西澳大利亚州铁矿分布规律及矿床成因分析

西澳大利亚州铁矿资源主要分布在北部皮尔巴拉和南部的伊尔岗两个太古宙克拉通。皮尔巴拉克拉通BIF型铁矿在汤姆普赖斯山、恰那和布鲁克曼的矿石矿物组合为假象赤铁矿一微板状赤铁矿,马拉曼巴的为赤铁矿一针铁矿,CID型铁矿在罗布河和杨迪矿石类型主要为褐铁矿;伊尔岗克拉通BIF型铁矿在库里阿诺的矿石矿物组合为针铁矿一假象赤铁,比温和曼迪尕的为磁铁矿±假象赤铁矿和针铁矿±赤铁矿。BIF型铁矿为浅生一变质成矿,而CID型铁矿则是先前形成的BIF经侵蚀、搬运、沉积和埋藏作用形成。     

BIF-hosted iron mineral system: A review

The BIF-hosted iron ore system represents the world's largest and highest grade iron ore districts and deposits. BIF, the precursor to low- and high-grade BIF hosted iron ore, consists of Archean and Paleoproterozoic Algoma-type BIF (e.g., Serra Norte iron ore district in the Carajás Mineral Province), Proterozoic Lake Superior-type BIF (e.g., deposits in the Hamersley Province and craton), and Neoproterozoic Rapitan-type BIF (e.g., the Urucum iron ore district).The BIF-hosted iron ore system is structurally controlled, mostly via km-scale normal and strike-slips fault systems, which allow large volumes of ascending and descending hydrothermal fluids to circulate during Archean or Proterozoic deformation or early extensional events. Structures are also (passively) accessed via downward flowing supergene fluids during Cenozoic times.At the depositional site the transformation of BIF to low- and high-grade iron ore is controlled by: (1) structural permeability, (2) hypogene alteration caused by ascending deep fluids (largely magmatic or basinal brines), and descending ancient meteoric water, and (3) supergene enrichment via weathering processes. Hematite- and magnetite-based iron ores include a combination of microplaty hematite–martite, microplaty hematite with little or no goethite, martite–goethite, granoblastic hematite, specular hematite and magnetite, magnetite–martite, magnetite-specular hematite and magnetite–amphibole, respectively. Goethite ores with variable amounts of hematite and magnetite are mainly encountered in the weathering zone.In most large deposits, three major hypogene and one supergene ore stages are observed: (1) silica leaching and formation of magnetite and locally carbonate, (2) oxidation of magnetite to hematite (martitisation), further dissolution of quartz and formation of carbonate, (3) further martitisation, replacement of Fe silicates by hematite, new microplaty hematite and specular hematite formation and dissolution of carbonates, and (4) replacement of magnetite and any remaining carbonate by goethite and magnetite and formation of fibrous quartz and clay minerals.Hypogene alteration of BIF and surrounding country rocks is characterised by: (1) changes in the oxide mineralogy and textures, (2) development of distinct vertical and lateral distal, intermediate and proximal alteration zones defined by distinct oxide–silicate–carbonate assemblages, and (3) mass negative reactions such as de-silicification and de-carbonatisation, which significantly increase the porosity of high-grade iron ore, or lead to volume reduction by textural collapse or layer-compaction. Supergene alteration, up to depths of 200 m, is characterised by leaching of hypogene silica and carbonates, and dissolution precipitation of the iron oxyhydroxides.Carbonates in ore stages 2 and 3 are sourced from external fluids with respect to BIF. In the case of basin-related deposits, carbon is interpreted to be derived from deposits underlying carbonate sequences, whereas in the case of greenstone belt deposits carbonate is interpreted to be of magmatic origin. There is only limited mass balance analyses conducted, but those provide evidence for variable mobilization of Fe and depletion of SiO₂. In the high-grade ore zone a volume reduction of up to 25% is observed.Mass balance calculations for proximal alteration zones in mafic wall rocks relative to least altered examples at Beebyn display enrichment in LOI, F, MgO, Ni, Fe₂O_3total, C, Zn, Cr and P₂O₅ and depletions of CaO, S, K₂O, Rb, Ba, Sr and Na₂O. The Y/Ho and Sm/Yb ratios of mineralised BIF at Windarling and Koolyanobbing reflect distinct carbonate generations derived from substantial fluid–rock reactions between hydrothermal fluids and igneous country rocks, and a chemical carbonate-inheritance preserved in supergene goethite.Hypogene and supergene fluids are paramount for the formation of high-grade BIF-hosted iron ore because of the enormous amount of: (1) warm (100–200 °C) silica-undersaturated alkaline fluids necessary to dissolve quartz in BIF, (2) oxidized fluids that cause the oxidation of magnetite to hematite, (3) weakly acid (with moderate CO₂ content) to alkaline fluids that are necessary to form widespread metasomatic carbonate, (4) carbonate-undersaturated fluids that dissolve the diagenetic and metasomatic carbonates, and (5) oxidized fluids to form hematite species in the hypogene- and supergene-enriched zone and hydroxides in the supergene zone.Four discrete end-member models for Archean and Proterozoic hypogene and supergene-only BIF hosted iron ore are proposed: (1) granite–greenstone belt hosted, strike-slip fault zone controlled Carajás-type model, sourced by early magmatic (± metamorphic) fluids and ancient “warm” meteoric water; (2) sedimentary basin, normal fault zone controlled Hamersley-type model, sourced by early basinal (± evaporitic) brines and ancient “warm” meteoric water. A variation of the latter is the metamorphosed basin model, where BIF (ore) is significantly metamorphosed and deformed during distinct orogenic events (e.g., deposits in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero and Simandou Range). It is during the orogenic event that the upgrade of BIF to medium- and high-grade hypogene iron took place; (3) sedimentary basin hosted, early graben structure controlled Urucum-type model, where glaciomarine BIF and subsequent diagenesis to very low-grade metamorphism is responsible for variable gangue leaching and hematite mineralisation. All of these hypogene iron ore models do not preclude a stage of supergene modification, including iron hydroxide mineralisation, phosphorous, and additional gangue leaching during substantial weathering in ancient or Recent times; and (4) supergene enriched BIF Capanema-type model, which comprises goethitic iron ore deposits with no evidence for deep hypogene roots. A variation of this model is ancient supergene iron ores of the Sishen-type, where blocks of BIF slumped into underlying karstic carbonate units and subsequently experienced Fe upgrade during deep lateritic weathering.     

