Geology of eastern margin of Demirci basin (İçikler)

Demirci Basin is one of the NE-trending graben structures in Western Anatolia. The aim of this study is to understand the geological features of the Eastern parts of Demirci Basin. Thesis also comprises the genesis of lateritic-saprolitic Au-Ni mineralisation in Icikler village, development of Saraycik geothermal area and effects of structural features that dominate with general geology and Au-Ni mineralization?s in the property.Study area that is developed on the Northern wings of Gediz Graben and Southern wings of Simav Graben, is located around İçikler village, on the Eastern parts of Demirci Graben. Basement units of the property comprise Paleozoic-aged schist, gneiss and marbles that are generally called as Menderes Massive. Cretaceous-aged ultramafic to mafic volcanics overlie basement rocks with thrust faults. Miocene sedimentary rocks overlie basement and mafic volcanics with angular unconformity. Sedimentary rocks upgrade into calc-alcali type andesitic Asi Tepe volcanic unit. Quartanery Alluvium unit which includes travertine and clastic rocks, completely overlie basement units with unconformity.Three different structural features are identified in the property. These are; NE-trending normal faults that form Demirci basin, ENE-WNW trending normal faults and WNW-ESE trending strike-slip faults which cut other previous structural features.Icikler Au-Ni lateritic-saprolitic mineralisation is located 3 km NW of Yumuklar village in Demirci basin. Field observations with petrographic-oxidation-alteration and mineral genesis well correlates with other world-class lateritic-saprolitic gold deposits. Higher nickel values in the property could be defined by lateritic nickel mineralisation systems.Saraycik geothermal area that is located 15 km Northeast of Borlu town is formed by the junction of NE trending normal faults and WNW-ESE trending strike-slip faults. This system also could highlight buried mineralized intrusions in the property.