Iron-formations and epigenetic ironstones in the Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup, Olary Domain, South Australia

Abstract

Iron-formations occur as massive to compositionally layered, Fe oxide-rich, concordant bodies in the Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup of the Olary Domain, South Australia. They have constitutional similarities to those occurring in the neighbouring Broken Hill Domain. The most abundant iron-formations are in the Quartzofeldspathic Suite and comprise magnetite-quartz assemblages (± hematite, barite, actinolite, apatite). Hematite, magnetite, albite, quartz, Ca(Na) amphibole(s), CaNaFe clinopyroxene and andraditic garnet are major constituents of rare calc-silicate iron-formations in the Bimba and Calcsilicate Suites, whereas magnetite, quartz, almandine-spessartine, manganoan fayalite, manganoan grunerite and apatite form manganiferous iron-formations in the Pelite Suite. The pronounced differences in mineralogy of the three iron-formation types are the result of regional metamorphism of diverse hydrothermal precipitates with variable elastic components, together with the local effects of high-temperature metasomatic alteration. Metasomatic fluids were produced as a result of devolatilisation of the evaporite-bearing volcanosedimentary sequence, during and following amphibolite grade metamorphism and deformation, which led to localised and regional-scale hydrothermal alteration. In places, there was extensive metasomatic reconstitution (veining, brecciation, replacement) of iron-formations and associated rocks, caused by high-temperature (350°–650°C), oxidising, saline fluids. The resulting epigenetic ironstones are dominated by magnetite-hematite-quartz with minor sulfides and display enrichment in Fe, Ti, Cu, Au, Sc, U, V, Y, Zn and HREE relative to parental iron-formations.