The Serra Pelada Au-PGE deposit, Serra dos Carajás (Pará State, Brazil): geological and geochemical indications for a composite mineralising process

The Serra Pelada Au-PGE-rich deposit is located in the Serra dos Carajás, a leading mining area in Brazil. This region is characterised by a complex geological and structural framework and is affected by deep lateritisation which has lasted for more than 70 Ma. The Serra Pelada deposit is emplaced in a late-Archean low-grade metasedimentary sequence (Rio Fresco/Águas Claras Formation) which is host to other gold deposits in the region (Igarapé Bahia, Águas Claras). The Rio Fresco/Águas Claras sequence was deposited in tectonic basins developed on Archean basement and Au-bearing greenstone terranes which were intruded by PGE-rich layered mafic complexes (e.g. Luanga). The Serra Pelada mineralisation is located along a regional, complex system of strike-slip faults (Cinzento-Carajás systems) which were active during the late Archean to early Proterozoic. The mineralisation appears to be concentrated along a faulted hinge zone of a fold. Ore zone rock facies are dominated by low-grade ferruginous to carbonaceous metasiltstones and minor sandstones, locally brecciated and cemented by quartz (-sulphide) stockwork. Supergene alteration led to partial to total transformation into friable aggregates of kaolinite, Fe oxide-hydroxides, silica and secondary phosphate-sulphates even at depths exceeding 200 m. Precious metals are exceptionally enriched, with up to more than 1,000 ppm Au+PGE in some peculiar ferruginous-graphitic zones locally called "hidrotermalito". Geochemistry shows complex patterns of major and trace elements, particularly rare-earth elements (REE), in mineralised vs. nonmineralised samples. These patterns are interpreted in terms of variable degree of superposition of hydrothermal and supergene alteration. Precious metals show progressive increase from samples with hydrothermal imprint to samples with supergene imprint. The geological evolution of the Carajás region and the characteristics of mineralisation at Serra Pelada may suggest a composite mineralising process: hydrothermal activity (by fluids likely originated from granitoids) was followed by supergene alteration during long-lasting lateritisation to develop extreme precious metal enrichments in a geological context probably already anomalous for Au and PGE.     

The relative role of lower and upper crustal processes in the formation of trace element compositions of oils

This study presents the analysis of correlation between trace element compositions of caustobioliths (oils, coals, oil and black shales), upper and lower continental crust, and living matter. It was shown that trace element concentrations in coals and oil shales have the better correlation with the upper crustal values, whereas trace elements in oils correlate well with the lower crustal values. The statistically significant, yet poorer correlation was observed for trace element compositions of oils and living matter as compared to correlations between oils and lower crust. The results suggest that oils are compositionally more homogeneous on a basin scale and possibly have more heterogeneous composition in different petroleum basins. A suite of characteristic trace elements (Cs, Rb, K, U, V, Cr, and Ni) that was used for analysis allowed a consistent interpretation of the relative upper and lower crustal contributions to the trace element composition of oils.     

Undiscovered Petroleum of the Brazilian Interior Rift Basins

Brazil is estimated to contain 52% of the undiscovered oil and gas resources of South America, outside of Venezuela and Colombia. The Reconcavo, Tucano-Jatoba, and Tacutu interior rift basins of Brazil are investigated in this paper, the first in a series dealing with undiscovered petroleum of South America (exclusive of Venezuela and Colombia). Preliminary estimates of the undiscovered petroleum resources are 0.273 billion barrels of oil (BBO) and 1.234 trillion cubic feet of gas (TCFG) for the four basins. A review of the 1983-1993 history of petroleum reserves in South America indicated that an initial consensus estimate of 0.27 BBO and 4.15 TCFG (mean values) by the World Energy Program Group at the U.S. Geological Survey is too low. An adjusted range of probabilities is recalculated from original identified reserves, resulting in revised mean values of 0.29 BBO and 4.15 TCFG for the four interior rift basins. Of these four basins, the Reconcavo is in a mature stage of exploration with 80 fields; the other rift basins, as well as most of the other basins in Brazil, have not been as extensively investigated. In the Reconcavo basin, the principal plays are found in the pre-rift fault blocks, and in lower Cretaceous turbidites and sand lenses. Three gas fields are known in the southern Tucano subbasin. The three subbasins (southern, central, and northern) and the adjacent Jatoba basin become progressively less prospective northward because of lower levels of source-rock maturation. The plays in these basins are similar to those of the Reconcavo. The main play in the small Tacutu basin of northwestern Brazil is in deltaic sandstones; fractured basement rocks and volcanics constitute a minor play. The best reservoirs may be expected on the margins of the basin, although the reservoir seals are absent or poorly developed.     

