BIF Mineralogy

BIF may consist of: Mineralogical facies

Fe – oxides (Magnetite, Haematite)
Fe - carbonates (Siderite, ankerite)
Fe – silicate (Fe-Mg silicates)
Fe – sulphides (pyrite, pyrrhotite) in black
carbonaceous slates

Cherty layer: Jasper, chalcedony

There are two kinds of BIF:

a)Algoma type
Mainly Archean associated with volcanic rocks
and formed from submarine volcanic processes.

b) Superior type
Mostly Proterozoic formed from chemical
marine sedimentation.
 Algoma type BIF
o Algoma type BIF is a characteristic of Archean greenstone
belts.
o Contain oxide, carbonate and sulphide facies.
o No oolitic textures
o Associated and occur proximal to volcanic rocks \ centres.
o Large deposit of Archean age occur in Guyanan and Liberian
shields.
o These rocks are relative small in size compared to Superior
type.
o Formed largely by submarine volcanic processes, probably
hot spring activities, proximal to volcanic centres.