A newly discovered iron ore deposit in Western Australia has been identified as the largest ever recorded, containing an astonishing 55 billion metric tons of high-quality iron ore. This massive find, located in the Hamersley region, has an estimated market value of $5.7 trillion USD, potentially reshaping global mining, trade, and resource exploration strategies.
The discovery has also challenged existing geological theories about how Earth’s richest iron ore deposits formed. Researchers have determined that these iron-rich formations are much younger than previously believed, dating back 1.4 billion years.
This revelation, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggests that supercontinent cycles and ancient tectonic movements played a key role in concentrating iron deposits on an unprecedented scale.
How the World’s Richest Iron Ore Deposit Was Formed
The sheer scale of the Hamersley deposit is forcing geologists to rethink the natural processes that create massive mineral formations. Traditionally, scientists believed that iron ore accumulated over billions of years in a slow and steady process.
However, this discovery suggests that major geological events—such as the breakup and reassembly of supercontinents—may have triggered rapid mineralization.
“The discovery of a link between these giant iron ore deposits and changes in supercontinent cycles improves our understanding of ancient geological processes,” one of the study’s co-authors stated.
This finding supports the theory that tectonic shifts and ancient ocean chemistry changes may have played a more significant role in forming iron deposits than previously thought.
The Hamersley deposit provides clear evidence that Earth crustal movements and deep mantle processes can rapidly enrich iron formations, altering their composition and increasing their economic value over time.
Tracing the Geochemical Fingerprint of Ancient Iron Ore
To determine the age and formation process of the Hamersley deposit, researchers conducted Osmium isotope analysis, a technique used to trace chemical signatures in ancient rocks.
The results confirmed that the region underwent massive volcanic activity that released iron-rich material into the environment 1.4 billion years ago, rather than the 2.2 billion years once assumed.
One of the biggest questions scientists sought to answer was how these iron deposits transformed from containing just 30% iron to more than 60% iron today—a shift that dramatically increased their economic value.
“The exact timeline of the change of these formations from 30% iron as they were originally, to more than 60% iron as they are today, was not clear,” explained Associate Professor Martin Danisík.
This research suggests that ancient atmospheric and oceanic conditions played a role in purifying the iron, resulting in the high-grade ore that makes Hamersley one of the most valuable mining regions on Earth.
The Economic and Global Impact of a $5.7 Trillion Iron Discovery
With a current market price of $105 per metric ton, the total estimated value of this deposit reaches $5.7 trillion USD, far exceeding the economic expectations of the region. This discovery is expected to:
- Reinforce Australia’s dominance in the global iron ore market, strengthening its position as the largest exporter of iron ore.
- Attract major investments from mining companies and governments, eager to capitalize on this historic deposit.
- Drive new exploration strategies worldwide, as geologists now have a better understanding of where massive iron deposits might be located.
The deposit’s high-grade iron ore is crucial for steel production, meaning it could reshape international trade, infrastructure development, and resource management for decades to come.
Credit: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/geologist-uncover-largest-iron-ore-deposit/