高山峡谷区影响土壤测量找矿效果的元素表生活动特性研究

研究发现，高山峡谷区内土壤中元素的表生活动以表生富集作用为主，元素表征富集作用的程度、富集层位和粒级等受矿化作用和自然风化作用双重影响。非矿化地段土壤中元素的表生富集程度较矿化带处土壤中元素表生富集程度更强；矿化带处B层土壤比A层土壤中元素的富集强度稍大，元素明显地富集在粗粒级组分中；近矿（化）带的非矿化地段，A、B两层土壤仍受到矿化组分的影响，A层土壤比B层土壤受到的影响更加明显，粗粒级组分比细粒级组分反映敏感，C层土壤中元素在细粒级组分中轻微富集。根据本次研究结果，调整了高山峡谷区土壤测量工作方法，经试点测量验证，找矿效果良好。     

Trace element degassing and enrichment in the eruptive plume of the 2000 eruption of Hekla volcano, Iceland

During its last eruption in February 2000, Hekla volcano (Iceland) emitted a sub-Plinian plume that was condensed and scavenged down to the ground by heavy snowstorms, offering the unique opportunity to study the chemistry of the gaseous plume released during highly explosive eruptions. In this paper, we present results on trace element and minor volatile species (sulfates, chlorides, and fluorides) concentrations in snow samples collected shortly after the beginning of the eruption. The goal of this study is to better constrain the degassing and mobility of trace elements in gaseous emissions. Trace element volatility at Hekla is quantified by means of enrichment factors (EF) relative to Be. Well-known volatile trace elements (e.g., transition metals, heavy metals, and metalloids) are considerably enriched in the volcanic plume of Hekla. Their abundances are governed by the primary magmatic degassing of sulfate and/or halide compounds, which are gaseous at magmatic temperature. Their volatility is, however, slightly lower than in basaltic systems, most likely because of the lower magma temperature and higher magma viscosity at Hekla. More surprisingly, refractory elements (e.g., REE, Th, Ba, and Y) are also significantly enriched in the eruptive plume of Hekla where their apparent volatility is two orders of magnitude higher than in mafic systems. In addition, REE patterns normalized to the Hekla 2000 lava composition show a significant enrichment of HREE over LREE, suggesting the presence of REE fluorides in the volcanic plume. Such enrichments in the most refractory elements and REE fractionation are difficult to reconcile with primary degassing processes, since REE fluorides are not gaseous at magma temperature. REE enrichments at Hekla could be attributed to incongruent dissolution of tephra grains at low temperature by F-rich volcanic gases and aerosols within the eruptive plume. This view is supported by both leaching experiments performed on Hekla tephra and thermodynamic considerations on REE mobility in hydrothermal fluids and modeling of glass dissolution in F-rich aqueous solutions. Tephra dissolution may also explain the observed enrichments in other refractory elements (e.g., Th, Y, and Ba) and could contribute to the degassing mass balance of some volatile trace elements, provided they are mobile in F-rich fluids. It thus appears that both primary magmatic degassing and secondary tephra dissolution processes govern the chemistry of eruptive plumes released during explosive eruptions.     

