Iron and Manganese Mineralization Associated with Archean Greenstone Belt in Joda-Noamundi Sector, Odisha, East Indian Shield

Abstract

Iron and manganese mineralization in the Joda-Noamundi sector is associated with Banded Iron Formation of the Archean Iron Ore Group of rocks (3.5-3.0 Ga).Both Mn and Fe mineralization is stratiform and stratabound. In the Noamundi basin the estimated reserve of Fe and Mn -ores are 3.3 Gt and 130 Mt respectively. The Fe and Mn-mineralization are also genetically related to each other. A detailed petrology, mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the ores show their evolution with respect to different tectonic phases. During the first phase of deformation and metamorphism Fe-protolith generated magnetite and Mn-protolth generated bixbyite, hausmannite, jacobsite and braunite. During second phase martitized magnetite and hematite in Fe-ore and hollandite, psilomelane and pyrolusite in Mn-ore were generated. During supergene events low temperature higher oxide minerals were generated from the metamorphic and hydrothermal Fe and Mn –ore minerals. The stratigraphic status of the Fe- and Mn- ores with respect to crustal evolution has been established