应用电子探针研究蒙其古尔铀矿床含矿砂岩岩石学特征及铀矿物分布规律

国内外铁矿石价格对标基准多采用离岸价或到岸价,而非盈亏平衡运营成本,难以揭示我国铁矿石所面对的真实市场承压价格。为了厘清国际一线生产商的铁矿石盈亏平衡运营成本价格,本文对世界上最重要的条带状铁建造（BIF）矿产地——西澳哈默斯利盆地高品位赤铁矿矿床的矿化特征及代表性铁矿石产品展开系统研究,同时引入巴西铁四角地区的铁英岩型赤铁矿矿石作为对照,分析全球典型高品位赤铁矿矿石经济指标。结合前人研究成果,将西澳哈默斯利盆地与BIF相关的高品位赤铁矿的富集矿化类型划分为假象赤铁矿-针铁矿、微板状赤铁矿与河道沉积型赤铁矿,巴西铁四角主要为铁英岩型赤铁矿。上述各矿化类型对应的铁矿石产品的铁元素含量均高于56%;在杂质元素含量上,假象赤铁矿-针铁矿的磷含量高,微板状赤铁矿的磷、硫含量较高,河道沉积型赤铁矿的磷、硫含量较低,铁英岩型赤铁矿含锰。经定量估算,西澳力拓、必和必拓、FMG和巴西淡水河谷的铁矿石盈亏平衡运营成本价格分别为34.66、36.76、47.35、38.07美元/干吨,可为中国海外权益铁矿项目开发提供运营成本的参考。     

Studies on concentration and direct reduction of the Ramim iron ore

Beneficiation and direct reduction of the Ramim iron ore was studied. Feed concentrates were obtained by gravity concentration of oolites followed by wet, high-intensity magnetic separation. Poor liberation prohibits physical concentration of goethite from oolites. These concentrates were directly reduced with different reductants at varying temperatures, followed by dry magnetic separation. Quality of concentrates depends on temperature, iron content in feed, type of coal, residence time, and composition of pellets. Conditions of optimum temperature range 1250–1275°C, unmixed pellets, high iron content in feed, dense high carbon reductant, and 15 min residence time resulted in grades and recoveries better than 90%. It is shown that segregation and growth of the metallic iron nuclii must be achieved in order to get superior yields.     

The beach placer iron deposit of Portman Bay,Murcia, SE Spain: the result of 33 years of tailings disposal (1957–1990) to the Mediterranean seaside

Between 1957 and 1990, the Peñarroya Mining and Metallurgical Company (SMMPE) disposed about 60 million tonnes of tailings materials directly to the Mediterranean Sea. A substantial part of it (12.5 Mt) was dragged back by the sea currents progressively infilling the Portman Bay (Murcia, SE Spain), thus making the shoreline advance between 500 and 600 m seaward. The Roberto froth flotation plant processed mineral from manto-type deposits belonging to the Sierra de Cartagena-La Unión lead-zinc district. One of the mineral assemblages present in these deposits comprises greenalite, magnetite, sulfides, carbonates, and silica. Despite that magnetite recovery was undertaken by SMMPE between 1959 and 1967, we estimate that magnetite contained in the tailings hosts a substantial resource that could be as large as 2.3 Mt of iron ore. The ore contains magnetite ± hematite ± siderite. Tidal waves and sea currents led to gravimetric classification of the tailings material, with concentration of the dense iron oxides in the sandy fractions, eventually forming a coastal placer iron deposit. A major problem for magnetic separation is the intimate intergrowth between magnetite, hematite, and siderite. Besides, the sands contain large concentrations of Pb (0.27 %), Zn (0.72 %), and As (559 ppm).     

鄂西高磷鲕状赤铁矿磁化还原矿物组成及分布规律

鄂西高磷鲕状赤铁矿原矿全铁品位47.56%,含P 0.93%,主要脉石矿物为绿泥石、磷灰石、石英、方解石、铁白云石,属难选铁矿石。通过磁化焙烧-磨矿-磁选优化工艺,最佳磁化焙烧条件为:焙烧温度800℃、焙烧时间90min、还原剂用量12%,焙烧矿磨矿细度-0.074mm占85.15%,经弱磁选可得到全铁品位为58.13%、磷含量0.70%,铁回收率为90.41%的粗精矿。对磁化焙烧-磁选过程的各产物组成分析表明,焙烧矿和粗精矿中主要矿物为磁铁矿,占比分别为65%和85%;主要脉石矿物为绿泥石、磷灰石、石英、铁白云石等。粗精矿矿物的嵌布粒度较细,-0.074mm粒级占85.15%,但部分矿物仍以相互浸染、包裹、鲕状碎屑、连晶等形式存在,矿物仍未完全单体解离,从而导致粗精矿中杂质磷、铝等含量较高。粗精矿细磨后粒度-0.022mm含量为80%时,磁铁矿的解离度为84.63%,可实现磁铁矿充分单体解离,经过深选可提高铁精矿质量。     

