Identification and characterization of dateable hypogene minerals in BIF-hosted iron ore deposits, Yilgarn craton, Western Australia.
Yilgarn craton, Western Australia
This MSc project will attempt to date hydrothermal alteration minerals associated with the upgrade of BIF (about 30% Fe) to high-grade iron ore (>55% Fe) in BIF-hosted iron ore deposits in the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia.
Recent research on the iron ore deposits hosted by Archean BIF in the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia has shown that they are the product of multiple superimposed hypogene and supergene alteration events. The absolute timing of these hypogene alteration events is poorly constrained. This research project will examine the timing of the hypogene alteration events affecting BIF at the Weld Range greenstone belt and the Koolyanobbing and Windarling Fe ore camps in the Yilgarn Craton. Representative examples of the different hypogene ore zones will be inspected using the SEM and EPMA with the intention of finding hypogene alteration minerals that are useful for absolute dating.