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Department of Geology, University of Kuwait and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the discovery of copper and manganese occurrences in the northern Oman Mountains within the gabbroic rocks of the Semail ophiolites and the underlying metamorphic sheet. Three copper occurrences were located, one in the schists and two in the layered gabbros. In all these occurrences, Cu minerals are concentrated in linear shear zones. Widespread bleaching of the gabbro seems to be associated with the mineralisation. The Cu deposits are considered to be of epigenetic hydrothermal origin. Massive manganese minerals, dominantly braunite, occur in the form of thin laminae or thick layers interbedded with chert and calcareous rocks of the metamorphic sheet. These bands are considered to have originated in deep water and to have been recrystallised during the metamorphism of the enclosing rocks.