Selective flocculation applied to Barsuan iron ore tailings

Experiments have shown that it is possible to obtain a concentrate containing 65% iron, 1.8% alumina and 1.4% silica with an iron recovery of 80% from the tailings of Barsuan iron ore plant containing 52.5% iron, 7.4% alumina and 7.8% silica through selective flocculation employing starch. Key to such success lies in the manner in which the flocculant is desired from the parent starch. Barsuan deposit being a limiting case of typical fine-grained high-alumina iron ores, the results open up technical possibilities of better utilization of such deposits.     

Field and petrographic aspects of the iron ore mineralizations of Gandhamardan hill,Keonjhor, Orissa and their genetic significance

Banded iron formations of the Iron Ore Group (Archean greenstone belts) of Jharkhand-Orissa region, India host a good number of large iron ore deposits (Fe wt %> 62). Iron ore mineralization of Gandhamardan hill is one of them where iron ores occur in two stratigraphic horizons. One is strictly confined within banded iron formation (stratabound mineralization) with irregular geometry, and show fracture filling and replacement vein-type mineralization along the fringes of hard massive ores of the core. This type of mineralization is exposed along the western slope of the hill. Hard massive and laminated ores dominate this mineralization. The other type occurs as low dipping sheet like body above banded iron formation and covered by laterites forming the top of the hill. Flaky ores dominate this mineralization with formation of hard goethitic crust near the top. Both the mineralizations contain mineralized banded iron formation corestones surrounded by hard massive or flaky iron ores. Hard massive ores are entirely represented by martite-microplaty hematite mineralogy. Hard laminated ores contain microplaty hematite and few martite grains representing early magnetites of the banded iron formation. Flaky ores are high porosity ores produced by leaching of silica, martite and microplaty hematite. Hard goethitic ores are developed due to replacement of martite and microplaty hematite or precipitation of goethite in the pore spaces.     

High-gradient magnetic separation: A search for a matrix material

The magnetic properties and abrasion resistance of selected low-carbon steels were investigated with respect to their suitability as induction matrix materials. Low-remanent ferromagnetic steels and a paramagnetic steel were used in magnetic separation tests with siderite and hematite ores. It was found that recovery and grade for all ferromagnetic materials were equivalent, while recovery for paramagnetic steel was lower, and increased with increasing magnetic induction. However, all investigated steels are less susceptible to hold highly coercive tramp iron which usually causes matrix clogging. Likewise, all selected stainless steels are more abrasion resistant than currently employed matrix materials.     

利用磁团聚简化铁矿石磁选流程

论述了含假象赤铁矿铁矿石磁选工艺流程的改进。利用磁团聚工艺省去了赤铁矿回收段单独的粗精矿再磨设备及后继的中磁场精选作业。节省了设备投资费用及生产成本,而且铁实收率较之传统工艺有所提高。对类似该矿石性质的氧化带混合铁矿石磁选流程的制定及现场流程改造有启迪意义。     

Dispersion-flocculation studies on hematite-clay systems

Studies have been made on the separability of clay minerals such as kaolinite, illite and montmorillonite from hematite in dispersant-starch flocculant systems. The grossly different dispersibility of hematite from that of clay minerals aided separation by selective dispersion and flocculation. Moderate success has been achieved with a selectivity index nearing 4.0 (average recovery values around 80%).The studies have been extended to hematite recovery and clay rejection from the slimes of the Barsua iron ore washing plant owned by Rourkela Steel Plant, India. Limited success achieved in the starch selective flocculation method has been attributed to the difficulties associated with fine grain size, clay mineraloty and liberation.The ore exhibits the phenomenon of differential grinding. Hematite-rich coarser particles in the slime can be separated by differential settling in dispersant systems followed by selective flocculation in low-starch systems.     

