Nuggihalli Schist Belt Research Articles

Geochemical Orientation Study of Stream Sediment Samples in the Southern Part of Nuggihalli Schist Belt: Ore Mineral Phases and Their Implications on the Bedrock Potential for Ores

Geochemical Orientation Study of Stream Sediment Samples in the Southern Part of Nuggihalli Schist Belt: Ore Mineral Phases and Their Implications on the Bedrock Potential for Ores

Compositional variations, thermometry, and probable parental magmas of Archean chromite from the Sargur greenstone belt, Western Dharwar Craton (India)

The chromite and magnesite deposits from Talur, Sindhuvalli, and Doddakanya in the layered ultramafic-mafic plutonic sequence are a part of the Archean Sargur greenstone belt within the Western Dharwar Craton of the Indian shield. The ultramafic bodies in these three areas are highly sheared and comprise of serpentinized dunite with chromitite bodies along with harzburgite and pyroxenite. Detailed electron microprobe studies reveal intense compositional variability of the chromite grains in silicate-rich chromitite (~ 50 vol% of chromite) and serpentinite (~ 2 vol% of chromite) throughout the entire ultramafic sequence. In Talur, the chromites in massive chromitites (~ 60–70 vol% of chromite) are characterized by relatively lower Mg# (0.28–0.39) compared to chromites from massive chromitites in Sindhuvalli (Mg# = 0.63–0.69). The accessory chromite in dunite from Talur shows higher Cr#, Fe2O3, TiO2, and MnO content than other localities. The range of Fo content of cumulus olivine in dunites from Talur (Fo91-92) is relatively lower than the dunite from Doddakanya (Fo92-93) and net-textured chromitite from Sindhuvalli (Fo95-96). The range of Mg# in the intercumulus clinopyroxene in Talur net-textured chromitite varies between 94 and 99, whereas, in the Sindhuvalli net-textured chromitite, the intercumulus clinopyroxene shows a lower range of Mg# (= 96–97). Chromites in massive and silicate-rich chromitites, and from dunite contain several rounded to subhedral inclusions of silicate minerals of various sizes (~ 4–20 μm). Spherical inclusions of olivine (Fo94) are present in accessory chromites of dunite (Fo87). The Mg-rich clinopyroxene inclusions have Cr2O3 content from 1.5 to 2.3 wt%. The clinopyroxene inclusions in the Talur schlieren-banded chromitite are more magnesian (Mg# = 95–98) compared to the inclusions in chromites of the Sindhuvalli net-textured chromitite (Mg# = 96–97). The euhedral phlogopite inclusions in chromites from the Sindhuvalli net-textured chromitite are Mg-rich (~ 31.09 wt% MgO) with a significant amount of K2O (~ 9.28 wt%). The chlorite inclusion in chromites from the Talur schlieren-banded chromitite is also Mg-rich (~ 39.32 wt% MgO) with Al2O3 ~ 21.01 wt% and a significant amount of Cr2O3 (~ 3.51 wt%). Clinopyroxene (along with phlogopite) inclusions always occur as independent grain testifying their primary nature and might be genetically linked with the chromite crystallization from a primary high-Mg silicate magma. Chlorite and dolomite inclusions may be related to secondary hydrothermal alteration events. The average re-equilibration temperature of the olivine-chromite pairs in the Sindhuvalli net-textured chromitite and Doddaknaya dunite of around 545 °C represents the first stage of metamorphism under reducing conditions. Subsequently, the second hydrothermal episode involved fluids evolving to an average temperature of about 327 °C calculated from the accessory chromite and olivine pairs from Talur dunite, consistent with the abundance of magnesite veins throughout the Talur mines. The computed values of Al2O3, TiO2, and FeO/MgO ratio of the melt show that the parental melt associated with the chromitites in the Sargur greenstone belt has a close resemblance with the parental melt of the chromitites in the Nuggihalli schist belt, which is low-Al komatiitic. In the tectonic discrimination diagrams, most of the primary chromite compositions from Sargur plot within the field of chromites from komatiites from the Archean greenstone belts. Parental komatiitic magma fractionated in the subvolcanic conduits within the thin lithospheric crust and formed the sill-like layered ultramafic-mafic bodies with chromite deposits. These conduits fed the overlying extrusive system that developed the ultramafic-mafic volcanic sequence of the Sargur greenstone belt in the Western Dharwar Craton.

