Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Lmahfoudi, Yassine; Ouali, Houssa; Ilmen, Said; Hajjar, Zaineb; El-Masoudy, Ali; Birrell, Russell; Sapor, Laurent; Zouhair, Mohamed; Maacha, Lhou (2025) Prediction of Buried Cobalt-Bearing Arsenides Using Ionic Leach Geochemistry in the Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Implications for Mineral Exploration. Minerals, 15 (7). doi:10.3390/min15070676

Advanced
   -   Only viewable:
Reference TypeJournal (article/letter/editorial)
TitlePrediction of Buried Cobalt-Bearing Arsenides Using Ionic Leach Geochemistry in the Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Implications for Mineral Exploration
JournalMinerals
AuthorsLmahfoudi, YassineAuthor
Ouali, HoussaAuthor
Ilmen, SaidAuthor
Hajjar, ZainebAuthor
El-Masoudy, AliAuthor
Birrell, RussellAuthor
Sapor, LaurentAuthor
Zouhair, MohamedAuthor
Maacha, LhouAuthor
Year2025Volume<   15   >
Issue<   7   >
URL
DOIdoi:10.3390/min15070676Search in ResearchGate
Generate Citation Formats
Classification
Not set
LoC
Not set
Mindat Ref. ID18599119Long-form Identifiermindat:1:5:18599119:7
GUID0
Full ReferenceLmahfoudi, Yassine; Ouali, Houssa; Ilmen, Said; Hajjar, Zaineb; El-Masoudy, Ali; Birrell, Russell; Sapor, Laurent; Zouhair, Mohamed; Maacha, Lhou (2025) Prediction of Buried Cobalt-Bearing Arsenides Using Ionic Leach Geochemistry in the Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Implications for Mineral Exploration. Minerals, 15 (7). doi:10.3390/min15070676
Plain TextLmahfoudi, Yassine; Ouali, Houssa; Ilmen, Said; Hajjar, Zaineb; El-Masoudy, Ali; Birrell, Russell; Sapor, Laurent; Zouhair, Mohamed; Maacha, Lhou (2025) Prediction of Buried Cobalt-Bearing Arsenides Using Ionic Leach Geochemistry in the Bou Azzer-El Graara Inlier (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Implications for Mineral Exploration. Minerals, 15 (7). doi:10.3390/min15070676
InLink this record to the correct parent record (if possible)
Abstract/NotesThe Aghbar-Bou Azzer East mining district (ABED) is located between the Bou Azzer East and Aghbar deposits. It is an area of approximately 7 km long towards ENE–WSW and 2 km wide towards N–S. In this barren area, volcano-sedimentary rocks are attributed to the Ouarzazate group outcrop (Ediacarian age): they are composed of volcanic rocks (ignimbrite, andesite, rhyolite, dacite, etc.) covered by the Adoudou detritic formation in angular unconformity. Given the absence of serpentinite outcrops, exploration investigation in this area has been very limited. This paper aims to use ionic leach geochemistry (on samples of soil) to detect the presence of Co-bearing arsenides above hidden ore deposits in this unexplored area of the Bou Azzer inlier. In addition, a detailed structural analysis allowed the identification of four families of faults and fractures with or without filling. Three directional major fault systems of several kilometers in length and variable orientation in both the Cryogenian basement and the Ediacaran cover have been identified: (i) ENE–WSW, (ii) NE–SW, and (iii) NW–SE. Several geochemical anomalies for Co, As, Ni, Ag, and Cu are aligned along three main directions, including NE–SW, NW–SE, and ENE–WSW. They are particularly well-defined in the western zone but are only minor in the central and eastern zones. Some of these anomalies correlate with the primary structural features observed in the studied area. These trends are consistent with those known under mining exploitation in nearby ore deposits, supporting the potential for similar mineralization in the ABED. Based on structural analysis and ionic leach geochemistry, drilling programs were conducted in the study area, confirming the continuity of serpentinites at depth beneath the Ediacaran cover and the presence of Co–Fe-bearing arsenide ores. This validates the ionic geochemistry technique as a reliable method for exploring buried ore deposits.

Map of Localities

Locality Pages

LocalityCitation Details
Aghbar-Bou Azzer East mining district, Tansifte CaĂŻdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, DrĂąa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Mineral Occurrences

LocalityMineral(s)
Aghbar-Bou Azzer East mining district, Tansifte CaĂŻdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, DrĂąa-Tafilalet Region, Moroccoⓘ Albite, ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup, ⓘ Amphibolite, ⓘ Andesite, ⓘ Andesitic tuff, ⓘ Antigorite, ⓘ Arsenopyrite, ⓘ Asbestos, ⓘ Biotite, ⓘ Breccia, ⓘ Calcite, ⓘ Chalcopyrite, ⓘ Chlorite Group, ⓘ Chrysotile, ⓘ Clinochlore, ⓘ Conglomerate, ⓘ Dacite, ⓘ Diorite, ⓘ Dolomite, ⓘ Epidote, ⓘ Gabbro, ⓘ Hematite, ⓘ Ignimbritic tuff, ⓘ Iron oxide, ⓘ Lizardite, ⓘ Löllingite, ⓘ Magnetite, ⓘ Manganese Oxides, ⓘ Molybdenite, ⓘ Muscovite, ⓘ Native Gold, ⓘ Olivine Group, ⓘ Plagioclase, ⓘ Pyrite, ⓘ Pyroxene Group, ⓘ Quartz, ⓘ Rhyolite, ⓘ Rodingite, ⓘ Sandstone, ⓘ Sericite, ⓘ Serpentinite, ⓘ Skutterudite, ⓘ Trachyte, ⓘ Zircon


See Also

These are possibly similar items as determined by title/reference text matching only.

 
and/or  
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2025, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: August 13, 2025 23:37:12
Go to top of page