Chapter V

THE BAUXITE OF THE QUADRILATERO FERRiFERO

B. Boulangé, A. Carvalho, CAC. Varajao, A.F. Varajao

The "Quadrilatero Ferrifero", located in the central part of Minas

Gerais state, Southeast Brazil, covers an area of nearly 7,000 km 2 . It is
a mountainous Precarnbrian region, with altitudes from 650 to 2,000 m.
The bauxite reserves of this region are estimated to 10 million tons, dis-
tributed in 24 small deposits, which ranges from 150 to 1,500 thousands
of tons. Considering both the geomorphological aspects and the geo-
logical situation, the deposit types have been interpreted differently in
the various studies carried out in the region. The majority of the studies
(Guimaraes, 1945; Vaz, 1945; Lacourt, 1947; Dorr, 1969; Moore, 1969;
Maxwell, 1972) suggested for the bauxites an autochthonous evolution
from clayey phyllites and dolomites, while in a few others (Fleischer et
al., 1968; Fleischer & Oliveira, 1969), the deposits were considered as
allochthonous. On the other hand, in ail these studies, it was mentioned
the presence of a discontinuity between the substratum and the mineral-
ized layers, which has been explained as a result of bauxitisation of
either lacustrine c1ayey sediments inside depressions (Varella & Rosales,
1977; Büchi et al., 1982), or volcanic acid rocks (Dorr, 1969).

1. Regional aspects

The "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" forms the southern end of the folded

belt of Sao Francisco Shield (Fig. V.1). The stratigraphic series overly a
granite-gneissic basement that is the central outcrop in the southern
part of the "Quadrilatero Ferrlfero". These series are constituted by 3
great Iithostratigraphic units (Harder & Chamberlin, 1915; Dorr, 1969;
Ladeira, 1980):
1 - Rio das Ve/has Supergroup forming a greenstone belt that in-

cludes the phyllitic and quartzitic formations of Nova Lima and Maquiné
groups, the ultramaphic rocks on the eastern border and the bearing
gold greenschists on the south.
- Minas and /tac%mi Supergroups formed by thick units of Protero-
zoic metasedimentary rocks. The Minas Supergraup has the most important
deposits of iron, manganese and aluminum. The general metamorphic grade
is lower than the greenschist facies, increasing fram west to east.

165
Boulangé, B. et al.

The bauxite deposits are generally associated with the Itabira

Group, included in the Minas Supergroup, al'ld containing two units: Cauê
and Gandarela formations. The main constituent of Cauê formation are
the itabirites, associated with dolomitic and amphibolitic facies, interca-
lated with phyllites and marble. The Gandarela formation is constituted
by dolomites, dolomitic phyllites, dolomitic itabirites and phyllites. Pires
(1979) postulated that the base of Gandarela Formation would be formed
by a magnetite-chlorite-schist, originated from mafic volcanic rocks, and
by dolomitic lens, suggesting an environ ment similar to the recent reefs.
It has to be remarked that the presence of volcanic rocks in the Minas
Supergroup has been mentioned quite often (Guimaraes, 1935, 1951,
1964; Guild, 1957; Simmons, 1958; Johnson, 1962; Dorr, 1969).
On the other hand, the occurrence of sedimentary deposit of Ter-
tiary or Quaternary age has been reported in the "Quadrilatero Ferrffero".
They constitute the lacustrine basins of Gandarela and Fonseca. Other
sedimentary deposits occur as weil in other regions, especially in
Gandarela, Macacos and Rio Acima Quadrangles.
The geological structure pattern in this Iron rich region results of
a complex tectonic, having three main trends (north, east and south)
and being constituted of three orogenetic phases. The first phase
(2,700 m.y.) is younger than the deposition of Rio das Velhas Super-
group, while the second and most important one (2,000 m.y.) affected
the Minas Supergroup and is equivalent to the Transamazonic Cycle.
The last phase (500 - 600 m.y.) corresponds to the Brazilian Cycle (Brito
Neves et al., 1979; Cordani et al., 1980; Uhlein et al., 1986).
The hydrological system is superimposed upon the geological
structure. The main rivers are the Paraopeba in the west and Velhas in
the center, which flows toward the Sao Francisco river. The Piracicaba
and Gualaxo rivers drain the eastern part of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero".
The present c1imate is of semi-tropical type. The mean tempera-
tures vary from 14 to 21°C and it is rarely higher than 30°C. The an nuai
mean rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 mm and increases from north-
west to southeast; the months of June and July are completely dry and
December and January are the most rainy months.
According to King (1956) and Dorr (1969), the geomorphological
evolution of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" was characterized by the devel-
opment of four surfaces placed at different levels, having different ages:
- the Gondwana surface (Lower Cretaceous), with altitudes vary-
ing from 1,500 to 1,600 m,
- the Post-Gondwana surface (Upper Cretaceous), between 1,200
and 1,400 m,

166
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

20°00

20°30

43°30
Œ2J \lacolumi Supergroup
lE Minas Supergroup
o 20 km o Rio das Velhas Supergroup
! !

o Cryslallin Basemenl
_ Unrabasic Rocks

1 - Casa da Pedra 9 - Fazenda do Vargem 17 - Cata Preta

2 - Serra da Bandeira 10 - Dois Ircuaos 18 - Batatal
3 - Jardine Canada 11 - Fazenda do Sape 19 • Canta Historia
4 - Vargem dos Oculos 12 - Faria 20 - Serra de Antonio Pereira
5 - Fazenda do Lopes 13 - Macaquinho 21 - Serra da Brigida
6 - Maquiné 14 - Fazendâo 22 - Morro do Cruzeiro
7 - Gandorela 15 - Morro da Arataca 23 - Tesoureiro
8 - Vigario da Vara 16 - Morro da Fraga 24· Moujolo

Figure V.1 - Geological map of the Quadrilatero Ferrîfero (modified after Dorr &
Barbosa. 1963) and location of the bauxite deposits.

- the Sul-Americana surface (Olîgocene-Miocene), with altitudes

from 850 to 950 m.
- the Velhas surface (Pliocene), forming the central part of the
"Quadriléltero Ferrifero" with an average altitude of 750 m.

167
Boulangé, B. et al.

From the beginning and up to now, the existence of these sur-

faces has been a matter of controversy (Varajao, 1988). Braun (1971),
just after the proposai of Dorr (1969), has remarked that it would be very
unlike that the rest of the Gondwana surface would be preserved after
the intense erosional process that happened in the post-Gondwana pe-
riod. In any case, the idea of a control of the topography by the Iithological
structure has been weil accepted.
With regard to the general morphological features, it is possible
to distinguish three units:
- the summits and the upper part of the higher topography, with
altitudes over 1,500 m;
- the hill slope, corresponding to the intermediate unit, with alti-
tudes ranging from 800 to 1,400 m;
- the depressions presenting altitudes varying from 1,200 to
1,400 m.
It has to be remarked that some other geomorphological units
can be found in the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero". That is the case of a large
depression, occurring in its central part, that was eut down by the Rio
das Velhas, Where the average altitude is about 800 m. The are also, in
the external border of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" some small plateaus,
in a rather low topographie position (about 900 m).

