The Imiter silver mine in the Eastern Anti-Atlas metallogenic province, Eastern Morocco, is a world-class silver ore deposit. This region has potential for undiscovered silver mineralisation and deserves a detailed remote-sensing study. In this study, Crosta, band ratios and mixture-tuned matched-filtering (MTMF) methods were applied to ASTER remote-sensing data. Argillic, phyllic and propylitic alteration zones were identified using specialised band ratios and Crosta techniques. Sub-pixel abundances of goethite, haematite, limonite, muscovite/illite, chlorite/epidote, jarosite and kaolinite/alunite were detected using MTMF algorithm. Accordingly, several alteration zones were identified and delimited in the central, northern, southern and northeastern parts of the study region, which can be considered as high prospective zones. GPS survey, analysis of thin and polish sections, XRD and geochemical survey verified the alteration zones and sulphide mineralisation in high prospective zones. This approach can be applied in other parts of the Eastern Anti-Atlas metallogenic province to explore hydrothermal ore deposits.

Development and concentration of many ore deposits at the regional and district scales closely depend on structural geology, especially in polydeformed basements. The superposition of many deformation periods highlights the complexity of the structural context and expected potential location of mineralization zones. The formation and concentration of hydrothermal ore deposits is highly dependent on structural controls. On the NE flank of the Saghro massif (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco), the Imiter silver mining region has been affected by multiple tectonic events since the Precambrian and throughout the Phanerozoic. In this investigation, a structural analysis of the different geological units revealed multi-stage deformation, beginning with the late Pan-African-Cadomian event, and ending with the last Cenozoic exhumation of the area. At least eight tectonic regimes have been identified. The Imiter basement, formed by the Cryogenian-early Ediacaran “flysch-like” Saghro Group, has been folded in low-grade metamorphic conditions, followed by an ENE-WSW brittle compressive event. These deformations occurred before to the early Ediacaran during the compressional and/or transpressional late Pan-African-Cadomian events (600–580 Ma). The unconformably overlaying deposition of the late Ediacaran Ouarzazate Group takes place in a WNW-ESE extensional setting and then involved in a NNW-SSE compressional event that occurred concurrently with a regional exhumation and erosion stages. A similar extensional event appears to have controlled the middle Cambrian sedimentation, the oldest Paleozoic deposits in this area. During the late Carboniferous, Variscan shortening was recorded by NW-SE transpressional deformation responsible for combined dextral strike-slip and southward thrusts. The Imiter silver mining region is part of the Moroccan Sub-Meseta Zone along with Paleozoic inliers of the Skoura and Tamlelt on the southern side of the High Atlas. The Mesozoic evolution began with the Late Triassic NNW-SSW transtensional tectonic regime with a northeast trending CAMP (Central Atlantic Magmatic Province) dyke during the Pangea breakup. Ultimately, the Imiter silver mining region experienced NNW-SSE Atlasic shortening during the uplift of the adjacent High Atlas. Over time, the direction of implemented tectonic stress and its effect on various geological units can elucidate the relationship between tectonism and hydrothermal silver mineralization in the Imiter region. In conclusion, structural analysis and investigation of paleostress development can be one of the most important factors for successful exploration plan and resource recovery in the Imiter region. An analysis of geological structures in determining feasible mineralization zones is crucial for future safe mining operation in the study area and can be extrapolated to other ore mining regions.

