Reflectance spectrometry, X-Ray Diffraction and petrographic study in the Igoudrane region, Imiter inlier, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco.

Abstract

The Anti Atlas is southern Morocco's greatest structural region, and the Igoudrane pluton is located at the base of the same-named high volcanic massif, to the east of the Imiter mine. The research area is next to the Imiter mine, a massive underground and open-pit mine located in the northern Precambrian basement of Jbel Saghro. It is notable for its hydrothermal Ag-Hg deposit connected to an east-west fault and the deposition of Late Neoproterozoic (550 3Ma) rhyolitic rocks. the alteration minerals in the Igoudrane region, Imiter inlier, Jbel Saghro, Eastern Anti-Atlas. The present study adopted the reflectance spectrometry, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and thin sections, in order to highlighted the alteration minerals in the Igoudrane region, Imiter inlier, Jbel Saghro, Eastern Anti-Atlas. The analysis of X-Ray diffraction diffractograms of the samples taken from the Igoudrane region revealed the presence of the main crystalline phases, as well as the alteration minerals such as chlorite, clacite, geothite. The Reflectance spectrometers use visible and near infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR). These instruments have a spectrum range between 350 and 2500 nm covering the visible and near infrared (VNIR; 350-720 nm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR; 720-2500 nm). The hydrothermal alteration in the Igoudrane region were silicification, clay alteration, and propylitic alteration (chloritization), which is caused by the disintegration of ferromagnesian minerals (alteration of minerals such as pyroxenes, amphiboles, and biotites). Chloritization is commonly linked with severe plagioclase change. Oxidation is found in all samples with goethite, hematite, and ferrihydrite. The most recent is an intermediate mineral formed by the alteration of pyrite (source), followed by spring, jarosite, Schwertmannite, ferrihydrite, and, if the alteration continues, goethite.