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Minerals
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Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits
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Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 3130

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shigang Duan

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Guest Editor
MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Interests: genesis and metallogenic regularity of iron deposits; shortwave infrared spectroscopy; alteration mapping
Dr. Chengdong Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
MNR Key Laboratory of Metallogeny and Mineral Assessment, Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Interests: metallogenic regularity of mineral deposits; Xinjiang mineral deposits; geology; geochronology; lithogeochemistry; mineralogy; fluid inclusion study; isotopic analysis
Prof. Dr. Xiuqing Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China
Interests: iron deposits; banded iron formations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Iron ore plays an important role in global economic development and industrialization. Recent advancements in analytical testing and exploration techniques have revolutionized iron ore research. Techniques like micro-area observation and in-situ composition analysis (elemental or isotope) have demonstrated complex mineralization processes. Additionally, big data and artificial intelligence technologies have introduced new tools to discriminate between genetic models and predict mineralization. This Special Issue aims to present the latest research findings on the genesis, metallogeny and exploration methods of iron deposits worldwide. We welcome original papers and review articles focusing on globally renowned or emerging iron deposits. This Special Issue will primarily cover the following topics: genesis of iron deposits; geological background and metallogeny of iron deposits; and innovative exploration methods and technologies for improving the understanding of iron ore deposits.

Dr. Shigang Duan
Dr. Chengdong Yang
Prof. Dr. Xiuqing Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • iron oxide–apatite (Kiruna) deposits
  • iron–titanium–(vanadium) oxide deposits
  • iron skarn
  • banded iron formation
  • geodynamic setting of iron mineralization
  • metallogeny of iron deposits
  • exploration methods

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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17 pages, 7865 KB  
Article
Garnet Geochemistry of the Makeng-Yangshan Fe Skarn Belt, Southeast China: Implications for Contrasting Hydrothermal Systems and Metal Endowment
by Wanyi Feng, Shuting Lei, Bo Xing, Jing Xu and Haibo Yan
Minerals 2025, 15(12), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15121325 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
The Southwestern Fujian Region is one of the important Fe polymetallic metallogenic belts in China. The Makeng-Yangshan Fe skarn sub-belt within it contains several deposits that share a similar geological setting, mineralization age, and genetic type, yet exhibit significant differences in metal endowment. [...] Read more.
The Southwestern Fujian Region is one of the important Fe polymetallic metallogenic belts in China. The Makeng-Yangshan Fe skarn sub-belt within it contains several deposits that share a similar geological setting, mineralization age, and genetic type, yet exhibit significant differences in metal endowment. To investigate the poorly constrained factors responsible for these differences, this paper focused on the mineral chemistry of garnets associated with magnetite from the Makeng, Luoyang, and Yangshan Fe deposits within the sub-belt, employing in situ laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for trace element analysis. Our results reveal that garnet from all three deposits are andradite-dominated and features a chondrite-normalized REE fractionation pattern exhibiting enrichment in LREE relative to HREE, indicating crystallization from unified, mildly acidic fluids under high oxygen fugacity (fO2) conditions. However, both the Makeng and Luoyang garnets showed a strong positive Eu anomaly, whereas the Yangshan garnets displayed the weakest Eu anomaly among the three deposits, which can likely be attributed to the highest fO2 environment of the Yangshan deposit. Furthermore, garnet Y/Ho ratios and Y-ΣREE correlations demonstrate that the Makeng and Luoyang garnets crystallized in an open fluid system that were primarily of magmatic-hydrothermal origin with substantial external fluid (e.g., meteoric water) involvement, whereas the Yangshan garnet reflects a relatively closed fluid system that was predominantly of magmatic-hydrothermal origin with limited external fluid input. These geochemical differences have direct implications for exploration: the open-system Makeng deposit holds promise for Mo-W-Sn mineralization, as does the Luoyang deposit for W-Sn, whereas the closed-system Yangshan shows little potential for these metals. In addition, this study reveals that Pb and Zn concentrations in garnet are not reliable exploration indicators. Overall, these findings provide important mineralogical constraints on the factors controlling deposit scale and metal associations, thereby enhancing the understanding of regional metallogeny and guiding future mineral exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits)
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30 pages, 6600 KB  
Article
Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of the Fe-Ti Mineralized Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions at Wajilitag, Tarim Basin, China: With Special Emphasis on the Role of Apatite
by Weicheng Wang, Zhigang Kong, Maohong Chen, Jinmao Yin, Maihemuti Maimaiti and Donghui Liu
Minerals 2025, 15(11), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15111208 - 16 Nov 2025
Viewed by 544
Abstract
The Early Permian Tarim Large Igneous Province is a prominent magmatic-metallogenic province in China, hosting significant Fe-Ti mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Among them, the Wajilitag Fe-Ti oxide deposit stands out, which is hosted by olivine pyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro. In the present study, we [...] Read more.
