Geological control of massive sulfide mineralization in the Neoproterozoic Wadi Bidah shear zone, southwestern Saudi Arabia, inferences from orbital remote sensing and field studies

This study combines new field and orbital remote sensing data to determine geologic controls on sulfide mineralization in the Wadi Bidah Mineral District (WBMD) located in the Neoproterozoic (900–550 Ma) Arabian Shield of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The brittle and ductile deformation of these massive sulfide deposits and host rock reflect tectonic events occurring in the Arabian Shield during the Neoproterozoic (900–550 Ma). Remote sensing data were used in conjunction with GIS software (ARCVIEW) to map lithologic units and mineral deposits, analyze and define regional structural trends, and establish geologic controls on sulfide mineralization. Orbital remote sensing data sets include scenes from Landsat 7 and ASTER. The sulfide deposits of the WBMD are found within a group of felsic volcaniclastics. A marble unit within the felsic volcaniclastic group is used as a marker horizon. Based on the distribution of the sulfide deposits relative to the marble unit, all sulfide deposits appear to be stratabound. Deposits have been folded and faulted into their present positions. Structural control of mineralization appears to be limited to post-mineralization folding and shearing.