IJRDO-Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN : 2456-2971
Prospectivity of Batinah Coast of Oman for Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulfide
(VHMS) Deposits
P.K Yadav
Address: 62 Krishanapura, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
Email address:
Abstract: stage-2 which was followed by deposition of Supra-
Central and south Batinah coastal areas are mostly Ophiolite sediments.
covered with rocks of Hawasina and Samail nappes Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS)
obducting over autochthnous Formations of Arabian mineralization occurs in Samail Ophiolite sequence
plate. Hawasina nappe is composed of late Permian to and shows evidence of stratigraphic control and
Jurassic Formations comprising sandstone, shale, mineralization occurs at the contact between two
chert, limestone, basalt, andesite and keratophyre. lower volcanic units of Samail ophiolite. In the present
Samail nappe is thrust over the Hawasina nappe and paper Geology of northern Oman Mountains and
composed of complete ophiolite suite of rocks. Samail Batinah coast has been discussed with an attempt to
volcanic sequence hosts Cu-Au-Ag mineralisation describe salient features of associated VHMS
(VHMS) and forms uppermost part of Samail ophiolite mineralization. Wide alterations zones are found on
sequence. Copper deposits of Oman have supplied the footwall and hanging wall side of mineralization
copper metal over a span of ancient time to Sumerian consisting epidotisation, chloritisation, silicification
and Roman empires Samail volcanic unit shows three and kaolinisation. Massive sulphide mineralization is
major events of basaltic effusion namely they are associated with synvolcanic faults which acted as
Lower Volcanics (SV1), Middle Volcanics (SV2) and conduits for passage of hydrothermal solutions.
Upper Volcanics (SV3). All the units show intercalated Metalliferous sediments and zones of alterations can
thin metalliferous sedimentary chert/shale layers be used as guide for search of massive sulphide.
deposited during pause of eruptive active. Post nappe Source of VHMS is seen within the sheeted dyke
formations consist of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary complex and through pipe like zone of epidote, quartz
Formations composed of polymict conglomerate, marl and magnetite rock.
and limestone. These are covered by Quaternary Since massive sulphide mineralization is not exposed
sediments comprising terrace and fan deposits called on the surface for searching copper indirect methods
wadi sediments. of exploration are useful e.g. landsat imagery,
Tectonic developments of Samail Nappe were in magnetic and EM survey, geochemical and ground
different stages. Stage-1 included formation of Samail geophysical prospecting. Cover rocks are very thick
ophiolite on the sea floor, stage-2 included obduction hence geochemical leakage anomalies may not be
of Samail ophiolite and stage-3 contains post present but geochemistry of volcanic rocks and
emplacement deposition of younger cover sediments. intercalatory thin metalliferous sediments could be
Samail ophiolite was formed in the spreading ridge of successfully used as guides in exploration for copper.
Tethys sea from Early to Middle Cretaceous period Volcanogenic Massive deposits are known as i)
(92-97 Ma). During this stage Hawasina basin was Volcanic Associated, ii) Volcanic Hosted and iii)
formed and subsequently obduction took place in Volcano Sedimentary Hosted Massive Sulphide
Volume-1 | Issue-4 | April,2016 | Paper-7 101
, IJRDO-Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN : 2456-2971
deposits. They form from metal rich fluids associated Supra Ophiolite Sediments
sea floor hydrothermal convection system. Samail Nappe
Key Words: Batinah, Samail Ophiolite, Nappe, Samail Ophiolite
VHMS, Conduit, Alterations
Physiography: The area under study comprises Samail ophiolites were thrusted over Hawasina nappe
Northern part of Oman Mountains lying on the and subsequently sliced into four imbricated thrust
eastern edge of the Arabian plate. Northern part of sheets. The main units of ophiolite are Samail volcanic
the Oman Mountains which extends up to Oman gulf rocks (top), Sheeted dyke complex, High level gabbro,
is called Batinah coast. The western half of the cumulate sequence and Tectonites (bottom).
