Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Petrochronology of Askot polymetallic deposit and its host granite gneiss Kumaun Lesser Himalaya: Implication on mineralization, magmatism and crustal evolution. |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Deepa Arya, Kumaun University, Uttarakhand |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | arya.earth11@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Camera (DSLR)
Laptop
MS Meter
GPS |
Details
Executive Summary : | The Precambrian component of the northern Indian Block (NIB) in the Lesser Himalaya has been exposed in the form of klippes and nappes all along the belt. The proposed study area lies in the central parts of Himalaya i.e., Askot crystalline which is an important Proterozoic component and holds polymetallic sulphide deposit, is an integral part of inner Lesser Himalaya. The Askot polymetallic (Cu-Zn-Pb ± Ag ± Au) sulphide deposit is located in the easternmost edge of the Askot klippe and it is the largest known sulphide deposit in the northwest Himalaya with an estimated reserve of 1.86 million tons of copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold. Sulphide mineralization is hosted within the Chl-Bt-Ms schist, tuffaceous (sericitic) schist, and Bt-augen gneiss, and are intensively altered. Mineralization forms massive, lenticular sulphide lenses whose form likely reflects Himalayan deformation and metamorphism, with an average thickness of 2.5m and a strike length of 645m. The Askot polymetallic sulphide deposit is supposed to be VMS (volcanic massive sulphide) deposit formed during the Proterozoic extensional setting. The geology, structure, mapping and stratigraphy of the rocks of Askot klippe and associated mineralization have been described in detail. However, detailed petrography of ore and host, identification of metal and magma source in the light of Proterozoic crustal evolution of NIB yet to be done. Detailed petrography and isotopic studies of the hydrothermal ore deposit and host Bt-augen granite not only help to constrain the nature of the deposit, source of magma and metal but also decode Proterozoic crustal evolution of NIB. |
Total Budget (INR): | 26,94,780 |
Organizations involved