Geochemistry and magnetite mineral properties in a porphyry copper prospect in A‐type granitoids: A case study from the Karbi Hills of Northeast India

Abstract

This paper discusses the porphyry copper mineralization in A‐type granitoids from the Precambrian shield of the Karbi Hills (Mikir Hills), NE India. The prospective zone lies in the Kuthori‐Bagori of Kaziranga locality of the north Karbi Hills. The host granitoids are characterized by intermediate to high SiO2 (66.30–72.97 wt.%), Na2O (up to 4.90 wt.%), Ba (up to 1,943 ppm), Zr (up to 410 ppm), Y (up to 70 ppm) and Al2O3 (up to 14.77 wt.%) with low concentrations of CaO (up to 1.53 wt.%), and Cu (up to 32.41 ppm) which suggest a consistent granodiorite‐monzogranite host composition, an intraplate emplacement, A‐type chemistry, shoshonitic to high‐K calc‐alkaline and a predominant metaluminous character. Minerals in the investigated granitoids show hypogene alteration features similar to ideal porphyry style mineralization. Remnants of early chalcopyrite‐bornite‐magnetite (Magnetite‐I) veins have been preserved in the distant propylitic zone. The central core zone of potassic alteration shows the dominance of pyrite‐chalcopyrite‐magnetite (Magnetite‐II) assemblages. Mineral chemistry confirms the presence of two types of magnetites: magmatic (Mag‐I) and hydrothermal (Mag‐II). Mag‐I is octahedral, less commonly cubic, or irregular. It has a porous core with trellis‐type ilmenite exsolution lamellae. Mag‐II is non‐porous, devoid of ilmenite exsolution lamellae, has irregular to distinctly octahedral crystal habit and contains micro‐inclusions of pyrite, chalcopyrite, aluminosilicates, manganite and apatite. The progressive chemical purification of igneous magnetite, exacerbated by hydrothermal re‐equilibration, has resulted in a significant reduction in trace element contents such as Ti, Al, Mg, Zn and Cr, and a significant increase in iron content from 89 to ~94 wt.%. A combination of [Ni/(Cr + Mn) vs. Ti + V], and [(Ca + Al + Mn) vs. Ti + V] variation diagrams and upper threshold concentrations for the Kuthori‐Bagori ore effectively separates Mag‐I and Mag‐II. Our field, petrographic and geochemical data indicate that the Kuthori‐Bagori of Kaziranga granitoid of the Karbi Hills (Mikir Hills) in NE India is an ideal location for porphyry copper mineralization.

Introduction, Part 2—Geodynamic evolution of Eastern Himalaya and Indo‐Myanmar orogenic belts: Advances through interdisciplinary studies

“…Porphyry copper mineralization in A‐type granitoids from the Precambrian shield of the Karbi Hills (Mikir Hills), north‐east India has been investigated (Majumdar, Gogoi, & Ghatak, 2022; Majumdar, Gogoi, Ghatak, Saikia, et al, 2022). It is observed that minerals in the investigated granitoids show hypogene alteration features similar to ideal porphyry‐style mineralization.…”

“…Porphyry copper mineralization in A-type granitoids from the Precambrian shield of the Karbi Hills (Mikir Hills), north-east India has been investigated Majumdar, Gogoi, Ghatak, Saikia, et al, 2022) Petrographical and geochemical characteristics of the mafic intrusives from the Naga Hills Ophiolites (NHO) have been investigated to constrain their petrogenesis and possible tectonic environment (Hussain & Dey, 2022). They suggest that the mafic intrusive rocks have an affinity to tholeiitic parental magma and are influenced by subduction zone components during their generation.…”

