Gold Mineralisation in Salumbar-Parsola Area of Aravalli Fold Belt of Southeastern Rajasthan

Exploration work during 1993-97 in 1000 km2 area extending from Salumbar to Parsola has led to recognition of several gold bearing zones in almost all horizons of lower Aravalli sequence starting right from basal quartzite to pebbly schist/conglomerate except perhaps in schistose rocks. In general, gold content of lowermost rocks like basal quartzite and meta-basalts is lower (mean gold:90 ppb and 106 ppb respectively) than the gold contents of rocks of upper horizons like dolomitic marble-I, dolomitic marble-I1 and composite-gneiss (mean gold:452 ppb, 361 ppb, 191 ppb respectively). In addition to locating gold mineralisation in Rajpura, Padwa, Kukra, Dhaulimagri, Bhungabhat, Amalva-Dagocha-Rathri, Barasarpatia and Mokpura areas in dolomite marble, potential gold zones in sheared quartzite and gneiss are identified in Bhabrana, Navagaon, Dhuntarnagra and Jaitana-Mandii areas. Gold mineralisation is shear controlled and is associated with structural elements of both the first and second deformations. Vast gold potential of Aravalli fold belt (AFB) has been indicated by the presence of deep-ischolar_mained faults, boron bearing rocks/minerals, silicification/jasperization and highly anomalous gold contents in stream sediment (up to 910 ppb) and lithogeocll&nical samples (mean: 301 ppb, maximum: 6500 ppb).