Physicochemical formation conditions of banded iron formations and high-grade iron ores in the region of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly: Evidence from isotopic data

The oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of minerals from banded iron formations (BIFs) and high-grade ore in the region of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) were determined in order to estimate the temperature of regional metamorphism and the nature of rock-and ore-forming solutions. Magnetite and hematite of primary sedimentary or diagenetic origin have δ¹⁸O within the range from +2 to 6‰. During metamorphism, primary iron oxides, silicates, and carbonates were involved in thermal dissociation and other reactions to form magnetite with δ¹⁸O = +6 to +11‰. As follows from a low δ¹⁸O_av = ?3.5‰ of mushketovite (magnetite pseudomorphs after hematite) in high-grade ore, this mineral was formed as a product of hematite reduction by organic matter. The comparison of δ¹⁸O of iron oxides, siderite, and quartz from BIFs formed at different stages of the evolution of the Kursk protogeosyncline revealed specific sedimentation (diagenesis) conditions and metamorphism of the BIFs belonging to the Kursk and Oskol groups. BIF of the Oskol Group is distinguished by a high δ¹⁸O of magnetite compared to other Proterozoic BIFs. Martite ore differs from host BIF by a low δ¹⁸O = ?0.2 to ?5.9‰. This implies that oxygen from infiltration water was incorporated into the magnetite lattice during the martite formation. Surface water penetrated to a significant depth through tectonic faults and fractures.     

Gold Mineralization in Banded Iron Formation in the Amalia Greenstone Belt,South Africa: A Mineralogical and Sulfur Isotope Study

The Blue Dot gold deposit, located in the Archean Amalia greenstone belt of South Africa, is hosted in an oxide (± carbonate) facies banded iron formation (BIF). It consists of three stratabound orebodies; Goudplaats, Abelskop, and Bothmasrust. The orebodies are flanked by quartz‐chlorite‐ferroan dolomite‐albite schist in the hanging wall and mafic (volcanic) schists in the footwall. Alteration minerals associated with the main hydrothermal stage in the BIF are dominated by quartz, ankerite‐dolomite series, siderite, chlorite, muscovite, sericite, hematite, pyrite, and minor amounts of chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. This study investigates the characteristics of gold mineralization in the Amalia BIF based on ore textures, mineral‐chemical data and sulfur isotope analysis. Gold mineralization of the Blue Dot deposit is associated with quartz‐carbonate veins that crosscut the BIF layering. In contrast to previous works, petrographic evidence suggests that the gold mineralization is not solely attributed to replacement reactions between ore fluid and the magnetite or hematite in the host BIF because coarse hydrothermal pyrite grains do not show mutual replacement textures of the oxide minerals. Rather, the parallel‐bedded and generally chert‐hosted pyrites are in sharp contact with re‐crystallized euhedral to subhedral magnetite ± hematite grains, and the nature of their coexistence suggests that pyrite (and gold) precipitation was contemporaneous with magnetite–hematite re‐crystallization. The Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio of the dolomite–ankerite series and chlorite decreased from veins through mineralized BIF and non‐mineralized BIF, in contrast to most Archean BIF‐hosted gold deposits. This is interpreted to be due to the effect of a high sulfur activity and increase in fO₂ in a H₂S‐dominant fluid during progressive fluid‐rock interaction. High sulfur activity of the hydrothermal fluid fixed pyrite in the BIF by consuming Fe²⁺ released into the chert layers and leaving the co‐precipitating carbonates and chlorites with less available ferrous iron content. Alternatively, the occurrence of hematite in the alteration assemblage of the host BIF caused a structural limitation in the assignment of Fe³⁺ in chlorite which favored the incorporation of magnesium (rather than ferric iron) in chlorite under increasing fO₂ conditions, and is consistent with deposits hosted in hematite‐bearing rocks. The combined effects of reduction in sulfur contents due to sulfide precipitation and increasing fO₂ during progressive fluid‐rock interactions are likely to be the principal factors to have caused gold deposition. Arsenopyrite–pyrite geothermometry indicated a temperature range of 300–350°C for the associated gold mineralization. The estimated δ³⁴S_ΣS (= +1.8 to +2.5‰) and low base metal contents of the sulfide ore mineralogy are consistent with sulfides that have been sourced from magma or derived by the dissolution of magmatic sulfides from volcanic rocks during fluid migration.     