叠合盆地油气富集/贫化机理的思考

对四川盆地和准噶尔盆地2个油气藏的成藏机理和成藏模式进行了解剖,以此为基础,探讨了叠合盆地油气成藏与分布的控制因素。从油气成藏的角度,叠合盆地的主要特征是多生烃凹陷与多层位源岩、多元(干酪根、储层和源岩沥青、已聚集油气)、多期生烃、输导体系和能量场的时空差异性和复杂的聚集后过程。多期构造控制下的成藏过程的叠加方式控制油气的富集和贫化,多灶、多源汇聚性叠加和同源多期继承性、强化性叠加是叠合盆地油气富集的重要机制,而多灶、多源离散性叠加、同源多期调整改造性叠加可导致油气的贫化。     

Enhanced trapping of molybdenum by sulfurized marine organic matter of marine origin in Mesozoic limestones and shales

There have been many studies devoted to trace metals and their value in assessing the paleoredox conditions of ancient marine deposition. Among them, molybdenum (Mo) is frequently cited as an effective proxy for sediments and sedimentary rocks. Recently, Helz et al. (Helz, G.R., Miller, C.V., Charnock, J.M., Mosselmans, J.L.W., Pattrick, R.A.D., Garner, C.D., Vaughan, D.J., 1996. Mechanisms of molybdenum removal from the sea and its concentration in black shales: EXAFS evidences. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 60, 3631-3642) and Adelson et al. (Adelson, J. M., Helz, G. R., Miller, C. V., 2001. Reconstructing the rise of recent coastal anoxia; molybdenum in Chesapeake Bay sediments. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 65, 237-252.) suggested that Mo does not behave conservatively in the water column when H₂S reaches a threshold concentration. Above this concentration, a “switch” operates, and Mo is scavenged by forming bonds with metal-rich (notably iron) particles, sulfur-rich organic molecules and pyrite. In this paper, Mo-trapping by sulfur-rich organic matter (OM) in ancient marine deposits is emphasized. The following Mesozoic geological formations were selected for study because of their relatively high concentration of sulfurized OM: the Akkuyu Formation (Turkey), the Calcaires d'Orbagnoux (France) and Kimmeridge Clay (UK) and its timeequivalent in Boulonnais (France), the Kashpir oil shales (Russia), and the La Luna Formation (Venezuela). The sulfur-rich OM is identified by either measured organic-S abundance or kerogen microscope observation. Our results show that Mo is systematically more enriched relative to the other redox-sensitive/sulfide-forming elements studied (U, V, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr), and Mo enrichment is positively correlated with the amount of sulfurized OM but not with pyrite abundance. These results illuminate the role played by sulfurized OM in geologic-scale Mo capture and retention, but they also underline the role played by reactive iron. Significant OM sulfurization is only possible when reactive iron is limited. Nevertheless, pyrite formation, though limited, could act as an initial Mo trap, prior to Mo uptake by OM that is sulfurized after the pyritization step. In future paleoenvironmental reconstructions, attention must be paid to this enhanced Mo enrichment in the presence of sulfurized organic matter. In such cases, the use of Mo could lead to overestimation of the reducing conditions of the depositional environment.     

贵州渣拉沟剖面下寒武统黑色硅质岩微量元素富集机制

华南早寒武世发育了一套富有机质黑色硅质岩,其成因尚有较大争议。选择贵州省三都县渣拉沟剖面早寒武世牛蹄塘组底部硅质岩段进行研究,发现该硅质岩具有微量元素富集的特征。其可能的原因包括,静海环境、上升流和热液活动。Ce/Ce*比值显示硅质岩沉积时水体为次氧化条件,不支持静海环境;而Ba、Zn、Cu、Ni、Cd、P与有机碳含量不存在相关关系,也不支持上升流为微量元素富集的主要原因。Al-Fe-Mn三角图、Al2O3/(Fe2O3+Al2O3)、REY配分模式等指标则表明存在热液活动。上述认识与现代上升流、静海环境的微量元素富集系数对比结果相吻合。与华南地区早寒武世初期不同沉积环境硅质岩对比,发现:深海环境并不富集Ba、Zn、Cu、Ni等氧化还原敏感元素,而沿着斜坡相带同沉积断层分布的热液活动,更有可能造成这些微量元素的富集。     

