Different blocks that are separated from each other by fault zones represent geological feature of Western Azerbaijan Province. Each block has its own structural and mineral potential characters. Therefore geological and metallogenical features of this province are complicated. The structural setting of this province being characterized by investigation of various larger structural units of Iranian geology imply a very special careful attention in depicting all geological and metallogenical characters. The relevant activities in this respect can be classified into two groups as follow:
  
   4-1- Geological studies
   Geological surveys are carried out in two different scales: 1: 250000 and 1:100000. In addition to these maps many geological thematic and non-systematic studies have been carried out in the framework of development and prosperity projects in different scales.
  
   A- Geological studies on 1:250000 scale
   The whole surface of the province is covered by 1:250000 maps of Maku, Serow, Takab, Urumiyeh and parts of Tabriz and Poldasht Quadrangles. Field studies of these maps were finished and they were published with an attached report.
  
   B- Geological studies on 1:100000 scale
   In index No. 6 all 1:100000 sheets of this province are shown. Many of 23 1:100000 maps are published and the rest are under investigation.
  
   Index No. 6
  
   C- Thematic Geological studies
   1) Urumiyeh Lake and its economical resources, Geological Survey of Iran 1982
   2) Holocene and climatic changes of hypersaline Urumiyeh Lake, Geological Survey of Iran 1981.
   3) A comparison between hypersaline Lake of Urumiyeh and Salt Lake city (U.S.A), Geological Survey of Iran 1982
   4) Report on the geotecnics of south Urumiyeh City, Geological Survey of Iran 1992
   5) A survey of siesmotectonics of Maku area, Geological Survey of Iran 1976
   6) A preleminary survey of site relocation of Maku, Geological Survey of Iran 1992
   7) Geology of Siah Cheshmeh-Maku, Islamic Azad University, 1993
   8) Geological site investigation and engineering Geology of Kuh-e-Gorkesh, micro wave station, Maku, Geological Survey of Iran 1985
   9) Geological, seismological and geological studies of Maku city, Geological Survey of Iran 1986
   10) Studies on basalt of Maku, Geological Survey of Iran 1986
  
   4-2- Exploration activities
   The volume of exploration works based on the great potential of W-Azerbaijan province for mineral deposits are rather considerable. These types of studies have been carried out by two different regional and thematic ways.
  
   A) Regional prospecting
   Regional prospecting is mainly of geochemical nature in the framework of 1:100000 sheets by stream sampling. Preliminary rock chip sampling is part of this job. From 23 sheets (1:100000) 18 sheets is already surveyed and 5 is under investigation. In addition to this two exploration programs should be mentioned: (1) Geochemical prospecting (preliminary and detailed) in Zarshuran area (2) Geochemical prospecting (preliminary and detailed) of Agh darreh area. It is anticipated that up to the end of third programs (2004) with exception two maps (Miandoab and Ajabshir) all maps under investigation reach their final stage and be published.
  
   B) Thematic exploration
   Contrary to regional exploration, the thematic programs are devoted to materials whose potentials are high and local, internal industry is primordial for internal industry and in case of shortage they should be imported from foreign sources. In fulfilling of these injuries, which demand a lot of foreign currency, thematic exploration programs established. In this view a considerable number of projects are carried out which is much more numerous than other provinces. Following table shows the list of thematic project of W-Azerbaijan provinces, which has been executed either by office of Industry and Mine of W-Azerbaijan provinces or by contractors.
  
