre-Oligocene skarn deposits in the Biga Peninsula could be explained by the
absence of calcareous basement rocks in the shallow crust at that time (ie. Pre-exhumation of calcareous
basement rocks).
Late Eocene plutonic rocks such as the Kuscayir pluton (40.17 0.37 Ma), the Halilaa stock (39.36 0.77
Ma), Camelback stock (40.19 0.34 Ma), and the Kartalda pluton (42.19 0.45 Ma) of the central Biga,
all host Cu-Au-Ag porphyry and/or epithermal style mineralization. The stratigraphy hosting the Kkda
HS epithermal deposit is built atop 38.5 Ma andesites (EHFP). The same andesite is correlated as the main
host to Au mineralization at the Columbaz porphyry ca. 1 km to the south. A conformable sequence of
basaltic andesites, lithic tuffs and epiclastic rocks overlies EHFP, therefore its deposition is interpreted to
have occurred in the waning of Stage 1 magmatism (ca. 38.5 34.5 Ma).
The age of HS epithermal mineralization at Kkda is constrained to between 29.7 29.2 Ma; therefore,
it was not coeval with the magmatism that deposited the host stratigraphy, rather it occurred ca. 8.8
4.8 after deposition of the host stratigraphy and in the initial stages of Stage 2 magmatism. The age of HS
epithermal mineralization at Kirazl is 30.7 1.5* Ma, which is ca. 1 m.y. older than HS epithermal
mineralization at Kkda (*Yiit, 2012), suggesting that epithermal mineralization in this region was
punctuated and occurred for at least 1 m.y. Oligocene pluton rocks consisting of equigranular to weakly
hornblende-feldspar porphyritic granodiorite, ca. 2 km north of Kirazl were dated at 30.79 0.31 Ma,
similar in age to Oligocene epithermal mineralization at Kirazl. This similarity suggests that Stage 2
magmatism, starting as early as 30.79 Ma, could have been driver of epithermal mineralization within the
central Biga Peninsula. Furthermore, the granodiorite north of Kirazl contains disseminated pyrite and
trace chalcopyrite, indicating that syn-magmatic sulphide mineralization was likely to have occurred. In
this sense, the granodiorite represents the most plausible candidate as the magmatic driver of epithermal
mineralization at Kirazl.
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Figure 31. Mineral deposit host rock ages are grouped into four classes and compared against direct age dating of mineralization
(yellow stars), the two U-Pb zircon defined magmatic stages (violet and orange background shade) and reconciled tectonic
information from: Armijo et al., 1999; engr et al., 2005; Bonev et al., 2006; Bonev and Beccaletto 2007; Cavazza et al., 2009;
Altunkaynak et al., 2012; Beccaletto et al., 2007; Bonev et al., 2009; Okay et al., 1996; Jolivet and Brun, 2010; Jolivet et al., 2013;
Le Pichon and Angelier, 1981; Okay and Tysz, 1999 and engr et al., 2005.
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HS epithermal deposits within a 5 km radial periphery to Eocene porphyry deposits are common
throughout the central Biga Peninsula with Kkda and Kirazl being the largest examples. The
intermediate volcanic, tuffaceous and epiclastic host rocks to the Kkda and Kirazl HS epithermal AuAg ( Cu) deposits conformably overlie coherent units of the Baliklieme formation and are correlated
with the an formation. However, the age of mineralization at Kkda is constrained to between 29.7
29.2 Ma, which is ca. 8 - 10 Ma younger than the expected age of the host rocks there, based on their
conformable contact with the Baliklieme formation.
HS epithermal mineralization spatially associated with porphyry deposits has a disparate age relative to
the age of porphyry mineralization, despite there being a conformable geological contact between HS
epithermal host rocks and the Baliklieme formation. This suggests that the porphyry-epithermal
relationship in the central Biga Peninsula is one where epithermal mineralization is not genetically related
to the known porphyry deposits in the area; rather, epithermal mineralization occurred in the Oligocene,
up to 10 Ma after porphyry mineralization.
Given the well-documented genetic link between porphyry and HS epithermal deposits, it stands to reason
that the majority of Eocene-aged HS epithermal deposits have been eroded, leaving only their Eoceneaged porphyry deposit roots (ie. Halilaa, Valley, Columbaz, Camelback). In contrast, Oligocene-aged HS
epithermal mineralization (ie. Kkda, Kirazl) is well-preserved by resistive lithocaps, therefore the
theoretical Oligocene-aged porphyry deposit roots must also be preserved beneath them.
Volcanic and epiclastic rocks observed at both Kkda and Kirazl prospects have remarkable similarities
(Figures 15 and 16). Lithic tuffs (ELT) are similar in composition, are located at stratigraphically equivalent
positions and are significant locales for ore deposition (Figure 19; Appendix 1). Fluvial-lacustrine epiclastic
rocks (EVS), at mid and upper stratigraphic levels at Kkda and Kirazl are identical and together with
the ELT represent a time-equivalent correlation between the two deposits (Figure 14). The lithologies that
underlie epiclastic strata at each deposit (EHFP at Kkda and EDV at Kirazl) are geochemically distinct;
however, their stratigraphic positions and their crystallization ages are similar, suggesting the two are
coeval (Figure 14).
2.7.3 Paragenesis of ore minerals at Kkda and Kirazl HS epithermal deposits
At Kirazl and Kkda the high-grade silver mineralization occurs at the highest levels of stratigraphy.
Silver zone mineralization extends ca. 600 m north of the main gold zone at Kkda and occurs without
significant gold grades; whereas at Kirazl, silver is always found with gold. In zones where hydrothermal
64
breccia and stratiform mineralization overprints silver zone mineralization at Kkda, silver grades are
heightened. This suggests that hydrothermal breccia and stratiform gold mineralization, which brought in
additional silver, occurred after the main silver mineralization event. However, at Kirazl, the timing of
silver mineralization relative to gold remains ambiguous due to the paucity of silver-bearing mineral
phases.
The majority of silver-rich mineralization at Kirazl occurs in rocks that are nearly completely replaced with
recrystallized quartz (Figure 20). Changes in colour and crystal size of quartz is reflective of a relict clastic
texture, interpreted to represent lithic tuff and epiclastic protoliths. Zones of massive enargite
tennantite-tetrahedrite are not in textural equilibrium with quartz, suggesting that quartz was not a
significant component of the mineralizing fluid responsible for silver-rich mineralization; however, quartz
was a major component in pre ore-mineralization alteration of the host rocks.
At Kirazl, Au, Sn, Sb, Bi and Ti show a positive correlation with high-grade Ag mineralization and at
Kkda Cu, Pb, As, Sb, Bi, and Ti anomalies coincide with high-grade Ag mineralization in the absence
of Au (Appendix 1). At Kirazl, tetrahedrite (Sb-phase) is deposited contemporaneously with gold followed
closely by cassiterite (Sn-phase). Ag and Bi are known to form sulphosalt minerals such as matildite
[AgBiSs] and Aramayoite [Ag(Sb,Bi)Ss], which if present, could explain the Ag-Bi correlation at Kirazl. At
Kkda, the Ag-Bi correlation reflects alteration including bismuthinite and bismuthian-tetrahedrite as
a hydrothermal cement and as sulphosalt blebs intergrown with acanthite [Ag2S] and cervellite [Ag4TeS].
High Ti values in the upper stratigraphy at both deposits is likely due to the presence of strong rutile,
hematite, quartz alteration that is ubiquitous in the silver zone.
Stratiform mineralization zones are commonly characterized by intervals of vuggy quartz alteration
(Figure 17). Pyrite, enargite tennantite-tetrahedrite and Sb-rich phases of enargite replace and infill the
host rock in these zones (Figure 21). Pyrite forms overgrowths on enargite and both have galena-filled
dissolution pathways, presumably from the same dissolution event. High copper grades result from
enargite, tennantite-tetrahedrite and stibioenargite and high Au grades result from native Au and telluride
mineral phases with the sulphide minerals.
At Kirazl, High Au and Cu grades in stratiform zones commonly occur independently of one another and
Au-bearing phases are consistently paragenetically later than Cu-bearing phases. At Kkda, Autellurides are paragenetically later than Cu-rich sulphosalts however, the two mineral groups consistently
form together, thereby obscuring direct elemental correlations from geochemistry. Throughout
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mineralized vuggy silica zones, Au and Cu positively correlate with Ag, As, Sb, Te, and Bi and negatively
correlate with Sr, K % and Na % (Appendix 1). Au- and Ag-bearing mineral phases infill microfractures and
pits in sulphosalts assemblages suggesting the mineralizing fluid at Kkda and Kirazl evolved from
being rich in Cu (correlated with high As, Sb, Ni, Ag) to being rich in Au (correlated with high Te, Pb and
Zn; Appendix 1). Depletions of Sr, K% and Na% are expected throughout zones of advanced argillic
alteration due to their mobility the epithermal environment; the relative magnitude of such depletions
makes these ideal candidate elements for identifying zones of epithermal related alteration that is distal
to ore.
Hydrothermal breccia zones commonly have a layer-zoned, quartz, alunite, dickite and kaolinite cement,
and colloform and comb-quartz overgrowths on subrounded fragments (Figure 22; Appendix 1). Sulphiderich zones, along with previously crystallized hydrothermal cement are re-brecciated and cemented by
zoned cement types which include multiple rims of silica, followed by pyrite, coarse pyrite, enargite,
dickite and kaolinite. Rims are present primarily on the upper surfaces of clasts, as well, alunite and dickite
that infill vugs is unmixed with dickite forming topographically above alunite. Zoned cement, along with
relatively little matrix material and lack of exotic clasts, is interpreted to reflect a volcanically-passive
environment in which the host stratigraphy was subjected to in-situ episodic brecciation.
Diatreme shaped breccia bodies cross cut the stratigraphy at Kirazl and Kkda. While the funnelshaped, cylindrical geometry and the paragenetically late timing of these bodies is comparable;
differences in their hydrogeological setting could explain why at Kkda the diatreme breccia is largely
barren, whereas at Kirazl it is variably mineralized with Au, Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn. At Kirazl, feldsparporphyritic shards and pumice interpreted to be juvenile clasts juxtaposed with sub-angular to rounded,
milled clasts is a characteristic feature of the composition (Figure 17). The clasts are supported by a
polymictic sulphide-rich matrix with abundant rock flour and kaolinite-quartz-pyrite alteration. At the
contacts of the breccia pipes, host rocks are shattered forming in-situ crackle breccias. This suggests that
the Kirazl diatreme breccia bodies represent phreatomagmatic eruptions related to high level porphyry
intrusions in the sub-volcanic environment (Tmas and Mils, 2002). This implies that late-stage Au-AgCu Pb, Zn mineralization at Kirazl results from direct interaction with between a sulphide-rich magma
body at depth and an external source of water. Furthermore, the connection to a magma body at depth
implies a direct transport pathway for sulphide-bearing hydrothermal fluids into the shallow crust.
