Integration of remote sensing data with the field and laboratory investigation for lithological mapping of granitic phases: Kadabora pluton, Eastern Desert, Egypt

In the current study, an integration of Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), field, and laboratory data have been used for lithological mapping of different granitic phases in the Kadabora area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Application of enhancement techniques, including a new proposed band ratio combination (ratio 5/3, 3/1, 7/5 in RGB, respectively) and supervised classification images are used in discriminating different granitic phases in the Kadabora pluton from each other and from their environs. The data have been proved with the help of field and geochemical investigations. The results revealed that: (1) the Kadabora granitic pluton could be distinguished into three phases that recognized by field and laboratory investigation including granodiorite (phase I), monzogranite (phase II), and syeno-alkali feldspar granite (phase III). These phases are arranged according to their relative ages while the country rocks include ophiolitic mélange and metagabbro–diorite complex. It is also confirmed that the granitic pluton is invaded by dyke swarms which is trending in N–S direction. Geochemically, results show that the granodiorite is calc-alkaline, I-type and formed under subduction tectonic regime. Monzogranite falls within the alkaline and highly fractionated calc-alkaline granites, whereas syeno-alkali feldspar granite extends into proper alkaline granitoids field. Monzogranite and syeno-alkali feldspar granite belong to the A₂-subtype granite. This A₂-subtype granite was probably formed in an extensional regime, subsequent to subduction which can lead to tensional break-up of the crust (i.e., post-collisional, post-orogenic granites). The monzogranite and the syeno-alkali feldspar granite were probably formed by partial melting of relatively anhydrous lower crust source and/or tonalite to granodiorite is viable alternative to the granulite source.     

Geochemistry of lamprophyre dykes,Wadi Sikait area,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Wadi Sikait area lies at about 95 km southwest of Marsa Alam City along the Red Sea Coast, Eastern Desert, Egypt. It is occupied by Precambrian rocks of ophiolitic mélange, metamorphosed sandstones (MSS), gab-bros and monzogranites which were later intruded by lamprophyre dykes and quartz veins. The lamprophyre dykes were extruded in NW-SE and NE-SW trends cutting monzogranites and metamor-phosed sandstones. The lamprophyres are porphyritic and composed of clinopyroxene, olivine and amphibole phenocrysts enclosed in a fine-grained groundmass of clinopyroxene, amphibole, opaque and lithium mica. The al-teration products are represented by amphibole (tremolite-actinolite and hornblende), carbonate, epidote, chlorite, iddingsite, clay minerals, limonite and serpentine. The Sikait lamprophyre dykes can be classified as alkaline lamprophyres characterized by silica contents rang-ing from 41.65 wt% to 50.88 wt% and Na2O>K2O. They are enriched in LILE, LREE and HFSE, but strongly de-pleted in compatible elements such as Cr and Ni relative to the primitive mantle. Sikait lamprophyres have moderate Zr/Hf (35.6-52.8) and Nb/Ta (20.5-22.5) ratios. Most of these features are attributed to the origin of these dykes from the metasomatized mantle affected by subduction-related fluid. These lamprophyres are compositionally similar to Salu lamprophyres in eastern China. The Sikait lamprophyre samples have high LREE (320×10-6-419×10-6) relative to HREE (20×10-6-33×10-6) with ratios (LREE/HREE=11.6-18.7) and no negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*=0.9-1.04). The relative presence of posi-tive Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce*=1.04) in lamprophyre samples suggests the oxidizing condition under which the REEs were precipitated due to the common occurrence of fluorite and apatite.     

Mineralogy and radioactivity of pegmatites from South Wadi Khuda area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Stohl F.V.and Smith (1981) The Crystal Chemistry of the Uranyl Silicate Minerals[M].Department of Geosciences,the Pennsylvania State University,University Park.Pennsylvania.

