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in
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ISSN 0579-4706
Govt. of India PGSI. 337
Controller of Publication 700-2011 (DSK-II)

GEOLOGY
AND
MINERAL RESOURCES
OF
THE STATES OF INDIA
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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
Miscellaneous Publication
No. 30, Part III ODISHA

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Published by order of the Government of India

2011
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INDIA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (2011)

1st Published 1974
2nd edition 2012

Compiled by
the officers of Operation: Odisha

Manuscript processed for printing by

Ibha Chowdhury, Basudev Ray and Amjad Ali
Senior Geologists

under the supervision of

S Ramamurthy, D. K.Choudhury, K. Sanyal, B.C. Roy and Pradip De
Directors
Publication Division,

Price:
Rs. 463.00 9 $ 6

Published by the Director General, GSI, 27 J. L. Nehru Rd. Kolkata 700016 and printed at
M/s Arunima Printing Works, 81 Simla Street, Kolkata 700006, Phone: 91-33-22411006, E-mail: apw@vsnl.net
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Foreword

A
countrys economy depends on its natural resources, like the minerals and fuels for industry, soil for
agriculture and water for irrigation and power. The Geological Survey of India, the national agency, has
been carrying out Systematic Geological Mapping since 1851, to assess the potentiality of minerals
and fuels. It brings out the Geological Maps and Publications as the outcome of the geological work done. The
first edition of the, Geology and Mineral Resources of the states of India, part-III, Orissa was printed in 1974.
This series of publication gives an up to date account of the geology and mineral resources of the state.

A lot of data has been accrued to the Specialized Thematic Mapping, Quaternary / Geological Mapping,
Exploration of the minerals and research oriented projects. This immense data is synthesized in the present
volume. Odisha is bestowed with rich resources of Iron, Bauxite and Chromite. The minerals of the state, viz.,
nickel, manganese, cassiterite and vanadiferous magnetite are promising. Most of the mineral deposits of the
state are of the proven category. Owing to the discovery of Late Quaternary Volcanic Ash in river basins, the
Quaternary Geology of Odisha is defined for the first time, as will be seen in this volume.

The state of Odisha is swayed by the Precambrian rocks, over an area of 89,000 sq. km. The Dimension
Stones, having a wide variety, about twenty in number, and lineated all over the compass of the state, owe their
origin to the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt, Singhbhum-Bastar Cratonic intrusives like anorthosite, granophyre,
alkali syenites and gabbro-dolerite dykes, etc. The chapter on Dimension Stone is included in this volume to
provide information on its occurrence, mining feasibility and district wise locations.

The information furnished in this publication will be of immense help to district level administrators dealing
with the planning; geoscientists, academicians, entrepreneurs, students, and to them aspiring for the welfare
and development of the state which, in turn, will step up the commitments of Geological Survey of India to
contribute/ disseminate geoscientific information.

Kolkata (A. Sundaramoorthy)

Dated Director General
Geological Survey of India
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Rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed.
They are books. They have a different vocabulary,
a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them.
JOHN MCPHEE

iv
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vi
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GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF ODISHA
Contents

Page
FORWORD iii
INTRODUCTION 1
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE 2
GENERAL GEOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY 3
GEOLOGY OF THE PRECAMBRIAN TECTONIC DOMAINS 3
Eastern Indian Craton (ELC) and Singbhum-Gangpur Mobile Belt 3
Archaean 5
Archaean-Proterozoic 8
Proterozoic (Undifferentiated) 9
Palaeo Proterozoic 10
Bastar Craton 14
Archaean 14
Archaean- Proterozoic 14
Proterozoic 14
Meso-Neoproterozoic 15
Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt 16
Archaean-proterozoic 17
Gondwana Supergroup 23
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic 23
Late Cretaceous Volcanics and Sediments 25
Cainozoic Formations 26
Tertiary Formations 26
Quaternary Formations 27

MINERAL RESOURCES 31
Asbestos 31
Kalahandi District: 31
Sundargarh District 31
Mayurbhanj District 31
Basemetals 31
Lead & Zinc 31
Sundargarh district 31
Mayurbhanj District 32
Bolangir District 32
Kalahandi District 32
Deogarh District 32
Copper 32
Mayurbhanj District 32
Sambalpur district 33
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Page
Bauxite 33
Kendujhar District 33
Phulbani District 34
Sundargarh District 34
Mayurbhanj District 34
Nuapada District 34
Rayagada District 34
Beach Sand Minerals 34
Cassiterite (TIN ORE) 34
Malkangiri District 34
Sonepur District 35
Boudh district 35
Malkangiri District 35
CLAY 35
China Clay 35
Koraput District 35
Cuttack District 35
Dhenkanal District 35
Sundergarh District 35
Ganjam District 36
Phulbani District 36
Kendujhar District 36
Balasore District 36
Mayurbhanj District 36
Bolangir District: 36
Fire Clay 37
Sundergarh district 37
Cuttack District 37
Puri District 37
Dhenkanal District 37
Sambalpur District 37
COAL 37
Talchir Coal Field 38
Ib River Coal field 38
Chromite 39
Jajpur District 39
Dhenkanal District 40
Kendujhar District 41
Balasore District 42
Koraput District 42
Sundargarh District 42
Gemstones 42
Kalahandi District 42
Bolangir District 42
Sonepur District 43
Sambalpur District 43
Nuapada District 43
Rayagada District 43
Boudh District 43
Angul District 44
Deogarh District 44

viii
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Page
Jharsuguda District 44
Phulbani District 44
Glass Sand 44
Cuttack District 44
Dhenkanal District 44
Kendujhar District 44
Koraput district 44
Mayurbhanj district 44
Gold 44
Angul District 44
Kendujhar District 44
Koraput district 45
Mayurbhanj District 45
Sundargarh district 46
Sambalpur district 46
Graphite 46
1. Sargipalli Belt 46
2. Titlagarh Belt 47
3. Tumudibandh belt 47
4. Nishikal Kinchikhal Belt 47
5. Muniguda belt 47
6. Dhandatapa Belt 48
Iron Ore 48
Sundargarh district 49
Kendujhar district 49
Kyanite 50
Angul district 50
Sundergarh district 50
Mayurbhanj district 50
Limestone and Dolomite 50
Sundergarhgarh district 50
Biramitrapur 50
Lanjiberna 50
Purnapani 50
Hatibari 51
Pahartoli 51
Dublabera 51
Gotitanger 51
Khatukurbahal 51
Purkapali 51
Koraput district 51
Malkangiri district 51
Nawarangpur district 51
Baragarh district 52
Kedunjhar district 52
Nuapada district 52
Manganese 52
Bolangir district: 53
Sundergarh district 53
Sambalpur district 54
Mica 54
Kalahandi district 54

ix
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Page
Koraput district 54
Phulbani district 54
Bolangir district 54
Sundergarh distric 54
Nickel 54
Jajpur district 54
Kendujhar distric 55
Mayurbhanj district 55
Platinum 55
Jajpur district 55
Kendujhar district 55
Mayurbhanj district 56
Pyrophyllite 56
Quartz / Quartzite 56
Sundergarh district 56
Bolangir district 56
Sillimanite 56
Sundergarh district: 56
Sambalpur district 56
Soapstone 57
Cuttack district 57
Kendujhar district 57
Koraput district 57
Mayurbhanj district 57
Sundergarh district 57
Vanadiferous Magnetite 57
Mayurbhanj District 57
Kendujhar and Balasore Districts 58
Dimension Stone-Granite 58
Ganjam-Nayagarh-Khurda-Cuttack-Phulbani-Baudh Segment 59
Koraput-Rayagada Segment 59
Kalahandi-Bolangir-Nuapada Segment 59
Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundergarh segment 59
Sambalpur-Angul-Dhenkanal Segment: 59
Kendujhar-Mayurbhanja-Balasore Segment 59
Resources 60
Districtwise Occurrence of different Commercial varieties of Dimension Stone-Granite 60

REFERENCES 62
LOCALITY INDEX 70
APPENDIX 74
PLATE : Geological and Mineral map of Odisha (1:2,000,000 scale)

x
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
The State of Odisha lying along the east coast of India
within latitudes 17o48 22o34 North and longitude
81o24 87o29 East, has an area of about 1,55,842 Sq.km
and a sprawling 480 km of coastline against Bay of Bengal
to the east. It is bounded by the states of Jharkhand, Andhra
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal to the north,
south, west, and northeast respectively. The state
comprises dominantly of Pre-cambrian rocks (73%)
ranging in age from Mesoarchaean to Neoproterozoic.
Phanerozoic rocks, represented by the Gondwana
Supergroup (Late Palaeozoic Middle/Late Mesozoic)
and minor Tertiary patches, constituting about 8% of the
state. The remaining 19% of the state is covered by
Quaternary formations.
In view of its vast mineral resources and excellently
preserved rock record ranging in age from Early
Precambrian to Recent, the state represents a veritable
paradise for earth scientists and justifiably remained the
hunting ground for geologists ever since the beginning
of geological studies in India in 1850s. Since then for
over a century, several scientific studies were made.
These include : (i) recognition of the Talchir boulder
bed, postulation of early Gondwana glaciation
hypothesis and discovery of the coal measures of Talchir
and Ib river basins (Oldham, 1856; Blanford, 1872 and
Ball, 1877) (ii) studies on aluminous laterites and
bauxites (Ball, 1877; Fox, 1934, 1942 and Krishnan,
1935) (iii) coining of the term khondalite for the high
grade metasupracrustals of the Eastern Ghats belt after
the Khond inhabitants of Kalahandi (Walker, 1902), (iv)
1
1
Introduction
discovery of major iron ore deposits at Gorumahisani
Badampahar area of Mayurbhanj (Bose, 1907) (v)
discovery of Tertiary beds near Baripada (Bose, 1904)
(v) classification of manganese ores (Fermor, 1909), (vii)
studies on charnockite rocks (Fermor, 1911; Crookshank,
1938; Ghosh, 1941), (viii) delineation of major iron-ore
deposits of Bonai-Keonjhar region (Jones, 1934), (ix)
studies on Gangpur Group of Metasediments
(Krishnan,1937) and(x) identification of Late
Quaternary volcanic ash in major river basins of Odisha
(Devdas & Meshram, 1991)
Geological mapping and mineral exploration
programmes in the state gathered appreciable momentum
in post-independent India. Presently, the entire state has
been geologically mapped on 1:50,000/1:63,360 scale
by GSI. In addition, several crucial segments have also
been mapped on 1:25,000 scale. Besides GSI, other
Government agencies (State Directorate of Mines and
Geology, Atomic Minerals Division, NGRI, Odisha
Mining Corporation and CMPDI etc.), many universities
and research institutions have also contributed
significantly to enrich our knowledge on the geology
and mineral resources of the state. An up-to-date synopsis
of available information on the geological framework
and mineral resources of Odisha is presented in this
compilation. The text is accompanied by a 1:2,000,000
compiled Geological and Mineral map of the state.
During compilation, unpublished/ published information
of the department and published literature have been
consulted.
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Physiography and Drainage
Odisha is divisible into four major physiographic
regions: the Northern Plateau, the Central River Basin,
the Eastern Ghats hill ranges and the Coastal Plains.
The Northern plateau, covering the districts of
Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh and parts
of Dhenkanal, Balasore and Sambalpur, is an undulating
country having a general slope from north to south. The
average elevation of the plateau in the central area,
forming the watershed of the Brahmani and Baitarani
rivers, is about 1000 m above M.S.L. Hill ranges mark
the northeastern part of the plateau with elevations above
1000 m. Notable peaks are represented by Malaygiri
(1188 m) in Dhenkanal district, Mankadanacha (1117
m) in Kendujhar district and Meghasani (1166 m) in
Mayurbhanj district.
The Central River Basin occurs between the
Northern Plateau and the Eastern Ghat hill ranges and
covers parts of Bolangir, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and
Cuttack districts. It comprises the catchment areas of
the major rivers of the state, viz., Mahanadi, Brahmani,
Tel and Baitarani rivers and their tributaries. Though
largely a peneplain, the Central River Basin is
occasionally marked by isolated hills, which rise abruptly
from the plains.
In the south and southwestern parts of the state, the
Eastern Ghats hill ranges stretch for about 400 km in a
NNE-SSW direction covering the districts of Koraput,
Navrangpur, Malkanagiri, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Boudh,
Phulbani and parts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Dhenkanal
2
and Bolangir districts. Most of this segment has a general
elevation of ~ 900 m above M.S.L. and form the
watershed of some rivers. Major hill ranges in the Eastern
Ghats rise above 1500 m; the notable peaks being
Deomali (1673 m) and Turiakonda (1599 m) in Koraput
district and Mahendragiri (1531 m) in Ganjam district.
The Coastal Plains form an extensive alluvial tract
lying between the Eastern Ghat hill ranges and the coast.
It stretches for about 480 km and include parts of
Balasore, Cuttack, Puri and Ganjam districts. The Chilka
Lake, the widest lagoon in India, is a prominent coastal
feature of Odisha.
The major rivers in Odisha are represented by
Mahanadi, Brahmani and Baitarani, others are
Subarnarekha, Burhabalang, Indravati, Vansadhara,
Nagavalli, Kolab, Rushikulya and Machkund. The
Northern Plateau is drained by the Baitarani,
Subarnarekha and Burhabalang river systems, all flowing
eastward through the coastal plains to the Bay of Bengal.
The Central River Basin, consisting of the Gondwana
graben, is drained by the Ib-Mahanadi and Brahmani river
systems. These rivers also flow eastward into the Bay of
Bengal. The Eastern Ghats hill ranges are drained by
north and north-easterly flowing Tel River, southerly
flowing Vanshadhara and Nagavalli rivers and westerly
and south-westerly flowing Machhkund, Indravati and
Kolab rivers. The tributaries of the Rushikulya River in
the Eastern Ghats hill ranges flow in the N-S direction
and the Rushikulya River flows eastwards in the coastal
plains into the Bay of Bengal.
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General Geology and Stratigraphy
The State of Odisha exposes rocks ranging in age
from Meso archaean to Recent. The generalized
geological succession of rocks, is given in Table-I.
The Precambrian terrain in the state represents the
northeastern extension of the Indian Precambrian Shield
and exposes parts of two major cratonic domains (the
Eastern Indian Craton and Bastar Craton) as well as
bordering mobile belts (parts of the Eastern Ghat Mobile
Belt and the Singhbhum - Gangpur segment of the
Satpura Mobile Belt). The cratonic domains preserve
appreciable volumes of medium to low-grade
supracrustal rocks as disconnected belts within
granitoids. The mosaic of granitoids and supracrustal
rocks is overlain, at places, by platformal sedimentary/
volcano sedimentary successions and intruded by several
generations of mafic/ultramafic rocks, dyke swarms,
younger granitoids and acid volcanics. The Eastern Ghat
Mobile Belt (EGMB) borders the Eastern Indian Craton
(EIC) to the south and part of the Bastar Craton (BC) to
the east. EGMB exposes mainly high-grade granulites
derived from both sedimentary and igneous protoliths,
granitoids and a varied assemblage of intrusive plutonic
rocks. The Singhbhum Gangpur segment of the Satpura
Mobile Belt borders the EIC to the north and exposes
medium-grade supracrustal assemblages, mafic-
ultramafic rocks and granite intrusives. The geographic
distributions of the major Precambrian lithotectonic
domains are :
Eastern Indian Craton : Northern and
(North Odisha Craton) Northwestern
and Singhbhum-Gangpur Odisha
Mobile Belt
Part of Bastar Craton : Western Odisha
Part of Eastern Ghats : Central and
Mobile Belt(EGMB) southern
Odisha
3
The Phanerozoic rocks in the state are represented
by the non-marine continental facies rocks of Gondwana
Supergroup (Upper PalaeozoicUpper Mesozoic) and
the marine Baripada Beds (Lower Tertiary). The
Quaternary formations are represented by laterite,
bauxite, sandstone and Quaternary sediments (including
volcanic ash beds).
GEOLOGY OF THE PRECAMBRIAN
TECTONIC DOMAINS
Eastern Indian Craton (EIC) and Singbhum-
Gangpur Mobile Belt
EIC represents an Archaean Palaeoproterozoic
granite-greenstone terrain. It is bounded by two crustal-
scale shear/thrust zones, viz., the Singhbhum (copper
belt) shear zone in the north (exposed in the state of
Jharkhand) and the Gohira Sukinda shear/thrust zone
in the south. These two shear/thrust zones isolate the
EIC from the Singhbhum Gangpur segment of the
Satpura Mobile Belt occurring in the north & northeast
and the EGMB occurring in the south respectively.
Despite several years of studies by a large number
of workers, the lithostratigraphic classification and
correlation of the low-grade supracrustal rocks of the
EIC and their time relation with the spatially associated
granitoid components continue to remain debated. Major
lithostratigraphic components of the EIC, as envisaged
and designated by a large number of workers through
several years of work are enlisted below:
Supracrustal sequences : Older Metamorphic
Group (OMG), Iron Ore Supergroup, Garumahisani
Badampahar Group, Bonai Group (Lower and Upper),
Dhanjori Group, Simlipal Group, Kolhan Group etc.
 Table -I 4
Generalised stratigraphic succession of the rocks of different domains in Odisha
AGE SUPER GROUP/GROUP/FORMATION
Lt. Pleistocene to Early Holocene Present day formation; Bankigarh Formation; Kaimundi Formation; Bolgarh/Naira Formation
Miocene Baripada Formation
Lower Cretaceous to Palaeocene Minor Inter Trappeans
Permo-carboniferous to lower Jurassic Cretaceous Atgarh Formation
Cretaceous Up. Permian to Triassic Kamthi Formation Mahadeva Formation
Raniganj Formation
Gondwana Supergroup Up. Permian to Lr. Triassic Barren Measure
Early Permian Barakar Formation
Karharbari Formation
Lr. Carb. To Permain Talchir Formation
EAST INDIA CRATON & SINGHBHUM-GANGPUR MOBILE BELT BASTAR CRATON EGMB
Neo Proterozoic Gangpur Granitic Pt 3 Indravati(Pt 23ij) Granitoids,
P
(Pt3g) (Neo) Meso Neo Chhattisgarh Chandarpur(Pt 23cc) anorthosites
Proterozoic Supergroup Sabari Group(Pt23sb) Alkaline Complexes
R Palaeo Neo Kolhan Group (Pt12Kh) Pt 2 Pairi Group(Pt2Pr)
Proterozoic (Meso)
Granitoid Bhuasani (Pt1b)/ Tamparkola (Pt1t)/
E Romapahari (Pt1r)

Palaeo Upper Bonai Group (pt1b)/

C Proterozoic Simlipal Group (Pt1si)/
Singhbhum Group (Pt1s) / Alkaline & Ultramafic rocks (Pts) Migmatite
Gangpur Group (Pt1g)/ (Proterozoic
A
undifferentiated) Group
Dhanjori Group (Pt1dh)/
M Bonailava (Pt1b)/
Dangoaposi Lava (Pt1dp)/
Dhanjori Lava (Pt1dh)
B Pt 1
Proterozoic Granophyre (Mayurbhanj Granite(Ptg) (Palaeo)
Undifferentiated Newer Dolerite (Ptn)
R Gabbro, norite, anorthosite (Pt) Granite gneisses and Granites Eastern
(Pt1/A?Pt1) Charnockite Ghats
I ARCHAEAN/ Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex (A?Ptc) Group Super
PROTEROZOIC Ultramafics of Sukinda-Nuasahi (Apt) Granitic A/Pt Group
(Apt 1b) Complex of NW Odisha (Apt1p)
A Bonai Granitic Complex (Granitoids of
Pallahara, Deogarh, Bhuban) (Apt1b) Khondalite
Lower Bonai Group (Apt1b) IRON ORE Group (Ak)
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N SUPER Bengpal Group (Ab)

