The migmatitic gneiss complex of Lylyvaara in the eastern part of Finnish Presvecokarelides of the Baltic Shield shows evidence of a polyphase deformational and metamorphic history and of the emplacement of a number of mafic and felsic igneous intrusions at various stages during this history. Sequential structural development has been established on the bases of refolding and cross-cutting relationships. U–Pb zircon and sphene isotopic data combined with structural studies indicate that the first six deformational phases took place in late Archaean (=Presvecokarelian) times. The seventh deformational phase is constrained as being early Proterozoic (=Svecokarelian) from regional considerations.

The gneissic foliation in the dominant tonalitic to trondhjemitic palaeosome is parallel to lithological layering (So). Mostly it is composite S1–S2; only in F2 fold hinges can separate S1 and S2 be unequivocally distinguished. There, both of these fabrics, which were formed in amphibolite facies conditions of metamorphism during D1 and D2 have retained their identity despite extensive tectonic overprinting. Further tonalitic or granodioritic material was intruded during D3 or between D2 and D3. Effects of the third deformational phase (D3) ar6e expressed only locally as asymmetrical and polyclinal folds, which deform S1–S2 and F2. These folds now have a northeasterly axial trend and they show considerable variations in the style of their parasitic structures. F4 folds are common. They are dextral and asymmetrical, have NW—NNW-trending axes and show complex interference patterns with F2 and F3 folds. During D4, much aplogranitic neosome material was emplaced in NW—SE-trending movement zones, which correspond to the axial planes of F4 folds. Superimposition of F5 and F6 structures on previously formed patterns add to the structural complexity although they only result in minor modifications. Both are open and upright and locally have associated cleavages or healed fractures (S5, S6). D7 is expressed throughout the migmatitic complex as narrow NW—SE-trending shear zones which reactivate the S4 trend.

U–Pb zircon isotopic data indicate that the metamorphism associated with gneiss formation took place 2843 ± 18 Ma ago. U–Pb sphene ages of c. 2660 Ma and 2620 Ma indicate that metamorphic conditions prevailed for a very considerable time. An aplogranitic neosome related to F4 axial planes gave a 2657 ± 32 Ma U–Pb zircon age, while granodiorite and pegmatite dykes related to D6 yielded U–Pb zircon ages of c 2670 Ma and 2640 Ma, respectively.

The massive pyrite-pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite deposit of Outokumpu, comprising the Keretti and Vuonos orebodies, is a deformed and metamorphosed strata-bound mass associated with mineralised stockworks. Mobilisation of much of the ore followed formation of large recumbent isoclinal folds that are the major structures of the surrounding rocks and associated with the modification of originally flat saucer-shaped ore lenses into elongate ruler-shaped masses. Further modification of shape took place at the mobilisation stage with much of the pyrrhotitic ore, particularly, now occupying the thickest parts of the orebodies in the form of breccia or microbreccia. In many parts gross original characters still exist and the pyritic and pyrrhotitic constituents of the ore have survived as separate entities while locally the pyritic ore retains pre-deformational characteristics and consistent stratigraphic position within a thin horizon.

Both ore and country rocks show evidence of extensive polyphase deformation with the effects of six fold phases shown in the ore. Mineral assemblages in the country rocks indicate a middle amphibolite facies peak of metamorphism. The serpentinite-black schist-carbonate-quartzite rock assemblage, with which the ore is associated, was tectonically incorporated within the regionally extensive mica schist by even earlier subhorizontal thrusting. This is related to the movement of a thrust nappe with the interdigitation of an ocean-floor ophiolite assemblage and flysch deposited during ocean closure associated with Svecokarelian tectonism.

The original formation of the Keretti and Vuonos sulphide masses took place in a marine exhalative environment with a pyritic layer overlying a pyrrhotitic layer in each of the two c. 4 km diameter irregularly oval-shaped depressions whose centres were c. 8 km apart. The mineralised stockwork below each mass represents the upper parts of the conduit for metalbearing fluids in a convective system.