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