Spectral Response of Few Important Textural Variants of Chromitite and its Potential in Estimating Relative Grades of Chromitite – A Case Study for Chromitite of Nuggihalli Schist Belt, India

We have collected, processed and analysed the reflectance spectra of representative chromitite samples of spot type, clot type and disseminated type textural variants to understand the diagnostic spectral features of each of these samples. We have found that the reflectance spectrum of each textural variant is distinct from the spectra of other variants despite having few common absorption features. Spectral features of chromitite samples are governed by the spectra of two dominant minerals, chromite and chlorite. Spectral features of chromitite at 550 nm and 1100 nm are governed by electronic transition process in Fe 3+ and crystal field effect in Fe 2+ ions present in chromite structure respectively. On the other hand, spectral features at 1400 nm, 1900 nm and 2300 nm are related to the vibration of O–H, H–OH and metal hydroxide bonds in chlorite. Amongst these features, the spectral feature at 1100 nm (due to Fe 2+ in chromite grains) is common to all three major textural varieties of chromitite samples studied here. Electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) data of chromite and chlorite grains of each texture are used to relate the presence and abundance of Fe 2+ (in chromite grains) with absorption feature. Width of the 1100 nm feature has a correlation value 0.95, while depth of the same feature has a correlation value 0.94 with the abundance of chromite mineral estimated using modal analysis of chromite samples. Therefore, spectrometric parameter of 1100 nm spectral feature of chromitite can be used as proxy for estimating modal abundance of chromite in chromitite samples after estimating deposit specific correlation coefficient.

Fluid Inclusion Characteristics of Basemetal Mineralization in Southern Part of Aladahalli - Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT Aladahalli-Nuggihalli Schist belt of Karnataka in Western Dharwar Craton is well known for its remobilized volcanic exhalative type base-metal mineralization. The schist belt comprises metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic rock assemblage, traversed by quartz veins. The study area belonging to the southern extension of the schist belt is chosen on the basis of bipolar aero-magnetic anomaly (magnetic high) and higher order EM channels (4th, 5th and 6th) along with favourable geological conditions for mineralization. Lithology of the area includes metabasics (dominant) and meta-ultramafics intricately associated with pegmatite dykes and quartz veins. Subsurface mineral exploration programmes carried out in Aladahalli belt shows a close link between the quartz veins and sulphide mineralisation. Fluid inclusion study has been carried out on quartz samples from these veins to characterise the composition and P – T condition of entrapment of fluid inclusions. Three contrasting types of fluid inclusions are reported suggesting moderate to low salinity hydrothermal fluid pertaining to shallow-level epithermal condition.

First Finding of Native Gold from the Chromitites of the Mesoarchaean Tagadur Mines, Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Dharwar Craton, South India

Abstract Occurrence of native gold in ultramafic rocks is rather rare. Such occurrences serve as snapshots of the underlying processes leading to their formation and modifications thereafter. Presence of native gold as flakes were earlier reported from the chromites of rock massifs of Kraka, southern Urals, Russia (Kovalev et al. 2007). Gold spherules also occur as tiny inclusions (5-30 µm) in olivine, pyrrohotite and magnetite grains from the ultrabasic rocks of Loveld deposit, South Africa (Rozhkov, 1967). Here we report, probably for the first time, occurrence of native gold from the chromitites of the Mesoarchaean Tagadur Mines of the Nuggihalli Schist Belt (NSB), Dharwar Craton, south India. Geological Survey of India (2006) has already reported significant gold content from the bulk ultramafic rocks of Kempinakote area far south of the current study area. A short discussion on the preliminary petrographic features of the gold grains and its significance is presented.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around chromite mining areas, Nuggihalli, Karnataka, India

Toxic heavy metals represent one of the possible environmental hazards from mine lands, which affect many countries having historic mining industries. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the degree of soil pollution occurring near chromite mines, and make a systematic evaluation of soil contamination based on geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and pollution index. This paper presents the pollution load of toxic heavy metals (As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn and Zr) in 57 soil samples collected around three different active (Tagdur), abandoned (Jambur) chromite mining sites as well residential zone around Chikkondanahalli of the Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Karnataka, India. Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals by using Wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results indicated that elevated concentrations of Cr, Ni and Co in soils of the study area exceed the Soil Quality Guideline limits (SQGL). The high enrichment factor for Cr, Ni Co obtained in the soil samples show that there is a steady increase of toxic heavy metals risk in this area, which could be correlated with the past mining activity and post abandoned mining in the area. The data was also treated to study the geoaccumulation index, pollution index and spatial distribution of toxic elements. Emphasis need to be put on control measures of pollution and remediation techniques in the study area.