Stuckless J.S.,Nkomo I.T.,Wenmer D.B.,and Van Trump G.(1984) Geochemistry and uranium favourability of the postorogenic granites of the north-eastern Arabian Shield,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia[J].Bull Fac.Earth Sci.King Abdel Aziz Univ.6,195-209.

William S.B.,Hanson S.L.,and Falster A.U.(2006) Samarskite-Yb:A new species of the samarskite group from the Little Patsy pegmatites,Jefferson County,Colorado[J].Canadian Mineralogist.44,1119-1125.

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ASTER spectral ratioing for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield, the Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid area, Sinai, Egypt

The Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid metamorphic belt in southeastern Sinai in Egypt represents a structurally and metamorphically complex assemblage of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks folded into a series of ENE–WSW-trending antiforms and synforms. Geological mapping in this region is challenging, primarily due to difficult access, complexity of structures, and lack of resolution and areal integrity of lithological differentiation using conventional mapping techniques. Spectral ratioing of selected bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data of the area, in synergy with geological field observation, proved effective in resolving geological mapping problems in the region. A new ASTER band-ratio image 4/7-4/6-4/10 is applied successfully for lithological mapping in the Wadi Kid area, showing improvement over previous techniques in detailing the main rock units. These are gneiss and migmatite, amphibolite, volcanogenic sediments with banded iron formation, meta-pelites, talc schist, meta-psammites, meta-acidic volcanics, meta-pyroclastics volcaniclastics, albitites and granitic rocks. Validating the use of the new ASTER band-ratio image relied on both calculating statistical optimum index factor (OIF) and matching interpreted lithological boundaries to field data and previously published geologic maps. The adopted ASTER band-ratio image demonstrates the benefit of using ASTER remote sensing data in lithological mapping of the Wadi Kid area and therefore for lithological mapping in the Arabian–Nubian shield and other arid areas.     

SWIR ASTER band ratios for lithological mapping and mineral exploration: a case study from El Hudi area, southeastern desert, Egypt

This study aims to discriminate and to map the basement rocks as well as the barite mineralization exposed at El Hudi area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt using the processed short-wave infrared bands of advanced space-borne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) in collaboration with the field verification and petrographic analysis. El Hudi area is covered dominantly by the Late Precambrian high-grade metamorphic complex of metasedimentary rocks (gneisses, schists, migmatites, and minor amphibolites) which are intruded by the younger granitoids. Nubian sandstones unconformably overlie the basement outcrops and occur as a remnant caps. The metasedimentary rocks cover the area of interest forming a belt of biotite gneisses and migmatites intercalated with hornblende biotite schists and minor amphibolites. Their exposures exhibit well-foliated and banded structures. The metasedimentary rocks have gray and dark gray image signatures on the ASTER band ratio image 8/5, which correspond to biotite gneiss, migmatites, and hornblende biotite schists, respectively. Presence of absorption feature near band 8 (2.295 – 2.365 μm) for the chlorite alteration product is probably responsible for the lowering of the 8/5 band ratio value and the dark gray image signature exhibited by hornblende biotite schists. The granitoid rocks in El Hudi area are late to postorogenic younger granitoids including three main rock types, Abu Aggag granites, El Hudi garnetiferous muscovite granites, and coarse-grained biotite granites. The acidic dykes are cutting across the granitoids and the gneisses and they form a highly elevated ridges and peaks showing sharp contact with the invaded rocks. Abu Aggag granites are highly dissected by great number of both strike- and dip-slip faults as well as joints trending in NNW–SSE, NNE–SSW, N–S, ENE–WSW, and WNW–ESE directions. On 7/8 band ratio image, Abu Aggag granites have dark gray image signature whereas postgranitic dykes have white image signature. Under the microscope, Abu Aggag granites are homogenous medium to coarse-grained rocks composed mainly of quartz, plagioclase, microcline, and biotite. Zircon, apatite, and opaques are accessories, while chlorite, kaolinite, and epidote are secondary minerals. Presence of absorption feature around band 7 (2.235–2.285 μm) for the kaolinite mineral may be responsible for the dark gray image signature exhibited by Abu Aggag granites. El Hudi garnetiferous muscovite granites are hosting El Hudi barite veins which extend mainly in NNW–SSE and NW–SE. Garnetiferous muscovite granites have gray image signature on 5/4 band ratio image whereas pegmatites and postgranitic dykes have black image signature. Barite veins can be distinguished within garnetiferous muscovite granites by their dark gray image signature on 5/4 band ratio image. The spectral reflectance curve of barite exhibits absorption feature around 2.1 μm (band 5), which leads to lower the ratio value and yields the dark image signature to barite veins. The above-described ASTER band ratio images were integrated into one false-color composite image (8/5:R; 5/4G; and 7/8B) which was used to produce 1:100,000 geological map for El Hudi area and to locate the barite mineralization.     

