Geological and geochemical characteristics of Cunur volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization (Kastamonu, Turkey)

Cangaldag Metamorphic Complex (CMC) in Central Pontides is an accretionary complex consisting of Jurassic units. Mafic, felsic metavolcanics, metamorphic equivalents of deep marine sediments and mafic meta - lava/sill intercalations are the most distinct units of the complex. Cunur Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) mineralization is associated with metavolcanic units of CMC. Metavolcanic units in the mineralization area contain volcanic rocks with compositions ranging from sub - alkali basalt to andesite and dacite (50.3 - 74.6 % SiO2). For 0.1 % Cu cut - off grade, 3,372,000 tons (t) of mineral resource with 0.28 % Cu, 0.50 Zn and 0.19 ppm Au has been estimated. Ore paragenesis of the Cunur mineralization predominantly consists of pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite, and lesser amounts of magnetite. The main ore textures are massive, semi - massive, disseminated, brecciated and fracture fillings. Pyrite - chalcopyrite grading and preserved silicified clasts within the massive ore indicate that mineralization has developed in relation to replacement processes. The most significant grade intercepts reported for the mineralization are 9 %, 9 %, 0.3 %, 3300 ppb and 79 ppm for Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, Ag, respectively. Cunur mineralization has similarities to bimodal - mafic (Noranda type) Cu - Zn dominated VMS deposits.