At Kkda, paragenetically late matrix-supported breccia bodies crosscut previously mineralized and
altered zones of the deposit. This is evidenced by numerous vuggy quartz, tuffaceous, and epiclastic rock
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clasts reflecting the lithology of the stratigraphic sequence, supported in the milled polymictic breccia
matrix. Sulphide-bearing clasts constitute the only mineralized component in the breccia bodies and are
not abundant enough to reach economic concentrations of Au, Cu or Ag, therefore they serve to dilute
the ore zone at Kkda.
Similar to Kirazl, the Kkda diatreme breccia bodies have highly-fluidized channels, angular- and
highly-milled clasts, are matrix-supported with abundant rock flour and contain fragments of rock
displaced 10s to 100s of meters relative to where the breccia intersected that rock. Interestingly, clasts of
laminated siltstone intersected at the highest levels of stratigraphy are found in the diatreme breccia ca.
100 m beneath their stratigraphic position, as well, clasts of lithic tuff are found above where they are
intersected in stratigraphy. At Kkda, feldspar phyric magmatic clasts are a significant component of
the polymictic clast composition; however, they do not have ragged boundaries or a fiamme morphology
as observed at Kirazl, rather they are sub-angular to rounded (milled) with sharp grain boundaries. This
suggests that the diatreme breccias at Kkda resulted from pressurized phreatic eruption, excavation
and collapse of the host stratigraphy with no direct connection to a magma source. The lack of connection
to a magmatic source, such as at Kirazl, suggests the transport pathway for hydrothermal fluids into the
shallow crust was not direct and likely precipitated sulphide minerals prior to eruption. An implication of
this is that there could be a sulphide-rich feeder zone beneath the diatreme breccias at Kkda.
2.7.4 Structural Evolution
Propagation of the Northern Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) westward through the Peninsula initiated as
early as 15 Ma and continues to this day, therefore the formation of even the youngest known metallic
deposits was not controlled directly by the NAFZ structures. However, the position of deposits is
controlled by the NAFZ structures as they serve to disjoint and displace many ore deposits (ex. Halilaa
porphyry, Kkda HS epithermal). Eocene porphyry mineralization is structurally repositioned by a
regional E-W to WNW-ESE and NE-SW striking normal fault system related to westward propagation of
NAFZ splay faults since the Miocene (Armijo et al., 1999; Armijo et al., 2002; engr et al., 2005). In light
of this, detailed structural and stratigraphic surface maps that clearly outline the position and kinematics
of these faults are key to exploration in this region. Auriferous quartz veins with a minimum Oligocene
age, occur in these neotectonic splay faults, indicating that these splay faults propagated along earlier
formed vein pathways.
Porphyry Au and epithermal Au-Ag mineralization in the Biga Peninsula occurred in the Eocene and
Oligocene. This has led the commonly held belief that faulting related to the NAFZ was disparate from
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porphyry and epithermal deposit formation. However, the orientation of auriferous quartz-infilled faults
and hydrothermal breccia pathways measured at and within 10 km of the Columbaz Au porphyry,
Kkda and Kirazl Au-Ag ( Cu) HS epithermal deposits in the central Biga Peninsula, is similar to the
orientation of regional WNW-ESE to E-W splay faults (Figure 29). This similarity suggests that same
structures that controlled mineralization in the Eocene and Oligocene were reactivated by the
propagation of the NAFZ in the Miocene. By this logic, the orientation of neotectonic faulting in the central
Biga Peninsula is not disparate from the orientation of the structural controls on porphyry and epithermal
mineralization.
Most prominent faulting in the TV Tower District is represented by the recently active NE-SW dextral
strike-slip faults and E-W normal-type extensional faults which accommodate motion related to the
southern branch of the NAFZ. Volcanic rock packages in the Biga Peninsula show distribution trends similar
to the orientation of these prominent structural groups, suggesting these faults, or at least their
orientation, played an active role in the location of emplacement of intrusive and related volcanic rocks
during Eocene Miocene time (Figure 2). If this is true, the current NAFZ geometry can be related to the
same structural trends that control the distribution of hydrothermal activity and ore deposition in the
central Biga Peninsula. WNW-ESE to E-W discontinuous faults connect segments of NE-SW striking wrench
faults of the NAFZ and commonly are associated with extensive silica alteration that matches their trend.
However, at the time of HS epithermal mineralization in the early Oligocene, the NAFZ was not active in
the Biga Peninsula, rather, the structural architecture was a result of NNE-SSW extension related to
southern migration of the Hellenic subduction zone (engr et al., 2005; Bozkurt, 2001; Jolivet and Brun,
2010).
Vein geometry at the Camelback-Kirazl and Columbaz-Kkda epithermal systems is reflective of a
NNE-SSW extensional stress regime that must have been present during porphyry-related magmatism. At
Columbaz, anomalous high gold values in LS-style quartz veins were drill tested in 2014, leading to the
discovery of the Columbaz porphyry. The LS textures overprinting porphyry mineralization and alteration
at Columbaz could be reflective of a structurally reconfigured, severely telescoped, and multi-stage
porphyry-epithermal system.
Advanced argillic alteration and lithocap development at the top of atalkaya ca. 1 km south of Kirazl is
coupled with a virtually identical stratigraphy to Kirazl. Common structural architecture and geological
setting spanning the region between Columbaz-Kkda to atalkaya-Kirazl suggests that the two
hydrothermal systems were subject to a shared structural and geological history and may represent two
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prominent feeder zones to an epithermal deposit that has since eroded. When this is considered along
with Early Oligocene mineralization ages at Kkda and Kirazl and the recent discovery of the Columbaz
porphyry, atalkaya is clearly identified as an under-explored connection of the Kirazl HS epithermal
deposit.
Low angle faulting in structural domain one and two is not coincident with any hydrothermal alteration
or mineralization, therefore, it is deemed not directly related to ore deposit architecture. However, brittle
failure between bedding planes highlights the significance of such weak zones in the stratigraphy to
enhance permeability. Therefore, the timing of permeability enhancing faulting relative to mineralization
is a critical component to understand in any mineralized system.
In structural domain 2, SW-striking fault sets at Camelback are ornamented with kinematic indicators
documenting reactivated motion. SW-striking fault sets are very well preserved and are often associated
with artesian water springs. These two features are consistent with recent to currently active fault zones
that have not been subject to burial and fault sealing processes. The geometry and kinematics of SWstriking fault sets are consistent with current N18E directed extension and right-lateral displacement of
the Biga Peninsula relative to the European Plate along the NAFZ splay faults (Flerit et al., 2003).
The FWFZ is a near-bedding parallel slip surface interpreted to have normal-sense motion to the NNE
based on the extensional tectonic history of the Biga Peninsula since the Cretaceous. Similar low to
moderately dipping extensional faults are documented around the Kazda Massif and are believed to have
accommodated extensional exhumation of that Massif. The Kazda Massif was exhumed to the surface
between 27 24 Ma, therefore it is plausible that the FWFZ was active during that time. The age of HS
epithermal mineralization above the FWFZ is 29.7 29.2 Ma, therefore, the FWFZ is a post-ore
mineralization fault.
Columbaz porphyry lies ca. 2 km south of Kkda and forms a prominent topographic high in the TV
Tower district. The most obvious interpretation of the relationship between these two deposits is one
that has them share a common genesis, with Kkda forming ca. 300 900 m above Columbaz and
subsequently being displaced northward along the FWFZ. However, there is no evidence for 300 900 m
of missing stratigraphy at Columbaz and the age of mineralization at Kkda is ca. 10 Ma younger than
the Columbaz host rocks. This suggests the Columbaz porphyry is not genetically related to the Kkda
deposit; an implication that warrants exploration for the Oligocene-aged intrusion that presumably was
the driver of hydrothermal activity at Kkda.
69
signature. Dacites and trachyandesites (OKV) emplaced after porphyry and epithermal ore mineralization,
formed a coherent 400 m sequence of flows, lahar deposits, tuffs and ignimbrites with a high-K, calc
alkaline signature. Hydrothermally altered lithologies that host porphyry and epithermal style
mineralization have distal (>500 m) and proximal (<500 m) chlorite, epidote and calcite (propylitic)
assemblages. Ore-related alteration progresses toward Ca and Na depleted zones defined by a mineralogy
of kaolinite, illite and muscovite (phyllitic); alunite, dickite, diaspore and pyrophyllite (advanced argillic
alteration) and continues towards pyrophyllite, quartz and sericite assemblages at the inner deposit.
Textural styles and mineralogy of epithermal mineralization at Kkda and Kirazl are consistent with
classification as HS epithermal deposits (Sillitoe, 1993; Sillitoe, 1999; Arribas, 1995; Einaudi et al., 2003;
Simmons et al., 2005). Five styles of HS epithermal mineralization are recognized at these deposits: i)
stratiform Ag and Ag(Au-Cu); ii) Au-Cu-Ag hydrothermal breccia; iii) Au-Cu-Ag micro-breccia veins; iv) AuCu-Ag stratiform and; v) Au Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn phreatomagmatic breccia recognized only at Kirazl.
Mineralization styles at Kkda and Kirazl are similar in that they both exhibit stratiform, lithologicallycontrolled, gold, silver and copper mineralization that preferentially targeted epiclastic and tuffaceous
horizons. Similarly, they both have high-grade gold-copper zones occurring in structurally controlled
hydrothermal breccia shoots and host native gold in microbreccia veinlets. On the other hand,
phreatomagmatic breccias at Kirazl are variably mineralized with high-grade gold domains, whereas
similar diatreme breccia bodies at Kkda are barren, cross-cut and dilute the ore-zone. Additionally, a
defined Silver Zone at Kkda is different from the Kirazl Ag-rich shoots, in that it forms a
stratigraphic cover absent of gold and copper mineralization.
