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Ore-forming Conditions and Genesis of the Tamdroust Copper Mineralization: Evidence from Structure, Mineralogy, and Stable Isotopes
* 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 2 , 2 , 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 7 , 5
1  2GBEI polydisciplinary faculty of Taroudante, Ibnou zohr university, Agadir 82000, Morroco
2  Managem Group, Twin Center, 20,000 Casablanca, Morocco
3  CAG2M Research Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Ouarzazate, Ibn Zohr University, 45,000 Ouarzazate, Morocco
4  2GBEI Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 82000, Morocco
5  LAGAGE Laboratory, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80,000 Agadir, Morocco
6  Department of Economic Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran P.O. Box: 111-14115, Iran
7  Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University Cadi Ayyad, 40,000 Marrakesh, Morocco
8  Geosciences, Environment and Geomatics Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, 80,000 Agadir, Morocco
Academic Editor: Theodore Bornhorst

Abstract:

The Tamdroust copper deposit, located in the Bou Azzer–El Graara inlier (central Anti-Atlas, Morocco), is hosted in Lower Cambrian carbonate–siliciclastic formations. Copper mineralization is structurally controlled by an N110°–N150° fault system and occurs mainly within greenish siltstones and dolostones deposited in a shallow marine platform setting influenced by terrigenous deposits. Two mineralization styles are recognized: disseminated sulfides in host rocks and vein–veinlet stockworks along fracture corridors. Three paragenetic ore stages are distinguished: (1) early disseminated and veinlet-type bornite–chalcopyrite–pyrite associated with quartz–calcite; (2) hydrothermal enrichment along fault zones marked by the replacement of bornite by chalcocite, together with digenite and covellite; and (3) supergene weathering producing native copper and secondary carbonates (malachite, azurite, tenorite). Sulfur isotope data (δ³⁴S ≈ +10.2‰) indicate a dominant contribution from thermochemical reduction of evaporitic sulfates. Carbon and oxygen isotopes in calcite (δ¹³C = –3.6 to –2.6‰ VPDB; δ¹⁸O = –15.8 to –15.2‰ VPDB) suggest hydrothermal fluids at moderate temperatures (~150–160°C) derived from mixed meteoric–basinal brines. The spatial distribution of mineralization reflects redox-controlled precipitation at the interface between oxidized hematite-rich red beds and reducing green siltstones and carbonates. These results support a model of epigenetic, stratabound copper mineralization formed during Hercynian tectonic reactivation of Cambrian carbonate–evaporite sequences. The Tamdroust deposit shares strong similarities with Jbel N’Zourk and Jbel Laassal, providing a predictive analog for regional exploration targeting redox interfaces and structurally focused brine pathways.

Keywords: Copper; Fluid–rock interaction; Stable isotopes; ore genesis; Cambrian carbonate–evaporite sequences; Structural controls; Tamdroust, Bou Azzer, Anti-Atlas central, Morocco.

 
 
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