The Zar Mehr PLACER Gold Prospect, NE of Iran A Promising Exploration Target

Abstract:
      The Zarmehr gold prospect is located 22 km SW of the Torbat-e-hydariyeh town, NE of Iran.
   Placer gold mineralization occurs in alluvial deposits south of the Darouneh fault. Igneous outcrops, forming an east-west mountain range north of the Dorouneh fault, are believed to be the source of the mineralization. This mountain range is part of the Sabzevar geologic zone which hosts several gold prospects such as Arghash, Taknar, Kalat-e-teymour, and Kuh Zar.
   Strata of sedimentary and volcanic rocks intruded by acid and intermediate intrusive units are the main rocks in the Sabzevar zone. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization occurs locally in this zone. Erosion of these mineralized areas has led to development of placer mineralization in the pediments further south of the Darouneh fault. Gold anomaly was first discovered in this area during a systematic geochemical exploration (Geological survey of Iran: Feizabad 1:100 000 map, 1995). The Khoshdareh-Zarmehr area was subsequently recommended as a promising are for placer gold mineralization (Shamsa, 2001).
   Therefore, potential of placer gold mineralization in these alluvial deposits was investigated during this study. This was done by digging 52 holes, each approximately 10 m deep. Heavy mineral samples were collected from holes at 1m intervals. These samples were prepared and studied at the heavy mineral laboratory of the geological survey of Iran.
   Overall, 476 samples were collected. Gold particles were present in 342 samples. The number of gold grains range from 1 to 121 in each sample. These results are interpreted to be very promising. Therefore, further studies to determine the potential of economic placer gold mineralization and its relationship to the history of the Darouneh fault movement are suggested.