An appraisal of mineral systems associated with Precambrian Large Igneous Provinces of the Indian Shield

Abstract

We examined Precambrian Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) of the Indian Shield for their economic potential. These include 3 proposed LIP events in the Archean and 12 LIP events during Proterozoic. Mafic-ultramafic units of LIPs are key targets for mineralization of Cu-Ni-Co-platinum group elements (PGEs), Fe-Ti-V and Cr; both as oxides and sulfides. Examples include Cr, PGE, V-Ti deposit hosted in the ultramafic rocks of the Paleoarchean Nuggihalli greenstone belt in the western Dharwar craton, which is linked to the ca. 3.35–3.34 Ga Sargur LIP. More broadly, geochemical data indicating significant crustal contamination suggest Cu-Ni, Co, PGE sulfide mineralization potential for the ca. 2.80–2.75 Ga Ghatgaon, ca. 2.37–2.36 Ga Bangalore, ca. 2.22 Ga Kandlamadugu, ca. 2.21–2.18 Ga Anantapur, and ca. 1.89–1.85 Ga Bastanar LIPs. The Malanjkhand Cu mineralization in the Bastar craton can be explained by hydrothermal alteration of mafic dykes of the ca. 1.89–1.85 Ga Bastanar LIP generating immiscible sulfide melts, which, in turn, are deposited in adjacent granitic rocks; however, its association with the ca. 2.50–2.47 Ga Dantewara LIP cannot be ruled out. The Taramatipet and Pirancheru molybdenite occurrences in the eastern Dharwar craton can be explained by the mixing of a sialic magma with injections of a deep-seated basic melt associated with the emplacement of mafic dykes linked to the ca. 2.26–2.25 Ga Ippaguda LIP. Diamondiferous kimberlites in the Dharwar, Bastar and Vindhyan (surrounding the Bundelkhand craton) regions are coeval and linked to the ca. 1.11 (−1.05) Ga Mahoba LIP. REE, U-Th, Nb-Ta, P, and Cu mineralization associated with the ca. 0.80–0.75 Ga alkaline-carbonatite complexes from the southern Indian Shield is linked to the ca. 0.77–0.75 Ga Malani Igneous Suite (Silicic LIP) from the Aravalli craton.