The Bou Azzer polymetallic Co‐Ni‐As±Au±Ag veins in the Central Anti‐Atlas (Morocco) are significant sulfide ores hosted by Neoproterozoic ophiolites and are associated with felsic intrusive and subvolcanic phases. We report new mineralogical and fluid inclusion data to better understand mineralization’s formation processes and fluid evolution which are analyzed and merged with the existing published data. Gold‐bearing sulfide‐arsenide‐quartz (±carbonate) veins in Bou Azzer exhibit mineralogical and fluid inclusion features similar to the epithermal and porphyry‐style gold deposits. Modeling of widespread primary and pseudosecondary saline aqueous inclusions in the mineralized quartz veins suggests that circulating metalliferous brines, with estimated temperatures of ~275°C and pressures < 550 bars and salinity < 40%, precipitated sulfides in the veins. Gold was most likely transported as bisulfide complexes, and ore deposition was controlled by fluctuations in oxygen fugacity (ƒO₂) upon fluid cooling. The systematic decrease in temperatures and salinities from an early prearsenide stage to a late paragenetic arsenide and sulfide stage was likely linked with extensive mixing with meteoric waters in a shallow hydrothermal environment. Available sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen stable isotope data for the Bou Azzer sulfide‐arsenide‐quartz veins indicate variable fluid sources, primarily magmatic and metamorphic fluids. The wide range of the estimated mineralization ages (from 680 Ma to 210 Ma) and the spatial association with major shear zones and felsic intrusive stocks imply a significant role of the regional tectonic activities or reflect complex and superimposed mineralization episodes, corresponding to orogenic events spanned the Pan‐African cycle to the Atlasic orogenesis.

Purpose. The purpose of the present research is to provide a new lithological, structural and magmatic features of the Oumjrane-Boukerzia Mining District. The results obtained are used to guide exploration works for identifying the new Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn depositions and Ba-bearing mineralization within the whole Oumjrane-Boukerzia domain. Methods. This research is based on detailed mapping, structural surveys and geochemical studies performed on the magmatic rocks in the studied area. Findings. Structural and microstructural analyses of the studied area have revealed three complex polyphase tectonic events related to the Variscan orogeny: (i) an extensive phase during the Devonian period; (ii) a NW-SE compressional phase of Namuro-Westphalian age; (iii) a NE-SW compressional phase of Stephanian-Autunian age, and (iv) an extensive late phase probably related to the opening of the Central Atlantic ocean during the Late Trias-Jurassic periods. The sedimentary rocks of the district are locally intruded by small undated gabbroic intrusions. Geochemically, these gabbroic bodies are described as olivine-rich gabbros with a continental tholeiitic affinity and suggested to be related to the Central Atlantic magmatic province (CAMP) during the Pangea break-up. Originality. The present study describes the host-rocks and structural events responsible for Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb deposition and Ba-bearing mineralization in the Oumjrane-Boukerzia Mining District (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco). Practical implications. The geological studies, especially lithostratigraphic, tectonic and magmatism are essential in the mineral exploration. They help exploration geologists identify and define metallotects to discover new minerals.

Serpentinites and associated chromitites of the Neoproterozoic Bou Azzer ophiolite (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco) provide key constraints on mantle depletion, melt–rock interaction, and the tectono-metamorphic evolution of a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) system. This study integrates field observations, petrography, Raman spectroscopy, and whole-rock/mineral chemistry to decipher the history of this highly dismembered ultramafic suite. The mantle sequence is dominated by antigorite-bearing serpentinites derived primarily from refractory harzburgitic and dunitic protoliths. Whole-rock geochemistry and highly depleted chromite compositions (Cr# = 0.50–0.68; Mg# = 0.43–0.77; TiO₂ ≤ 0.18 wt.%) demonstrate that these peridotites represent refractory residues formed after high degrees of partial melting (~15–25%). The data delineate a clear evolutionary trend from abyssal to fore-arc and back-arc environments, where infiltrating boninitic melts drove localized podiform chromitite formation through intense melt–rock interaction. Crucially, thermodynamic and mineral–chemical constraints challenge previous models of simple greenschist-facies obduction. Equilibration temperatures exceeding 600 °C and chromite stability within the lower amphibolite to near-granulite facies indicate that the oceanic lithosphere underwent deep subduction prior to its exhumation. This high-temperature, high-pressure metamorphism was followed by multistage retrogressive serpentinization and intense CO₂-rich metasomatism (talc-magnesite alteration) during Pan-African transpressional tectonics. Ultimately, the Bou Azzer ophiolite represents a mature SSZ mantle wedge, recording a complete geodynamic cycle from deep subduction-zone metamorphism to final tectonic emplacement along the northern margin of the West African Craton.