ARCHAEAN Gorumahisani-Badampahar Gr. GROUP
(Ag)
(As) SB Granite/Nilgiri Granite
(Aot) OMTG
(Ao) OMG
GEOL. SURV. IND
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
Granitoids : Older Metamorphic Tonalitic Gneiss
(OMTG), Singhbhum granitic complex, Bonai granitic
complex, Nilgiri granitic complex, Mayurbhanj granite,
Gneisses and granitoids of the Deogarh Pallahara
Bhuban belt, Tamparkola granite acid volcanics etc.
Mafic ultramafic complexes : Baula Nuasahi
and Sukinda ultramafic complex.
Gabbroanorthosite complexes : Mayurbhanj
Gabbro- Anorthosite complex.
Mafic Dyke swarms: Newer Dolerite suite.
Singbhum-Gangpur Mobile Belt is represented by
an arcuate segment stretching from north of Mayurbhanj
district in Odisha through Singhbhum district in
Jharkhand and further west to the Gangpur region of
Odisha.It comprises an agglomeration of metasediments
of multiple depositional troughs with volcanics and
various types of granitoids and igneous intrusives. The
metasediments and metavolcano sedimentaries along this
medium-grade (amphibolite-facies) mobile zone belong
to two groups, viz. the Gangpur Group and the
Singhbhum Group. Structural and geochronological
studies over the last three decades established that the
Gangpur-Singhbhum Groups of rocks form a curvilinear
medium-grade Proterozoic mobile zone skirting the
Archean Eastern Indian Craton (EIC). The generalized
stratigraphic succession of EIC and Singbhum-
Gangpur Mobile Belt is as follows:
Age wise (starting from Archaean) synoptic
geological accounts of the major litho-stratigraphic
components of the EIC and Singbhum-Gangpur
Mobile Belt are presented below.
Archaean
Older Metamorphic Group (OMG) : OMG,
comprising a suite of amphibolite facies
metasupracrustal rocks is considered to be the oldest
recognisable lithologic component of the EIC. Originally
named as Older Metamorphics by Jones, (1934) and
designated as Older Metamorphic Series by Dunn,
(1940), the suite was subsequently renamed as Older
Metamorphic Group (Sarkar and Saha, 1977). These
typically occur as enclaves ranging in size from a few
square meters to about 200 sq.km within younger
granitoids and gneisses. In terms of lithology, the OMG
comprises pelitic schists with several thick bands of para
amphibolite, relatively thin bands of quartzite, quartz-
5
sericite schist, local bands of quartz-magnetite
cummingtonite schists and talc-tremolite schists. The
type area of the OMG is located west of Champua
(22 o 04E: 85 o 40N) (Saha et al., 1988). The
metasediments of the OMG are intruded by sill-like
masses of ortho amphibolite and biotite -hornblende
bearing tonalitic granodioritic rocks, the latter
belonging to the OMTG suite. The mineral assemblage
in the OMG supracrustals indicates metamorphism in
the temperature range 620 C 650C at pressures
ranging from 5-5.5 kb (Saha et al., 1984).
The OMG metasediments gave Ar-Ar (hornblende)
ages of ca. 3.3 Ga and K-Ar (hornblende and biotite)
ages of ca. 3.2 Ga (Sarkar et al., 1969; Baksi et al., 1987).
On the basis of the above data, it is concluded that the
closing stage of metamorphism of the OMG
supracrustals as well as the associated OMTG suite of
granitoids occurred at ca. 3.2 Ga (Saha et al., 1988).
207
Pb/ 206Pb dating of detrital zircons from OMG
supracrustals gave ages in the range 3.5 3.6 Ga and
implied an older limit of ca. 3.5 Ga for OMG
sedimentation (Goswami et al., 1995; Mishra et al.,
1999). U-Pb (zircon) dating studies by Basu et al., (1996)
indicated a Pb-loss event at ca. 3.35 Ga.
Older Metamorphic Tonalitic Gneisses (OMTG) :
OMTG comprises a suite of biotite hornblende
bearing tonalitic granodioritic gneisses. Believed by
most workers to be the oldest granitoid component in
EIC, these intrude and partially granitise the OMG
supracrustals. These also occur as numerous rafts and
enclaves of varying sizes in the younger granitoids. The
largest patch of the OMTG rocks covers about 900 sq.km
extending from Champua in the west to Khiching in the
east and from Juldiha in the north to Palasponga in the
south. Relatively smaller mappable enclaves of the
OMTG rocks are also recorded near Rairangpur,
Onlajhari and Asana Manda areas (Saha et al., 1984).
The OMTG suite is considered to have been
generated by moderate degrees of partial melting of
OMG ortho-amphibolitic rocks (Saha, 1994; Sharma et
al., 1994). Moorbath et al., (1986) reported a whole-
rock Pb-Pb isochron age of 3.38 Ga for the OMTG suite.
The suite yielded Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron, K-Ar and
Ar-Ar ages in the range 3.0 3.2 Ga (Saha, 1994).
Dey (1991) reported dark-coloured tonalitic rafts as
enclaves within Singhbhum Granite around Rairangpur.
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6 GEOL. SURV. IND
Designated as Older Raft Tonalite or ORT, these rocks
are considered by Dey (op. cit) to be the oldest granitoid
component in the EIC on which the supracrustals of
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group were deposited. He
considered the OMTG to be an earlier phase of
Singhbhum Granite and not related to ORT.
Singhbhum Granitic Complex: A major part of the
granite batholith, commonly referred to as the
Singhbhum Granitic Complex, occupies large tracts in
Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal districts of
Odisha. The granitic complex, with numerous enclaves
of granitised metasupracrustal rocks, cover an area of
approximately 8,000 km2 of the EIC. This composite
batholithic complex comprises at least 12 magmatic
bodies of biotite-granodiorite-adamellite-granite
emplaced in three distinct phases (Phase I - III) (Saha,
1972). Of the 12 magmatic bodies, 7 occur in the State
of Odisha. Sarkar and Saha (1983), distinguished three
phases of granitic activity in the batholith on the basis
of increasing K 2O/Na 2O ratios. Phase-I rocks are
relatively K-poor granodiorite trondhjemite whereas
Phases II & III comprise gradational suites of
granodiorite adamellite granite. Subsequently, based
on REE patterns and Eu anomaly, Saha et al., (1988)
grouped Phases I & II into type-A (Singhbhum Granite/
SBG-A) and Phase III into type-B (Singhbhum Granite/
SBG-B). From geochemical and geochronological
studies (Moorbath and Taylor, 1988; Ghosh et al., 1996;
Saha, 1994; Mishra et al., 1999), it was inferred that the
SBG-A (Phases I & II) was emplaced ca. 3.3 Ga go by
partial melting of freshly accreted amphibolite at the
base of the crust and SBG-B (Phase III) was generated
at ca. 3.1 Ga ago by partial melting of a crustal protolith,
probably a siliceous garnet-granulite (Saha et al., 1988;
Saha, 1994). Saha et al. (1988) observed that only SBG-
B (Phase-III) rocks show abundant enclaves of OMG
supracrustals, OMTG granitoids and Iron Ore
Supergroup supracrustals, whereas SBG-A (Phases I
& II) do not show such enclaves. The bulk chemical
composition of the composite batholith is estimated to
be granodioritic (Saha et al., 1984).
The Nilgiri Granite batholithic Complex covering
an area of approximately 1200 sq km occurs as an arm
of the eastern part of the Singhbhum Granitic Complex
south of Simlipal and is separated from the main
Singhbhum granitic complex by a 5-8 km wide screen
of metasupracrustal rocks. The massif is composed of
tonalite granodiorite granite and migmatitic rocks.
According to Saha et al., (1984), the granite batholith is
composite in nature and comprises four units. The
Kaptipada tonalite granodiorite and a granite suite
from this complex have been dated at ca. 3.27 Ga and
ca. 2.37 Ga respectively by Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron
method (Vohra et al., 1991).
Iron Ore Supergroup (IOG): The BIF-bearing low-
grade supracrustal sequences of IOG of the EIC are :
Gorumahisani Badampahar, Bonai Kendujhar (also
known as Noamundi Koira), Tomka Daitari
(Mahagiri), Malayagiri and Deogarh. The mutual
correlation of the above BIF-bearing sequences and their
stratigraphic relation with the granitoids are
controversial. Three contrasting views exist in this
regard.
(i) All the isolated BIF-bearing supracrustal
sequences of the EIC belong to a single
stratigraphic unit (Jones, 1934; Dunn, 1940; Dunn
and Dey, 1942; Sarkar and Saha, 1962, 1977;
Acharya, 1993; Sengupta et al., 1997. Sarkar and
Saha (1962) redesignated all the BIF-bearing
supracrustals of the EIC as belonging to the Iron
Ore Group which were described earlier as Iron
Ore Stage by previous workers. Dunn and Dey
(1942) and Sarkar and Saha (1962) opined that
the Singhbhum Granite is intrusive into the IOG.
However, subsequently Saha et al., (1988)
considered that only part of the Singhbhum
Granite (SBG-B) is intrusive into the IOG and the
older component (SBG-A) along with the OMG
and OMTG suites formed the basement. However,
several authors considered the Singhbhum
Granitic complex as the basement for the IOG
supracrustals (Iyengar and Anand Alwar, 1965;
Banerji, 1974; Mukhopadhyay, 1976; Banerjee,
1982b).
(ii) According to Iyengar and Anand Alwar (1965),
Iyengar and Banerjee (1964), Banerjee (1974),
Iyengar and Murthy (1982) and Chakraborty and
Majumdar (1986), the BIF-bearing supracrustal
sequences belong to two stratigraphic units, the
older one typified by the Gorumahisani-
Badampahar Group and the younger one typified
by the Bonai Kendujhar sequence (Noamundi
Group of Banerji, 1974). Iyengar and Banerjee
(1964) correlated the Gorumahisani Badampahar
sequence with the Tomka Daitari sequence.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
(iii) According to Prasad Rao et al., (1964) and Acharya,
(1976, 1984), the BIF-bearing supracrustal
sequences belong to at least three stratigraphic
units. In order of younging, these are:
Gorumahisani, Tomka - Daitari and Bonai
Kendujhar sequences. It may be noted that Prasad
Rao et al., (1964) envisaged at least six discrete
sequences of supracrustal rocks in parts of EIC in
Odisha [including equivalents of Dhanjori and
Kolhan sequences for the fifth and sixth sequences
of Prasad Rao et al., (op.cit), Mazumder, 1978].
In general, rock types recorded in the various BIF-
bearing metasupracrustal sequences are siliciclastic
sediment, conglomerate, quartzite, quartz-schist, meta-
argillite, ferruginous mica-schist, talc-tremolite,
actinolite-chlorite and hornblende schist, amphibolite,
ferruginous shale and phyllites, banded haematite/
magnetite quartzite (BHQ/BMQ), banded haematite
jasper (BHJ), banded chert, mafic/ultramafic rocks and
volcanics (both mafic and felsic) etc. Mineable iron and/
or manganese ore deposits characterize many of the
sequences, viz., Gorumahisani Badampahar, Bonai
Kendujhar, Gandhamardan, Tomka Daitari (iron ore)
and Bonai Kendujhar (manganese ore). In detail, there
exists a subtle difference in the order, nature and package
of supracrustal assemblages in the various isolated
basins.
The possibility of the existence of more than one
generation of BIF-bearing sequences gained ground in
GSI with the extension of mapping in different parts of
the EIC. Iyengar and Murthy (1982) proposed the name
Iron Ore Supergroup to include two sequences of BIF-
bearing horizons, viz. older Badampahar Group
(Gorumahisani Group of Banerji, 1974) and younger
Koira Group (includes BIF-bearing supracrustals of
Bonai Kendujhar area which is correlatable with the
Noamundi Group of Banerji, 1974). The classification
and nomenclature of BIF-bearing formations, as
presently adopted in GSI are :
Iron Ore Supergroup
Lower Bonai Group (Archaean-Proterozoic)
GorumahisaniBadampahar Group (Archaean)
Archaean
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group : In the type-
area, Gorumahisani Badampahar Group of rocks form
an approx. 100 km long N-S trending easterly convex
7
arcuate belt extending from Rajnagar in Singhbhum
District to Jashipur in Mayurbhanj District. The
metasupracrustals in this belt comprises pillowed
metabasalts with interbedded chert, quartzite, BIF (BMQ
dominant), hornblende schists, epidiorite, and phyllite
with interlayers of acid volcanics and tuff. The mafic
volcanics in the sequence are represented by frequently
pillowed and spinifex-textured peridotitic to basaltic
komatiites, Sukinda high magnesia basalt (SHMB) and
high-Mg tholeiites (Acharya, 1993). OMTG is reported
to intrude the Gorumahisani Badampahar Group of
rocks (Behera et al.1994; Jena and Behera, 1998).
The Tomka Daitari, Malaygiri and Deogarh BIF-
bearing sequences are considered to be equivalents of
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group (Prasad Rao et al.,
1964; Iyengar and Murty, 1982; Banerjee et al., 1987).
The Tomka Daitari sequence comprises metavolcanics,
banded black chert, banded cherty quartzite and
arenaceous to argillaceous phyllites in the basal part and
BIF and quartzite in the upper part. The metalavas are
represented by Sukinda high Mg-basalts (SHMB) and
acid volcanics (Saha, 1994). The Malayagiri sequence,
as depicted by Ray and Acharyya, 1997, comprises
schistose to pebbly quartzite/conglomerate and quartz-
schists with interlayers of meta ultramafites in the basal
part followed successively by BIF, metapelites and meta-
ultramafites.
The BIF-bearing supracrustal sequence of Deogarh
area is exposed in the southwestern part of the EIC and
has been studied by GSI extensively for several years
(Mazumder, 1996). The sequence overlies a migmatitic
granite-gneiss basement (with enclaves of tonalitic
gneisses) with a basal polymictic conglomerate and
comprises quartzite, cherty quartzite with mica schist,
phyllite, metapelite, psammopelite, metavolcanics and
BIF. The supracrustal sequence is traversed by linear
masses of metapyroxenite and metagabbro. Microgranitic
rocks, showing frequent gradations to sub-volcanic
variants intrude the sequence. The volcanic package in
the sequence is represented by high magnesia basalt
(HMB), tholeiite, andesite, rhyodacite and rhyolite.
Stratigraphic relation between OMG and
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group: OMG rocks,
considered to be the oldest supracrustals in the EIC, are
exposed mainly in the Champua Onlajhari areas of
Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts. The continuous
exposures of the Gorumahisani Badampahar Group
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8 GEOL. SURV. IND
starts to appear near Jashipur and Raipada. The
Singhbhum Granitic Complex occupies the intervening
zone between these two supracrustal belts, Recent
detailed mapping studies by GSI established the
continuation of OMG-rocks across Singhbhum Granite
to Gorumahisani Badampahar area through a chain of
mappable xenoliths (Behera et al., 1994; Jena and
Behera, 1998). Based on the above finding, Jena and
Behera (op.cit) concluded that the supracrustal rocks of
Champua (OMG) and Badampahar area (Gorumahisani
Badampahar Group) are temporally correlatable, thus
reiterating the earlier opinion of Iyengar and Murty
(1982). The OMTG suite shows distinct intrusive
relation with OMG supracrustals in the Champua
Onlajhari area.
Archaean-Proterozoic
Lower Bonai Group: The Lower Bonai Group, in
its type area in the Bonai Kendujhar region, exposes
BIF-bearing horizons underlain by shale and volcanics
(dominantly mafic with relatively minor acid and
intermediate types), local dolomitic limestone,
siliciclastic sediments and conglomerate. Shale and
volcanics overlie the BIF-bearing horizons in this
sequence. Recent studies revealed that the BIF-bearing
supracrustals of the Bonai Kendujhar area overlie both
Singhbhum and Bonai Granitic Complex with a basal
quartz pebble conglomerate (QPC) horizon (Sinha et.al.,
1997) disposed in an asymmetric synclinal structure,
described as Horse Shoe Syncline. A thick and
extensive mafic volcanic quartzite sequence flanks the
BIF horizon of IOG rocks of Kendujhar Bonai area
(Lower Bonai Group) along its western, southern and
eastern parts, is variously designated as Danguaposi Lava
(Dunn, 1940; Banerjee, 1982b), Nuakot Volcanics
(Iyengar and Murthy, 1982), Malangtoli Lava (Saha,
1994), Nuakot Volcanic Province (Sahu et al., 1998).
The basaltic flows of this sequence are in general quartz-
normative and encompass the compositional range of
tholeiitic basalt basaltic andesite andesite (Sahu et
al.,op. cit.). The stratigraphic relation of this
volcanosedimentary sequence with the IOG sediments
of Bonai Kendujhar area is highly debatable.
Bonai Granitic Complex : The Bonai Granitic
Complex occurs to the west of the Singhbhum Granite
Complex. These two batholithic complexes are separated
by a wide belt (50-70 km) of supracrustal and volcanic
rocks of the Iron Ore Supergroup. In areal extent, the
Bonai Granitic Complex is approximately one fifth of
the size of the Singhbhum Granitic Complex (Sen, 2001).
Essentially a composite granite batholith like the
Singhbhum Granitic Complex, the Bonai Granitic
Complex comprises mainly trondhjemite granodiorite
granite with zenolithic enclaves of older trondhjemitic
rocks, banded gneisses, metasupracrustals, mafic/
ultramafic rocks, amphibolites and metalavas (Sengupta
et al., 1991; Saha, 1994). The Pb-Pb and U-Pb (zircon)
age of the xenolithic enclaves of older high Al2O3
trondhjemitic rocks range between 3.38 3.34 Ga
whereas the younger host trondhjemites gave Pb-Pb age
of ca. 3.16 Ga (Sengupta et al., 1991, 1996).
The Granitoids of Deogarh Pallahara Bhuban
Belt occurring in the south-central and south-western
parts of EIC, are variously designated as Pallahara
gneisses (Sarkar et al., 1990), Palkam Gneisses
(Mahalik, 1994) etc. The granitic gneisses and granitoids
of this belt have several features, which distinguish them
from the Singhbhum Granitic Complex and its temporal
equivalents (Bonai, Nilgiri etc.). These include (i)
syenomonzonitic affinity, (ii) presence of amphibole
(hornblende, riebeckite) as mafic mineral with/without
biotite, (ii) presence of magnetite, allanite, zircon and
primary sphene as important accessories (Saha, 1994).
The granitoids are often granophyric to microgranitic.
Recent mapping by GSI has revealed the presence
of mappable enclaves of biotite-tonalitic gneisses within
younger granitoids in the Asanali area of the Deogarh
supracrustal belt. The younger granitoids (often
microgranitic) in the Deogarh belt are emplaced along
major fractures/ductile shear zones and migmatise earlier
tonalitic granodioritic gneisses. Several suites of these
younger granitoids, showing distinct intrusive relation
to the supracrustal sequences as well as older granitic
gneisses, have yielded Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron ages
in the range 2.32.4 Ga (GSI, unpublished data).?
From a 207Pb/206Pb (zircon) Ion Microprobe study,
Mishra et al., (2000) infer a minimum age of 2.8 Ga for
some of the granitic gneisses of Bhuban area. The dated
granitic gneisses are reported to contain xenocrystal
zircons of ca. 3.5 Ga age and show evidence of zircon
overgrowth at ca. 2.48 Ga due to later metasomatic/
metamorphic effects (Mishra et al., op. cit).
Granitic Complex of Northwestern Odisha: In the
Keshaibahal Kuchinda belt of northwestern Odisha,
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
Panda and Dash (1997) reported the presence of four
generations of granitoids. The oldest among these are
compositionally tonalitic to granodioritic. The
Sambalpur Granite in this belt has been dated by Rb-Sr
wholerock isochron method at ca. 2.4 Ga (Choudhury
et al., 1996).
MaficUltramafic Complex of Sukinda, Nuasahi:
Major mafic-ultramafic complexes of the EIC are located
in the Baula Nuasahi and Sukinda areas. In addition,
several small masses of mafic-ultramafic rocks are
intermittently exposed along an arcuate belt in the
southeastern marginal zones of the craton. In Baula
Nuasahi area of Kendujhar District, an ultramafic
mafic suite, comprising dunite peridotite pyroxenite
and gabbro/anorthosite, intrude meta-supracrustals
(quartzite quartz schist) equivalent to the Gorumahisani
Badampahar Group. Granite and dolerite dyke swarm,
in turn, intrude the ultramafic mafic suite. The linear
steeply dipping intrusive mass extends for about 3 km
in N-S direction with a maximum width of 1 km. The
complex comprises an early suite represented by
enstatitite/bronzitite, serpentinised dunite, hurzburgite
and chromitite and a younger suite of pyroxenite,
metagabbro leucogabbro (with Ti-V magnetite) (Nanda
and Patra, 1994). The eastern marginal zones of the
complex are brecciated. The complex hosts chromite,
vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite and noble metal
mineralization (Mukherjee, 1958, 1969; Auge et al.,
1999). The noble metal (PGE) mineralization in the
complex is confined to the brecciated zones; the
brecciation of the ultramafic rocks has been induced by
gabbro intrusion (Auge et al., op. cit). The gabbroic rocks
of the complex (Bangur Gabbro) have yielded zircon
(SHRIMP) age of 3122 5 Ma making the Baula PGE
mineralization as one of the oldest in the world (Auge
et al., 2003). Auge et al., (op.cit) correlated the gabbro-
anorthosites of this area with the Mayurbhanj Gabbro-
Anorthosites.
Located in the Jajpur Dhenkanal districts, the
Sukinda Complex occurs as a ~ 20 km long and 2-5 km
wide body trending ENE-WSW from Kansa to Maruabil.
The complex is emplaced as a concordant mass within
metasupracrustals of Tomka Daitari Mahagiri belt
and is stated to form synformal structure in the host rocks
(Banerjee, 1972; Chakrabarti et al., 1980). Basu et al.,
(1997) considered the complex to be an integral part of
the metasupracrustal, volcano-sedimentary sequence of
Iron Ore Group. The intrusion comprises magnesite-
9
bearing serpentinised ultramafics (dunite-peridotite)
with chromitite and pyroxenite and a major source of
chromitite ore and the complex hosts six fairly thick
(10-40m) chromite seams. High degree of lateritisation
of the ultramafic rocks of the complex has given rise to
a nickeliferous laterite cover. The complex is intruded
by granitoids of ca. 2.3 Ga age (GSI, unpub. data) and
dolerite dykes.
Page et al., (1985) opined that the Baula Nuasahi
and Sukinda complexes have ophiolitic affinity. Bose
(2002) envisaged arc-type magmatism to explain the
lithotectonic milieu of the mafic-ultramafic complexes.
Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex : Chhotanagpur
Gneissic Complex is a composite mass of Archaean (?)
to undifferentiated Proterozoic age and comprises mainly
granite gneiss, migmatites and composite gneiss with
enclaves of para and ortho metamorphites, dolerite dykes
and veins of pegmatite, aplite and quartz. A vast stretch
of adjacent Jharkhand state is occupied by this gneissic
complex and a small part of it extends southward and
occupies the northwestern part of Odisha in contact with
Gangpur Group of rocks.The para metamorphites
include crystalline limestone, calc-granulite,calc-silicate
rocks and mica schist whereas the orthometamorphites
are represented by hornblende schist, metagabbro,
anorthosite, metapyroxenite, metanorite, pyroxene
granulite, etc. The rocks of this complex generally trend
in NE-SW to ENE-WSW with moderate (40 -50) dips
towards north.
Proterozoic (Undifferentiated)
Gabbro - anorthosite Complex : In Gorumahisani
area of Mayurbhanj district, flanking the Simlipal
Complex, gabbro-anorthositic rocks are reported. These
are reported to intrude the meta supracrustal rocks of
the Gorumahisani Badampahar Group as well as the
Singhbhum Granitic Complex (Saha et al., 1977;
Chakrabarty et al., 1981). Auge et al., (2003) correlated
the gabbro-anorthosites of this belt to the 3.122 Ma old
Bangur Gabbro of Baula area.
Newer Dolerite Suite of Dyke Swarms: Mafic dyke
swarms constitute an important lithologic component
in the EIC and occur extensively in Singhbhum,
Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts of Jharkhand and
Odisha. Dunn and Dey (1942) coined the term Newer
Dolerite to collectively denote these dyke swarms,
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10 GEOL. SURV. IND

which according to them represented the youngest
stratigraphic unit in the terrain. The dykes are represented
mainly by dolerites and gabbros, though minor
ultramafic, noritic and granophyric dykes are also
reported. The dykes show broadly four orientations, viz.,
NE-SW, NW-SE, N-S and E-W of which the first two
are more common (Guha, 1963). Saha et al., (1973)
distinguished three petrogenetic types in the Newer
Dolerite suite viz., (i) accumulates (ultramafic and
noritic dykes), (ii) products of direct crystallization
(dolerite gabbro) and (iii) products of partial melting
(leucogranophyric dykes). Reported K-Ar ages of the
dykes range from 923-2144 Ma (Sarkar et al., 1969;
Sarkar and Saha, 1977; Mallick and Sarkar, 1994).
Mallick and Sarkar (1994) inferred three periods of mafic
dyke activity at 2100 100 Ma, 1500 10 Ma and 1100
200 Ma. Verma and Prasad (1974) inferred the presence
of at least three generations of mafic dykes from
palaeomagnetic studies. Available data thus suggest
multiple generations of mafic dyke activity in the EIC.
It may be noted that different generations of dykes have
distinct geochemical signatures (Mallick and Sarkar,
1994).
Palaeo Proterozoic
Upper Bonai Group : The supracrustal sequences,
lying west of the Bonai Granitic Complex, was mapped
and described by Prasad Rao et al., (1964) and
Ramachandran and Raju (1982). Though subsequently
studied by many workers, the basic stratigraphic
framework provided by the earlier workers has remained
unchanged. The lithostratigraphy of the various units in
this belt is given in Table 2.
Three groups of supracrustals occur in the area
intervened by unconformities and intrusive and/or
extrusive granitic activity. The rocks belonging to the
oldest sequence (Group I) are intruded by components
of Bonai Granitic Complex and are correlated with the
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group. Enclaves of these
rocks abound in the Bonai Granitic Complex. The
Group-II supracrustals rest over the Bonai granitoids as
well as the Gorumahisani Badampahar Group with a
pronounced polymictic basal conglomerate with pebbles
of fuchsite quartzite, banded chert, heamatite jasper and
basic rocks (Ramachandran and Raju, 1982). This
sequence lacks BIF and is designated as the Upper Bonai
Group. The Group II or the Upper Bonai Group
defines a northerly plunging synformal structure
(Ramachandran and Raju, op. cit). They observed that
the synformal fold is a syncline as it contains youngest
bed at the core. The Upper Bonai Group of supracrustals
are intruded by granite (Tamparkola) acid volcanic
association (ca.2.8 Ga old).
The Group III sequence overlies the Group II rocks
with a faulted contact for the most part and is reported to
show progressive Barrovian metamorphic zones from
south to north and finally merges with the Gangpur Group

Table 2: Lithostratigraphy of rocks occurring west of Bonai Granitic Complex

(Modified after Ramachandran and Raju, 1982)
Group III Garnet staurolite bearing argillaceous schists with calc-silicate/calc-gneiss rocks; carbon
phyllites quartzites
Unconformity
Granite acid volcanics (Tamparkola)

Group II Ultrabasic/basic sills and dykes

Lava flows and tuffs
Ferruginous shale
Intraformational conglomerate
Meta lavaIntercalated argillaceous and arenaceous
sedimentsBasal conglomerate
Unconformity
Granitoids of the Bonai Complex