Genesis of superimposed hypogene and supergene Fe orebodies in BIF at the Madoonga deposit, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

The Madoonga iron ore body hosted by banded iron formation (BIF) in the Weld Range greenstone belt of Western Australia is a blend of four genetically and compositionally distinct types of high-grade (>55 wt% Fe) iron ore that includes: (1) hypogene magnetite–talc veins, (2) hypogene specular hematite–quartz veins, (3) supergene goethite–hematite, and (4) supergene-modified, goethite–hematite-rich detrital ores. The spatial coincidence of these different ore types is a major factor controlling the overall size of the Madoonga ore body, but results in a compositionally heterogeneous ore deposit. Hypogene magnetite–talc veins that are up to 3 m thick and 50 m long formed within mylonite and shear zones located along the limbs of isoclinal, recumbent F₁ folds. Relative to least-altered BIF, the magnetite–talc veins are enriched in Fe₂O_3(total), P₂O₅, MgO, Sc, Ga, Al₂O₃, Cl, and Zr; and depleted in SiO₂ and MnO₂. Mafic igneous countryrocks located within 10 m of the northern contact of the mineralised BIF display the replacement of primary igneous amphibole and plagioclase, and metamorphic chlorite by hypogene ferroan chlorite, talc, and magnetite. Later-forming, hypogene specular hematite–quartz veins and their associated alteration halos partly replace magnetite–talc veins in BIF and formed during, to shortly after, the F₂-folding and tilting of the Weld Range tectono-stratigraphy. Supergene goethite–hematite ore zones that are up to 150 m wide, 400 m long, and extend to depths of 300 m replace least-altered BIF and existing hypogene alteration zones. The supergene ore zones formed as a result of the circulation of surface oxidised fluids through late NNW- to NNE-trending, subvertical brittle faults. Flat-lying, supergene goethite–hematite-altered, detrital sediments are concentrated in a paleo-topographic depression along the southern side of the main ENE-trending ridge at Madoonga. Iron ore deposits of the Weld Range greenstone belt record remarkably similar deformation histories, overprinting hypogene alteration events, and high-grade Fe ore types to other Fe ore deposits in the wider Yilgarn Craton (e.g. Koolyanobbing and Windarling deposits) despite these Fe camps being presently located more than 400 km apart and in different tectono-stratigraphic domains. Rather than the existence of a synchronous, Yilgarn-wide, Fe mineralisation event affecting BIF throughout the Yilgarn, it is more likely that these geographically isolated Fe ore districts experienced similar tectonic histories, whereby hypogene fluids were sourced from commonly available fluid reservoirs (e.g. metamorphic, magmatic, or both) and channelled along evolving structures during progressive deformation, resulting in several generations of Fe ore.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of banded iron formation and iron ores from eastern India with implications on their genesis

The geological complexities of banded iron formation (BIF) and associated iron ores of Jilling-Langalata iron ore deposits, Singhbhum-North Orissa Craton, belonging to Iron Ore Group (IOG) eastern India have been studied in detail along with the geochemical evaluation of different iron ores. The geochemical and mineralogical characterization suggests that the massive, hard laminated, soft laminated ore and blue dust had a genetic lineage from BIFs aided with certain input from hydrothermal activity. The PAAS normalized REE pattern of Jilling BIF striking positive Eu anomaly, resembling those of modern hydrothermal solutions from mid-oceanic ridge (MOR). Major part of the iron could have been added to the bottom sea water by hydrothermal solutions derived from hydrothermally active anoxic marine environments. The ubiquitous presence of intercalated tuffaceous shales indicates the volcanic signature in BIF. Mineralogical studies reveal that magnetite was the principal iron oxide mineral, whose depositional history is preserved in BHJ, where it remains in the form of martite and the platy hematite is mainly the product of martite. The different types of iron ores are intricately related with the BHJ. Removal of silica from BIF and successive precipitation of iron by hydrothermal fluids of possible meteoric origin resulted in the formation of martite-goethite ore. The hard laminated ore has been formed in the second phase of supergene processes, where the deep burial upgrades the hydrous iron oxides to hematite. The massive ore is syngenetic in origin with BHJ. Soft laminated ores and biscuity ores were formed where further precipitation of iron was partial or absent.     