北山地区矽卡岩型铜矿元素表生活动性规律——以辉铜山铜矿为例

元素表生活动性规律研究是制定地球化学勘查方法技术、开展地球化学找矿工作的前提和基础。以北山地区辉铜山铜矿为例,系统研究了元素的表生活动特性。结果表明：在不同母岩形成的土壤中,Cu、Mo、Pb、Zn、Au、Ag、As、Bi、Ba、Sr等微量元素富集作用存在差异;与粗粒级相比较,细粒级中元素的富集作用更加明显;随着样点到矿体之间距离的增加,粗粒级土壤样品的Cu、Mo元素含量降低,而Ba、Sr元素含量略有升高。土壤中常量元素含量特征表明：粗粒级与细粒级的物质组成、化学成分存在明显差异,粗粒级更接近于母岩。微量元素的富集作用与黏土矿物含量呈正比,与主要造岩矿物含量呈反比。以上述试验结果为基础,采用－4～＋40目粗粒级为采样介质,有效圈出了辉铜山铜矿元素正异常和负异常,为该地区的找矿靶区优选提供了依据。     

Lithogeochemistry of hypogene, supergene and leached cap samples, berg porphyry copper deposit, British Columbia

In this paper we examine the influence of the development of supergene oxide and sulphide zones on the original hypogene geochemical patterns at the Berg deposit, British Columbia.The deposit, in the alpine zone of the Tahtsa Range, was logged (GEOLOG) and sampled in fourteen diamond drill holes along a N—S section and from outcrop where possible. Anomalous populations of major and trace elements were defined using log probability graphs and a sequential extraction (10% hydrochloric acid— ammonium oxalate — potassium chlorate/hydrochloric acid — nitric/perchloric acids) was used to study the distribution of elements between carbonate, oxide, sulphide and silicate phases.Core logs and assays show that primary ore minerals (chalcopyrite—molybdenite) extend from the outer part of the porphyry intrusion into the surrounding hornfels where the best grades of copper are found close to the intrusive contact. Maximum copper grades, however, result from development of a supergene enrichment blanket. Within the hypogene zone, principal lithogeochemical patterns reflect the differences in composition of the hornfels, originally intermediate to basic volcanics, and the intrusion, as well as the introduction of F and trace metals (Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Ag). Distribution of Ag is broadly comparable to that of Cu and Mo whereas anomalous Pb and Zn are present as peripheral haloes around the potential ore zones.Emergence of strongly acidic ground water and precipitation of iron oxides, indicate that leaching processes are active. Furthermore, although primary sulphides, associated with both their oxidation products and secondary sulphides, can still be found in surface samples, sequential extractions on drill core clearly indicate vertical redistribution of copper between oxide, carbonate and sulphide phases. Using ratios of metal concentrations to TiO₂, the surface concentrations of trace metals can be compared with those at depth and the relative amount of enrichment or depletion can be quantified. In highly leached sites the absolute concentrations of Cu, Mn and Zn are low which is reflected in TiO₂ ratios of <1. However, Mo, Pb and Ag are enriched at the same sites (TiO₂ ratios >1). In areas where physical erosion exceeds leaching (topographic lows) primary sulphides co-exist with secondary sulphide and oxide minerals. Here Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn, Mn and Ag are enriched. Fluorine is relatively unaffected by the leaching process. It would appear signature for a cale alkaline Cu and Mo porphyry deposit in an area where outcrop was intensely leached.     

