NEW STUDIES ON IRON RICH LENSES OF AL- HUSSAINIYAT AREA WESTERN DESERT IRAQ.

Abstract

The present work deals with the microscopic wet grain size & heavy mineal analysis in addition to chemical analysis studies , On (12) samples taken from four quarries of Al-Hussainiyat iron ore deposit representing the lenses of iron ore adjacent to ubaid dolostone Formation . The samples divided into (3) groups according to their textural & compositional nature. Group (A) represent the pisoidal ooidal fragmentary ironstone , (B) concretionery clayey ironstone while (C) represent the coloured clayey ironstone .

The main iron minerals are goethite , Hematite & Limonite while the non iron minerals are kaolinite & quartz. Chemical analysis shows the percentage of iron (Fe2O3) in group (A) before separation 51.9% and after separation 58.15 10 group (B) percentage of (Fe2O3) before separation 50% after separetion 57.83% While the total (Fe2O3) in group (C) is 48.20% .

The study also suggest that the iron ore of Al-Hussainiyat area is of sedimentary origin, transported by mean of river & channel to the basin of deposition from areas rich in iron ore, Several in situ separation & diagenesis processes were taken place. From heavy mineral studies, the source rocks were those of Acid igneous, metamonphic & reworked sedimentary origin.