MINERAL RESOURCES OF KURDISTAN REGION, IRAQ:AN OVERVIEW

Khaldoun S. Al-Bassam

Chief Scientific Researcher in Earth Sciences,

Former Director General of Iraq Geological Survey

Consultant at the University of Technology, Baghdad.

albassam703@gmail.com

Abstract

     Kurdistan Region is characterized, among the rest of Iraqi territory, by the presence of metallic mineral deposits such as Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr-Ni and Mn, together with some unique non-metallic minerals and industrial rocks such as barite, asbestos and marble. The formation of these mineral deposits is associated with the geological and tectonic development of northern Iraq including the major tectonic events associated with the Tethys development and movement of the Arabian Plate. Kurdistan Region is characterized by endogenic metallic mineralization of Triassic – Jurassic, Late Cretaceous, and Paleogene age. It includes mineralization of magmatic, hydrothermal, metamorphic and sedimentary origins, which may be related to regional orogenic phases.

     The mineralization in Kurdistan Region was affected by two metallogenic periods related to regional (continental) tectonic events associated with the development of the Neo-Tethys. The first is the Late Triassic – Jurassic, which gave rise to the strata-bound Zn-Pb mineralization in the Triassic carbonates. The second is the Late Cretaceous, which developed the Cr, Ni and Cu-bearing basic and ultrabasic complexes of the Zagros Suture Zone and the formation of the vein and strata-bound, low-temperature Zn-Pb – barite – pyrite – siderite mineralization in carbonates of Cretaceous age in the Imbricate Zone.

     The mineral deposits and occurrences known in Kurdistan Region represent the findings of intermittent exploration works carried out since the early fifties of the past century. They do not represent the full mineral potential of the region in any way. It is expected that Kurdistan Region contains more mineral resources, which need to be explored and evaluated. The discontinuous nature of the geological works in the past and the lack of air-born surveys and the limited geochemical surveys in this interesting minerogenic province have delayed the accurate assessment of the full potential of the mineral resources in the region. The actual mineral wealth of Kurdistan Region is not really known. However, based on the available information it is expected that the province is promising for Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, marble, barite and possibly radioactive mineral deposits. Building raw materials are available to maintain cement and other construction material industries. It is essential to start a comprehensive exploration program in Kurdistan Region in order to assess its full mineral potential.