Caledonian sulphide deposits and minor iron-formations from the southern Trondheim region, Norway.

Abstract

Within the southern and central parts of the Trondheim region of the Norwegian Caledonides a great number of small, stratabound cupriferous pyrite deposits are confined to mafic metavolcanics of the Gula, Støren and Fundsjø Groups of the Lower Palaeozoic succession. The deposits occuring within, or in close contact with the metavolcanics are characterized by their association with minor manganiferous oxide\/silicate iron-formations - better known as \"vasskis\" ore type - within the metamorphic low-grade areas. The iron-fprmations of the metamorphic higher grade terrains on the other hand, which are extensively developed within the Gula Group, are mostly of a pyrrhotitic sulphide\/silicate type and sulphurization processes are thought to have played an important role during the metamorphism. The pyrite deposits occurring adjacent to the metavolcanics bear no relationship to the iron-formations. They are embedded in pelitic, often carbonaceous assemblages (Gula Group) or within tuffitic members of the volcanogene Støren Group, and they are thought to represent re-sedimented (reworked) deposits. The pyrite deposits display varying degree of metamorphic reconstitution and a tectonic control has apparently determined their disc- or ruler-shaped morphology.