The University of British Columbia

Magmatic and Hydrothermal Evolution of Ore Deposits:

Research Project

Reko Diq is one of the world's largest porphyry district located in Chagai magmatic belt, southwest Pakistan. The porphyry copper-gold deposits are associated with late Miocene intrusive rocks host by late-Oligocene volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Interplay of multiple porphyry intrusions and spells of hydrothermal alteration and Cu-Fe-sulfide mineralization played a key role in the formation of H14 and H15 ore bodies at Reko Diq. The timing and composition of intrusive rocks, intensity of alteration and variations in sulfide mineralogy and metallogeny provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate the genesis of this world class deposit.

Research project aims to understand the relationship between porphyry intrusions and hydrothermal events influencing the metallogeny of the deposit. The research is leading to define a 4D genetic porphyry model addressing the critical research questions related to petrogenesis, petrochemical evolution and spatial and temporal distribution of porphyry copper mineralization. To achieve the research goals and address the critical research questions, the study focuses on the lithologic and hydrothermal facies architecture, petro-chemical evolution of intrusive rocks and paragenesis of hydrothermal events. A stepwise research approach is adopted employing field and laboratory analysis. The field studies include detailed 1:2000 scale geological mapping and construction of geological sections to define the lateral and vertical variations of H14 and H15 ore bodies. Detail geological logging of drill core provides the basis for petrographic, petro-chemical and geochronological studies. U/Pb-zircon geochronology and zircon trace element geochemistry using SHRIPM-RG technique aims to constrain the timing and sequence of multiple intrusive events and their fractionation trends. The Ar/Ar-biotite and Re/Os-molybdenite geochronology is used to constrain the timing and durations of alteration and mineralization events. Selective fluid inclusions and X-ray diffraction analysis employed to understand the fluid evolution and paragenesis of alteration mineralogy and its relashinship with copper-gold grades in the deposit.

Implications

Analytical results will define the fundamental aspects of porphyry Cu-Au deposits introducing a genetic porphyry model of Reko Diq H14-H15 porphyry systems. The key outcome of the research project is to identify the most fertile span of magmatic and hydrothermal activity during Miocene. Research outcomes and results will be utilized in the exploration and discovery of other economic and sub-economic porphyry Cu and Cu-Au deposits not only in Reko Diq but throughout Chagai-Tethyan metallogenic belt and other prospective porphyry Cu belts worldwide.

Professional Experience

Graduated in geology from Government Science College Quetta-Pakistan in 1993 and obtained a Masters degree in 1995 securing 1st class standing in the University of Balochistan Quetta-Pakistan. Professional career started as an exploration geologist with BHP Minerals (Now BHPBilliton) working on BHP-BDA Chagai Hills Joint venture project, which lead to the discovery of Reko Diq (August 1996) and several other copper-gold deposits in Chagai magmatic belt Balochistan. Meanwhile, I earned my M.Phil degree in economic geology from Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy (CEM) Quetta-Pakistan in 2003. My role as a "Project Geologist" with Tethyan Copper Company is to supervise a team of geologists in the exploration, drilling programs and development activities at Reko Diq project. I was actively involved in planning and execution of geological and geophysical surveys, systematic geochemical sampling and target generation, detail geological mapping, drill core logging, resource estimation and modeling of porphyry Cu-Au deposits at Reko Diq and in Chagai magmatic belt. Currently enrolled as a full time PhD. student at the University of British Columbia Canada.

• Exploration geologist with BHP Minerals exploration, Chagai JV 1995–1998
• Geologist with Tethyan Copper Company Limited Reko Diq 2000-2001
• Group promoter with United Nations Development Program 2002-2003
• Project Geologist in Tethyan (Barrick-Antofagasta JV) Reko Diq 2003-2008
• PhD Candidate: University of British Columbia Canada 2008 – continue

Professional Membership

• Society of Economic Geologists (SEG)
• Geological Association of Canada (GAC)
• Association for Mineral Exploration for British Columbia (AME-BC)
• Prospecter and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC)
• Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA)

Achievements / Awards

• SEG Keystone Colorado, USA conference student grant award Sep 2010
• Society of Economic Geology Canada Foundation Research Grant May 2010
• Society of Economic Geology Canada Foundation Research Grant May 2009
• Tethyan Copper Co. logo (2001) and Barrick Gold's photo contest award 2006
• Extensive >100,000m drill core & RC percussion chips logging
• Reconnaissance / detail geological mapping of a 20,000km2 prospective license

Research Publications

Perelló, J., Razique, A., Schloderer J., and Asad, R, 2008, The Chagai Porphyry Copper Belt, Baluchistan Province, Pakistan: Economic Geology, v.103, pp. 1583-1612

Razique, A., 2010, Geological framework of the Reko Diq Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits, District Chagai, Balochistan-Pakistan: SEG special publication, at Keystone Colorado 2010

Razique, A., Lo Grasso, G., and Livesey, T., 2007, Porphyry copper-gold deposits at Reko Diq complex, Chagai Hills, Pakistan: Biennial SGA Meeting, 9th, Dublin 2007, Proceedings: Irish Asso. for Econ. Geol., v. 1, pp.125-128

Razique, A. and Shamim, A., 2002, Hypogene and supergene porphyry copper gold systems around Koh-e-Dalil volcanic complex, District Chagai, Pakistan: M.Phil thesis submitted to Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy (CEM) Quetta