CANADIAN AND WORLD MINERAL DEPOSIT DATABASES
Geological Survey of Canada


Deposit number Country Location Names Commodities
23 Sweden (Nörrbotten County) 67.50.04 N -- 020.11.40 E Kirunavaara; Kiirunavaara Malmfalt Fe; P
 
Database name: World Fe-oxide+/-Cu-Au-U (IOCG) deposits
Compilers: Sunil S. Gandhi
Release date: 2015-03-04
   
Deposit name(s): Kirunavaara; Kiirunavaara Malmfalt
Political location(s): Sweden; Province or state: Nörrbotten County; Nearest community: Kiruna Stad (1 km SW)
Deposit clan (type): Kiruna-type
Deposit (sub) types: volcanogenic stratabound; Type deposit for the massive iron oxide deposits with accessory apatite and actinolite, and rare sulphides, in felsic volcano-plutonic setting; Reference: Frietsch, R.; Papunen, H.; Vokes, F. M., 1979: The Ore Deposits in Finland, Norway and Sweden - A Review; Economic Geology, Volume 74, p. 975 - 1001
Deposit status: producer; Size category: giant
Geologic province: Svecofennian Orogen
Geologic subprovince: Northern Svecofennian
Geologic district: Kiruna (Ore District)
Deposit object located: open pit
Commodities: Fe; P
Mineralization styles: massive; breccia
Geological ages: Late Paleoproterozoic (mineralization)
Late Paleoproterozoic (host rocks)
Tectonic setting: continental marginal arc-foreland; convergent; Formal name: late Svecofennian arc (host rocks)
Coincident features: stratiform at base of rhyolite sequence (tabular body 4 km long, 90 m thick, extends for more than 1 km down dip, which is 50 to 60 degrees to the ENE); Coincident feature name: Kiruna Mine series
Regional tectonic structure: monoclinal sequence dipping 50 to 60 degrees to the east-northeast (tilting due to regional deformation at the end of Svecofennian orogeny ca 1880 Ma) Tectonic structure name: Kiruna Mine series
Host rocks: (1) volcanic; felsic volcanic rocks (quartz porphyries); Magma series/sedimentary package/metamorphic group: calc-alkaline; Depositional setting: continental; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
External host rock forms:porphyritic, in part mylonitized and gneissic
Host rock protoliths:porphyritic rhyolites (feldspar and quartz-feldspar porphyritic rhyolites; deformed and metamorphosed; referred to as 'leptites' in older literature ); Host rock protolith name: Kiruna Porphyries
Internal host rock structures:porphyritic, fine grained granular and gneissic
Individual lithologies:quartz porphyritic rhyolite (affected by alkali metasomatism related to emplacement of the Kirunavaara depost)
Host rock stratigraphy:Kiruna Mine series

(2) intrusive; syenite suite (microsyenite porphyries); Magma series/sedimentary package/metamorphic group: calc-alkaline; Depositional setting: continental; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Host rock protoliths:iron-rich alkalic rhyodacitic magma (high-level intrusive); Host rock protolith name: Kiruna footwall syenite porphyry
Individual lithologies:iron-rich alkalic rhyodacite (affected by alkali metasomatism related to formation of the ore deposit; mainly sodic, some potassic)
Host rock stratigraphy:Kiruna footwall syenite porphyry
Related igneous rocks: (1) intrusive; syenite suite (footwall of the deposit, extrusive or intrusive); Initials: Lower Kiruna mine sequence; Magma series: calc-alkaline; Depositional setting: hypabyssal
Individual lithologies:porphyritic microsyenite (contemporaneous with intrusive syenite porphyry body at the core)

(2) intrusive; granite suite (subvertical dykes cut the Kirunavaara ore body); Initials: granophyric dykes; Magma series: calc-alkaline; Depositional setting: hypabyssal
Individual lithologies:granitic
granitic (graphic granite-granophyre)
Country rocks: (1) felsic volcano-plutonic assemblage; (rhyolites and dacites); Country rock name: Kiruna Mine series; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:felsic volcanics (quartz porphyritic, soda metasomatized); Country rock protolith name: porphyritic rhyolite
Metallogenic signatures: Fe-P
Alteration signatures: silicification: quartz; What was altered: wall rock
phyllitization: muscovite; What was altered: wall rock
chloritization: chlorite; What was altered: wall rock
carbonatization: calcite; What was altered: wall rock
tourmalinization: tourmaline; What was altered: wall rock
barite alteration: barite; What was altered: wall rock
allanite replacement: allanite
zircon replacement: zircon; What was altered: wall rock
fluorite replacement: fluorite; What was altered: wall rock
hematization: hematite after primary magnetite; What was altered: ore
Mineralogy: (alteration): quartz, muscovite, chlorite, calcite, tourmaline, barite, allanite, zircon, fluorite
(mineralization): magnetite>>hematite, apatite, actinolite, calcite, tremolite
Radiometric ages: Object dated: Host Rocks(1); Age - Ma: 1,880; +20; -20; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: zircon; Source rock: rhyolite; Formal name: hanging wall sequence; Event dated: host rock; Interpretive comment: age represents the time of felsic extrusive activity and formation of Kirunavaara deposit; Reference: Welin, E., 1987: The Depositional Evolution of the Svecofennian Supracrustal Sequence in Finland and Sweden; Precambrian Research, Volume 35, p. 95 - 113

