Controversy in genetic models for Proterozoic high-grade, banded iron formation (BIF)-related iron deposits - unifying or discrete model(s)?

AbstractA genetic model for the genesis of high-grade (>65 wt-%Fe) Proterozoic, banded iron formation (BIF)-related iron deposits such as the Tom Price, Mount Whaleback deposits in the Hamersley Province (Australia), the N4E, N4W and N5 deposits at Carajas (Brazil), the Aguas Claras, Conceicao and Casa de Pedra deposits in the Iron Quadrangle (Brazil), the Donkerpoort West, Kwagas East deposit in the Thabazimbi iron ore district (South Africa) or the Saksagan ore field at Krivoy Rog (Ukraine), needs to take into account the: (a) timing of regional metamorphism with respect to the upgrade of BIF to high-grade iron ore; (b) significance and relationship of the protoore to the hydrothermal alteration minerals and zonation and the process of iron enrichment; (c) source and oxidation state of the hydrothermal fluids that caused the iron enrichment; (d) types of geochemical processes that caused the hydrothermal alteration and iron enrichment; and (e) significance of the widespread carbonatisation of the host r...