Group I Sheared quartz reefs

Metabasic/ultrabasic intrusives
Metavolcanics (metalava, chlorite-schist, amphibolite etc.)
Fuchsite quartzite, quartz-schist, mica-schists
Base not seen
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
of rocks and post-dates intrusion of Tamparkola granitoids
(Ramachandran and Raju, op.cit). The Group III rocks,
representing transition between the cratonic Upper Bonai
Group (correlated with Dhanjori sequence) and the
Gangpur Group of mobile zone are correlated with the
lower horizons (Chaibasa Formation) of the Singhbhum
Group. Mahalik (1987) combined all the lithologies lying
above Bonai Granite (including Group III supracrustals)
under Darjing Group.
Dhanjori Group : The Dhanjori volcanosedimentary
sequence (Dunn and Dey, 1942) is located in the NNE
edge of the EIC. The sequence comprises a lower
formation (Lower Dhanjori Formation) dominated by
metapelites with volcanogenic components followed
upwards by quartzite and conglomerate. The Lower
Dhanjori Formation is intruded by mafic-ultramafic
intrusives and interlayered with acid volcanics and
intermittent Au-W-U bearing quartz pebble
conglomerate (QPC) bands (Gupta et al., 1985). The
predominantly volcanic Upper Dhanjori formation
comprises high-Mg volcaniclastic, basaltic komatiite,
alkali olivine basalt overlain by low-K tholeiitic
metabasalt (Gupta et al., op.cit). The type sequence of
Dhanjori Group is confined within the geographical
limits of the State of Jharkhand. Iyengar and Anand
Alwar, (1965) opined that the Dhanjori Group of rocks
overlie the Iron Ore Supergroup of rocks and are
correlatable with the Simlipal Group.
Simlipal Group: Volcano-sedimentary rocks of the
Simlipal basin has spectacular circular map pattern. This
large basin overlies the Gorumahisani Badampahar
Group in its type area and is isolated from the Dhanjori
basin by the Mayurbhanj Granite batholith. The sequence
starts with a basal conglomerate and a dark phyllite
succeeded by a zone of volcanic breccia, spilitic lava
and tuff intercalated with quartzite. In this basin,
volcanism was interspersed with sedimentation. The
volcanic rocks in the basin are represented mainly by
spilitic lava of ocean-floor affinity and extensive acid
volcanics. The volcanics alternating with siliciclastic
sediments are intruded by mafic-ultramafic intrusives.
A highly differentiated ~ 800 m thick sill (Amjhori Sill)
(dunite peridotite picrite gabbro quartz diorite) Krishnan(1937). This group of metaspracrustals
occurs at the centre of the basin (Iyengar and Banerjee,
1964; Iyengar et al., 1964; Iyengar and Anand Alwar,
1965; Iyengar et al., 1981a).
Singhbhum Group : The Singhbhum Group,
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represented by a lower arenaceous and an upper
arenaceous to argillaceous and carbonaceous
metasedimentary sequence unconformably overlying the
Dhanjori and Gorumahisani Groups, occupy a very small
portion at the northeastern border of Odisha. This group
of metasediments of Singhbhum Mobile Belt is actually
best developed in the north, covering a large area of
adjoining Singhbhum district of Jharkhand State. The
basal conglomerate contains pebbles of fuchsite
quartzite, banded grey white chert, haematite-jasper and
basic rocks. In addition, there are four intraformational
conglomerate beds at different stratigraphic levels of this
sequence. A crustal-scale ductile shear zone(Singhbhum
shear zone) with polymetallic mineralization (specially
copper) has affected the Singhbhum, Dhanjori and
Gorumahisani Group of rocks and running in an arcuate
E-W to NW-SE direction entered into the Mayurbhanj
district of Odisha with a southeasterly swing and died
down into the alluvium to the south of Kesharpur(2207:
8541) . In Odisha, this group of rocks is represented by
conglomerate, quartzite, mica schist, phyllite,
garnetiferous phyllite, hornblende schist and epidiorite
with repeated cycle of sedimentation forming several
bands of same rock formation in different stratigraphic
horizons. These rocks are disposed in a NNW - SSE to
N-S trends with moderate to high angle (45 - 65) dip
towards east and form a major northerly plunging
synform around the syntectonic Romapahari Granite as
its core at Kesharpur- Dudhiasol Madansahi copper
prospect. Both the rocks of core and limbs bear the
imprints of shearing and faulting. Intrusive and extrusive
igneous activities, represented by meta ultramafic and
mafic sills and dykes (now amphibolite) are also
recorded in this sequence. Proterozoic Singhbhum Group
stratigraphically correlatable with the Gangpur Group,
have signatures of polyphase deformation,
metamorphism and crustal reworking.
Gangpur Group : In the northwestern part of Odisha,
a Group of psammopelite and calcareous metasediments
with a basal sheared conglomerate is found to
unconformably overlie the Lower Bonai Group forming
a conspicuous hill range all along its southern boundery
and was described as Gangpur Series by
belonging to Singhbhum-Gangpur Mobile Belt of
Lower Proterozoic age include a sequence of arenaceous,
carbonaceous, calcareous,and argillaceous rocks. The
basal conglomerate which marks an erosional
unconformity is designated as Raghunathpally
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conglomerate and contains pebbles of vein quartz,grey
quartzite, and carbonaceous quartzite. Earlier, the
Gangpur Group of rocks were believed to be folded into
a sigmoidal anticlinorium plunging eastward (Krishnan,
1937) and were overlain by the Iron Ore Series of rocks
of Jones(1934). Subsequent studies (Banerjee, 1968;
Kanungo and Mahalik, 1967, 1975) revealed that the
Gangpur Group of rocks are disposed in a synclinorium
and is younger than the Iron Ore Group.However recently
published geological quadrangle map (GQM) of 73 B
confirms the fold to be synclinal synclinorium. The basal
conglomerate band is succeeded upward by mica schists
and phyllites containing thin bands and lenses of Gondite.
The carbonaceous and calcareous beds occurring more
or less continuously in definite horizon form the
lithostratigraphic marker horizons. The carbonaceous
rocks with small lenses of banded magnetite quartzite
are invaded by basic sills at several places, represented
by epidiorite, amphibolite, and talc chlorite schist. The
revised lithostratigraphic succession of the Gangpur
Group as established by GSI in the Sundargarh District
of Odisha (Banerjee, 1968) is given below:
Dublabera Dolomite
Jharbera carbonaceous phyllite and quartzite
Mica schist and Gondites
Kumarmunda banded carbonaceous quartzite
Grey and purple phyllite and quartzite
Birmitrapur Lanjiberna Limestone and dolomite
Laingar carbon-quartz phyllite
Katang Limestone and dolomite
Mica-schist and quartzite
Raghunathpalli Conglomerate
Based on the palaeocurrent data of the Gangpur
rocks,Kanungo and Mahalik (1975) suggested that the
sediments are transported from the southern cratonic
domain. The palaeoslope directions reported for both
the Gangpur and Singhbhum Groups indicate northerly
sediment transport from south (see Mazumder, 1978 and
the references therein). The Gangpur Group is correlated
with the Singhbhum Group (Annon, 1974). Structural
studies by Chaudhuri et al., (1980) indicated that the
tectonic history of the Gangpur Group is similar to that
of the Chaibasa Formation (lower stratigraphic horizon
of the Singhbhum Group). This justifies the correlation
of the Gangpur Group with the Singhbhum Group rather
than considering it to be homotaxial with the Kolhans
as postulated by Iyenger and Murthy (1982).
GEOL. SURV. IND
Mafic sills and dykes and several small stocks of S-
type Neoproterozoic granitoids (Etma, Ekma, Timna
etc.) intrude the Gangpur Group of rocks. The rocks bear
evidence of multiple deformation and metamorphism
resulting in disruption of earlier fold geometry and
thermal metamorphism of surrounding sediments .
Banerjee (1968) envisaged at least two episodes of
prograde metamorphism: the first one leading to the
development of garnet-bearing assemblages.
Development of staurolite is attributed to contact
metamorphism induced by later intrusion of granitoids.
The S-type granitoids intruding the Gangpur Group have
yielded (Rb-Sr isochron )ages within the range 1000-
800 Ma (Pandey et al., 1998).
Dhanjori Lava : In Odisha small exposures of
Dhanjori lava are occurring in the north eastern part of
EIC, south of Rakha (Jharkhand), adjacent to eastern
part of Singhbhum Granite and northern part of
Mayurbhanj Granite. They are underlain by quartzites
and metapelites of Dhanjori Group. At places the lavas
are interbedded with grey sericite phyllite .The Dhanjori
lavas are fine grained epidiorite,which is a fine grained
hornblende rock with little quartz, occasional
feldspar,and abundant epidote, and chlorite. Leucoxene
are also noticed in some cases.Sometimes the hornblende
is tremolitic. The rocks are vesicular-amygdaloidal, the
amygdules are formed by epidote, chlorite,calcite and
chalcedony. The Dhanjori lavas and interbedded tuffs
are sheared and metamorphosed to hornblende schist
and biotite schist along the shear zone. From petrological
point of view the Dhanjori lava shows a close similarity
with Dalma volcanics and they are thought to be nearly
contemporaneous (Saha,1994). The Dhanjori
metavolcanics are essentially tholeiitic in composition
(Dunn and Dey,1942),while Gupta et al(1985) grouped
the Dhanjori metavolcanics into two units i.e a) Mafic-
ultramafic high Mg vitric tuff and b)Low K tholeiite
with locally alkali rich olivine basalt.
Bonai Lava (Malangtoli Lava): The thick and
extensive mafic volcanic rocks flanking the Iron ore
Group of rocks of the Horse Shoe Synclinorium of
Bonai-Keonjhar region, along its western and southern
parts are designated as Bonai lava (Malongtoli lava).
The volcanics/lavas are exposed over 800 sq. Km. area
(Saha, 1994) to the west of Kendujhargarh and the north
of Palalahara (21 28 : 85 15). The lavas are in general
quartz-normative tholeiitic basalts basaltic andesite
anderite in composition. The lavas are vesicular and the
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vesicles are filled up by quartz, chlorite zeolite and
chert. The lavas are, at places, intercalated with shale
and is associated with ash beds and agglomeratic rocks.
Close interbedded / intercalated relationship of lava
and shale probably indicates a sub aqueous origin for
the lava.
Dangoaposi / Jagannathpur Lava : An area of about
200 sq. Km. lying south of Jagannathpur at the Jharkhand
Odisha border and at the NE corner of Horse Shoe is
occupied by Synclinorium composed of extensive flat
lying lava flows designated as Jagannathpur /
Dangoaposi Lava, which are very weakly
metamorphosed, locally basaltic rocks of having
tholeiitic, andesitic in composition. The bulk
composition of the basaltic rock is andesite tholeiite with
differentiates of oligoclase andesites.
Saha (1994) on the basis of major element chemistry
and disposition opined that they represent continental
setting of eruption. The K-Ar whole rock date (1629 +
39 Ma) of Jagannathpur lava is probably suggestive of
contemporaneity of the metamorphism of Dalma and
Jagannathpur lava suites (Saha, 1994).
Mayurbhanj Granite : Mayurbhanj Granite
represents a composite granite batholith occurring along
the eastern fringe of the EIC, flanking the Simlipal
complex . The batholith comprises three phases. In order
of emplacement, these are:
a) a fine-grained, homophanous, biotite-hornblende
bearing granite with granophyric texture,
representing the main Mayurbhanj Granite body
occurring along the northwestern and southeastern
margin of the Simlipal basin, A suite of Mayurbhanj
Granite has yielded a Rb-Sr whole rock isochron
age of ca. 2.08 0.7 Ga (Iyengar et al., 1981 b).
The 207Pb/206Pb zircon ages (Ion Microprobe) of
the granite are reported to be much higher, viz., :
Phase I : 3092 5 Ma and Phase II : 3080 8 by an undeformed platformal sequence comprising basal
Ma (Mishra et al., 1999). According to them this
age may be considered as the time of broad
stabilization of Singhbhum Craton.
b) a coarse grained, occasionally foliated and
gneissose ferrohastingsite-biotite granite
designated as Bhuasani Granite occurring as an
elliptical body of an area around 15 sq. km at the
northeastern corner of the Simlipal complex in the
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Chakdar pahar area( 2200;86 30).It is a solitary
composite mass of sodagranite, considered to be
an offshoot of Mayurbhanj Granite,composed of
very fine grained matrix of quartz and
feldspar,(Iyengar,1956). Subsequent study revealed
that the body is a composite one with a core of
moderately coarse ferrohastingsite-biotite granite
with granophyric textures enveloped by aplitic
leucogranite (Saha,1994).
c) a N-S elongated granite body designated as
Romapahari Granite occurring at the northeastern
extremity of Odisha state and at the Odisha-West
Bengal border and west of Baharagora. It is fine
grained, composed mostly of microcline
perthite,quartz and oligoclase. Biotite is mostly
altered and marginally granulated . Saha, (1994)
defined it as biotite aplogranite.The Rb-Sr whole
rock isochron age of the Romapahari Granite is
found to be 189546 Ma (Saha,Op cit). These
granitic rocks, having A type geochemical affinity,
are reported to show intrusive relations with
Singhbhum Granite, Iron Ore Supergroup, Dhanjori
Group, Singhbhum Group and the gabbro-norite-
anorthosite suite of rocks (Saha et al., 1984).
Tamparkola Granite Acid Volcanics : The granite
acid volcanics suite of Tamparkola crop out as a
roughly ovoid body just west of the Upper Bonai
sequence in western Odisha. The suite comprises
amphibole-bearing microgranite-granophyre medium
grained granite along with rhyolitic volcanics. This
silicic volcano-plutonic assemblage intrudes the older
Gorumahisani Badampahar Group of supracrustals as
well as the younger Upper Bonai sequence. The
microgranitic suite from this association has yielded a
Rb-Sr whole rock isochron age of ca. 2.78 Ga (GSI,
unpub. data). In situ Pb-Pb (zircon) dating by Ion
Microprobe revealed the following ages : granite : 2809
8 Ma, rhyolite : 2836 67 (Bandopadhyay et al., 2001).
Kolhan Group : The Kolhan Group is represented
polymictic conglomerate, fine to medium grained purple
quartzite-sandstone, gritty quartzite with some shale-
slate and minor limestone. The type area of this group
lies in Jharkhand state, north of Koira area. Only a few
patchy exposures of this group, occurring as outliers,
have been mapped in the Koira area of Odisha. The
polymictic conglomerate at the base contains pebbles
of banded iron formation, quartzite, vein quartz and at
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places iron ore. The pebbles in the Kolhan basal
conglomerates indicate that the sequence was deposited
as a platformal cover sediment over a basement
comprising the Singhbhum Granite and the Iron Ore
Supergroup of rocks. The outlier, occurring to the east
of Roida on Durgaparbat (toposheet 73 F/8), is the largest
exposure of Kolhan sequence (~1sq. km) so far mapped
in the Odisha state.
Bastar Craton
Part of the eastern marginal zone of the Bastar
Craton is exposed in western Odisha. This cratonic
crustal strip is bounded by the Mahanadi graben in the
northeast and the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt in the east
and southeast. The major lithostratigraphic components
of the Bastar Craton, exposed in parts of western Odisha
are : Archean supracrustals of the Bengpal and Bailadila
Groups, granite gneisses and granitoids ranging in
age from Neo archaean to Palaeoproterozoic, a wide
variety of post-tectonic silicic intrusives with alkaline
affinity, mafic/ultramafic rocks and several Meso-
Neoproterozoic sequences of platformal sediments.
Agewise (starting from Archaean) synoptic geological
accounts of the major litho-stratigraphic components of
the Bastar Craton are presented below.
Archaean
Archaean Supracrustals : The Archean supracrustal
assemblages of the Bastar Craton are divisible into three
major lithostratigraphic units. In order of younging, these
are represented by Sukma, Bengpal and Bailadila
Groups (Crookshank, 1963; Ramakrishnan, 1990).
Mappable exposures of supracrustal rocks belonging to
the Sukma and Bailadila Groups are not reported from
western Odisha. However, a small outcrop of
interbanded quartzite and banded heamatite quartzite
(BHQ), possibly belonging to the Bailadila Group, is
recorded in the Hirapur hills.
A group of low grade volcano-sedimentary rocks
exposed as small lenses and bands and also as long linear
Table 3. Isotopic ages of granitoids in the cratonic zone of western Odisha
Granitoids
1. Granitic gneisses, west of Kolab
2. Pujariguda granite
3. Cholanguda granite
GEOL. SURV. IND
bands within the granite gneiss-migmatite country at the
southwestern part of Odisha near the border with
Chhattisgarh are called Bengpal Group after the name
of a small village Bengpal (18 08; 81 11 ) in
Chhattisgarh from where they were first described. A
major outcrop of Bengpal Group of rocks is noted in
the Tulsi Dongar Hill Range area. The Bengpal Group
of rocks are represented by phyllite, quartz-sericite
schist, feldspathic quartzite,mica schist, andalusite
schists and gneiss,grunerite gneiss,BMQ,BHQ,
amphibolites, ultrabasic rocks, talc-tremolite-chlorite
schist . These are considered to be equivalents of the
rocks of Iron Ore Super Group (Gorumahisani Group)
because of their similarity in lithological assemblage by
iron bearing sediments with metavolcanic sequence and
their age has been considered to be Archaean. The
Bengpal group of rocks are exposed mostly in
Chhattisgarh and a small part has been extended to
Odisha.
Archaean- Proterozoic
Granite-gneisses and Granites : The cratonic
crustal strip in western Odisha represent the immediate
cratonic foreland to the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt.
Granite gneisses and granitoids constitute a significant
lithologic component in this zone. The granitic gneisses
are represented by epidote-hornblende-bearing fissile
gneisses, hornblende-biotite gneisses, biotite-gneisses,
feldspathised pink porphyroblastic granite gneisses and
banded migmatitic gneisses. The granitic rocks are
generally massive and contain amphibole and/or biotite
as mafic minerals. In contrast to the largely per-
aluminous EGMB granitoids, these granitoids are largely
metaluminous and lack garnet. Granitoids of
Neoarchean(?) and Palaeoproterozoic ages are reported
from this zone (Table-3).
Proterozoic
Alkaline and Ultramafic Rocks : In the Khariar
Paikmal Padampur segment of western Odisha, several
post-tectonic dykes of granophyre, microgranite,
Age/method References
2.67 Ga (Rb-Sr WRI) Sarkar et al., (1994 a,b.c,d)
2.11 Ga (Rb-Sr WRI) Pandey et al., (1989)
2.30 Ga Pandey et al., (1989)
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analcime-bearing syenite, syenite, monzo syenite grading
to garnet hornblende biotite albite syenite are
recorded within granitic gneisses of Bastar Craton close
to the EGMB. The rocks are unmetamorphosed and
locally display chilled margins and flow structures. In
the same belt, ultramafic rocks (harzburgite, Iherzolite)
intruding granitic gneisses are also reported (Nanda et
al., 2000). In the Bhela Rajna area of Nuapara District,
Pattanaik (1996) reported an epizonal to sub-volcanic
igneous complex comprising silica-oversaturated
alkaline rocks of A type magmatic lineage, the
emplacement of which was controlled by N-S trending
crustal fractures. Pattanaik and Mishra (2000) envisaged
linkage between developments of crustal fracture,
emplacement of the alkaline complex and graben
formation related to deposition of the sediments in
Khariar basin.
Meso-Neoproterozoic
Chhattisgarh Supergroup : Five disconnected
exposures of Meso-Neoproterozoic platformal/cover
sediments belonging to Chhattisgarh Supergroup are
exposed in western Odisha . Some of these represent
the eastern and southeastern edges of larger basins,
which lie to the west in the Chhattisgarh State. Ball
(1877) considered these to be parts of a single continuous
basin.
The lithounits of Chhattisgarh Supergroup occurring
within Chhattisgarh Basin represents multiple cycles
of sedimentation (Das et al., 1992; Das et al., 2001)and
covers extensive areas in southern Chhattisgarh and also
extend into the adjoining Odisha State. The southeastern
and easternmost margins of the main basin, comprising
respectively, the lithocomponents of the oldest Singhora
and Barapahar protobasins, are exposed in Odisha. In
the Barapahar area of Odisha, nearly 1000 m thick
sedimentary pile is exposed (Pascoe, 1973) and the
sediments are intensely folded and faulted. The eastern
margin of the basin shows faulted contact with the
Gondwana sediments along Mahanadi lineament and the
EGMB. The sequence in the Singhora protobasin has
been subdivided into four formations, which essentially
represent alternations of arenaceous and argillaceous
horizons. The arenaceous formations mainly consist of
feldspathic sandstone, quartzite, siltstone, shale and
limestone whereas the argillaceous formations are
represented by calcareous shale of purple to reddish-
brown colour. The evidence of syndepositional volcanic
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activity is noted in the Singhora protobasin (Chakraborti,
1997; Das et al., 2001).
The elongated oval-shaped Khariar Basin covers
a total area of more than 1500 sq.km in parts of
Chhattisgarh and Odisha states. The eastern margin of
the basin, bordered by the EGMB in Odisha, is
structurally disturbed. In Odisha, the sedimentaries lie
over the granitoids of Bengpal Group with a pronounced
unconformity. The sedimentary sequence of the Khariar
Nawagarh Plateau, comprising dominantly arenites
with argillites and calcareous intercalations (with
stromatolites), is formally designated as Pairi Group
and is divided into six formations (Das et al., 2001). In
Odisha, the sedimentary sequence attain a maximum
thickness of 700 m and comprises a lower sequence of
gravel-sandstone-subarkose with thin shale intercalations
and disseminations of glauconite pellets, a middle
sequence of rhythmic pebble-gravel beds and sandstone
and an upper sequence of alternate bands of cross-bedded
subarkose and wave-ripple marked sandstone
(Srivastava, 1997). Srivastava (op. cit) designated the
sequence in Odisha as Khariar Group and correlated
it with the Chandarpur Group of Chhattisgarh
Supergroup of Murti, (1996) and Singhora Group
Chandrapur Group of Das et al., (1992). The kimberlite
diatremes, occurring beyond the western margin of the
basin in Chhattisgarh state, are reported to contain
xenoliths of Khariar sediments implying their post-
Khariar emplacement.
A sedimentary basin located just south of the Khariar
basin and west of Ampani (Ampani Basin) is occurring
as an outlier of approximately 220 sq.km area. The
eastern margin of the basin is marked by a NNE-SSW
trending boundary fault along which the basement
gneisses as well as the overlying sedimentaries display
effects of shearing. The sequence comprises gritty
conglomerate at the base followed upwards by
sandstone, siltstone and purple-coloured shale with
calcareous bands (Balakrishnan and Babu, 1987). Dutt
(1963,1964) considered the Ampani sequence to be a
part of Chhattisgarh Indravati master basin and
correlated with Upper Kurnool. Balkrishnan and Babu
(op. cit) opined that the Ampani sediments are equivalent
to Chandrapur Group of Chhattisgarh Supergroup. Dutt
(1963) proposed the name Indravati Series for a
sequence of sedimentaries of Bastar and adjoining parts
of Odisha after the name of the river draining the largest
exposure where the entire sequence is exposed. The
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sequence was later redesignated as Indravati Group
(Sharma, 1975). Bulk of the roughly quadrangle-shaped
Indravati basin (~ 900 sq.km) fall in the Bastar district
of Chhattisgarh State; only the eastern part of the basin
is exposed in Odisha. The southeastern margin of this
craton-marginal basin displays a pronounced tectonic
contact with the EGMB.
The Indravati sequence comprises conglomerate,
sandstone, shale, limestone and stromatolitic dolomite.
Ramakrishnan (1987) divided the sequence into four
formations, viz., the lowermost Tirathgarh Formation
followed upwards by Chitrakut Formation, Kanger
Limestone and Jagdalpur Formation. The basinal
rocks are nearly flat-lying with low dips towards the
centre of the basin. The sequence is intruded by
kimberlite pipes in Bastar area of Chhattisgarh State.
The eastern margin of the triangular-shaped Sabari
Basin (~ 700 sq.km) (Ghosh, 1934) is exposed in
extreme southwestern part of Odisha. The sedimentary
sequence, correlatable with the Indravati Group,
comprises a basal conglomerate and quartzite followed
upwards by purple shale, limestone and interbands of
shale and phyllite.
Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt
The Eastern Ghats constitute a major Precambrian
Mobile Belt of the Peninsular India designated as
Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB). It extends for over
1000 km from Odisha to southeastern parts of Andhra
Pradesh along the east coast of the Indian Peninsula,
representing one of the most highly deformed and
metamorphosed crustal segment of the Indian Shield.
The belt is widest in Odisha (~ 300 km) and covers the
major part of southern Odisha. The Gohira Sukinda
shear/thrust belt, separates it from the Eastern Indian
Craton lying to the north. The eastern margin of the belt
is truncated by Bay of Bengal. The western margin of
the belt has a thrusted contact with the Bastar Craton. It
is characterized by a distinctive association of
garnetiferous graphite bearing sillimanite schist and
gneiss (khondalite) and large masses of charnockite
within a garnetiferous granite gneiss - migmatite country.
The name khondalite was first coined by T.L. Walkers
(1902) after the name of a group of hill tribe Khonds
who inhabit the area in Kalahandi district. The rocks
are dominantly gneissose though schistose variety is also
recorded to occur with graphite and mostly they form
GEOL. SURV. IND
lofty linear hill ranges extending roughly NE-SW.
Though 20% of the total hard rock area of the State of
Odisha is covered by the rocks of the Eastern Ghat, a
typical section exposing all the lithounits of both
Khondalite and Charnockite groups is rare.
The rock types in the EGMB are thus represented
by the following major rock associations, viz.,
1. Khondalite Group of rocks
2. Charnockite Group of rocks
3. Mafic granulites
4. Meta-ultramafic rocks
5. Migmatitic granitic gneisses/leptynites/granitoids
6. Plutonic alkaline complexes
7. Massif-type anorthosite complexes
A broad lithological zonation is noted in the belt
(Narayanaswamy, 1975; Ramakrishnan et al., 1998). In
the Odisha sector, from east to west, these zones are the
Eastern Khondalite Zone, Central Migmatite Zone,
Western Khondalite Zone, Western Charnockite Zone
and the Westernmost Transition Zone (Ramakrishnan
et al., op. cit).
The Mahanadi and Godavari rifts divide the EGMB
into three segments across its length, viz. (i) northern
segment (ii) central segment and (iii) southern segment
(Sarkar and Nanda, 1998). Of the above three segments,
the northern and part of the central segment lie within
the State of Odisha. These segments subtly differ in terms
of lithotectonic assemblages and tectonothermal history
(Sarkar and Nanda, op. cit., Mezger and Cosca, 1999).
The northern segment of EGMB, exposed north of the
Mahanadi graben, is bounded by two major WNW-ESE
trending shear and/or thrust belts, viz., the Gohira
Sukinda shear-thrust belts in the north and Tikra shear
belt in the south. In this segment, the NE-SW regional
trend of the central EGMB segment veers to WNW-ESE.
The characteristic features of this segment are -
dominance of arenaceous facies in the high-grade
supracrustal package and presence of charnockite rocks
of Late-Archean age (Sarkar et al., 2000). The central
segment lies between the Mahanadi and Godavari
grabens and a substantial part of this segment lies in
southern Odisha. All the massif-type anorthosite
complexes of the EGMB are confined within this
segment. The Khondalitic Group of metasupracrustals
in this segment are locally manganiferous and graphitic.
Meso-Neoproterozoic tectonomagmatic activity and
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Pan-African (0.6 0.1 Ga) thermal rejuvenations are
other notable features of this segment (Sarkar et al., 1981;
Sarkar and Nanda, 1998; Sarkar and Paul, 1998; Mezger
and Cosca, 1999). The various lithological assemblages
noted in the Odisha sector of the EGMB are broadly
divided into three groups viz. Khondalite Group,
Charnockite Group and Migmatite Group which are
described below.
Archaean-proterozoic
Khondalite Group : The term Khondalite was first
coined by Walker (1902) to collectively denote a rock
suite comprising sillimanite- and garnet-bearing siliceous
schists/gneisses ( graphite), associated with
garnetiferous quartzite and calc-silicate rocks. The name
was given after the Khond tribe of the Baudh-
Khandmal area of Odisha. Banerjee (1982a) suggested
that the term should be used to denote a group rather
than a singular rock-type. A useful term for regional
mapping purposes, the term Khondalite Group is now
used to collectively denote the high-grade
metasupracrustal assemblages in the EGMB. These
constitute the most abundant lithology in the EGMB. In
Odisha, the relative proportion of argillaceous,
arenaceous and calcareous components in the Khondalite
Group is roughly in the proportion 60:30:10. In addition,
Mg-Al rich granulites (with sapphirine) constitute a
minor but significant lithologic component of the group.
The argillaceous component is essentially a quartz-
sillimanite-graphite schist/gneiss. Graphite sometimes
occurring in mineable quantities. These schists and
gneisses imperceptibly grade into leptynitic gneiss/
granulite with increasing k-feldspar contents suggesting
major role of partial melting of metapelitic rocks in their
genesis. The arenaceous component in the suite is
represented by a variety of narrow, often impersistent,
quartzite bands. These include coarse crystalline
quartzite, manganiferous quartzite, garnetiferous
quartzite, sillimanite-graphite-bearing quartzite,
sillimanite-garnet-bearing quartzite etc. The calcareous
components in the suite comprise linear masses of calc-
silicate rocks and calc-granulites composed mainly of
diopside-garnet-scapolite-wollastonite-bearing
assemblages.
Traditionally, the khondalitic suite of rocks is
considered to be paragneisses (Narayanswami, 1975).
Based on a detailed geochemical study of khondalitic
suite of Odisha, Dash et al. (1987) concluded that
17
khondalites are high-grade equivalents of a deeply
weathered soil profile. The intimately associated
quartzites and calc-silicate granulites were interpreted
to be originally silcretes and calcretes respectively.
However, Nanda and Pati (1991) refuted the hypotheses
of Dash et al., (op. cit) and reiterated the essentially
metasedimentary character of the suite.
Charnockite Group : Several compositional types
represent the orthopyroxene-bearing siliceous rocks
(quartz orthopyroxene plagioclase K-feldspar
garnet) of EGMB, viz., tonalitic (enderbite),
granodioritic (charno-enderbite), adamellitic-granitic
(charnockite), monzonitic - quartz-monzonitic
(mangerite) and even syenite-quartz-syenitic. The
charnockitic rocks represent the second most abundant
rock type in the EGMB. Field and geochronological
studies suggest the presence of more than one generation
of charnockitic rocks in the belt (Sarkar and Paul, 1998;
Sarkar et al., 2000). The mode of occurrence is also
varied. These rocks form large linear massif as in the
Western Charnockite Zone of the belt. Smaller masses
such as the Tikri hypersthene syenites (Sarkar and
Nanda, 1994) are also noted. From the northern segment
of the belt, Archean charnockite massifs (Riamal
Rengali massif), originating from C-type magma
(Kilpatrick and Ellis, 1992) are reported (Sarkar et al.,
2000). Nanda and Pati (1998) envisaged C type
magmatism for the genesis of the charnockites of the
Western Charnockite Zone. In some parts of EGMB in
Odisha, minor occurrences of patchy charnockites are
noted on granite-gneiss-migmatitic rocks. The mode of
genesis of the patchy charnockites, is, however, highly
controversial; opposing views range from remnant origin
to nascent growth (Halden et al., 1982; Park and Dash,
1984; Nanda, 1994; Bhattacharya et al., 1993; Dobmeier,
2000; Dobmeier and Raith, 2000).
The charnockitic rocks forming large massif, as in
the Western Charnockite Zone, are distinctly
metaluminous and show distinct calc-alkaline affinity
(Nanda and Pati, 1998; Subba Rao et al., 1998).
Relatively rare syenitic monzosyenitic variants even
show alkaline affinity (Sarkar and Nanda, 1994).
Available data strongly indicate magmatic protoliths for
bulk of the charnockitic rocks of the Eastern Ghat belt.
The belt is also characterized by the presence of several
generations of charnockitic rocks (Sarkar and Paul, 1998;
Sarkar et al., 2000) (Table-4), which originated through
varied petrological processes.
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18
Table 4. Episodic generation of charnockitic rocks in Odisha sector of EGMB
(modified after Sarkar et al., 2000)
Occurrences Age (Ma)
1. Angul ca.1000
2. Phulbani ca. 1000
3. Tikri 970 30
4. Rayagada ca. 1000
5. Riamal 2743 103
6. Rengali 2735 44
7. Jenapore 2814 3044
8. Chilka Lake Ca. 1000
Two-pyroxene bearing mafic granulites ( garnet)
are ubiquitous in the EGMB. These generally occur as
linear concordant masses within the khondalitic and
charnockitic suite of rocks and are regarded by most
workers as mafic sills/dykes and flows (Sarkar and Paul,
1998 and references therein). Generally tholeiitic in
composition, the mafic granulites from Odisha show
geochemical affinity with island arc or MORB tholeiites
(Bowes and Dash, 1992; Nanda and Pati, 1994; Sarkar
et al., 1994 a). Granulites having intermediate silica
contents and andesitic chemistry represent a relatively
minor but significant component in the belt (Crookshank,
1938; Sarkar, 1994). Mafic granulites of Rayagada area
have been dated by Sm-Nd whole-rock isochron method
at ca. 1.46 Ga (Shaw et al., 1997). Meta-ultramafic
rocks generally occur as highly deformed, boudinaged,
concordant masses within khondalite and charnockite
suite of rocks and are generally more abundantly
distributed in the Western Charnockite Zone of the belt
(Nanda and Pati, 1994; Sarkar et al., 1994 b).
Unmetamorphosed spinel-Iherzolite and olivine-bearing
websterite bodies are reported to intrude mafic granulites
close to the interface between the EGMB and the
Gondwana Supergroup of rocks near Kiakata in Angul
district (Patra et al., 1996).
Migmatite Group : Migmatite Group consisting of
migmatitic garnetiferous granitic gneisses and siliceous
granulites (leptynites), next to khondalitic and
charnockitic rocks, occupy large tracts of the Eastern
Ghats in Odisha. These are the most dominant lithology
in the Central Migmatite Zone of the belt. Two major
types of gneisses are noted, hornblende-biotite bearing
granitic gneisses with garnet and hypersthene (resulting
from the migmatisation of earlier orthogneisses and
charnockitic rocks) and garnetiferous quartzofeldspathic
gneisses with biotite and sillimanite (leptynitic para-
gneiss). The second type of gneisses are strongly
GEOL. SURV. IND
Method Reference
U/Th-Pb (zircon) Aftalion et al., (1989)
-do- Paul et al., (1990)
Rb-Sr WRI Sarkar and Nanda (1994)
Rb-Sr WRI Shaw et al., (1997)
-do- Sarkar et al., (2000)
-do- Sarkar et al., (2000)
207
Pb-206Pb (Zircon) Bhattacharya et al., (2001)
(Ion Microprobe)
-do- Bhattacharya et al., (2002)
peraluminous and has strong S-type affinity. Field
relations and structural studies suggest several
generations of granitic leucosomes in the belt are
generated by partial melting of pelitic rocks during major
thermal events (Halden et al., 1982; Sarkar et al., 1989).
S-type granite plutons, developed in response to major
partial melting events, are noted in several parts of
EGMB in Odisha. Several occurrences of migmatitic
granitic rocks and granitoids have been dated and belong
to Neoproterozoic (Angul: 956-1159 Ma, Aftalion et al.,
1989; Sankarda granite: 1000 Ma, Ludu Ludi migmatitic
granites: ca. 800 Ma, Harbhangi migmatitic gneiss: ca.
880 Ma, Sarkar et al., 1994 a; Chilka lake: 913 Ma,
Bhattacharya et al., 2002). Shaw et al., (1997) reported
Mesoproterozoic Sm-Nd whole-rock isochron age (ca.
1.4 Ga) for some leptynitic rocks of Rayagada area.
Several Alkaline Plutonic rocks / complexes are
reported to occur as intrusives in the EGMB of Odisha
sector. These intrusives are characteristically confined
along the western and northern peripheral zones, viz.,
Koraput (Walker, 1908, Bose, 1970); Khariar
(Srinivasachari and Balakrishnan, 1973; Madhavan and
Khurram, 1989); Baradangua (Bhattacharya, 1964; Sahu,
1976; Das and Acharya, 1997); Rairakhol (Panda et al.,
1993); Kankarakhol Lodhajhari (Rath et al., 1998). In
the 32 km-long arcuate Kankarakhol Lodhajhari belt,
located along the northern marginal zone of the EGMB
in Deogarh District, 19 small isolated masses of alkaline
rocks have been reported (Rath et al., op. cit). The rock
assemblages in the alkaline complexes are given in
Table-5. In all the occurrences, undersaturated nepheline-
bearing syenites constitute the most dominant rock
member.
The alkali syenite rocks are miaskitic (with agpaitic
index consistently <1). The emplacements of the
intrusions are tectonically controlled and follow the
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 19

Table 5. Alkaline complexes in the Odisha sector of the EGMB

Alkaline complexes Rock assemblages References
1. Kankrakhol Lodhajhari Hornblende syenite, biotite syenite, hornblende Rath et al., (1998)
-biotite syenite and nepheline syenite
(hornblende and/or biotite)
2. Baradangua Nepheline syenite (Biotite) Bhattacharya (1964), Sahu
(1976); Das and Acharya
(1997)
3. Rairakhol Nepheline syenite (hornblende and/or biotite), Panda et al., (1993, 1998)
syenite, quartz-syenite)
4. Koraput Alkali gabbro, calc-alkali syenite, perthite syenite, Walker (1908), Bose (1970)
nepheline syenite (amphibole and/or biotite),
alkali granite
5. Khariar Gabbro, essexite, shonkinite, malignite, Srinivaschari and Balakrishnan
nepheline syenite (pyroxene, pyroxene+ (1973), Sahu (1980), Madhavan
amphibole, amphibole, biotite) and Khurram (1989)

major lineament zones. Available isotopic age data on Recent U-Pb dating studies indicate Neoproterozoic
the alkaline complexes in the Odisha sector of the EGMB ages for the Chilka Lake (ca. 780 Ma) and Bolangir
are given in Table-6. complexes (ca. 870 Ma) (Krause et al., 1998).