The main structures in the TV Tower and Kirazl prospects are oblique-slip faults with dominant dextralnormal and dextral-wrench components. NE-SW faults are coincident with the regional distribution of
magmatic rocks in the Biga Peninsula and likely controlled magmatic distribution and geometry in the
Eocene and Oligocene. E-W to WNW-ESE faults show two distinct slip directions, indicating both normal
and wrench-type strain. The metamorphic basement rocks are tightly folded, foliated and crenulated.
Ductile deformation in the basement rocks is not observed in the overlaying Tertiary volcanics, therefore
the ductile deformation recorded by the basement is considered to predate the Tertiary volcanism and
ore mineralization.
Advancement of the NAFZ from Miocene to the present time has resulted in regional, post-ore
mineralization fault system that disjointed Eocene-Oligocene mineral deposits by kilometers over millions
of years, considering the current tectonic plate vectors along the NAFZ (Nyst and Thatcher, 2004 and Flerit
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et al., 2003). At the deposit scale, structural domains one and two show the orientation of mineralized
quartz veins closely correspond to the orientation of faults related to NAFZ. In this sense, the post-ore
mineralization NAFZ reactivated structures that were present during epithermal mineralization in the
Oligocene. Additionally, mineralized hydrothermal breccias at Kkda and Kirazl occur vertically as
shoots at NAFZ fault set intersections and along volcanic strata bedding planes. In this sense, the
neotectonic fault sets established by the NAFZ are likely to have reactivated the structural framework
present at the time of Eocene to Oligocene porphyry and epithermal mineralization; therefore, they are
reflective of Eocene to Oligocene ore-deposit architecture in the Biga Peninsula.
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The highest-grade gold encountered at Kkda and Kirazl occurs in thin (less than 10 mm), isolated
veins and micro-breccias and as native gold, electrum and calaverite. The structures that host this type of
mineralization are reflective of higher-order, fault-related fractures. As a result, the higher-order fracture
networks in damage zones to major faults constitute a primary trap for native gold, electrum and
calaverite. Therefore, targeting the third- or fourth-order fractures in the damage zones of major faults in
a prospective region, is a guided method for high-grade gold exploration in the TV Tower District.
Overprinting relationships of alteration mineral assemblages can obscure definition of a single alteration
signature to the rocks. However, discrimination of alteration assemblages within the context of a
mineralization style (either porphyry or epithermal) can elucidate a telescoped hydrothermal system. This
is valuable because identification of the subtle (often relict) porphyry-specific alteration styles, which are
masked by epithermal alteration, could encourage further exploration. For example, nearly three decades
of exploration at Columbaz was guided by a LS epithermal model. The model encouraged the targeting of
geometrically regular E-W striking, near-vertical, gold-bearing quartz veins and failed to identify the
subtle, porphyry style alteration characteristics present in the drill core. After re-logging old drill cores and
drilling two new holes at Columbaz, a subtle K-silicate (biotite, magnetite and K-feldspar) alteration was
observed to increase in intensity with depth. K-silicate alteration is known to be a porphyry depositrelated alteration style, therefore a third drill hole was planned to target greater depths and the increase
in K-silicate alteration. The third hole drilled discovered a new porphyry deposit ca.2 km south of the
Kkda HS epithermal deposit and has highlighted that porphyry deposits throughout the central Biga
Peninsula can be severely telescoped.
73
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81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
Supplementary Table 4.1 : Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Sample ID
Source
549149
549133
NKEA07-1
NKEA07-2
26
26
25
25
BPGP-1245
AVC-2
ZK88
TD 71
T 72
T 67
EA 270
TE 55
5
28
549175
549173
EA 37
33
9
24
TE 12
TE 52
ZK84
TE 22
TE 19
GML_315
GML_231
GML_143
MTA 8
21
21
21
24
MTA 58
MTA 21
MTA-3
MTA 13
IE13B
IE13A
IE2B
IE2A
GML_329
Yigit 1
6
6
6
6
24
24
24
24
14
14
14
5
21
3
3
26
26
5
21
21
1
1
1
6
6
1
33
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
Deposit
Comm.
26.36
26.42
11.5
8.08
35.7
27.89
40.9
17.1
19.5
21.5
8.32
37.3
24.7
26.8
25.03
26.81
20.3
19.6
21.9
21
30.4
34.3
37.27
38.62
38.72
24.7
24.8
27.5
31.3
31.8
32.3
22.1
23.2
19.1
21.6
40.37
46.6
0.16
0.15
0.21
0.14
1
0.41
1.1
0.6
0.68
0.75
0.38
0.9
2.4
1.4
0.15
0.11
1.2
0.4
0.6
0.6
0.7
1.2
0.64
0.45
0.42
0.7
1
1.1
1.8
1.4
2
0.6
1.1
1.1
0.6
0.37
2.3
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Mus
Bt
WR
WR
Hb
Ai Dai intrusion
Ai Dai intrusion
Akapnar basalt
Ezine basalt
Alankoy intrusive
HS Epi
HS Epi
Au
Au
HS Epi
Au,Ag
U-Pb
K-Ar
Zr
Bt
Avilar Stock
Ava Island
Epi
Au
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
WR
Bt
Bt
WR
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
WR
WR
WR
Bt
Ser
WR
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
WR
WR
Bt
Ayvaik
Ayvaik
Ayvaik
Ayvaik
Baliklieme
Balya
Balya
Balya Intrusion
Balya
Behram
Behram
Behram
Budayl/Gnen
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Hb
Hb
Zr
Zr
Zr
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
WR
Bt
WR
Bt
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
an Volcs
Daniment (East)
Daniment (East)
Davutlar
Davutlar
U-Pb
K-Ar
Zr
WR
Dede Tepe
Dikmen Pluton
165
IS Epi
IS Epi
Skn
Skn
Por
HS Epi
Por
Por
Por
Pb,Zn,Ag
Pb,Zn,Ag
Pb,Zn
Pb,Zn
Au
Ag,Au,Cu
Au
Au
Au,Mo,Cu
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
39.882775
39.877682
40.093000
39.820000
40.030662
26.942916
26.911498
26.284000
26.401000
26.797858
Andesite porphyry
Granite-granodiorite
Basalt
Basalt
Granodiorite
39.589856
40.504440
26.813889
27.511640
Granodiorite
Granite
39.477621
39.473414
39.568450
39.666678
40.298628
39.760000
39.760000
39.736433
39.736433
39.514899
26.215557
26.102976
26.322955
26.417096
27.205905
27.618000
27.612000
27.586899
27.586899
26.340428
Dyke
Ingimbrite
Lava flow
Basanite
39.826459
39.649863
40.103829
26.053517
27.244761
27.655792
Andesite
Andesite
Dacite
40.131719
40.185094
39.996337
40.033821
40.010513
40.073080
39.667883
40.045905
40.072933
40.009868
40.045905
39.870522
39.870522
39.780005
39.780005
25.931927
25.860614
26.672416
26.680195
26.640232
26.659914
27.244825
26.613160
26.613007
26.613363
26.613160
27.640260
27.640260
27.954016
27.954016
Andesite
Andesite
Diorite
Andesite
Andesite
Andesite
Andesite
39.992165
40.13651127
26.691789
27.176070
Monzodiorite
Granodiorite
Lithology
Andesite
Andesite
Andesite
Feldspar porphyry
Dacite
Trachyandesite
Andesite
Andesite
Andesite
Andesite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Source
Sample ID
Yigit 2
549102
5151
5112
SAYD12-4
33
26
HD-29
129
SAYD12-4
130
133
KO37
108
108
109
SAYD12-5
109
KO39
107
2
19
6
19
19
12
19
19
19
6
19
12
19
T 76
TD 77
TE-E-41
TE 48
TE 46
TE-4
PB2014106
PB2014018
SAYD12-6
SAYD12-6
14
14
21
21
21
21
2
2
6
6
KH-53
TE 43
TE 13
IE4A
IE4C
IE3
IE5A
SAYD12-7
SAYD12-7
9
21
21
24
24
24
24
6
6
30
30
6
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
Deposit
Comm.