Prospecting for new gold-bearing alteration zones at El-Hoteib area,South Eastern Desert,Egypt, using remote sensing data analysis

Gold has been mined in the Eastern Desert of Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs, yet the geological settings of such ore deposits and how certain deposits link to each other are still not fully understood. The application of remote sensing in identifying variations in surface mineralogy, structural elements, and lithologic contacts can help in identifying such relations. Signatures collected from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data is used to map the hydrothermal alteration zones of El-Hoteib area, which is located to the northwest of Iqat and Al-Fawi gold mines and prospective for gold. SPOT5 data is used to highlight the preliminary structural lineaments in the area. Band ratioing and principal component analysis techniques are used to refine the different lithologic units in the area. A simplified Crósta technique has been applied to the ASTER data to identify both the location and spatial extent of the different alteration zones around the Iqat-Al-Fawi area. A new gold-bearing alteration zone is detected to the north of Gabal El-Hoteib. It is structurally controlled by E–W to WNW–ESE structures with evidence of reactivation of such trends during the Quaternary. Ore microscopy examination, induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry and fire assay analysis revealed the presence of gold associated with excess zinc in most samples.     

A preliminary study of graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied graphite-bearing rocks are located at Wadi Sikait in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt to the west of Marsa Alam on the Red Sea coast. They are intruded by granitic rocks and they have low radioactivity level. Mica-graphite schists are considered as a matrix of ophiolitic mélange. Graphite occurs in mica-graphite schists as disseminated grains and in talc carbonates rocks as bands or veins. Petrographically, the mica-graphite schists are mainly composed of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, and graphite. Geochemical characteristics show that trace elements analysis reflects higher content in Cr and Ni in ash-free graphite than mica-graphite schists. Spectrometrically, the graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait are showing eU values greater than eTh values, indicating that the graphite-bearing rocks gain U from the country rocks. The U/eU ratio range from 2.7 to 11 manifesting enrichment of chemical uranium (U) may be related to recent uranium transported from the mineralized country rocks. There is a role of graphite and carbonaceous matter in the genesis of U deposits.     

Geology and geochemistry of Tertiary basalt in south Wadi Hodein area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