Potential low-grade iron ore deposits in metamorphosed banded iron formations, Northern Province, South Africa

Exploitation of low-grade iron ore would be quite unique in a South African context as South Africa is well endowed with high-grade iron ore resources. Low-grade iron ore, defined as containing between 20 and 47% iron, is thought to be the primary iron-bearing lithology from which most high-grade ore deposits formed, through different processes of enrichment. The low-grade iron ores in the Northern Province represent meta-banded iron formations (BIFs), with an average iron content of about 36%. The main iron-bearing mineral is magnetite. The Northern Province ores have to be milled to sizes smaller than 150 μm in order to liberate the iron minerals from the host rock, and beneficiation is accomplished through a series of magnetic separation processes. Irrespective of the in situ quality of the ore, final concentrates of exceptionally good quality with more than 69% iron and very low contaminant levels can be produced. This, combined with mass yields of between 40 and 50% and iron recoveries greater than 80%, are excellent for this type of iron ore deposit. The beneficiation products are suitable for use in iron- and steel-making processes. Received: 4 July 1996 / Accepted: 7 January 1997     

几内亚福雷卡里亚YML铁矿区的富铁矿床地质特征及找矿前景探讨

YML铁矿区位于几内亚福雷卡里亚省,富铁矿以条带状赤铁矿和铁角砾岩矿为主。矿区内共发育7条矿体,条带状赤铁矿体6条,铁角砾岩矿体1条。条带状赤铁矿体赋存部位多为向形地段,次级紧密褶皱发育,沿走向和倾向有逐渐变薄和尖灭的趋势;铁角砾岩矿体覆盖于地表,以风化壳的形式出现。矿床类型属复合类型,即海底热液喷气沉积叠加后期构造变质型+风化淋滤型。该区具备铁矿形成和保存的地质条件,且已发现具一定储量、品位较高的条带状赤铁矿和大面积的铁角砾岩分布区,区内铁矿找矿远景较好。     

Beneficiation of iron ore by flotation — Review of industrial and potential applications

The market requirements for higher-grade concentrates of iron to improve the productivity of the iron and steel industry, has increased the importance of the flotation process with respect to the conventional preconcentration of ore by gravity or magnetic separation. The flotation method most commonly applied is the one that is based on cationic flotation of silica and silicates (reverse flotation), and which is preceded, or not, by desliming or selective flocculation.     

鞍钢弓长岭三矿区三种矿石类型的工艺矿物学研究

１　矿石的物质组成１－１　矿石的化学成分及矿物组成三矿区矿石的化学成分较简单,碱性系数很低,在０－０３％以下;矿石为高硅、贫铁,低ＣａＯ、ＭｇＯ、Ａｌ２Ｏ３,且有害杂质ＳＯ２、Ｐ２Ｏ５含量低于工业允许值（０－５％）的酸性矿石。随着矿石中ＦｅＯ含量的降低,ＣａＯ、ＭｇＯ、Ｋ２Ｏ含量有依次降低的趋势,Ｐ２Ｏ５及ＣＯ２也随ＦｅＯ降低而逐渐降低。矿石的矿物成分以赤铁矿、磁铁矿和石英为主,其它矿物成分很少,矿石类型不同,主要矿物含量也有差异。根据矿石的化学全分析及电子探针分析结果计算的矿石定量组成见表１。…     

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.     

Mineralogical Characteristics of Iron Ores in Joda and Khondbond Areas in Eastern India with Implications on Beneficiation

Precambrian iron ores of the Singhbhum-North Orissa region occur in eastern India as part of the Iron Ore Group (IOG) within the broad horse-shoe shaped synclinorium. More than 50% of Indian iron ore reserves occur in this region. Massive-hard, flaky-friable, blue dust and lateritic varieties of iron ores are the major ore types, associated with banded hematite, jasper and shales. These ores could have formed as a result of supergene enrichment through gradual but extensive removal of silica, alumina and phosphorus from banded iron formations and ferruginous shale. Attempts for optimal utilization of these resources led to various ore characterization studies using chemical analysis, ore and mineral petrography, XRD analysis, SEM and electron probe micro analysis (EPMA). The ore chemistry indicates that the massive hard ores and blue dust have high iron, low alumina and phosphorus contents. Because of high quality, these ores do not require any specialized beneficiation technique for up-gradation. However, flaky-friable, lateritised and goethitic ores are low in iron, high in alumina and phosphorus contents, requiring specific beneficiation techniques for up-gradation in quality. XRD, SEM and ore microscopic studies of massive hard ores indicate the presence of hematite and goethite, while flaky and lateritic ores show a higher concentration of goethite, kaolinite, gibbsite and hematite. EPMA studies show the presence of adsorbed phosphorous as fine dust in the hard ores. Sink and float studies reveal that most of the gangue minerals are not completely liberated in the case of goethitic and lateritic ores, even at finer fractions.     

