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Iron Quadrangle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Iron Quadrangle (Portuguese: Quadrilátero Ferrífero) is a mineral-rich region covering about 7,000 square kilometres (2,700 sq mi) in the central-southern part of the Brazilian state Minas Gerais. The area is known for its extensive deposits of gold, diamonds, and iron ore, being the source of approximately 40% of all gold produced in Brazil between the years 1500 and 2000. The deposits themselves pertain to the Minas Supergroup, a sequence of meta-sedimentary rocks initially formed in the Paleoproterozoic, about 2.5 Ga. In the 2010s, there have been two collapses of large tailings dams, which caused extensive damage and loss of life.
Quick Facts Type, Unit of ...
Iron Quadrangle | |
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Stratigraphic range: Paleoproterozoic ~2600–2120 Ma | |
![]() Geologic map of the Iron Quadrangle | |
Type | Mining district |
Unit of | Minas Supergroup |
Underlies | Itacolomi Group |
Overlies | Rio das Velhas Supergroup |
Area | 7,000 square kilometres (2,700 sq mi) |
Lithology | |
Primary | Pegmatite, granitoid |
Other | Itabirite |
Location | |
Coordinates | 19.9°S 43.2°W / -19.9; -43.2 |
Region | Minas Gerais |
Country | Brazil |
Extent | São Francisco craton |
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