Tertiary basalt is widespread in the area south of Wadi Hodein, south Eastern Desert, Egypt. It is the youngest unit in the basement rocks of the Central Eastern Desert classification of El Shazly (Proc 22nd Intl Geol Congr, New Delhi 10:88–101, 1964) and El Ramly (Ann Geol Surv Egypt II:1–17, 1972), traversed all the previous succession of the basement rocks as well as the Nubia Sandstone of Cretaceous age, forming sheets, small hills, ridges, and dikes. This Tertiary basalt is strongly associated with the opening of the Red Sea. Geologic, petrographic, and petrochemical studies as well as microprobe and X-ray analyses were performed on samples from Wadi Hodein Tertiary basalt. Field and petrographic studies classified the Tertiary basalt in south Wadi Hodein into porphyritic olivine basalt, plagiophyric basalt, and doleritic basalt. Opaque minerals (magnetite and ilmenite) constitute 6–7.5% of this basalt. Petrochemical studies and microprobe analyses reveal that they are low-TiO₂ basalt with low uranium and thorium contents, classified as being basaltic andesite to andesite, originated from calc-alkaline magma, and developed in within-plate tectonic environment. Scanning electron microscopy shows that magnetite and ilmenite are the prevalent opaque minerals in this Tertiary basalt. Field radiometric measurements of the Tertiary basalt in south Wadi Hodein reveals low uranium and thorium contents. Uranium contents range from 0.5 to 0.9 ppm, while thorium contents range from 1.2 to 3.2 ppm. Fractional crystallization and mass balance modeling indicate that the most-silica low-TiO₂ Tertiary basalt in south Wadi Hodein can be derived from the relatively less-silica low-TiO₂ Tertiary basalt of south Quseir and Gabal Qatrani through fractional crystallization of plagioclase, olivine, augite, and titanomagnetite oxides. Tertiary basalts in south Wadi Hodein and south Quseir have nearly the same age, 25 Ma (Sherif, The Fifth International Conference on the Geology of Africa, 2007), 24 Ma (Meneisy and Abdel Aal, Ain Shams Sci Bull 25(24B): 163–176, 1984), and 27 Ma (El Shazly et al., Egypt J Geol 1975), respectively. Finally, the fractionation modeling and geochemical characteristics of these basalts suggested their origination from one basaltic magma emplaced in late Oligocene.     

Neoproterozoic ophiolitic peridotites along the Allaqi-Heiani suture, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Wadi Allaqi ophiolite along the Egyptian-Sudanese border defines the southernmost ophiolitic assemblage and suture zone in the Eastern Desert. Ophiolite assemblages comprise nappes composed mainly of mafic and ultramafic rocks that were tectonically emplaced and replaced by serpentine and carbonates along shear zones probably due to CO₂-metasomatism. Serpentinites, altered slices of the upper mantle, represent a distinctive lithology of dismembered ophiolites of the western YOSHGAH suture. Microscopically, they are composed of more than 90 % serpentine minerals with minor opaque minerals, carbonate, brucite and talc. The mineral chemistry and whole-rock chemical data reported here indicate that the serpentinized peridotites formed as highly-depleted mantle residues. They show compositions consistent with formation in a suprasubduction zone environment. They are depleted in Al₂O₃ and CaO similar to those in fore-arc peridotites. Also, high Cr# (Cr/ (Cr+Al)) in the relict chrome spinels (average ~0.72) indicates that these are residual after extensive partial melting, similar to spinels in modern fore-arc peridotites. Therefore, the studied serpentinites represent fragments of an oceanic lithosphere that formed in a fore-arc environment, which belongs to an ophiolitic mantle sequence formed in a suprasubduction zone.     

Mineral chemistry and geochemical aspects of Gebel Filat granites, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

Gebel Filat granites form one of Egyptian younger granite intrusions in Wadi Allaqi region, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. They are perthitic monzogranites composed mainly of K-feldspars, plagioclase, and quartz with minor biotite. Plagioclase feldspars are Na-rich and have low anorthite content (An_2–3). Potash feldspars are mainly perthitic microcline and have chemical formula as (Or_96–96.6 Ab_3.4–4 An₀). Biotite is Mg-rich and seems to be derived from calc-alkaline magma. Chlorite is pycnochlorite with high Mg content, revealing its secondary derivation from biotite. The estimated formation temperatures of biotite and chlorite are (689–711°C) and (602–622°C), respectively. Gebel Filat monzogranites are metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline, I-type granites. They are late orogenic granites related to subduction-related volcanic arc magmatism. They are enriched in LILE and depleted in HSFE indicating highly differentiation character. The REE patterns display an enrichment in LREE due to presence of zircon and allanite as accessories and depletion in HREE with slight negative Eu anomaly $ \left( {{\text{Eu}}/{\text{Eu}} * = 0.51 - 0.97} \right) $ . The parent magma of Gebel Filat monzogranites were emplaced at moderate depths (20–30 km) under moderate conditions of water-vapor pressure (1–5 kbar) and crystallization temperature [700–750°C]. The source magma of these granites seems to be derived from partial melting of lower crust material rather than upper mantle. The geochemical characteristics of pegmatites revealed that they are related to post orogenic within plate magmatism and not genetically related to the parent magma of Gebel Filat monzogranites. Distribution of radioactive elements (U and Th) in the studied rocks indicates normal U–Th contents for Filat monzogranites and U–Th bearing pegmatites. The positive correlations of each of Zr and Y versus U and Th are attributed to presence of zircon and allanite as accessories which incorporate U and Th in their crystal lattice.     

