BIF Hosted-Iron Ore Deposits in West Africa: A Comprehensive Literature Review

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Abstract
The West African Craton hosts some of the world’s largest BIF-hosted iron ore deposits and represents a globally important iron province. Compilation of data from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, and Nigeria reveals marked regional variability, from high-grade hematite-rich direct-shipping ores to lower-grade magnetite-rich itabirites. At the province scale, Guinea is dominated by high-grade hematite ores, Liberia contains both hematite and magnetite-bearing ores, Sierra Leone hosts large magnetite-rich and hematite-rich resources, Mauritania combines Archean magnetite-rich and Paleoproterozoic high-grade hematite systems, whereas Nigerian deposits are generally smaller and lower-grade. Their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics record multistage evolution, involving primary sedimentation, metamorphic and structural reworking, hypogene alteration, and supergene enrichment. Geochemical discrimination diagrams indicate broad Algoma- and Superior-type affinities but are not uniquely diagnostic of ore genesis. Airborne geophysics, remote sensing, and geochemistry emerge as complementary exploration tools, particularly for delineating concealed BIFs and alteration zones regionally. Ore variability results in contrasting beneficiation requirements, and four generalized flowsheets link the principal ore types to appropriate processing routes. Major research gaps concern correlations between BIF belts, primary depositional signatures, fluid sources, enrichment timing, prioritized isotopic geochemistry, rare earth element systematics and the limited integration of mineralogical variability with beneficiation performance.
Funding Information
  • Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
  • Institut Supérieur des Mines et Géologie de Boké
  • OCP Fundation

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