And Associated Ni-PGE Mineralization from Gondpipri Mafic-Ultramafic Complex, Bastar Craton, Central India
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Cent. Eur. J. Geosci. • 6(4) • 2014 • 506-517 DOI: 10.2478/s13533-012-0185-9 Central European Journal of Geosciences Tsumoite (BiTe) and associated Ni-PGE mineralization from Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex, Bastar Craton, Central India: mineralogy and genetic significance Topical issue M.L. Dora1∗, H. Singh1, A .Kundu2, M.Shareef3, K.R. Randive4, S. Joshi2 1 Geological Survey of India, Shillong, 793003, India 2 Geological Survey of India, Faridabad, India 3 Geological Survey of India, Bangalore, India 4 Dept of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440001, India Received 25 March 2014; accepted 19 June 2014 Abstract: This paper reports the occurrence of Tsumoite (a bismuth telluride) in the Heti Cu-Ni-PGM prospect, Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex, Central India. The Gondpipri complex consists of several tectonically dismembered gabbronorite-gabbro- anorthositic gabbro - olivine gabbro -websterite disposed in ~10 km long tonalite-trondhjemite- granodiorite (TTG) and charnockite-enderbite suite of rocks. The mineralization occurs in the sulphide zone hosted by gabbro variants. The host rocks have been deformed and metamorphosed to granulite grade and subjected to various degrees of hydrothermal alteration. The mineralization comprises chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrrhotite, cubanite, millerite, and pyrite. In addition to these, occur (1) tsumoite (2) PGM in the form of moncheite, merenskyite, Pd-mellonite, and Pt-Pd-Te-Bi-Fe-S alloy. The present study indicates that the mineralization occurs in two stages related to: (i) magmatic and (ii) hydrothermal remobilization and transport of Cu-rich sulphides, tsumoite and PGM, and their re-deposition in hydrosilicate alteration zones. It is possible that the mineralization at Heti formed at different stages of bismuth activity under variable fS , T, and fTe conditions due to change in total concentration of Te and S and /or cooling. Since the role of S is limited, Te and cooling are important factor influencing mineralogy and composition of tsumoite and associated2 mineralization.2 Mineralization occurs in two different modes of occurrences. The early mineralisation occur as blebs, specks and dissemination of sulphides, viz. pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite and minor pyrite ± PGM, whereas later mineralisation occur as stringers, minor veins of sulphides viz. pyrite, millerite, cubanite, sijenite, tsumoite and ± PGM. Mineral assemblages and textural relationships at Heti has indicated precipitation of tsumoite and associated PGM along fractures and secondary silicates, which confirms their hydrothermal origin. Keywords: Tsumoite • PGM • base metal sulphides • hydrothermal • Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex • Bastar craton © Versita sp. z o.o. ∗ 506 E-mail: [email protected] M.L. Dora, H. Singh, A .Kundu, M.Shareef, K.R. Randive, S. Joshi 1. Introduction and mafic igneous suites constitute the bulk of the geology of Bastar carton [26–31]. TTG and granite cover major part Tsumoite, a Bi-telluride, is a relatively rare mineral that of the area along with supracrustal sequences. The high generally occur as a minor or trace component in ore de- grade Archaean gneisses terrain forms the basement of posits in a wide variety of geological setting [1]. It is a the older and younger supracrustals rocks. The granitoids characteristic accessory component of polymetallic gold- are intrusive into the basement gneisses and also into bearing skarns and base metal ore deposits of magmatic, the older supracrustals. Bastar craton has experienced hydrothermal and metamorphogenic type [2–4]. There are many episodes of mafic magmatism during the Precambrian, 7 3 four known bismuth tellurides: hedleyite (Bi Te ), pilsenite which is evident from a variety of Precambrian mafic rocks 4 3 2 3 (Bi Te ), tsumoite (BiTe) and tellurobismuthite (Bi Te )[5]. exposed in all parts of the Bastar craton in the form of dykes These are usually found to be associated with pyrite, chal- and volcanic rocks [25–33]. These intrude all the older copyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, magnetite, arsenopyrite, suites of rocks (basement gneisses, older supracrustals and native bismuth, and native gold. Studies have shown that granitoids) predominantly along NE-SW directions [34]. tellurides of Pt, Pd, Ni, Ag, Pb and Bi occur in Cu–Ni–PGE The major tectonic movements trigger the generation of deposits of either magmatic origin [6–10] or hydrothermal mafic magmas in the mantle and help in the emplacement origin [11] or metamorphic origin [12–14]. Tellurides have of derived magmas at various crustal levels and associated been intensively studied for understanding the ore genesis mineralization. These are emplaced in different tectonic in