Sir: We have read with interest the paper of Taylor et al. (2001), which suggests a new genesis for the hematite deposits of the Hamersley province via an intermediate hypogene carbonate-rich phase structurally controlled by high-angle normal faults (e.g., Southern Batter fault at Tom Price). In attempting to apply their genetic model to the Mount Whaleback deposit, they have invoked a large but unspecified rotation (implied 40 deg -60 deg) by listric rotation along the late Mount Whaleback fault to re-orientate low-angle faults and folds to a high angle, in keeping with the geometry seen at Tom Price. This appears to have been based on the critical requirement for high-angle faults in their preferred genetic model, rather than the flat lying Central and East Footwall faults that developed at Mount Whaleback. A similar but opposite sense of rotation has also been inferred for Paraburdoo, based on stratigraphic criteria. We have not had the benefit of seeing at first hand the evidence from the Tom Price deposit, but feel some comments should be made on the evidence as presented by them from the Mount Whaleback deposit and local area, with which we are very familiar.
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