II. Classification of the bauxite deposits

The most part of the studies of the bauxite deposits, that nor-
mally followed their exploitation, were carried out taking into consider-
ation particularly the aspects associated with the topographie positions,
and consequently, with the erosional surfaces and their ages (Vaz, 1945;
Guimaraes, 1945; Guimaraes & Coelho, 1945; Lacourt, 1947; Fleischer
& Oliveira, 1969; Dorr, 1969; Moore, 1969; Maxwell, 1972; Ferreira, 1983).
Recently, a study was carried out by Varajao (1988) and despite not
presenting a detailed petrographie analysis, it represents a good inven-
tory of the deposits of this region.
Based on the knowledge accumulated so far, a classification of
the bauxite deposits of "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" is proposed here, ta king
into consideration both the geomorphological and geochemical aspects.
As concerning the geomorphological aspects it was observed that the
deposits were associated to 4 different units: high plateaus; hill slope;
depressions and low plateau. The geochemical aspect refers to the
average chemical composition of each deposit plotted on ternary dia-

168
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

gram Si02-AI203-Fe203 (Fig. v'2), based on chemical analysis from re-

giolléll mining companies (Table v'1). It can be observed that the depos-
its have a tendency to be distributed in 4 groups that correspond to the
different morphologies mentioned above.
Thus, based on these two aspects, the bauxite deposits of the
"Quadrilatero Ferrifero" were c1assified in 4 different types: the high pla-
teau bauxites - Type 1; the hill slope bauxites - Type Il; the depression
bauxites - Type III, and the low plateau bauxites - Type IV,

1. Type 1- High Plateau Bauxites

These deposits are ail situated in a high topographie position,

A 1203

1. High plateau bauxite 111. Depression bauxites

II. Hillslope bauxites IV. Low plateau bauxites

Figure V.2 - Diagram Si0 2 - AIP3 - Fe 2 0 3 allowing to range the Quadrilatero

Ferrifero bauxite deposits on function of its main chemical components.

169
Boulangé, B. et al.

forming either the summit of a sligHtly tilted plateau or a part of a slope oi

a higher topography:
Serra do Batatal: 1840 m Vigario da Vara: 1510 m
Gandarela: 1640 m Fazenda do Lopes: 1510 m
Maquiné: 1600 m Serra da Bandeira: 1500 m
Conta Historia: 1550 m Serra da Brigida: 1490 m
The average chemical composition shows that these bauxites,
with 47% AI203, are very poor in silica (1,5% Si02), but have a rather
high content of iron (22% Fe203).

2. Type 1/ - Hillslope Bauxites

These deposits occur in various altitudes and are also distrib-

uted on the morphological surfaces, except for the high plateau. They
are normally protected by the itabiritic wall (Itabira Group) of the folded
series of Minas Super-Group.
Tesoureiro: 1400 m Serra AntQ. Pereira: 1220 m
Jardim Canada: 1350 m Morro do Fraga: 1020 m
Monjolo: 1070 m Dois Irmaos: 950 m
Morro do Arataca: 950 m Fazendao: 890 m
Cata Preta: 930 m Fazenda do Sapé: 830 m
Casa da Pedra: 1350 m
The average chemical composition shows bauxites with 43%
A1203, very low silica content « 2% Si02) and a high iron content (29%
Fe203).

3. Type 1// - Depression Bauxites

This type of deposit is quite rare, and up to now only 2 examples

are known: Vargem dos Oculos (1350 m) and the foot slope of Morro do
Fraga deposit (990 m). The old deposit of Morro do Cruzeiro (1210 m),
already completely exploited, considering its description given by
Guimaraes & Coelho (1945), could be added to this group. But there is
no chemical data to do so.
These bauxites contain a very high amount of alumina (56%
A1203f. together with 5% Fe203 and 1,2% Si02.

4. Type IV - Low Plateau Bauxites

This type of deposit occurs on the plateaus situated in the exter-

nal border of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero", and includes the deposits of

170
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

Table V.1 - The bauxite deposit types of the Quadrilatero Ferrffero and
its chemical composition.

Type N" Location Si02 AI203 Fe203

2 Serra da Bandeira 2 43,6 22,3
5 Fazenda do Lopes 1,1 53,5 16
6 Maquiné 2,2 48,7 19,3
High 8 Vigario da Vara 1.3 45,9 23,2
plateau 1 18 Batatal 1,1 46,8 21,9
bauxite 19 Conta Historia 0,7 41,1 31,2
0,96 43,65 15,68
0,67 40,5 21,86
1,09 38,57 23,76
1 Casa da Pedra 1,5 41,1 25,7
./ 3 Jardim Canada 1,3 42,6 29
7 Gandarela 2,9 47,9 20,5
10 Dois Irmaos 1,2 40,4 31,8
Hilisiope 11 Fazenda do Sape 1,6 40,7 30,6
bauxite
" 15
16
Morro 'da Arataca
Fraga
0,7
0,9
41,3
48,9
31,9
31,5
0,7 43,08 19,95
17 Cata Preta 1,2 48,9 31,5
20 Serra de A. Pereira 2,2 43,2 28,8
21 Serra da Brigida 1,8 48,2 21,1
23 Tesoureiro 1 37,1 31,7
24 Monjolo 0,7 43,2 28,4
Depression 4 Vargem dos Oculos 1,2 59 5
bauxite III 16 Fraga 1,1 57,5 3
22 Morro do Cruzeiro 1,2 44,7 25,8
Low 12 Faria 7,4 40 27,5
plateau IV 13 Macaquinho 2,4 48,1 20,4
bauxite 14 Fazendao 0,8 43,3 28,6

Faria (920 m) and Macaquinho (920 m) .

These bauxites, with 46% AI203 and 23% Fe203, are separated
from the other types by the higher silica content (5 to 7% Si02).

III. Profiles characteristics

The vario us bauxite deposits of the "Quadrilatero Ferrffero" , as

mentioned previously, are distributed in 4 different types, and for each of
them, the most typical deposit was selected:
Type 1: Batatal deposit
Type Il: Morro do Fraga deposit

171
Boulangé, B. et al.

Type III: Vargem dos Oculos deposit

Type IV: Macaquinho deposit
These various types of bauxite deposits were studied in different
degrees of detail, depending on the peculiar characteristics of each one.
Thus, the deposit of Vargem dos Oculos (Type IV), presenting a geo-
morphological setting completely different, as compared to the other
deposits, was object of a detailed study (Varajao A., 1988; Varajao et al.,
1989; Boulangé & Carvalho, 1991). The bauxite of Morra do Fraga
(Type Il), considering its abundance and the easy access, was also stud-
ied with a certain detail, particularly in its morphological and petrological
aspects (Varajao C., 1988). For the rest of the deposits, only a general
study, aiming its characterization, was carried out.