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。     

Water leaching and magnetic separation for decreasing the chloride level and upgrading the zinc content of EAF steelmaking baghouse dusts

Recycling scrap iron and steel in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) generates very fine metal-containing dusts which can present major environmental problems. This paper describes experimental work on a relatively novel, simple, and inexpensive process for decreasing the chloride content and upgrading the zinc level of dust from an Australian plant, to produce saleable products and environmentally safe waste products for disposal.The dust contained about 2.1% Cl as various chlorides, 23.1% Zn as zincite and franklinite, 27.1% Fe as magnetite, franklinite, and hematite, plus small quantities of lead, cadmium, chromium, and other materials. The dust was very fine (P₈₀ about 2 μm). Individual particles were commonly aggregates of fine spheres and other shapes.Simple water washing at ambient temperatures and natural pH (12) for 60 min extracted 99% of the chlorides, giving a residue assaying 200 ppm Cl. This residue was strongly coagulated by lime present in the dust and settled rapidly. The wash solution contained low levels of iron, zinc, lead, cadmium, and chromium, most of which could be removed by sulphide precipitation.Wet magnetic separation with a Davis tube was investigated. At the lowest field strength employed (0.6 A), 95% of the zinc was recovered in a non-magnetic product assaying 28% Zn and 24% Fe. At the highest field strength (1.6 A), 91% of the zinc was recovered in a non-magnetic product assaying 29% Zn and 25% Fe. Wet cycloning at a nominal separation size of 2–5 μm gave a cyclone overflow product assaying 31% Zn and 26% Fe, and containing 85% of the zinc. All these results fit a typical zinc grade–recovery relationship.The proposed process of water washing followed by magnetic separation or cycloning would produce a relatively high-zinc, low-iron, low-chloride product suitable for treatment in a lead–zinc smelter or electrolytic zinc plant, a high-iron, low-zinc product suitable for land fill, and a treated waste water for discharge to a sewer.     

Upgrading iron-ore deposits by melt loss during granulite facies metamorphism

Forward modelling of Fe-rich phyllite is used to evaluate the effects of partial melting and melt loss on the concentration of iron in the residual rock package, leading to enrichment in Fe-oxide minerals (magnetite and hematite). The effect of melt loss during prograde metamorphism to peak conditions of ~ 850 °C was modelled using a series of calculated pressure–temperature (P–T) phase diagrams (pseudosections). The results show that metapelitic rocks with lower iron content are more fertile, produce more melt and therefore show a more significant increase (up to 35%) in the Fe-oxide content in the residual (melt depleted) rock package. Rocks with primary Fe-rich compositions are less fertile, lose less melt and therefore do not experience the same relative increase in the amount of Fe-oxides in the residuum. The results of the modelling have implications for the formation of economic-grade iron ore deposits in metamorphic terranes. Fe-rich compositions that represent primary ore horizons prior to metamorphism may not experience significant enrichment. However, those horizons with lower primary iron contents may be significantly upgraded as a result of melt loss, thereby improving the overall grade of the ore system. The application of the modelling to the highly metamorphosed Palaeoproterozoic Warramboo magnetite–hematite deposit in the southern Gawler Craton suggests that melt loss during granulite facies metamorphism led to upgrading of sub-economic units within the low-grade Price Metasediments to form the economically viable granulite facies Warramboo ore system. The results of this study suggest that high-temperature metamorphic terranes offer attractive exploration targets for magnetite-dominated iron ore deposits.     

新型磁选装置的研制及其应用于分离超贫磁铁矿中的磁性铁

磁性铁是超贫磁铁矿勘查中的基本分析项目之一,为准确测定磁性铁的含量,首先需要实现磁性铁的定量分离。目前常用的手工内磁选法由于所用磁铁的有效磁场强度难以保证,而且受人为操作的影响较大,导致分析结果的重现性差。本文应用50 m L滴定管、电磁铁和三相异步电动机,研制了一种新型磁选装置——电磁式磁性铁分选装置,实现了超贫磁铁矿中磁性铁与非磁性铁的定量分离,结合重铬酸钾容量法建立了超贫磁铁矿中磁性铁的分析方法。在选定的磁选条件下(电流2.5 A,磁选管运动频率40 r/min,磁选时间5 min)分析铁矿石标准物质,磁性铁的测定值与标准值的相对误差小于1.0%;分析采自实际矿区的超贫磁铁矿样品,磁性铁的测定结果与手工内磁选法一致,且相对标准偏差(RSD,n=5)小于1.0%,优于手工内磁选法的精密度。本方法采用的电磁式磁性铁分选装置有效地控制了磁场强度的强弱,避免永磁铁出现磁损失,同时可以量化磁性铁分离的参数,提高了磁性铁的分析精度。     

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.