Mineralogical-geochemical characteristics and economical potential of olivine occurrences in the Kizildağ peridotite rocks, Ayvalipinar (Sütçüler-Isparta) region

This study aims to determine the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of olivine mineralization within the Kızıldağ Peridotites located around Ayvalıpınar village, situated on the border of Eğirdir and Sütçüler districts in the Isparta Angle region, and to evaluate the industrial utilization potential of the olivine raw material. The study area comprises autochthonous and allochthonous rock units of various ages and origins, spanning from the Mesozoic to the Tertiary periods. The autochthonous units consist of the late Triassic Menteşe Dolomite, Liassic-Cenomanian Alakilise Limestone, and late Cretaceous Eşekini Limestone, all belonging to the Anamas-Akseki Platform. The allochthonous units comprise the Rhaetian-Senonian Öbektaş Formation, late Triassic-Cretaceous Pazarköy Group, Triassic-Cretaceous Melange, Cretaceous Kızıldağ Peridotite, and Jurassic-Cretaceous Dulup Limestone, which are part of the Antalya Complex. The Kızıldağ Peridotite forms a semicircular body mainly composed of harzburgite, dünite, and serpentinite, intruded by microgabbro and diabase dykes. Harzburgite and dunite rocks exhibit yellowish-greenish to blackish colors and show intense fracturing. The olivine ore is primarly extracted from dunite units through open-pit mining. Petrographic analysis reveals that the samples mainly comprise dunite lithology, with olivine and orthopyroxene as the dominant minerals, accompanied occasionally by chromite. Serpentine and magnesite ocur as alteration products. Olivine grains show abundant fractures and cracks, displaying mesh and cataclastic textures, with widespread serpentinization along grain boundaries. Geochemical analyses indicate that the dunite samples contain MgO between 40.42 and 47.83%, SiO2 between 37.57 and 42.65%, and Fe2O3 between 7.71 and 8.77%. Loss on ignition values range from 0.62 to 11.05%, with higher values attributed to alteration processes. The major oxide compositions and loss on ignition values of the olivine minerals are partially compatible with current industrial standards, indicating that Kızıldağ olivines have potential as raw materials for certain industrial applications. The investigated olivine are processed through crushing, grinding, screening, and classification to reach the required quality for industrial use and are evaluated as olivine sand. Additionaly, based on the thichness and distribution of the olivine outcrop in the study area, a probable reserve of approximately 542.574.737 tons has been estimated. This study provides significant contributions to the petrographic-geochemical characterization and the evaluation of the industrial potential of olivines in the Kızıldağ Peridotites.