different deposits of the world [15–20], example- gold settings such as along passive continental margin, back deposits at Kasperske Hory [21]; Zadní Chodov uranium de- arc compressional basin [35, 36] and intracratonic setting posit [22]; Cu-Ni sulphide mineralization at Stare Ransko [37]. deposit of Czech Republic [23]. The Heti Ni-PGE-tsumoite prospect is part of the Gond- In the Indian context, tsumoite (BiTe) has not been re- pipri mafic-ultramafic complex (GMC), which is situated ported so far although there are few known occurrences in the western part of the Bastar craton (WBC), nearly of Ni–Bi tellurides from Singbhum Craton [24]. In this 200 km SE of Nagpur (Figure 1B). It comprises mainly TTG, research, we could be able to characterize the rare oc- quartz diorite, charnockite, metapyroxenite and metagab- currence of tsumoite (Bi-telluride), probably for the first broic rock, which are intruded by younger undeformed time, from the Heti Ni–PGE prospect within the Gond- dolerites (Figure 1B) [38]. These rocks form the base- pipri mafic-ultramafic complex (GMC) in the Bastar craton, ment for the overlying Meso to Neoproterozoic platformal Central India. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the sediments of the Pakhal Supergroup and Gondwana sed- mineralogy and mineral chemistry of tsumoite with refer- iments along the N-S to NNW-SSE trending Godavari ence to the mechanism of tsumoite – basemetal sulphides rift [36]. GMC consists of several tectonically dismem- (BMS)-platinum group of minerals (PGM) crystallization bered gabbro–websterite–olivine gabbro bodies disposed and its petrogenetic significance in understanding the ore in a 10 km long NE-SW trending linear belt within formation processes is presented and discussed. tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) and charnockite- enderbite (Figure 1B) [39]. The mineralized host rocks 2. Geological Setting are lensoidal occur as lenticular NE-SW trending body, dipping 45° to 55° southerly and is invariably conformable to regional structure of the country rocks (Figure 1B). The gabbroic rock does not show any exposed contact with Heti Cu-Ni-PGE-tsumoite prospect in Gondpipri mafic- the surrounding rocks, but exhibits layering defined by ultramafic complex (GMC) is located towards the western plagioclase laths and tabular pyroxene (Figure 2A). fringe of Bastar craton (WBC). Bastar craton exhibits a 3. Mineralization and mode of occur- complex tectono-magmatic geology surrounded by four crustal block; the Dharwar craton in SW, the Bundelkhand rence craton in NW and the Singbhum craton in NE, separated by almost parallel NW trending Mesoproterozoic Mahanadi (> 500 km) and Godavari (> 700 km) rifts to the NE and SW. It is also bounded by two mobile belts, the Central Ni-PGE-tsumoite mineralization in the Heti area is lo- Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) to NW and the Eastern Ghat calized in the sulphide zone within gabbro variants viz., Mobile Belt to SE (Figure 1A) [25]. The Proterozoic Pakhal gabbro-gabbronorite-anorthositic gabbro [39]. Sulphide Supergroup of rocks, Gondwana Supergroup of rocks and minerals noticed from the freshly broken surface of the Deccan traps occur to the west of Bastar Craton. Gneisses, host rock include chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite. granitoid, granulites, supracrustals (older and younger) These sulphides occur in the form of specks, blebs, fine to 507 Tsumoite (BiTe) and associated Ni-PGE mineralization from Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex, Bastar Craton, Central India: mineralogy and… Figure 1. Location of the study area: (A) showing different cratons of Peninsular India and (B) showing geological map of Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex, Bastar craton, Central India (modified after Dora et al., 2011). 508 M.L. Dora, H. Singh, A .Kundu, M.Shareef, K.R. Randive, S. Joshi Figure 2. Field photographs and photomicrographs of the typical sulfide–silicate relationships at Heti Prospect, Gondpipri mafic-ultramafic complex: (A) field photograph showing Plagioclase layering in gabbro; (B) drill core sample showing two different modes of sulphide mineralization; (C) sulphide globules (Slf) surrounded by Opx and Cpx and occur at interface of silicates, transmitted light; (D) plagioclase(Pl) showing deformation features like tapering twin lamellae, kink bent, transmitted light; (E) Recrystallized and remobilized sulphides (Slf) and tsumoite(Tsm) along fractures, reflected light; (F) veinlets of net structure secondary sulphides (Slf) filling fracture of silicates and chlorites (Chl) under reflected light; (G) worm like cubanite (Cbn) exsolved from chalcpoyrite (Ccp) at low temperature hydrothermal fluid, reflected light. coarse-grained dissemination and stringers (Figure 2B). of oxidation of sulphides due to alteration of pyrhotite Dissemination and specks are associated with mafic rich and pyrite [40]. This is identified due to the presence of portion