Mineralogy and trace-element geochemistry of the high-grade iron ores of the Águas Claras Mine and comparison with the Capão Xavier and Tamanduá iron ore deposits, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

Several major iron deposits occur in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), southeastern region of Brazil, where metamorphosed and heterogeneously deformed banded iron formation (BIF) of the Cauê Formation, regionally called itabirite, was transformed into high- (Fe >64%) and low-grade (30%?2O₃, with a higher amount of detrimental impurities, especially MnO, in the soft ore. Both hard and soft ores are depleted in trace elements. The high-grade ores at the Águas Claras Mine have at least a dual origin, involving hypogene and supergene processes. The occurrence of the hard, massive high-grade ore within “fresh” dolomitic itabirite is evidence of its hypogene origin. Despite the contention about the origin of the dolomitic itabirite (if this rock is a carbonate-rich facies of the Cauê Formation or a hematite–carbonate precursor of the soft high-grade ore), mineralogical and geochemical features of the soft high-grade ore indicate that it was formed by leaching of dolomite from the dolomitic itabirite by meteoric water. The comparison of the Águas Claras, Capão Xavier and Tamanduá orebodies shows that the original composition of the itabiritic protore plays a major role in the genesis of high- and low-grade soft ores in the QF. Under the same weathering and structural conditions, the dolomitic itabirite is the more favorable to form high-grade deposits than siliceous itabirite. Field relations at the Águas Claras and Capão Xavier deposits suggest that it is not possible to form huge soft high-grade supergene deposits from siliceous itabirite, unless another control, such as impermeable barriers, had played an important role. The occurrence in the Tamanduá Mine of a large, soft, high-grade orebody formed from siliceous itabirite and closely associated with hypogene hard ore suggests that large, soft, high-grade orebodies of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, which occur within siliceous itabirite, have a hypogene contribution in their formation.     

应用矿物磁测技术和X射线衍射研究氧化土中的磁性矿物

应用矿物磁测、Ｘ射线衍射和化学分析对氧化土的磁性矿物进行了研究。结果表明矿物磁测及磁分离技术与Ｘ射线衍射结合是鉴别土壤中磁性矿物的类型及其晶粒特征的有效方法,证明氧化土中的主要氧化铁矿物是赤铁矿和磁赤铁矿,针铁矿次之,磁铁矿偶见,其磁赤铁矿的含量可达１．６２％￣１．９２％。土壤中磁性矿物的晶粒特征多以超顺磁性和稳定单畴态存在,认为磁性矿物的成因是通过缓慢的成土化学作用产生的。     

Geological,mineralogical, and oxygen isotope studies of the Chandmani Uul iron oxide–copper–gold deposit in Dornogobi Province,Southeastern Mongolia

The Chandmani Uul deposit is located in Dornogovi province, Southeastern Mongolia. Iron oxide ores are hosted in the andesitic rocks of the Shar Zeeg Formation of Neoproterozoic to Lower‐Cambrian age. Middle‐ to Upper‐Cambrian bodies of granitic rocks have intruded into the host rocks in the western and southern regions of the deposit. The wall rocks around the iron oxide ore bodies were hydrothermally altered to form potassic, epidote, and sericite–chlorite alteration zones, and calcite and quartz veinlets are ubiquitous in the late stage. Since granitic rocks also underwent potassic alteration, the activity of the granitic rocks must have a genetic relation to the ore deposit. The ore mineral assemblage is dominated by iron oxides such as mushketovite, euhedral magnetite with concentric and/or oscillatory zoning textures, and cauliflower magnetite. Lesser amounts of chalcopyrite and pyrite accompany the iron oxides. Among all these products, mushketovite is dominant and is distributed throughout the deposit. Meanwhile, euhedral magnetite appears in limited amounts at relatively shallow levels in the deposit. By contrast, cauliflower magnetite appears locally in the deeper parts of the deposit, and is associated with green‐colored garnet and calcite. Sulfide minerals are ubiquitously associated with these iron oxides. The oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) values of all types of magnetite, quartz, and epidote were found to be ?5.9 to ?2.8‰, 10.5 to 14.9‰, and 3.6 to 6.6‰, respectively. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz–magnetite pairs suggest an equilibrium isotopic temperature near 300°C. The calculated values of δ¹⁸O for the water responsible for magnetite ranged from 2 to 10‰. All the data obtained in this study suggest that the iron oxide deposit at the Chandmani Uul is a typical iron oxide–copper–gold deposit, and that this deposit was formed at an intermediate depth with potassic and sericite–chlorite alteration zones under the oxidized conditions of a hematite‐stable environment. The δ¹⁸O range estimated implies that the ore‐forming fluid was supplied by a crystallizing granodioritic magma exsolving fluids at depth with a significant contribution of meteoric water.     