Object dated: Related igneous rocks; Age - Ma: 1,880; +3; -3; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: zircon; Source rock: granite; Formal name: Kiruna Mine series; Event dated: post-mineralization; Interpretive comment: granophyric dykes related to this granite intrusive cut the Kirunavaara deposit; Reference: Cliff, R. A.; Rickard, D.; Blake, K., 1990: Isotopic Systematics of the Kiruna Magnetite Ores, Sweden. Part I. Age of the Ore; Economic Geology, Volume 85, p. 1770 - 1776

Object dated: Related igneous rocks; Age - Ma: 1,880; +35; -35; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: zircon; Source rock: granophyric dyke; Formal name: post-ore dyke; Event dated: post-mineralization; Interpretive comment: minimum age of the Kirunavaara deposit; Reference: Cliff, R. A.; Rickard, D.; Blake, K., 1990: Isotopic Systematics of the Kiruna Magnetite Ores, Sweden. Part I. Age of the Ore; Economic Geology, Volume 85, p. 1770 - 1776

Object dated: Host Rocks; Age - Ma: 1,890; +90; -90; Dating method: Sm-Nd; Concentrate: whole rock; Source rock: host volcanics and related intrusives; Formal name: Kiruna Mine series and intrusives; Event dated: host rock; Interpretive comment: age of the host volcanic sequence and related high level intrusions; Reference: Cliff, R. A.; Rickard, D.; Blake, K., 1990: Isotopic Systematics of the Kiruna Magnetite Ores, Sweden. Part I. Age of the Ore; Economic Geology, Volume 85, p. 1770 - 1776

Object dated: Country Rocks; Age - Ma: 1,930; +50; -50; Dating method: Sm-Nd; Concentrate: whole rock; Source rock: basaltic flows; Formal name: Kiruna greenstones; Event dated: pre-mineralization; Interpretive comment: maximum age for the Kiruna Mine series which unconformably overlies the metabasalts dated; Reference: Skiold, T.; Cliff, R. A., 1984: Sm, Nd and U-Pb Dating of Early Proterozoic Mafic Felsic Volcanism in Northernmost Sweden; Precambrian Research, Volume 26, p. 1 - 13

Object dated: Host Rocks(2); Age - Ma: 1,876; +9; -9; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: titanite; Source rock: footwall of Kiirunavaara deposit; Formal name: alteration event ; Event dated: post-mineralization (alteration); Interpretive comment: titanite-actinolite-calcite amygdules in the footwall represent alteration related to a syenite sill; Reference: Romer, R. L.; Martinsson, O.; Perdahl, J. A., 1994: Geochronology of the Kiruna Ores and Hydrothermal Alterations; Economic Geology, Volume 89, p. 1249 - 1261

Object dated: Mineralogy; Age - Ma: 1,888; +6; -6; Dating method: U-Pb; Concentrate: titanite; Source rock: magnetite-titanite dyke; Formal name: ore formation event; Event dated: mineralization; Interpretive comment: the dyke dated is from the Luossavaara deposit 1 km N along strike of the Kiirunavaara deposit; Reference: Romer, R. L.; Martinsson, O.; Perdahl, J. A., 1994: Geochronology of the Kiruna Ores and Hydrothermal Alterations; Economic Geology, Volume 89, p. 1249 - 1261
Deposit shape: tabular
Deposit dimensions:strike length: 4 kilometres
thickness: 90 metres
length down-dip: 1 kilometres
Qualified comments: (Applies to: discovery and development) Discovered in ~ 1736; open pit mining from 1898 to 1950s; from 1962 only underground mining; total resources in the order of 2250 Mt; mining started after construction of railroad from Luleä to NarvikStarted in 1898; current underground mininig below an open pit to 700 m depth; development to 1000 m; annual production: largest underground iron mine in the world
References:
Anonymous, 2000
Swedish Database of Mineral Deposits
Email