1. Type 1. High Plateau Bauxite - Batatal Deposit

The deposit of Batatal, being exploited for 10 years, is located in

the southern end of Serra Gerai, which forms the eastern ridge of the
"Quadrilatero Ferrifera" (Fig. V.1). The deposit, with a thickness varying
from 5 to 10, m, occurs on a plateau, showing a smooth declivity to the
east, with altitudes between 1,840 and 1,820 m, covering an area of
90,000 m2. According to Maxwell (1972), the bauxite was supposed to
layon the Itabira Graup racks but further prospection seems to indicate
that the bauxite could be originated fram the phyllites of Batatal forma-
tion (Büchi & Menezes, 1982).
Recently, a profile of a shaft located in the upper part of the pla-
teau was observed concerning the morphological and micromorphological
aspects. This study (Varajao et al., 1989) allowed to establish the com-
plete profile that shows, fram the top to the bottom, the following facies:
Ferruginous massive bauxite (1 m): a red massive alumino-fer-
ruginous crust, with a porous and vacuolar structure. Locally, this crust
present a nodular aspect, where the nodules of the crust are embedded
in a porous and vacuolar c1ear matrix. This layer is constituted mainly of
gibbsite, hematite, small amount of goethite associated with the matrix,
anatase and quartz. As for the chemical composition, this horizon is con-
stituted by 46,5% A1203, 26,5% Fe203 and 2,8% Ti02.
Mottled bauxite (4 m): a hard massive bauxite, made up of dark
red volumes with hematite and gibbsite, sometimes nodular, that changes
into brown yellow to beige volumes with gibbsite and goethite. This hori-
zon presents an upper part (1 m) richer in AI203 (54%) with 23% Fe203
and 2,3% Ti02, as opposed to the lower part that shows .41 % A1203,
30% Fe203 and 2,6% Ti02.

172
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

Mottled clay (2 m): an horizon formed by small red bauxite vol-

umes (nodules), with hematite and gibbsite, embedded in a kaolinitic
matrix, with a small amount of goethite. It seems that the bauxite nod-
ules are relicts in continuity with the matrix, underlying the resilication
process, associated with a strong deferruginisation. The average chemical
composition shows 30% A1 203, 14% Si02 and 10% Fe203, with more
than 3% Ti02. The high content of Ti02 of this clay horizon confirms this
transformation, that is followed by a residual Ti accumulation in the form
of anatase. This transformation process intensifies the existing disconti-
nuity between this horizon and the basal clay.
Kaolinitic basal clay, where the presence of muscovite and sericite
underlines the original phyllite schists.
The micromorphological study of the bauxite profile has shown
that it was submitted to several successive phases of reorganization,
indicating a very long geological history. Hereby, the original structures
were completely removed, resulting in a discontinuity between the baux-
ite profile and the basal weathered phyllite. As a consequence, it is
difficult, in the present step, to precise if the parent rock is the basal
phyllite.

2. Type Il. Hillslope Bauxites - Morra do Fraga Deposit

The bauxite deposit of Marro do Fraga is located in the eastern

border of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" (Fig. V.1), 7 km far from Santa Rita
Durao District. According to Maxwell (1972), this deposit is situated on
the inverted limb of Santa Rita syncline, constituted by the Itabira Group
formations. Under the topographical point of view, the deposit is situated
on the slope of a small basin, with altitudes between 1050 m and 975 m.
This basin is limited by a crest line formed by a subvertical itabirite layer,
covered by an iron cru st that protects it against the erosion.
According to their position on the above morphology, two differ-
ent profile types can be distinguished: the profiles situated on the slope
and the one situated in the depression. In the profiles on the slope, it
was observed that the basal clay is covered, from the bottom upwards,
by the following sequence of facies: massive bauxite, alumino-ferrugi-
nous Crust and nodular horizon (Fig. V.3).
Massive bauxite. It is an homogeneous bauxite with a hard, dark
red, porous and vesicular facies, having a thickness of 4 m in the back
slope and 8 m in the foot slope. It is formed by dark red volumes consti-
tuted by hematite and gibbsite. These irregular volumes are separated
from each other by volumes of saccharoid weil crystallized gibbsite,

173
 Boulangé, B. et al.

~A1F._
mm AI Fe crusl

[Tl] M 1ve }
8i).'. Fri ..... Bo.....
o [Link]
DWM.
U KoollniO•
1 - ---
B
980 7
1

960
-------_.
1 1
--------
1 •
- --------
- '1 - ·1-

Figure V3 - Topographie sequence of the Morro do Fraga bauxite deposit.

delimiting voids that are partially or completely invaded by dark fer-

ruginous products. Vertically upwards, the density and the pores size
increase and isolate bauxite volumes, resulting in a friable facies.
Towards the back slope, close to the itabiritic walls, the pores impreg-
nation by ferruginous products is rather important. The pores and
vesicles are partially filled by a gray, argillomorphic and very humid
product, that becomes readily dark when exposed (observed in a
quarry front). It is a ferrihydrate that changes directly into hematite. In
the foot slope, on the contrary, a deferruginisation takes place, un-
derlined bya discoloration of the dark red volumes which are isolated
within a light to brownish red matrix, constituted by gibbsite and goet-
hite. This horizon presents AI203 content varying From 40% in the
massive facies to 50% in the friable facies, 20% Fe203. less than 1%
Si02 and less than 2% Ti02.
A/umino-Ferruginous crust. This horizon, having thickness of 1 to
2 m, presents an irregular lower limit with the massive bauxite. This fa-
cies presents a goethitic matrix enveloping relicts of massive reindurated
bauxite. The alumino-ferruginous horizon differs from the previous one
by the porous dimension and the absence of gray ferrihydrate precipi-
tate. The presence of goethite in the matrix is only associated with verti-
cal migration and not with lateral flow coming from the back slope. The
chemical composition of this horizon is very similar to the subjacent bauxite
(40% AI203 and 20% Fe203).
Nodu/ar horizon. This horizon, with a thickness of 0,5 to 1 m, is
formed by subspherical nodules of alumino-ferruginous crust, with a di-
ameter of 10 cm. The chemical composition is characterized by an in-
crease of Fe203 content (25%) and a relative increase of AI203 (45%).