Microplaty hematite ore in the Yilgarn Province of Western Australia: The geology and genesis of the Wiluna West iron ore deposits

The Wiluna West small (~ 130 Mt) high-grade bedded hematite ore deposits, consisting of anhedral hematite mesobands interbedded with porous layers of acicular hematite, show similar textural and mineralogical properties to the premium high-grade low-phosphorous direct-shipping ore from Pilbara sites such as Mt Tom Price, Mt Whaleback, etc., in the Hamersley Province and Goldsworthy, Shay Gap and Yarrie on the northern margin of the Pilbara craton. Both margins of the Pilbara Craton and the northern margin of the Yilgarn craton were subjected to sub-aerial erosion in the Paleoproterozoic era followed by marine transgressions but unlike the Hamersley Basin, the JFGB was covered by comparatively thin epeirogenic sediments and not subjected to Proterozoic deformation or burial metamorphism. The Joyner's Find greenstone belt (JFGB) in the Yilgarn region of Western Australia was exhumed by middle to late Cenozoic erosion of a cover of unmetamorphosed and relatively undeformed Paleoproterozoic epeirogenic sedimentary rocks that preserved the JFGB unaltered for nearly 2 Ga; thus providing a unique snapshot of the early Proterozoic environment.Acicular hematite, pseudomorphous after acicular iron silicate, is only found in iron ore and BIF that was exposed to subaerial deep-weathering in early Paleoproterozoic times (pre 2.2 Ga) and in the overlying unconformable Paleoproterozoic conglomerate derived from these rocks and is absent from unweathered rocks (Lascelles, 2002). High-grade ore and BIF weathered during later subaerial erosion cycles contain anhedral hematite and acicular pseudomorphous goethite. The acicular hematite was formed from goethite pseudomorphs of silicate minerals by dehydration in the vadose zone under extreme aridity during early Paleoproterozoic subaerial weathering.The principal high-grade hematite deposits at Wiluna West are interpreted as bedded ore bodies that formed from BIF by loss of chert bands during diagenesis and have been locally enriched to massive hematite by the introduction of hydrothermal specular hematite. No trace of chert bands are present in the deep saprolitic hematite and hematite–goethite ore in direct contrast to shallow supergene ore in which the trace of chert bands is clearly defined by goethite replacement, voids and detrital fill. Abundant hydrothermal microplaty hematite at Wiluna West is readily distinguished by its crystallinity.The genesis of the premium ore from the Pilbara Region has been much discussed in the literature and the discovery at Wiluna West provides a unique opportunity to compare the features that are common to both districts and to test genetic models.     

Characterization of bauxite deposits from Kachchh Area,Gujarat

The bauxites deposits of Kachchh area in Gujarat are investigated to characterize them based on mineralogical and petrographic studies. The major bauxitic mineral in these occurrences is gibbsite, with minor concentration of boehmite and diaspore. Apart from the bauxitic minerals, the other associate minerals are kaolin, calcite, alunite and the iron ore minerals such as hematite and goethite and titanium rich anatase. The iron ore minerals (hematite and goethite) are 10-50microns in size and are disseminated throughout the oolitic and pisolitic bauxitic minerals. At places the goethite exhibits colloform texture. The preservation of basaltic texture in some of the samples indicate that the insitu nature of these bauxites, which are formed by the alteration of calcic plagioclase from the parent basalt. Although, the basalt occurs as the main parent rock for these bauxites, the presence of calcite in some of the samples represent the possibility of having a limestone parent rock at least in some of the bauxite occurrences.     

The Horto-Baratinha itabirite-hosted iron ore: A basal fragment of the Espinhaço basin in the eastern São Francisco Craton

The Horto-Baratinha (HBD) iron ore deposit is located at the eastern border of São Francisco Craton, comprising BIF-hosted high-grade bodies (>60 wt.% Fe) associated with polydeformed quartz-mica-schists, amphibole-schist of Statherian maximum deposition age, enclosed by Statherian granitoids of the Borrachudos Suite and Neoarchean gneiss. All the sequence is crosscut by undeformed dikes and sills of pegmatitic bodies probably formed during Late Ediacaran-Cambrian. The metasedimentary sequence is stratigraphically correlatable with the Orosirian-Statherian Serra da Serpentina and Serra de São José Groups that comprise the basal units of the Espinhaço Supergroup and was intensively segmented into distinct tectonic blocks. The sedimentary/diagenetic bedding of the metamorphosed BIF (itabirite) is generally transposed by an axial planar schistosity. The lamellar hematite from itabirite is the oldest iron oxide generation, which was formed during the syn-deformational stage, parallel-oriented to the rock foliation. The (keno)magnetite grains from itabirite, iron ore and pegmatite bodies developed as idioblasts that grew over the foliation formed during late and post-deformational stages. Magnetite oxidizes subsequently to martite and granular hematite. Coarse lamellar hematite crystals randomly oriented in the border of the pegmatitic bodies also formed during the post-deformational stage due to hydrothermal reaction with itabirite. The country rocks have undergone at least three stages of deformation developed during the syn-collisional and late-collisional (Ediacaran to early-Cambrian) phases of the Brasiliano Orogeny: stage 1 with the development of a pervasive foliation (S₁), parallel to axial plane to tight folds and transposition of all sedimentary structures; stage 2 with folding of S₁; stage 3 with refolding of S₁. Both fold systems interfere with each other making up a dome and basin refolding shape. During the late-collisional (Ediacaran to early-Cambrian) and post-collisional/gravitational collapse (Cambrian) the sequence was intruded by anatectic pegmatitic bodies, which are part of the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province, one of the most significant pegmatitic regions worldwide. The fluid related with these intrusions could be related with the Si leaching, crystallization of magnetite and granular hematite, and consequent formation of high-grade iron bodies.     

