GEOCHEMICAL, GEOISTATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF HEAVY AND PRECIOUS METALS IN THE BOZKIR OPHIOLITIC MELANGE (BOZKIR, KONYA, TÜRKİYE)

In the Bozkýr region there are three tectonic units with different tectonic, structural, stratigraphic and metamorphic features. These are namely Geyikdagý, Bozkýr and Bolkardag units. Bozkýr Ophiolitic melange of the Bozkýr Unit crops out in the south of Bozkýr and covers approximately 150 km2.

The aim of this study was to determine mineral enrichment processes of heavy and precious metals / minerals in the rocks of the Bozkýr ophiolitic melange, listvenites and in the current placers derived from them. For this purpose 61 rock and 62 placer samples fron the Bozkýr ophiolitic melange were analysed for major oxide (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, TiO₂, P₂O₅, MnO, Cr₂O₃) and trace elements (Co, Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sb, Sn, Ta, W, Zr, Ag, Au, Hg, Ni, Sc) and PGM (Pd, Pt). Their geochemical and statistical evaluations were made. In the cluster (dendogram) analysis diagram prepared on the basis of coefitic correlation coefficients of elements 5 groups in the rocks and 2 groups in the placers were distinguished.Mineralizations such as barite, galena, Au, Mo, Hg, Ag, Sb observed in the Bozkýr Ophiolitic melange seem to be related to Miocene aged Kiziltepe volcanite.

Apart from higher Fe₂O₃, and lower MgO amounts rock chemistry of ophiolitic rocks are generaly similar to those of Alpine-type peridotites

Chemical analysis and petrographic studies carried out on the placers indicate that heavy and precious metal concentrations are mainly nearby the source rocks, but also seen in few amounts in alluvial placers

In the result of field observations and petrographic studies carried on the Bozkýr ophiolitic Melange alterations such as extensive serpentinization spilitization, carbonatization, silicification chloritization and two different types of silicification (siliceous crust and listvenization) have been distinguished.