Abstract
Calcrete Geochemistry in identifying Kimberlite Lamproite Exploration Targets -A case study from Nalgonda district, Telangana, southern India
Highlights
Calcic horizons are formed where the net moisture is deficient, such that carbonate produced in the dry season is not leached away during the wet season, leading to the formation of authigenic carbonates known as calcretes
The recent discoveries of kimberlite/lamproites in Nalgonda district opened up a new panorama for the exploration of kimberlites/lamproites in the district which stand out as a bench mark to state that the district has further potential for kimberlite/lamproite exploration
More than 20 lamproite occurrences have been discovered at Ramadugu, Vattikodu, Chintalpalle, Marepalle and Gundrapalli villages in Nalonda district by the Geological Survey of India (Sridhar and Rau, 2005, Alok Kumar et al, 2013, Alok Kumar et al, 2016), which are grouped as Ramdugu Field (RLF) and Vattikodu Field (VLF)
Summary
Calcic horizons are formed where the net moisture is deficient, such that carbonate produced in the dry season is not leached away during the wet season, leading to the formation of authigenic carbonates known as calcretes. Almost every rock type can produce calcrete depending upon the enrichment of calcium in its mineral constituents. The provenance of calcretes is depictable by the presence of mineral constituents of the parent rock type. Calcretes produced out of granitoid rocks significantly contain recognisable fragments of quartz, semi-weathered feldspar, chert etc. This particular feature readily distinguishes from kimberlitic calcrete and those derived from other rock types. Calcretes originated from sedimentary rocks like limestone and dolomite contain enriched carbonate material and absence of siliceous component. An attempt is made to utilize the calcrete geochemistry to decipher the provenance and in identifying target locations for kimberlite/lamproite occurrences in Nalgonda district. The study resulted in identifying two prospectable locations where further ground investigations are suggested
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