Mineralogy and microchemistry of the Egat gold deposit, South Eastern Desert of Egypt

Gold-bearing quartz lodes from the Egat gold mine, South Eastern Desert of Egypt, are associated with pervasively silicified, highly sheared ophiolitic metagabbro and island-arc metavolcanic rocks. The mineralized quartz veins and related alteration haloes are controlled by NNW-trending shear/fault zones. Microscopic and electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) data of the ore and gangue minerals reveal that fine-grained auriferous sulfarsenides represent early high-temperature (355–382 °C) phases, with formation conditions as (fS₂?=??10, and fO₂ around ?31). A late, low-temperature (302–333 °C) assemblage includes coarse pyrite, arsenopyrite, and free-milling gold grains (88–91 wt.% Au), with formation conditions as (fS₂?=??8 and fO₂ around ?30). Gold was impounded within early sulfarsenides, while free-milling gold blebs occur along microfractures in quartz veins and as inclusions in late sulfides. Infiltration of hydrothermal fluids under brittle–ductile shear conditions led to mobilization of refractory Au from early sulfarsenide phases and reprecipitated free gold, simultaneous with silicification of the host rocks. The positive correlation between Au and As favors and verifies the use of As as the best pathfinder for gold targets, along the NNW-trending shear zones.     

Re-Os geochronology of gold mineralization in the Fawakhir area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

We report the first Re-Os data on gold-associated arsenopyrite from mesothermal gold-quartz veins in the ancient Egyptian Fawakhir–El Sid gold mining district in the central Eastern Desert. This mining district has an ~5000-year-old history and is displayed in the Turin Papyrus Map (about 1150 BC), which is widely acclaimed as the world’s oldest geographic map, as well as the oldest geologic and mine map. The Fawakhir–El Sid district is part of a regional NNW-trending shear corridor (15 km wide) that hosts several other historic gold mines associated with left-lateral wrench structures and related granite intrusions. Vein-style gold mineralization is hosted within and at the margin of an I-type and magnetite-series monzogranite, the Fawakhir granite intrusion, and a Pan-African (~740 Ma) ophiolite sequence. The ore mineralogy of the mineralized quartz veins includes pyrite-arsenopyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite-galena-chalcopyrite-electrum plus a number of tellurides of Ag, Au, and Bi. The ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os versus ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os regression on 5 points of arsenopyrite gives an age of 601 ± 17 Ma with an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.24 ± 0.07 (2 σ; MSWD = 17). This age coincides within error with the U-Pb age on zircon from the Fawakhir monzogranite (598 ± 3 Ma). The age coincidence and the hydrothermal Te and Bi metal signature suggest a foremost role of granite-related fluids in the quartz-vein system.     

Magnetic mineralogy of some ring complexes from the South Eastern Desert,Egypt

Ore microscopic study was carried out on a great number of samples collected from four well-dated alkaline rock masses (ring complexes), namely Gabal Mishbeh, Gabal Nigrub El Fogani, Gabal Nigrub El Tahtani, and Gabal El Gezira located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. These rings consist mainly of wide variety of rock types ranging from basic to acidic and from under saturated to quartz bearing. The opaques of the basic rocks consist mainly of various ilmenite–magnetite intergrowths and differ essentially from those of the acidic rocks where minor amount of titanomagnetite is present. Numerous exsolution, replacement, and deformational textures were described. The distribution of opaque minerals and their intergrowths in the four well-defined ring complexes is described. Systematic rock magnetic measurements such as natural remanent magnetization intensity and initial susceptibility, Curie point, saturation magnetization, and coercive force were carried out, and their results were discussed in the light of opaque mineralogical studies.     

