A MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE COPPER BASIN ANTICLINORIUM

The mineralogical and geochemical significance of the CopperBasin Anticlinorium regarding ore deposition is relatively unknown, as very few studies have been conducted in this region of the Southern Appalachians. Most of these were published in the 1930s when sulfide mining operations in the Copper Basin peaked. Given the region’s history regarding mineral resources, this research investigates the geologic history of the Copper Basin anticlinorium to expand upon existing hypotheses on the origin of its ore deposits. The primary ore bodies occur in the center of the anticlinorium, while supposedly minimal ores form on the east and west limbs. To better understand why these ores have deposited mainly in the center as opposed to the limbs, samples were collected from 6 road cutsalong US 64 in East Tennessee, starting at the west limb and ending near the east limb. Each location represents the lithology of different geologic units that make up the anticlinorium, and samples from western-lying and eastern-lying units were compared to ore samples from the central unit. The samples were processed into pressed pallets and glass disks for XRF spectrometry analysis of major and trace elements. Additionally, at least one sample from each location was thin-sectioned for petrographic analysis. Trace element analysis revealed that the ore samples are characterized by higher concentrations in Cu (1238 ppm), Th (15.5 ppm), Pb (38.5 ppm), and Co (143 ppm), compared to the East and West limb averages (Cu ~23.5 ppm, Th ~8.2 ppm, Pb ~16.8 ppm, & Co ~13 ppm). The limbs average higher in Ti (~39,476 ppm), U (~4.2 ppm), and Mn (~4203 ppm), while ore samples are lower (Ti 320 ppm, U 2.5 ppm, and Mn 1078 ppm). Limb samples exhibit varying degrees of fabric recrystallization and deformation, generally increasing to the east, while ore samples exhibit more consistent deformation fabrics. Additionally, limb samples lack carbonate-chlorite schist ore host rocks associated with the ore bodies and contain significantly fewer sulfide and oxide minerals. These observations confirm that ore deposition occurs primarily in the center, and mineralization increases slightly to the east. Further geochemical and petrographic analysis is needed to understand better the petrogenetic history of the Copper Basin Anticlinorium in relation to the ore bodies.