GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOLKARDAĞI BAUXITE DEPOSITS IN AYRANCI, THE TAURUS MOUNTAIN, TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the stratigraphic position of the bauxite deposits in the Ayrancı region, where the most important bauxite mineralization of the Bolkardağı region is located. In this context, the age of bauxite will be determined by determining the erosion surface associated with stratigraphic features during the formation of bauxite and the age of bauxite according to its side rocks. In the region, there are Permian-Cretaceous aged rocks belonging to the Bolkardağı Union, one of the main tectonic units forming the Central Taurus Mountains. Miocene units covering these rocks are surfaced in the study area. Karamanoglu ophiolite and older units are uncomfortably covered by Miocene aged Mazı and Divlek formations. Bauxite deposits are clearly seen in the Upper Permian aged Dedeköy formation. According to the field studies, the bauxites were formed in the Late Triassic - Early Jurassic interval, on the Upper Permian aged carbonate rocks and Lower Triassic aged shale - sandstone - limestone units and then deposited in caves and dolines within the carbonate rocks. The fact that bauxites are located above dolomites and below, within and above limestones is thought to be due to the different behavior of carbonate rocks.