Two orogenies in the Meatiq area of the Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Pan-African basement exposed in the Meatiq area west of Quseir, Egypt, consists of an infracrustal basement overthrusted by a supracrustal cover. The infracrustal rocks were developed as a result of an old orogeny referred to as the Meatiqian orogeny where granite—gneiss, migmatitic gneisses and migmatized amphibolites were formed. The granite—gneiss represents a deformed granite pluton emplaced at 626±2 Ma, whereas the migmatitic gneisses and amphibolites are of mixed igneous and sedimentary parentage. In view of the data so far available, the nature of the Meatiqian orogeny could not be deciphered. In spite of the young isotopic ages, it is suggested that at least the metasedimentary gneisses represent older rocks in the stratigraphic sequence of the infracrustal basement.The supracrustal cover represents a part of an extensive ophiolitic mélange obducted onto the infracrustal basement during the next orogeny (Abu Ziran orogeny) which culminated at 613±2 Ma. An active continental margin-type regime can adequately explain the evolution of such a supracrustal cover. During obduction, the ophiolitic mélange and the upper 2 km thick part of the infracrustal basement were intensely deformed and metamorphosed under PT conditions of the greenschist—epidote amphibolite facies. The deformed infracrustal basement was converted into mylonitic—blastomylonitic rocks and schists composing five thrust sheets, and subsequently intruded by synkinematic granitoid sheets. Later, both the infracrustal basement and the overlying supracrustal cover were isostatically uplifted, subjected to complex shallow folding giving rise to the major Meatiq domal structure, and were intruded by a postkinematic adamellite pluton at 579±6 Ma.     

Exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones at the Barramiya District,Central Eastern Desert of Egypt using ASTER data and geological studies

The use of ASTER data and fieldwork supported by mineralogical and geochemical analyses enabled exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones in the ultramafic–mafic successions at the Barramiya district. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) band ratios (4/8, 4/2 and 8/9 in R, G and B channels, respectively) helped in recognising of two listwaenite alteration zones (areas 1 and 2) promising for gold in the north-east and south-east of the Barramiya gold mine. Mineralogical studies and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that areas 1 and 2 are characterized by variable concentrations of talc, ankerite, magnesite, quartz and calcite. Ore microscope studies revealed the sulphide minerals carry gold within these alteration zones; moreover, goethite and malachite are also observed. Fire assay results show Au contents in the range of 5.04 ppm in the graphite schist, 4.02 ppm in the quartz veins and 3.76 ppm in the listwaenite alteration. The atomic absorption analysis (AAS) of samples from area 1 yields an average Au content in the quartz-veins of 2.4 ppm, Ag content is 8.0 ppm and Cu content is 2.4 wt%. The listwaenite alteration gives an average Au content of 4.4 ppm and a Cu content of 2.8 wt%. In area 2, the AAS of the quartz-veins revealed an average Au content of 2.6 ppm, 6.2 ppm Ag and 1.9 wt% Cu. The listwaenite alterations of area 2 grade 3.5 ppm Au and 2.4 wt% of Cu. The Barramiya District is made up of ophiolitic ultramafic belts of serpentinites, talc carbonates and talc graphite schists, mainly thrust over the metavolcanic sequences. They include highly strained and tectonised parts enriched in sulphides, iron oxides and carbonates, with developed listwaenite alterations along the thrust contacts. Gabbro and granitic intrusions were intruded in the ultramafics and metavolcanic rocks. ASTER data are an accurate and helpful tool for detecting and mapping alteration zones for gold exploration.     