Compositional Variations in the Mesoarchean Chromites of the Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton (India): Potential Parental Melts and Implications for Tectonic Settings

The chromite deposits in the Archean Nuggihalli schist belt are part of a layered ultramafic–mafic sequence within the Western Dharwar Craton of the Indian shield. The 3.1-Ga ultramafic–mafic units occur as sill-like intrusions within the volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Nuggihalli greenstone belt that are surrounded by the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suite of rocks. The entire succession is exposed in the Tagdur mining district. The succession has been divided into the lower and the upper ultramafic units, separated by a middle gabbro unit. The ultramafic units comprise of deformed massive chromitite bodies that are hosted within chromite-bearing serpentinites. The chromitite bodies occur in the form of pods and elongated lenses (~60–500 m by ~15 m). Detailed electron microprobe studies reveal intense compositional variability of the chromite grains in silicate-rich chromitite (~50% modal chromite) and serpentinite (~2% modal chromite) throughout the entire ultramafic sequence. However, the primary composition of chromite is preserved in the massive chromitites (~60–75% modal chromite) from the Byrapur and the Bhaktarhalli mining district of the Nuggihalli schist belt. These are characterized by high Cr-ratios (Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.78–0.86) and moderate Mg-ratios (Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) = 0.38–0.58). The compositional variability occurs due to sub-solidus re-equilibration in the accessory chromite in the serpentinite (Mg-ratio = 0.01–0.38; Cr-ratio = 0.02–0.99) and in silicate-rich chromitite (Mg-ratio = 0.06–0.48; Cr-ratio = 0.60–0.99). In the massive chromitites, the sub-solidus re-equilibration for chromite is less or absent. However, the re-equilibration is prominent in the co-existing interstitial and included olivine (Fo96–98) and pyroxene grains (Mg-numbers = 97–99). Compositional variability on the scale of a single chromite grain occurs in the form of zoning, and it is common in the accessory chromite grains in serpentinite and in the altered grains in chromitite. In the zoned grains, the composition of the core is modified and the rim is ferritchromit. In general, ferritchromit occurs as irregular patches along the grain boundaries and fractures of the zoned grains. In this case, ferritchromit formation is not very extensive. This indicates a secondary low temperature hydrothermal origin of ferritchromit during serpentinization. In some occurrences, the ferritchromit rim is very well developed, and only a small relict core appears to remain in the chromite grain. However, complete alteration of the chromite grains to ferritchromit without any remnant core is also present. The regular, well-developed and continuous occurrence of ferritchromit rims around the chromite grain boundaries, the complete alteration of the chromite grains and the modification of the core composition indicate the alteration in the Nuggihalli schist belt to be intense, pervasive and affected by later low-grade metamorphism. The primary composition of chromite has been used to compute the nature of the parental melt. The parental melt calculations indicate derivation from a high-Mg komatiitic basalt that is similar to the composition of the komatiitic rocks reported from the greenstone sequences of the Western Dharwar Craton. Tectonic discrimination diagrams using the primary composition of chromites indicate a supra-subduction zone setting (SSZ) for the Archean chromitites of Nuggihalli and derivation from a boninitic magma. The composition of the komatiitic basalts resembles those of boninites that occur in subduction zones and back-arc rift settings. Formation of the massive chromitites in Nuggihalli may be due to magma mixing process involving hydrous high-Mg magmas or may be related to intrusions of chromite crystal laden magma; however, there is little scope to test these models because the host rocks are highly altered, serpentinized and deformed. The present configurations of the chromitite bodies are related to the multistage deformation processes that are common in Archean greenstone belts.

News and Notes: Report on Training in “Advances in Chromitite, Ni-Cu Sulphide and PGE Deposits in Ultramafic and Mafic Igneous Rocks with Special Reference to the Nuggihalli Schist Belt (NSB) and Extension Areas, Karnataka, India

News and Notes: Report on Training in “Advances in Chromitite, Ni-Cu Sulphide and PGE Deposits in Ultramafic and Mafic Igneous Rocks with Special Reference to the Nuggihalli Schist Belt (NSB) and Extension Areas, Karnataka, India

New Data on the Mineralogy of Chromite from the Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, Karnataka, India: Petrogenetic Implications

Abstract:The occurrence of rhythmic layering of chromite and host serpentinites in the deformed layered igneous complexes has been noticed in the Nuggihalli schist belt (NSB) in the western Dharwar craton, Karnataka, South India. For this study, the chromitite rock samples were collected from Jambur, Tagadur, Bhakatarhalli, Ranganbetta and Byrapur in the NSB. Petrography and ore microscopic studies on chromite show intense cataclasis and alteration to ferritchromite. The ferritchromite compositions are characterized by higher Cr number (Cr/[Cr+Al]) (0.68–0.98) and lower Mg number (Mg/[Mg+Fe]) (0.33–0.82) ratios in ferritchromite compared to that of parent chromite. The formation process for the ferritchromite is thought to be related to the exchange of Mg, Al, Cr, and Fe between the chromite, surrounding silicates (serpentines, chlorites), and fluid during serpentinization.

