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Journals / Maden Tetkik ve Arama Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 179 Sayı: 179

Formation characteristics of newly discovered Akçal (Balıkesir) Au-Ag epithermal mineralization in Extensional Tectonics of Biga Peninsula, Western Tethyan Belt

Ramazan Sari(MTA Tashkent Company, Taşkent, Uzbekistan)0000-0001-5708-4063
Zehra Deveci Aral(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0001-5724-6157
Şahset Küçükefe(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Northwest Anatolia Regional Directorate, Balıkesir, Türkiye)0000-0003-2380-5680
Elif Dilek Bayrakçıoğlu(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0003-2449-9857
Ahmet Metin Öteleş(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Türkiye)0009-0000-5061-6194
Mehmet Barış Durgun(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Northwest Anatolia Regional Directorate, Balıkesir, Türkiye)0000-0003-3598-1921
Buğra Çavdar(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0002-3384-1215
Cahit Dönmez(General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Department of Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0003-4705-9301
Pages
56–80
Publication Date
2026-04-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Due to this feature, Akçal mineralization is quite similar to low/medium sulfidation epithermal system deposits.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Akçal Au-Ag mineralization is located in one of the most important metallogenic provinces in Tethys Orogenic Belt, Biga Peninsula.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Recent surface exploration and drillhole operation studies indicate that extensional tectonic-related, structurally-controlled Au-Ag mineralization developed parallel along E-W, N55-75E and N30W-trending tectonic zones and NE-SW-trending secondary tectonic zones.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Due to this feature, Akçal mineralization is quite similar to low/medium sulfidation epithermal system deposits.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Biga Peninsula · Akçal · Au-Ag

Abstract

Akçal Au-Ag mineralization is located in one of the most important metallogenic provinces in Tethys Orogenic Belt, Biga Peninsula. In the study area, widespread argillic alteration is observed and mined in previous years. Recent surface exploration and drillhole operation studies indicate that extensional tectonic-related, structurally-controlled Au-Ag mineralization developed parallel along E-W, N55-75E and N30W-trending tectonic zones and NE-SW-trending secondary tectonic zones. Based on field observations and mineralogical-petrographic studies, mineralization was formed in Şapçı volcanics where fluids caused widespread advanced argillic, argillic and propylitic alteration in the study area. Fluid inclusion analyses were performed on transparent-semi-transparent (quartz) crystals in the argillic alteration zone. The primary inclusions consist of two-phase (liquid+gas) inclusions. The homogeniSation temperature was determined as 190-240°C and the salinity as 0.7- 2.7% NaCl in the fluid inclusion measurements. Field observations, mineralogical-petrographic studies, and fluid inclusion data indicate that Au-Ag mineralization occurs in an epithermal system and that the mineralization is not eroded. In west-northwest Anatolia, formation temperature and salinities of the Miocene-aged extensional-related Au-Ag deposits are quite compatible with the formation temperature 190-240°C, 0.7-2.7% NaCl salinity of Akçal Au-Ag deposit. Due to this feature, Akçal mineralization is quite similar to low/medium sulfidation epithermal system deposits.

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Cite This Article

Sari, R., Aral, Z. D., Küçükefe, Ş., Bayrakçıoğlu, E. D., Öteleş, A. M., Durgun, M. B., Çavdar, B., Dönmez, C. (2026). Formation characteristics of newly discovered Akçal (Balıkesir) Au-Ag epithermal mineralization in Extensional Tectonics of Biga Peninsula, Western Tethyan Belt. Maden Tetkik ve Arama Dergisi, Cilt: 179 Sayı: 179, 56–80. https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.1835122

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