The low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the alkaline rock Structure and Metamorphism of Precambrian
suites (ISr) ranging from 0.70286 0.70347 imply their Domains : In the EIC, the supracrustal rocks of the Iron
derivation from mantle-derived melts. Available age data Ore Supergroup show evidences of at least three phases
suggest episodic generation of alkaline rocks in the belt of deformation (F1-F3). The first folds are preserved only
(Sarkar and Paul, 1998). as rootless intrafolial folds. The first and second-
generation folds, in most of the areas, are coaxial. The
Various occurrences of massif-type anorthosite F2 folds are reported to vary in geometry from upright
complexes of the EGMB, reported from Odisha sector,. to inclined; reclined F2 folds are also reported. The F3
are represented by the Chilka Lake complex (Perraju, cross folds are generally represented by open warps. In
1960, 1973; De, 1969; Sarkar et al., 1981), Bolangir the Gorumahisani Badampahar belt, the first two
Complex (Tak, 1972; Mukherjee et al., 1986; generations of folds are highly appressed. The Tomka
Bhattacharya et al., 1998), Turkel (Chatterjee, 1965; Daitari as well as Malaygiri sequences also show
Maji et al., 1997), Jugsaipatna (Sinha Roy and superposed folding (Banerjee, 1972;Mitra and Basu
Bandopadhyay, 1966; Nanda and Panda, 1999), Angul Mallick, 1990). Mazumder (1978) studied the satellite
(Bhattacharya and De, 1964), Koraput (Bose, 1970), imageries and aerial photographs and suggested the
Bandpari (Sinha Roy and Bandopadhyay, 1967) and Deogarh belt to be a highly deformed segment. In the
Kundru (Sinha Roy and Bandopadhyay, 1967). Of the Deogarh sequence, the interference of first two phases
above, the Chilka Lake and Bolangir complexes of folding, whose axial traces run WNW-ESE to E-W,
represent major intrusions and cover more than 1000 have generated hook-shaped interference patterns. The
sq. km. The rock assemblages in the anorthositic suites superposition of F3 cross folds (with NNE-SSW to N-S
are given in Table-7. trending axis) on earlier folds have given rise to doubly
plunging structures in the belt.
Table 6. Isotopic age data on the alkaline rock complexes, Odisha sector, EGMB.
Alkaline complexes Age (Ma) and method References
1. Koraput 856 18 (Rb-Sr WRI *), ISr:0.70286 Sarkar et al., (1989)
2. Khariar 1436 58 (Rb-Sr WRI *), ISr:0.70347 Sarkar et al., (1994 d)
1500 3-4 (U-Pb zircon) Aftalion et al., (1998)
3. Rairakhol 1413 23 (Rb-Sr WRI), ISr:0.70330 Sarkar et al., (1994 c)
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20 GEOL. SURV. IND

Table 7 Massif-type anorthosite occurrences in the Odisha sector of the EGMB

Alkaline complexes Rock assemblages References
1. Chilka Lake Complex Anorthosite leuconorite-norite minor jotunite Sarkar et al., (1981)
(>1200 sq. km) and quartz mangerite
2. Bolangir (~ 1000 sq. km) Anorthosite leuconorite ferrodiorite Bhattacharya et al., (1998)
3. Turkel (81sq. km) Anorthosite leuconorite ferrodiorite Maji et al., (1997)
4. Jugsaipatna (30 sq. km) Norite leuconorite noritic anorthosite anorthosite; Nanda and Panda (1999)
late dykes of websterite
5. Angul (~ 10 sq. km) Anorthosite leuconorite De (1969)
6. Koraput (1.5 km x 0.2 km) Anorthosite leuconorite gabbro(diorite) and late Bose (1970)
ultramafic rocks
7. Bandpari Anorthosite leuconorite norite Sinha Roy and
Bandopadhyay (1967)
8. Kundru (~ 1sq. km) Olivine norite leuconorite anorthosite Sinha Roy and
Bandopadhyay (1967)

The regional structure of the Bonai Kendujhar
basin is a low-plunging synclinorium overturned towards
southeast. Chatterjee and Mukherjee (1981) recognized
three phases of folding in the sequence (F1-F3). F1 folds
are isoclinal with low plunge trending in NNE and
westerly dipping axial planes. F2 folds, nearly coaxial
with F1, are upright to inclined open folds. F3 open folds,
with easterly or westerly plunging axis are superposed
on F1/F2. The interference of F2 and F3 produced dome
and basin structures.
In the area to the west of Bonai Granite batholith,
Ramachandran and Raju (1982) recorded superposed
folding both in the older supracrustal Gorumahisani
Badampahar Group and overlying younger Upper Bonai
sequences. The younger Upper Bonai sequence in the area
defines a northerly plunging open F3 synformal structure.
The supracrustal rocks of the EIC show
metamorphic mineral assemblages symptomatic of
green-schist to amphibolite-facies metamorphism.
The grade of metamorphism appears to be marginally
higher along the southern parts of the craton.The
contact zone between EIC and EGMB, disposed
broadly along Gohira Sukinda shear/thrust belt, is
marked by linear belt of pink granitic rocks and
migmatites with several zones of dislocation and
ductile shearing and rotation of structural trends in
both the domains (Banerjee et al., 1987; Bhattacharya
et al., 1994; Rath et al., 1998; Mahalik, 1994; Moitra,
1996; Sarkar et al., 2000).
The Singhbhum Gangpur mobile belt, which
borders the EIC to the north, has polyphase
deformational and metamorphic history (Banerjee,
1968; Chaudhuri and Pal, 1977). Three phases of
penetrative folding characterize this mobile belt. The
southern margin of this mobile belt in Singhbhum
district, Jharkhand, is marked by the high-strain
Singhbhum Shear Zone or Copper Belt Thrust zone.
This shear probably extends into Mayurbhanj District
of Odisha with lesser intensity where it is seen as several
parallel N-S trending faults/shears. Mapping in western
Gangpur has delineated a major shear zone, which might
represent the western or southwestern extension of the
Singhbhum Shear Zone.
EGMB bears signatures of polyphase deformation
and high-grade metamorphism. The first phase of folding
(F1) is observed mainly as tightly appressed isoclinal
rootless intrafolial folds on bedding (So) in metapelitic
rocks with the development of a strong and pervasive
secondary metamorphic foliation (S1) axial planar to the
first folds (Sarkar et al., 1981; Halden et al., 1982;
Bhattacharya et al., 1994; Biswal et al., 1998). The
regional structural trend of the EGMB is defined by the
gneissosity/schistosity (S1) axial planar to the first folds.
The regional trend in the EGMB is dominantly NE-SW
in the southwestern part (Koraput District), which
gradually changes to N-S in the western part (Kalahandi
District) and then to ENE-WSW through NE-SW in the
northern part.
The second-generation (F2) folds are developed on
a regional scale. In most of the areas, F2 folds have
developed due to near coaxial refolding of early F1 folds
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
so that the axial planes of F2 folds (S2) are parallel to
the axial planes of F1 folds (S1) (S1//S2). Pervasive
transposition of S1 foliation planes by axial planar S2
fabric is a common feature in the belt (Sarkar et al.,
1981; Bhattacharya et al., 1994). The mutual
interference of F1 and F2 folds resulted in the formation
of hook-shaped fold interference patterns and are
reported from many parts of the belt (Sarkar et al., 1981;
Bhattacharya et al., 1994). Along the marginal zones,
the style and geometry of the F2 folds are different and
shows angular in relations with F 1 folds. In the
northwestern marginal zones of the belt, Biswal et al.,
(1998) described mesoscopic F2 folds with extreme
non-cylindrical shape suggestive of sheath-type folds.
In the northern marginal zones, Kar (1995) reported
high angular relation between F1 and F2 axes leading
to the development of arrowhead interference patterns.
Axial plane shears, mylonitic fabric, cataclasites and
pseudotachylites parallel to S2 have been noted by
several workers (Sarkar et al., 1981; Bhattacharya et
al., 1994; Biswal et al., 1998). Close to such shear
zones, F 2 fold axes show steep plunges implying
rotation of F2 folds by progressive simple shear. .
Biswal et al., (1998) attributed development of F2
sheath fold in the Lathore area of western Odisha to
progressive heterogenous simple shear along axial
planes of F2 folds.
The third generation folds (F3) show varying attitude
and geometry. The axial planar structure related to F3
folds is developed only locally as fracture / shear
cleavage (Sarkar et al., 1981; Bhattacharya et al., 1994;
Biswal et al., 1998). However, at some places along the
marginal zones, S3 represents the dominant structural
fabric along which ductile shearing has taken place
(Gupta et al., 2000). Dome and basin interference
patterns have resulted due to interference of F2 and F3
folds.
Several major brittle to brittle-ductile shear belts
dissect the EGMB in the Odisha segment (Moharana,
1982; Chetty and Murthy, 1998; Ramakrishnan et al.,
1998; Mahalik, 1994; Sarkar et al., 2000). Prominent
among these are: (1) NE-SW trending: Sonepur
Koraput Kolab Machkund (Sileru), Chilka Lake,
Digapahandi and Rairakhol Pentabahal
Kankarakhol,(2) E-W trending: Mahanadi, Angul
Dhenkanal,(3) ENE-WSW trending Aska Taptapani,
Bhanjanagar, Gohira, Tikra,(4) N-S trending Tel,
Nagavali and (5) NNW-SSE trending Vamsadhara.
21
Several major fault/shear zones dissect the cratonic
domain in western Odisha. Major shear zones include
the E-W trending Ong Shear Zone and the ENE-WSW
trending Ib-Mahanadi Shear Zone. Several faults are
noted in the segment, which define the eastern
boundaries of Meso-Neoproterozoic platformal
sediments.The boundary between EGMB and Bastar
Craton is marked by shear zones, alkaline igneous
activity and abrupt changes in bouger anomaly. The
contrasting structural styles and intensity in the grade
of metamorphism across the Bastar craton-EGMB
contact zone are well documented (Rath et al., 1998;
Biswal and Jena, 1999; Gupta et al., 2000; Bhattacharya,
2002). Biswal and Jena (1999) delineated a 2 km-wide,
southeasterly dipping, ductile shear zone (Lakhna Shear
Zone) between the EGMB and the Bastar craton in
Bolangir and Kalahandi districts of Odisha. Well
developed quartzo-feldspathic mylonites with S-C fabric,
asymmetric porphyroclasts, quartz ribbons and
intergranular faults are noted along this shear zone. Rath
et al., (1994) and Biswal and Jena (1999) envisaged a
thrusted contact between the EGMB and the Bastar
cratonic domain in the Khariar-Paikmal-Padampur area
of Western Odisha, where the khondalites of EGMB
form nappe-like sheets over-ridding the cratonic
gneisses.
EGMB, in general, records ultra-high temperature
(UHT) metamorphism (~ 950oC) at appreciably high
pressure (8-9 kbar) for peak metamorphic conditions (see
Dasgupta, 1995 for a summary). Available field and P-
T-t data suggest two periods of high-grade
metamorphism in the central segment of the EGMB
(Sengupta et al., 1990; Dasgupta, 1995; Sarkar and Paul,
1998).
From Chilka Lake area of Odisha, Sen et al., (1995)
reported UHT metamorphism (1100oC, ~ 10.5 kbar).
From Rayagada area, Shaw and Arima (1998) reported
corundum-quartz assemblages in iron-rich metapelites
suggesting extreme high P-T conditions (~ 1100oC, ~
13 kbar) of possible first-phase metamorphism. In the
spinel bearing metapelites, the peak metamorphism
condition of second phase of metamorphism (950oC, 8.7
9.0 kbar) is reported to be followed by near isobaric
cooling to 800oC and subsequent decompression from
~8 to 6.5 kbar (Shaw and Arima, 1997). The overall P-T
path of Rayagada area is inferred to be characterized by
two decompression segments connected by an
intermediate cooling segment (Shaw and Arima, 1996,
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22
1997 and 1998). UHT metamorphism (900-950oC) at
ca. 10 kbar, subsequent decompression down to 6.5-7.5
kbar at ca. 750oC followed by near isobaric cooling is
reported from western marginal zones of EGMB in
Odisha (Neogi et al., 1999; Gupta et al., 2000).
Precambrian Crustal Evolution : The Precambrian
crustal mosaic of Odisha comprises Mesoarchaean to
Neo Archaean cratonic nuclei (Eastern Indian Craton
and eastern marginal part of Bastar Craton), parts of a
high-grade Neo Archaean Pan-African Mobile Belt
(EGMB) and a medium-grade Palaeoproterozoic
Neoproterozoic mobile belt (the Singhbhum Gangpur
belt).
The Bastar and Eastern Indian Cratons presumably
constituted a continuous cratonic domain, now isolated
by the Mahanadi rift. The oldest metasupracrustal rocks
of the cratonic domains are represented by OMG in the
Eastern Indian Craton and the Sukma Supracrustals of
the Bastar Craton. The nature of rock assemblages in
these Mesoarchaean supracrustal sequences indicates
derivation from a mixed provenance comprising some
sialic components. The basement on which these
sequences were deposited remains unknown. These
earliest metasupracrustals in the EIC were
metamorphosed and synkinematically intruded by Older
Metamorphic tonalitic-granodioritic gneisses followed
by several phases of granitic intrusions (at least three)
represented by components of the Singhbhum Bonai
Kaptipada granite batholiths.
Available evidences strongly suggest the existence
of two generations of BIF-bearing metasupracrustal
sequences (Iron Ore Supergroup) in the EIC. The
relatively older sequence, represented by Gorumahisani
Badampahar Group of supracrustals, predate intrusion
of extensive Late-Mesoarchaean granitic activity and can
be considered to have a minimum age of ca. 3.3 Ga. The
initial cratonisation of the Archean nucleus at ca. 3.1
Ga appears to have been accompanied by ultramafic
mafic intrusions (with gabbro-anorthositic components)
and further granitic activity along peripheral parts of
the craton. The supracrustal evolution of the relatively
younger BIF-bearing sequence (Lower Bonai Group)
was accompanied with or followed by crustal
downsagging and rifting causing extensive mafic
volcanism. This sequence appears to post-date
voluminous granitic activity of Late-Mesoarchaean. The
volcanosedimentary successions belonging to Upper
GEOL. SURV. IND
Bonai Group, Dhanjori Group and Simlipal Group
appear to have developed immediately after the
supracrustal evolution of the Lower Bonai Group. The
Neoarchaean Palaeoproterozoic evolutionary history
of the EIC is marked by development of silicic volcano-
plutonic and plutonic assemblages specially along
western and southern margins. Several phases of mafic
dyke activity, with distinct geochemical signatures,
affected the cratonic domain between Palaeoproterozoic
and Early Neoproterozoic.
The lithotectonic and metamorphic evolution of the
Singhbhum Gangpur Mobile Belt, spanning
Palaeoproterozoic Neoproterozoic, have been modeled
variously involving Wilson cycle processes in part or
full, viz., intraplate subduction of EIC along southern
margin of the mobile belt (Sarkar and Saha, 1977),
microcontinental collision between Singhbhum
microplate and the Chhotonagpur microplate (Sarkar,
1982), back-arc marginal basin tectonics accompanied
by southerly-directed subduction (Bose and Chakrabarti,
1981) and intracratonic extension, rifting and ensialic
orogenesis (Gupta et al., 1980). Available isotopic age
data of Singhbhum Gangpur Mobile Belt suggest basin
initiation at craton-margin in the Early
Palaeoproterozoic. The volcanosedimentary supracrustal
assemblages of the mobile zone underwent a major
tectonothermal event in the Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.6
Ga) followed by rejuvenation at 1.0 0.1 Ga.
The EGMB, with its prolonged tectonomagmatic
and metamorphic history spanning Neoarchaean to Pan-
African, is considered to be a product of Wilson-cycle
processes culminating in continent continent collision
involving EIC, Bastar craton and the mobile zone crust
(Banerjee et al., 1987; Sarkar, 1994; Moitra, 1996;
Banerjee, 1997; Biswal et al., 1998; Biswal and Jena,
1999; Bhattacharya, 2002).
Multiple episodes of tectonothermal activity,
granitisation and crustal reworking and episodic
igeneous activity in the EGMB have caused obliteration
of stratigraphic relations in the granulite assemblages.
From the available isotopic age data, five major events
in the Precambrian crustal evolution history of the
EGMB can be envisaged, viz. Neoarchaean (2.6 0.2),
Palaeoproterozoic (2.1 0.2 Ga), Mesoproterozoic (1.45
0.2 Ga), Neoproterozoic (0.95 0.15 Ga) and Pan-
African (0.6 0.1 Ga) (Sarkar and Paul, 1998).
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It must be stressed that our understanding of the
complex tectonostratigraphic relationships between
cratonic and mobile belt domains on one hand and intra-
cratonic entities on the other, is far from complete and
has only started to crystallize.
In the pre-drift continental assembly (Lawver and
Scotese, 1987), the Indian land mass was joined with (i)
East Antartica along its present-day east coast and (ii)
southern Southwestern Australia in the northeast. The
Mahanadi Graben has been inferred to be the
continuation of the Phanerozoic Lambert rift of East
Antartica (Fedorov et al., 1982). In the above pre-drift
continental configuration, the EGMB was juxtaposed
against the Rayner Complex of East Antarctica (Grew
and Manton, 1986; Yoshida, 1995). The Satpura Mobile
Belt (in which the Singhbhum Gangpur mobile zone
defines the southern part) is inferred to have been a
continuation of the Albani mobile belt of southwestern
Australia through the reworked granite-gneiss terrain of
Meghalaya plateau (Harris, 1994). The Eastern Indian
Craton, sandwitched between the EGMB in the south
and Singhbhum Gangpur segment of the Satpura
mobile belt in the north, can be correlated with the
cratonic terrains of southern Southwestern Australia.
Gondwana Supergroup
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic
A profound hiatus in the stratigraphic record of
Odisha since the deposition of the Vindhyan rocks and
their uplift was broken towards the end of the Palaeozoic
Era (Upper Carboniferous Early Permian). Glacio-
lacustrine and fluvial sediments were deposited in linear
basins along faulted troughs over the Precambrian
basement. These sediments, characterized by fluvial
assemblages of interbedded sandstone-shale sequence,
plant remains of Glossopteris Gangamopteris and vast
coal deposits, were designated as Gondwanas by
Medlicott (1872) and Fiestmantel (1876). In Odisha,
Gondwana rocks are exposed over an area of 12,415 sq.
km along a NW SE trending linear belt in the Mahanadi
valley. Three major basins (Talchir, Ib river and Athgarh)
and a number of small patches (outliers) at Katiringia,
Gaisilat, Athmalik, Chhatarpur in the districts of Angul,
Dhenkanal, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Phulbani, Baudh,
Bolangir, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri and Ganjam, expose
Gondwana rocks in the state.
23
While the Lower Gondwana rocks are a vast
repository of coal, the Upper Gondwana sandstones have
been used in the construction of Lord Jagannath temple
at Puri, Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar and partly the
Sun Temple at Konark. The Jain caves at Khandagiri
and Udaigiri, located near Bhubaneswar, have also been
carved out of these sandstones.
The generalized lithostratigraphic succession of the
Gondwana rocks in the State is presented in Table 8
Talchir Basin : It constitutes the southernmost
segment of the Lower Gondwana basin within the
Mahanadi graben. Bounded by latitude 20o53 21o12
N and longitude 84o24 85o23 E, it occupies an area
of over 1800 km sq.km.
The Lower Gondwana rocks of the Talchir Basin
rest unconformably on the Precambrian basement
comprising granitoids, hornblende gneiss, leptynite,
granulites, mica schist, phyllite and amphibolite. The
base of the Gondwana sequence,exposed along the
southern margin of the basin, is defined by the Talchir
Formation, which comprises more than 325 m thick pile
of glacial and periglacial deposits. The Talchir boulder
bed, the basal most unit of this formation constitutes a
conspicuous and characteristic datum line in the geology
of India. The boulders frequently show facets and striae
of glacial origin. The lithounits comprise tillite,
conglomerate, fine to medium grained greenish
sandstone, shale, rythmite and turbidite.
The Talchir Formation is conformably overlain by
2-270m thick Karharbari Formation that comprises
massive, pale brownish yellow, medium to coarse
grained sandstone, shale and some superior quality coal.
The Barakar Formation, which conformably
overlies the Karharbari, comprises more than 325 m thick
pile of medium to fine grained feldspathic sandstone
and thick coal seams with a oligomictic conglomerate
at the base. The Barakar rocks are conformably overlain
by a sequence of fine to medium grained light grey to
greenish grey bioturbated standstone, greenish shale and
coal at the base and a succession of pale greenish
sandstone with rare shale and coal bands, purple clay
bands and ferruginous coarse-grained pebbly sandstone
at the top. These rocks, having a thickness of more than
250 m, were previously classified as Raniganj, Panchet
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24 GEOL. SURV. IND

Table 8. Lithostratigraphic succession of Gondwana sequences in Odisha

Age Formation Talchir Basin Ib river Basin Athgarh Basin
Early Athgarh - - Sandstone,
Cretaceous shale, basalt
and intertrappeans
Early Triassic Kamthi Medium grained light Very coarse to coarse ?
grey ferruginous grained pebbly cross-
sandstone, pink clay bedded sandstone,
and pebbly sandstone red shale
Late Permian Raniganj ? Cross laminated sandstone, ?
interbedded sandstone-shale
with minor coal and
phosphatic claystone bands
in the lower part
Late Permian Barren Measures Very coarse to coarse and Dark, grey shale, fine ?
medium grained greenish grained sandstone, clay
grey feldspathic sandstone iron stone bands,
with intercalations of grey phosphatic bands and
shale, lenses and shreds nodules in the upper part
of chocolate and reddish
brown clay and clay-
ironstone nodules
Early Permian Barakar Conglomerate, arkose, Sandstone, shale, fireclay ?
carbonaceous shale and and thick coal seams
thick coal seams
Early Permian Karharbari Conglomerate, arkose, Greycarbonaceous ?
carbonaceous shale and sandstone, multistoried
thick coal seams sandstone, coal seams
Early Permian Talchir Tilites, conglomerates, Conglomerate, greenish Shale with dropstone
to Late greenish sandstones, shales, sandstones and
Carboniferous shales and varves rhythmites
Unconformity Precambrian
basement

and Mahadeva Formations and are now redesignated as
Kamthi Formation.
Ib River Basin : Lying between latitude 21o30
22 14 N and longitude 83o32 84o10 E, the Ib River
o
Basin, covering an area of nearly 1460 sq.km, constitutes
that part of the Upper Mahanadi valley basin which is
included in Odisha. In this basin, the Gondwana
sediments unconformably overlie the Precambrian
basement; the latter comprising migmatitic granitic
gneiss, amphibolite, schist and quartzite traversed by
pegmatite and quartz veins.
Talchir Formation and comprises medium to coarse-
grained sandstone, greyish carbonaceous sandstone and
thin coal layers. There is only one coal seam (the Ib
Seam) as such. The Karharbari Formation grades
upwards into 350-500 m thick Barakar Formation. It
comprises white coloured fine to coarse-grained
feldspathic sandstone with bands and lenses of
conglomerate, shale, fine clay, carbonaceous shale and
relatively thick coal seams. These sediments are rich
in plant fossils, viz., Glossopteris Indica, Schizoneura
Gondwanensis, Vertebraria Indica and Sphenopteris
etc.

The Talchir Formation (~ 130 m thick) crops out
as a continuous strip in the southwestern part and as
isolated small patches in the northern part of the Ib
River Basin. The sequence comprises conglomerate,
diamictites, medium to coarse grained greenish
sandstone with dispersed clasts, laminated greenish and
chocolate shale and rhythmite. The Karharbari
Formation (30-125 m thick) conformably overlies the
The 250-300 m thick Barren Measures sequence
conformably overlying the Barakar Formation are
characterized by grey to dark grey shale, carbonaceous
shale, fine to coarse grained sandstone, minor coal bands,
clay, ironstone bands and thin impersistent bands of
phosphatic rocks towards the top.
The Barren Measures grade into the overlying 180-
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200 m thick Raniganj Formation which is characterized
by an interbedded sequence of medium to fine grained
cross laminated sandstone, shale and three to five coal
seams of 1.0 7.40 m thicknesses. The brownish shale
towards the top of this formation has yielded excellent
plant fossil assemblage comprising Vertebraria,
Schizoneura, Glossopteris, Raniganjensis etc. Some
phosphatic claystone bands are seen in the lower part of
the Raniganj Formation, at places.
Resting disconformably on the Raniganj Formation
are the rocks of the Kamthi Formation, varying in
thickness from 50-150 m. These include conglomerate,
profusely cross bedded coarse grained sandstone with
clasts of clay and pinkish to reddish shale. Recently, a
typical Triasic plant fossil, Dicrodium, has been recorded
in the lower part of the Kamthi Formation.
The Ib River Basin is conspicuously free from
igneous activity. Small patches of laterite, 3-4 m thick,
are locally seen within the Ib Basin, mostly over Barakar
Formation and Barren Measures.
Athgarh Basin : The Athgarh Basin covers about
800 sq.km and exposes mainly the Upper Gondwana
rocks. The Early Cretaceous Athgarh Sandstone is
exposed in the eastern margin of the Mahanadi valley.
The basal unit, comprising a thick sequence of sandstone
with minor shale, unconformably overlies the
Precambrian khondalite and gneiss, or locally, shale with
dropstone of Talchir Formation. On the right bank of
the Mahanadi River near Naraj, the sandstone is
succeeded by a thick sequence of carbonaceous and dark
grey shale over which the Sidheswar temple is situated.
The carbonaceous shale also overlies a basaltic flow at
the river level below the temple. Further upstream along
the right bank, basaltic flows with thin intertrappean
sediments are exposed near the weir at Naraj at the head
of the Puri canal. North of Cuttack, mafic dykes traverse
the carbonaceous rocks. The mafic intrusions at Naraj
have been dated at 109 26 Ma by K-Ar method
(Agrawal and Rama, 1976).
The Athgarh Sandstone contains an assemblage of
megaflora of Upper Gondwana affinity and also includes
Onychiopsis and palynofloral elements, viz.,
Imperdecispora and Podosporites from Sidheswar and
other areas (Maheswari, 1975; Singh and Venkatachala,
1988). The assemblage corresponds to Early Cretaceous
25
age. Fossils of filicales and coniferales have been found
in the red clay. Some of the filicales fossils have been
definitely identified as Rajmahal Species.
Structure : On a regional scale, Talchir Basin defines
a northwesterly plunging synclinal structure with a
closure to the east (Raja Rao, 1982). The Gondwana-
Precambrian boundary in the north is marked by a series
of WNW-ESE trending faults that closely follow the
alignment of the Mahanadi valley rift. The general strike
of the Gondwana sediments is mainly E-W with uniform
low-angle northerly dips with local reversals in isolated
patches in the northeastern part of the basin. Three sets
of intrabasinal faults trending E-W, NE-SW and WNW-
ESE are recorded in the Talchir Basin.
The southern boundary of the Ib River Basin is
defined by a major NW-SE trending lineament.
Structurally, the Ib River Basin can be subdivided into
the Rampur sub-basin in the south and the Himgir
(Himagiri) sub-basin in the northwest. The Rampur sub-
basin defines a synclinal structure on a NW-SE axis
with a broad closure in the southeastern part. The strike
of the bed veers from NW-SE in the Himgir sub-basin
and northern part of the Rampur sub-basin to N-S near
the fold closure to WNW-ESE in the south of the
synclinal axis. The beds dip at very low angle towards
southwest and west. The rocks are affected by two sets
of intrabasinal faults trending NW-SE and NE-SW.
Late Cretaceous Volcanics and Sediments
In the onshore and offshore parts of the Mahanadi
basin, basaltic flows and intertrappen sediments are
reported. The flows from the Mahanadi onshore
appears to be contemporaneous with the Rajmahal
Traps and have been tentatively assigned Aptian age
(Acharya and Lahiri, 1998). These flows are thus
equivalents of the basaltic rocks at Naraj, which
intrude the Athgarh Sandstone and have been dated
at ca. 109 Ma (Agarwal and Rama, 1976). In the
offshore area, the basaltic flows non-conformably
underlies marine Palaeocene or Eocene sediments and
reach a thickness of about 800 m (Jagannathan et al.,
1983; Baishya et al., 1986). It is believed that the thick
basaltic section from offshore Mahanadi basin
possibly includes an older Aptian and a younger
Palaeocene component. The suggested stratigraphic
succession is given in Table 9.
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26 GEOL. SURV. IND

Table 9. Generalised stratigraphy of Mahanadi basin (Coastal belt and offshore)

Age Formation/lithology Thickness (m)
Palaeocene to Basalt with clay-stone interbeds (coastal belt and offshore) 240 (800 in offshore)
Maestrichtian
Aptian to Neocomian Basalt and intertrappean beds Black and carbonaceous shale, 10050-650
basalt flow near base in outcrop
Athgarh Sandstone and shale 400-1300
Unconformity-
Early Permian (?) Shale with dropstones
Unconformity-
Precambrian Khondalites, granite gneisses

Cainozoic Formations
The Cainozoic Era comprises the last 65 Ma of
earths history and is divisible into two periods, viz.,
Tertiary (65 2 Ma) and Quaternary (2 Ma Recent).
Cainozoic rocks, overwhelmingly dominated by
Quaternary formations, cover an area of 30, 381sq. km
in the State and are recorded largely along the coastal
tracts and river basins. A considerable thickness of
Tertiary and Quaternary formations also occurs as
subsurface deposits in the offshore areas.
index fossil of Lower Miocene), fragmentary remains of
Palmoxylon, Shoreoxylon, elasmobranch microvertebrate
fauna, foraminifera, ostracode etc. (Sharma, 1956; Bhalla
and Dev, 1974; Sahni and Mehrotra, 1981).
The elasmobranch fauna, particularly the presence
of Carcharodon carcharia in the limestone, indicate an
age not older than Upper Burdigalian (Sahni and
Mehrotra, 1981) and presence of forminifera Orbulina
suturalis indicates Upper Burdigallian to Helvetian age.

Recently one pit of about 7 m depth was excavated

Tertiary Formations
Baripada Beds : Surface outcrops of Tertiary
formations are restricted around Baripada town (21o56
N : 86o44 E), over a radius of 8 km. It was first reported
by Bose in 1904 from Molia, 3.2 km south of Baripada
town on the bed of the Burhabalang River. The Baripada
sediments are horizontal to subhorizontal and comprises
alternate sets of stratified clay and sand with
semiconsolidated clay, ferruginous grit, soil and
occasional marly clay or limestone interbands (Pattnaik
and Gupta, 1971). The lithostratigraphy of the exposed
section of the sequence in the Burhabalang River near
Usurdihi and Mukunmatia is given in Table 10.
Significant fossils reported from the Baripada Beds
include Ostrea sp. (Crassostrea Gajensis, Vredenburg
near Batakata village (21o51 N : 86o43 E) on the
Burhabalang River bed. In the pit section below the
exposed argillaceous limestone, loose calcareous and
brownish yellow Coquini beds are found to occur in
descending order. These sediments contain rich
microfaunal assemblages suggesting Early to Middle
Miocene age and coastal facies deposited in open sea
conditions (Bandopadhyay and Datta, 1990). The
Baripada Beds thus appear to be deposited in course of
a deep landward Early Miocene transgression.
Subsurface Tertiary Formations: In the onshore area,
the Baripada Beds continue below the extensive Quaternary
cover. Extension of the Baripada Beds below the
Quaternary cover southward upto south of Balasore with a
dip of 4-5o has been inferred by Bharali et al., (1991) from

Table 10. Lithostratigraphy of exposed section of Baripada Beds

Alluvium
Unconformity
Quaternary Laterite and Gravel beds
Unconformity 4.5 5.5 m
Baripada Greyish and bluish white shale 6.0 10.5m
Beds Yellowish brown fossiliferous limestone 0.3 1.5 m
Greyish-green shale (carbonaceous in the upper part)
Base not exposed
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 27

subsurface drilling data. Onshore and offshore exploration
by Oil India Ltd. indicate that Palaeogene shelf sediments
were deposited close to the present coastline and offshore.
In the drilled wells of Oil India Ltd. in Odisha offshore, a
thick sequence of Tertiary sediments are recorded,
sandwiched between Cretaceous and Recent sediments.The
generalized stratigraphic succession in the Tertiary
formations of Odisha offshore is given by Bharali et al.,
(1998) (Table-11).

