Current Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Copper–Gold Mineralization and Associated Hydrothermal Alteration around Suwara Area, Southern Part of the Bundelkhand Craton, Central India


Affiliations
1 Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Bhopal 462 016, India
 

The structurally controlled copper–gold (Cu–Au) mineralization in the Suwara area in the southern part of the Bundelkhand craton, Central India, is hosted within quartz reefs traversing older granitoids. Mineralization is distinctly associated with hydrothermal alteration (potassic, chloritic and iron alteration in the ore zone and K-metasomatism in the wall rocks). Field observations and laboratory evidence confirm the Fe–Cu–Au association in the study area. Sulphide mineralization is represented by pyrite, chalcopyrite, covellite, chalcocite and bornite occurring as disseminations, stringers and specks within the altered quartz veins, with gold occurring as fine isolated disseminations within quartz and iron oxides. Chemical analysis of surface and subsurface samples showed promising values for Cu (up to 1.0%) and Au (up to 450 ppb) content. Fluid inclusion studies indicated the occurrence of saline mineral fluids (Na– K–Cl-bearing) with the presence of H2O–CO2–CH4 in the mineral system. Overall characteristics of the mineralization and alteration patterns of the prospect indicate that it probably belongs to an iron oxide–copper–gold-type set-up for mineralization. The present study on Cu–Au mineralization from the southern Bundelkhand craton will have significant implications for further exploration and research in the area.

Keywords

Craton, Granitoids, Hydrothermal Alteration, Mineralization, Quartz Reefs.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Basu, A. K., Geology of parts of Bundelkhand granite massif. Rec. Geol. Surv. India, 1986, 117(II), 61–124.

  • Gaur, V. P. and Shahid, M., Geology and Mineral Resources of Bundelkhand Granitoid Complex (BGC), Special publication by Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Nagpur, 2021.

  • Pati, J. K., Raju, S., Mamgain, V. D. and Shankar, R., Gold mineralization in parts of Bundelkhand Granitoid Complex (BGC). J. Geol. Soc. India, 1997, 50, 601–606.

  • Kumar, A., Bind, G. and Hazra, D., Magmatic-hydrothermal origin of granite hosted Cu–Ba mineralization from southern Bundelkhand, Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Curr. Sci., 2023, 124(1), 13–17.

  • Hitzman, M. W., Oreskes, N. and Einaudi, M. T., Geological characteristics and tectonic setting of Proterozoic iron oxide (Cu–U–Au–LREE) deposits. Precamb. Res., 1992, 58, 241–287.

  • Barton, M. D., Treatise on Geochemistry. A Global Perspective, Elsevier, 2014, vol. 13, 2nd edn, pp. 515–536.

  • Groves, D. I., Bierlein, F. P., Meinert, L. D. and Hitzman, M. W., Iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposits through earth history: implications for origin, lithospheric setting, and distinction from other epigenetic iron oxide deposits. Econ. Geol., 2010, 105, 641–654.

  • Williams, P. J. et al., Iron oxide–copper–gold deposits: geology, space–time distribution, and possible modes of origin. Econ. Geol., 2005, 100, 371–405.

  • Monteiro, L. V. S., Roberto, P. X., Hitzman, M., Caetano, J., Filho, C. R. D. and De, R. C., Mineral chemistry of ore and hydrothermal alteration at the Sossego iron oxide–copper–gold deposit, Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil. Ore Geol. Rev., 2008, 34, 317–336.

  • Skirrow, R. G., Iron–oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposits – a review (part-I): setting, mineralogy, ore geochemistry and classification. Ore Geol. Rev., 2022, 140, 104569.

  • Shukla, A. K., Behera, P., Basavaraja, K. and Mohanty, M., Iron oxide–copper–gold-type mineralization in Machanur area, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India. Curr. Sci., 2016, 111, 11.

  • Dora, M. L., Randive, K. R., Ramchandra, H. M. and Suresh, G., Iron oxide–copper–gold mineralization at Thanewasna, western Bastar Craton. Curr. Sci., 2017, 112(5), 1045–1050.

  • Joe, K. et al., The Khetri Copper Belt, Rajasthan: A Global Perspective, PGC Publishing, Adelaide, Australia, 2002, vol. 2, pp. 321–341.

