(U-Th)/He Dating of Supergene Iron (Oxyhydr-)Oxides of the Nefza-Sejnane District (Tunisia): New Insights into Mineralization and Mammalian Biostratigraphy

The mining district of Nefza-Sejnane (Tunisia) encloses numerous ores and raw material deposits, all formed in relation with successive Fe-rich fluids meteoric and/or hydrothermal origins. Here, for the first time Tunisia, (U-Th)/He ages were obtained on supergene goethite from various localities/deposits highlight direct dating significant weathering episodes during late Tortonian Pleistocene. These events are most likely associated favorable conditions that combine (i) wet climate displaying sufficient water/fluid; (ii) regional exhumation, due to large-scale vertical lithospheric movements enhancing percolation fluids. Matched previous works, these results refine stratigraphic frame polymetallic mineralization clay deposits district, confirming influence circulation Cenozoic. As a consequence new data, we moreover propose taxonomic revision well-known mammalian fauna Douahria locality, suggesting an early age fossils, i.e., prior episode event area.