174
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

Towards the back slope the nodules are cemented by a ferruginous prod-
uct and form locally a pseudobrecciated crust.
ln the lower part of the area, in the depression bottom, the nodu-
lar horizon and the alumino-ferruginous crust form only one horizon,
hardened and rich in Fe203 (35%), having in the upper part (2 m) goethitic
lamellae. These lamellae become less important and disappear com-
pletely downwards giving place to a gray to white argillomorphic bauxite
horizon (2 m). This gray bauxite is very rich in AI203 (57%) and has a low
content of iron Fe203(3%). On the other hand, the high value of Ti02
(4,5%) suggests that this bauxite was submitted to a deferruginisation
process and a consequent Ti02 residual accumulation (Boulangé &
Carvalho, 1989). Considering its characteristics, this profile is better c1as-
sified as type III.
The Morro do Fraga bauxite deposit, situated on a slope, shows
various geochemical mechanism according to the geological and mor-
phological condition. Hence, the alteration process affects at the same
time the itabirite and the phyllite layer. But, in the former, it progresses
slowly and gives origin to a ferruginous crust while in the phyllite it forms
bauxite and the process goes deeply. As a consequence of this differen-
tial erosion, the topography is reinforced with the itabirites forming the
crest line and the bauxites laying on the slope.
A great amount of iron is liberated by the itabirites. It moves down,
it is fixed as ferrihydrate and it changes into hematite as soon as the
profile is submitted to desiccation. However, this mechanism does not
occur in the surface, where the previously formed bauxite is submitted to
a breaking down and a nodulation. The fragments were mechanically
transported and deposited in the depression. Here, under hydromorphic
conditions, the bauxite suffers an intense deferruginisation, giving origin
to a gray to white argillomorphic bauxite, with no trace of resilication and
rich in residual Ti02 (4,5%) as anatase.
On the other hand, the amount of iron available in the slope,
and get moving, is redistributed as lamellae in the upper part of the
profile. This distribution marks weil the water table movement in this
depression.

3. Type 1/1. Depression Bauxites - Vargem dos Geu/os Deposit

Description of facies. The deposit of Vargem dos Oculos are of

two types: kaolinite deposit and bauxite deposit. They are located at
15,5 Km of Belo Horizonte in the vicinity of the road leading to Rio de
Janeiro, and cover an area about 50 ha (Fig. V.1). They are situated in

175
Boulangé, B. et al.

the Moeda syncline trough, west border of the "Quadrilatero Ferrffero",

and are developed on Precambrian Itabira Group rocks. The morphol-
ogy is very similar to the Morro do Fraga deposit. Thus, an itabiritic crust
forms the crest line borde ring a large depression, where the deposits of
kaolinite and bauxite are situated.
The profiles of kaolinite and bauxite deposits are very similar,
their difference being only the thickness of the different facies. The study
of the open cut mine samples and drill hole cores leads to establish a
typical profile, with three major units (Varajâo et al., 1989), that are, from
the bottom to the top (Fig. VA): lower clay unit, middle bauxite unit and
covering unit.
The lower clay unit. This facies, not weil developed in the bauxite
deposit, at least in the exposed area, but very thick in the kaolinite de-
posit (more than 12 m), is constituted, from the bottom to the top, by two
facies, with gradational contacts:
a. Massive kaolinite facies. This facies can be observed only at
the bottom of the visible profile in the kaolinite deposit. It occurs as block
fragments (50 cm large) bounded by a network of narrow cracks (1 mm)
with a red argillo-ferruginous coating. The kaolinitic fragments are com-
pact and are made up by a quartzous skeleton embedded in a kaolinitic
matrix. The quartz (Iess th an 5% and smaller than 3 mm) is fractured,
showing dissolution features on their edges and sometimes a red fer-
ruginous coating (hematite) in the fissures. The kaolinite matrix is brownish
to white, with a better crystallization in the white zones.
b. Kaolinite with ferruginous zonation facies. This facies, with a
thickness about 12 m in the kaolinite deposit, is more fragmentary than
the previous one and independently of the cracks. Ferruginous zona-
tions are developed in the kaolinitic fragments. This zonation is expressed
by the alternation of red ferruginous and white kaolinitic Iineations, that
develop in a meter scale and are independent of fractures. These linea-
tions are abundant in the upper part and are reduced to scattered spots
downwards. The ferruginous zonations give a pink yellow coler at the
matrix, suggesting that iron is been removed from the present profiles
with possible transformation of hematite into goethite.
Transition facies. This facies, with thickness to 3 m in the kaolin-
ite deposit, was observed only in the lower part (0.50 m) of the bauxite
deposit. It is characterized by a greater amount of alumino-ferruginous
nodules embedded in a kaolinitic and gibbsitic matrix. The nodules are
formed by gibbsite, quartz, hematite-gibbsite-quartz association and
hematite with ferruginous halos, gradually disappearing into the matrix.
The gibbsite shows irregular outline embayments of dissolution that put

176
 The bauxite of the Quadrilâtero Ferrifero

Bauxite deposit Kaolinite deposit

Figure VA - Schematic section of the bauxite deposit and kaolinite deposit of

Vargem dos 6culos (Quadrilatero Ferrifero).

the gibbsitic and the kaolinitic matrix side by side. These nodules, some-
times with internai voids, could be relicts of an older alumino-ferruginous
crust or bauxite. Ali the nodules show graduai transition with the yellow-
ish brown matrix. Nodules and matrix are also submitted to a new
deferruginisation that leads to the formation of kaolinitic matrix with few
ferruginous relicts. This unit seems to result from the degradation of an
older bauxitic crust that itself was submitted to a great accumulation
process of aluminum and iron. The degradation process is character-
ized by a deferruginisation of the alumino-ferruginous nodules and an
iron redistribution in the ferruginous bands and by a resilication observed
in the graduai contact between the weil crystallized gibbsite and kaoli-
nitic matrix.
Bauxite horizon. Rather thin in the kaolinite (1 m), this unit can
reach 3 m thick in the bauxite deposit. In the lower part, it is constituted
by an association of red volumes embedded in yellow volumes. 80th are
cut down by white volumes, appearing as vertical pockets in the middle
part and getting coalescent to form wholly the upper part. The red vol-

177
Boulangé, B. et al.

ume is formed by irregular shaped and sometimes coalescent nod-

ules with mainly hematite-gibbsite mineralogical composition; the
gibbsite is in close association and indistinguishable from the hema-
tite and also appearing coating cracks and voids. The edges of the
nodules show a graduai transition with yellow zones of which the min-
eralogical composition is mainly goethite and gibbsite. In the middle
part, it can be observed a c1ear contact between the alumino-ferrugi-
nous nodules and the white volumes. Under the microscope, at the
edges of these vertical pockets, it seems that the white gibbsitic ma-
trix results from the deferruginisation of the alumino-ferruginous nod-
ules that is complete in the upper part. Then the bauxitic facies is
formed by small relicts of weil crystallized gibbsite embedded in a
cryptocrystalline gibbsite.
ln the kaolinite deposit, this facies is reduced to a thin horizon of
red alumino-ferruginous relict nodules embedded in a white gibbsitic
matrix.
Ferruginous nodular facies. This facies, with a thickness varying
fram 0.5 to 2.5 m in the bauxite deposit, is represented only by some
dispersed nodules in the kaolinite deposit. In the bauxite deposit it is
characterized by irregular shaped nodules, with variable size (3 to
10 mm), cemented by a red yellow matrix and forming a crust. Some
indentations of these crusts go into the subjacent white bauxite, show-
ing a progression of the ferruginisation downwards. The nodules are
either a hard, dark red compound, mainly constituted of hematite and
gibbsite, or a friable, pink yellow compound with gibbsite, hematite and
goethite. These nodules have the same structures as the alumino-fer-
ruginous ones of the bauxitic facies and are surraunded by a goethitic-
gibbsitic cortex.
ln the upper part, this facies shows relict fragment nodules com-
posed of hematite, goethite. gibbsite and quartz. The middle bauxitic
unit is characterized by the presence of relict nodules of an older alumino-
ferruginous formation that give evidence of deferruginisation pracess,
going, even, with resilication process, as observed in the kaolinite de-
posit.
Covering Unit. The unit is barren, presenting c1ear sedimentary
features. Two superimposed layers include nodules of ferruginous crust,
bauxite and itabirite, that is oriented parallel to the bedding. It can be
observed, in the interstitial voids of these sediments, gibbsite coating
that indicates a permanent dependence on the alumino-ferruginous crust
situated at the low slope.

