The origin of the Kiruna iron ores

Abstract

Abstract The idea of a volcanic-sedimentary origin for the iron ores in the Kiruna area, northern Sweden, has recently been presented by Parák (1973a). The previous and most commonly accepted hypothesis for the formation of the iron ores of the Kiruna type is that they are magmatic. In the present paper, both modes of formation are discussed on the basis of some geochemical features of the ores and their host rocks. The features mostly favour a magmatic origin. In the Precambrian, the contemporaneous formation of iron and phosphorus in sediments is a rare phenomenon, whereas it is not uncommon among magmatic rocks.