51.9
24.18
20.5
20.7
24.8
26.13
26.4
28
28.1
31.1
20.95
21.1
21.2
23.9
23.94
24.1
25
26.6
9.7
16.8
8.4
9.5
10.1
11
38.79
40.14
23
23.5
26.33
15.3
18.5
18.9
19.7
21.7
22.8
21.9
22.3
2.6
0.21
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.51
0.6
0.2
0.6
1.4
4.8
0.4
0.6
0.5
0.31
0.5
3.4
0.8
0.34
0.6
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.3
0.34
0.2
0.4
0.38
0.3
0.4
1.8
1.1
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
WR
Bt
Bt
Bt
Bt
Dikmen Pluton
Egmir Vol Unit
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eybek pluton
Por
HS Epi
Au,Mo,Cu
Au,Cu
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Zr
Bt
Hb
Bt
Bt
Zr
Bt
Hb
Hb
Zr
Bt
Zr
Bt
Eybek pluton
Eybek pluton
Eybek pluton
Eybek pluton
Eybek pluton
Eybek pluton
WR
Ks
WR
WR
WR
WR
Zr
Zr
Bt
Hb
Eybek pluton
Ezine basalt
Ezine basalt
Ezine basalt
Ezine basalt
Ezine basalt
Ezine basalt
Halilaa
Hallaclar
Hdrlar granitoid
Hdrlar granitoid
Zr
WR
WR
WR
WR
Bt
Bt
Bt
Hb
Hidirlar pluton
Huseyinfaki Volcs
Huseyinfaki Volcs
Ilica
Ilica
Ilica
Ilica
Ilca granitoid
Ilca granitoid
166
Por
Skn
Cu,Au
Au
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
40.136511
39.579954
39.739053
39.713254
39.829544
27.176070
27.238261
26.976495
26.938334
26.783269
Granodiorite
Andesite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
39.908917
39.759645
39.829544
39.759645
39.759645
39.691318
39.688706
39.688706
39.688706
39.684814
39.688706
39.691318
39.688706
26.845350
26.684208
26.783269
26.684208
26.684208
27.095854
27.089326
27.089326
27.089326
27.096857
27.089326
27.095854
27.089326
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granodiorite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granodiorite
Granitoid
39.778365
39.744854
39.750291
39.934561
39.934561
39.925693
39.919421
39.918963
39.889712
39.889712
26.307247
26.326153
26.382543
26.052029
26.052029
26.330653
26.792673
26.805829
26.885801
26.885801
Alkali basalt
Lava flow
Alkali Basalt
Alkali Basalt
Alkali Basalt
Alkali Basalt
Granitoid
Dacite
Granitoid
Granitoid
39.864927
39.522523
39.494336
39.876544
39.874011
39.876544
39.876812
39.913740
39.913740
27.135262
26.418303
26.220843
27.788515
27.774368
27.788515
27.760163
27.825795
27.825795
Granodiorite
Trachyandesite
Trachybasalt
Granite
Dyke
Granite
Granite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Sample ID
Source
IL-11
IL-3
ZK37
161
161
157
15
15
24
19
19
19
SAGS12-4
SAGS12-12
SAGS12-5
149
SAGS12-13
KB90
NKEA07-5
KD-26
KD-25
537
536
124
122
121
KO42
302
07WZ02
KO41B
SAYD12-17
6
6
6
19
6
11
25
23
23
23
23
19
19
19
12
19
4
12
6
HD-13A 488
HD-37 112
GML_293
542510
2
2
1
26
TE 34
TE 54
IE6A
IE7C
IE7A
IE6B
21
21
24
24
24
24
YK-16
YK-16
9
9
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
26.1
26.2
27.3
39.9
42.2
36.1
36
36.79
44.4
45.3
47.02
52.7
9.3
39.57
40.8
40.8
42.19
24.7
25.5
27.6
19.2
20.5
21.22
22.4
22.8
37.79
39.36
30.79
42.42
27.6
31.1
18.4
21.2
23.2
23.9
22.87
23.6
1.6
0.2
0.8
0.8
1
0.8
0.2
0.67
0.4
0.9
0.82
3.8
0.35
0.47
0.5
0.36
0.45
0.7
0.6
0.6
1.8
0.6
0.09
2.8
0.4
0.36
0.77
0.31
0.4
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.35
0.6
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
Hb
Hb
WR
Bt
Hb
Bt
Hb
Zr
Bt
Bt
Zr
Xe
WR
Ser
Hb
Hb
Hb
Chl
Hb
Bt
Zr
Hb
Bt
Zr
Hb
Ilca granitoid
Ilca granitoid
Ikl/Biga
Kapida granitoid
Kapida granitoid
Kapida pluton
Kapida pluton
Kapida pluton
Karabiga pluton
Karabiga pluton
Karabiga pluton
Karabiga pluton
Karayy basalt
Kartalda
Kartalda granitoid
Kartalda pluton
Kartalda pluton
Katranda granitoid
Katranda granitoid
Katranda granitoid
Kestanbol pluton
Kestanbol pluton
Kestanbol pluton
Kestanbol pluton
Kestanbol pluton
Zr
Zr
Zr
Mus
Kestane Stock
Kestane Stock
Kirazl Intrusive
Kirazl Pluton
WR
WR
WR
WR
Bt
Bt
n/a
Zr
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
Deposit
Comm.
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
39.916049
39.916049
40.223898
27.819986
27.819986
27.243067
27.889950
27.889950
40.435458
40.435458
40.498570
40.489982
40.489982
40.394993
40.413340
40.394993
40.418100
39.658000
LS Epi
Au,Cu
HS Epi
HS Epi
Au
Au
27.513337
27.708441
27.708441
27.225369
27.244615
27.225369
27.267700
26.427000
Lithology
Granitoid
Granitoid
Rhyolite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Basalt
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granodiorite
Dacite porphyry
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Quartz monzonite
Granitoid
40.000365
40.028632
40.005343
40.005343
39.832529
39.832529
39.832529
39.731438
39.726751
39.773885
39.731438
39.724522
26.582853
26.609823
26.587755
26.587755
26.795363
26.795363
26.795363
26.244427
26.250406
26.267103
26.244427
26.255366
39.921955
39.922318
40.034132
40.018650
26.806113
26.802695
26.739795
26.726696
Quartz monzonite
Quartz monzonite
Granodiorite
Andesite Porphyry
Kirazl Volcs
Kirazl Vols
Kzldam
Kzldam
Kzldam
Kzldam
40.073002
40.145340
39.926868
39.926868
39.926868
39.926868
26.634115
26.729991
27.431444
27.431444
27.431444
27.431444
Trachyandesite
Trachyandesite
Andesite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Kizildam stock
Kizildam Stock
39.934662
39.957433
27.441451
27.425343
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
167
Por
Por
HS Epi
HS Epi
Cu,Au
Cu,Au
Au,Cu
Tephriphonolite
Quartz monzonite
Granitoid
Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Sample ID
Source
NKEA07-6
EA 67
EA418
EA 77
549193
25
5
5
5
26
L302
KH-19A
KH-22
KH-22
136
135
137
549117
10
9
9
9
19
19
19
26
GML_332
GML_331
P1011
542524
542525
549127
1
1
23
26
26
26
NG-3
NG-1
NG1
N-13
SAGS12-3
PB2014061
PB2013046
549177
549180
ZK52
9
9
9
9
6
2
2
26
26
24
SO-7
L326
542538
147
9
10
26
19
TU-84
TU-84
549190
549184
19
18
26
26
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
9.97
21.3
19.7
20.5
27.25
32.7
24
25.1
25.39
35.7
38.1
39.4
42.68
38.4
39.11
43.34
26.3
36.9
20.83
21.2
23.8
24.79
23.85
45.3
28.36
28.54
26.2
23.17
22.6
23.97
29.94
22.38
71.9
30.42
67.9
24.56
24.7
0.14
0.6
0.6
1
0.42
1.4
1.6
0.9
0.55
0.8
1.8
0.8
0.25
1.1
0.8
0.85
2.5
0.83
0.44
0.7
0.7
0.38
0.6
0.2
0.59
0.3
5.1
0.28
0.8
0.53
0.35
0.18
1.8
0.21
30.22
0.16
0.15
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
WR
WR
WR
WR
Bt
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Bt
n/a
n/a
Zr
Hb
Hb
Hb
Bt
Kurtlar pluton
Kurtlar pluton
Kurtlar pluton
Kusayiri
Kusayiri
Kusayiri
Kusayiri
Deposit
LS Epi
Comm.
Au
Skn
Skn
Skn
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
39.686000
39.623584
39.557402
39.575421
39.526334
26.406000
26.283474
26.220138
26.219936
27.090870
Basalt
Trachyandesite
Trachyandesite
Rhyolite
Dacite porphyry
39.564313
39.879711
39.879711
39.879711
39.940622
39.940622
39.940622
26.625563
27.227882
27.227882
27.227882
26.613446
26.613446
26.613446
39.949965
39.957960
39.957960
40.032072
39.946109
39.946633
39.887317
26.616416
26.601585
26.601585
26.567203
26.789797
26.790497
27.783587
Tuff
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granodirite
39.894571
39.894571
39.894571
39.970459
40.489982
27.296045
27.296045
27.296045
27.298124
27.708441
Leucogranite
Monzogranite
Monzogranite
Quartz monzonite
Granitoid
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
HS Epi
Au
Zr
Zr
Ks
Bt
Bt
Bt
Kusayiri Stock
Kusayiri Stock
Madenda pluton
Pirentepe pluton
Muratlar pluton
n/a
Por
Por
LS Epi
HS Epi
HS Epi
Skn
Au,Cu
Au,Cu
Au
Au
Au
Fe,Cu
WR
WR
Zr
Zr
Bt
Namazgah stock
Namazgah stock
Namzagah Stock
Nevruz-akiroba
North Kapda
Skn
Skn
Skn
Skn
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
Zr
Zr
Hb
Bt
Hb
Pirentepe
Pirentepe
Samli
Samli pluton
Saroluk
HS Epi
HS Epi
Skn
IOCG
Au
Au
Fe,Cu
Cu,Au
39.942973
39.941404
39.827129
39.827451
40.148784
26.769367
26.797475
27.821896
27.821446
27.495099
Andesite
Andesite Tuff
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Granite
U-Pb
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
Zr
Zr
Bt
Mus
Bt
Plag
Bt
Bt
Sarioluk pluton
Selale
Serceler pluton
Sevketiye granitoid
Tayfur Formation
Tayfur Formation
Tepeoba stock
Tepeoba stock
HS Epi
Au
HS Epi
Cu,Au
Por
Por
Cu,Mo,Au
Cu,Mo,Au
40.154484
39.580411
40.029995
40.360026
40.386640
40.386640
39.638748
39.630373
27.452212
26.649557
26.610501
26.930377
26.489000
26.489000
27.102531
27.107005
Monzogranite
Granodiorite
Granitic rock
Granitoid
Vitric tuff
Vitric tuff
Quartz monzonite
Breccia porphyry
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
168
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Vol porphyry
Andesite porphry
Granodiorite
Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Sample
ID
Source
549183
26
24
IET47A
YS-70
IE10D
IE10A
111
118
110
113
114
9
24
24
19
19
19
19
19
YG-27
Z-11
549132
549140
8
MG-4
9
9
26
26
3
8
MTA57
542521
125
126
131
128
KO40
6
26
19
19
19
19
12
TE 14
141
142
144
141
21
19
19
19
19
KH-53
KH-49
IE4B
IE5B
IL-4
IL-7
IL-13
162
156
9
9
24
24
15
15
15
19
19
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
Cu,Mo,Au
39.630373
39.728798
27.107005
27.712386
Aplitic granite
Andesite
Pb,Ag
39.989787
39.935064
39.935064
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
27.330854
27.259537
27.259537
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
Granodiorite
Granite
Granite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
39.916532
39.871492
39.887184
39.882775
39.760000
39.839438
27.259195
27.024039
26.919696
26.942916
27.610000
27.323543
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Andesite porphyry
Andesite porphyry
Andesite
Metagranitoid
40.045905
40.069884
39.759645
39.759645
39.759645
39.759645
39.691318
26.613160
26.905140
26.684208
26.684208
26.684208
26.684208
27.095854
Andesite
Quartz monzodiorite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granodiorite
39.666678
39.926884
39.926884
39.926884
39.926884
26.417096
27.823955
27.823955
27.823955
27.823955
Alkali Basalt
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
39.864927
39.864927
39.876544
39.876812
39.916049
39.916049
39.916049
27.135262
27.135262
27.788515
27.760163
27.819986
27.819986
27.819986
27.889950
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Granite
Granite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
Deposit
Comm.