The Early Permian Tarim Large Igneous Province is a prominent magmatic-metallogenic province in China, hosting significant Fe-Ti mineralized mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Among them, the Wajilitag Fe-Ti oxide deposit stands out, which is hosted by olivine pyroxenite, clinopyroxenite, and gabbro. In the present study, we have examined the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of apatite to elucidate a deeper understanding of the magmatic evolutionary processes and source characteristics of the mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Wajilitag area. Petrographic analysis revealed three distinct types of apatite: (1) an inclusion phase within pyroxene and plagioclase, (2) an intergranular phase associated with Fe-Ti oxides, and (3) a late-stage phase found in association with biotite and/or amphibole. Geochemical analysis showed that the inclusion and intergranular apatites exhibited high fluoride (F) and low chlorine (Cl) concentrations, while the late-stage apatite displayed the reverse. A negative correlation between F and Cl was observed, suggesting different formation conditions for each apatite type. The high F/Cl ratios (>3) and enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREEs/HREEs = 12.8–29.5) in the apatite, in conjunction with Sr/Th-La/Sm diagrams, indicated that the parent magma originated from an enriched mantle source, influenced by ancient subduction-related fluids. Furthermore, low sulfur content (0.01%–0.16%) in apatite, along with estimated melt sulfur concentrations (19–54 ppm), points to a low sulfur fugacity environment. These findings collectively suggest that the Wajilitag deposit formed from magma derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle, followed by extensive magmatic differentiation, crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides, and low sulfur fugacity conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits)
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17 pages, 5669 KB  
Article
Mineralogical Characterization and Provenance of Black Sand in the Xiahenan Area, Tarim Large Igneous Province
by Songqiu Zhang, Renyu Zeng, Shigang Duan, Jiayong Pan, Dong Liang, Jie Yan, Jianjun Wan, Qing Liu and You Zhang
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080884 - 21 Aug 2025
Viewed by 539
Abstract
The Tarim Large Igneous Province (TLIP) in NW China hosts abundant Fe–Ti–V oxide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic intrusions. In the Xiahenan area, on the western margin of the TLIP, a distinct magnetic anomaly is linked to widespread surface accumulations of black sand. However, [...] Read more.
The Tarim Large Igneous Province (TLIP) in NW China hosts abundant Fe–Ti–V oxide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic intrusions. In the Xiahenan area, on the western margin of the TLIP, a distinct magnetic anomaly is linked to widespread surface accumulations of black sand. However, the genesis and origin of these black sand grains remain unclear. Based on mineral assemblages, this study classifies the grains of the black sand into three types: (i) plagioclase (An10–90)–ilmenite–olivine–magnetite assemblage (Sand I), (ii) plagioclase (An0–10)-fine-grained magnetite assemblage (Sand II), and (iii) hornblende–magnetite highly complex assemblage (Sand III). Mineral geochemical studies demonstrate that magnetite in Sand I and Sand II is of magmatic origin, with protolith being basaltic magma. Magnetite in Sand III was eroded from veins formed by hydrothermal processes at 300–500 °C. Ilmenite in Sand I contains a high FeTiO3 component, representing basaltic ilmenite. Olivine in Sand I has a low Fo content (43.86–47.27), belonging to hortonolite olivine. Research indicates that Sand I and Sand II share similar mineral assemblages and mineral geochemical characteristics with basalts in the Xiahenan area, suggesting they are weathering products of Xiahenan basalts or their cognate magmas. In contrast, the veined magnetite of Sand III formed during post-magmatic hydrothermal events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits)
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21 pages, 5597 KB  
Article
40Ar-39Ar Chronometry Supports Multi-Stage Tectonic Thermal Events in the Bayan Obo Fe-Nb-REE Deposit
by Xinke Gao, Dongsheng Wang, Hongying Li, Yike Li, Hongquan She, Jianjun Yang, Li Zhang, Changhui Ke, Jian Zhao, Shouxian Ma, Chenghao Ren and Futing Yin
Minerals 2025, 15(7), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15070683 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 840
Abstract
The Bayan Obo deposit, located on the northern margin of the North China Plate (NCP), is the world’s largest comprehensive Fe-REE-Nb deposit. After its formation, this deposit was affected by multiple tectonic thermal events, but the ages of these geological events are controversial. [...] Read more.
