Geology, fluid inclusion characteristics and mineral resource estimation of the Güzelyayla porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization (NE Türkiye)

Magmatic processes that emerged with the evolution of the Neotethys ocean and associated lithospheric plates caused the formation of significant mineralization in the Tethys belt. The Eastern Pontides, which are located in the northeast of Türkiye and are a part of the Tethys metallogenic belt, are particularly rich in porphyry-type mineralization and represent an important region for Cu-Mo exploration. A large number of Cu, Pb and Zn anomalies have been determined in a large region including the Güzelyayla Cu-Mo field by stream sediment sampling. The Güzelyayla occurrence is Cu-Mo mineralization associated with andesitic/basaltic volcanic rocks and intrusive dacites crosscutting these rocks. The Güzelyayla Cu-Mo mineralization developed in the stockwork and fault-controlled silicified zones. Homogenization temperature values vary between 324 °C and 420 °C (average 374 °C). Salinity values range between 2.2 and 18.6% NaCl (average 9.1% NaCl). A concentric alteration zoning surrounding the potassic alteration indicates a gradual change in the physicochemical properties of the solutions forming the mineralization. The Güzelyayla mineralization was formed in the Eocene (50.7 ± 1.0 million years) period in the Upper Cretaceous volcanic rocks in relation to post-collisional processes in the magmatic arc environment. Contrary to previous studies, estimation zone models were created and an estimated 54.2 million tons of extracted/potential mineral resource with an average grade of 0.20% Cu and 0.014% Mo (0.26% Cu equivalent grade) was made in the Güzelyayla field.