Reflectance spectroradiometry applied to a semi-quantitative analysis of the mineralogy of the N4ws deposit,Carajás Mineral Province,Pará, Brazil

Quantifying the abundance and physicochemical properties of minerals using reflectance spectroradiometry in the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared (400–2500 nm) regions is an important tool in mineral exploration. In this study, the reflectance spectra of drill cores from the world-class N4WS iron deposit located in the Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil, were obtained. These spectra were validated using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) geochemical analyses and thin sections. The reflectance spectra were collected using a FieldSpec 3 spectroradiometer (ASD, Boulder, Colorado, USA) in 10 drill cores. The mineralogy of the deposit is mainly hematite, with lesser amounts of magnetite, goethite, quartz, kaolinite, gibbsite, smectite, talc, carbonate and chlorite. The mineralogy of the iron deposit was extracted from the spectral data using the geometry (depth and wavelength) of absorption features across the reflectance spectrum removed from the continuum. The depth of the absorption features is proportional to the mineral abundance, and the wavelength is proportional to the mineral chemical composition. The diagnostic absorption features of each mineral were used to determine the mineral abundance and composition. The final products include the abundance of iron (hydro) oxide (11.6% root-mean-square error [RMSE] Fe₂O₃); abundance of aluminous clays (RMSE 6% Al₂O₃); abundance of talc (8% RMSE MgO); identification of clay type (kaolinite, montmorillonite or gibbsite); composition of carbonate (dolomite vs. calcite); and composition of chlorite (Mg vs. Fe). The mineral abundance and composition results provided an effective characterisation of the ore, protore and host rocks and showed variations within the ore body.     

Investigation on mineralogy,geochemistry and fluid inclusions of the Goushti hydrothermal magnetite deposit,Fars Province,SW Iran: A comparison with IOCGs

The Goushti iron deposit from Dehbid area located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic Belt (SSB), SW Iran is hosted by the Early Mesozoic silicified dolomite. Mineralized zones are lithostructurally controlled and oriented NW-SE parallel to the Zagros Orogenic Belt (ZOB). Magnetite, the major ore mineral, occurs as open space fillings and is accompanied by the secondary mineral phases hematite, goethite and martite. Gangue minerals mainly include quartz, dolomite and K-feldspar are associated with minor hydrosilicates. Calc-silicates such as wollastonite and diopside, minerals typical of skarns, are virtually absent from the ore zones. Fe₂O₃ content in the mineralized zones varies in the range of 38–75 wt%. The concentrations of Au, Cu, P, Ti, Cr and V as well as Co/Ni, Cr/V, (LREE)/(HREE), Eu/Sm and La/Lu values and Eu-Ce anomalies of the studied ores indicate that the Goushti deposit is a hydrothermal magnetite type. The subvolcanic rhyolite and basalt in this area are regarded as the source of iron and heat in the mineralizing system. The fluid inclusion data showed that magnetite deposited from the ore-bearing fluid with salinities 1–7 wt% NaCl equivalent at temperatures of 130–200 °C. A decrease in temperature and pressure, supplemented by fluid mixing, is the major controlling factor in iron oxide precipitation. The field relationships and mineralogical–geochemical characteristics of iron ores indicate that the Goushti hydrothermal deposit could not be classified as a member of the IOCG (Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold) deposits.     

High-grade iron ore at Windarling, Yilgarn Craton: a product of syn-orogenic deformation, hypogene hydrothermal alteration and supergene modification in an Archean BIF-basalt lithostratigraphy

