Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 2015, 3, 150-155
Published Online February 2015 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/jamp
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jamp.2015.32023
How to cite this paper: Guo, W.W. (2015) Magnetic Mineralogical Characteristics of Hamersley Iron Ores in Western Aus-
tralia. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 3, 150-155. http ://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ jamp.2015.32023
Magnetic Mineralogical Characteristics of
Hamersley Iron Ores in Western Australia
William W. Guo
School of Engineering & Technology, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Australia
Received 3 November 2014
Abstract
This paper presents the research outcomes of a magnetic mineralogical study on Hamersley iron
ores. Thermal magnetic analysis shows that typical high-grade martite-microplaty hematite or M-
(mpl H) and martite-microplaty hematite-goethite or M-(mpl H)-g ores contain a small amount of
original magnetite. A small amount of magnetite/maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite may
exist in typical martite-goethite (M-G) and martite-ochreous goethite (M-oG) ores. In “the hardcap
zone”, M-(H)-g ores contain a small amount of magnetite and maghemite. Compared with XRD,
thermal magnetic analysis is not only more sensitive in identifying trace of magnetite contained in
high-grade hematite ores, but also more diagnostic in identifying other unstable magnetic miner-
als like maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite co-existed in the ores.
Keywords
Thermal Magnetic Analysis, Hamersley Iron Ores, Ferromagnetic Minerals, Hamersley Province
1. Introduction
The Hamersley Province in the southern Pilbara is situated in the northwest of Western Australia, approximately
1000 km north of Perth. The province contains extensive banded iron formations (BIFs) and large iron-ore de-
posits, consisting predominantly of hematite/martite and goethite, and contains approximately 10% of the
world’s known reserves of iron ore [1]. Study on magnetism of iron ores and rocks in this region has a profound
impact on exploration of new iron ore deposits [2] [3], understanding the genesis of iron ore formation [4]-[6],
magnetic mineralogy [7]-[9], and potentially iron ore grade control in mining [10].
Some studies relevant to magnetism in the region were conducted since 1968, mainly focused on palaeomag-
netism [4]-[6] [11] [12] and magnetic petrophysics for iron ore exploration [13]. This paper presents the research
outcomes of a magnetic mineralogical investigation on Hamersley iron ores. This is the first time that a syste-
matic thermal magnetic approach was used to identify magnetic mineral combinations of different iron ores in
the region. Compared with other methods such as XRD, this approach was proven not only more sensitive to
trace of magnetite contained in high-grade hematite ores, but also more diagnostic in identifying other unstable
magnetic minerals co-existed in the ores. This new finding leads to a better understanding of Hamersley iron
ores classification established through traditional geological, geochemical, and mineralogical models [14]-[16].
In the following sections, Hamersley iron ores are firstly described and followed by the thermal magnetic ex-

