Controls of Tungsten Mineralization at Chhendapathar, District Bankura, West Bengal

The paper, describes the structure and tectonic environments of the tungsten mineralization at Chhendapathar, India's largest tungsten mining district. The main structural configuration of the district developed as a result of early, cross and later fold movements during the Singhbhum Orogeny (2000-850 m.y.). The early folding generated axial plane schistosity, whereas cross fold movements produced asymmetrical folds, and the later folding gave rise to a broad zone of culmination, that was the site of an intrusion-the source of tungsten-bearing solutions, responsible for the ore deposits. Ore controlling structures like shear-slips, shear-fractures and fault-fractures were primarily formed during the period of cross folding. On mineralization, they developed into vein patterns trending: (i) N70°E, (ii) N50°w, (iii) N70°w, (iv) N50°E, and (v) N10°E. Post-ore faults have dislocated the veins, sometimes rotating their strike by about 25°.