A Project on the Geology of Chhattisgarh

By Nishith Verma & Group IVth Semester, Mining NIT Raipur

Index
Chhattisgarh An attractive Mines Destination. Minerals of Chhattisgarh. Mineral Map of Chhattisgarh. Important Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh. Geology of Chhattisgarh. Geological Environment. Archeans. Proterozoics. Mesozoics. Cenozoics.

Chhattisgarh An attractive Mines Destination

Centrally located with high mineral and industrial potential. Well connected by air, rail and road transport. Low population density (~150 persons/km2), no dearth of land. Sufficient power generation. Large number of mineral-based industries. User-friendly government policies.

Minerals of Chhattisgarh
Occurrences of 28 major minerals are known in Chhattisgarh along with a number of other minerals occurring in traces. Many mineral deposits have been evaluated and are being mined. States mineral resources include: Bulk minerals like iron ore, coal, limestone, dolomite, bauxite, graphite, quartzite, etc. High value minerals like cassiterite, diamond, corundum & other gemstones, precious, base and rare metals/elements, etc.

Mineral Map of Chhattisgarh

28 minerals are known all over the state, important ones being
Coal. Iron ore. Bauxite. Limestone. Dolomite. Tin ore. Diamond. Corundum.

Important Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Geology of Chhattisgarh
Geological Formations:
Archean Formations : (>2500 Ma) occupy ~ 60,000 km2.

Proterozoic Formations: (2500-570 Ma) occupy ~ 53,000 km2.

Mesozoic Formations : occupy ~ 19000 km2. Cenozoic Formations : occupy ~ 3,000 km2.

Geological Environment
Lithological sequence ranging from Archean to Recent is available in Chhattisgarh Central India Shear trending E-W divides the State into two parts, Satpura Province in north and Bastar Province in south Bastar Province comprises Archean gneissic complex, Bengpals, Bailadila Group, Sonakhan Group, Chhattisgarh, Indravati Group, etc. Satpura Province comprises granite gneisses and metamorphic rocks, Gondwana sequence, Deccan trap, etc.

Archeans
Chhattisgarh owns the oldest rock in the Indian Peninsula (3700 Ma). Archean rocks are older than 2500 Ma in age and are represented by wide spread cratonic blocks, occupying ~60,000 km2. Chhattisgarh has observed all the orogenic, metallogenic and minealogenic epochs activated during various periods. These are host rock for circulating mineralizing solutions / magma and also forming basements for the sedimentary basins.

Proterozoics
World over, largest number of mineral deposits (90%) are hosted by Proterozoic rocks. These rocks range from 2500 to 570 Ma in age occupying ~53,000 km2 (40%) land in the State. Most of the bulk and high value mineral deposits are associated to these rocks in Chhattisgarh like iron ore, limestone, dolomite, diamond, gold, etc. Mafic and ultramafic rocks are widely occurring as intrusive in the ancient Archean platforms which include diamondiferous kimberlite. Quartz veins with gold and base metal mineralization, LCT class and Alexandrite containing pegmatites are found in these age. The sedimentary basins contain bulk mineral deposits.

Mesozoics

Major coal deposits are confined to Gondwana Formations in the world, named after the Gond tribes of Central India. These rift controlled rocks are widely occurring in the north and northeastern parts of Chhattisgarh occupying ~19,000 km2 in the state. Gondwana coals of Chhattisgarh are mostly of power grade with medium carbon content.

Cenozoics
Cenozoic era includes rocks of basaltic flows and sub-recent to recent period ranging up to 65 Ma in age and occupies ~ 3000 km2 in the state.

These rocks form plateau and cap over older formations, which are mostly exposed in the northern parts of the state. Important bauxite deposits are confined to this formation.
Laterite is widely developed in various parts of the state.

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