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Jabbour, Marieme; Ilmen, Said; Ikenne, Moha; Zoheir, Basem; Souhassou, Mustapha; Bouskri, Ismail; El-Masoudy, Ali; Prokopyev, Ilya; Oulhaj, Mohamed; Ait Addi, Mohamed; et al. (2025) Genesis of the Aït Abdellah Copper Deposit, Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050545

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Reference TypeJournal (article/letter/editorial)
TitleGenesis of the Aït Abdellah Copper Deposit, Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco
JournalMinerals
AuthorsJabbour, MariemeAuthor
Ilmen, SaidAuthor
Ikenne, MohaAuthor
Zoheir, BasemAuthor
Souhassou, MustaphaAuthor
Bouskri, IsmailAuthor
El-Masoudy, AliAuthor
Prokopyev, IlyaAuthor
Oulhaj, MohamedAuthor
Ait Addi, MohamedAuthor
Maacha, LhouAuthor
Year2025Volume<   15   >
Issue<   5   >
URL
DOIdoi:10.3390/min15050545Search in ResearchGate
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Mindat Ref. ID18443650Long-form Identifiermindat:1:5:18443650:7
GUID0
Full ReferenceJabbour, Marieme; Ilmen, Said; Ikenne, Moha; Zoheir, Basem; Souhassou, Mustapha; Bouskri, Ismail; El-Masoudy, Ali; Prokopyev, Ilya; Oulhaj, Mohamed; Ait Addi, Mohamed; et al. (2025) Genesis of the Aït Abdellah Copper Deposit, Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050545
Plain TextJabbour, Marieme; Ilmen, Said; Ikenne, Moha; Zoheir, Basem; Souhassou, Mustapha; Bouskri, Ismail; El-Masoudy, Ali; Prokopyev, Ilya; Oulhaj, Mohamed; Ait Addi, Mohamed; et al. (2025) Genesis of the Aït Abdellah Copper Deposit, Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. Minerals, 15 (5). doi:10.3390/min15050545
InLink this record to the correct parent record (if possible)
Abstract/NotesThe Aït Abdellah copper deposit in the Bou Azzer-El Graara inlier of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas provides key insights into structurally and lithologically controlled mineralization in Precambrian terranes. The deposit is hosted in feldspathic sandstones of the Tiddiline Group, which unconformably overlie the Bou Azzer ophiolite, and is spatially associated with a NE–SW-trending shear zone. This zone is characterized by mylonitic fabrics, calcite veining, and an extensive network of fractures, reflecting a two-stage deformation history involving early ductile shearing followed by brittle faulting and brecciation. These structural features enhanced rock permeability, enabling fluid flow and metal precipitation. Copper mineralization includes primary sulfides such as chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite, chalcocite, digenite, and covellite, as well as supergene minerals like malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla. Sulfur isotope values (δ³⁴S = +5.9% to +22.8%) indicate a mixed sulfur source, likely derived from both ophiolitic rocks and volcano-sedimentary sequences. Carbon and oxygen isotope data suggest fluid interaction with marine carbonates and meteoric waters, potentially linked to post-Snowball Earth deglaciation processes. Fluid inclusion studies reveal homogenization temperatures ranging from 195 °C to 310 °C and salinities between 5.7 and 23.2 wt.% NaCl equivalent, supporting a model of fluid mixing between magmatic-hydrothermal and volcano-sedimentary sources. The paragenetic evolution of the deposit comprises three stages: (1) early hydrothermal precipitation of quartz, dolomite, sericite, pyrite, and early chalcopyrite and bornite; (2) a main mineralizing stage characterized by fracturing and deposition of bornite, chalcopyrite, and Ag-bearing sulfosalts; and (3) a late supergene phase with oxidation and secondary enrichment. The Aït Abdellah deposit is best classified as a shear zone-hosted copper system with a complex, multistage mineralization history. The integrated analysis of structural features, mineral assemblages, isotopic signatures, and fluid inclusion data reveals a dynamic interplay between deformation processes, hydrothermal alteration, and evolving fluid sources.

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LocalityCitation Details
Ait Abdellah, Bleida Mines, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Mineral Occurrences

LocalityMineral(s)
Ait Abdellah, Bleida Mines, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco Amphibolite, Andesite, Apatite, Azurite, Basalt, Bornite, Breccia, Calcite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite Group, Chrysocolla, Covellite, Digenite, Diorite, Dolerite, Dolomite, Feldspar Group, Gabbro, Goethite, Hematite, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Malachite, Mudstone, Muscovite, Peridotite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rhyolite, Rutile, Sandstone, Schist, Sericite, Serpentinite, Shale, Siltstone, Sphalerite, Tennantite Subgroup, Tennantite-Tetrahedrite Series, Tetrahedrite Subgroup, Tuff, Volcaniclastic rock, Zircon


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