178
 The bauxite of the QuadriJatero Ferrifero

Chemical Composition

The deposits of kaolinite and bauxite of Vargem dos Oculos

present the same sequence of horizons and so, for the chemical compo-
sition, the samples were grouped according to the facies, regardless the
type of deposit: 1. lower kaolinite, II. lower transitional zone, III. bauxite,
IV ferruginous zone and upper transitional zone. The covering layer,
being completely barren, as concerning the mining point of view, is not
considered in this discussion. The chemical composition for the different
facies are shown in Table V2.
Major Elements. The diagrams Si02-AI203-Fe203 (Fig. VS) and
Ti02/Fe203 (Fig. V6) were obtained from the results of the chemical
analysis (Table V2) and give a better idea of the chemical variation for
the different facies.
As concerning the low clay (1), analyzed only in the kaolinite de-
posit, it can be observed that their samples are grouped close together
which means that they are very homogeneous.
ln the lower transitional zone, in both kaolinite and bauxite de-
posits, it seems that the points are very scattered. Nevertheless, it can
be noticed that some samples are c10ser to the subjacent clay (VkS),
while other ones are nearer to the bauxites (VkS1 band Vb12-13). In the
former, where the petrographic analysis has shown evidences of
resilication, an increase of Ti02 content is observed.
ln the bauxite, it can be observed (Fig. V6) that the Ti02 amount
increases, while the Fe203 content decreases. This result indicates that
the deferruginisation process, identified in the petrographic analysis, led
to a residual accumulation of titanium and alumina, probably by a vol-
ume reduction.
ln the upper part, as observed in the petrographie analysis, the
bauxite undergoes a ferruginisation process, that results in a relative
decrease of Ti02 content. This observation is valid for both, the red baux-
ites, not submitted to deferruginisation, and the Ti02 rich white bauxites,
that underwent deferruginisation.
Thus, the detailed analysis of the major elements variation makes
possible to set the various steps of the supergenic history of the depos-
its. By no means it is possible to assure the affiliation between bauxite
and the basal kaolinite. However, the discontinuity, put in evidence in the
transitional zone, was masked by the deferruginisation and resilication
processes. In any case, considering its relative horizontal settlement, it
seems to be of sedimentary origin.

179
Boulangé, B. et al.

Table V.2 - Chemical analysis of the kaolinite deposit (vk) and bauxite
deposit (vb) of Vargem dos Oculos (Quadrilatero Ferrifero).

Massive kdnite Transition faaes 8ouxn. FerruQlnous nodules

VK 1 VKZ VK 3 V~4 VK51vK5h VK 51b VK 5Z. VK 5Zb VK 53 VK54a VK 541> VK 55. VK55b
SiOZ "lbl -l\'2,j -.0.11 .2..... ~,21 1".55 [Link] li 10 [Link] J,II) 5.ij7 J.S1 3.47 225
AIZ03 ,l7RJ .'\NOI [Link] .'7,43 )4.95 22.~ .2.89 39.66 W,05 "0.86 :14.09 2.2.112 TI:n ~.hR
F.Z03 1.02 0.89 0.93 1.21 5.17 ..tt,,19 2.91 26.05 2.1l8 5.82 )).85 ~.45 47.73 12.91
ToOZ 251 2.)6 2.60 2..10 2-'" !..JI 4.35 J.12 J.92 3.78 2.19 1.45 2.16 2..18
HZO+ [Link] 1.1,97 13,87 13.92 13,90 12.02 20.00 "'-'5 ""22 26.25 19.55 17,82 16.80 25,02
HZo- 0.55 0-'5 DAO oA2 0.25 0.52 0.20 0-'2 0,\0 0,l5 0.40 0.70 0.87 0-'5
Mn D,Dl [Link] 0.02 [Link] 0.02 0.02 0-03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 D,Dl 0.02 0-03
Total ""-'6 \1&84 \1&87 71.97 97.00 "'.TI '17.62 9lU4 96.07 95.97 96.82 9&27 'TI.82
""'''
Cr .'14 26(, 25) '259 2116 Z24 274 2% :\38 .152 199 196 191 149
No 34 84 '19 '19 b5 29 38 18 18 7 9 ID 8 7
sr 62 lœ 117 119 III .1 7 113 ID 80 72 ~ 47 7
Ga 71 72 72 71 75 75 75 92 98 97 55 69 43 60
V 139
30
1)6 136 165 Tl4
-Ill
6Iir7 "6 221 129
16
138 387 2355 ." 140
Zn
Ù )1)
54

."'" ""
)19
59
)15 )15
102
264
28
510
54
J9J 492
18
494
70
291
911
)20
87
.JO!
JJ
)Jo
r-b -l9 )9 .) 9:l 40 40 116 58 76 75 40 44 40 49
Y 26 26 28 24 ?A 18 48 28 49 5 18 n 16 30

47 ~, )7
."
.
l..1 70 69 RI 52 93 7. ~ 100 32 28
Ce "7 I~ 160 162 160 92 n. 129 144 179 62 55 -l9 "0
Nd 43 49 b5 58 t>J )1 56 40 ~ 19 16 14 25
Sm 10,00 , 1,00 15.00 12.00 13,00 6.00 11,00 &40 7.80 &)0 ).40 .1.20 2.80 [Link]
Eu !.1O 2.40 2.80 2.60 2.60 1.00 2.00 I.~ I.~ 2.60 0.60 0.60 o.~ 1,10
Gd 4.80 ~OO 6.20 5.00 4.40 2.60 5.60 ).60 ).90 5.90 I.~ 1,)0 1.50 ).JO
Dy 7.00 9.00 10.00 &40 7,JO 2.80 5.40 4.00 J.90 5.20 1.50 I.~ UO ).50
Yb 2.40 2.10 230 2,00 2.30 2.)0 4.~ J,2a 3,20 5.00 1.10 ua \.30 3.60

