Mineralogy of the Kraubath-type magnesite deposits of the Khuzdar area, Balochistan, Pakistan Khuzdar Bölgesi (Belucistan, Pakistan)'ndeki Kraubath tipi manyezit yataklarinin mineralojisi

Mineralogical studies of the magnesite deposits in the Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan were made using the Xray diffraction (XRD) technique. These Kraubath-type magnesite deposits are hosted within serpentinized harzburgites, associated with Bela Ophiolite of Cretaceous age. The deposits occur as cryptocrystalline veins of stockwork-type, possessing botryoidal and bone habits. The ultramafic rocks of Bela Ophiolite were subjected to serpentinization. The hydrothermal fluids leached out Mg, Ca, Fe and other elements from the serpentinized rocks and finally carbonation of these ions resulted in the formation of their hydroxides and carbonates of different combinations to produce these deposits. The XRD analysis of the ores revealed a high magnesite content in association with artinite, brucite, huntite, Femagnesite, dolomite, calcite and Mg-calcite. Initially, at low temperatures and low partial pressure from carbon dioxide (PCO 2 ), metastable hydroxides and carbonates are formed, and these are gradually converted into a stable magnesite phase. The low abundance of allied minerals reflects the relatively high temperature conditions and PCO 2 that convert metastable minerals into their stable magnesite phase. The study revealed an increasing temperature and PCO 2 from brucite through artinite, hydromagnesite, huntite, and dolomite to magnesite. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrix analysis were also utilized to reveal the genetic affiliation that existed between these minerals.