Conference Proceedings
Iron Ore and Open Pit Operators Conference Proceeding 2026
Conference Proceedings
Iron Ore and Open Pit Operators Conference Proceeding 2026
The geology of the structurally complex Wyloo North Deposit
The Fortescue-owned Wyloo North iron ore deposit is located on the northern limb of the Wyloo Anticline in the south-western Hamersley Province, Western Australia. It forms part of a structurally controlled iron ore system which, together with the Wyloo South and Rio Tinto’s Metawandy deposits, contains hundreds of millions of tonnes of ore. This study integrates detailed >1:5000 scale geological mapping, structural analysis, drill core logging, and petrography to constrain the structural evolution, stratigraphic controls, and mineralisation history of the deposit. Wyloo North is dissected by at least 15 major faults over a ~23 km strike length, comprising multiple generations of predominantly normal faults with evidence of reactivation, back-thrusting, and minor strike-slip movement. Cross-cutting NW–SE faults, variably intruded by ~2008 Ma dolerite dykes, are interpreted to have acted as key permeability pathways for hydrothermal fluids and are spatially associated with high-grade martite–microplaty hematite mineralisation. Local stratigraphic variations within the Brockman Iron and Weeli Wolli Formations, including the local absence of the Paraburdoo Member and reduced sill development, further influence ore distribution and upgrading. Petrographic evidence indicates a multi-stage mineralising history involving Proterozoic hypogene martite microplaty hematite alteration overprinted by younger supergene processes. Mineralisation is interpreted to reflect long-lived, structurally focused hydrothermal fluid flow with mode-switching behaviour within a damage zone bounded by major faults. These results refine the structural framework of the Wyloo Anticline and improve orebody knowledge.
Contributor(s):
O P Shufeldt
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- Published: 2026
- Pages: 14
- PDF Size: 4.542 Mb.
- Unique ID: P-05354-W4L4H7