Heavy Mineral Study of Gercus Formation in Darbandi Basara Anticline, Sulaymaniyah Area, North-Eastern Iraq.

The heavy minerals analysis of the Gercus Formation at the Darbandi Basara anticline in Sulaymaniyah City, Northern Iraq was conducted in this study. Twelve samples were collected from different beds within the Gercus Formation. These samples were divided into two groups: fine-grain sandstone (6 samples) and very fine-grain sandstone (6 samples). The heavy metals identified in the selected sandstone samples from the Gercus Formation were categorized into five main groups: opaque, unstable, metastable, ultrastable minerals, and flaky minerals. These minerals point to presence of metamorphic, mafic igneous rocks, and acidic igneous, as well as reworked sedimentary rocks in the feeding region. The stability of the heavy minerals was evaluated using a ternary scheme, and the results showed that the heavy minerals in the Gercus Formation are relatively stable. This stability can be attributed to the presence of an opaque mineral group, which has a significant influence on the overall stability of the heavy minerals. Based on the findings, it can be inferred that the sandstones in the Gercus Formation originated from active continental edges. This suggests that the sedimentary rocks were deposited in a tectonically active environment.