Banded iron formation (BIF)-hosted iron ore deposits in the Windarling Range are located in the lower greenstone succession of the Marda–Diemals greenstone belt, Southern Cross domain, Yilgarn Craton and constitute a total hematite–martite–goethite ore resource of minimum 52 Mt at 60 wt.% Fe (0.07 P). Banded iron formation is interlayered with high-Mg basalts at Windarling and precipitated during episodes of volcanic quiescence. Trace element content and the rare earth element (REE) ratios Y/Ho (42 to 45), Sm/Yb (1.5), together with positive La and Gd anomalies in ‘least-altered’ hematite–magnetite–metachert–BIF indicate the precipitation from Archean seawater that was fertilised by hydrothermal vent fluids with a basaltic HREE-Y signature. Hypogene iron ore in sub-greenschist facies metamorphosed BIF formed during three distinct stages: ore stage 1 was a syn- to post-metamorphic, syn-D₁, Fe–Ca–Mg–Ni–Co–P–REE metasomatism that produced local Ni–REE-rich Fe–dolomite–magnetite alteration in BIF. Hydrothermal alteration was induced by hot fluid flow controlled by brittle–ductile reactivation of BIF-basalt margins and crosscutting D₁ faults. The Ni–Co-rich content of dolomite and a shift in REE ratios in carbonate-altered BIF towards Archean mafic rock signature (Y/Ho to 31 to 40, Sm/Yb to 1 to 2 and Gd/Gd* to 1.2 to 1.4) suggest that high-Mg basalts in the Windarling Range were the primary source of introduced metals. During ore stage 2, a syn-deformational and likely acidic and oxidised fluid flow along BIF-basalt margins and within D₁ faults leached carbonate and precipitated lepidoblastic and anhedral/granoblastic hematite. High-grade magnetite–hematite ore is formed during this stage. Ore stage 3 hydrothermal specular hematite (spcH)–Fe–dolomite–quartz alteration was controlled by a late-orogenic, brittle, compressional/transpressional stage (D₄; the regional-scale shear-zone-related D₃ is not preserved in Windarling). This minor event remobilised iron oxides, carbonate and quartz to form veins and breccia but did not generate significant volumes of iron ore. Ore stage 4 involved Mesozoic(?) to recent supergene oxidation and hydration in a weathering environment reaching down to depths of ～100 to maximum 200 m below surface. Supergene ore formation involved goethite replacement of dolomite and quartz as well as martitisation. Important ‘ground preparation’ for supergene modification and upgrade were mainly the formation of steep D₁ to D₄ structures, steep BIF/basalt margins and particularly the syn-D₁ to syn-D₂ carbonate alteration of BIF that is most susceptible to supergene dissolution. The Windarling deposits are structurally controlled, supergene-modified hydrothermal iron ore systems that share comparable physical, chemical and ore-forming characteristics to other iron ore deposits in the Yilgarn Craton (e.g. Koolyanobbing, Beebyn in the Weld Range, Mt. Gibson). However, the remarkable variety in pre-, syn- and post-deformational ore textures (relative to D₁ and D₂) has not been described elsewhere in the Yilgarn and are similar to the ore deposits in high-strain zones, such as of Brazil (Quadrilátero Ferrífero or Iron Quadrangle) and Nigeria. The overall similarity of alteration stages, i.e. the sequence of hydrothermal carbonate introduction and hypogene leaching, with other greenstone belt-hosted iron ore deposits supports the interpretation that syn-orogenic BIF alteration and upgrade was crucial in the formation of hypogene–supergene iron ore deposits in the Yilgarn Craton and possibly in other Archean/Paleoproterozoic greenstone belt settings worldwide.     

Discriminant diagrams for iron oxide trace element fingerprinting of mineral deposit types

Magnetite and hematite are common minerals in a range of mineral deposit types. These minerals form partial to complete solid solutions with magnetite, chromite, and spinel series, and ulvospinel as a result of divalent, trivalent, and tetravalent cation substitutions. Electron microprobe analyses of minor and trace elements in magnetite and hematite from a range of mineral deposit types (iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), Kiruna apatite–magnetite, banded iron formation (BIF), porphyry Cu, Fe-Cu skarn, Fe-Ti, V, Cr, Ni-Cu-PGE, Cu-Zn-Pb volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and Archean Au-Cu porphyry and Opemiska Cu veins) show compositional differences that can be related to deposit types, and are used to construct discriminant diagrams that separate different styles of mineralization. The Ni + Cr vs. Si + Mg diagram can be used to isolate Ni-Cu-PGE, and Cr deposits from other deposit types. Similarly, the Al/(Zn + Ca) vs. Cu/(Si + Ca) diagram can be used to separate Cu-Zn-Pb VMS deposits from other deposit types. Samples plotting outside the Ni-Cu-PGE and Cu-Zn-Pb VMS fields are discriminated using the Ni/(Cr + Mn) vs. Ti + V or Ca + Al + Mn vs. Ti + V diagrams that discriminate for IOCG, Kiruna, porphyry Cu, BIF, skarn, Fe-Ti, and V deposits.     

