Geochemistry of canga (ferricrete) and evolution of the weathering profile developed on itabirite and iron ore in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Mineralogical and whole rock geochemical analyses for 60 elements on 31 samples of hard ferruginous crust (canga) provide insights into the evolution of the lateritic profile developed on itabirite. Canga can form in two environments: in situ canga that typically caps itabirite and transported canga that covers country rock. Both have similar mineralogical and chemical compositions. Detrital haematite and rare quartz inherited from the itabirite...