Blake, K. L.; Duckworth, R. C. , 1995
Mineralization Styles in the Proterozoic of Sweden
in Metallogeny of Proterozoic Basins, Edited by Rainbird, R. H., Mineral Deposits Research Unit Short Course #19, The Mineral Deposits Research Unit, The University of British Columbia, p. 1 - 36

Bookstrom, A. A., 1995
Magmatic Features of Iron Ores of the Kiruna Type in Chile and Sweden: Ore Textures and Magnetite Geochemistry - A Discusssion
Economic Geology, Volume 90, p. 469 - 473

Carlon, C. J., 2000
Iron Oxide Systems and Base Metal Mineralisation in Northern Sweden
Section Eurasia and Africa, in Hydrothermal Iron Oxide Copper-Gold and Related Deposits: A Global Perspective, Volume 1, Edited by Porter, T. M., Australian Mineral Foundation, Adelaide, Australia, PGC Publishing, Adelaide, 349 p, p. 283 - 296

Cliff, R. A.; Rickard, D.; Blake, K., 1990
Isotopic Systematics of the Kiruna Magnetite Ores, Sweden. Part I. Age of the Ore
Economic Geology, Volume 85, p. 1770 - 1776

Frietsch, R., 1973
The Origin of Kiruna Iron Ores
Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, Volume 95, p. 375 - 380

Frietsch, R., 1977
The Iron Ore Deposits in Sweden
in The Iron Ore Deposits of Europe and Adjacent Areas: Explanatory Notes to the International Map of the Iron Ore Deposits of Europe, 1:2,500,000 (Text and Figures), Edited by Walther, H. W.; Zitzmann, A., International Geological Congress, Commission for the Geological Map of the World, Subcommission for the Metallogenic Map of the World, Bundesanstalt fur Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Postfach 51 01 53, D-3000 Hannover 51, Volume I, 418 p, p. 279 - 293

Frietsch, R., 1978
On the Magmatic Origin of Iron Ores of the Kiruna Type
Economic Geology, Volume 73, p. 478 - 485

Frietsch, R.; Papunen, H.; Vokes, F. M., 1979
The Ore Deposits in Finland, Norway and Sweden - A Review
Economic Geology, Volume 74, p. 975 - 1001

Frietsch, R., 1982
Formation of Mg-Bearing Magnetite and Serpentine in Skarn Iron Ores in Northern Sweden
Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, Volume 106, p. 219 - 230

Gaál, G.; Gorbatschev, R., 1987
An Outline of the Precambrian Evolution of the Baltic Shield
Precambrian Research, Volume 35, p. 15 - 32

Gandhi, S. S.; Bell, R. T., 1993
Metallogenic Concepts to Aid Exploration for the Giant Olympic Dam-Type Deposits and their Derivatives
in Proceedings, Eighth Quadrennial IAGOD Symposium, Ottawa, Canada, August 12-18, 1990, Edited by Maurice, Y. T., IAGOD Proceedings, International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits, E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, 900 p, p. 787 - 802

Gandhi, S. S.; Bell, R. T., 1996
Kiruna/Olympic Dam Iron-Copper-Uranium-Gold
in Geology of Canadian Mineral Deposit Types, Edited by Eckstrand, O. R.; Sinclair, W. D.; Thorpe, R. I., Geology of Canada, Decade of North American Geology (DNAG), Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Society of America, Volume 8, 640 p, p. 513 - 522

Geijer, P., 1931
The Iron Ores of the Kiruna Type: Geographical Distribution, Geological Character and Origin
Sveriges Geologiska Undersökning, Serie C, Geological Survey of Sweden, Publication code 367, 39 p.

Geijer, P.; Ödman, O. H., 1974
The Emplacement of the Kiruna Ores and Related Deposits
Serie C, Sveriges Geologiska Undersokning, Geological Survey of Sweden, Publication code 700, 48 p.

