BACKGROUND: Silicate, sulfate, carbonate and other minerals can identified by infrared spectral which is a non - destructive, rapid and batch method. In recent years, infrared spectral has played an important role in mineralogical research, mineral exploration and prospecting, mining and metallurgy. Altered minerals such as pyroxene, garnet, olivine and rock forming minerals such as feldspar quartz can be identified rapidly with Thermal Infrared ( 6000 - 14500nm, TIR), which means a lot for mineralogical research, mineral exploration and prospecting of skarn type copper - nickel sulfide type and quartz vein type deposits. OBJECTIVES: In this paper, the spectral characteristics of altered mineral and assemblage in Makeng iron deposit are quickly demonstrated by the infrared spectral measurement and analysis of two borehole cores in the deposit collected by the cores and samples center of natural resources. METHODS: Altered minerals and alteration zones were identified using Hylogger - 3 through infrared spectroscopy technology. RESULTS: The results show that the altered minerals in Makeng are include garnet, pyroxene, carbonate, chlorite, sericite, hornblende, epidote, montmorillonite, gypsum, etc. There are significant reflections at 9199nm, 9730nm, 10500nm and 11100nm for garnet. For pyroxene, the significant reflections mainly located at 11500nm and 12150nm. Altered minerals and assemblages distributes in bands spatially, which are strictly controlled by wall rock and hydrothermal metasomatism. In this study, garnet + pyroxene can be used as the typical mineral assemblage of skarn deposits, and the characteristics of alteration bands show the changs of the main orebody from high temperature to low temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Combined with the geological characteristics of the deposit, Makeng Iron Mine is inferred as a typical stratabound skarn deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]