Transition faCies BaUXite Ferruginous nodules

Vb 14 Vb 13 Vb 1Z Vb 1 Vb 2 Vb 3a Vb 3b Vb 4 Vb Sa Vb Sb Vb 6 Vb 7
SiOZ 5.83 9.47 7.49 1.66 I.b2 2.05 1.13 1.60 2.16 1.26 4.44 4.17
AI203 ~5.79 47.29 465.~ .U.'!I "'.o.~ 41.1>R ~.'.2.~ (,2.19 2.3.n [Link] [Link] 2S'JO
FeZ03 8.02 16.67 18.90 14.94 14.72 JI.I5 2.44 J.35 S4.89 8,76 55.11 44.85
Ti02 2.52 2.61 2.92 J.J6 J.42 2.5-1 4.15 J.91 1.1ij 3.65 1.25 3.10
H20+ 27.02 2.3.75 2.3.42 27.00 26.92 22.-10 JO.05 JO.47 17.50 28.45 16.15 19.25
H2o- 2.-10 0.27 0.42 0.17 0.15 0.45 0.02 0.01 0.80 0.07 0.72 1.65
Mn 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 [Link] 0.01 0,01 0.01 0,01 0.01 0.02
Tota' 101.5'1 100.08 ~.72 10UX> 100.89 100.28 101.05 101.S4 ~.b7 [Link] 100.56 98.94

Q 251 303 JI9 :166 .'18 }48 J85 J46 JI2 275 290 291
Ni 2 8 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 1
Sr 100 IOJ 108 !J5 128 91 !Jo H),) -10 89 44 53
Ga 00 105 110 9J 122 118 101 101 105 95 114 150
V 222 268 J40 520 J2.3 665 171 zog 1510 280 1248 381
Zn !J 22 21 14 !J 16 8 8 2.3 12 25 J2
Zr 5-'7 715 556 530 J28 .l4() 76\ 7-'5 (,24 741 J07 5t>O
l'ob 47 60 47 45 12 38 71 M 51 69 21 50
Y 41 54 41 -10 18 J2 56 52 46 56 19 -10

La <;7 68 67 77 74 51 00 -IR 28 59 29 J(,

Ce 104 122 12.3 140 140 98 142 100 48 110 .50 6J
Nd -'7 44 4J 47 45 J2 51 29 lij J5 16 2.3
Sm [Link] ~50 8.44 K,()2 M.o2 6.44 9. C) \ 5.55 .1.60 7.11 4.07 4.82
Eu 1.26 1..50 1.42 1.45 1..50 I.!J 1.(,7 1.0f> 0.68 I.4J 0.72 0.91
Gd 4.19 4.24 4.94 4.97 5.00 3.83 5.80 J.37 2.04 10.70 1.98 4.72
Dy 4.86 4.77 5.79 5.72 5.51 4.51 7.0<> 4.15 [Link] 15.40 2.J5 J ..1.1
Yb J.18 .1.50 4.0J 4" •.00 .1.25 4.75 2.60 1.81 11.90 '2.16 J.81

180
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero'Ferrifero

SiOz

• Lower kaolinite D Transition zone 0 Bauxite _ Ferruginous nodules

Figure V.S - Diagram Si0 2 - AIP3 - Fep3 of the main facies of Vargem dos
6culos deposits.

S
ï= D
0
4
(0

-
0

6
3

,• D
0
-
D D
- 0 0

- -
o
z

-•
o 10 20 30 40 50 60
Fe203
• Lower kaolrnite C TranSitIon zone 0 Bauxite • Ferruglnous nocilles

Figure V.6 - Relationship Fep3 vs Ti0 2 of the main facies of Vargem dos 6culos
deposits.

181
Boulangé, B. et al.

Trace elements. The results, concerning the trace elements for

the bauxite and kaolinite (Table V2), show that certain elements (Zr, Nb
and Y) present a behavior similar to titanium. Thus, the white
argillomorphic bauxite and the transitional clay zone underlying the baux-
ite horizon, which are richer in titanium, present also a higher content of
these elements (up to 760 ppm), that would be submitted to a residual
concentration. Despite not having been analyzed, it is known that the
zircons contain the analyzed Nb and Y (Murali et al., 1983; Hinton &
Hupton, 1991).
The gallium contents follow as weil the Ti behavior, but their cor-
relation is not as good as the one for Zr and with a larger difference
between the bauxite and the kaolinite deposits.
On the other hand, vanadium and, in a less extension, chromium
present a behavior close to the iron one. Thus, the higher values of
vanadium correspond to the more ferruginous facies, regardless the
deposit type, indicating that V follows iron throughout the different steps
of the supergenic cycle.

Rare Earth Elements. The Rare Earth Elements analyses for the
bauxite and kaolinite deposits are shown in Table V2, and the Fig. V7
presents the diagrams of their distribution, normalized to chondrites. It
can be observed that the bauxitic horizons, the subjacent ferruginous
nodules and the lower transitional horizon present very similar distribu-
tion. For the last two horizons, the REE contents are very close (L:REE
=200 to 300 ppm) with a ratio LachlYbch varying from 10 to 15. On the
contrary, in the ferruginous nodules, the L:REE decreases (100 to 200
ppm) and the ratio LachlYbch is lower than 10, at least for the bauxite
deposit. It is noticed that, during the ferruginisation, there is a slight in-
crease of heavy REE as compared to the Iight REE.
The distribution of the REE for the low clay, as compared to the
overlaying horizons, is rather different, with a higher content (L:REE about
300 ppm) and with a ratio LachlYbch normally over 20. This result point
out also the existence of a discontinuity between the lower clay and the
bauxite horizons.
As for the parent rock, not identified in the area, the results of
the REE distribution in a rhyodacite fram the Parana Basin (Piccirillo &
Melfi, 1988) was used for comparison. A good correlation was found,
reinforcing the idea of a volcanic origin for the kaolinite and bauxite
deposit.
The chemical analysis as a whole, has shown that. in both baux-
ite and kaolinite deposits, a continuous gradation exists between the

182
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

1000

100

10
o Vb3b
• Vb4
[] Rhyodacite

laCe Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Yb

1000

100

10
o VK3
• VK4
[] rhyodacite

I---I.--r--.,---.,.--.--.,--r----,r---.--------r----
laCe Nd Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Yb

Figure V. 7 - Representative chondrite-normalized REE abundances for bauxite

deposits (vb) and kaolinite deposit (vk) of Vargem dos 6culos. For comparation,
REE abundance for rhyodacite from Piccirillo & Melfi (1988).

183
Boulangé, B. et al.

bauxite submitted to resilication and the lower transitional clay horizon,

as weil as, between the bauxite submitted to a strong ferruginisation and
the overlaying ferruginous nodules.
On the other hand, it was also shown a discontinuity between the
three upper units and the underlying kaolinite.
As considering the REE signature, one can say that both kaolin-
ite and bauxite deposits would be formed by the transformation of a
parent rock of volcanic type.

