Iron Mineral Systems

The IRON research group at CET works on BIF deposits worldwide to determine their primary lithostratigraphic setting, structural control, hydrothermal alteration and fluid signature, and relative timing of geological events that led to the high-grade hematite and magnetite mineralisation. The knowledge of these controls will be used to constrain the processes that led to the transformation of BIF (35% Fe) to high grade iron ore (>60% Fe). Genetic models for hematite- and magnetite-rich iron ore mineralization will then be used to formulate, robust, testable exploration models for BIF-hosted iron ore mineralization.

Main theme researchers

Prof. Steffen Hagemann

Dr Thomas Angerer

Dr Paul Duuring

Dr Des Lascalles

Warren Thorne (PhD student)

Ana Hensler (PhD student)

Research theme affiliates

Prof. Mark Barley, Prof. Lydia Lobato (UFMG-Brazil), Prof. Carlos Rosiere (UFMG-Brazil), Dr. Rosa Figueiredo e Silva (UFMG-Brazil); Prof. Detlef Walde (UnB-Brazil), Prof. Phil Brown (UWM-USA)

Major Projects

Portman – Cliffs: The BIF-hosted high-grade iron ore deposits in the Archean Koolyanobbing greenstone belt, Western Australia (Dr Thomas Angerer)

Sinosteel/Midwest: Target generation for BIF-hosted iron ore in the Weld Range, Murchison Province, Western Australia (Dr Paul Duuring)

Vale: Hydrothermal fluid processes and evolution of the giant Serra Norte jaspilite-hosted iron ore deposits in the Carajas Mineral Province, Brazil (Dr Rosa Figueiredo e Silva, Prof. Lydia Lobato, Prof. Steffen Hagemann)

Rio Tinto: Structural control, hydrothermal alteration zonation and fluid chemistry of the concealed, BIF-hosted 4E and 4EE high-grade iron ore bodies, Paraburdoo, Hamersley Province, Western Australia (PhD student: Warren Thorne)

Hancock Mining: The geological setting and characteristics of the BIF-hosted Wiluna iron ore deposits, Australia (Dr Des Lascalles)

Research Initiatives

Ion probe (oxygen and iron isotopes) analyses of different iron ore types and their significance for hydrothermal fluid sources

New PhD project: The sources and role of paleohydrothermal fluids in ore-forming processes in the low- and high-temperature continuum of hypogene, Banded Iron Formation-hosted, high-grade iron deposits in the Iron Quadrangle Brazil (Ana Hensler)

Collaboration

Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

University of Brasilia (Brazil)

University of Leeds

Lausanne University

CODES

Australian National University

Geoscience Australia