Batinah coastal area is underlain by Tectonites and Supra ophiolite sediments mainly consist of
Cumulate sequences forming rugged mountainous olistoliths. Termination of nappe emplacement was
region and central and southeastern part of the area marked by deposition of late Cetaceous to Tertiary
underlain by Sheeted dyke complex and Samail sediments called as Supra ophiolite sediments (Figure
volcanic rocks which forms low hilly region. The 1).
eastern part consists of low hills composed of Supra Startigraphy
ophiolite sediments and Late Cretaceous to Tertiary
Samail Nappe has been subdivided into Samail
sediments which from hilly and terraced land (Figure
ophiolite and Supra-ophiolite sediments. These units
1). Wadis flow in the east direction and drain into Gulf
have unconformable contact. Samail ophiolite is
of Oman. Four river terraces are found along the
composed of Tectonites, Cumulate sequence, High
wadis.
level gabbro, sheeted dyke complex. Samail volcanic
rocks have been classified into three units which are
Lower Volcanic rocks (SV1), Middle Volcanic rocks
(SV2) and upper volcanic rocks (SV3). Lower volcanic
rocks formed at the ocean spreading ridge.
Tectonites form base of the Samail ophiolite.
Tectonites are overlain by cumulate sequence.
Tectonites mainly consist of serpentised harzburgite
and dunite. Harzburgite show banding comprising
Figure-1 Geological Map of Northern Oman and alternate olivine rich and orthopyroxene rich layers
Batinah Coast after Calvez and Lescuyer, 1991 and exhibit granular, porphyroblastic texture.
Magnesite veins are also noticed.
Geological Setting: Oman Mountains lie on the Cumulate Sequence is underlain by Harzburgite with
eastern edge of the Arabian plate. They are part of irregular contact. It comprises cumulate layered
Alpine orogenic belt and were formed by obduction of gabbro which is composed of clinopyroxene gabbro
fragment of the Tethyan oceanic floor (Samail and minor interlayered olivine gabbro, dunite and
ophiolite) over the Arabian plate during late peridotite. Layering is few millimeters to few
Cretaceous. The beginning of obduction has been centimeters thick. It shows orthocumulate texture
dated 90 Ma (Lanphere, 1981). Allochthon comprise having euhedral plagioclase and clinopyroxene gabbro
nappes thrusted over authochthonous succession. (gabbro with large quantity of clinopyroxene) and
Allochthon is subdivided into: minor interlayered olivine gabbro, dunite and
peridotite. Layering is few millimeters to few
Volume-1 | Issue-4 | April,2016 | Paper-7 102
Prospectivity of Batinah Coast of Oman for Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulfide
(VHMS) Deposits
P.K Yadav
Address: 62 Krishanapura, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
Email address:
Abstract: stage-2 which was followed by deposition of Supra-
Central and south Batinah coastal areas are mostly Ophiolite sediments.
covered with rocks of Hawasina and Samail nappes Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS)
obducting over autochthnous Formations of Arabian mineralization occurs in Samail Ophiolite sequence
plate. Hawasina nappe is composed of late Permian to and shows evidence of stratigraphic control and
Jurassic Formations comprising sandstone, shale, mineralization occurs at the contact between two
chert, limestone, basalt, andesite and keratophyre. lower volcanic units of Samail ophiolite. In the present
Samail nappe is thrust over the Hawasina nappe and paper Geology of northern Oman Mountains and
composed of complete ophiolite suite of rocks. Samail Batinah coast has been discussed with an attempt to
volcanic sequence hosts Cu-Au-Ag mineralisation describe salient features of associated VHMS
(VHMS) and forms uppermost part of Samail ophiolite mineralization. Wide alterations zones are found on
sequence. Copper deposits of Oman have supplied the footwall and hanging wall side of mineralization
copper metal over a span of ancient time to Sumerian consisting epidotisation, chloritisation, silicification
and Roman empires Samail volcanic unit shows three and kaolinisation. Massive sulphide mineralization is
major events of basaltic effusion namely they are associated with synvolcanic faults which acted as
Lower Volcanics (SV1), Middle Volcanics (SV2) and conduits for passage of hydrothermal solutions.
