Geology and Ore 19, 2011

Iron ore potential in Greenland

The Greenland iron ore potential is mainly based on Archaean sedimentary and chemical iron deposits (BIF). However, notable occurrences related to Achaean and Proterozoic magmatism have recently demonstrated prominent iron ore accumulations. BIF type occurrences deliver the majority of iron ore and are amongst the world’s most important iron sources. Greenland also has vast potentials in de posits related to banded iron formations (BIF) of the so-called Algoma type, which are typical for Archaean greenstone belts formed in continental rifts or at continental margins. Deposits related to magmatism have been found in the Palaeo- proterozoic of Inglefield Land and in the Mesoproterozoic Gardar province.

Regional distribution and age of Greenland BIF

In Greenland BIF deposits are located at Isua (~3.8 Ga) in southern West Greenland, at Itilliarsuk (~2.85 Ga) in central West Greenland, and in North West Greenland along the Lauge Koch Kyst (~2.7 Ga). The deposits are all characterised by their large size, with some approaching gigantic dimensions.