与盐构造相关的流体流动和油气运聚

盐构造的形成必然伴随着流体的活动 ,盐构造和流体构成了一个有机的反馈系统。含盐盆地中主要的流体类型有含盐热流体、烃类流体、富金属热流体及同生水和大气水等。盐构造在流体流动中起着重要的作用 :( 1)改造流体动力系统 ,包括密度驱动和超压驱动 ;( 2 )提供复杂的流体流动的通道网络 ,主要由盐丘上部的地堑式断裂簇和流体底辟通道、盐体 /围岩接触断裂等构成 ;( 3 )规定流体流动域———特定的流体赋存的特定的空间 ;( 4 )捕获流体共同运动。对于油气而言 ,盐构造既提供了油气运移的驱动力和运移通道 ,又提供了丰富的圈闭。在此基础上文中概括了盐构造、流体流动及油气运移和聚集相互关系的模式。地震剖面上的特征反射、岩心中的脉体、流体包裹体以及流体的理、化参数的空间变化等 ,可以帮助示踪与盐构造相关流体的流动路径 ,追溯流体流动的历史 ,认识油气成藏的过程。     

Geochemistry of core sediments from Mullipallam creek,South East coast of India

The Mullipallam creek in Muthupet mangroves region is the only E-W trending coastal strip in the SE coast of India and is very important, as the mangrove acts as a barrier to natural diasters. Natural, anthropogenic signals and accumulation of elements were made by collecting sediment samples at various depths in a core. All sediments were analyzed for carbonates (CaCO₃), organic carbon (OC), major (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P), and trace (Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn). Normalization with Al values has been done for all the major and trace elements and enrichment factors have been calculated. The calculated enrichment factors and comparison indicate that the trace metals (especially Pb) are enriched mainly due to the external (anthropogenic) activities in the land as well as in the coastal zone (Palk Strait).     

长白山区暗棕壤成土作用地球化学特征

以代表性暗棕壤垂直剖面土壤地球化学数据为依据,研究了长白山区特定的森林景观条件下成土过程中元素的分异与富集特征。研究结果表明,在岩石风化过程中主要以CaO、Na2O、Sr淋溶为主,有机酸淋溶过程中SiO2、Al2O3、K2O部分被淋溶,部分游离铁下渗到土体中下部氧化成铁锰胶膜;微量元素在风化过程中被次生黏土矿物吸附,不同程度地富集,在腐殖质积累过程中Cd、Zn、Pb、Mo、Hg、Co、Mn、Cr等亲生物元素进一步富集于表层土壤,Ce、Ni、Sb、Ti、V、Y、Zr在表生环境中地球化学性质稳定,残留富集于土壤表层。母质层继承和保留了基岩元素地球化学分布的基本特征。     

Sediment pollution in the Vågen,Bergen harbour,Norway

Recent sediments in the Vågen, Bergen harbour, are subjected to injection of untreated sewage from around 15,000 person equivalent. Here the distribution of trace elements is mapped in surface and subsurface sediments. Selected trace-element concentrations decrease from the inner towards the outer Vågen. These concentration gradients do not correlate with minerogenic grain size. Linear correlation, combined with enriched sediment trace elements, are used to infer sources for these elements and possible reasons for their enrichment. (1) Frequent use of dental amalgam might be related to the enrichments of and correlation between Ag, Cu, Hg and Sn in surficial sediments pre-1994. (2) Enrichment and correlation of Cu/Zn may be related to the commercial and private use of anti-fouling boat-paint. Further, tributyltin is suggested as a source of Sn enrichment. (3) Increased traffic in the city of Bergen with gasoline combustion and car-wheel wear-off release Pb and Zn. (4) Hg and Pb might have been atmospherically supplied due to the combustion of coal in a nearby gas plant pre-1985. (5) No correlation is observed between enriched Vågen trace metals and bedrock element composition of the surrounding mountains, indicating a minor supply from erosion.     