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periments conducted on the typical Hamersley iron ores selected from samples taken from some mines in the
Hamersley Province in Western Australia. Discussions will then be made based on comparison between the re-
sults from this study and existing data so as to achieve a better understanding of the iron ores in the Hamersley
Province. Conclusions will be drawn from this study at the end of this paper.
2. Classification of Hamersley Iron Ores
Hamersley iron ores have been described by many geologists [14]-[16]. These have led to the establishment of a
comprehensive Pilbara Iron Ore Classification (PIOC), mainly based on mineralogical and chemical studies. A
simplified iron ore classification, derived from [16], is used for this study (Figure 1).
Those ores essentially free of goethite are called martite-microplaty hematite ore or M-(mpl H) ore. The mi-
croplaty form of hematite is a diagnostic feature of these ores. Typical examples of these ores occur at Tom
Price and Whaleback mines, so these ores are also named the TP/W Ore Type. Microplaty hematite ores in
which significant goethite is present are termed the martite-microplaty hematite-goethite ore or M-(mpl H)-g ore.
The Paraburdoo mine is typical for these ores so it is also named the Paraburdoo Ore Type.
Goethite rich ores, in general, are divided into two types, the Martite-Goethite type (M-G) ores, and the Mar-
tite-ochreous Goethite type (M-oG) ores which contain significant levels of ochreous goethite. In ores from the
upper levels of M-G or M-oG deposits or “the hardcap zone”, there are significant proportions of massive sec-
ondary hematite (H) that have resulted from the dehydration of goethite. Ores of this type are shown as M-(H)-g.
3. Thermal Magnetic Experiments
3.1. Principles of Thermal Magnetic Analysis
The Curie temperature, at which the magnetic ordering of a mineral is destroyed [17], is the benchmark for iden-
tifying magnetic minerals. The general features of the Curie temperature for some common magnetic minerals
are given in Table 1 [18 ] [19]. However, it should be noted that the Curie temperature of a magnetic mineral
may be affected by the presence of impurities [20]. The heating of a sample may induce chemical changes in its
magnetic, and sometimes non-magnetic, minerals, and results in the generation and destruction of magnetic
minerals at certain temperatures. Some possible thermal chemical reactions involving magnetic minerals are
summarized in Table 2 [18] [19]. These chemical reactions can also be used for identifying the magnetic and
sometimes non-magnetic minerals in a rock.
Table 1. Some generalised properties of ferromagnetic minerals.
Minerals Composition Curie/Neel temperature (˚C) Mass susceptibility (×10−8 SI/kg)
Magnetite Fe3O4 575 - 580 578
Maghemite γ -Fe3O4 unstable 500
Hematite α -Fe2O3 675 - 680 25
Goethite γ -FeOH 120 - 130 0.5 - 1.5
Pyrrhotite Fe7S8 320 0.1 - 20
Table 2. Thermochemical reactions involving magnetic minerals.
Initial mineral Alteration product Converting temperature (˚C)
Maghemite Hematite 350 - 450
Pyrrhotite Magnetite >500
Pyrite Magnetite 350 - 500
Lepidocrocite Maghemite 220 - 270
Goethite Hematite 200 - 400
Siderite Magnetite >200

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152
Figure 1. Hamersley iron-ore classification used in this study.
Low-field magnetic susceptibility of powders of selected iron ores was measured using a Bartington MS2
susceptibility/anisotropy system. The powders were not sealed in a vacuum container during both heating and
cooling stages so as to observe the difference between demagnetization and remagnetization of unstable mag-
netic minerals contained in the ore samples during the experiment. The maximum heating temperature was set at
710˚C. Thermal susceptibility measurements were operated within a magnetic shield.
3.2. Hematite/Martite
Most M-(mpl H) and M-(mpl H)-g ores are dominated by hematite/martite. In the κ-T curve of sample NM03
(Figure 2), the sharp changes in susceptibility occurring around 675˚C in both heating and cooling curves indi-
cate the presence of hematite/martite, whereas the small variations in susceptibility around 570˚C show the ex-
istence of a trace of magnetite in this ore sample.
3.3. Hematite/Martite + Magnetite
Figure 3 shows an ore sample containing both hematite/martite and magnetite. In the κ-T curves of samples
TP06, the two drops in susceptibility at temperatures of ~570˚C and ~670˚C correspond to the Curie tempera-
tures of magnetite and hematite/martite, respectively. The magnetite is the residue of original magnetite in BIF
that has not been completely oxidised to hematite/martite.
3.4. Magnetite + Maghemite (+ Hematite/Martite)
Figure 4 shows a “hard cap” ore sample consisting of magnetite, maghemite and hematite/martite. The first de-
crease in susceptibility in the temperature range 300˚C to 350˚C may indicate the presence of maghemite and its
conversion to hematite. The drops in susceptibility around 570˚C correspond to the Curie temperature of magne-
tite. Weak drops in susceptibility appear at ~680˚C indicating the presence of hematite/martite, but this is not as
evident as magnetite.
3.5. Pyrrhotite/Pyrite/Siderite + (Magnetite) + Hematite/Martite
For Martite-ochreous Goethite (M-oG) ores, the sharp susceptibility increases at temperatures of 400˚C to 550˚C
in the heating curves, shown on Figure 5, may indicate the chemical conversion of pyrite/pyrrhotite or siderite
to magnetite. The subsequent immediate drops in susceptibility after 550˚C indicate the Curie temperature of
magnetite (either primary or secondary). There is no strong show of existence of hematite/martite in this curve,
but the ore is actually dominated by 90% of hematite/martite in weight. It is just because the magnetism pro-
duced by a few percentage of primary or secondary magnetite in the ore is so strong that the magnetism pro-
duced by hematite/martite is completely compressed. When using M-oG ores with 98% of hematite/martite in
weight for the experiment, magnetic effect of hematite/martite appears, shown in Figure 6.
4. Discussion
4.1. Comparison between XRD and Thermal Magnetic Analysis
Table 3 shows the sensitivity of both XRD and thermal magnetic analyses for identifying ferromagnetic miner-
als contained in typical Hamersley iron ores. Both are able to identify hematite/martite because of its dominance
in all three types of ores. XRD is superb in detecting goethite but thermal magnetic analysis completely fails in
detecting goethite in the ores. On the other hand, thermal magnetic analysis is able to indicate existence of small
amount of magnetite, maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite in some ores but XRD fails to do so.