28.16
19.1
25.03
20.2
21.4
20.1
20.9
22.6
23.5
24.8
24
26.53
0.34
1
0.62
1.1
0.6
1.1
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.6
1.2
0.58
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
Bt
WR
Tepeoba stock
Turplu
Por
U-Pb
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Zr
WR
Bt
Hb
Chl
Bt
Bt
Bt
Yapaztepe Stock
Yenice (North)
Yenice (North)
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
IS Epi
K-Ar
U-Pb
27.2
27.48
26.3
401.4
29.3
14.84
27.1
27.5
28.1
36
25.7
9.9
237.8
245.2
285.7
310.7
20.5
23.7
18.4
19.5
25.6
28.65
37.9
38.3
38.2
0.18
0.34
2.6
7.8
1.3
0.11
0.6
0.6
0.7
1.4
3.6
0.6
4.7
4.8
5.6
6.3
0.7
0.83
2.2
1.2
3.8
1.18
0.2
0.8
0.8
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
n/a
Zr
Bt
Mus
WR
Zr
Yenice stock
Zeybekcayiri Stock
Ai Dai intrusion
Ai Dai intrusion
Balya
Bayatlar stock
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
U-Pb
WR
Bt
Bt
Bt
Bt
Chl
Zr
an Volcs
Doanilar pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eviler pluton
Eybek pluton
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
WR
Or
Mus
WR
Chl
Ezine basalt
Gnen granitoid
Gnen granitoid
Gnen granitoid
Gnen granitoid
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
n/a
n/a
WR
WR
Hb
Hb
Hb
Bt
Bt
Hidirlar pluton
Hidirlar pluton
Ilica
Ilica
Ilca granitoid
Ilca granitoid
Ilca granitoid
Kapida
Kapida pluton
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
169
HS Epi
HS Epi
IS Epi
Au
Au
Pb,Zn,Ag
HS Epi
Au
Skn
Skn
40.435458
40.498570
27.513337
Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey
Sample ID
Source
MG-11
KD-1a
542531
KO43A
SAYD12-16
IE6C
IE7B
IE9A
IE9B
8
23
26
12
6
24
24
24
24
YK-01
YK-33
549112
549115
9
9
26
26
N-37
549181
08S49
08S24
9
26
34
34
YS-31
YS-23
TU-52
IE10B
IE10C
115
116
117
112
120
9
9
18
24
24
19
19
19
19
19
YI-18
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
401.4
42.27
49.23
20.6
22.3
20.7
22.3
23.4
23.5
21.4
24.5
39.99
40.11
24.9
22.34
22.42
23.2
22.8
23.6
30.64
18.8
21.9
22
23.2
24.5
29.2
47.6
3.7
0.96
0.68
4.4
0.4
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.7
1.1
0.8
0.27
0.28
1.6
0.59
0.11
0.5
0.4
1.2
0.24
1.3
1.1
0.5
0.4
0.5
1.6
1.4
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
Zr
Bt
Ks
Zr
Bt
WR
WR
Bt
Bt
Karaaydn stock
Kartalda
Kartalda
Kestanbol pluton
Kestanbol pluton
Kzldam
Kzldam
Kzldam
Kzldam
n/a
n/a
Mus
Bt
Kizildam stock
Kizildam stock
Kusayiri granitoid
Kusayiri granitoid
HS Epi
HS Epi
n/a
Hb
Bt
Hb
Nevruz-akiroba
Samli pluton
Samli pluton
Samli pluton
Skn
IOCG
IOCG
IOCG
n/a
n/a
Bt
WR
WR
Bt
Bt
Bt
Bt
Hb
Soucak stocks
Soucak stocks
Tayfur Formation
Yenice (North)
Yenice (North)
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yenice granitoid
Yolindi
metagranitoids
Yolindi stock
Por
Por
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Ar-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
K-Ar
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
39.752290
27.146454
40.003884
40.005588
39.731438
39.724522
39.926868
39.926868
39.926868
39.926868
26.589170
26.584806
26.244427
26.255366
27.431444
27.431444
27.431444
27.431444
Metagranitoid
Dacite
Andesite
Quartz monzonite
Granitoid
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Au
Au
39.957796
39.919495
39.968160
39.964335
27.423582
27.429455
26.597187
26.606202
Granodiorite
Monzogranite
Andesite
Andesite
Cu,Au
Cu,Au
Cu,Au
39.970459
39.827451
39.873511
39.820142
27.298124
27.821446
27.773596
27.842125
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
40.011420
40.012559
40.386640
39.935064
39.935064
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
39.965564
27.336499
27.341714
26.489000
27.259537
27.259537
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
27.299743
Granodiorite
Diorite
Monzogranite
Monzogranite
Vitric tuff
Granite
Granite
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
Granitoid
40.190068
27.398735
Metagranitoid
40.199019
27.371310
Metagranitoid
Deposit
Comm.
LS Epi
LS Epi
Au,Cu
Au
U-Pb
Zr
401.5
4.8
NA-205
8
U-Pb
Zr
389.1
2.6
Ages excluded from statistical definition of age-related magmatic stages for the following reasons:
Red - Questionable quality of measurement and/or uncertain location
Purple - Excessive samples from a non-discriminant site location
Orange - Cretaceous and older
Blue - Reduce sampling bias of specific locations
Lithology
---End of Supplementary Table 4.1: Compiled Age Data for Magmatic Rocks of the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey---
170
Supplementary Table 4.2: Compilation of Mineral Prospect Host Rock and Mineralization Age Dates
Source
Assoc.
Deposit
Type
Age
(Ma)
AVC-2
27.89
0.41
U-Pb
Zr
Avcilar Stock
Epi
Au
39.589856
26.813889
Granodiorite
BPGP-1083a
33
27.1
1.8
Ar-Ar
WR
Ai Dai
HS Epi
Au-Ag
40.014880
26.906141
549149
26
26.36
0.16
Ar-Ar
Mus
Ai Dai intrusion
HS Epi
Au
39.882775
26.942916
Vuggy silica
and aarg alt.
in qz-feldspar
pro
Andesite Por
549133
26
26.42
0.15
Ar-Ar
Bt
Ai Dai intrusion
HS Epi
Au
39.877682
26.911498
BPGP-1146
33
27.1
0.6
Ar-Ar
WR
HS Epi
Au-Ag
40.030662
26.797858
BPGP-1245
33
35.7
Ar-Ar
Hb
Alankoy intrusive
HS Epi
Au-Ag
40.030662
26.797858
Granitegranodiorite
with
abundant Hb
Vuggy silica
and aarg alt.
in andesitic
lavas
Granodiorite
GML_231
38.62
0.45
U-Pb
Zr
an Volcs
HS Epi
Ag-Au-Cu
40.033821
26.680195
Andesite
549101
26
22.77
0.16
Ar-Ar
Mus
Egmir Volcs
HS Epi
Au-Cu
39.620289
27.249095
549102
26
24.18
0.21
Ar-Ar
Bt
Egmir Volcs
HS Epi
Au-Cu
39.579954
27.238261
537
23
40.8
0.36
Ar-Ar
Hb
Kartalda pluton
HS Epi
Au
40.005343
26.587755
536
23
42.19
0.45
Ar-Ar
Hb
Kartalda pluton
HS Epi
Au
40.005343
26.587755
Qz-kln-mus
bearing argill.
andesi.
Weakly
argillitizedchloritized
andesite
Hb-phyric
granodiorite
Dacite Por
GML_293
30.79
0.31
U-Pb
Zr
Kiazli Intrusive
HS Epi
40.034132
26.739795
Granodiorite
542510
26
42.42
0.4
Ar-Ar
Mus
Kirazl Pluton
HS Epi
Au-Cu
40.018650
26.726696
549117
26
42.68
0.25
Ar-Ar
Bt
Kusayiri
granodiorite
HS Epi
Au
39.949965
26.616416
549115
26
40.11
0.28
Ar-Ar
Bt
Kusayiri Volcs
HS Epi
Au
39.964335
26.606202
BPGP-1045
33
36.6
1.2
Ar-Ar
WR
Kusayiri Volcs
HS Epi
Au-Ag
39.968045
26.619237
542524
26
26.3
2.5
Ar-Ar
Bt
Pirentepe pluton
HS Epi
Au
39.946109
26.789797
Andesite Por
(Drill Hole
KD-42)
Hb rich
weakly
propyllitized
granodirite,
fresh, Hb
Pyrite-Qz
veinlets
within
andesite,
stockwork
Vuggy silica
and aarg alt.
in talus
breccia
Volcanic Por
542525
26
36.9
0.83
Ar-Ar
Bt
Muratlar pluton
HS Epi
Au
39.946633
26.790497
PB-2014-061
28.36
0.59
U-Pb
Zr
Pirentepe
HS Epi
Au
39.942973
26.769367
Andesitedacite
porphry
Andesite
PB-2013-046
28.54
0.3
U-Pb
Zr
Pirentepe
HS Epi
Au
39.941404
26.797475
Andesite Tuff
SO-7
23.97
0.53
U-Pb
Zr
Sarioluk pluton
HS Epi
Au
40.154484
27.452212
Monzogranite
542538
26
22.38
0.18
Ar-Ar
Bt
Sereler pluton
HS Epi
Cu-Au
40.029995
26.610501
Granitic rock
542539
26
39.57
0.47
Ar-Ar
Bt
Sereler pluton
HS Epi
Cu-Au
40.030616
26.610263
Granitoid
542537
26
40.8
0.36
Ar-Ar
Hb
Sereler pluton
HS Epi
Cu-Au
40.029789
26.610889
24.7
2.4
K-Ar
WR
Balya
IS Epi
Pb-Zn-Ag
39.760000
27.618000
Granodiorite
with Hb
phenocrysts
Andesite
28
26.8
1.4
K-Ar
WR
Balya
IS Epi
Pb-Zn-Ag
39.760000
27.612000
Andesite
YS-70
25.03
0.62
U-Pb
Zr
Yapaztepe Stock
IS Epi
Pb-Ag
39.989787
27.330854
Granodiorite
549181
26
22.34
0.59
Ar-Ar
Hb
Samli pluton
IOCG
Cu-Au
39.827451
27.821446
Bt-phyric
granodiorite
next to gn-ep
Skn
Sample ID
Lab
Method
Mat.
