Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)
The giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Forma...
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/7/620 |
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| author | Julien Poot Michèle Verhaert Augustin Dekoninck Abdellah Oummouch Abdelaziz El Basbas Lhou Maacha Johan Yans |
| author_facet | Julien Poot Michèle Verhaert Augustin Dekoninck Abdellah Oummouch Abdelaziz El Basbas Lhou Maacha Johan Yans |
| author_sort | Julien Poot |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Formation of Tamjout Dolomite) and sandstones/siltstones (Basal Series) of the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. The supergene enrichment is most likely related to episodes of uplift/doming (last event since 30 Ma), which triggered the exhumation of primary/hypogene mineralization (chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, chalcocite I and bornite I), generating their oxidation and the precipitation of secondary/supergene sulfides, carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The Tizert supergene deposit mainly consists of (i) a residual patchwork of laterite rich in Fe-oxyhydroxides; (ii) a saprolite rich in malachite, or “green oxide zone” where primary structures such as stratification are preserved; (iii) a cementation zone containing secondary sulfides (covellite, chalcocite II and bornite II). The abundance of Cu carbonates results from the rapid neutralization of acidic meteoric fluids, due to oxidation of primary sulfides, by carbonate host rocks. Chlorite is also involved in the neutralization processes in the sandstones/siltstones of the Basal Series, in which supergene clays, such as kaolinite and smectites, subsequently precipitated. At Tizert, as can be highlighted in other supergene Cu-deposits around the world, azurite is absent due to low pCO<sub>2</sub> and relatively high pH conditions. In addition to copper, Ag enrichment is also observed in weathered rocks; Fe-oxyhydroxides contain high Zn, As, and Pb contents. However, these secondary enrichments are quite low compared to Cu in the whole Tizert site, which is therefore, considered as relatively homogeneous. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:33:48Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:33:48Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-b77446b83b66470f9a738bc509fb27712023-11-20T06:27:20ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2020-07-0110762010.3390/min10070620Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)Julien Poot0Michèle Verhaert1Augustin Dekoninck2Abdellah Oummouch3Abdelaziz El Basbas4Lhou Maacha5Johan Yans6Department of Geology, Institute of Life-Earth-Environment (ILEE), Université of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, BelgiumDepartment of Geology, Institute of Life-Earth-Environment (ILEE), Université of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, BelgiumDepartment of Geology, Institute of Life-Earth-Environment (ILEE), Université of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, BelgiumManagem Group, BP 5199, Casablanca 20100, MoroccoDépartement des Sciences de la Terre, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Rabat, Avenue Ahmed Cherkaoui, BP 753, Agdal, Rabat 10000, MoroccoManagem Group, BP 5199, Casablanca 20100, MoroccoDepartment of Geology, Institute of Life-Earth-Environment (ILEE), Université of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, BelgiumThe giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Formation of Tamjout Dolomite) and sandstones/siltstones (Basal Series) of the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. The supergene enrichment is most likely related to episodes of uplift/doming (last event since 30 Ma), which triggered the exhumation of primary/hypogene mineralization (chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, chalcocite I and bornite I), generating their oxidation and the precipitation of secondary/supergene sulfides, carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The Tizert supergene deposit mainly consists of (i) a residual patchwork of laterite rich in Fe-oxyhydroxides; (ii) a saprolite rich in malachite, or “green oxide zone” where primary structures such as stratification are preserved; (iii) a cementation zone containing secondary sulfides (covellite, chalcocite II and bornite II). The abundance of Cu carbonates results from the rapid neutralization of acidic meteoric fluids, due to oxidation of primary sulfides, by carbonate host rocks. Chlorite is also involved in the neutralization processes in the sandstones/siltstones of the Basal Series, in which supergene clays, such as kaolinite and smectites, subsequently precipitated. At Tizert, as can be highlighted in other supergene Cu-deposits around the world, azurite is absent due to low pCO<sub>2</sub> and relatively high pH conditions. In addition to copper, Ag enrichment is also observed in weathered rocks; Fe-oxyhydroxides contain high Zn, As, and Pb contents. However, these secondary enrichments are quite low compared to Cu in the whole Tizert site, which is therefore, considered as relatively homogeneous.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/7/620Tizert depositcopperweatheringsupergenewestern Anti-AtlasMorocco |
| spellingShingle | Julien Poot Michèle Verhaert Augustin Dekoninck Abdellah Oummouch Abdelaziz El Basbas Lhou Maacha Johan Yans Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) Minerals Tizert deposit copper weathering supergene western Anti-Atlas Morocco |
| title | Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) |
| title_full | Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) |
| title_short | Characterization of Weathering Processes of the Giant Copper Deposit of Tizert (Igherm Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco) |
| title_sort | characterization of weathering processes of the giant copper deposit of tizert igherm inlier anti atlas morocco |
| topic | Tizert deposit copper weathering supergene western Anti-Atlas Morocco |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/7/620 |
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