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Geology, mineralogy and fluid inclusion study of Oued Jebs Pb–Zn–Sr deposit; comparison with the Bou Grine deposit (diapirs zone, Tunisian atlas)

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Abstract

The Oued Jebs Pb–Zn–Sr deposit is situated on the south edge of the Mourra Triassic diapir, in the Diapir Zone of the Tunisian Atlas. Tow orebody-type are recognized: (1) lens-chapped orebodies hosted in the Dolomitic cap rock that marks the transition zone between the Triassic gypsum cap rock and the overlaying Late Cretaceous series. Mineralization is composed of epigenetic celestite and minor Pb–Zn sulfides. (2) Vein-type and massive-type orebodies crosscutting the Late Cenomanian and Turonian limestone. Mineralization is composed of high-grade ore ranging from 10 to 25 % combined Pb–Zn. Fluid inclusion data for celestite indicate that deposition took place between 70 and 100 °C, or more cooler conditions as indicated by the presence of single-phase inclusions, from mixed NaCl–CaCl2-bearing brines (12–19 wt% NaCl equiv). For the vein-type and massive-type fluid inclusion, data recorded in sphalerite indicate that sulfide deposition took place between 125 and 130 °C mixed NaCl–CaCl2-bearing brines (10–15 wt% NaCl equiv). At least three dilution and cooling trends are also observed that indicate the involvement of more than one fluid in the Oued Jebs hydrothermal system. The epigenetic character of the ores, the host rock nature and the fluid inclusion together permitted to include the Oued Jebs deposit in the large class of MVT deposits and preciously in the sub-class of MVTs associated with salt diapirs environment. The new discovered Oued Jebs deposit is similar in many aspects to the economic Bou Grine deposit. This may point to significant other potential for economic Pb–Zn concentrations that may be located at depth alongside or above many other unexplored Triassic diapirs in the Diapirs zone of the Tunisian Atlas.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Director of the Tunisian Mining Company and its technical staff that permitted visit and sample the Oued Jebs deposit. We also wish to thank two anonymous reviewers and François Roure for many constructive comments that had led to significant improvements of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UR-MDTN, Centre National des Sciences et Technologies Nucléaires, Ariana, Tunisia

    Jaloul Bejaoui

  2. Université la Manouba, Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Valorisation des Bio-Géoressources (LR11ES31), Ariana, Tunisia

    Jaloul Bejaoui & Salah Bouhlel

  3. Université de Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Ariana, Tunisia

    Jaloul Bejaoui & Salah Bouhlel

  4. Office National des Mines, R 86601 ZI Charguia I 2035, Tunis Carthage, Ariana, Tunisia

    Ahmed Sellami & Ahmed Braham

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  1. Jaloul Bejaoui
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Correspondence to Jaloul Bejaoui.

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Bejaoui, J., Bouhlel, S., Sellami, A. et al. Geology, mineralogy and fluid inclusion study of Oued Jebs Pb–Zn–Sr deposit; comparison with the Bou Grine deposit (diapirs zone, Tunisian atlas). Arab J Geosci 7, 2483–2497 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0942-1

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