Table-11. Generalised Stratigraphy of Odisha Offshore Basin

Age Lithology Environment Maximum thickness
encountered in wells (m)
Recent to Clay, claystone with few Marine and progressional 4200
Pliocene interbeds of sands deltaic
Miocene Claystone, siltstone, shale Progressional deltaic to deep 1903
with interbedded sandstone inner shelf.
and limestone.
Unconformity
Oligocene Claystone, siltstone, shale Progressional deltaic to deep inner 576
with interbedded sandstone shelf to bathyal
and limestone
Unconformity
Eocene Dark grey to buff massive Inner to deep marine shelf. 772
limestone
Late Paleocene Fine grained argillaceous Shallow supratidal to deltaic to
limestone with interbeds of middle shelf.
shale/sandstone.
Early Paleocene
Grey, calcareous shale with Deltaic/shallow marine 198
interbeds of glauconitic
sandstone
Unconformity
Upper Fine grained sandstone, shale. Marginal marine to middle shelf. 293
Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous
Tuffs and volcanics with minor Continental 858
interbeds of coal and
carbonaceous shale and
siltstone.
Unconformity
Pre-Cambrian Metamorphic Basement

Quaternary Formations
Quaternary formations in the state include laterites
and Quaternary sediments (including volcanic ash beds).
Quaternary sediments are confined along river valleys,
deltas and coastal plain and attain maximum width of
about 100 km in the Mahanadi delta. Maximum thickness
of Quaternary sediments is recorded from Chandbali area
in Balasore District (~ 300 m). A wide array of sediment
types, viz., fluvial, deltaic, lagoonal, aeolian etc.
comprise the Quaternary deposits of the state.
Laterites : Both high- and low-level laterite cappings,
formed over a wide variety of rock types (khondalites,
charnockites, BIF-bearing low grade supracrustals,
metabasic rocks, Gondwana sediments and Quaternary
residual soils etc.) are widespread in Odisha and constitute
about 5% of the total area of the state. The high-level
laterites, which are often aluminous, occur on the plateau
situated between 900-1300m altitudes in Koraput,
Kalahandi and Bolangir districts. Some of the largest and
richest bauxite deposits of the country are associated with
these laterite cappings in the Eastern Ghats belt. In
Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts, the high
level laterites occur on dissected plateaus above 1000m
altitude over low grade supracrustal rocks of the Simlipal
and Noamundi-Koira greenstone belts. Manganese
deposits of northern Odisha are generally associated with
these. Nickel ore is found in laterites formed over the
Amjhori sill in the Simlipal plateau.
The low level laterite occurs in the coastal tract over
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28 GEOL. SURV. IND

the valleys. This laterite has been designated as the
Bolgarh formation and considered to be of Pleistocene
age since it overlies fossiliferous Baripada Beds of Mio-
Pliocene age in some areas. In the Sukinda valley,
laterites formed over chromiferous ultramafic rocks carry
nickel ores.
The age of the high-level laterite is controversial.
These are underlain by Proterozoic rocks and may
represent differentially uplifted and dissected planation
surfaces. While some workers consider both high- and
low-level laterites as coeval and of post Mio-Pliocene
age, others are of the opinion that the high-level laterites
are older (Valeton, 1972; Ramana Rao and
Vaidyanadhan, 1970; Ramam and Vaidyanadhan, 1981).
Quaternary sediments : Studies on the Quaternary
sediments of the state for nearly two decades have led
their classification into five formations. These, arranged
in order of decreasing antiquity, are, i)Naira, (ii) Bolgarh,
(iii) Kaimundi, (iv) Bankigarh and (v) Recent formations
(Table-12). Of these, the Naira formation is recorded in
river basins away from the coast while the others are
confined along the coastal belt. The various criteria used
for the above classification are character and genetic
type of the deposits, disposition of the different facies,
pedogenic development and type and degree of
landforms observed. In addition to the above field
features, archaeological and radiometric age data have
also been considered to erect the Quaternary stratigraphic
column Roy et al., 1988; Chakrabarty and
Chattopadhyay, 1989; Goswami, 1993; Debdas and
Meshram, 1990, 1991).
Naira Formation : The type locality for this
formation is near Naira village (19o1305"N : 83o4620"
E), Koraput district, along the Vanshadhara river valley.
It is represented by 8 m thick coarse to medium grained,
frequently cross-bedded, semi compacted, ferruginous
sandstone of reddish to yellowish brown colour with
lensoidal pebbly horizon towards the bottom and mottled
sandy-clay/clayey sand horizon towards the top.
Occurrences of Naira formation in the various river
basins are (after Devdas and Meshram, 1991).
Vanshadhara : Kharling, Gurhari, Kinjunagarh,
Bisam Cuttack.
Nagavalli : Hathi Pathar Khal, Jagannathpur,
J.K. Pur.
Indravati : S SW of Demkeler.
Mahanadi : South of Boud extending continuously
up to Sonepur.
Brahmani : Bijigol, Samal barrage, Tumugola.
Rushikulya : Sorada.
Baitarani : Between south of Anandpur and
north of Similia.
Recent studies in the upper reaches of the Nagavalli,
Vansadhara, Indravati, Brahmani and Mahanadi river
basins have led to the recognition of a chalky white,
unconsolidated volcanogenic ash bed, closely associated/
interbedded with the Quaternary sediments of the Naira
formation (Debdas and Meshram, 1990, 1991; Acharya
and Basu, 1993). At places, the ash bed rests directly on
the Precambrian bedrock and marks the base of the
Quaternary sequence. SEM study of tephra from Kareni
(191235N : 834727E) and Gopuparhu
(190938N : 834000E) reveals that the ash bed
comprises angular to very angular shards and pumice
fragments suggesting its dry transport. The highly silicic,
non-plastic, well-sorted and light ash comprises glass
shards, pumice and identifiable mineral phases like
quartz, biotite and feldspars (Basu and Biswas, 1991).
Acharya and Basu (1993) relate this ash bed to the Toba

Table-12. Lithostratigraphy of Quaternary sequence in Odisha

(after Mishra, et al, 2003)
Morpho Units Litho Units Tentative age
Present day Surface Present day channel fill (Fine to medium Present day to Late Holocene
sand with little clay and silt).
Bankigarh Surface Bankigarh Formation (Brownish sandy clay) Late to Middle Holocene
Kaimundi Surface Kaimundi Formation (Caliche bearing sandy clay). Late Pleistocene to early Holocene
Bolagarh surface/Naira surface Bolgarh Formation (Secondary laterite formation). Naira Formation (Semiconsolidated
Pebbly sandstone with ash bed). Middle to Early Pleistocene
-- Unconformity --
Basement Precambrian to Tertiary rocks.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
Volcanic Caldera of Indonesia of age 74,000 years B.P.(
Rose and Chesner, 1987) and consider it as Youngest
Toba Ash (YTA).
Bolgarh Formation : The formation comprises
varyingly lateritised coarse sand, pebble, gravels and
boulders derived from bedrocks,is best developed in and
around Bolgarh, west of Bhubaneswar and around
Gopalpur. Ferruginous residual soil, latsol and hard
duricrust are typical of the deposits. In areas adjacent to
the Pre-Quaternary rocks, a marked increase in the
degree of lateritisation is noted. The coastal equivalents
of this formation (oldest coastal facies) occur as stranded
beach ridges of highly oxidized reddish brown sands.
Kaimundi Formation : The Kaimundi Formation (3.5
8.5 m thick) overlies Bolgarh Formation unconformably
and comprises greenish grey to Khaki-coloured hard silt
and clay with profuse calcareous concretions (caliche/
kankar) and occasional iron nodules. Presence of caliche
is a distinctive feature of these sediments. Commonly
referred to as the Older Alluvium, the alluvial facies of
this formation forms the oldest valley-fill deposits and
represents the earliest flood plain of the Quaternary Era. It
is best developed around Kaimundi and Fathegarh.
Stablised dunes, forming linear stranded beach ridges of
yellowish brown well-sorted medium to fine sand
represents the coastal facies of this formation.
Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene age has been
inferred for Kaimundi formation from the fossil remains
(Carvus danvancellis). Human artifacts recovered from
cultural mounds indicate a Neolithic age (6000 years B.P.).
In addition, radiocarbon dating has indicated a maxiumun
age of 5880 12 years B.P. (Roy et al., 1988; Chakrabarty
and Chattopadhyay, 1989).
Bankigarh Formation : This overlies the Kaimundi
Formation with an overlap and is subdivided into four
synchronous facies, viz., (i) alluvial valley facies, (ii)
upper delta facies, (iii) lower delta facies and (iv)
younger coastal facies. The alluvial valley facies include
the flood plain deposit which occur parallel to the present
river courses. The sediments are represented by alternate
bands of silt, fine white sand and mottled clay. The upper
and lower delta facies are best developed in the
compound delta of Mahanadi. The sediments display
nominal oxidation implying immature pedogenic
alteration. The lower delta facies passes seaward into
their coastal equivalents (Younger Coastal Facies),
29
represented by yellow, medium to fine sands of the
stranded beach-ridge segments. Evidences from
vertebrate remains and radiocarbon dating (1220 18
to 1590 150 Years B.P.) indicate Mid-Late Holocene
age for this formation (Goswami, 1993).
Recent Formations : Three distinct facies are
included in this formation, viz., (i) fluvial, (ii) fluvio-
tidal (coastal) and (iii) lagoonal. These are best
developed around Barkul, Cuttack and Paradip areas.
The lagoonal facies is represented by the sediments
of the Chilka area. The coastal equivalents consists
of the present day beach ridges, spits etc.
Microforaminiferal assemblages and vertebrate
remains in the dune sediments indicate Late Holocene
age (Goswami, 1993)
Evolutionary Aspects: Five geomorphic surfaces are
recognisable in the Quaternary formations in the state,
viz., (i) the oldest surface developed over the Pre-
Quaternary rocks. Essentially an erosional surface, this
is represented by high to medium altitude hills with flat
or domal top, (ii) the Bolgarh surface, represented by
coalescing pediments and pediplains, (iii) Kaimundi
surface comprising the oldest flood plain terrace and
the older beach ridges subsequently severely dissected
by the 3rd and 4th order streams ; (iv) Bankigarh surface
comprising the second oldest flood plain terrace, the
upper and lower delta plains and sequences of younger
coastal beach ridges and (v) the recent surface which
includes the present day alluvial fills, beach ridges, lake
(Chilka) front dunes, sandy flats and mud flats. While
the first two surfaces represent denudational landforms,
the last three are aggradational surfaces.
The Quaternary sequence of events in Odisha
commenced during the Early Pleistocene with a
widespread denudation leading to the developement of
the first and second order drainage systems. Further, the
presence of laterites at the base of the Bolgarh Formation
implies that the climate was rather humid with well-
defined wet and dry seasons. The presence of volcanic
ash bed with very angular shards and pumice fragments
at the base of the Naira Formation (defining the base of
the Quaternary sequence) imply dry aeolian transport
during Pleistocene Toba eruption of Indonesia.
A major depositional episode started with the
development of the flood plains during the Late
Pleistocene to Early Holocene period. Alluvial deposits
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30
(Older Alluvium) of the Kaimundi together with its
equivalent facies were deposited during this time. The
presence of caliche indicates some degree of aridity
associated with interfluvial climatic regime.
The beginning of the Kaimundi sedimentation
probably corresponds to a sea-level rise during one of
the interstadials in the last glaciation of the Late
Pleistocene (warm ?). It was followed by a lowering of
the sea level and thus a change in the base level of erosion.
As a consequence, the Kaimundi suffered severe erosion
by the third and fourth order streams.
The last glaciation ended at the close of the
Pleistocene and the beginning of the Holocene, this
period is marked by a marine transgression (Flandarian
or Holocene transgression). The rise in the sea level was
responsible for widespread deposition, which has
continued since then.
Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice
GEOL. SURV. IND
Deposition of the Kaimundi sediments continued
till the Early Holocene. Archaeological remains prove
the presence of flourishing Neolithic settlements during
the period. This was followed by the deposition of
Bankigargh and Recent formations successively
throughout Holocene until the present day. The
prograding compound delta of the Mahanadi formed due
to prodigious sedimentation during Middle to Late
Holocene time to the present day.
At present, the coastline is advancing through a
landward accretion of barrier beach ridges, perhaps
through spasmodic leaps punctuated by slow but uniform
parallel seaward upgradation of beach-berm dune
complex giving rise to a wide sandy Coastal Zone
(Chakrabarty and Chattopadhyay, 1986). With the
advance of the beach front, the lower delta facies is
overlapping the shoreline facies and is being overlapped
by the upper delta facies. This progradation had been
and is still a major and continuous event.
WILL DURANT
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Odisha is endowed with vast reserves of mineral
resources, the prominent ones being bauxite, iron ore, coal,
chromite, manganese, nickel, limestone and dolomite.
Besides, the state has also large reserves of fire clay, china
clay, graphite and also some reserves of basemetal ore.
Viewed against the all India resource potential,
Odisha has 59% of the bauxite, 96% of chromite, 95%
of nickel ore, 26% of iron ore, 29% of manganese ore,
67% of graphite, 25% of coal, 21% of fire clay, 16% of
dolomite, 15% of limestone and 56% of vanadiferous
and titaniferous magnetite. The graphite resources of
Odisha have not yet been fully explored and it is the
largest producer of graphite in India.
The distribution pattern of different mineral deposits
in the state is controlled by the geological environment
in which they occur. The southern and western districts
namely Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Boudh
and Phulbani, covering large parts of the granulite belt
of Eastern Ghats, are large repositories of high-grade
bauxite, graphite and manganese ore, besides the wide
variety of gemstones, including diamond (recently
reported). On the other hand, the Precambrian
supracrustals and the Gondwana SuperGroup lying in
the northern districts, namely Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj,
Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and Cuttack, contain
rich and large deposits of iron ore, chromite, manganese,
coal, limestone, dolomite and a host of other minerals.
The reserve positions of different minerals occurring
in the State are shown in Table-1. (Appendix)
Asbestos
Kalahandi District:
Tremolite-asbestos bands have been reported from
talc-tremolite-actinolite-chlorite schists of Bengpal Group
occurring near Sanibahal village (1926: 8251) in
31
Mineral Resources
Kalahandi District. The bands vary in length from 1to 16
m and in width from 20 to 30cm. A tentative reserve of
0.4 million tonnes of asbestos is estimated for four such
bands. The asbestos bands show sharp concordant as well
as discordant contact with the enclosing schists.
Sundargarh District
In Bonai region of Sundargarh District, tremolite
type asbestos occurs in the ultrabasic rocks near Rangra
(2202: 8509).
Mayurbhanj District
Small occurrences of asbestos confined to meta-
ultramafics are found near Balidihi (2227:8613) and
Jashipur (2226: 8613).
Basemetals
Odisha is relatively less endowed with basemetal
ores. The deposits are associated with the Precambrian
schists occurring in parts of north Odisha. Detailed
exploration in recent past established a few promising
sectors, especially for copper and lead ores, at Kesarpur
in Mayurbhanj District, Adash in Sambalpur District and
Sargipalli in Sundargarh District respectively. The total
reserves of lead and copper for Odisha have been
estimated at 6.54 million tonnes and 6.42 million tonnes
respectively.
Lead & Zinc
Sundargarh district
Sargipalli (2203:8335) lead deposit is located
between Lokdega (2203: 8350) and Bharatpur
(2203: 8356) covering a stretch of 1600 m. The
lithounits comprising dolomite, garnetiferous mica schist
and quartzite belong to Gangpur Group and are intruded
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32
by granite, pegmatite and basic rock. The rocks are
thoroughly metamorphosed and the host rock for
mineralisation is the garnetiferous mica schist. The strike
of the rock formation is WNW-ESE with dip varying
between 30-45 towards SSW. Mineralisation is
confined to the southern limb of an easterly plunging
syncline.
The mineralisation is confined to a 20m to 40 m
wide zone in garnet-biotite mica schist extending over
1.5km strike length. The four major lodes are disposed
in an en-echelon pattern with characteristic pinch and
swell structure. The major ore mineral, galena occurs
as disseminations, bands, veins, stringers and fine
laminae containing some sphalerite and chalcopyrite.
The other mineral associates, though in minor
proportion, are pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite,
cubanite, bornite and tetrahedrite. Surface indications
are provided by presence of malachite, azurite and
cerrrusite. The ore analyses on an average 6.73% Pb,
0.33% Cu and 0.4% Zn. A total reserve of 6.54 million
tonnes with reserve grade 5.75% Pb has been
established for the Sargipalli deposit. Hindusthan Zinc
Limited has carried out extensive development and
exploratory mining since November, 1974.
Concentration of pyrrhotite with 0.2% Pb, 0.86% Zn
and Cu with Ni and Co in traces has been observed in
Siphripara (20o07: 83o48) and Giringkela Surgura
(22o10: 83o49) areas.
Galena with minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite occur
near Kiringera (22 05: 84 25). Traces of galena are
also recorded in a silicified zone within a dolomitiic
marble band at Beligocha (22o00: 84o45) and Kanchera
(22o00: 81o49). Sporadic disseminations of chalcopyrite
with sphalerite and galena are observed from Brahmani
river bed close to Raghunathpali Conglomerate.
Mayurbhanj District
Detailed investigation for lead was carried out based
on incidence of specks of galena near Pithabata (2157:
8535) and Beradiha (2154: 8640). The occurrence
were tested by drilling but results were not encouraging.
Other reported galena occurrences include Patingia
(2201: 86 37), Champagarh (21 50: 85 35),
Shanjabani (22 04:8637) and Nandabani (2205:
8635). The mineralisation around Shanjabani is of
minor nature where specks of galena, chalcopyrite and
pyrite occur in quartz vein traversing quartz-sericite
GEOL. SURV. IND
schist. Two old pits with mine dumps marked by stains
of malachite are present in this area.
Bolangir District
Lead and copper mineralisation was observed in a
set of quartz veins and quartz breccia reefs to the east of
Saintala (2016: 8331), which has been traced
intermittently over a length of 29 km. Lead ore associated
with copper is reported from near Jalerpodar (2024:
8322) and Bodipara (2026: 8322) along shear zone
in brecciated quartz veins traversing Khondalite Group
of rocks. Galena specks occur in quartz veins over a
length of 29km between Ampali (2025: 83 26) and
Chormara (2018: 8317). Gossan cappings occur to
the east of Bisermunda (2023: 8322). Copper
mineralisation in quartz vein has been observed between
Kansar (20o22: 83o24) and Dongarmonda (20o25:
83 o 20). Small pockets, stringers, streaks and
dissemination of galena are observed in brecciated quartz
veins traversing Khondalite Group of rocks at Limpara
(2022: 8317), Norabahal (2022: 8319), Badmal
(2023: 8317) and Papsi (2024: 8316).
Kalahandi District
Specks of galena occur in brecciated quartz vein in
an old pit near Baminipada. Occurrences of galena have
been reported at Toresinga, Khairamal, Sishakhal and
Pipalpadar.
Deogarh District
Galena mineralisation is noticed within fractures of
sheared quartz vein traversing quartz-sericite schist near
Gangajal (2138: 8432). In addition to these, minor
occurrences of galena have been reported from near Junai
(2132: 8354) in Sambalpur district and Padampur
(2145: 8335) in Jharsuguda district. In Kermali (2103:
8316) area of Baragarh district galena mineralisation
has been traced in the quartz vein over a length of 450 m.
Copper
Mayurbhanj District
Copper mineralization has been located in Kesarpur-
Kusumdihi area (2207; 8541) at a number of places
in sheared metabasites. Stains of malachite, azurite and
bornite with specks of chalcopyrite are seen in the altered
basic rocks at the contact with sheared granite. Based
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
on the evidence of old workings and subsequent detailed
investigation, three promising sectors have been
delineated at Kesarpur, Madansahi and Dudhiasol. Out
of these, Kesarpur sector is most promising where strike
extension of the mineralised zone is more than 3 km
with nearly 1km width. The copper mineralisation occurs
in sheared metabasics belonging to the Iron Ore
Supergroup. Copper ore is found as stringers, veins,
disseminations and lenses. The ore zones occur as a
series of discontinuous lenticular bodies disposed in an
en-echelon pattern. The ore minerals include sulphides
like pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite associated with
minor amounts of nickel and cobalt. Traces of zinc in
the form of sphalerite associated with primary
chalcopyrite are often found to develop selectively along
contact of the sheared granite and the metabasic. The
mineralisation is structurally controlled. Drilling in the
area established a total reserve (both probable and
possible) of 2.16 million tonnes of copper ore with
average grade of 1.5% Cu at 0.8% cut-off and 1.27
million tonnes with 0.55% Cu. Besides disseminated
specks of chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite are found near
Talpatia (21 5700": 8405) in Sundargarh District.
Sambalpur district
Copper mineralization has been located near Adash
situated at about 6km south of the contact zone between
Eastern Ghat Supergroup and Iron Ore Supergroup. The
area represents a part of the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt
exposing quartzite, quartz-biotite-sillimanite-garnet-
graphite schist/gneiss (khondalite), pyroxene granulite,
calc-granulite, amphibolite and granite. Surface
indications show a zone of oxidation and malachite stains
over a strike length of about 300m. Copper mineralization
found in form of disseminations, stringers and veinlets is
confined to silicified metabasic rocks occurring as
paleosomes within granite gneiss and migmatite. The
mineralization is stratigraphically controlled within the
pyroxene granulites, particularly along the contact with
granite gneiss. Chalcopyrite, the chief ore mineral is
associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite. Structurally a shear
zone, traceable over a strike length of over 1600m, controls
the mineralization. Three parallel lodes have been
demarcated within silicified metabasic rocks. A total
reserve of 3.51 million tonnes has been estimated out of
which 0.93 million tonnes with average grade of 1.46%
Cu is confined to only 50m strike length and up to a depth
of 125m. The locality/district wise summary of ore
reserves with other details is shown in Table-2.
33
Bauxite
Odisha continues to be the leading state accounting
for 59% of the total bauxite production of the country.
The bauxite deposits of Odisha may be broadly classified
into five different categories based on their nature of
the bedrock.
1. Relatively large cappings over khondalite/
khondalitic rocks of Eastern Ghats Supergroup in
Koraput, Kalahandi, Phulbani, Bolangir and
Sambalpur districts.
2. Cappings developed over charnockite, diorite /
dioritic gneisses of Eastern Ghats Super- group in
Koraput and Kalahandi districts.
3. Minor cappings over Chattishgarh Shale in Khariar
highlands in Nuapada District.
4. Minor cappings over mafic volcanics and shale of
Koira Group in Kendujhar and Sundargarh District.
5. Capping over Simlipal volcanic rocks in
Mayurbhanj District.
The first two categories are by far the most important
because of their large areal extent and greater thickness.
They constitute the well known East Coast Bauxite
deposits of Odisha. These cappings generally occur in
the elevation range of 900 - 1400 m.
In these deposits, the bauxite is composed entirely of
gibbsite. Petrographic studies reveal that gibbsite is
pseudomorphous after sillimanite, garnet and feldspars,
which are the chief mineral constituents of khondalite and
charnockite. The East Coast Bauxites are generally low in
silica (1-3%) and titanium (<2.5%) and high in iron (8 -
28%).
The alumina content varies generally between 40
and 56%. A post Mio-Pliocene age has been assigned to
these bauxite deposits. Other details of these deposits
in respect of their area, thickness, grade and reserves is
shown in Table - 3.
Apart from these major deposits, bauxite
occurrences have also been recorded in several other
areas of the state:
Kendujhar District
Bauxite with intercalated laterite cappings over
metavolcanics occurs on the flat-topped hills, near
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34
Kuanr to the west of Kendujhar in the elevation range
of 727m and 848m. The reserve is estimated at 10
million tonnes with Al2O3 content up to 49%.
Phulbani District
Occurrences of bauxite have been reported from
Mandura (19 56: 83 33), Kotgod (1957: 8343), garnet, 16.15 million tonnes of sillimanite, 1.62 million
Belagad (1956: 8336), and Guruli (1959:8346) tonnes of rutile, 1.21 million tonnes of zircon and 0.87
areas. The occurrences at Anamini Parbat accounts for
a total reserve of about 9 million tonnes with average
Al2O3 content of 40%.
Sundargarh District
Bauxite occurs as irregular pockets within
ferruginous laterite capping on the ferruginous shale and
chert of the Koira Group of rocks near Tantra (2253
:8510), Kusumdihi, Jaldihi and San Indupur. It analyses
up to 55% Al2O3 with very low iron and silica contents.
The reserves estimated are about 1 million tonne.
Mayurbhanj District
In Simlipal complex aluminous laterites are noted
over the flat-topped hill ranges west of Nawana and east
of Simlipalgarh and Bakua etc.
Nuapada District
Good quality bauxite occurs upto a depth of 1.5m
in the saddle portion of Khariar Highland at Lohdungri
(2028 : 8226). The bauxite seems to be localized
along east-west trending fault zone in the Purana
Quartzite and appears to have been derived from the
underlying Proterozoic shales.
Rayagada District
Occurrences of bauxite associated with ferruginous
laterite are found in a number of flat-topped hills around
Kashipur, Kashinguda (1915 : 8340), Manjimali
(1923 : 8304), Pasangmali (1922 : 8307) in secondary processes.
Rayagada district. The ore is derived from dioritic
gneisses and khondalitic rocks.
Beach Sand Minerals
The coastal tracts of Ganjam and Puri districts
contain workable concentration of heavy minerals in
GEOL. SURV. IND
the beach and dune sands, which include ilmenite,
garnet, rutile, sillimanite, zircon and monazite. The
heavy mineral concentration varies from 8.6 to 25%,
ilmenite constituting about 40% of the total heavies.
The reserves/ resources of beach sand mineral in the
coastal districts of Odisha have been estimated at 38.58
million tonnes of ilmenite, 25.39 million tonnes of
million tonnes of monazite (IBM, 1999). A mineral
processing plant of Indian Rare Earth Limited operating
at Chhatrapur is producing 0.22 million tonnes of
ilmenite, 0.01 million tonnes of rutile, 0.03 million
tonnes sillimanite, 4000 tonnes of monazite and 2000
tonnes of zircon annually.
Cassiterite (TIN ORE)
Malkangiri District
Cassiterite occurrences located at Mundaguda,
(1830:8204) Mohapadar, (1857:8158),
Vedurpalle, (1835:8158), Dumguda (1837:8201)
and Bajirpador (1834:8206) in Malkangiri district,
Odisha, are similar to those in the adjoining Bastar
district of M.P. The mineralization is associated with
pegmatites emplaced within the Tulosidongar Formation
of the Precambrian Bengpal Group of rocks.
The Tulsidonger Formation comprises quartzite,
quartz-sericite schist, phyllite, chlorite/chloritoid
schist, and andalusite schist, ferruginous schist and
ferruginous conglomerate/breccia. The general strike
of foliation is NW-SE to ENE-WSW with moderate to
steep (25-80) southerly dip. The tin mineralization
is associated with acid pegmatites traversing along the
axial planes of folds developed in the above host rocks.
The tin mineralization appears to be genetically related
to the Darba/Paliam granites and is attributed to the
process of pneumatolysis as reflected by
greissenisation, tourmalinisation and albitisation.
Cassiterite occurs both in the primary pegmatites and
in the form of placers in the area by the action of
a) Primary Occurrence : Pegmatites traversing the
metabasite of the area contain primary cassiterite as
disseminations and also as discrete crystals. The
incidence of tin in pegmatites traversing the metabasite
is seen to be maximum up to 0.45% Sn. Generally, the
thinner (2-10cm thick) pegmatite veins intruding
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
metabasics are richer in cassiterite content than the thick
pegmatite (30-50cm width) bands. The cassiterite rich
ore is generally hard massive and dark brown to black
in colour, the average metal content being 0.1 to 0.2%
Sn. Out of 139 pegmatite bodies initially delineated, only
39 were found to be tin bearing. However, subsequent
work helped in locating a total of 260 pegmatite bodies
in this area namely Mundaguda-Mahapadar, Sirkupa-
Misgodi and Dammoguda-Salimi areas.
The dispersion of cassiterite in pegmatite body is
highly variable and is directly proportional to K2O/Na2O
content. The staniferous pegmatites carry rare metals
like columbium and tantalum in varying proportions.
The pegmatites emplaced into the contact of metabasite
and metasediments are exceptionally rich in tin
compared with those emplaced into either of the rocks.
Such mineralisation is in association with tourmaline,
cleavlandite and albite.
b)Secondary occurrence: Economic concentration
of tin occurs in the colluvial, eluvial and alluvial zones
surrounding the mineralized pegmatites around
Mundaguda over an area of 2 sq. km. In the placer
deposits, crystals and fine concentrate of cassiterite occur
with ilmenite, rutite, zircon, magnetite, tourmaline,
monazite and quartz.
Sonepur District
Panned heavy concentrates from pegmatites and vein
quartz emplaced in granitoid show tin value upto 0.5%.
Besides, pegmatite samples collected from the
confluence of Tel and Mahanadi rivers have indicated
1000-1500 ppm tin. Incidence of Nb and Ta analysing
40 to 800 ppm per 100kg of colluvial material has been
reported.
Boudh district
Some zoned pegmatites in areas around Ambuda,
Manmunda, Bamunda and
Karunapalli are potential for tin as well as Nb, Ta
and Tungsten (W) mineralization.
Malkangiri District
Recoverable reserve of 12,692 tonnes of tin ore
concentrates from this district has been estimated.
35
Clay
The state is endowed with a number of china clay
and fire clay deposits.
China Clay
Koraput District
Bedded clay occurrences have been reported from
the localities mentioned below:
Obuguda (1845; 8245), Doliambe (1830:
8252), Turia (1836: 8258), Baipariguda (1845:
8225), Santhopur ( 1844: 8224), Kallaru (1837:
8224), Saradaputti (1834: 8227), Boipariguda
(1834: 8227), Sorispadar (1903: 8216) and
Devandera (1904: 8228). The total reserve of clay
near Baipariguda, Kallaru and Ramagiri is estimated at
2800 tonnes. The beds are about 7m thick and the clay
is white to greyish-white in colour and semi-plastic. The
origin of clay is attributed to the weathering of shales.
The Obuguda clay is slightly gritty, fairly plastic and
pinkish white in colour. The linear shrinkage varies
between 10 15%. On burning, the colour of clay turns
to dirty yellow and does not fuse at 1400C. Clays
derived from kaolinised gneiss are reported from
Misoriguda (1852: 8241), Pukkili (1830: 8254),
Jodiguda (1820: 8246), Nabgam ( 1906: 8230),
Madhupur (1953 : 8328), Lafhiponga (1940:
8330), Pathibonda (1811: 8156) and Sirgarajnkonta
(1817; 8148).
Cuttack District
Plastic and gritty kaolin derived from the
decomposition of feldspars in gneisses is reported from
south-west of Banrapal (2050: 8523). Gritty kaolin
occurs at the foot of the Baideswar Hill (2028; 8534).
The material is coloured, gritty and non-plastic.
Dhenkanal District
White clay, derived from decomposition of
feldspathic gneisses intruded by pegmatites, occurs near
Sibalopose (2056 ; 8503). At places, it is yellowish
at the top but white at depth.
Sundergarh District
In Sundergarh District, small irregular deposits of
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36 GEOL. SURV. IND

China clay/kaolin are reported from Manjapara, Balasore District

Kaintora, Bhaunra and Dharuadihi. The clay is locally
used for white washing. Barakar Sandstone around
Amatpani, Laidega and Baraibera contains about 17.8%
of white clay as matrix, the rest of the bulk being made
up of good quality sand which may be used in glass and
foundry industries. White shale is also found to occur
near Kardega, Baraibera and Bangura. These shales are
reasonably free from grit. A total of 1800 tonnes of kaolin
and ball clay has been estimated in the district.
Ganjam District
Kaolin deposits derived from the weathering of
gneisses are found near Satarpally (1942: 8451) and
Jillinda (1942: 8457). The linear shrinkage is about
12.5% and the clay turns to yellow grey colour on firing
to 1400C without fusing. Other occurrences in this
district are Sarangoda (2014; 8407), east of Siringi
(2010; 8409), Dwarjam (1920; 8432) and Satrasda 8559) contains reserve of 1.2 million tonnes. The
(1947; 8448). Kaolin resulting from alteration of
granulitic rock is reported from SE of Barampur (1905;
8441).
Highly decomposed gneisses, north of Arubandha,
contain deposits of white clay. North of Gardihi (2134:
8640), white clay deposit occurs beneath a laterite
capping. The clay is banded in appearance and is slightly
gritty.
Mayurbhanj District
China clay is found to be associated with the late
phase granitic members of the Singhbhum Granite
Complex near Karanjia (2145: 8558) and Joshipur
(2150: 8605). It occurs beneath an overburden of 3.5
to 4.5m. The material is free from grit and is of good
quality. The reserve of good clay is 0.1 million tonnes.
The material is plastic with shrinkage of 21%. On
burning it turns to faint grey colour with high vitrification
at 1450C. Clay deposit occurring near Duria (2157:
material is white and plastic with shrinkage of 26%. It
burns to pale cream to grey colour when fired at 1450C
with fair vitrification.

