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Major Initiatives

Alteration and mineralization styles related to high-grade iron ore in the eastern Hamersley Province, Western Australia

Hamersley province, Western Australia

This project will extend knowledge of iron ore genesis and controls in the eastern Hamersley basin. The study integrates the extensive, but unpublished, database of BHPB Iron Ore with new data obtained from field and laboratory work. It aims to test the present genetic model, and eventually generate revised genetic and new conceptual exploration models.

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BIF-hosted high-grade iron ore in the central Southern Cross Domain: Ore genesis and conceptual targeting

Southern Cross, Western Australia

This two-year postdoctoral project (2008-2010 with ongoing research) is one of the first detailed scientific investigation on BIF-hosted high-grade iron ore systems in the Yilgarn craton. These so far underexplored systems are increasingly of interest for the local and international mining industry.

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Camp to craton-scale controls on iron ore in the Pilbara craton

Pilbara Craton, Western Australia

This two-year project examines the diverse nature of existing iron ore deposits in the Pilbara craton, interprets the fundamental controls on ore genesis, and develops a mineral systems model for iron ore deposits in the Pilbara craton.

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Contrasting styles of high-grade iron mineralisation at Weld Range, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Weld Range, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

This two-year study on the genesis of BIF-hosted iron ore deposits in the Weld Range district was completed in mid-2011. Sponsored by Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd., the goal of the project was to understand the main controls on the genesis of the ore bodies and to improve the exploration strategy for the district.

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Genesis and Targeting of BIF-hosted Iron Ore Deposits in the Yilgarn Craton

Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

This project examines which geological processes are vital for controlling the location of high-grade, BIF-hosted iron ore deposits in the Yilgarn Craton, and evaluates exploration methods for their discovery.

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Modelling of the MRRT Impact on Iron Ore Mines

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

The initial proposal for the introduction of a Resource Super Profit Tax (RSPT) first and then of the currently debated Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) created a critical need for rigorous and independent modelling of their financial impact at the project level. The CET has undertaken to carry out such modelling in the case of small to mid-size iron ore mines and to publish the relevant results and policy advice.

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Research Projects

Genesis of hypogene iron ore mineralization in the Serra Norte deposits

Carajas, Brazil

This project sought to characterise the hypogene high-grade iron ore bodies at the Serra Norte deposits at Carajas Brazil - the world’s largest high-grade iron ore resource. These investigations were instrumental in defining the P-T-X conditions of hypogene ore formation in this giant system. A three stage genetic model was postulated which has subsequently been applied in the exploration for deep extensions or concealed iron ore bodies.

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Genesis of the hypogene iron ore mineralization at Tom Price and Paraburdoo, Hamersley province, Western Australia

Hamersley province, Western Australia

This PhD project centers on the Tom Price and Paraburdoo BIF-hosted iron deposits in the Hamersley province of Western Australia, which is one of the world’s premier iron ore regions. Mineralogical and geochemical investigations revealed a complex three stage hydrothermal origin for hypogene martite-microplaty hematite ore.

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Geological history and genesis of the high-grade iron ore deposits of the Joyner's Find greenstone belt

Joyner's Find, Western Australia

The project consisted of 1:2000 scale field mapping of the iron formations of the Joyner's Find Greenstone belt (JFG) and associated petrographic studies of iron ore and BIF. Numerous ore types including microplaty hematite and specular hematite and a detailed geological history involving folding, thermal metamorphism and crustal scale shearing followed by two marine transgressions are described.

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Hashimoto high-grade martite-goethite, martite-microplatey hematite iron ore deposit – ore genesis and alteration zoning

Eastern Hamersley Province

For the first time in BIF-hosted iron ore research, this MSc project combines the application of CSIRO’s HyloggerTM analyses and spatially high-resolution major, trace and REE geochemistry, together with traditional core logging and petrography, to characterise ore and alteration types and understand ore formation.

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