Unit
171
Comm.
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
Supplementary Table 4.2: Compilation of Mineral Prospect Host Rock and Mineralization Age Dates
Source
Assoc.
Deposit
Type
Age
08S49
34
22.42
0.11
Ar-Ar
Bt
Samli pluton
IOCG
Cu-Au
39.873511
27.773596
Granodiorite
549180
26
23.17
0.28
Ar-Ar
Bt
Samli pluton
IOCG
Cu-Au
39.827451
27.821446
08S24
34
23.2
0.5
Ar-Ar
Hb
Samli pluton
IOCG
Cu-Au
39.820142
27.842125
Bt-phyric
granitegranodiorite
Diorite
BPGP-1007
33
39.4
1.2
Ar-Ar
WR
Kartalda Epi
system
LS Epi
Au-Ag
39.979043
26.386495
KD-26
23
39.57
0.47
Ar-Ar
Ser
LS Epi
Au-Cu
40.000365
26.582853
KD-18
23
42.19
0.45
Ar-Ar
Bt
LS Epi
Au-Cu
39.999211
26.589959
Dacite
549193
26
27.25
0.42
Ar-Ar
Bt
Kartalda Epi
system
Kartalda Epi
system
Kkdere
Vuggy silica,
aarg alt. in
Qz-feldspar
Por andesite
Granitoid
LS Epi
Au
39.526334
27.090870
P1011
23
43.34
0.85
Ar-Ar
Ks
Madenda pluton
LS Epi
Au
40.032072
26.567203
Arg. dacite
Por, banded
calcite veins
Granodiorite
GML_315
37.27
0.64
U-Pb
Zr
an Volcs
Por
Au
39.996337
26.672416
Diorite
GML_143
38.72
0.42
U-Pb
Zr
an Volcs
Por
Au
40.010513
26.640232
Andesite
GML_329
40.37
0.37
U-Pb
Zr
Dede Tepe
Por
Au
39.992165
26.691789
Monzodiorite
27
25.03
0.14
Re-Os
Mo
Eybek pluton
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.646174
27.106906
Vein
27
25.11
0.14
Re-Os
Mo
Eybek pluton
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.646174
27.106906
Vein
27
25.62
0.09
Re-Os
Mo
Eybek pluton
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.646174
27.106906
Breccia
PB2014106
38.79
0.3
U-Pb
Zr
Halilaa
Por
Cu-Au
39.919421
26.792673
Granitoid
542503
26
26.27
0.19
Ar-Ar
Mus
Halilaga stock
Por
Au
39.922857
26.801722
Qz monzonite
HD-13A 488
37.79
0.36
U-Pb
Zr
Kestane Stock
Por
Cu-Au
39.921955
26.806113
Qz monzonite
HD-37 112
39.36
0.77
U-Pb
Zr
Kestane Stock
Por
Cu-Au
39.922318
26.802695
Qz monzonite
HD-94 402
39.56
0.21
Re-Os
Mo
Kestane Stock
Por
Cu-Au
39.920722
26.803967
Qz monzonite
GML_332
38.4
1.1
U-Pb
Zr
Kusayiri Stock
Por
Au-Cu
39.957960
26.601585
Granodiorite
GML_331
39.11
0.8
U-Pb
Zr
Kusayiri Stock
Por
Au-Cu
39.957960
26.601585
Granodiorite
YS-70
23.3
0.8
K-Ar
n/a
Sogucak stocks
Por
40.014431
27.335051
Granodiorite
YS-52
23.7
1.5
K-Ar
n/a
Sogucak stocks
Por
40.004386
27.339971
Monzogranite
549190
26
24.56
0.16
Ar-Ar
Bt
Tepeoba stock
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.638748
27.102531
549184
26
24.7
0.15
Ar-Ar
Bt
Tepeoba stock
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.630373
27.107005
549183
26
28.16
0.34
Ar-Ar
Bt
Tepeoba stock
Por
Cu-Mo-Au
39.630373
27.107005
Yigit_1
33
46.6
2.3
K-Ar
WR
Dikmen Pluton
Por
Au-Mo-Cu
40.136511
27.176070
GranodioriteQz monzonite
Por
Breccia Por
with
hydrothermal
Bt, ml and mo
Fine-grained
aplitic granite
Granodiorite
Yigit_2
33
51.9
2.6
K-Ar
WR
Dikmen Pluton
Por
Au-Mo-Cu
40.136511
27.176070
Granodiorite
Sample ID
Lab
Method
Mat.
Unit
172
Comm.
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
Supplementary Table 4.2: Compilation of Mineral Prospect Host Rock and Mineralization Age Dates
Source
Sample ID
Age
Lab
Method
Mat.
Unit
Assoc.
Deposit
Type
Comm.
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
SAGS12-5
44.4
0.4
Ar-Ar
Bt
Karabiga pluton
Por
40.394993
27.225369
Granitoid
149
19
45.3
0.9
K-Ar
Bt
Karabiga pluton
Por
40.413340
27.244615
Granitoid
SAGS12-13
47.02
0.82
U-Pb
Zr
Karabiga pluton
Por
40.394993
27.225369
Granitoid
KB90
11
52.7
3.8
U-Pb
Xe
Karabiga pluton
Por
40.418100
27.267700
Granitoid
549175
26
25.03
0.15
Ar-Ar
Bt
Balya Intrusion
Skn
Pb-Zn
39.736433
27.586899
549173
26
26.81
0.11
Ar-Ar
Ser
Balya Intrusion
Skn
Pb-Zn
39.736433
27.586899
dark felds.
Porph.
ntruding
dacite Por,
fresh
Dacite
549124
26
22.7
Ar-Ar
Bt
Eviler pluton
Skn
Fe-Cu
39.771968
26.763974
549125
26
28.25
0.17
Ar-Ar
Bt
Eviler pluton
Skn
Fe-Cu
39.771968
26.763974
KH-53
20.5
0.7
K-Ar
n/a
Hidirlar pluton
Skn
39.864927
27.135262
Aplite cutting
granodiorite
Hb-Bt-phyric
granodiorite
Granodiorite
KH-49
23.7
0.83
K-Ar
n/a
Hidirlar pluton
Skn
39.864927
27.135262
Granodiorite
KH-53
26.33
0.38
U-Pb
Zr
Hidirlar pluton
Skn
39.864927
27.135262
Granodiorite
NA-307
23.3
1.3
K-Ar
WR
Karadoru stock
Skn
40.069875
27.373298
Leucogranite
KH-19A
24
1.6
K-Ar
n/a
Kurtlar pluton
Skn
39.879711
27.227882
Granodiorite
KH-22
25.1
0.9
K-Ar
n/a
Kurtlar pluton
Skn
39.879711
27.227882
Granodiorite
KH-22
25.39
0.55
U-Pb
Zr
Kurtlar pluton
Skn
39.879711
27.227882
Granodiorite
NG-3
21.2
0.7
K-Ar
WR
Namazgah stock
Skn
39.894571
27.296045
Leucogranite
NG-1
23.8
0.7
K-Ar
WR
Namazgah stock
Skn
39.894571
27.296045
Monzogranite
NG1
24.79
0.38
U-Pb
Zr
Namzagah Stock
Skn
39.894571
27.296045
Monzogranite
N-13
23.85
0.6
U-Pb
Zr
Skn
39.970459
27.298124
Qz monzonite
N-13
23.5
K-Ar
n/a
Nevruz-akiroba
pluton
Nevruz-akiroba stock
Skn
39.970459
27.298124
Qz monzonite
173
Supplementary Table 4.2: Compilation of Mineral Prospect Host Rock and Mineralization Age Dates
Sample ID
Source
N-37
Assoc.
Deposit
Type
Lab
Method
Mat.
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
1.6
K-Ar
n/a
Nevruz-akiroba stock
Skn
39.970459
27.298124
Granodiorite
25.6
1.3
K-Ar
n/a
Nevruz-akiroba stock
Skn
26.2
5.1
Ar-Ar
Hb
Samli
Skn
Fe-Cu
39.970459
27.298124
Monzogranite
39.827129
27.821896
Fe-Cu
39.887317
27.783587
HS Epi
Au
39.887184
26.919696
Ai Dai intrusion
HS Epi
Au
39.882775
26.942916
Granodiorite,
altered, Ks,Bt,
Hb-rich
granodiorite
with Act veins
Andesite Por
with Plag
phenocrysts
Andesite Por
26
20.83
0.44
Ar-Ar
Bt
unk
Skn
549132
26
27.2
0.18
Ar-Ar
Bt
Ai Dai intrusion
549140
26
27.48
0.34
Ar-Ar
Mus
549112
26
39.99
0.27
Ar-Ar
Mus
Kuscayir metamorphic
suite
HS Epi
Au
39.968160
26.597187
Ar-Ar
Ser
unk
HS Epi
Au
39.963652
26.606224
2.6
K-Ar
WR
IS Epi
Pb-Zn-Ag
39.760000
27.610000
42.27
0.96
Ar-Ar
Bt
Balya hydrothermal
system
Kartalda Epi system
Andesite with
Qz-kaolinite
pyrophyllite
Oxidized pyrQz veinlets
within
andesite,
stockwork
Andesite
579115
26
40.11
0.28
26.3
KD-1a
23
LS Epi
Au-Cu
40.003884
26.589170
Dacite
542531
YS-31
26
49.23
0.68
Ar-Ar
Ks
LS Epi
Au
40.005588
26.584806
Andesite
22.8
0.4
K-Ar
n/a
Sogucak stocks
Por
40.011420
27.336499
Monzogranite
YS-23
23.6
1.2
K-Ar
n/a
Sogucak stocks
Por
40.012559
27.341714
Monzogranite
549122
26
28.44
23.3
Ar-Ar
Hb
Eviler pluton
Skn
Fe-Cu
39.771968
26.763974
Bt-Act-Gn Skn
542521
26
14.84
0.11
Ar-Ar
Bt
Dogancilar pluton
HS Epi
Au
40.069884
26.905140
Qz
monzodiorite
Por with
stockworking
Age
24.9
N-14
549177
26
549127
Unit
Comm.
Ages recorded in blue were excluded from probability density plots to reduce sampling bias of specific locations
---End of Supplementary Table 4.2: Compilation of Mineral Prospect Host Rock and Mineralization Age Dates---
174
Supplementary Table 4.3: Compiled Metamorphic-related Age Data for the Biga Peninsula
Source
Age
Method
Mat.