   List of thematic project
   No Title
   1 Regional exploration for mineral deposits of SW Maku and semi detail exploration of refractory ore of Chapuy Shahin-Dezh
   2 A survey of mineral resources of Khoy and Takab
   3 Mineral resources prospecting
   4 A preliminary study of enrichment efficiency of Yarim Qara silica deposit, Khoy
   5 A preliminary exploration of Balestan Iron ore in Urumiyeh
   6 Prospecting and tracing of mineral deposits of west Salmass
   7 Systematic prospecting of mineral resource of NW Khoy
   8 A semi detail prospecting of silica in Yarim Qara
   9 Prospecting and tracing of mineral resources of Siah-Cheshmeh, Maku
   10 The study of new material for cement industry of Maku and Shahin Dezh
   11 Exploration of Zarshuran gold deposit
   12 A preliminary study of clay in Khoy area
   13 Potential mineral resources of NW Khoy
   14 Prospecting and tracing of mineral deposit NE Maku
   15 Mineral resources of Serow area, Urumiyeh
   16 Potential mineral resources of sand and gravel production from stony raw material in Takab, Maku, Urumiyeh
   17 Preliminary prospecting of mercury in Khangoli Siahchshmeh, Maku
   18 Semi detail exploration of mica in Yarim Qara
   19 Semi detail exploration of mercury in Siahchshmeh, Maku
   20 Prospecting and tracing of mineral resources of SE Pyranshahr
   21 Geochemical data bank of Khoy sheet
   22 Polymetalic ore prospecting of NW Khoy
   23 Prospecting for potential mineral resources of Oshnavieh
   24 Prospecting for potential Iron ore in W-Azerbaijan
   25 Exploration of Fasandooz plain swamp
   26 Semi detail exploration of titanium ore of Qarah Aghaj, Urumiyeh
   27 Preliminary exploration of clay in Nazlu Chay Urumiyeh
   28 Ore dressing study of titanium and phosphate ore of Qarah Aghach
   29 Semi detail exploration of Qezel Dash copper deposit
   30 Detail exploration of mercury in Khan Goli Siahchshmeh, Maku
   31 Preliminary exploration of tungsten in Dorooyeh, Oshnavieh
   32 Detail exploration of copper in Qezel Dash, Khoy
   33 Geological and geochemical exploration of Borzhuk, Khoy
   34 Semi detail exploration of Dorooyeh tungsten, Oshnavieh
   35 Detail exploration of Qarah Aghaj titanium ore, Urumiyeh
   36 Potential mineral resources of Alkabad, Oshnavieh
   37 Geochemical studies of Qaleh deposit, Minab
   38 Prospecting for bohemitic bauxite in Jurassic horizons of central and NW Iran
   39 Completion stage of detailed exploration of titanium ore in Qarah Aghaj (phase ??), Urumiyeh
  
  
   C- Exploration Reports
   Apart from regional and thematic studies in W.Azerbaijan provinces other exploration efforts have been directed towards the recognition of mineral resources that is detail of executions are not clear.
   Some titles of these activities are as follows:
   1- A report to the study of raw material for cement industry in geological survey of Iran, Geological survey of Iran, 1999.
   2- Preliminary studies on concentratibility of titanium ore of Qarah Aghach, Geological survey of Iran, 1999.
   3- A report on the preliminary exploration and survey of potential application of Golman khaneh tuffs, Urumiyeh, Office of Mine and Metal of W.Azerbaijan, 1983.
   4- Reports hammer prospecting in 1:100000 sheet? Geological survey of Iran, 1997.
   5- Report of ore dressing of Qarah Bagh Mica north Urumiyeh, geological survey of Iran, 1999.
   6- A report on prospecting of potash in Makazi, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces, Ministry of Mine and Metals, 1992.
   7- A report on remote sensing in two 1:100000 sheets of Takht-e-Soleiman by using satellite data, Geological survey of Iran, 1999.
   8- A preliminary map of potential mineral resources of Takht-e-Soleiman (1:100000) by using GIS system, geological survey of Iran, 1999.
   9- A report on the prospecting of manganese in Khoy and Maku, Geological Survey of Iran, 1992.
   10- A report on the prospecting of mineral resources in Khoy, Salmass and Mahabad, Geological Survey of Iran, 1992.
   11- A report on the exploration studies of Yarim Qara Mica, Geological Survey of Iran, 1998.
   12- Regional geochemical exploration in geographical extent of 1:50000 topographic map of Naragh and?, University of Tehran, 1996.
   13- A report on the prospecting of sand around Urumiyeh Lake and semi detail exploration of sand in Zarrinehrud channelway, Geological Survey of Tabriz, 1986.
   14- Remote sensing surrey in the recognition of potential mineral resource areas in 1:100000 sheets of Khoy, Dizaj, Qotur and Salmass, Geological Survey of Iran, 2000.
   15- A report on the detailed exploration of Qezel-Dash Khoy (Copper Exploration Project, 1997.