A contribution to the formation of the Karadut iron deposit (Kahramanmaraş-Göksun) and its surrounding mineralizations with new findings

Karadut iron mineralization, situated between the Göksun and Elbistan districts in the Eastern Taurus. Many large and small iron deposits and mineralization are distributed across a 40-kilometer region south of the Sürgü fault. These mineralizations are notable not only for their high-grade ore but also for how they are formed. This study aims to investigate these mineralizations by analyzing their mineralogical characteristics and examining their spatial and temporal relationships with host rocks through field observations. Karadut iron mineralization comprises two primary types: metamorphic banded magnetite and hydrothermal hematite-goethite. Metamorphic banded mineralizations, observed as numerous deposits, offer small-scale reserves. Magnetites are aligned parallel to the lamination within micaschists, with thicknesses ranging from 1 cm to 10 m. Near-surface magnetites exhibit hematite formation via martitization, accompanied by supergene limonite formations. Analyses of outcrop and core samples reveal iron contents ranging from 34.20% to 85.14% Fe2O3. This study provides the first detailed exploration of hydrothermal-type mineralizations in high-altitude areas with limited accessibility. Mineralization developed along karstic voids and tectonic lines, primarily consisting of hematite and goethite, with barite as a gangue mineral. Outcrop samples indicate iron contents reaching 85.6% Fe2O3.