13
13
13
23
30
21.7
22.5
28.7
55
65
0.5
0.3
0.5
2
0.9
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Rb-Sr
Mus
Mus
Bt
Ser
Phg
236
30
69
Rb-Sr
1B
30
69
0.9
IF 21
E84
457A
609D
4328C
4328C
4329C
951
TU21
TU15
TU20
TU16
TU14
TU12
TU17
TU19
6
195B
TU13
2
3
195B
218
16
20
31
31
29
29
29
22
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
17
31
31
17
31
31
31
7
16.8
116.6
99
100.3
109.6
117
118.3
24.8
10.2
12.2
13.7
14.6
14.8
15.8
17
17.7
18
20
20.4
23
24
30
63.9
219
226A
Sample
ID
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
K6
K9
K5
MD-1a
1A
39.714677
39.724263
39.730207
40.054462
39.855465
26.578763
26.580188
26.593943
26.559439
26.349843
Mus
amlca metamorphics
39.903980
26.423293
Rb-Sr
Phg
amlca metamorphics
39.855465
26.349843
3.8
3.3
6.1
2.8
2.4
1.5
3.1
4.6
5
2.4
1.4
3.8
2.6
2.8
2.8
1.6
0.2
0.2
4.8
0.2
0.3
0.4
1.5
FT
Ar-Ar
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
FT
FT
FT
FT
FT
FT
FT
FT
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
FT
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
Rb-Sr
Ap
Hb
Phg
Phg
Plag
Hb
Hb
Zr
Ap
Ap
Ap
Ap
Ap
Ap
Ap
Ap
Bt
Bt
Ap
Mus
Mus
Mus
WR
amlk granitoid
Denizgren ophiolite
Elliayak eclogite
Elliayak eclogite
Ezine peridotite
Ezine peridotite
Ezine peridotite
Kazdag massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kemer meta. complex
39.608400
39.833818
39.638223
39.591824
39.837815
39.837815
39.837815
39.689655
39.583517
39.642812
39.751469
39.674658
39.672376
39.719167
39.681771
39.745862
39.689697
39.721249
39.692666
39.689697
39.689697
39.721249
40.407000
27.185200
26.303227
26.907599
26.905850
26.301716
26.301716
26.301716
26.622339
26.734373
26.622787
26.818474
26.926869
26.649268
26.588886
26.918955
26.848054
26.931196
26.907503
26.614666
26.931196
26.931196
26.907503
27.056000
76
Rb-Sr
WR
40.405000
27.055000
77.7
1.9
Rb-Sr
WR
40.389000
27.061000
212
84.3
1.3
Rb-Sr
WR
40.412000
27.062000
4176C
4176H
11-250
28
28
32
164
203.1
559
17
2.9
17
Ar-Ar
Ar-Ar
U-Pb
Gph
Phg
Zr
Nilufer unit
Nilufer unit
Salihler formation
40.376249
40.376249
40.420493
28.120687
28.120687
27.085343
11-248
11-168
11-251
32
32
32
565
573
582
9
9.3
30
U-Pb
U-Pb
U-Pb
Zr
Zr
Zr
Salihler formation
Salihler formation
Salihler formation
39.896060
39.913620
40.357623
26.421740
26.443741
27.136375
Unit/Location
175
Lithology
Two-mica gneiss
Two-mica gneiss
Gneiss
Schist
Quartzmicaschist
Quartzmicaschist
Quartzmicaschist
Granodiorite
Amphibolite
Eclogite
Eclogite
Amphibolite
Amphibolite
Amphibolite
Metagranite
Gneiss
Gneiss
Granodiorite
Gneiss
Gneiss
Amphibolite
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Garnet-mica
schist
Garnet-mica
schist
Garnet-mica
schist
Garnet-mica
schist
Eclogite
Eclogite
Quartz-mica
schist
Eclogite
Micaschist
Quartz-mica
schist
Supplementary Table 4.3: Compiled Metamorphic-related Age Data for the Biga Peninsula
11-208
11-253
948
949-3
949-2
949-1
K13
1
TU60
TU10
TU18
4
TU11
Source
Sample ID
Age
Method
Mat.
Unit/Location
Latitude
(DD.dd)
Longitude
(DD.dd)
Lithology
32
32
22
22
22
22
29
31
17
17
17
31
17
577
562
248
296
299
418
308
14
14.7
14.9
16.6
19
19.3
20
16
19
11
17
73
16
0.1
4.4
5.4
4
0.2
6.4
U-Pb
U-Pb
Pb-Pb
Pb-Pb
Pb-Pb
Pb-Pb
Pb-Pb
Rb-Sr
FT
FT
FT
Rb-Sr
FT
Zr
Zr
Zr
Zr
Zr
Zr
Zr
Bt
Ap
Ap
Ap
Bt
Ap
Andiktasi formation
Geyikli formation
Kazdag massif
Kazdag massif
Kazdag massif
Kazdag massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
Kazda Massif
40.361376
39.527022
39.67266495
39.68274511
39.68274511
39.68274511
39.687370
39.689697
39.599304
39.731336
39.743683
39.689697
39.711467
27.069781
26.288624
26.95726932
26.91940044
26.91940044
26.91940044
26.839831
26.931196
26.640808
26.575522
26.889785
26.931196
26.567559
Metabasite
Micaschist
Metagranite
Biotite rich schist
Biotite rich schist
Biotite rich schist
Gneiss
Gneiss
Gneiss
Ultramylonite
Gneiss
Gneiss
Mylonite
Ages excluded from statistical definition of age-related metamorphic events for the following reasons:
Orange - Jurassic or older
Blue - Reduce sampling bias of specific locations
Abbreviations used in this table:
Mat = Material Analyzed; Comm = Commodities present at the prospect; DD.dd = Decimal Degrees; LS = Low Sulphidation;
IS = Intermediate Sulphidation; HS = High Sulphidation; Epi = Epithermal; IOCG = Iron Oxide Copper Gold; Por = Porphyry;
Skn = Skarn; Ap = Apatite; Bt = Biotite; Chl = Chlorite; Ep = Epidote; Hb = Hornblende; Ks = Potassium Feldspar;
Mus = Muscovite; Or = Orthoclase; Plag = Plagioclase; WR = Whole Rock; Xe = Xenotime; Zr = Zircon; n/a = Not Available
52 Total metamorphism-related ages, 33 were statistically interpreted
---End of Supplementary Table 4.3: Compiled Metamorphic-related Age Data for the Biga Peninsula---
176
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178
179
Samples used for LA-ICPMS U/Pb age determination were collected from mineralized and non-mineralized
hypabyssal intrusive rocks and their volcanic equivalents. Collection was limited to sites where stratigraphic position
is well constrained. Samples were initially processed using a Rhino jaw crusher followed by a Bico disk grinder
equipped with ceramic grinding plates. Mineral separates were prepared using a Wilfley wet shaking table fitted
with a machined Plexiglass top followed by heavy liquid separation and Frantz magnetic separation. Zircons were
hand-picked with the aid of a binocular microscope from an ethanol solution and mounted on epoxy pucks along
with several grains of the 338 1 Ma Pleovice zircon standard (Slma et al, 2008) and the 416.8 1.1 Ma Temora
zircon standard (Black et al., 2003).
Grinding the puck on 1000 grit sandpaper followed by polishing with a 1 m polishing paste exposed the
zircons. After exposure the puck was washed with a dilute HNO3 acid solution, thoroughly rinsed with distilled water
and left to air dry in a fume hood. Analysis were performed on a New Wave UP-213 laser ablation system and a
ThermoFinnigan Element2 single collector, double-focusing, magnetic sector ICP-MS. Data acquisition and reduction
was performed using a protocol developed by PCIGR and MDRU and is briefly described below.
High quality sections of each zircon grain, free of alteration, fractures, inclusions, or cores were selected for
analysis. In order to minimize elemental fractionation during the analysis (Koler et al., 2009), ~100 m line scans at
a width of 25 m were performed rather than spot analyses. Background values were measured with the laser
shutter closed for approximately 20 seconds, followed by approximately 45 seconds of data collection with the laser
firing.
The time-resolved signals were analyzed using Iolite, an application extension of the Igor Pro scientific
graphic, data analysis, image processing and programming software. Background measurements were manually
subtracted, whereas propagated analytical errors and isotopic ratios are automatically calculated by Iolite.
Corrections for mass and elemental fractionation were made by bracketing analyses of unknown grains with
replicate analyses of both the Pleovice zircon standard and Temora zircon standard. A typical analytical sequence
consists of four Pleovice zircon analyses followed by two Temora zircon analysis, five unknown zircon analyses, two
standard analyses, five unknown analyses, etc., finishing with two Temora zircon standard analyses and four
Pleovice zircon standard analyses.
The concordia age of the Pleovice zircon standard in the analytical sequence was 337.0 1.7 Ma and the
concordia age of the Temora zircon in-house reference was 416.5 3.1 Ma, both are within error of the accepted
values. Final age interpretation and Concordia plotting of the analytical results was done with ISOPLOT software,
following the protocol outlined by Ludwig, 2003.
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
Geology of the Kkda and Kirazl Epithermal Ag-Au and the Columbaz Au-Porphyry Deposits, Northwest Turkey
Mapping, U-Pb Geochronology and Digital Cartography by: Graham M. Leroux, Mineral Deposit Research Unit
LOCATION MAP
LEGEND
476000
477000
LAYERED ROCKS
478000
EURASIAN
PLATE
OLIGOCENE
EQT
OKV
EHFP
PSC
38.35 0.50
TAS
EQT
EDV
PSC
TAS
PSP
EBT
4430000
4430000
EHFP
EVS
EVS
Kirazl
EBT
LATE TRIASSIC
Highway................................................................................................................................................................................................
.
Advanced argillic alteration.......................................................................................................................................................... ...........
Cross section lines............................................................................................................................................................... A
Mineral tenure boundary...................................................................................................................................................
TQC
PSC
4429000
38.51 0.44
Major cities.............................................................................................................................................................................................
amlica Metamorphics:
Well-foliated, phyllite dominated, grey, quartz-augen, micaceous, locally garnetiferrous schist. Deformed, quartzmica schist are the basement rocks at Kirazl and Kkda. Within the schist, quartz-augens, and deformed veins
are common.