Evolution of the mineral liberation characteristics of an iron ore undergoing grinding

The main objective of this experimental study was to investigate the evolution of the mineral liberation characteristics of an ore undergoing grinding. Six samples of an iron ore containing hematite, magnetite and quartz have been tested. Mineral grade and liberation measurements have been performed with an image analyser on polished sections of particles from several discrete size intervals.For each product, the grade in iron oxides was increasing greatly with the fineness of the particles. Moreover, in each size interval down to 270 mesh, it was slightly decreasing as grinding proceeded. These behaviors are due to the fact that iron oxides were ground more easily than the siliceous gangue. The degree of liberation of the valuable minerals was evidently increasing with the particle fineness. Moreover, for each size interval coarser than 48 mesh, it has also shown a slight decrease with grinding. For finer sizes however, it appeared in practice invariant and independent of the grade or of the degree of grinding. These observations are of interest when considering that the grinding products tested were very different in fineness while corresponding to various modes of fragmentation.(jaw crushing, roll crushing and ball milling) and to an ore with a high tendency to break along the mineral grain boundaries.     

Iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) mineralization at the Imiter inlier,Eastern Anti-Atlas,Morocco

The Imiter inlier at the eastern Anti-Atlas chain (Morocco) hosts a world-class epithermal Ag-Hg deposit, and several occurrences of sulfide-magnetite mineralization. These occurrences are confined to transcurrent faults that cut mildly to highly potassic I- and S-type granite intrusions (e.g., Igoudrane, Bou Teglimt, Taouzzakt and Bou Fliou).In this contribution, we present new field, petrographic and microanalytical data of the Bou Fliou sulfide-magnetite mineralization in the northwestern part of the Bou Teglimt granodiorite intrusion (567?±?6Ma). Field and microscopic investigations reveal pervasive silicification and potassic alteration associated with iron oxides-rich (>10?vol %) veins, stockworks, and breccias along NE-SW faults. The ore minerals are mainly magnetite, hematite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, Ag-galena, cobaltite, and less abundant Bi-sulfosalts (i.e., cosalite, galenobistmuthite, and llilanite-gustavite). The low-titanium iron oxides (magnetite and hematite), widespread iron-rich breccia, association with crustal scale fault zone, pervasive alteration, and overprinting mineral assemblages suggest a shallow level IOCG-style mineralization. High-order splays of the major fault zone could have provided effective traps for magmatic and basinal Cu and Zn-Pb hydrothermal fluids. The ～550 Ma intrusive phases in the region could have contributed by fluid, elements or heat in a local effective blumbing. The mineralogical and ore textural criteria reflecting ore formation at a realtively shallow crustal environment, but a fluid inclusion study is needed to characterize the ore fluids and mechanism of ore deposition.     

Experimental Study on Gold Dissolution from Hosting Minerals of the Hadamengou Gold Deposit and the Implications

The Hadamengou gold deposit is located in western part of the northern margin of the North China craton. It is a hydrothermal deposit related to alkaline magmatism. Dissolution of Au, Fe from pyrite and iron oxide （including magnetite and hematite） individual minerals in the three main types of ore shows： in iron oxides （magnetite and hematite）, Au and Fe were dissolved simultaneously and their solubilities are positively correlated, which means Au is mainly chemical-bonded （lattice gold） and/or colloidal-adsorbed in iron oxides; while in pyrite, on the contrary, Au dissolution obviously lags behind Fe and the solubility of Au shows negative relationship with that of Fe, which indicates Au is mainly hosted as grains of elemental gold （or native gold） within pyrite. Previous studies revealed that the Hadamengou gold deposit is characterized by intensive K-feldspathization and holds high content of iron oxides occasionally replaced by sulfides, which was caused by oxidizing K-enriched alkaline fluids under a stretching geodynamic setting. These geological features, together with the high Au-content in iron oxides, comparable with that of the Olympic Dam deposit in South Australia, suggest that this deposit is the first example of iron oxide-type gold deposits in China.     

河南窑场铁矿床成因矿物学研究及其地质意义

窑场铁矿床位于河南鲁山地区,大地构造位置属于华北陆块南缘,控矿地层为太华群铁山岭组,主要矿体共有两个,主要有辉石铁英岩和角闪石铁英岩组成,夹有少量的黑云角闪片岩、大理岩和花岗质混合岩,主要的矿石矿物为磁铁矿(30%～35%),少量赤铁矿(5%)和镜铁矿(3%)。脉石矿物有石英、角闪石、辉石、石榴子石等。围岩的组成包括黑云辉石岩、黑云角闪岩、黑云角闪片岩、黑云片岩、角闪黑云变粒岩、大理岩及少量的花岗质混合岩。矿石中的角闪石均属于镁角闪石,辉石有富铁透辉石、斜铁辉石,磁铁矿以纯磁铁矿为特征;围岩中的角闪石属于镁角闪石和纯镁闪石,辉石主要为透辉石,黑云母为镁质黑云母,伴有少量金云母,石榴子石以铁铝榴石为主,含有镁铝榴石、钙铝榴石分子。化学成分分析显示本区的变质相达角闪岩相,估算其变质的压力范围为0.36GPa～0.74GPa。与典型华北陆块前寒武纪铁矿床对比,窑场铁矿床的矿物组合、变质等级以及沉积相类型均与新太古代的条带状铁建造相似。磁铁矿高Ni、低Co的特点表明其成矿来源与深部物质有关。