Genesis of Graphite in Betul Belt, Madhya Pradesh, India: Inferences Based on Petrographic and Other Studies

Betul belt is known for its volcanic massive sulphide type of mineralization in the geological circles of India. But here the betul belt has been presented with a different qualification, which is graphite mineralization. The graphite mineralization is popularly known within the proterozoic sediments of Aravalli Supegroup of rocks in South Rajasthan and in its extension in the Jhabua and Alirajpur districts of Madhaya Pradesh. The graphite mineralization in Betul belt is confined to the supracrustals enclosed within the granite gneisses and has been brought on the national map after the recently explored blocks by geological survey of India, which were auctioned for the commercial exploita-tion. This paper briefly discuses the possible mechanism of formation and the nature of mineralization of graphite here in this belt, essentially based on the inferences drawn from petrography supported by scanning electron microscopic and XRD data. It is concluded that major proportion of the graphite mineralization here is accumulated due to progressive metamorphism of the organic matter deposited along with various sediments, while a considerable component has been contributed by the precipitation from super critical graphite rich fluids.