Hitzman, M. W.; Oreskes, N.; Einaudi, M. T., 1992
Geological Characteristics and Tectonic Setting of Proterozoic Iron Oxide (Cu-U-Au-REE) Deposits
Precambrian Research, Volume 58, p. 241 - 287

Martinsson, O.; Weihed, P., 1999
Metallogeny of Juvenile Paleoproterozoic Vocanic Arcs and Greenstone Belts in Rifted Archean Crust in the Northern Part of Sweden, Fennoscandian Shield
in Mineral Deposits: Process to Processing (Volumes 1 and 2), Edited by Stanley, C. J., 5th Biennial SGA Meeting and 10th Quadrennial IAGOD Symposium/London/United Kingdom/22-25 Aug 1999, SGA and International Association for Genesis of Ore Deposits, A. A. Balkema/Rotterdam/Brrokfield/1999, 1475 p, p. 1329 - 1332

Nyström, J. O.; Henriquez, F., 1989
Dendritic Magmetite and Miniature Diapir-Like Concentrations of Apatite - Two Magmatic Features of the Kiirunavaara Ore
GFF (Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar), Volume 3, p. 53 - 64

Nyström, J. O.; Henriquez, F., 1994
Magmatic Features of Iron Ores of the Kiruna Type in Chile and Sweden: Ore Textures and Magnetite Geochemistry
Economic Geology, Volume 89, p. 820 - 839

Nyström, J. O.; Henriquez, F., 1995
Magmatic Features of Iron Ores of the Kiruna Type: Ore Textures and Magnetite Geochemistry - A Reply
Economic Geology, Volume 90, p. 473 - 475

Offerberg, J., 1967
Description of the Geological Maps Kiruna N.W., N.E., S.W. and S.E. with an Appendix on the Aero-magnetic Maps by S. Werner
Sveriges Geologiska Undersökning, Serie Af., No. 1-4, Geological Survey of Sweden, 147 p., 8 maps.

Parák, T., 1975
The Origin of Kiruna Iron Ores
Sveriges Geologiska Undersökning, Serie C, Arsbok 69, NR 1, Geological Survey of Sweden, Publication code 709, 209 p.

Romer, R. L.; Martinsson, O.; Perdahl, J. A., 1994
Geochronology of the Kiruna Ores and Hydrothermal Alterations
Economic Geology, Volume 89, p. 1249 - 1261

Skiold, T.; Cliff, R. A., 1984
Sm, Nd and U-Pb Dating of Early Proterozoic Mafic Felsic Volcanism in Northernmost Sweden
Precambrian Research, Volume 26, p. 1 - 13

Skiöld, T., 1987
Implications of New U-Pb Zircon Chronology to Early Proterozoic Crustal Accretion in Northern Sweden
Precambrian Research, Volume 38, p. 147 - 164

Wastenson, L.; Helmfrid, S.; Arnberg, U.; Elg, M.; Syren, M.; Freden, C., 1994
Geology: National Atlas of Sweden
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SNA Publishing, Stockholm University, 208 p.

Welin, E., 1987
The Depositional Evolution of the Svecofennian Supracrustal Sequence in Finland and Sweden
Precambrian Research, Volume 35, p. 95 - 113

Production data: Report period: from 1898; 1,100 million metric tons ore; Provisional entry?: no; Yearly or summary?: S
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 63 percent
P: 2 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2000: Swedish Database of Mineral Deposits; Email
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%
Resource data:
Disclaimer - Reserves/Resource Data

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan) does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of Reserve and Resource information (Data) contained in this database, including whether the Data is compliant with any securities regulations or standards, and NRCan does not assume any liability with respect to any damage or loss incurred as a result of the use made of the Data.

Resource and reserve figures are historical in nature. The Data source provided with each set of figures should be cited if the Data are re-reported.

Estimate date: 2006-12-31; 662 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: no; Resource category: proven reserve
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 48.6 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2007: Annual Report 2006: LKAB; Annual Report, http://www.lkab.com, Luossavara Kirunavaara Aktie Bolag (LKAB), 118 p.
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%


Estimate date: 2006-12-31; 77 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: no; Resource category: probable reserve
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 46.8 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2007: Annual Report 2006: LKAB; Annual Report, http://www.lkab.com, Luossavara Kirunavaara Aktie Bolag (LKAB), 118 p.
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%


Estimate date: 2007-12-31; 122 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: no; Resource category: measured resource
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 47.9 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2007: Annual Report 2006: LKAB; Annual Report, http://www.lkab.com, Luossavara Kirunavaara Aktie Bolag (LKAB), 118 p.
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%


Estimate date: 2007-12-31; 133 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: no; Resource category: indicated resource
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 46.5 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2007: Annual Report 2006: LKAB; Annual Report, http://www.lkab.com, Luossavara Kirunavaara Aktie Bolag (LKAB), 118 p.
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%


Estimate date: 2007-12-31; 122 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: yes; Resource category: inferred resource
Grade-commodity information:Fe: 46.5 percent
Reference: Anonymous, 2007: Annual Report 2006: LKAB; Annual Report, http://www.lkab.com, Luossavara Kirunavaara Aktie Bolag (LKAB), 118 p.
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%
Associated mine(s): Kirunavaara (2)

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