Research Information System
Geology of Ore Deposits, vol.68, no.2, pp.331-356, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Abstract: Antimony mineralization in western Türkiye is preferentially constrained by NW-SE and NE-SW structures, extending diagonal to the main direction of the extensional zones. Metamorphic schists, volcanic rocks, altered limestone and serpentine are the primary hosting rocks for Sb mineralization, which occurs as veins, irregular pockets, lenses, narrow discontinuous veins, space fills, and occasionally disseminations in silicified rocks. Silicification is a common alteration while argillic and phyllic alteration, limonitization, pyritization and rarely carbonatisation have also been documented in mineralizing zones. Geochemical analyses show that the antimony is accompanied by variable abundance of As, Pb, Zn, Ag, Hg, Au, Cu and Ba. The homogenization (Th) temperature ranges from 150 to 310°C and salinity ranges 0.8–9.0, wt % NaCl eq. across antimony mineralization is indicating low temperature ore forming fluids and a shallow—cooler mineralizing environment. Micro-thermometric analysis and δ18O and δD isotopic data confirm meteoric water as the source of fluids. Negative δ34S value obtained from ores of Izmir area is indicating bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) of the initial sedimentary sulfides and a near to 0‰ or slightly positive δ34S values from antimony deposits of Kütahya region suggest a magmatic-linked source. Studies agree that the source of antimony is the underlying metamorphic crust characterized by high anomaly of As, Sb, Cu, Pb and Zn. Due to inadequate research, we encourage more geological and geochemical studies across western Türkiye particularly in Ivrindi—Balikeser, Söğüt-Dudaş in Bilecik and İnegöl-Sülüklüköy in Bursa. We also recommend trace element analysis of stibnite and pyrite alongside Sb and Pb isotopic analysis of ores from the region.