The first report on the chemical (Th–U–Pb) monazite age of the Mul granite pluton, Western Bastar craton, central India and its metallogenic significance

Abstract

Petrography and the geochemical attributes of the studied Mul granite pluton reveal mixed characteristics of A-type and I-type within-plate granites consistent with an extensional tectonic environment. The dominance of the primary biotite over the primary muscovite suggests its meta-aluminous nature. The dating of monazite from the Mul granitoid pluton by the in situ Th–U–Pb electron probe micro analyser chemical method indicates the tectonomagmatic event around $$1602 \pm 27$$ Ma in the western Bastar craton, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The age data possibly represent the emplacement of large bodies of grey granite and attendant monazite crystallisation at $$\sim $$ 1600 Ma. This monazite age implies that Mesoproterozoic magmatism is coeval with the formation of the Pranhita Godavari rift in the eastern flank in Maharashtra and associated with the copper and barite mineralisation in Thanewasna and the adjoining areas.