4. Type IV Low Plateau Bauxite - Macaquinho Deposit

The Macaquinho bauxite deposit is located in the eastern part of

the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero", 11 km far from Santa Rita Durâo. It is situ-
ated in the southern edge of "Chapada do Canga", a large plateau, with
altitude of 900 m, capped by an argillo-ferruginous crust (Fig. V.1). Ac-
cording to Maxwell (1972), this crust would probably be developed on
sediments of Fonseca Formation, which are Eocenic in age (Lima &
Salard-Cheboudaeff, 1981).
The deposit is rather uniform as concerning both the thickness
(6 m) and the facies distribution. It presents, from the bottom to the top,
the following facies: friable bauxite, alumino-ferruginous crust and nodular
facies.
Friable bauxite. This facies is a reddish brown blocky bauxite with
a thickness of 4 m. These blocks (> 10 mm) are constituted by nodules
embedded friable matrix. The nodules « 2 mm), having irregular shape,
are formed by small rounded gibbsitic white volumes (0,3 to 0,5 mm),
disseminated in a brown ferruginous matrix, mainly goethitic. The matrix
enveloping the nodules is very perous and it is also formed by gibbsite
and goethite. The pores are coated with ferruginous and gibbsitic cutans.
The nodules and the matrix are relatively rich in quartz grains (1 to 5%),
having diameters up to 0,5 mm and presenting dissolution features. This
bauxite contains nearly 49% A1203, as gibbsite, and about 18% Fe203,
mainly as goethite.
Alumino-ferruginous crust. This crust is formed, in the lower part,
by a massive facies (1 m) and, in the upper part, by a lamellar facies
(0,5 m). 80th facies are heterogeneous and constituted by an associa-
tion of brownish red volumes and white volumes. Its matrix is rather simi-
lar to the one of the bauxite, with more intense ferruginisation. This crust
contains about 35% Fe203 and 32% AI203 mainly as gibbsite and
goethite, in its lower part, and gibbsite, hematite and goethite, in its
upper part.

184
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero'Ferrffero

Nodular facies. This facies is originated by the dismantling of the

alumino-ferruginous crust forming a nodular horizon. The nodules are
nearly rounded and with size varying from 1 to 3 cm.
As considering their morphological and chemical characteristics.
the Macaquinho deposit type is totally different as compared to the other
deposits of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero". Despite the lack of reliable ana-
Iytical data. the facies sequence. the high silica content associated to
the presence of quartz. would allow to consider these bauxites as close
to the Porto Trombetas deposit, developed on sediments. This fact rein-
forces the hypothesis of Maxwell (1972), who considered these bauxites
as formed on the Tertiary sediments of Fonseca Formation.

IV. Discussion

The bauxite deposits of the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero" are grouped

into 4 different types: the high plateau bauxites (Type 1); the hill slope
bauxites (Type Il); the depression bauxites (Type III) and the low plateau
bauxites (Type IV). The majority of the deposits were formed on
metasedimentary rocks, except for the type IV. that were originated from
sedimentary rocks.
The Figure v.a shows a diagram with the distribution of the vari-
ous deposits, according to their altitudes. It can be observed that the
type 1 bauxites occurs always in altitudes higher than 1.500 m. while the
type Il deposits can be found in altitudes ranging from 1,400 to aoo m.
The type III. despite having very few examples. can be associated with
the depressions in different altitudes , but always related to hill slope
bauxite of type II. The type IV deposits occurs only on a lower surface
(900 m), at the external position of the eastern border of "Quadrilatero
Ferrifero".
The bauxite of the higher plateaus shows, in general, no evi-
dence of a relationship between the bauxite and the underlying rock
and. as a consequence. an allochthonous origin cannot be completely
discarded.
As a matter of fact. the deposit of Conta Historia presents also a
c1ear discontinuity between the bauxite and the underlying hematitic
itabirite. This discontinuity is underlined in the foot-wall of the bauxite. by
a thin layer of goethite. This plateau is tilted towardsthe west and the
iron and aluminum content show a variation. according to this inclina-
tion. Thus, the more aluminous facies are situated upwards, while the
more ferruginous ones are downwards. The upper part of the plateau

185
Boulangé, B. et al.

Altitude
2000
ISo

01.
1800

1600

1400
.. "
.• 23 3 1 ..

1200 o 1. High plateau bauxite .

20 22
"
1000
• II. Hillslope bauxite
" III. Depression bauxite
• IV. Low plateau bauxite
24
• .,.
,& 10 15

· · ~ ~ ~ .4
Deposits

Figure V.8 - Heigh distribution of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero bauxite deposits.

constitutes a cliff, several tens of meter high, certainly related with a

fault.
ln this case, as weil as in the Batatal plateau, it is quite possible
that a tectonic event associated with an intense mechanical erosion,
following the bauxitisation process, could be responsible for a topo-
graphie inversion that placed the recent plateaus in a relatively higher
position. But, as considering the analysis carried out by Braun (1970),
it seems to be quite difficult to accept these bauxites as correlated
material developed on the Gondwana surface. Nevertheless, as for
their different characteristics, these bauxites can be considered as the
most ancient deposits of "Quadrilatero Ferrifero". They could be asso-
ciated with a bauxitic alteration process occurring during the post-
Gondwana cycle, described, by Braun (1970), as a period having a
humid climate, a tectonic stillness and a paralic sedimentation with
abundant fossils.
The beginning of the "Sul Americano cycle", in the upper Creta-
ceous, was marked, in other regions, as for example, the coastal basins,
byan intense erosional activity, the formation of Barreirinhas and Paraiba
do Sul grabens (see chapter Passa Quatro) and the uplifting of Serra do
Mar and Mantiqueira ridges. In the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero", during this
erosive period, new slopes were elaborated, cutting down the phyllites
of Minas Supergroup, leaving in a high position the bauxite plateaus, as

186
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

weil as the itabiritic crest lines. At the same time, the sediments removed
from the "Quadrilatero Ferrifero", specially by the penetration of Rio das
Velhas or Rio Piracicaba, were deposited in the outermost zones to form
the Fonseca Sediments, dated mid to upper Eocene by Lima & Salard-
Cheboudaeff (1981).
Thus, it was after this erosive event that, between the end of the
Eocene and the Pliocene, an intense bauxitisation period has occurred.
Consequently, the phyllites were submitted to a bauxitisation process,
forming a series of deposits, qualified as hill slope bauxite (type Il), that
are distributed within the altitudes of 1,640 m (Gandarela) and 830 m
(Fazenda do Sapé). It was also during this period that certain sedimen-
tary zones of Fonseca Formation have undergone a bauxitisation pro-
cess (type IV deposits - Macaquinhos and Faria).
The profiles of the hill slope area, Iike Morro do Fraga, were nor-
mally formed by an "in situ" alteration of the inter stratified phyllites of
Minas Group. These deposits are associated with itabiritic walls that forms
the surrounding morphology. On the top of this itabiritic crest, a
lateritisation process formed an iron crust, locally named "canga". The
iron, liberated from the itabirite, occurring in the upper part of this slope,
moves down as ferrihydrate and it is changed into hematite as soon as
the profile is submitted to desiccation. Consequently, the hill slope baux-
ites are frequently very rich in iron.
On the other hand, the itabiritic crest lines, as weil as the bauxitic
hill slope, can dominate closed depressions, that are very common in
the Moeda syncline. Some of them are completely closed, while others
are totally opened by the regressive erosion due to the cutting down of
Rio das Velhas. However, the depression of Vargem dos Oculos is only
partially opened. In this case, the regressive erosion that cut down through
the bottom deposits has preserved part of the hill s!ope.
1n the depression of Vargem dos Oculos (Fig. V. 9), it can be found
iron crusts, forming the crest line and relicts products, and sometimes,
even bauxites, scattered on the slope. Despite not have been studied, it
seems that they were the result of a bauxitisation process. The bauxites
would be of the same type of those of Morro do Fraga deposit
The study carried out on the bauxite and kaolinite deposits that
occurs in Vargem dos Oculos has shown the presence of a discontinuity
in the profile, between the lower kaolinite layer and the bauxitic layers,
which is marked by deferruginisation and resilication of the bauxite. It
was also noticed that this discontinuity was probably due to a process
involving an alluviallcolluvial sedimentation.
Thus, at the same time of the bauxitisation or during the period of