Ore minerals and geochemical characterization of the Dungash gold deposit,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Dungash historic gold mine is located in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt. The gold-bearing quartz veins are hosted by the metavolcanic and metavolcaniclastic rocks along an ENE–WSW trending shear zone. Alteration types recorded in the wall rocks are sericitization, silicification, carbonatization, chloritization, sulfidization, ferruginization, and listwanitization. The ore mineral assemblage comprises arsenopyrite, pyrite, native gold, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and galena. The primary sulfide mineral assemblage formed during a hypogene hydrothermal stage whereas anglesite and goethite occur as secondary supergene phases. Microthermometric fluid inclusion analysis revealed that the auriferous quartz precipitated from a moderately saline (5 to 11.22 wt% NaCl_equiv) solution at temperatures above the recorded homogenization temperatures (T _h), which range from 380 to 177 °C. The minimum pressures of trapping are between 350 and 400 bars. The fluid evolution during mineralization is explained by mixing of a magmatic fluid with meteoric waters. Initially, the high temperature and moderately saline magmatic fluid dominated and progressively became diluted with meteoric waters. Highest gold content is recorded in the carbonatized zone and the quartz veins. However, gold content in the carbonatized zone of the footwall exceeds several times its content in the quartz veins and the carbonatized zone of the hanging wall.     

Dokhan volcanics of Gabal Monqul area,North Eastern Desert,Egypt: geochemistry and petrogenesis

The Dokhan volcanics are represented by a thick stratified lava flows succession of basalt, andesite, imperial porphyry, dacite, rhyodacite, rhyolite, ignimbrites, and tuffs. These lavas are interbanded with their pyroclastics in some places including banded ash flow tuffs, lithic tuffs, crystal lapilli tuffs, and agglomerates. They are typical calc–alkaline and developed within volcanic arc environment. All rocks show moderate enrichment of most large ion lithophile elements relative to high field strength elements (HFSE). The incompatible trace elements increase from basalt through andesite to rhyolite. The felsic volcanics are characterized by moderate total rare earth elements (REE) contents (162 to 392 ppm), less fractionated patterns {(Ce/Yb)_N = (1.24 to 10.93)}, and large negative Eu anomaly {(Eu/Eu*) = (0.15 to 0.92)}. The mafic volcanics have the lowest REE contents (61 to 192 ppm) and are relatively steep {(Ce/Yb)_N = (3.2 to 8.5)}, with no negative Eu anomalies {(Eu/Eu*) = (0.88 to 1)}. The rhyolite displays larger negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.28) than those of other varieties, indicating that the plagioclase was an early major fractionating phase. The mineralogical and chemical variations within volcanics are consistent with their evolution by fractional crystallization of plagioclase and clinopyroxene.     

Geometry and texture of quartz veins in Wadi Atalla area,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Several quartz vein sets with varying orientation, geometry and internal structure were recognized in the Atalla area. The veins were associated with the deformation phases affecting the area. En echelon and extensional veins are the main geometrical types. Syn-kinematic veins associated with the major northeast-over-southwest thrust faults were later boudinaged, folded and re-folded. En echelon veins, fibrous veins, and extensional veins are associated with the NNW–SSE faults. Other veins are associated with the NW–SE, N–S, NE–SW and E–W faults. Veins are concentrated at the intersection zones between faults. The internal structure of the veins comprises syntaxial, antitaxial, and composite types and reflects a change from a compressive stress regime to an extensional one. Chocolate-tablet structures and synchronous and co-genetic vein networks indicate later multi-directional extension of the area. Interaction between cracking and sealing of fractures is a common feature in the study area indicating that it was easy for the pore pressure to open pre-existing fractures instead of creating new ones. The reopening of pre-existing fractures rather than creating new ones is also indicated by the scattering of vein data around σ₃. There is an alteration and change in characteristics of the wall rock due to increase in fluid flow rate. Fault-valving probably is also a cause of the complex geometry of some veins.