Compositional variations in the Mesoarchean chromites of the Nuggihalli schist belt, Western Dharwar Craton (India): potential parental melts and implications for tectonic setting

The chromite deposits in the Archean Nuggihalli schist belt are part of a layered ultramafic–mafic sequence within the Western Dharwar Craton of the Indian shield. The 3.1-Ga ultramafic–mafic units occur as sill-like intrusions within the volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Nuggihalli greenstone belt that are surrounded by the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) suite of rocks. The entire succession is exposed in the Tagdur mining district. The succession has been divided into the lower and the upper ultramafic units, separated by a middle gabbro unit. The ultramafic units comprise of deformed massive chromitite bodies that are hosted within chromite-bearing serpentinites. The chromitite bodies occur in the form of pods and elongated lenses (~60–500 m by ~15 m). Detailed electron microprobe studies reveal intense compositional variability of the chromite grains in silicate-rich chromitite (~50% modal chromite) and serpentinite (~2% modal chromite) throughout the entire ultramafic sequence. However, the primary composition of chromite is preserved in the massive chromitites (~60–75% modal chromite) from the Byrapur and the Bhaktarhalli mining district of the Nuggihalli schist belt. These are characterized by high Cr-ratios (Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.78–0.86) and moderate Mg-ratios (Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) = 0.38–0.58). The compositional variability occurs due to sub-solidus re-equilibration in the accessory chromite in the serpentinite (Mg-ratio = 0.01–0.38; Cr-ratio = 0.02–0.99) and in silicate-rich chromitite (Mg-ratio = 0.06–0.48; Cr-ratio = 0.60–0.99). In the massive chromitites, the sub-solidus re-equilibration for chromite is less or absent. However, the re-equilibration is prominent in the co-existing interstitial and included olivine (Fo96–98) and pyroxene grains (Mg-numbers = 97–99). Compositional variability on the scale of a single chromite grain occurs in the form of zoning, and it is common in the accessory chromite grains in serpentinite and in the altered grains in chromitite. In the zoned grains, the composition of the core is modified and the rim is ferritchromit. In general, ferritchromit occurs as irregular patches along the grain boundaries and fractures of the zoned grains. In this case, ferritchromit formation is not very extensive. This indicates a secondary low temperature hydrothermal origin of ferritchromit during serpentinization. In some occurrences, the ferritchromit rim is very well developed, and only a small relict core appears to remain in the chromite grain. However, complete alteration of the chromite grains to ferritchromit without any remnant core is also present. The regular, well-developed and continuous occurrence of ferritchromit rims around the chromite grain boundaries, the complete alteration of the chromite grains and the modification of the core composition indicate the alteration in the Nuggihalli schist belt to be intense, pervasive and affected by later low-grade metamorphism. The primary composition of chromite has been used to compute the nature of the parental melt. The parental melt calculations indicate derivation from a high-Mg komatiitic basalt that is similar to the composition of the komatiitic rocks reported from the greenstone sequences of the Western Dharwar Craton. Tectonic discrimination diagrams using the primary composition of chromites indicate a supra-subduction zone setting (SSZ) for the Archean chromitites of Nuggihalli and derivation from a boninitic magma. The composition of the komatiitic basalts resembles those of boninites that occur in subduction zones and back-arc rift settings. Formation of the massive chromitites in Nuggihalli may be due to magma mixing process involving hydrous high-Mg magmas or may be related to intrusions of chromite crystal laden magma; however, there is little scope to test these models because the host rocks are highly altered, serpentinized and deformed. The present configurations of the chromitite bodies are related to the multistage deformation processes that are common in Archean greenstone belts.

Crystal chemical and 57 Fe M�ssbauer study of chromite from the Nuggihalli schist belt (India)

In the Nuggihalli schist belt (India), chromite bodies were affected by intense serpentinization followed by weathering. In spite of the strong oxidation of the chromite grains, some unaltered cores were preserved, and they were characterised using electron probe microanalysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and low temperature 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy. Results of such investigations revealed that chromite cores from the Nuggihalli schist belt are effectively not oxidised, and their study revealed that chromite was not affected by greenschist-facies metamorphism. The apparently highly ordered cation distribution of the chromites, which would suggest low equilibration temperature, is just caused by the very high Cr contents, which prevent Mg–Al exchange between T and M sites. Using Fabries (1979) geothermometer a temperature of about 1180 °C was retrieved (Mitra and Bidyananda, 2003), which therefore corresponds to the quenched-in igneous equilibrium.

