Geochemical features of manganese mineralization near Pripek village, Varna district

The geochemical features of manganese mineralization near Pripek village, Varna district, are studied. The manganese mineralization was observed as irregular levels of manganese oxides, manganese-rich layers, manganese-rich clasts or nodules where MnO reaches up to 45 wt%. Elevated contents of the trace elements Ni, Cu, Sr, Zr, Mo, Ba, and U are also measured. Their REE patterns show differences compering to both the Mn mineralization in the Obrochishte deposit and Mn nodules among acidic volcanoclastic rocks in the Eastern Rhodopes, and cannot clearly indicate the source of manganese. Our study shows that the Pripek manganese deposit has а good potential for prospecting and possible mining for critical elements.