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Geochemical analyses of termite mounds as a prospecting tool for tin deposits in Bastar, MP—a preliminary study

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Abstract

Tin deposits in the form of cassiterite occur in precambrian zoned pegmatite bodies intrusive into Archean metabasic and metasedimentary rocks in Bastar, MP. The associated economic minerals include columbite-tantalite, lepidolite, beryl etc. As a major part of the area is covered by a thick overburden, termite mounds have been used as geochemical sampling medium in view of their significant potentiality in tropical areas with overburden, and also because of the low cost and ease of sampling. Though many elements have been used as pathfinders for tin, tin itself acts as the best indicator of its deposits.

The present work has given encouraging results, and therefore can be applied for tin prospecting and possibly for heavy metals like Nb, Ta, W, etc., in this and other areas where termite mounds have a good spatial distribution.

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Surya Prakash Rao, K., Raju, S.V. Geochemical analyses of termite mounds as a prospecting tool for tin deposits in Bastar, MP—a preliminary study. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet Sci.) 93, 141–148 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02871994

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02871994

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