Cation distribution in calcic amphiboles from the Nuggihalli Greenstone belt, S. India and its geological significance

Amphiboles from Nuggihalli schist belt are analyzed and found to be mainly magnesio-hornblende, ferro-hornblende and actinolitic hornblende. Mossbauer study of actinolitic hornblende shows presence of iron in the Ml, M2, M3 and M4 sites. A lower QS value (1.66 mm/s) at M4 site for Fe 2 + indicates a faster rate of crystallization of the studied sample whereas Fe 3 + /Fe 2 + ratio (0.14) indicates that the amphiboles were formed in an oxidizing environment (high fO 2 ). Based on plagioclase-amphibole geothermometry, equilibration temperature of meta-anorthosite is seen to range between 648 °C (921 K) and 704 °C (977K). The amphibolite is found to be equilibrated in a water rich environment (X H 2 O ranging from 0.81 to 0.89). Considering the pressures as 5 and 7kbar, and the amphibolite subassemblages such as, calcite-rutile-quartz and epidote-plagioclase-calcite, in the T-X C O 2 section (derived from THERMOCALC program) the invariant points are seen to be at (i) X C O 2 = 0.11, T = 493 °C and (ii) X C O 2 = 0.19, T = 562 °C at the respective pressures. The calculated M2-M4 distribution coefficient (K D ) in Nuggihalli actinolitic hornblende is found to be 0.0034, which corresponds to a temperature of equilibration at around 435 °C.

Ferritchromit and its opto-chemical behaviour.

The compositions of the highly reflective zones (e.g., rim, patches, fractures, etc.) in chromites from two Indian chromite deposits (Sukinda and Nuggihalli schist belt) put them in the class of ‘ferritchromit’ and its ilk. EPMA study shows depletion of Mg, Al and enrichment of Cr, Fe from the host chromites to ferritchromit. The weakly anisotropic ‘ferritchromit’, however, hardly show any exsolution relationship with its host. High Fe3+/Fe2+ ratios in ‘ferritchromit’ determined from EPMA study are also found to have positive correlation with high Fe3+/Fe2+ values, as obtained from 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopic study, of the bulk samples; all are suggestive of oxidation as the process causing ferritchromitization at any stage after the crystallization of chromites. The process of chemical transformation essentially involves the expulsion of Al, Mg and enrichment of Cr, Fe in these zones. The causative force arises out primarily from release of electron during oxidation and relaxation of the inbuilt lattice strain and transition from a perfectly cubic to a lower symmetry. The progress of work on this problem of ferritchromitization has been reassessed in the light of the present observations on samples from widely separated tectono-stratigraphic horizons of India.

Nuggihalli schist belt in the Karnataka Craton; an Archean layered complex as interpreted from chromite distribution

Nuggihalli schist belt in the Karnataka Craton; an Archean layered complex as interpreted from chromite distribution

Chrome Chlorite (Kotschubeite) from the Nuggihalli Schist Belt

AbstractChrome chlorite associated with the chromite deposits of the Nuggihalli schist belt has been investigated by detailed mineralogical, chemical, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal and i.r. spectral analyses. Following the nomenclature of Lapham (1958) it is inferred that the chromium of the chrome chlorite is in the tetrahedral position and therefore the mineral is kotschubeite and not kaemmererite as suggested by earlier workers.

Geochemistry of boron in the ultrabasics of Nuggihalli schist belt, Karnatak state, India

Contents of boron (ppm), magnesia (%) and silica (%) of thirty samples of basic and ultrabasic rocks and 8 samples of serpentinites from Nuggihalli schist belt have been determined by spectrochemical, E.D.T.A. and colorimetric methods respectively. From the analytical data it is found that boron in serpentinites and ultrabasic rocks has higher clarks. The increase of boron in serpentinites and ultrabasic rocks is suggestive of allometamorphism. From the geochemical and statistical investigations it appears that there exists a correlation between the content of boron and magnesia in the basic and ultrabasic rocks and in serpentinites. Boron content in brown serpentinite is less than in platy serpentinite.

Study of the nickel silicates associated with the ultrabasic rocks of Nuggihalli schist belt, mysore state

The occurrence of some nickel silicate minerals as encrustations along joint planes and shear zones of the chromite bearing ultrabasic rocks of Nuggihalli schist belt is described. Chemical and X-ray study shows besides amorphous nickel silicate, the presence of granierite, nepouite or nickel antigorite. The nickel minerals are secondary developed by the action of circulating waters. The source of nickel is olivine, in the structure of which Ni is known to be present, either as camouflaged or captured ion.