W. W. Guo
153
Figure 2. Thermal susceptibility curve of M-(mpl H) ore.
Figure 3. Thermal susceptibility curve of M-(mpl H)-g ore.
Figure 4. Thermal susceptibility curve of ‘hard cap’ M-(H)-g ore.
Figure 5. Thermal susceptibility curve of M-oG ore with some pyrite/ pyrr-
hotite or siderite.

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154
Figure 6. Thermal susceptibility curve of M-oG ore with a small amount of
pyrite/pyrrhotite or siderite.
Table 3. XRD and thermal magnetic analysis in identifying ferromagnetic minerals in Hamersley iron ores.
M-(mpl H)-g ore M-(H)-g ore M-oG ore
XRD Thermal magnetic XRD Thermal magnetic XRD Thermal magnetic
Magnetite N Y N Y N N
Maghemite - - N Y - -
Hematite Y Y Y Y Y Y
Goethite Y N Y N Y N
Pyrrhotite/Pyrite/Siderite - - - - N Y
4.2. Contribution to Hamersley Iron Ore Classification
The results of thermal magnetic analysis show the dominance of hematite/martite in M-(mpl H)/M-(mpl H)-g
ores, and also indicate the common presence of a small amount of magnetite. Strength of susceptibility of mag-
netite is about 200 times stronger than that of hematite [1]. Thus, when both magnetite and hematite are present,
where magnetite is even between 0.1 - 0.5 wt%, magnetic signature of magnetite will be clearly exhibited.
Therefore, a very small fraction of magnetite in M-(mpl H)/M-(mpl H)-g ores can make a significant contribu-
tion to the magnetic properties of iron ores. This is also applicable to M-(H)-g/M-G/M-oG ores, which also con-
tain a small amount of magnetite and maghemite. It is also noticeable that iron sulphides such as pyrite and pyr-
rhotite are present in some of the ores, particularly goethite-rich ores.
5. Conclusions
This thermal magnetic analysis indicates that a trace or a small amount of original magnetite exists commonly in
typical high-grade martite-microplaty hematite or M-(mpl H) ores and martite-microplaty hematite-goethite or
M-(mpl H)-g ores in the Hamersley Province. Typical martite-goethite (M-G) and martite-ochreous goethite
(M-oG) ores contain a small amount of magnetite, and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite. In the upper levels of M-G or
M-oG deposits or “the hardcap zone”, M-(H)-g ores contain a small amount of magnetite and maghemite.
Thermal magnetic analysis can identify a small amount of magnetite, maghemite and pyrite/pyrrhotite/siderite
in different ores, of which XRD is incapable of finding. However, thermal magnetic analysis cannot detect goe-
thite in the ores, at which XRD is good.
Acknowledgements
The Minerals & Energy Research Institute of WA (MERIWA), BHP Iron Ore, Hamersley Iron, and Robe River
Iron Associates are thanked for partly supporting this research. This study was supported by an Overseas Post-
graduate Research Scholarship of Commonwealth Government of Australia, and a UWA University Postgra-
duate Award. Guidance from Professors ZX Li and C Powell was much appreciated.

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155
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