『Abstract
The field setting, mineralogical, geochemical, genetic and depositional
features of Late Archean metasedimentary manganese, as well as
Cenozoic supergene manganese and ferromanganese ores, along the
〜75 km long linear tract of the Anmod-Bisgod region in the Western
Dharwar Craton, southern India, are described. The 2700 Ma metasedimentary
manganiferous formation is underlain by stromatolitic limestone/dolomite
and quartzite/arenite and also occurs within the former. The older
quartzite/arenite, which contains redox-sensitive detrital pyrite
and uraninite as well as thucolite, indicates sedimentation under
anoxic to oxic transitional palaeoenvironmental condition, whereas
the younger stromatolitic limestone/dolomite indicates development
of oxygen in the depositional environment. The manganese ore types
have been classified into three categories, one of which is a
Mn-rich duricrust once capping the Late Archean manganiferous
formation. It formed during a Cenozoic lateritic weathering event
and was eroded in response to crustal uplift. Perhaps uniquely,
clastic deposits of the eroded Mn-duricrust occur in mineable
quantities in the form of fluvial palaochannel fills. These cryptomelane-rich
supergene ores are also suitable for radiometric dating. Knowing
their age would help to constrain the timing of Mn-duricrust formation
and, indirectly, the regional weathering event responsible for
the extensive laterite occurrences of southern India.
Keywords: Late Archean palaeoenvironment; Manganiferous formation;
Lateritic manganese ores; Palaeochannel; Cenozoic weathering;
India』
1. Introduction
2. Geological setting
3. Manganese and ferromanganese ore types
4. Mode of occurrence
4.1. Metasedimentary manganese ore (ore type 1)
4.2. Infiltration-type non-colloform and colloform manganese
ores (ore types 2 and 3)
4.3. Detrital ferromanganese ores (ore types 4 and 5)
5. Mineralogy
5.1. Metasedimentary manganese ore
5.2. Infiltration-type non-colloform and colloform manganese
ores
5.3. Detrital ferromanganese ores
6. Geochemistry of the metasedimentary manganese and supergene
manganese and ferromanganese ores
6.1. Typology of sampled Mn-ore facies
6.2. The late Archean metasedimentary manganiferous formation
6.3. The metasedimentary manganese ore
6.4. The supergene manganese and ferromanganese ores
7. Depositional environment of the Late Archean manganiferous
formation
8. Mode of formation and present day disposition of supergene
manganese and ferromanganese ores
9. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References