Denizgren Ophiolite:
Dark bluish-green, strongly magnetic, variably foliated, serpentine-amphibole rich ultrama c rock. Well to poorly
foliated, ductily deformed, soapy, amphibolitic and magnetite rich. Local weak silicification and veinlets of finecrystalline quartz are common. Unconformably thrust over quartz-micaschists.
PSP
GEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
The Kkda and Kirazl HS Ag-Au-Cu epithermal and Columbaz Au porphyry prospects in the central Biga Peninsula are hosted within
Eocene (40.19 - 37.34 Ma) medium-K, intermediate andesite, chemically equivalent volcaniclastic rocks and quartz diorite to monzodiorite.
INTRUSIVE ROCKS
EHFP
+
+
4428000
4428000
OLIGOCENE
TAS
TQC
O+GR
+
+
Granodiorite: Biotite, quartz, hornblende, feldspar porphyritic, massive, pyrite-bearing, granodiorite. Zones of
stockworked quartz veins are locally present.
EOCENE
+
+
+
E+DT
+
+
Quartz, feldspar, hornblende porphyritic, monzodiorite, quartz-diorite, and minor granodiorite. Quartz, sericite
and pyrite alteration is strong locally. Multi-stage quartz vein stockwork is common.
EDT
Projection: Universal Transerve Mercator (UTM)
Datum: European 1950 Zone 35N
448
Magnetic Declination
4427000
800
EDV
1200
1600
2000
(meters)
468000
469000
A
meters above sea level
EDV
471000
472000
U 38.51 0.44
473000
EVS
200
TAS
0 (m from origin)
500
1000
4433000
1500
477000
4434000
700
600
EKDV
Ar
EQT
29.23 0.33
29.69 0.42
EHFP
100
476000
500
EBT
300
475000
Kkda
Columbaz
400
474000
4432000
4431000
Sarp
EDV
4430000
600
500
Camelback
Approximate mean
magnetic declination for
centre of map in August
2014 is 448 0 19, with
a secular variation of 0 6
east per annum.
470000
4429000 (mN)
700
Kuscu, I., 2009, Metallogenesis of the Tethyan collage: Magmatic association and age of ore deposition in Turkey: in: Mineral Deposit Research Unit
internal report on the Western Tethyan Metallogeny Project, UBC.
4427000
400
REFERENCES
Scale 1:15,000
PSC
2000
400
300
200
ELT
OKV
EKDV
2500
3000
3500
North of Kirazl, pyrite chalcopyrite-bearing feldspar-hornblende phyric granodiorite (OGR; 30.79 0.31 Ma) crosscuts the Baliklieme
Volcanics (EHFP) and is overlain by the Kirazl Volcanics (OKV), indicating that OKV is younger than OGR. An Ar/ Ar age of 42.42 0.40 Ma
(Kuu, 2009) on muscovite from pyrite-bearing hornblende feldspar phyric andesite (EDV) in drill hole KD-57 at Kirazl indicates that the
conformably-overlain volcano-sedimentary upper stratigraphy is Eocene in age. The volcano-sedimentary stratigraphy at Kkda (EKV;
EQT; EKDV; EVS; ELT) conformably overlies EHFP dated at 38.35 0.5 Ma which, similarly to Kirazl, indicates deposition beginning in Eocene.
4000
4500
X: 475474
Y: 4428887
5000
5500
100
6500
6000
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
-100
-200
Okay, A, I., and Tuysuz, O., 1999, Tehtyan sutures of northern Turkey: In: Durand, B., Jolivet, L., Horvath, L., Serranne, M., (eds), The Mediterranean Basins:
Tertiary extension within the Alpine Orogen: Geological Society of London, Special Publication no. 146, p. 475-515.
469000 (mE)
470000
471000
472000
473000
EQT
475000
EVS
EKDV
. .
v .
38.35 0.50
ELT
TAS
474000
Kkda
PSC
EHFP
EBT
EBT
.
v
EDV
.
.
476000
477000
C
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
-100
-200
Kirazl
EVS
.
.
TAS
TQC
PSC
EKDV
EKDV
TQC
0
The 40.19 0.34 Ma Dede Tepe pluton (Camelback; EDT) is overlain by EDV and is traversed by conspicuous multi-stage quartz veining,
contains anomalous grab-sample gold values (up to 0.4 g/t) and has a similar petrography and age to the 40.17 0.37 Ma Valley Au-Cu
Porphyry ~7.5 km east of the map area. The Columbaz Au porphyry target is composed of bonanza-grade Au-bearing quartz veins with a
dominant WNW-ESE strike dipping steeply to the south and pervasive background gold values of 0.1 - 0.6 g/t Au. (increasing at depth) in a
strongly magnetite-altered, stacked andesite dome complex.
Bonev, N., & Beccaletto, L., 2007, From syn- to post-orogenic Tertiary extension in the north Aegean region: constraints on the kinematics in the eastern
Rhodope-Thrace, Bulgaria-Greece and the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey: In: Taymaz, T., Yilmaz, Y. & Dilek, Y. (eds) The Geodynamics of the Aegean and
Anatolia, Geological Society, London, Special Publications, vol. 291, p. 113-142.
478000
Okay, A. I., Satr, M., Maluski, H., Siyako, M., Monie, P., Metzger, R., & Akyz, S., 1996, Paleo- and Neo- Tethyan events in northwestern Turkey: Geological
and geochronological constraints: In: A. Yin & Harrison T.M. (eds.) The Tectonic Evolution of Asia, Cambridge University Press. p. 420-441.
True North
Location Map
EBT
4429000
TQC
EDV
TAS
Massive to thickly-bedded, light bluish grey, quartz-granule, pyritic, well-sorted, medium-grained arkosic arenite
sandstone. Local areas are plastically folded and foliation develops.
EHFP
EKDV
Sarp
GEOLOGICAL SYSMBOLS
4431000
4431000
Columbaz
ARABIAN
PLATE
(Modied after Okay et al., 1996; Okay & Tysz, 1999; Bonev & Beccaletto, 2007)
Crystal-rich, pumaceous amme, phyllite-clast tu, intercalated with EHFP breccia and ows. This unit is poorly
preserved within the stratigraphic record. Quartz-grit, white clay altered feldspar phenocrysts and granule to
bomb-sized rip up clasts of phyllite and schist are diagnostic features.
EBT
EVS
AFRICAN PLATE
4433000
4433000
4432000
4432000
EDV v
re
FWFZ
c
Ar
Kkda
EBT
EKDV
EVS
ANATOLIAN
PLATE
Aegean Sea
Crystal-bearing, lithic-lapilli-rich, strongly altered ignimbritic andesite tu, intercalated with EKDV and EVS.
Residual vuggy quartz alteration and ore-grade mineralization is present within this unit at Kkda. Clasts range
from 5 mm - 5 cm in a sandy matrix of feldspar crystal, lithics and rare quartz grains. Over a thickness range of 40 >150 m the unit can be thickly bedded and poorly graded, massive and unstratified. Preferential, intense alunitedickite alteration of clasts causes distinct blebby appearance.
ELT
Turkey
Athens
Laminated, normally-graded, mudstone to pebble conglomerate, colloidal silica, plant fossil and lignite seam
bearing siltstone. Silici cation, residual vuggy quartz alteration and ore-grade mineralization is present within this
unit at Kkda. Soft-sediment deformation structures are common (slump, load, ame). Argillic alteration is
prominent, often replacing cement with white clays.
OGR
West Anatolian
Extensional
Province
Izmir
a
ge
Ae
EQT
Ar
Greece
Low to medium-K, calc-alkaline, quartz, biotite, pyroxene, feldspar porphyritic basalt and basaltic andesites.
Intercalated massive to thickly layered ows and auto-breccia. Typically a strong argillic alteration masks primary
textures and selectively alters feldspars at the surface. Where fresh, trace magnetite blebs are evident, biotite can
be well preserved.
EVS
Zon
e
tu
Fault
Ankara
Kkda Volcanics:
EKDV
Anat olian
Su
OGR
ELT
Project
Location
Dacitic to rhyolitic, quartz-grit, crystal-lapilli tu, re-worked tu, silt-granulestone, often with laminated colloidal
silica. Kaolinite, montmorillonite and illite alteration is common and causes a white to a bleached cream colour
appearance, with domains of mottled purplish oxidation.
Izm
ir
4434000
EOCENE
re
de Sutu
n
o
-P
a
r
t
In
4434000
kilometers
North
Istanbul
re
tu
Su
OGR
OKV
High-K, calc-alkaline dacite (OKVa) and trachyandesite (OKVb), columnar and massive ows, autobrecciated and
re-worked lava ows. Quartz, pyroxene, plagioclase and alkali feldspar porphyritic. Interbedded massive ows
and monolithic rounded boulder auto-breccia.
Black Sea
400
Bulgaria
ar
OKVa,b
d
Var
Hallalar Formation
Kirazl Volcanics:
Sea Fault
475000
Dea
d
474000
473000
472000
471000
470000
469000
468000
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
8000
7500
8500
9000
CD-008, 239.3m
X: 470760
Y: 4431795
X: 468953
Y: 4430068
CD-008 346.5m
GML-2013-231
KCKDA TEPE
SARP DAI
X: 475845
Y: 4430165
X: 475882
Y: 4430122
CD-008 346.5m
X: 472653
Y: 4433757
xn == 102
270/11
1m
GML_2013_450
4430000
900
4433000
900
Kirazl
300
PSC
200
30.79 0.31
v
PSC
100
+
+
+
+
0
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
+ +
600
5500
+
6000
300
+
200
+
+
+
6500
470000
471000
472000
473000
500
37.34 0.89 U
EBT
400
EBT
EHFP
EHFP
100
..
TAS
200
TQC
TAS
. E.DV
.
.
..
-100
-200
500
1000
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
X
6500
X
X
XEDT
400
300
200
X
100
0
X
7000
500
600
X
6000
. .
X
X
PSC
1500
700
100
800
40.19 0.34 U
PSC
474000
Camelback
Sarp/Columbaz
300
469000 (mE)
800
700
400
+
O+GR
D
700
500
400
EDV
800
600
TQC
v
v
TAS
500
EBT
600
700
800
4432000
4429000
Dextral-oblique
normal faul ng.
4431000
Propylitic
B 4428000 (mN)
Phyllic
xn == 11315/22
-100
-200
7500