江汉盐湖盆地原油中微量金属元素的分布及应用

利用发射光谱粉末法,定量测定江汉盐湖盆地72个原油样中的钴、锗、锆、钼、铬等13个微量金属元素后查明,这些元素在地层剖面上的分布有明显规律。除镁及铅以外,11种金属元素的含量随地层变老和原油成熟度增加而减少。如潜一段重质原油中钼、钴的含量比下伏地层高出15倍左右,锗只在潜一段原油中存在。11种元素的含量还随原油的比重、粘度、合硫量、沥青质、胶质及卟啉化合物的增加而增加。利用这些分布特点可区别不同油层的原油,也可推测油气运移的方向。     

Metal enrichments in solid bitumens: A review

The association of oils and solid bitumens with ore deposits is widely recorded. The oils and bitumens may actually be enriched with metals. Unlike oils, metal enrichments within bitumens do not reflect the role of petroleum as a transporting agent for metals. By contrast, they may be a result of the reduction of metal ions on contact with bitumen, and may reach levels so high that ore mineral inclusions are precipitated. Metal determinations of British bitumens suggest that new metal anomalies can be detected by this approach, that some metal anomalies within bitumens may be related to ore mineralization, and that bitumens from different sources may be distinguished by their metal contents. The potential use of bitumen distribution and/or metal enrichment within bitumen for ore exploration is dependent on the metal concerned, and in particular whether the metal is transported by association with organic materials or reduced in the presence of organic materials.     

“Invisible” silver and gold in supergene digenite (Cu1.8S)

Despite its potential economic and environmental importance, the study of trace metals in supergene (secondary) Cu-sulfides has been seriously overlooked in the past decades. In this study, the concentration and mineralogical form of “invisible” precious metals (Ag, Au) and metalloids (As, Sb, Se, Te) in supergene digenite (Cu_1.8S) from various Cu deposits in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the world’s premier Cu province, were determined in detail using a combination of microanalytical techniques. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA) measurements reveal that, apart from hosting up to ∼11,000 ppm Ag, supergene digenite can incorporate up to part-per-million contents of Au (∼6 ppm) and associated metalloids such as As (∼300 ppm), Sb (∼60 ppm), Se (∼96 ppm) and Te (∼18 ppm). SIMS analyses of trace metals show that Ag and Au concentrations strongly correlate with As in supergene digenite, defining wedge-shaped zones in Ag-As and Au-As log-log spaces. SIMS depth profiling and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) observations reveal that samples with anomalously high Ag/As (>∼30) and Au/As (>∼0.03) ratios plot above the wedge zones and contain nanoparticles of metallic Ag and Au, while samples with lower ratios contain Ag and Au that is structurally bound to the Cu-sulfide matrix. The Ag-Au-As relations reported in this study strongly suggest that the incorporation of precious metals in Cu-sulfides formed under supergene, low-temperature conditions respond to the incorporation of a minor component, in this case As. Therefore, As might play a significant role by increasing the solubility of Ag and Au in supergene digenite and controlling the formation and occurrence of Ag and Au nanoparticles. Considering the fact that processes of supergene enrichment in Cu deposits can be active from tens of millions of years (e.g. Atacama Desert), we conclude that supergene digenite may play a previously unforeseen role in scavenging precious metals from undersaturated (or locally slightly supersaturated) solutions in near-surface environments.     

