Oxide chemistry and fluid inclusion constraints on the formation of itabirite-hosted iron ore deposits at the eastern border of the southern Espinhaço Range, Brazil

The Piçarrão and Liberdade deposits contain high-grade iron orebodies (>65% Fe) hosted in the Guanhães Group itabirite, that are associated with pegmatite veins and bodies. Fluid inclusion studies in quartz veins associated with the high-grade orebodies show that medium to high salinities (25–28 wt% NaCl eq.) and temperatures (275–375 °C) fluids are associated with the silica leaching that led to the iron enrichment. Mineral chemistry studies by...