Sol Hamed Ophiolitic Complex, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt: Petrological, Economic Potentiality and Structural Implications
Authors: Sedki Tarek , Ali Shehata , A. Mohamed Haroun , Zaki Rafat 
Published: October 2019

The Sol Hamed (SH) area is a part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) ophiolites occurred within Onib-Sol Hamed suture zone in the southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. The ophiolitic assemblages in this area are represented by serpentinite, metagabbro and arc assemblages represented by metavolcanics. They later intruded by gabbroes and granites. Geochemically, the compatible trace elements (Cr=2426&ndash;2709 ppm, Ni=1657&ndash;2377 ppm and Co=117&ndash;167 ppm) enrichment in SH serpentinites indicate derivation from a depleted mantle peridotite source. They show affinity to the typical metamorphic peridotites. The normative compositions reflect harzburgitic mantle source. Their Al2O3 contents (0.05&ndash;1.02 wt. %) are akin to oceanic and active margin peridotites and Pan-African serpentinites. The Cr and TiO2 contents indicate supra-subduction zone (SSZ) environment. Their Al2O3/SiO2 and MgO/SiO2 ratios support the SSZ affinity and are similar to ANS peridotites with fore-arc setting. Moreover, their Al2O3 and CaO depletion is typical of fore-arc peridotites. Structurally, the area represents four deformational events can be well-known in the Neoproterozoic rocks (D1, D2, D3 and D4); D1: E&ndash;W thrust faults and related E&ndash;W (F1) folds; D2: NW&ndash;SE thrust faults and related NW&ndash;SE (F2) folds were formed; D3: conjugate NNW-trending sinistral and NNE-trending dextral transpression, as well as N&ndash;trending tight folds (F3) and D4: is E&ndash;W dextral strike-slip and dip-slip normal faults striking NNW&ndash;SSE to N&ndash;S and E&ndash;W may be related to Red Sea rifting. There are major three fault sets affected the area. The first set trend mainly NE-SW and is manifested in the volcanic-sedimentary assemblage and Gabal SH and have important role in mineralization. The second set trend E-W affecting all the basement rocks and disturbs the first fault set. The third set trend N-S affected all the rock units. Magnesite mineralization in SH serpentinites is cryptocrystalline formed due to hydrothermal alteration of the serpentinite host rocks. It is occur as snow-white veins and stock-works. These characteristics are typical of Kraubath type magnesite deposits. Gold mineralization is confined to malachite-bearing quartz veins, smoky quartz veins and alteration zones. Malachite-bearing quartz veins trending NW-SE cut through gabbroic rocks and exhibit mylonitic structure. They are fractured containing malachite and disseminated sulfide minerals. Smoky quartz veins trending NE-SW with SE steeply dipping intrude the meta-andesite. They are intensively sheared containing iron oxides in the fissures. The gold grades increase with arsenopyrite occurrences. On the other hand, the barren quartz veins are nearly vertical with E-W directions. Alteration zones with NW-SE trend and nearly vertical dip intrude metagabbros and metavolcanics. Hematite, limonite, goethite and fresh pyrite characterize these zones. They occur mainly neighboring the auriferous quartz veins.