Primary textures in the Kiirunavaara apatite iron ore suggest a magmatic origin. They comprise (a) columnar development of magnetite similar to a crystal growth texture due to rapid cooling in the El Laco iron ore, Chile, (b) ‘skeleton ore’ with platy magnetite, locally dendritic - a widespread ore type also in the other iron deposits of the Kiruna Field, and (c) ore with thin tabular pyroxene crystals, partly dendritic, distributed in a way clearly indicating flow in a consolidating ‘ore magma’. In addition, the reported cross-bedding and graded bedding in the Kiruna ores might be igneous sedimentation features. The relationship between different ore types suggests a complex emplacement history. Some associated breccias and ‘conglomerates’ might be the consequence of gas discharge, i.e. tuffisites. Some of the Kiruna ores appear to have a carbonatitic affinity, with ankerite as a seemingly primary constituent; certain associated albite-rich rocks might be regarded as analogous to fenites. The inferred ensialic rift setting of the volcanic country rock is consistent with this interpretation.