187
Boulangé, B. et al.

,.
.
<.
t···.

,,
1
1

,
1

•
} / .
1

' ... ~

\;~~
o Cuirasse ferrugineuse _

•••••••••
Sens de la pente

Ligne de crête
E-3 Cuirasse alumino-ferrugineuse

o Unité argilo-ferrugineuse
~ uV

®
Falaise, talus

o Zone influencée par le drainage actuel

®
Gisement de bauxite
Gisement de kaolinrte

Figure V.9 - Schematic geomorphological map showing the distribution of the

surficial formations in Vargem dos Oculos area.

a later mechanical erosion phase, the bauxite fragments removed from

the slope were sedimented in the depression bottom, on the weathered
kaolinite. The fact that very few bauxite was left on the slope would be
an evidence that the mechanical erosion was quite strong. The bauxite
deposit was later covered by the barren unit, constituted mainly by ka-
olinite and ferruginous nodules coming from the iron crust and present-

188
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero

ing clear evidences of sedimentation.

Under this thick covering layer, the bauxites, previously depos-
ited, were submitted to a degradation process. In the lower part, in the
contact with the clay layer, the hydromorphic condition led to an impor-
tant deferruginisation. Additionally, the silica supplied by the alteration of
the itabirites, would favor the resilication process. The latest was much
more accentuated in the kaolinite deposits, that occupy the lower part of
the depression, and less developed in the bauxite deposits c10ser to the
north slope.
ln the upper part, an Iron cru st was developed and it still progress
presently in the bauxite which is marked by clear signs of ferruginisation.
The upper part of this crust, under the barren cover, is submitted to
deferruginisation.
As concerning the parent material of the bauxite deposits of
"Quadrilatero Ferrifero", its identification was rather difficult, particularly
considering that the profiles were deeply modified by the successive
aluminous and ferruginous accumulations, masking completely the evi-
dences of the original rock. Nevertheless, the field observations and the
laboratory data of the studies carried out recently (Varajao C., 1988)
seem to indicate that, except for the type IV, the bauxite deposits were
formed from metapelites, probably dolomitic phyllites.
However, in the case of Vargem dos Oculos deposit, the parent
material seems not to be of the same kind. As a matter of fact, the
origin of the deposits has been always a matter of controversy, never-
theless, a consensus about the allochtonous origin of the parent mate-
rial was apparently achieved. Thus, for Pomerene (1964), these de-
posits were formed by an "in situ" evolution of alluvial sediments, that,
according to Souza (1983), were derived fram carbonated phyllites.
Considering their topographie situation, the sediment was interpreted
as deposited in paleo-playas (Barbosa & Rodrigues, 1965; 1967) or in
karstic depressions (Barbosa, 1980; Oorr, 1969; Fleischer & Oliveira,
1969). Oorr (1969) interpreted the high Ti values as an evidence of a
contribution of volcanic material in the sediments. On the other hand,
Barbosa & Rodrigues (1965) suggested the climatic and hydrie varia-
tions as the responsible for the formation of the different facies of the
deposits. However, it has to be considered that the se studies were
mainly based on global analysis of the horizons observed in the
deposits.
Recently, detailed studies carried out in the area (Varajao A., 1988;
Varajao et al., 1989; Boulangé & Carvalho, 1991) allowed to have a
better idea about the origin and the evolution of these deposits.

189
Boulangé, B. et al.

The complex evolution of the different products deposited in the

depression bottom, finish by remoying completely the Iimits of any sedi-
mentation that could exist between the bauxite and the underlying clay
layer. As a matter of fact, this discontinuity, shown by the petrographic
and chemical analysis, is actually of sedimentary origin. Thus, it seems
that the parent rock of the hill slope forming the bauxite and the one of
the bottom depression originating the kaolinite are identical, and the RRE
signature would be the proof of it. Additionally, this signature, close to
the one for rhyodacite, would confirm the idea of Dorr (1969) that the
parent rock would be of volcanic type.
There is no real evidences concerning the origin of these volca-
nic rocks. They could be contemporaneous to Cauê and Gandarela for-
mations, or a result of a thrusting affecting the volcanites of Nova Lima
group during the Transamazonic cycle, or even of a late paleo-Eocene
eruption marking the beginning of Sul Americano cycle. The opening of
the depressions and its mechanical erosion has either erased any trace
of the alteration or preserved some relict islet of bauxite in the slope and/
or the bottom deposits. These events would correspond to the begin-
ning of Velhas cycle (Pliocene).
Evaluating the period of the bauxitisation process in the
"Quadrilatero Ferrffero" is not an easy task. However, ta king into consid-
eration that deposits of the same type are formed at the same age, it is
reasonable ta admit that the different altimetric levels were already present
at the time of the bauxitisation.
Actually, the fact that the majority of the bauxite deposits of the
"Quadrilatero Ferrifero" presents nearly the same sequence of facies
and with the same characteristics, independently of their topographic
situation, seems to indicate that they were originated under the same
geological conditions. Thus, they would be formed by a bauxitisation
process that occurred after the topography evolution, in different levels.
Evidently, the process would happen later than the deposition of Fonseca
Formation (Eocene) and, consequently, the bauxites of "Quadrilatero
Ferrifero" would be formed in a post-Eocene period, probably associ-
ated with the Sul Americano cycle. The opening of the depressions and
its mechanical erosion has either erased any trace of the alteration or
preserved some relict islet of bauxite in the slope and/or the bottom de-
posits. These events would correspond to the beginning of Velhas cycle
(Pliocene).
On the other hand, the association between the type 1 deposit
and the post-Gondwana surface could be interpreted as an evidence of
an older bauxitisation period, that would precede the topographic

190
 The bauxite of the Quadrilatero Fe"ifero

evolution that would be contemporaneous to the "Sul Americano" cycle.

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