Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Geochemioal Leakage Anomalies in The Vicinity of Keban Mine

Abstract: Primary ,and secondary dispersion patterns of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag, ,and Hg in the wallrocks ot the Keban PbZn mine have been studied. It was found that the wallrock anomalies developed adjacent to the ore deposit are narrow.This was mainly due to the poor permeability of the wallrocks ,and also to the presence of chemically active limestoneat the footwall which was replaced by the ore. On the other hand, however, it was determined that the residual hydrothermal ore solutions carrying these elements have migrated upward from the deposit, following permeable channelsalong both the massive limestone ,and the sericite-schist contact ,and along the majör fractured zones in the vicinity ofthe deposit. The flow of these solutions have resulted in the formation of leakage anomalies at the surface 200 m abovethe ore deposit.It was concluded that the extencive leakage anomalies, which may be present in the surrounding area, can be utilised in searching similar blind ore deposits. In fact, strong primary ,and secondary Cu and Pb - Zn - Ag anomalies aredetected around Kebandere area at the North of the known deposit. II is strongly recommended that these leakageanomalies should be tested for the presence of a possible blind ore deposit.