The Urucum deposits are associated with banded iron formations (BIF), locally known as jaspelites. The iron and manganese deposits are found in the plateaus which rise from the plains of the Paraguay River and near Mutum Mountain.

The sediments of the Urucúm Basin constitute an epicontinental marine sequence beginning with the basal Jacadigo Group that comprises clastic sediments with carbonatic matrix, overlain by iron-rich arkoses and Jaspilites with manganese layers (Band'Alta Formation), followed by the Corumba Group with limestones, dolomites slates and siltites (Cerradinho Formation) overlain by dark dolomites and limestone breccia of the Araras Formation. This sequence developed in a slow sinking basin with upward gradation from clastic to chemical sedimentation without volcanic contribution. Deposition of widespread iron and manganese rich sediments is due to sharp variation in the Eh conditions most probably under the influence of marine currents in a restricted basin partially protected from atmosphere by large ice caps.

The jaspilites of the Band'Alta Formation present a primary banding defined by planar layers and lenses of quartz and hematite, with variable thickness, from mm to cm. (Fig. 4d). Quartz is usually cryptocrystalline (chert) and hematite appears, similar to the Carajás jaspilites, as microcrystalline aggregates or as very fine platy crystals. Recrystallization of both hematite and quartz results in xenoblastic aggregates that occ ........

Urucum is an underground mine with on-site beneficiation plant which located at State of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil.

Urucum underground mine is employed Room and pillar mining method to extract high and medium grade oxide ores with an average content of 46% manganese grade.

The broken ore is flushed down to simple loading chutes for rail haulage to the mouth of the mine. The ore is crushed to 6 inch size over a grizzly and transported by trucks for dispatch. There is no beneficiation carried out except crushing and screening at the mine site.

Urucum mine operations have been suspended since October 2021 due to strategic review.

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