“…This Special Issue‐ Part 2 is a continuation of earlier Special Issue‐ Part 1 published in vol. 57 (2), of Geological Journal , which contained 26 research articles (Ao & Satyanarayanan, 2022; Baral et al, 2022; Bhowmik et al, 2022; Bora, Borah, et al, 2022; Bora, Mukherjee, et al, 2022; Deb & Ray, 2022; Devi & Singh, 2022; Devrani et al, 2022; Doley et al, 2022; Gogoi et al, 2022; Gupta et al, 2022; Hazarika & Kayal, 2021; Imtisunep et al, 2022; Liu et al, 2022; Luirei et al, 2022; Lukram & Tandon, 2022; Bidyananda et al, 2022; Majumdar, Gogoi, & Ghatak, 2022; Majumdar, Gogoi, Ghatak, Saikia, et al, 2022; Mukherjee et al, 2022; Pebam et al, 2021; Rashid et al, 2022; Saikia et al, 2022; Singh and Kshetrimayum, 2021; Singh, Guruaribam, Singh et al, 2022; Singh, Singh, Singh, et al, 2022; Srivastava, 2021; Srivastava & Kichu, 2021). Figure 2 displays the area of study of 29 papers included in this Special Issue 2.…”

“…Geological map of Eastern Himalaya, Indo‐Myanmar orogenic belt, northern, Central Myanmar, and adjacent areas (modified after Mitchell et al, 2007; Searle et al, 2007; Y. R. Singh, Singh, Singh, et al, 2022). Locations of study area presented in the issue include 1/S2: Kundu and Hazarika (2022); 2/S2: Y. R. Singh, Singh, Singh, et al (2022); 3/S2: Rawat and Luirei (2022); 4/S2: Kayal et al (2022); 5/S2: Choudhury et al (2022); 6/S2: N. M. Sharma et al (2022); 7/S2: Goswami, Gogoi, et al (2022); 8/S2: Bikramaditya et al (2022); 9/S2: Goswami, Kalita, et al (2022); 10/S2: Joshi (2022); 11/S2: Jha and Sharma (2022); 12/S2: Shukla et al (2022); 13/S2: Khonglah et al (2022); 14/S2: Ali and Duarah (2022); 15/S2: Mohanty et al (2022); 16/S2: Chanu et al (2022); 17/S2: Majumdar, Gogoi, and Ghatak (2022); Majumdar, Gogoi, Ghatak, Saikia, et al (2022); 18/S2: Ding et al (2022); 19/S2: Ghose et al (2022); 20/S2: Hussain and Dey (2022); 21/S2: Ozukum et al (2022); 22/S2: Jamir et al (2022); 23/S2: Chaubey et al (2022); 24/S2: Bora, Borah, et al (2022); Bora, Mukherjee, et al (2022); 25/S2: Khuman and Ibotombi (2022); 26/S2: Y. R. Singh, Singh, Singh, et al (2022); 27/S2: Thokchom and Kshetrimayum (2021); 28/S2: Barman et al (2022); 29/S2: V. Sharma and Biswas (2022)…”

“…This Special Issue-Part 2 is a continuation of earlier Special Issue-Part 1 published in vol. 57 (2), of Geological Journal, which contained 26 research articles (Ao & Satyanarayanan, 2022;Baral et al, 2022;Bhowmik et al, 2022;Bora, Mukherjee, et al, 2022;Deb & Ray, 2022;Devrani et al, 2022;Doley et al, 2022;Gogoi et al, 2022;Gupta et al, 2022;Hazarika & Kayal, 2021;Imtisunep et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2022;Luirei et al, 2022;Lukram & Tandon, 2022;Bidyananda et al, 2022;Majumdar, Gogoi, Ghatak, Saikia, et al, 2022;Mukherjee et al, 2022;Pebam et al, 2021;Rashid et al, 2022;Saikia et al, 2022;Singh and Kshetrimayum, 2021; F I G U R E 1 (a) Tectonic map of the peri-Indian region, showing the current plate boundaries and plate distributions, major continental blocks, suture zones, and salient fault systems. (b) Simplified regional geologic map of the Himalayan Orogen, Indo-Myanmar orogenic belt and adjoining areas (modified after Mitchell et al, 2007;Singh, 2013;Yin, 2006) Singh Srivastava, 2021;Srivastava & Kichu, 2021).…”