  • Fareeduddin, Kirmani, I. R. and Chander, S., Petrology, geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies of Cu–Au mineralization in paleo-proterozoic Salumber–Ghatol Belt, Aravalli Supergroup, Rajasthan. J. Geol. Soc. India, 2012, 80, 5–38.

  • Pal, D. C., Barton, M. D. and Sarangi, A. K., Deciphering a multistage history affecting U–Cu(–Fe) mineralization in the Singhbhum Shear Zone, eastern India, using pyrite textures and compositions in the Turamdih U–Cu(–Fe) deposit. Miner. Deposita, 2009, 44, 61–80.

  • Sharma, R. K. and Ray, S., Geology of the newly discovered copper–gold mineralization at Dhani–Basri, Dausa district, Rajasthan. J. Geol. Soc. India, 2007, 69, 153–160.

  • Bodnar, R. J., A method of calculating fluid inclusion volumes based on vapor bubble diameters and P–V–T–X properties of fluid inclusions. Econ. Geol., 1983, 78, 535–542.

  • Zhang, Y. G. and Franz, J. D., Determination of the homogenization temperature and densities of the supercritical fluids in the system NaCl–KCl–CaCl2–H2O using synthetic fluid inclusion. Chem. Geol., 1987, 64, 335–350.

  • Brown, P. E. and Lamb, W. M., PVT properties of the fluid in the system H2O ± CO2 ± NaCl: new graphical presentation and implication for fluid inclusion studies. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 1989, 53, 1209–1221.

  • Diamond, L. W., Salinity of multivolatile fluid inclusions determined from clathrate hydrate stability. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 1994, 58, 19–41.

  • Shepherd, T. J., Rankin, A. H. and Alderton, D. H. M., A Practical Guide to Fluid Inclusion Studies, Blackie & Sons, 1985.

  • Williams, M. R., Holwell, D. A., Lilly, R. M., George, N. D. C., and McDonald, I., Mineralogical and fluid characteristics of the fluorite-rich Monakoff and E1 Cu–Au deposits, Cloncurry region, Queensland, Australia: implications for regional F–Ba-rich IOCG mineralization. Ore Geol. Rev., 2015, 64, 103–127.

  • Darling, R. S., An extended equation to calculate NaCl contents from final clathrate melting temperatures in H2O–CO2–NaCl fluid inclusions: implications for P–T isochore location. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 1991, 55, 3869–3871.


Abstract Views: 287

PDF Views: 95




  • Copper–Gold Mineralization and Associated Hydrothermal Alteration around Suwara Area, Southern Part of the Bundelkhand Craton, Central India

Abstract Views: 287  |  PDF Views: 95

Authors

S. N. Rana
Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Bhopal 462 016, India
S. K. Ahirwar
Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Bhopal 462 016, India
V. P. Gaur
Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Bhopal 462 016, India
P. Singh
Geological Survey of India, Central Region, Bhopal 462 016, India

Abstract


The structurally controlled copper–gold (Cu–Au) mineralization in the Suwara area in the southern part of the Bundelkhand craton, Central India, is hosted within quartz reefs traversing older granitoids. Mineralization is distinctly associated with hydrothermal alteration (potassic, chloritic and iron alteration in the ore zone and K-metasomatism in the wall rocks). Field observations and laboratory evidence confirm the Fe–Cu–Au association in the study area. Sulphide mineralization is represented by pyrite, chalcopyrite, covellite, chalcocite and bornite occurring as disseminations, stringers and specks within the altered quartz veins, with gold occurring as fine isolated disseminations within quartz and iron oxides. Chemical analysis of surface and subsurface samples showed promising values for Cu (up to 1.0%) and Au (up to 450 ppb) content. Fluid inclusion studies indicated the occurrence of saline mineral fluids (Na– K–Cl-bearing) with the presence of H2O–CO2–CH4 in the mineral system. Overall characteristics of the mineralization and alteration patterns of the prospect indicate that it probably belongs to an iron oxide–copper–gold-type set-up for mineralization. The present study on Cu–Au mineralization from the southern Bundelkhand craton will have significant implications for further exploration and research in the area.

Keywords


Craton, Granitoids, Hydrothermal Alteration, Mineralization, Quartz Reefs.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv125%2Fi6%2F678-684