The Chachabari clay deposit (2148: 8601)

Phulbani District
White clay derived from the decomposition of
gneisses is reported from Karanda (2042; 8520). The
average thickness of the clay horizon is about 3m and a
reserve of 3500 tonnes of material is estimated. Similar
clay deposit occurs at Bahanda (2043: 4526). The
material is gritty but fairly plastic. Other minor
occurrences of clay include Deogarh (2045; 8417),
Tuljeri (2041: 8359), Tatakandi (2048: 8346) and fusing and assumes an aggreable terracota colour.
Dundurkot (2041: 8515).
Kendujhar District
A white clay deposit occurs about 1.6 km to the west
of Keonjhar (2134 : 8535). The deposit comprises two
patches, occurring side-by-side and separated from each
other by a band of weathered epidiorite. A total reserve of
0.17 million tonnes of crude clay or 0.07 million tonnes
of refined clay is estimated to be available. The
Taranipukuri Amvapara (2135 : 8547) deposit
contains three patches of kaolin. The Sandi Murra (2152
: 8534) deposit contains a reserve of 0.5 million tonnes
of crude clay and 0.2 million tonnes of refined clay.
contains a reserve of 0.07 million tonnes of good quality
clay and 0.04 million tonnes of second grade clay. The
material is plastic and has shrinkage of about 20%. It
burns to cream colour at 1450C with slight
vitrification.
Sedimentary kaolin is reported near Baripada
(2158: 8647). On firing the clay becomes hard without
Bolangir District:
Pockets of gritty white kaolin resulting from the
decomposition of pegmatites, which are intrusive into
khondalite, are reported near Sargod (2051 : 8355)
and Baludongri (2101: 8406).
Good quality clay derived from gneisses, pegmatites
and schists is reported from Khola (2140: 8340),
Ghichampra (2146: 8406), Sagupali (2135: 8404),
Ghuhukilikra (2139:8409), Barasinghari (2135:
8336) and Dangchancha (2054: 8302).
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 37

Fire Clay Dhenkanal District

Bedded deposits of fire clay, mostly associated with Fire clay bodies are reported from Rajharan (2057:
coal measures of Gondwana Supergroup, are found in 8458), Chhindipada (2105: 8446), Junagarh (2106:
Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Puri, Sambalpur, Sundergarh and 8450) Patrapura (2105: 8446), Sibultosi (2056:
Koraput districts of Odisha. 8530) and near Hingirida Ghatsi (2058: 8443).
These clays are plastic and brown to buff coloured. After
The total reserve of fire clay in the state is of the firing, they become hard and have low porosity.
order of 175.256 million tonnes (IBM, 1993). There are
around 20 existing mines in the state which accounts
for 16% of the total production of fire clay in the country. Sambalpur District
Fire clay has been reported from near Jurabaga
(2147: 8352), Darilpalli (2146 : 8351) and
Sundargarh district Rampur (2146 :8355). The material is hard, plastic
Good quality of fire clay, occurring within the and refractory. Similar clay is also reported from
Gondwana rocks of Ib river coal field, is mined at Kuropali (2147 : 8354), Baripahar (2146 : 8347),
Kiripsora, Gopapali, Kathpali, Khutijharia, Kurutoi, Lukopali (20o46 : 82o33) and Khindia (2147 : 8356).
Juraboga, Girsuan, Jamakani etc. A good number of fire It burns to brownish colour with a linear shrinkage of
clay beds are recorded in and around Tencligad, 10% but does not fuse at 1450C.
Siarmai,Balinga, Benkibahal, Forkbahaj, Kiripsora,
Garjanbehi, Khuntijheria, Dulunga, Khajurdihi and The Belpahar Refractories Limited have set up a
Jharpal and Girisuan areas. modern and sophisticated refractory plant in the area
primarily fed by the Jurabaga- Darilpali deposit.
A total reserve of 618,000 tonnes of fire clay has Abandoned fireclay workings are present in the Pajbira
been estimasted in the district. Salient features of the Khindia area to the east of the Ib river. At Talbira, the
major deposits are as follows: fire clay deposit occurring at the upper part of the
Rampur horizon comprises two bands, grey to dark grey
Name Al2O3% Reserve (in tonnes) in colour and 2m in thickness. The clay analyses 19.76
Jurabaga Block A (P) 28.04 525 to 25.30% Al2O3. An occurrence of 0.75m thick dark
(Sundargarh District) (NP) 20.27 99000 grey clay has been recorded in a coal quarry at Khindia.
Jurabaga Main (P) 25.1-27.8 689586
(Sundargarh District) (NP) 22.4 32.0 The clay is of inferior quality, containing about 18%
Darlipalli (P) 44.0 64.0 141300 Al2O3.
(Sambalpur District) (NP) 53.3 62.8 93300
(NP) 41.0 50.8 8200
Darlipalli Block B (P) 49.6 62.0 483400
The Kripsira Jamkania area of Hingir field contain
(Sambalpur District) (NP) 40.0 62.2 774300 high grade non-plastic fireclays with Al2O3 content
(NP) 38.8 52.6 269700 varying between 30.37 to 38%. A gross reserve of 0.63
million tonnes has been estimated (IBM inventory,
Cuttack District 1975).
Workable deposits are located near Talbasta (2220:
8535) and Chandiprasad (2026; 8548).
Coal
Odisha has 61999 million tonnes of coal which
Puri District accounts to 24% of the total coal resource (254230
Fire clay, associated with the Gondwana rocks, million tonnes) of the country as on 01.01.2007. This
occurs east of Barthajimundia (2020: 8551). It burns reserve has been estimated only in a part of the
light grey with a linear shrinkage of about 7.5% and prognosticated coal bearing area of Talchir and Ib-
does not fuse at 1400C. Similar occurrence of clay is river coalfields. Further exploration efforts are likely
reported from Jaganathprasad (2020: 8546) and to substantially increase the reserve of coal in the
Bharatpur (2018: 8547). state.
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38
The major coal bearing formations in both Talchir
and Ib-river coalfields are Karharbari and Barakar,
though occurrences of coal seams in Raniganj Formation
has been reported by GSI in Ib River coalfields. While
only one coal seam has been established from Karharbari
Name of the Coalfield Latitude Longitude
Talchir. 2050-2115 8409-8533
Ib River. 2131-2214 8410-8432
Talchir Coal Field
The Talchir coalfield mainly falls within Angul
District. It is characterized by east-west trending strike
faults and in the process, repetition of coal seams has
resulted quarriable increased potentiality. The basinal
structure of Talchir coalfield appears to be preserved
distinctly in south and east. Stratigraphically, eleven coal
seams occur within Karharbari and Barakar Formations.
Seam-I occurs within the Karharbari and the rest (Seam-
II to Seam-XI) are associated with the Barakar rocks.
A prominent and regionally persistent seam (Seam-
1) within the Karharbari Formation, is under exploitation
in the Deolbera, Talchir, Balanda and Nandira collieries.
The seam occurs in six split sections (IA to IF in
descending order), specially in the NW and western parts
of the coalfield, varying in thickness from 2 to 25m.
The topmost IA section is the thickest with partings of
carbonaceous and grey shales. Other sections are more
or less clean in nature interlayered with carbonaceous
shale. The lower section of seam No.I i.e. from Seam
No.ID to IP, contains 6.7 to 7.8% moisture, 7.5 to 12.8%
ash while the calorific values vary from 6460 to 6650
K.caI/Kg. The coal is non-coking type. The middle
section, i.e. seam No. IB to IC, contains 7 to 8% moisture,
11 to 17% ash and the calorific value is 5700-6490 K.cal/
Kg. The top section, i.e. seam No.IA, analyses 19-27%
ash.
Barakar coal seams are best developed in the
southern part of the basin and deteriorate westward. The
lowermost seam in this formation is the seam II
(Jagannath seam) which is about 35 to 50 m thick. Seam-
II in the western part of the area is not so persistent and
even deteriorates in its quality. This seam is exploited
in the Handidhua (now Talchir), Jagannath, Bharatpur
GEOL. SURV. IND
Formation in both the coalfields, the Barakar Formation
has yielded 12 seams in Talchir and 4 seams in Ib-River
coalfields.
Location and extent wise details of major coal fields
of Odisha are shown below:
Basinal area. (sq.km.) District.
1813 Dhenkanal,
Angul,
Sambalpur.
1460 Sambalpur,
Jharsuguda,
Sundargarh,
and Nandira collieries. The seam analyses 5.6 to 7.8%
moisture, 26.5 to 32.6% ash and calorific values in the
range of 4485-4900 K.cal/Kg. Seam III (1.4-10m) is
highly interbanded and is of inferior quality. The coal
analyses 35.6 to 42.4% ash. Seam-IV(10m) is
interbanded with dirt bands and contains 31.7 to 37.4%
ash. Seam-V (8-33m), contains about 9% moisture and
26-32% ash. Coal seams VI (2-24.5 m), VII (21-43.5m),
VII (25-37m) and IX (12-15m) have been encountered
only in boreholes. Seam Nos. X & XI are highly
impersistent and interbanded in nature. Coal in these
seams is of much inferior quality and contains high
moisture (more than 10%) and ash (more than 30%).
Ib River Coal field
The Ib river coalfield displays excellent
development of coal seams in Sambalpur and Sundargarh
Districts. The coalfield shows westerly plunging
synclinal flexure which is like a half elliptical basin
closed towards southeast and having an axial trend in
NW-SE direction. Geological mapping of underground
mines and opencast mines indicates that the coalfield is
structurally much less disturbed. Four coal horizons,
namely Rampur, Lajkura, Parkhani and Belpahar
horizons, besides Ib seams, have been recognized in this
coalfield.
The Ib seam is the only coal seam occurring in the
Karharbari Formation of the basin. It varies in thickness
from 2.29 to 10.3m. The Ib seam is being exploited in
Orient and Rampur collieries at Belpahar by both
underground and open cast mining. The overall moisture
and ash contents vary from 6 to 7% and 18 to 50%
respectively and the calorific values being in the range
of 5410-7200 K. cal/Kg.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
Name of the coal field Depth (m) Reserves in million tonnes
Proved Indicated Inferred Total reserve
Ib river coal field 0-300 5153.45
300-600 0.00
Total 0-600 5153.45
Talchir coal field 0-300 12311.10
300-600 0.00
600-1200 0.00
Total 0-1200 12311.10
Total for Odisha 17464.55
The Rampur horizon, the lowermost coal seam in
the Barakar Formation, attains a thickness of (27-80m)
in the area and comprises coal-shale alternations. The
lowermost part of this horizon is under exploitation in
the Orient, Rampur and Belpahar area. The coal in
Rampur horizon contains 5.7 to 7.1% moisture and 27.5
to 36.9% ash. The calorific value ranges from (4655 to
4815) K.cal/Kg.
The overlying Lajkura horizon is highly interbanded
and contains a number of major and minor shale/coal
shale bands. Attaining a thickness of 50 to 88m, the
Lajkura coal horizon has coal bands with high ash
content (29 to 45%). The calorific values vary from 4323
to 4430 K. cal/Kg.
Parkhani, the next coal horizon, is 0.5-10.45m thick
and is highly interbanded with shale. The ash contents
average around 48% inclusive of intercalated bands.
The uppermost coal horizon, the Belpahar horizon,
is 24 to 30m thick and displays coal-shale laminations.
The Parkhani and Belpahar horizons have not been
developed in the Hemagiri (Hingir) sub-basin, located
in the northern part of the Ib river coalfield.
The table above shows an inventory of coal reserves
for coal seams, 0.9 m and above in thickness, in Talchir
and Ib river coal fields of Odisha as on 1.1.2007.
Chromite
Odisha holds the first place in reserve position and
production of chromite ore in the country, contributing
to over 97% (IBM, 1999) of the all India output. The
deposit yielding metallurgical, refractory and chemical
grade of ore, occurs within the chromiferous ultramafic
rocks emplaced into the Archaean Badampahar Group
of rocks. Although there are a number of ultramafic
39
7013.00 2131.66 14298.11
3014.33 5051.67 8066.00
10027.33 7183.33 22364.11
13280.02 4746.60 30337.72
6169.92 1903.53 8073.45
761.88 462.10 1223.98
20211.82 7112.23 39635.15
30239.15 14295.56 61999.26
bodies located in this arcuate mafic-ultramafic belt
stretching from Gorumahisani Badampahar via Nilgiri
Nuasahi to Sukinda and Malaygiri, only two areas,
namely Sukinda and Nuasahi covering parts of Jajpur,
Kendujhar and Dhenkanal districts contain commercially
exploitable chromite lodes. Both Sukinda and Nuasahi
areas are under exploitation by active mining for the
last 30 to 40 years and have been thoroughly investigated
by GSI and other agencies.
Jajpur District
The ultramafic field of Sukinda area falls mainly in
Jajpur and partly in Dhenkanal districts and forms an E-
W trending valley bounded by the Daitary hill ranges to
the north and Mahagiri hill ranges towards the south.
The valley is narrow at the eastern end and gradually
opens up towards west. The general elevation of the
valley is around 130m with several lateritic and chert
mounds rising up to a maximum of 200m.
The ultramafic rocks along with the associated
chromite ore bodies occur within the Badampahar Group
of rocks of Archaean age. The ultramafic body is a
layered complex composed of alternate bands of
chromitite, dunite and peridotite repeated in a rhythmic
manner. The dunite and peridotite rocks are almost
wholly serpentinised. Pyroxenite intrudes the early-
formed chromiferous ultramafic rocks.
The chromite ore seams of Sukinda area occur in
seven distinct subparallel stratigraphic levels. These are
thick in the southern side but gradually become thinner
towards the northern part. The ore seams vary from 200m
to as much as 7km in length, and have variable thickness
from 0.3 to 50m. These seams dip at very steep angles
(65o 75o) and become nearly vertical beyond 100120m
depths from the surface.
Different agencies exploiting chromite deposits of
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40
Sukinda area are Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd., Tata
Iron and Steel Company, Ferro Alloys Corporation,
Industrial Development Corporation, Indian Metals and
Ferro Alloys, M/s. B.C. Mohanty, M/s. M.L.Jain &
Company.
The important mining centres in the belt are
described below:
1. Bhimtangar (21 02 : 85 45) The chromite
mines of Bhimtangar area are mined by TISCO and
OMC Ltd. The leasehold area is about 18 sq km.
The ore bodies occur in three distinct sub-parallel
stratigraphic levels. The lowest level bodies are
known as Grey Ore and include lensoid and
discontinuous sheets of grey, hard and massive
chromite. The ore bodies in the upper two levels
are known as Brown Ore and comprise brown
massive, fairly soft and porous chromite. The
former type is enclosed partly or completely within
ultramafics while the later type occurs surrounded
by limonitised silicified rocks. The reserve of
chromite in this block is estimated at 98 million
tonnes up to a depth of 200m.
2. Kaliapani: It is the northern extension of TISCOs
Bhimtagar block and is owned by M/s. OMC Ltd.
The estimated reserve of chromite up to a depth of
200m is 25.00 million tonnes.
3. Sukrangi (21 03 : 85 49): This block is owned
by OMC Ltd. The chromite here is coarse grained
and is of lumpy type. The ore bodies are in the
form of lenticular to tabular sheet and vary in
thickness from 3 to 7m. The estimated reserve of
chromite up to 200m depth is 7.50 million tonnes.
Saruabil (2104: 8548): The ore body in this Mahagiri range, some chromite occurrences are also
block is under exploitation by M.L.Jain & Co. Here
the deposits comprise a number of closely spaced
bodies occurring at different levels. The prominent
ore body is tabular and consists of grey and brown
varieties of ore extending discontinuously for strike
length of about 3km, from east of Saruabil village
up to west of Saruabil mine camp. Further along
its extension, the ore body pinches out abruptly and
reappears at places. The grey and brown ore bodies
exhibit variable thickness from 8 to 13m and 9 to
21 m respectively. They occur enclosed within
silicified and limonitised sheared ultramafic rocks.
The reserve of chromite in this block is estimated
to be 9 million tonnes up to a depth of about 200m.
GEOL. SURV. IND
Kumardah : The ore bodies of Kumardah block are
mined by M/s. B.C. Mohanty through a number of
quarries. The thickness of ore bodies varies from
0.16 to 2m and comprises grey and brown types of
ore. The shape and disposition of the ore bodies are
highly irregular. The estimated reserve is I 2 million
tonnes up to a maximum depth of 150m.
4. Kalrangi: Situated in the western part of Sukinda
valley, the Kalrangi ore body is under active
exploitation by M/s OMC Ltd. The reserve is
estimated to be 1.5 million tonnes up to a depth of
100m.
5. Talangi: This deposit occurs in the northern part of
Sukinda valley and is being mined by M/s OMC
Ltd. and IDC Ltd. The reserve is estimated to be
13 million tonnes up to a depth of 100m.
6. Gurjang (21 04; 85 47) Kuiposi (21 04: 85
49): In this area the ore bodies are lenticular, thin
and discontinuous. The ore is soft, porous and
brown type. It is sporadically distributed within
limonitised and silicified rocks. To the southwest
of Kuiposi, a chromite body comprising grey type
of ore occurs with average thickness of 10m being
surrounded by limonitised and silicified rocks. The
ore bodies are worked by M/s OMC Ltd. and
FACOR. The chromite reserve is estimated to be
2.83 million tonnes up to a depth of 100m.
7. Ostapal: It is located in northern part of the Sukinda
valley. Here the reserve of chromite is estimated at
5.55 million tonnes.
Dhenkanal District
The western part of Sukinda ultramafic complex
extends into Dhekanal District. Towards south, beyond
reported from around Bhuban area.
The other chromite occurences in Dhenkanal District
are described below:
1. Katpal (21 01 : 85 43) : The ultrabasic rock
bodies covering an area of 0.4 sq.km comprises a
chrome rich serpentinised suite and an unaltered
orthopyroxenite. The chromite bodies are lenticular
(4 to 64m long and 2 to 8m wide). The ore analyses
59 61% Cr2O3 and 10-13% total iron. The mines
of these areas are owned by OMC and FACOR and
the total reserves have been estimated at 2 million
tonnes up to a depth of 60m.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
2. Maulabhanj Parbat (2055: 8540): About 1.5km
SSE of Maulabhanj Parbat near Bhuban, chromite
ore occurs in sack-form masses or in interbedded
chromite-chert and chromite-serpentinite bodies.
The reserves is estimated at 0.1 million tonnes.
3. Asurbandh (2053: 8547): To the NNE of
Asurbandh village, chromite occurs as
dissemination and small pockety concentrations in
chert and within ultramafic bodies.
4. Birasal (2100: 8541): About 2.5km NNE of
Birasal village, a chromite ore body, measuring
62m 14m, occurs within serpentinised dunite.
5. Ghotringa (2103: 8541): North of the Ghotringa
village, along the foot of a quartzite hill, small
occurrences of chromite ore in the form of thin
bands and layers within greenish quartzite have
been reported. This occurrence is thought to be
sedimentary type.
6. Kandragadia area: Low grade chromite ore of
irregular disposition occur in silicified and
lateritised ultramafic rocks southwest of Keshpal
and range in size from 1m 1m to 100m 5.7m.
The ore bodiesare steeply dipping.
Kendujhar District
Nuasahi Belt (2015: 8618to 2020: 8620): The much as 200m with an average width of 5m and have
ultramafic rocks in the Nuasahi area in Kendujhar
District have intruded a sequence of metasedimentariy
lithounits of Iron Ore Supergroup. The later is folded
into an anticline plunging NNE and the stratiform
ultramafics occupy the outer part of this antiformal
structure. The ultramafic body might have intruded as a
sill and was later cofolded along with the host
metasedimentary lithounits or may be a phacolith.
The ultramafic rocks were later invaded by gabbro-
anorthosite rocks which disrupted the chromite seams.
The ultramafic bodies form a NNE-SSW trending
deposit and the chromite ore bodies are stretched apart
into isolated pods following the same alignment. Later
dolerite dykes cross-cut the ultramafics as well as the
associated chromite bodies.
Mine Mining Agency
Baula FACOR
Nuasahi Serrajudin & Co.
Bangur OMC Ltd.
Phulijhar OMC Ltd
TOTAL
41
Two phases of ultramafic intrusives have been
identified in the area; the dunite-chromitite representing
the older phase and the peridotite pyroxenite, the
younger phase. The dunite-chromitite phase is composed
of serpentinite, talc-tremolite rock, talc schist and calc-
serpentinite rocks. The peridotite pyroxenite phase
includes pyroxenite, olivine-orthopyroxenite,
harzburgite, wherlite and lherzolite.
The chromite ore bodies are tabular in form and
occur in six levels interlayered with thick zones of dunite
and chromitite. The ore in general is of metallurgical grade
with Cr2O3 varying between 40 and 50% and Cr/Fe ratio
ranging between 2.5 to 3.6.
Chromite occurs both as local concentrations and
dissemination almost throughout the ultramafic body.
The ore bodies are restricted to the serpentinised and
highly altered horizons and do not form continuous
seams; instead these bodies occur in form of disjointed
bands with pronounced lateral and vertical
displacements. The ore bodies spread over a strike length
of 3km in N-S direction and often show branching. Pinch
and swell structures are common. The length of the
individual lenses varies from a couple of meters to as
NW SE to NNW SSE strike with moderate easterly
dip.
The ore commonly occurs as thin seams and also as
lenses, sack form bodies, pockets, thin stringers and as
disseminations.
Important chromite mines in the Nuasahi ultramafic
belt along with the name of the mining agencies vis a
vis their reserve of chromite are listed below:
Gobardhanpur: A narrow zone of ultramafic rocks,
occurring in between two ridges of banded chert, has
been reported from the area lying to the NE of
Gobardhanpur located at about 15 km east of the Sukinda
ultramafic belt. The area is covered by extensive laterite.
Maximum Depth Reserve (in million tonnes)
175m 4.00
100m 2.2
2.00
0.072
8.272
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42
Balasore District
Small outcrops of ultramafic rocks are exposed in
and around Bhalukasoni (2129: 8642) area under
Nilgiri subdivision of Balasore district. Ultramafic rocks
comprising serpentinised dunite, peridotite and
pyroxenite largely under soil and laterite cover occur
intermittently spreading over an area of 1.8m 800m.
A 100m long E-W trench has exposed two chromite ore
bodies on its either end, the dimensions being 500m
3.5m 4.5m and 5.5m 2m 3.3m. A reserve of the
order of 1550 tonnes was estimated with massive and
spotted type of chromite with Cr2O3 content ranging from
25.77 to 54.76%. These chromite occurrences along with
the associated ultramafic rocks are considered to be
xenolithic bodies lying within a plutonic mass of
gabbroic rocks.
Koraput District
Occurrences of low grade lumpy ferruginous
chromite ore with low silica and high alumina (suitable
for refractory industry) was reported from 3km south of
Ramagiri (1841: 8215) and adjoining areas in
Koraput District. The area is covered by soil and laterite.
Large scale mapping, pitting and sampling carried out
by GSI reveals that the chromite bearing ultramafic rocks
occur as discontinuous patches and altered to talc-
chlorite schist. The chromite forms neither distinct bands
nor pockets but is distributed throughout the altered
ultrabasics as disseminated grains. The main outcrop is
200m long and 1.5m wide and extends in NNW SSE
to N-S direction. The Cr2O3 content varies from 24.07%
to 27.49%.
Sundargarh District
Bhaludungri area (2151: 8450): A number of
small intrusive patches of ultrabasic rocks comprising
pyroxenite and peridotite occur as isolated mounds and
elongated hillocks within Bonai Granite around
Bhaludungri and neighboring areas in Sundargarh
district (Toposheet no. 73C/13). The rocks were tested
for its Cr and Ni contents by soil sampling and pitting.
The analytical results show chromium content to vary
from 6000 to 9500 ppm and nickel content from 2000 to
25000 ppm. A few random soil samples over these
ultrabasics have analyzed up to 2500ppm Cr and 400
ppm Ni.
GEOL. SURV. IND
Gemstones
The Eastern Ghats Granulite belt comprising mainly
khondalite-charnockite suite of rocks and their variants,
intruded locally by mafic-ultramafic suites, anorthosites,
alkaline rocks, potassic granites, pegmatites and quartz
veins host most of the gemstone of the state. Although
resource potential of gemstone in Odisha is very high,
no systematic assessment has been attempted yet in order
to arrive at a reliable reserve estimate. The following is
a distribution wise description of the gemstone
occurrences in Odisha.
Kalahandi District
The best quality gems of Odisha have so far been
recovered from several important gem tracts lying within
this district. The 25km long Jilingdhar- Hinjilibahal belt
is the most important for contributing the best quality
ruby. It occurs in the eluvial zone of altered meta-
pyroxenite particularly at its contact with granite gneiss
marked by a zone of actinolite tremolite vermiculite
being traversed by quartz vein. This ruby prospect is
presently under active exploitation. The recovered ruby
is mostly red to blood red in colour and is of excellent
quality.
Cordierite gneiss of Orhabahal-Urharanga area
occurring in the form of discontinuous bodies of different
dimensions within migmatised khondalite is the source
area of deep blue dichroic iolite.
Alluvials overlying the contact zone of calc-granulite
and granite gneiss as well as the pegmatites traversing
the calc-granulites of Ghatspara-Singjharan areas yield
Hessonite garnet and zircon.
Simple pegmatites traversing the xenoliths of
pyroxene granulites within granites have recorded to
yield chrysoberyl and cats eye in Sirjapali-Tundla areas.
Rhodolite and almandine garnets occur associated
with meta-pelitic schists and garnet pyribolite in
Banjipadar-Sargiguda sector. Besides, occurrence of blue
opaque corundum, enstatite, cats eye, apatite and
aquamarine has also been recorded from these areas.
Bolangir District
Several important gemstone tracts occurring within
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
the Eastern Ghats granulite terrain of this district has
yielded many good quality gems. Occurrences of
emerald, topaz, heliodor and aquamarine associated with
low-dipping unzoned pegmatites emplacing granite
gneiss are known from Ghuchepara-Antarla sector.
Similarly, Chrysoberyl and Cats eye associated with
simple pegmatites (disintegrated and partly lateritised)
emplacing gneissic country rock are recovered from
Ghumsar-Dehli belt.
Zoned pegmatites intruding the gneisses and calc-
granulites of the famous Muribahal Tentelkhunita
sector carry respectively chrysoberyl and orange, brown
and yellow zircons. Besides, occurrences of aquamarine,
topaz and amethyst have also been recorded from this
belt. Zoned pegmatites intruding meta ultramafites along
Sanaibahal- Suklimuri sector carry green beryl,
aquamarine, heliodor and amethyst.
Sonepur District
Several important gemstone tracts lie in this district,
the important ones being Badmal-Mursundi and Binika-
Sonepur. The former extends from Birmaharajpur in the
south up to Badmal in the north and beyond spreading
over an area of 350 sq.km. More than 200 pegmatite
bodies emplaced within the Eastern Ghats Supergroup
rocks comprising garnetiferous granite gneiss, mafic
granulite and calc-granulite have been delineated. Many
of them are gem bearing particularly greenish blue to
sea blue aquamarine. A linear belt extending from Binika
upto Sonepur on the right bank of River Mahanadi
covering an area of about 50 sq km exposes garnetiferous
granite gneiss and migmatites. Gemstones including
garnet, cats eye, topaz, smoky quartz and diamond are
recovered from the colluvial zones in this area and the
gravel beds of Mahanadi River. Excellent quality
rhodonite garnets occur at the contact of pegmatites with
garnetiferous granite gneiss and mica schist at
Naktamunda-Siali areas in this district.
Sambalpur District
Pegmatites emplaced within Khondalite suite of
rocks (Eastern Ghats Belt), yield aquamarine at Charbati-
Beldihi near Rairakhol. Heliodor have also been reported
from this area. Aquamarine, gem quality garnets
(rhodolite and almandine), iolite and amethyst occur
associated with pegmatites and quartz veins intruding
the Eastern Ghats Supergroup rocks at Bagdhapa-Tablai.
43
Occurrences of garnet at the contact of quartzo-
feldspathic gneiss and amphibolites have also been
recorded. In the similar setting, red opaque corundum,
pyrope garnet, iolite, green tourmaline and aquamarine
occur associated with pegmatites at Meghpal-
Ranchipada areas, the most important of these being the
rare occurrence of alexandrite in biotite schist developed
along the contact of granite pegmatite and peridotite.
Nuapada District
Transparent to light blue sapphire occurs associated
with syenite pegmatite bodies traversing the amphibolite
and meta-pyroxenites in Katamal Babebir-Amera
sector. Sapphire is mostly removed from the colluvial
zone. Occurrences of iolite and almandine garnets mostly
within the colluvial and also in association with biotite
schist developed at the contact of quartzofeldspathic
gneiss and amphibolite has also been recorded from
Damjhar-Burhpara-Mantritarai lying close to the above
sapphire belt.
Migmatised garnet pyribolite enclaves within Bastar
Gneisses of Sardhapur-Patialpada are the source of gem
quality pink and red garnets. Minor occurrences of blue
iolite and fibrolite have been recorded from these areas.
Recently, occurrences of lamproite bodies, the primary
rock for diamond have been recorded at Kalamidadar
and Amlidadar areas in this district.
Rayagada District
Pegmatite bodies emplaced within khondalites and
the colluvial zone yield chrysoberyl and cats eye in
Paikdakulguda-Hatamuniguda areas.
Besides, chrysoberyl is also reported to have
associated with the pegmatite bodies of Karla Ghatsi -
Karanjgurha areas in this district.
Occurrence of sillimanite, cats eye has been
recorded in weathered colluvial zone overlying the zone
of khondalite and quartzo-felspathic gneiss in Irukubadi-
Tarhama.
Boudh District
Gem quality garnets, chrysoberyl, cats eye, topaz,
zircon, moonstone, agate and diamond are being
recovered from the gravel beds of Mahanadi River
overlying augen gneiss between Boudh and Ramagarh.
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44
Similar gravel beds spread over an area of about
45sq.km along Tel River between Kantamal and
Manundo have been reported to yield garnets, topaz,
cats eye, iolite, tourmaline and diamond.
In addition, gem quality tourmaline occurs
associated with pegmatite bodies from Bargocha area
in this district.
Angul District
Good quality garnet (rhodolite) and corundum occur
in ambhibolite and quartz-mica-kyanite schist
association along Magarmuhan-Jhilli- Nuagan belt. It
has been observed that garnet is found in mica rich zone
and corundum with kyanite rich zone.
Deogarh District
Occurrences of hessonite and rhodolite have been
recorded over a long belt along Budido - Palsma
Jharpost confined to the contact of amphibolite with
garnetiferous gneiss and quartz-sillimanite schist
respectively.
Jharsuguda District
A zoned pegmatite body of about 50m length
emplaced within an assemblage of porphyritic granite
gneiss, amphibolite and schists at Bagdihi hosts good
quality green tourmaline.
Phulbani District
Occurrencec of chrysoberyl and cats eye associated
with pegmatites are reported from Belghar areas.
There are also reported occurrence of diamond in
the gravel beds of Mahanadi basin. Recently primary
rocks for diamond such as lamproite has been discovered
in Kalamidadar in Nuapada District, Odisha. Although
resource potential of gemstones in Odisha is expected
to be high, it has not yet been possible to arrive at a
reliable reserve estimate in any category.
Glass Sand
Cuttack District
The Gondwana sandstones occurring around Naraj
(2028: 8546) include some fine-grained varieties of in bulk samples. Gold content ranges from 0.1 to 0.6 g/
sand suitable for manufacture of glassware.
GEOL. SURV. IND
Dhenkanal District
Kolhan sandstone occurring in the Shialari Pahar
(2131: 8515) and in the hill NE of Kamparkala
(2122: 8514) appears suitable for glass making.
Kendujhar District
White, granular and friable sandstone, suitable for
glass manufacture, occurs on hill 1432 (2115: 8617).
Koraput district
A band of pure, white quartzite, suitable for glass
manufacture, occurs near Dalapur (1846: 8219).
Mayurbhanj district
A large reserve of glass sand is available from the
highly friable quartzite occurring around Panijia (2203:
8641) and east of Souri (2203: 8640).
Gold
Gold occurrences of Odisha are confined to mainly
placers, though there is evidence of old mining activity
in the northern parts of Odisha, adjoining Bihar.
Occurrence of alluvial gold has been recorded in almost
all the districts of Odisha and panning of the stream
sediments in the major rivers has yielded gold.
Angul District
Washing for gold has been reported from Tikiria and
Ouli rivers. River gravels near Katni, Dolia and
Gundichanali are also washed for gold. Panning activity
for gold in Ramiala and Betali streams are also on record.
Kendujhar District
Panning of the stream sediments in the 1st and 2nd
order nalas draining the laterite crust capping, the
metavolcanics of Iron Ore Group rocks in southern part
of Bonai-Kendujhar belt around Kanjipani and Salaikana
(2125 ; 8523) has shown incidence of gold. GSI
carried out investigation by drilling for primary gold in
the metavolcanics of Salaikana area near Telkoi which
revealed gold content less than 0.5 g/t in core as well as
tonne in other samples. In one borehole gold values of
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
0.6 to 1.2 g/tonne were recorded in four samples of
sulphide bearing metabasite. In the southern sector,
strong gold anomaly in soil over basal quartz-pebble-
conglomerate horizon resting over Singhbhum Granite
has been reported over a strike length of 10km. A total
strike length of 900m of the main quartz reef of Gopur
indicated persistent gold value of 1 g/tonne. In the
southern block, a richer auriferous lode of 60m length
with an average width of 1m was delineated with gold
value varying from 2.5 to 10g/tonne. In the central
portion a 4m wide lode indicated an average grade of
1.9 g/tonne of Au. The gravel bed near Hanumanthia
nala is reported to contain approximately 0.2gm of Au
per cu.m. Besides, extensive gold panning activity has
been reported from Sunajhar and Rangadhi areas of this
district.
Identification of palaeo-placer zone located at about
10 km north of Telkoi and 3km NNW of Salaikana
appears to be a potential block for searching gold
mineralization. Auriferous quartz veins are massive as
well as brecciated, concordant to foliation and tend to
occur in parallel sets in schistose to phyllitic host rocks
of both volcanogenic and sedimentary parentage.
Placer gold has been reported from Bangir nala
which drains the eastern and southern part of the hill
range containing epidiorite and quartz vein of Iron Ore
Group, NNW of Sonapenth (2115:8545),
Gopinathpur (2115: 85 47) and Bamnipal (2701; shows of mineralisation in form of visible gold in quartz
85 58).
Koraput district
Gold has been reported from Dasamantapur (1840;
8225) and Kollaru(1834: 8227) areas.
Incidence of gold specks is also reported in the bed
of Kurlu nala. An auriferous tract of about 15 sq.km
occurring around Bhattigunda, Dadigunda and
Malayguda in Kolab River catchment area has been
identified. Another tract of 200 sq km was delineated
between Dasamatapur and Govindpalle (1835: 8217),
falling within the catchments areas of Garia nadi and
Jam nadi. The bedrock samples collected yield negligibly
low assay values for gold. Alluvial gold in the form of
dust and fine specks occur associated with magnetite,
ilmenite and garnet. Gold mineralisation as
dissemination has been observed both in quartz vein and
granulitic country rocks in this area. Preliminary
45
sampling in part of Koraput District indicated auriferous
nature (around 1g/tonne) of some of quartz veins hosted
by Bengpal Group of rocks.
Mayurbhanj District
Gold mineralisation has been suspected around
Jashipur (2226: 8612), Suriagora (2225: 8615),
Gohaldongri (2224: 8620), Ruansi, Munisahi,
Bijatola and Kalimati areas where there are evidences
of old mining as well as local panning activity. A few
old pits and shafts have been reported in the area. The
area forms a part of Gorumahisani greenstone belt,
which is the southern extension of gold-hosting
Kunderkucha belt ofJharkhand. Based on gold
anomalies obtained from stream sediment heavies a
total of eight prospective blocks have been delineated
in this belt. Epigenetic shear zone types of
mineralisation with quartz stringers are quite common
in these blocks. These shear zones are parallel to the
F 3 axial surface of the schist belt rocks. Surface
exploration carried out in some of the blocks has
indicated significant geochemical anomalies in terms
of Au, Cu and As over strike length ranging from 600m
to 1.5km. Surface sampling over limited areas showed
0.1 to 2.5 g/t of Au over 1 to 2m width in bed rock.
However, scout drilling results from some of the blocks
yielded rather lean gold assay values (0.1 to 2.6 g/t of
Au over 0.5 to 0.9m ). But at the same time rich surface
vein has locally been noticed. In Sulaipet area
systematic sampling of a 2.3km long pyrite bearing and
uraniferous polymictic conglomerate horizon resting
over volcanics indicates low gold values (0.1 to 0.8 g/t
of Au), only one sample yielding 1.9 g/t. of Au.
The lithounits are mainly basic metavolcanics
associated with talc-tremolite schist, phyllite, micaceous
meta-pyroxenite and metachert. Investigation carried out
in recent years by GSI in Jashipur, Ruansi and Suriagera
areas indicated assay values of 0.1 to 0.2 g/t of gold in a
few metavolcanic and metachert samples. Panning
brought out visible gold in a few samples. Occurrences
of gold are found near Kudersai (2226: 8617) and
Sigora at the headwaters of the Borai river. Similar
occurrences are also reported in the near vicinity of
Ruansi and Gohaldungri (2204:8620) along the Godia
stream. Nuggets weighing between 23.25 to 31.1 gm
are obtained from a gravel bed in the neighbourhood of
Gohaldungri.
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46
Sundargarh district
Minor occurrences of alluvial gold have been
reported from the areas near Giringkela (2208: 8350)
and Suriagera of Himgiri taluk. The gravels of rivers Ib
and Brahmani and some of their tributaries are washed
for gold by local people. The important occurrences are
near Jareikela (2219: 8506) along Koel and Brahmani
rivers and near Raghunathpalli (2214; 8448),
Sargipalli (2203: 8355), Kusumura (2218: 8402) planes of the host rocks and at places, in shear zones
and Sarbahal on the Ib river. Auriferous gravel bed
consisting of pebbles of quartz and haematite quartzite
is washed for gold along the Brahmani river at Bonai
(2149: 8457), Kuljhar (2159: 8454) and persist down dip to considerable depth. The lensoid
Sialkundar (2155: 8452).
Sambalpur district
Reported occurrences of gold in this district include
those from near Tahud (2136: 8402), Soramohan
(2186: 8413), Dantamure (2443: 8356) and
Hirakud (2132: 8356).
Graphite
Odisha continues to be the leading producer of
graphite accounting for 67% (IBM, 1999) of the
countrys total production. Graphite is reported to have
been produced as early as in 1937 in Lahakhan in the
then Bolangir State (now Bolangir district). Around that
time, a beneficiation plant was set up at Titlagarh by the
Patna State Graphite Mining Company. Sargipalli mine
in Sambalpur district, was developed in 1945. Today,
there are 120 subsisting mining leases in the State
covering a total area of 5705 hectares. Production-wise,
Bolangir District heads the list with about 44% of the
total production of the state followed by the districts of
Sambalpur (26%) and Phulbani (23%). The total graphite
resource of Odisha state is 2.46 million tonnes.
Almost the entire production of high grade graphite
is contributed by Sargipalli underground mine in
Baragarh District. Bulk of the production of graphite in
the state is, however, of low grade containing less than
25% fixed carbon. The run of the mill ore is amenable
to beneficiation upgrading the FC content to as high as
96%. There are as many as 24 beneficiation plants in
the state distributed in the districts of Bolangir,
Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Phulbani, Nayagarh, Puri,
Rayagada and Dhenkanal.
GEOL. SURV. IND
Graphite mineralisation is restricted to khondalite
suite and its migmatised equivalents. The graphite is
crystalline and flaky and occurs in disseminated state
with varying proportion especially in garnet-quartz-
sillimanite-graphite schists. Workable concentration
results through the process of remobilisation and
epigenetic enrichment in migmatised khondalite. The
deposits are in the form of bands, en-echelon veins and
lenses usually disposed conformably to the foliation
and hinge zones of folds suggesting both lithological
and structural controls of localisation. Usually, the band
type deposits have strike continuity of 100 500m and
bodies have limited extension both along and across the
strike. The graphite deposits occur invariably at shallow
depth, within 30m from the surface, just below the soil
and laterite cover. The maximum thickness recorded is
11.70m. The ore zone is often intercalated with grey
clay partings.
The graphite occurrences in state are geographically
distributed in six belts, viz, Sargipalli, Titlagarh,
Tumudibandh, Nishikal, Muniguda and Dhandatapa
belts covering an area of about 15,500 sq.km.
1. Sargipalli Belt
The belt is 65km long and 25km wide covering parts
of Baragarh and Bolangir districts. Graphite deposits
occur in association with quartz-feldspar-garnet-
sillimanite schist/gneiss particularly at the contact zones
of migmatite, granite gneisses and pegmatites. The
deposits appear to be epigenetic in origin and are
structurally controlled along the foliation, fracture planes
and fault zones. Concentration of graphite pockets is
more localised at the closure part of the tight isoclinal
fold (F1) near Turekela and open folds (F2) near Bagdor
and Gorgarbahal. The graphite appears to be
hydrothermal vein filling in en-echelon shear fractures.
Total reserve of graphite comes to be 1.19mt (both
probable and possible categories), with average grade
13.35% fixed carbon and 2.27 bulk density. A majority
of the graphite deposits in Sargipalli belt is distributed
at Sargipalli (2054: 8305) Danga Chancha (2054;
8303) and Temrimal of Baragarh district and Raju-
Nagphena (203030: 8245), Baudan (203950:
824925), Gangadar R.F. (2041: 825715) and
Banjipali area of Bolangir district. They form two
prominent, more or less linear zones, namely Sargipalli
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 47