Upper Volcanics (SV3). All the units show intercalated Metalliferous sediments and zones of alterations can
thin metalliferous sedimentary chert/shale layers be used as guide for search of massive sulphide.
deposited during pause of eruptive active. Post nappe Source of VHMS is seen within the sheeted dyke
formations consist of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary complex and through pipe like zone of epidote, quartz
Formations composed of polymict conglomerate, marl and magnetite rock.
and limestone. These are covered by Quaternary Since massive sulphide mineralization is not exposed
sediments comprising terrace and fan deposits called on the surface for searching copper indirect methods
wadi sediments. of exploration are useful e.g. landsat imagery,
Tectonic developments of Samail Nappe were in magnetic and EM survey, geochemical and ground
different stages. Stage-1 included formation of Samail geophysical prospecting. Cover rocks are very thick
ophiolite on the sea floor, stage-2 included obduction hence geochemical leakage anomalies may not be
of Samail ophiolite and stage-3 contains post present but geochemistry of volcanic rocks and
emplacement deposition of younger cover sediments. intercalatory thin metalliferous sediments could be
Samail ophiolite was formed in the spreading ridge of successfully used as guides in exploration for copper.
Tethys sea from Early to Middle Cretaceous period Volcanogenic Massive deposits are known as i)
(92-97 Ma). During this stage Hawasina basin was Volcanic Associated, ii) Volcanic Hosted and iii)
formed and subsequently obduction took place in Volcano Sedimentary Hosted Massive Sulphide
Volume-1 | Issue-4 | April,2016 | Paper-7 101
, IJRDO-Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN : 2456-2971
deposits. They form from metal rich fluids associated Supra Ophiolite Sediments
sea floor hydrothermal convection system. Samail Nappe
Key Words: Batinah, Samail Ophiolite, Nappe, Samail Ophiolite
VHMS, Conduit, Alterations
Physiography: The area under study comprises Samail ophiolites were thrusted over Hawasina nappe
Northern part of Oman Mountains lying on the and subsequently sliced into four imbricated thrust
eastern edge of the Arabian plate. Northern part of sheets. The main units of ophiolite are Samail volcanic
the Oman Mountains which extends up to Oman gulf rocks (top), Sheeted dyke complex, High level gabbro,
is called Batinah coast. The western half of the cumulate sequence and Tectonites (bottom).
Batinah coastal area is underlain by Tectonites and Supra ophiolite sediments mainly consist of
Cumulate sequences forming rugged mountainous olistoliths. Termination of nappe emplacement was
region and central and southeastern part of the area marked by deposition of late Cetaceous to Tertiary
underlain by Sheeted dyke complex and Samail sediments called as Supra ophiolite sediments (Figure
volcanic rocks which forms low hilly region. The 1).
eastern part consists of low hills composed of Supra Startigraphy
ophiolite sediments and Late Cretaceous to Tertiary
Samail Nappe has been subdivided into Samail
sediments which from hilly and terraced land (Figure
ophiolite and Supra-ophiolite sediments. These units
1). Wadis flow in the east direction and drain into Gulf
have unconformable contact. Samail ophiolite is
of Oman. Four river terraces are found along the
composed of Tectonites, Cumulate sequence, High
wadis.
level gabbro, sheeted dyke complex. Samail volcanic
rocks have been classified into three units which are
Lower Volcanic rocks (SV1), Middle Volcanic rocks
(SV2) and upper volcanic rocks (SV3). Lower volcanic
rocks formed at the ocean spreading ridge.
Tectonites form base of the Samail ophiolite.
Tectonites are overlain by cumulate sequence.
Tectonites mainly consist of serpentised harzburgite
and dunite. Harzburgite show banding comprising
Figure-1 Geological Map of Northern Oman and alternate olivine rich and orthopyroxene rich layers
Batinah Coast after Calvez and Lescuyer, 1991 and exhibit granular, porphyroblastic texture.
Magnesite veins are also noticed.
Geological Setting: Oman Mountains lie on the Cumulate Sequence is underlain by Harzburgite with
eastern edge of the Arabian plate. They are part of irregular contact. It comprises cumulate layered
Alpine orogenic belt and were formed by obduction of gabbro which is composed of clinopyroxene gabbro
fragment of the Tethyan oceanic floor (Samail and minor interlayered olivine gabbro, dunite and
ophiolite) over the Arabian plate during late peridotite. Layering is few millimeters to few
Cretaceous. The beginning of obduction has been centimeters thick. It shows orthocumulate texture
dated 90 Ma (Lanphere, 1981). Allochthon comprise having euhedral plagioclase and clinopyroxene gabbro
nappes thrusted over authochthonous succession. (gabbro with large quantity of clinopyroxene) and
Allochthon is subdivided into: minor interlayered olivine gabbro, dunite and
peridotite. Layering is few millimeters to few
Volume-1 | Issue-4 | April,2016 | Paper-7 102
