Geochemistry and mineralization of the East Ridge ore zone in Mehdiabad zinc-lead- barite deposit, Yazd Province, Central Iran

Mehdiabad zinc-lead-barite deposit is located in the Central Iran structural zone and about 116 km southeast of Yazd. The host rock of this deposit is Lower Cretaceous dolomitic limestone of the Taft Formation . The main ore minerals in the Mehdiabad East Ridge ore zone include hemimorphite, hydrozincite, cerussite, and chalcophanite. Ore textures are mainly replacement, brecciated, and open-space filling. As a result of supergene and weathering processes, the sulfide minerals (sphalerite and galena) have been changed to non-sulfide minerals such as hemimorphite, hydrozincite, and cerussite. Statistical analysis of geochemical data indicates that the elements in the ore could be divided into three groups: terrigenous, host rock-forming, and ore-forming elements. Formation of iron-rich dolomite, ankerite, and siderite indicates high concentrations of iron and manganese in the mineralizing fluid. Based on this study, the characteristics of the Mehdiabad deposit are very similar to the Mississippi-Valley type deposits.