The Bayan Obo deposit, located on the northern margin of the North China Plate (NCP), is the world’s largest comprehensive Fe-REE-Nb deposit. After its formation, this deposit was affected by multiple tectonic thermal events, but the ages of these geological events are controversial. To determine the evolutionary history of the Bayan Obo deposit, we conducted a detailed study of the macroscopic and microscopic deformation characteristics of the ore district and selected representative minerals, such as riebeckite and biotite, which are widely present in the banded rocks of the deposit, for an 40Ar-39Ar isotopic analysis. The results show that a large number of deformation structures have developed in the carbonatite and surrounding rocks, including mineral bands, boudins, tight folds, and rotated porphyroclasts, suggesting that the region has undergone intense compression and shearing and that the deformation temperature can reach ~550 °C. 40Ar-39Ar plateau ages of 414.9 ± 1.4 Ma and 264.5 ± 2.5 Ma were obtained for the riebeckite and biotite, respectively. Using these results in conjunction with regional geological data and considering the closure temperature of the mineral isotope system, it was inferred that these two ages corresponded to two distinct reworking events experienced by the deposit during the Early Paleozoic and Late Paleozoic following its initial formation. These events corresponded to the collision between the Bainaomiao Arc and the NCP and the magmatic activity induced by a continental–continental collision during the closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO), respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits)
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17 pages, 5068 KB  
Article
The Contribution of Evaporite Layers in the Formation of the Subvolcanic Type Fe Deposit in the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, Southwestern China: Insights from the S and O Isotopic Characteristics of the Kuangshanliangzi Deposit
by Qiu Wan, Chao Duan, Yanhe Li, Bin Hu, Kejun Hou and Tianshun Wang
Minerals 2025, 15(5), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15050456 - 27 Apr 2025
Viewed by 594
Abstract
The Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) is one of the largest igneous provinces, containing some of the world’s richest mineral resources. It mainly comprises magmatic Fe-Ti-V deposits and Cu-Ni sulfide deposits, with minor subvolcanic-type Fe deposits related to mafic–ultramafic rocks. The evaporite layer [...] Read more.
The Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP) is one of the largest igneous provinces, containing some of the world’s richest mineral resources. It mainly comprises magmatic Fe-Ti-V deposits and Cu-Ni sulfide deposits, with minor subvolcanic-type Fe deposits related to mafic–ultramafic rocks. The evaporite layer is involved in the metallogenic system, yet its contribution has not been examined in detail. In this study, an integrated geological study, single-mineral S and O isotopic analysis, and in situ S isotope analysis were carried out on pyrite and magnetite from the Kuangshanliangzi (KSLZ) subvolcanic-type Fe deposit to examine the role of evaporite layers in Fe mineralization. The O isotopic values of magnetite and the S isotopic values of pyrite were abnormally high in the KSLZ deposit. This indicates that the ore-forming system of the KSLZ deposit is contaminated by 18O- and 34S-enriched evaporite layers, inferred from the Dengying Formation, which significantly increase the oxygen fugacity, sulfur fugacity, and water content of the metallogenic system via the basic–ultrabasic magma-upwelling process, thus promoting the formation of Fe ores. When the SO42− (from evaporite layers) oxidizes Fe2+ to Fe3+, the SO42− is reduced to S2−, and the ore-forming system can be changed from unsaturated sulfide to supersaturated sulfide, which also benefits the Cu-Ni sulfide deposit formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralization and Metallogeny of Iron Deposits)
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