Bagmura zone and Darshamunda Jamki and Belghar (1955: 8387) area of Phulbani district
(202610:824555) zone both lying parallel to the and Muniguda (1937: 8330) area of Rayagada district.
regional foliation trend. The graphite deposits at Tumudibandh mines produce rich graphite (F.C. 45-60)
Dharuakhaman Jamki in Bolangir District are localized bodies in this belt in which they occur mostly in the
in the closure region of a synformal fold of regional scale form of small lenses and veins. About 50 graphite
forming a potential graphite bearing area. Besides, minor occurrences have so far been located in this belt, main
clusters of graphite bodies are also noted at Manbham concentration being at Tumudibandh Belghar
in Sambalpur, Komna in Nuapada District and Salepali Muniguda Jagdalpur (1945 : 833345), Laxmipur
in Bolangir District. (1900: 830730) and Gumma (191045: 8320)
areas.
A majority of the graphite producing mines in
Bolangir District are located around Turekela
(202956: 824757") at Nagphena, Bendar R.F., 4. Nishikal Kinchikhal Belt
Bonaimal, Ganjapadar (2034: 8245), Bangipal This belt being the southwestern continuation of
(2029: 8248) and Dudukamal (203403; Tumudibandh belt spreads over an area of 190 sq.km
825005). bounded by lat. 1910 1920and long. 8308 8317.
The graphite occurrences in this belt are associated with
manganese. Both cryptocrystalline and phenocrystalline
2. Titlagarh Belt graphite occur as dissemination in pockets, clots, veins,
This belt bounded by Lat 2000 to 2028N and lenses and bands along the foliation planes and axial
Long. 8300 to 8335E planes indicating two generation of graphite
mineralisation. The sheared contact zone of khondalite
covering parts of Bolangir and Kalahandi districts and granite/migmatite contains richer concentration of
is 55km long and 40km wide. Graphite occurs as bands, graphite. The frequency of distribution of graphite bodies
lenses and pockets in garnetiferous quartzites and granite appears to be related to shearing and migmatisation. The
gneiss at Chandatora (2020:8317) and Kansa (2023: graphite bodies are mainly composed of flakes of
8324) and Beniabandu, west of Saintala (2026: graphite. Their massive appearance is due to closely
8321). Three prominent mineralised zones running spaced flakes. The grade is highly erratic even in the
along WNW-ESE have also been marked between same body. The F.C. content varies from 5 to 15% in the
Malisira (200025: 832510), Sialgolingi disseminated type and to about 40% in the graphite
(202245: 830920) and Pampur-Madanpur schist.
(201200: 830100)areas. Presently, graphite is being
mined mainly at Malisira, although there are not less
than 32 abondoned quarries and pits in the belt, the 5. Muniguda belt
important ones being at Boroni (2022: 8311), This 38km long NE-SW trending belt lies in parts
Sialgolingi, Fulmati (2017: 831015), Singhjharan of Rayagada and Phulbani districts. The width of this
(2014: 8315), Dengasurgi (2011: 832515), etc. belt varies between 10km and 25km. Graphite here is
Besides there are at least 60 occurrences of graphite mostly flaky and amorphous in nature and commonly
where quarrying has not yet been undertaken. found as pockety concentrations or disseminations
within migmatised khondalite and along the contacts of
Ground geophysical survey carried out in this belt khondalite with granite and/or leptynite, and along
has picked up significant anomalies in Ghusuriamunda structural weak planes such as fold closures, shears etc.
and Malisira areas. Individual graphite lenses have length varying between
few metres and 500 m and width from few cm. to 1m.
Important localities of graphite occurrence in this belt
3. Tumudibandh belt are Berhsagaon (1953: 8330), Durhugi (1953;
This belt covers a major part of Phulbani and parts 8325), Karlagi (1952:8334), Katikhole (1948;
of Rayagada, Kalahandi and Gajapati districts lying 8334), Jagdalpur (1940: 8330), Turukripa (1942:
between Lat. 1845to 2000N and Long. 8345to 8333),Mandurpalli (1945:8334), Sunmudra (1943
8400E. Major mining activity is around Tumudibandh : 8334), Kalupadar (1942: 8322), Talchalinala
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48 GEOL. SURV. IND

(1934: 8329), Bhalipadmpur (1938 : 8332), are in Bonai range viz. Khandadhar, Malangtoli,
Maniguda (1935: 8333), Khariaguda (1936: Dandrahar Pahar, Taldih, Kalta, Basada, Baliapahar,
8341), and Saleguda (1944: 8332). Badamgarh Pahar, Hitikuda, Rakmo, Daringburu and
Barsuan.
6. Dhandatapa Belt In Mayurbhanj district, iron ore deposits are located
This 40km long and 10km wide belt lies to north of in Badampahar, Sulaipat and Gorumahisani areas over
the Mahanadi river and is bounded by Lat. 2037to a stretch of 40km.
2100and Long. 8415 8445. Graphite occurrences
of this belt are distributed in Akharkata (205030: Daitari hill is the only iron ore deposit in Jajpur
8430), Adeswar (202330: 8430), Girida (2053: district.
8433) and Kamalpur (202330: 8430) blocks falling
under Athamallick sub-division of Angul district. A reserve of 2.65m.tonnes of iron ore containing
60% Fe has been estimated near Hirapur Hill, 8 km SSW
Ground geophysical survey by S.P.method for of Umarkot in Nawarangpur district.
graphite carried out during field seasons 1964-66 helped
in picking up significant anomalies in Adeswar The chief protore which gives rise to iron ore deposits
Aharkata Ambasarmunda (205145: 843515) and by supergene residual enrichment process is the banded
Girida blocks. The F.C. % of graphite in this belt ranges haematite jasper/ quartzite of Precambrian age. They are
between 50 to 68. In Dhandatapa area (2048: 8436) found in two distinct geological associations namely (i)
graphite is localized at the contact of khondalite, with the Badampahar Group of rocks in Badampahar belt,
quartzite, calc-silicate with granite gneiss as well as comprising highly metamorphosed volcanic rocks of
within pegmatite bodies. The graphite occurs as flakes mafic-ultramafic composition and metachert-quartzite
and dissemination within the host rock in form of and, (ii) with the less metamorphosed rocks of the Koira-
pockets, clots, veins and stringers. Noamundi Group. The former is chiefly found in
Badampahar-Gorumahisani area in Mayurbhanj District
In addition to the major graphite occurrences along and Daitari area in Jajpur District. The Iron ore formations
above six prominent belts, smaller occurrences of the Koira-Noamundi Group are associated with shales
associated with migmatised khonda-lite are known from and tuffs which are exposed as a major low north plunging
Adash area of Deogarh district and Daspalla area of horse-shoe shaped synclinorium constituting the Bonai
Nayagarh district. Kendujhar belt.

