Geological and Geochemical characterization of the radiolarite hosted Mn mineralization in Taşdemir (Pazarcık, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey)

Abstract

Along the Southeast Anatolian Orogenic Belt, units existing to the Arabian plate and series of
Ophiolitic Melange overlain by tectonic contact are observed. In the Upper Cretaceous aged thrust
belt, the Koçali Complex is situated at the base and the Karadut Complex is at the top, respectively.
Throughout this belt, Mn mineralizations are identified in the lithologies of the Karadut Complex.
Around Taşdemir Village (Pazarcık-Kahramanmaraş), units existing to the Koçali and Karadut
Complex are frequently observed. Haydar and Germav formations overlie these units with angular
unconformity. All units are covered with Middle-Upper Eocene aged limestones existing to the
Midyat Group with angular unconformity consequently. In this district, Mn mineralizations linked
with the radiolarites of the Karadut Complex are observed. Stratiform type Mn mineralization is
observed in the form of lenses between the layers. Reddish brown and dark gray forms have been
identified. Major oxide and trace element analyzes of samples gathered from the ore zone were
carried out. As a result of the analysis, the MnO range was detected as 7.42-32.76% (average20.65)
and the SiO2 range was detected as 60.68-83.52% (average72.88). Fe/Mn rate is considerably lower
than 0.1 In order to highlight the origin of manganese mineralization, major and trace elements are
evaluated in the diagrams. These evaluations indicate that the mineralization is of hydrothermal
origin.