造山带中富集型上地幔的成因——以萨尔托海蛇绿岩块为例

发育于造山带中的蛇绿岩,其剖面下部的地幔橄榄岩部分是造山带地区富集型上地幔的直接标本。其地球化学特点是:主要元素Al_2O_3、TiO_2、CaO、Na_2O、K_2O强烈亏损,而REE,痕量元素和87Sr/86Sr则强烈富集;同时,143Nd/144Nd<0.511836,亦表明它们属于一个富集型的源区。 形成富集型上地幔的主要机制是地幔交代作用,富含不相容元素的低熔岩浆和富Ca-LREE流体与已亏损的地幔橄榄岩发生脉状交代和渗透交代反应,从而造成上地幔中不相容元素的富集。造山带富集型上地幔形成的构造环境是:洋壳从扩张脊向两侧运移并最终拼入造山带这段时间内。富集型上地幔不但存在于大陆区,而且亦存在于造山带地区,它可能是一种全球性的地球内部的化学作用。     

Origin of the enrichment of B and alkali metal elements in the geothermal water in the Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from B and Sr isotopes

Geothermal fields distributed in the southern Tibet Plateau rifts such as Yangbajing - Dangxiong basin, and the Yaluzangbu suture are characterized by intensive hydrothermal activity and high enrichment of trace elements (e.g., Li, Rb, Cs, B and Br) in geothermal springs. However, the origin of these elements and their enrichment mechanisms in those geothermal waters remain unclear. This study presents data for the enriched elements, incompatible elements, and B and Sr isotopes, in the geothermal water in the Tibetan Plateau and compares them with some typical geothermal fields worldwide, in an attempt to provide new insights into the origin and mechanism of the enrichment of these trace elements. The results indicate that all geothermal water samples from the Tibetan Plateau show more negative δ¹¹B values than those from local precipitation and rivers. Considering the wide existence of a high-conductivity zone in the middle or even upper-crust interpreted to correspond to re-melt magmatic fluids in the Tibet, the main sources of the typical chemical composition of geothermal waters in the Tibetan Plateau can be classified into two main types: residual magmatic fluids derived from crustal partial remelting and deep circulated groundwater modified by water–rock interactions. In particular, the possible source of magmatic fluids may play a more significant role for special geochemical compositions of geothermal water in the Tibet. Such resources are beneficial for the development and utilization of the geothermal water itself and also serve as a stable source for feeding the salt lake resources.     

Genesis history of iron ore from Mesoarchean BIF at the Wodgina mine,Western Australia

Several iron-ore deposits hosted within Mesoarchean banded iron formations (BIFs) are mined throughout the North Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. Among these, significant goethite±martite deposits (total resources >50 Mt at 55.8 wt% Fe) are distributed in the Wodgina district within 2 km of the world-class pegmatite-hosted, tantalum Wodgina deposits. In this study, we investigate the dominant controls on iron mineralisation at Wodgina and test the potential role of felsic magma-derived fluids in early alteration and upgrade of nearby BIF units. Camp-scale distribution and geochemistry of iron ore at Wodgina argue against any significant influence of identified felsic intrusions in the upgrade of BIF. Whereas, the formation of BIF-hosted goethite±martite iron ore at Wodgina involves: (i) early (ca 2950 Ma) metamorphism of BIF causing camp-scale recrystallisation of pre-existing iron oxides to form euhedral magnetite, with local enrichment to sub-economic grades (～40 wt% Fe) within or proximal to metre-wide, bedding-parallel shear zones, and (ii) later supergene lateritic enrichment of the magnetite-bearing BIF and shear zones, forming near-surface goethite±martite ore. The supergene alteration sequence includes: (i) downward progression of the oxidation front and replacement of magnetite by martite, (ii) local development of silcrete at ～40 m below the modern surface caused by the lowering of the water-table, (iii) intensive replacement of quartz by goethite, resulting in the goethite±martite ore bodies at Wodgina, and (iv) late formation of ferricrete and ochreous goethite. Goethitisation most likely took place within the hot and very wet climate that prevailed from the Paleocene to the mid-Eocene. Goethite precipitation was accompanied by the incorporation of trace elements P, Zn, As, Ni and Co, which were likely derived from supergene fluid interaction with nearby shales. Enrichment of these elements in goethite-rich ore indicates that they are potentially useful pathfinder elements for concealed ore bodies covered by trace element-depleted pedogenic silcrete and siliciclastic rocks located throughout the Wodgina mine.