The ore is usually massive, hard, compact and steel

Iron Ore
Odisha has vast reserves of high grade iron-ore with
average Fe content of over 60%. The State accounts for
about 15.79% of iron ore production of the country.
Production-wise, Keonjhar district heads the list
(61.66%) in the state, followed by Sundargarh (31.37%),
Cuttack (4.22%) and Mayurbhanj (2.74%) districts.
The state has a total iron ore reserve of 3360 million
tonne of all grades varying from 55 to 66% Fe. In Keojhar
district, important iron ore bearing areas are Thakurani
Pahar, Sidhamat Parbat, Durga Parbat, Joda east and
west, Banspani Pahar, Dal Pahar, north and west of
Kurband, Jhiling Pahar, Longlota Pahar, Guali, Kiriburu,
Kalta and Gandhamardan.
In Sundargarh district, the notable iron ore deposits
grey to dark and brownish black in colour. The different
varieties include (i) hard ores (steel grey to brownish,
massive and laminated), (ii) moderately hard ore
(laminated), (iii) soft ores (flaky, friable and powdery),
and (iv) lateritic ores. There is no sharp line of division
between different ore types and any one type passes on
gradually into another type. A large part of the ore minerals
consists of haematite (martite) with subordinate amount
of magnetite and other oxides/ hydrated oxides (goethite)
of iron. The iron ore and/or the haematite bearing rocks
are weathered on the surface, giving rise to occasional
pockets of limonitic ore, but are generally lateritised
yielding large cappings of laterite and/or Kanga.
Hard ore is thinly bedded and includes lumpy as
well as laminated types. It exhibits variation in thickness
between 3 m and 4.5m as seen from the borehole data.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
The chemical composition of hard ore shows variation
in the content of Fe2O3 from 59.60 to 69.50%, SiO2 0.13
to 3.40% and Al2O3 0.17 to 7.14%. The soft ore has two
varieties; (a) friable laminated type called friable or
biscuity ore which is laminated conspicuously and
appears to contain large percentage of admixed clays,
(b) loose granular powdery ore with greater percentage
of fresh haematite grains nearly devoid of the silica is
termed as blue dust. The flaky friable ore comprises
alternately interbanded thin laminae (less than 1mm to
5mm thick) of iron ore minerals plus considerable
amount of void space. Blue dust is composed of
unconsolidated dusty material comprising predominantly
of iron ore minerals. It shows perfect bedding and
laminations and crumples down when slightly disturbed.
Chemically, blue dust is more akin to hard ore.
Sundargarh district
Malangtoli Block: This block comprises a group of
13 deposits spread over an area of about 20 sq.km. The
deposits occupy the southeastern part of the horseshoe
synclinorium and are associated with BHJ. A total
reserve of 608 million tonne with average 63% Fe has
been estimated. The ore types include massive, hard,
soft laminated, powdery and lateritic with some localized
Kanga patches.
Barsuan Block: Barsuan along with Taldih and
Kalta blocks constitute the principal sources of chief
raw material for Rourkela Steel Plant. The ore body is
associated with BHJ/BHQ and ferruginous shale, which
strike in NE-SW direction, and are completely folded,
District Deposit
Kendujhar Thakurani
Mankarnacha
Katamati
Jajang (Rungta mines)
Jiling Longlata
Sundargarh Kalta
Khandadhar
Badamgarh Pahar
Balia Pahar
District wise Iron ore reserves in the state are as follows:
District Reserves in million tonnes
Jajpur 46
Kendujhar 2555
Sundargarh 742
Mayurbhanj 15
Nawrangpur 2 60.62
Total 3360 million tonnes
49
lateritised and irregularly enriched. The average
thickness of ore bodies is 48.8m. The ore types include
massive, laminated (hard and soft), lateritic and blue
dust. The ore consists predominantly of haematite with
goethite association. A total mineable reserve of 139
million tonnes has been estimated with an average
content of 61% Fe.
Bolani Block: Two parallel iron ore bearing BHQ
bands trending NNE-SSW with northeasterly dips at
moderate to steep angles are exposed in this block
separated by laterite and underlain by tuffaceous
material. A total of 10 ore bodies have been delineated
along these bands and a proved reserve of 292 million
tonnes and indicated reserve of 134 million tonnes have
been estimated. Bulk of the ore at Bolani has been
derived from BHQ through the process of oxidation and
supergene enrichment causing migration of silica and
enrichment of iron. The ore types are hard, soft, powdery
(blue dust), friable and lateritic and the grade varies from
58 to 65%.
Kendujhar district
Joda east block: The ore body here occurs in form
of a N-S trending hill ridge constituting a part of the
eastern limb of the Horse Shoe synclinorium. The depth
persistence of ore body has been proved up to 100 m.
The ore reserve estimated is of the order of 170 million
tonnes. Different types of ore include soft/lateritic,
friable/flaky and hard.
Other major deposits of the State are the following:
Reserves (in million tonnes)
324
268
55
121
88
93
50
49
131
Grade range (% of Fe)
63.65
63.66
60.64
60.67
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50
Kyanite
Angul district
A small deposit of Kyanite occurring in association
with mica, tourmaline and iron ore is reported from
Toradanali (21 06:8524) area. It is low in alumina
(<45%) and high in iron (>2% Fe2O3). Other occurrences
are kyanite bearing quartz schist near Magarmuhan,
Jhilli, Golagadia and Sikheswar.
Sundergarh district
Kyanite is known to occur in association with vein
quartz at near Ghoriajhor, Kumbakerra, Bailama,
Chhota-Phiringbahal and Lolabara. Near Salijor (2212:
8421) it occurs associated with talc-tremolite schist
and near Amkhai as pockets and thin bands along the
foot hills of the conglomerate hill. It is also reported
from Kodamunda (22 23: 8432).
Mayurbhanj district
A kyanite-dumortierite deposit is reported to occur
at Panijia (2003: 8640). Other kyanite occurrences
include those near Purnapani (2218: 8618) and
Simlipal (2206: 8629).
Limestone and Dolomite
Odisha is endowed with vast resources of limestone
confined to three distinct geological settings viz;
Gangpur Group, Chattishgarh Super Group and Eastern
Ghats Super Group of rocks besides minor occurrences
associated with Iron ore Supergroup rocks in Kendujhar
district.
Sundergarhgarh district
One of the most important Precambrian limestone
and dolomite deposits of Odisha occurs associated with
Gangpur Group of rocks in this district. The limestone
band consists of an upper calcitic member and lower
dolomitic member. The general structure is described
as a synclinorium.
The major deposits are located at Biramitrapur,
Hatibari, Purnapani in the northern limbs; Lanjiberna,
Gomardiha, Khatkurbahal, Kutra in the Southern limb,
and Dubkbera in the core of the synclinorium.
The average width varies between 609 and 761 m
GEOL. SURV. IND
of which dolomite forms 364m to 457m and limestone
245m to 300m. The limestone is fine to medium grained
and grey in colour. At places it is siliceous and the bands
contain phyllitic intercalations. In mineral composition,
the rock shows all types of transition from a pure
crystalline limestone to calcareous phyllite and mica
schist. The lime content in the rock varies from 30 to
52% while the insoluble and silica show variation from
30 to 35 % and magnesia upto 15%. Alumina and iron
oxide contents never exceed 6 % and 8% respectively.
About one third of the limestone resources is suitable
for use as flux and cement manufacture. The deposit
wise details are given below.:
Biramitrapur
The Biramitrapur formation hosts important
horizons of limestone and dolomite extending over
lengths of 50 km and 96km in the northern and southern
limbs of the synclinorium respectively. The limestone
beds show a general strike varying between E-W and
ENE-WSW with an average dip of 65o due north. The
length of the deposit is 6.4 km with a width variable
between 300m and 400m.The two broad bands, the
northern and southern, are separated by a belt of
dolomitic limestone of width between 152 m and 244m.
The dolomitic limestone analyses CaO-33.58%, MgO-
19.55%, Al2O3-1.3%, Fe2O3-0.80%,SiO2-2.96% and
L.O.I-44.35%.
Lanjiberna
The deposit extends over a strike length of 12.50
km in an E-W direction from Langiberna to Amghats.
The limestone is medium grained, grey to dark grey in
colour. Altogether there are two bands, the northern and
southern bands. Within these bands there are patches of
high magnesia limestone which are rejected in the course
of mining.
Purnapani
The limestone band has an E-W strike length of 1.5
km with a southerly dip of 60 and an average width
varying between 300m and 365m. The northern 180 m
of this band is of good quality, owing to its low magnesia
content varying between 3.5% and 4.1 % and sometimes,
even below 2.5%. The insolubles vary from 6.5% to 10%
and the total alkali (Na2O+K2O) 0.3-0.7%. The average
content of CaO is 46%.
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
Hatibari
The limestone beds extend from the Purunapani
mines of Hindustan Steel limited. In Hatibari lease area
of TISCO, exposures of limestone are seen at two
places, one over an area of 200mx 120m forming a
hillock north of Bajnathpur and the other covering an
area of 400m x 42m. High content of alumina (> 0.3%)
and silica and phyllitic intercalations make it unsuitable
for industrial use and hence the mining has been
abandoned by TISCO.
Pahartoli
Limestone occurs in the area under a thick
overburden. The probable reserve with less than 8%
insoluble is about 100million tones to a depth of 60m.The
deposits are under active exploitation of M/S Bisra
Cement and Lime Ltd.
Dublabera
The dolomite deposit is confined to an area of about
305m x 120 m with an assumed thickness of 2.5 m. The
reserves are estimated to be of the order of 3 million
tonnes.
Gotitanger
The limestone is exposed over a length of about 1.2
km and a width of about 410m in the area between
Tinkantoli and Kinurtoli. It is fairly low in silica (5% -
8.6%) and magnesia ( 2.5% - 6.5%).
Khatukurbahal
The deposit comprises two bands, the southern band
containing good quality limestone while the northern
band is dolomitic. The limestone has a lime content
varying from 42.58% to 45.60% with silica and insoluble
contents varying from 7.58% to 13.24%. The reserve of
limestone and dolomite is 20 million tonnes and 22
million tonnes respectively upto a depth of 30m.
Purkapali
The limestone recorded within an area of 1.64 km x
1.2km. occurs as thin bands associated with phyllite and
mica schists. The lime content varies between 22.28 %
and 31.27%.
51
A reserve of about 30 million tonnes of dolomite is
estimated to be available in Gomardihi (22 12:84 30).
Turmura area contains a reserve of about 12 million
tonnes of dolomite.
Other occurrences include Katang(2214: 8429),
Ludhukutoli (2215: 8425), Kandaimunda (2214:
8426) and Kukurphuka (2212: 8430)
The total estimated reserves of limestone and
dolomite for Sundargarh district are estimated at 491
million tonnes and 387 million tonnes respectively.
Koraput district
Crystalline limestone occurs in discontinuous
lensoidal patches associated essentially with the calc-
granulites of the Khondalite suite of the Eastern Ghats
Super Group in Ampavalli(18 24: 82 58)
Gondivalasa(18 25: 82 59) area. The regional trend
of foliation is N70E-S70W with moderate dip to south.
The limestone is crystalline, white, and grades to impure
calcitic limestone. A total of 42 occurrences have been
delineated. The coarsely calcitic samples are fairly low
in magnesia (0.8%-3.2%), iron oxide (0.34-1.14%),
insoluble (2- 12%) and total alkali content (< 1%). The
general grade of limestone is somewhat impure with CaO
and insoluble contents varying from 41.16% to 50.40%
and 6.48% to 21.72% respectively. A tentative reserve
of 73 million tonnes (proved and possible) has been
estimated to be available in the area.
Malkangiri district
Good quality limestone often containing over 50%
Cao, is found near Kattameta (18 20: 81 42) and
Nandiveda(1819: 8140). It occurs interbanded with
purple shales, slates and quartzite belonging to Indravati
Group over a strike length of 5 km with average width
of 30 m. The formation strikes N-S with low westerly
dip. The limestone is light grey to cream coloured and
varies in thickness from 3m to 6m. The CaO content
varies from 53.36% to less than 2% and SiO2 content
goes upto 14 %. A total reserve of over 240 million
tonnes of blast furnace grade and cement grade has been
estimated.
Nawarangpur district
In Gupteswar-Binsuli (1849: 8210) area,
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52
limestone and dolomite occur in form of linear
discontinuous bands along with shale and quartzite
belonging to the Indravati Group. The limestone is fine
grained and purple in colour. Chemical analysis indicate
its CaO content to range from 41% to 46% and MgO
content to less than 4% and insoluble to about 16%.
Baragarh district
Limestone occurs in a strip of plain country about
16 km long between Dungri(21 42: 83 34) and
Banjipali(21 38:83 30) in form of an asymmetrical
anticline plunging northwest. It is found interbedded
along with shale, sandstone and quartzite. The thickness
of limestone varies from 1.2m to 7.9m, but at south of
Badmal the band attains a maximum thickness of 30m.
The longer limb strikes NNE-SSW with low westerly
dip. The width of the band varies from 50m to 250m.
Kedunjhar district
Dolomite and dolomitic limestone, stromatolitic at
places, occur associated with manganiferous formations
near Bhadrasahi and Kasia.
Nuapada district
Crystalline limestone occurs associated with
Khondalite and quartzite of Eastern Ghats Super Group
of rocks near Khariar.
Manganese
Odisha accounts for one third of the countrys annual
production of manganese and possesses the second
largest recoverable manganese reserve in the country
i.e. 50.36 million tones of all grades, next only to that of
Karnataka (64.55 million tones). The manganese
deposits of Odisha, restricted to the Precambrian rocks,
occur chiefly in four distinct geographic belts: (i) the
Bonai Kendujhar Belt in Sundargarh and Keonjhar
districts, associated with chert-shale sequence and
laterites, (ii) Kuttinga Nishikal Ambadola Patna
belt in Koraput, Kalahandi and Bolangir districts,
associated with Khondalite suite of rocks of the Eastern
Ghats Supergroup, (iii) Ghoriajhor belt (Gangpur Group)
in Sundargarh district associated with Gonditic rocks
and (iv) Bamra subdivision of Sambalpur district
associated with laterite in the metasediments.
GEOL. SURV. IND
The grade of the ore is variable from deposit to
deposit as also from body to body within the same
deposit. High grade (above 45%Mn) and medium grade
(35 to 44.99% Mn) ore constitute roughly 20% of the
total reserve, although about 60% of the total reserve is
of marketable grade. The phosphorous content in the
low-grade ore, ranges from 0.05% to 0.09%, which is
always less than the clearance limit of 0.15%. In the
higher grade ores the phosphorous content rises up to
0.19%. In some of the deposits of the belt, the ore
contains high alumina while others contain high silica.
So, these are classed as high alumina siliceous ores.
1. Bonai Kendujhar Belt: The Bonai Kendujhar
manganese ore belt in North Odisha is well known for
its low phosphorous manganese ore, suitable for
domestic Steel Industry in Eastern India. About 60% of
the States manganese production is achieved from the
Bonai Kendujhar Belt. It is a narrow NNE-SSW
trending belt, approximately 60km long and 25 km wide
and comprises a group of slightly metamorphosed
volcano-sedimentary rock sequence of Precambrian age.
The manganese ore deposits occur scattered over an area
of 500 sq.km bounded by Barbil (22 07; 8523) in the
north; Dubna (2151; 8524) in the south and Bhutura
(2148; 8509) in the southwestern part. There are about
200 (large and small) lensoid deposits most of which
are under active exploitation.
Major manganese ore bodies occur as pockets and
lenses, and veins within lateritoid rocks and lower
lithomerge horizons in the core region of the Horse Shoe
synclinorium. Manganese mineralization occurring
within lower shale below the BIF is possibly of
syngenetic origin. However for the most part, the ore
deposits are epigenetic. The unique feature of the
manganese ore deposits of Bonai Kendujhar belt is
their very low phosphorous content.
Intensive exploration work in this belt so far has
established, a total possible reserve of 29.53 million
tonnes.
2. Kuttinga Nishikal Ambadola Patna belt:
Manganese ore deposits of southern Odisha occurring
in form of discontinuous bands within three parallel
shear zones are mostly confined to Rayagada and
Koraput districts. Nishikal deposit, presently being
worked by M/S Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd., is the
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 53

most potential of all contributing to nearly 70% of the Name of Blocks Reserves Status of reserve
(in million tonne)
total reserve of southern Odisha, but the production is
low due to high phosphorous content in the ores. Most Nishikal Block (North & South) 8.532 Proved
Podakona-Taldodshi Block 3.991 Proved
of the other deposits are ferruginous and hence are of Kutinga Block 1.156 Probable
lower grade (25% to 35% Mn content), excepting a few Devjholla Block 0.062 Probable
which contain ores with more than 40% Mn. Karajolla Block 0.15 Probable
Kashipur, Ranga, Gatigurha 0.27 Probable
Phosphorous content ranges from 0.1 to 0.86%.
Total of all blocks 14.161 million tonnes Proved and Probable
Important deposits occur near Kutinga (1905;
8310), Nishikal (1916; 8313), Podakona, Taldoshi
Bolangir district:
(1907; 831210), Liliguma (1916; 8313), Devjolla
(1908; 831115) in Rayagada, Koraput and The reported occurrences of manganese ore in
Kalahandi districts. Bolangir district are confined to a 25 km long belt
consisting of lateritised schists of Khondalitic suite. The
The manganese ore deposits are confined to the ore bodies occur as bands and pockets with steep dips
Khondalite Group of rocks belonging to Eastern Ghats ranging in width up to 5m. The richest concentrations
Supergroup. The deposits are scattered over a 32km long are found at the contact with calc-granulites.
north south belt having a width varying from 5 to 10km.
The different rock types of the area include khondalite Important deposits of Bolangir district are recorded
sensu stricto (quartz-feldspar-sillimanite-garnet + at Dungaripalli, Bhaludungri (2046; 8321),
graphite gneiss), quartzite, charnockite, calc-silicate, Godashankar (2047;8322) and Kapilabahal
variants of granite gneisses, migmatite, leptynite etc. (2046;8319).. The reserves of important potential
Manganese occurs in three stratigraphic horizons in blocks explored so far are given below:
khondalite, i.e.
Name of the Block Reserve(in million tones)
1. at the contact of khondalite with quartzite 20% cut off grade
2. at or near the junction of khondalite with calc- Khagsabahal Block 0.33
Birpali Block 0.60
silicate rocks and Tabalbanjhi Block 0.28
3. within khondalite. Dungurupali Block 0.42
Dandpani Block 0.47
The ore bodies have trends varying from NNE-SSW Rengali Block 0.37
Uchhabapali Block 0.93
to NNW-SSE with steep dip to southeast. The manganese Babia Block 0.54
ore occurs as (i) massive tabular bodies, alternate bands Thakurpali Block 0.88
and lenses in manganiferous khondalite; (ii) reticulate Tamiya Block 0.97
veins and small pockets of disseminations in brecciated TOTAL 5.79 million tonnes
quartzite and (iii) small lenses and pockets within
laterite. The ore bodies are generally localized close to Sundargarh district
the zones of fracturing and shearing. Different types of
Manganese ore is associated with the gonditic rocks
ores in these deposits are hard, lumpy, streaky, cavity
in a 64 km long belt. The gondite occurs as impersistent
filled, brecciated, friable and clayey. The high grade ores
bodies in mica schist and phyllites of the Gangpur Group.
are usually compact, massive and hard. Siliceous and
The deposits are structurally conformable with the
low grade ores are friable. Mamillary and botryoidal
associated rocks and extend in length upto 300m with
structures are common. Occurrence of well defined ore
thickness of over 6m. The general strike trend of the
bodies in sharp contact with khondalite and quartzite
rock formations is NE SW with low to moderate
indicates their formation as chemical precipitates in the
southwesterly dip.
depositional basin. The ores have been formed by
supergene enrichment of primary syngenetic
Important deposits are located in Manomunda
metamorphosed assemblage. The reserves of different
(2205; 8409), Ghoriajhor (2203; 8409) and
potential blocks explored so far are given below:
Kharkamunda from where a large quantity of ore has
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54 GEOL. SURV. IND

been mined out earlier. The manganese content in the Sundargarh distric
ores of this belt goes upto 58%, Fe content varying from
1.70% to 16.33% and P content varying from 0.057% to In Sundergarh district, small books of stained
0.139%. A total reserve of 0.726 million tonnes has been muscovite mica occur at several places in association
estimated in three potential blocks explored so far: with pegmatite veins. The important occurrences are
recorded near Ghoriajon, Tungaumunda, Diamunda,
Name of the Reserve Average Kadlimunda, Salijarria, Bindujharia and Phatatangar.
block (in million tonnes) Grade (Mn%)
Ghoriajhor Block 0.37 27.56
Manomunda Block 0.31 23.95 Nickel
Kharkamunda Block 0.046 22.59
Nickel ore occurs associated with limonitised and
silicified ultrabasic rocks in the Sukinda area of Jajpur
Sambalpur district district and with the weathered zone of ultramafic
Manganese ore occurs in an intensively lateritised differentiates of the Amjori sill emplaced in the Simlipal
zone, about 25 km long, in the Bamra sub-division. The Group of rocks in the Simlipal area of Mayurbhanj
ore is sporadically distributed in the laterite. district.

Mica Jajpur district

Kalahandi district Sukinda area: Nickel enrichment is sporadically
Occurrences of muscovite mica in pegmatite are found in the limonitic cappings over the Sukinda
reported from Komorjhori (2019: 8241), Thalkodebse ultramafic complex. The nickel ore is of lateritic type
(2019: 8242) and Godal (2005: 8231). and the mineralisation is related to intense weathering
and limonitisation of the silicified ultramafic rocks. The
nickeliferous limonite is light, highly porous, brownish
Koraput district yellow to yellow in colour and is calcareous in nature.
Occurrences of muscovite mica in pegmatite are The ore is generally associated with chromite. The
reported from near Anartopalla (1752: 8135), known occurrences are divided into four sectors, namely
Garrisapalle (1719: 8132), Polleru (1752: 8139), Kansa sector (1.8 sq.km), Kamardah Saruabil
Dupinikuda (1751: 8137) and Erranguta. The mica Sukerangi sector (6.0 sq. km), Kaliapani sector (1.82
books vary from 0.5cm to 8 cm in thickness. Muscovite sq.km) and TISCO sector (4.30 sqkm).
mica is also reported from Tentolikuntia (1917: 8244)
and Pilibasini (1923: 8243). The nickel deposits of Sukinda area contain both
high and low grade ores. The ores are classified as (i.)
high grade ores containing over 0.9% Ni, (ii) medium
Phulbani district grade ores containing 0.7% to 0.89% Ni and iii) low
Occurrences of muscovite mica in pegmatitic bodies grade ores containing 0.5% to 0.69% Ni.
are reported from near Gopalpur (2043: 8557),
Dharnakud (2041: 8351), Banlsing, Chichanga Detailed prospecting by drilling and exploratory
(2031: 8338), Darikupa (2037:8339) and Chopura pitting was carried out in Kansa, Kamardah-Saruabil-
(2031 : 8338). The mica books are stained, buckled Sukerangi and Kaliapani sectors. Reserve of about
and fractured. 194.98 million tonnes of Ni (at 0.5% Ni cut off) have
been estimated by GSI in the Kansa and Saruabil-
Bolangir district Sukerangi sectors.
Occurrences of muscovite in small pegmatite veins
are reported from around Beramal (2022; 8318), In Kamardah-Saruabil-Sukerangi sector (2103
Bhurpara (2021: 8320), Sikkar Palrapalle 210330: 8549 8550), the thick nickel ore bodies
(2024:8319), Banjab (2021: 8312), Godageda occur in association with chromite seams which are
(2012: 8312) and Garimal (2020:8310). conformable to the regional westerly plunging
asymmetrical syncline. The nickel ore zones are localised
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 55

in the nose portions of the friable chromite seams. Two The mineralised zone varies in thickness from 7m to
of the nickel ore bodies occur over an area of 6 sq km. 12m and the content of Ni in ores varies between 0.55%
and 1.10%. Possible reserves of 9.7 million tonnes of
In TISCO sector (210130 2103: 8545 Ni ore with average grade of 0.9% Ni at 0.8% Ni cut off
8547), the ultramafics are in contact with the Iron ore or 16.70 million tonnes with average grade of 0.79% Ni
Super Group quartzite and exhibit intrusive relationship at 0.5% cut off have been estimated in this sector. The
with them. Enstatite bearing younger ultramafic rock total conditional reserve of nickel ore in Odisha stands
has intruded the older nickel chromite bearing at 285 million tonnes. Resources of nickel as estimated
ultrabasic rocks and divided into two parts. Nickel is so far in some important sectors at different cut off grade
associated with chromite, the ore following the strike of are shown below:
chromite seams over 5km strike length and the width of
the ore rangeing from 400m to 600m. Name of sector Reserves (in million tonnes)
Cut off
0.9 % Ni 0.7 % Ni 0.5 % Ni
Kendujhar distric Kaliapani 31.52 43.02 64.59
Nuasahi Ultramafic Belt: The N-S trending Kamardah-
Sukerangi-Saruabil 10.48 13.99 18.43
Nuasahi Ultramafic Belt (2151 2119: 8618 TISCO 46.60 63.90
8621) comprising dunite, peridotite and harzburgite Kansa 37.51 54.13 73.62
intrudes the metabasics, chert and quartzites belonging Total 128.11 175.04 156.64
to Iron Ore Supergroup. The ultramafic rocks are million tonnes
intruded and surrounded on all sides by mafic suites of
rock (gabbro and dolerite dykes) occurring in the Platinum
northern part where a thick cover of laterite and alluvium Presence of platinum has been reported from the
exists. Two phases of ultramafic intrusives have been ultramafic complexes of Sukinda and Nuasahi areas
identified in the area, i.e. dunite-chromitite in the older located at the trijunction of Kendujhar, Jajpur and
phase and peridotite pyroxenite in the younger phase. Dhenkanal districts. Samples were drawn from the
In the primary dispersion pattern nickel ore occurs as weathered ultramafics, limonitised/lateritic overburden
dispersed mineral in unaltered magmatic rocks and their as well as from chromitite horizons, for detection of
hydrothermally altered equivalents. The concentration platinum group of minerals (PGE). Layered,
of nickel is more when associated with chrome ore body. differentiated ultramafic to mafic plutons emplaced in
Nickel concentration ranges from <50ppm 400 ppm. stable cratonic blocks of Late Archaean to early
Secondary dispersion occurs in two ways viz. within Proterozoic age are most potential for hosting
laterite and within soil. The reserve of nickel in this belt orthomagmatic PGE deposits. Such rock associates are
has been estimated to be 7.99 million tonnes with 0.18 abundant in ultramafic complexes at Sukinda and Baula-
to 4% Ni cut off. Nuasahi and also over the Amjori sill of Simlipal
Complex.
Mayurbhanj district
In Simlipal area, Nickel is concentrated within Jajpur district
chemically weathered ultramafic rocks of the Amjori In Sukinda area, Pt value ranges between 2 and 400
sill occupying an area of about 130 sq km in the central ppb and that of Pd ranges between 1 and 500 ppb.
part of Simlipal Complex. It is also found in the laterite Cumulative PGE (Pt, Pd and Rb) from nickeliferous
and soil cover. Ni occurs in the form of garnierite, a laterite horizons range from 46 ppb to 300 ppb. Platinum
silicate mineral phase. Two large patches of prospective concentration (4 290ppb) of PGE is very low in this
ore zones, viz. Gurguria (2152 : 8615) and Nawana area.
(2155 : 8615) blocks together have an areal spread
of more than 12 sq km.
Kendujhar district
The Bhilapoga sector, (2153; 8615), occupying Encouraging results have been obtained from Baula
an area of 7 sq km constitute a part of the Gurguria block. Nuasahi chromite deposit. Highly anomalous value of
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56
Pt and Pd along with Ni, Cu, Co and Au were reported
from an igneous breccia zone at the contact of the
ultramafic cumulate and overlying gabbro-anorthosite.
The PGE mineralized zone has a length of nearly 1 km
with width varying between 2m and 40m. PGE grades
between 2 g/t and 8g/t. The sulphide rich matrix shows
low Pt/Pd ratio. But it is higher with high ferrochromite
content.
Mayurbhanj district
The pyroxenite associated with Amjori sill emplaced
in lava-quartzite sequence of early Proterozoic Simlipal
Basin recorded anomalous PGE values (Pt up to 200
ppb and Pd up to 60 ppb).
Pyrophyllite
Odisha, the second largest producer of pyrophyllite
in India is endowed with huge quantum of pyrophyllite
estimated at 8.4 million tonnes. In Odisha, pyrophyllite
occurrences are found only in Keonjhar district.
Production of pyrophyllite is continuing in 3 mines
having an estimated total reserve of 10 million tonnes.
The pyrophyllite occurrences are associated with
Singhbhum granite and Bonai granite.
Pyrophyllite occurs in the form of quartz-
pyrophyllite schist associated with granite and also
quartz reefs intruding the granite gneiss. Pyrophyllite
occurrences in Odisha have been recorded in a 90 km
long belt extending from Rebna Palaspal in the south
to Remuli Joda road on the north. The main deposits
are at Dhoba Kuchuda, Balabhadrapur, Anjor, Baliadihi,
Madrangajodi, Dalimpur, Nitigotha, Buriadihi,
Sidhmath, Sarasposi, Ukchabeda, Roduan, Bolianposi,
Rampakot and Rebna-Palaspal of Kendujhar District.
Occurrences are also reported near Manada, Joshipur
and foothills of Simplipal in Mayurbhanj district and
from near Lahunipada in Sundergarh
district.Occurrences could not be shown in the map
owing to the limitation in scale size(1:2 million).
Name Reserve in million tonnes
Madrangajodi 4.2
Nitigotha 0.3
Roduan 0.7
Rampakot 1.2
Amjor 1.0
Ukchabera 1.0
TOTAL 8.4 million tonnes
GEOL. SURV. IND
Quartz / Quartzite
The quartz and quartzite occurrences are found in
almost all the districts of Odisha excepting the coastal
plains.But they could not be plotted in the map due to
limitation in scale size. Quartz occurs as a constituent
of pegmatite and in the nature of veins.
Sundargarh district
Occurrences of quartz are found near Biramitrapur,
Damadapara, Gobira, Charabera, Talsara, Pansuan,
Bhalulate, Bijadihi, Soidihi, AthaGhats, Sampapaibat,
Ramhri, Nevotoli, Bhadapur, Manjmunda, Lohadar,
Danakudar, and Kolijhar. The quartzite form several hills
and are usually impure, micaceous and ferruginous. This
district alone contributes about 17% of the total annual
production of good quality quatzites in Odisha. The
recoverable reserves of quartzite in Odisha are placed
at 8.2 mt.
Bolangir district
A major quartz reef occurs by the side of the road
between Saintala (2026 :8328) and Belgaon. The
quartz is of high purity (99.98% SiO2) and is mined and
sent to ferro-silicon factory at Theruballi in Koraput
district set up by M/S IMFA Ltd. A good deposit is also
located at SW of Ghagabahl near Turekela.
Sillimanite
Sundargarh district:
Sillimanite forms about 3 5% of quartzites and
quartz-schists occurring as hills near Kahatua. Besides,
it also occurs in association with pegmatoid granites
around Tilsora. Sillimanite is also reported from
Phatsinagar (2211: 8428).
Sambalpur district
Sillimanite bearing schists are reported from the hills
occurring to the north and southeast of Golabandh (2122:
8443). The rock is dull grey to whitish pink in colour
and is composed of a fibrous aggregate of sillimanite,
crystalline aggregate of magnetite, flakes of mica and
interstitial quartz. Sillimanite-rich quartz-schist and
quartz-sillimanite schists occur near Utunia (2117:
8451), Palsoma (2117: 8453), north east of
Mumorphol (2115: 8443) and north east of Lugupoda
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 57

(2117: 8447). The rocks occur as discontinuous bands Vanadiferous Magnetite

and lenses within and in association with coarse crystalline
quartzites of Eastern Ghats Super Group.
Soapstone
Soapstone, steatite and talc are three terms used in
trade for the one and the same mineral. These minerals
are associated with ultramafic igneous rocks of
secondary origin by processes of low grade regional
metamorphism.
Cuttack district
A fairly large deposit of soapstone occurs around
Ballgot (2057: 8601). The material is being used for
making vessels. There are small occurrences near
Ambasar (2057: 8556), Champajhar (2104: 8556),
Garhpur (2058: 8602).
Kendujhar district
There are several extensive occurrences of talc in
the area around Keonjhargarh (2137: 8536).
Koraput district
Good quality soapstone occurs at Katpada (1841;
8220) and Kendupatti (1842: 8219). Soapstone
deposits also occur at many places in Jeypore (1851:
8364) and Malkangiri (1821: 8153) areas.
Mayurbhanj district
Extensive deposits of soapstone occur on the hillock
south of Dindarani Parbat (2141:8608). Small
deposits are reported from Dublabera (2110:8603),
Myrisahi (2228:8616), Kendumundi (2104:8607),
Diring (2131:8604), Simlipahar (2152:8627) and
Nulungi (2157: 8633).
Sundergarh district
A fairly large deposit of soapstone occurs near
Jharbera (2149: 8453) and Bhaludungri (2151:
8450).
Deposits of vanadiferous magnetite occurring in
association with gabbro-anorthosite suite of rocks in
north Odisha are distributed in five belts viz. (I) Bisoi-
Rairangpur, (ii) Bisoi-Jasipur, (iii) Baripada-Udala in
Mayurbhanj district and (iv) Nuasahi-Baula and (v)
Rangmatia-Betai in Keonjhar and Balasore districts.
The vanadiferous and titaniferous magnetite ore,
composed essentially of magnetite and ilmenite with
minor amount of haematite, limonite, rutile, coulsonite
{(FeV)3O4} and sulphides, occurs as disseminations with
stringers, lenses and pockets. The mineral coulsonite
accounts for vanadium in the ore.
Mayurbhanj District
i) Bisoi Rangpur - Kumardubi belt: In- situ ore
bodies and float ore occupy an area of 0.25 sq.km in
Bisoi Rangpur - Kumardubi belt.
Ten ore bodies have been delineated in this area.
The pure ore band occurs interbanded with disseminated
ore or with the basic rock. Distinct gradation is also
noticed from pure band of ore to pure gabbroic rock
with all sorts of gradations. The belt extends for over
15km and important deposits are located at Kumardubi
(2217: 8620), Betjharan (2214: 8619), Amabeda
(2217: 8620), Kendua (2214: 8620), Kasipenth
(2217: 8621), Kunjakocha (2213: 8623), Batichar
(2212: 8625), Bhargapahar (2213: 8624) and
Gargari (2212: 8623).
Betjharan : This deposit lies northeast of Betjharan
village. About 16 large and small segregated
vanadiferous magnetite bodies occur in the area. The
ore bodies strike E-W and its thickness varies from 3 to
36m. An extensive float zone surrounds the main ore
body.
Hatichar : The main ore body occurs as a ridge and
extends over a length of 265m with varying width of
15-20m.

Locality Grade (V2O5%) Reserve (in million tonnes) Category of reserves

Kumardubi 0.8 1.3% 1.20 Proved
Betjharan 1 1.4% 0.85 Proved
Amjabeda - Kendua 0.7-1.5 0.5 Probable
Cacogari-Kasipenth 0.7 1.5 0.5 Probable
Kunjakocha Jodia 0.5 0.75 0.6 Probable
Hatichar 0.5 1.8 0.95 1.40 (DGM) Probable
Total 4.60 million tonnes
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58 GEOL. SURV. IND

ii) Bisoi Jashipur: This belt runs parallel to the western margin of Simlipal hill range. It includes the deposit of
Kesham (2202: 8614), Mayurbeka (2201 : 8612), Dhulabera (2200: 8611), Sialnoi (2200 : 8610),
Asanabari (2155: 8606) and Bariadihi (2152: 8606).

Locality Grade (V2O5%) Reserve (in million tonnes) Category of reserve

Kesham 0.21-0.74 0.02 Probable
Mayurbera 0.4-1.5 0.22 Proved
Dhublabera Sialnoi 0.5-0.8 0.15 Probable
Bariadihi -Aerobari 0.6-1.4 0.64 Probable

iii) Baripada Udala: The important occurrences are at Bahalda (2147 : 8633), Andipur (2143: 8632)
and Chitrabania (2135: 8628).

Locality Grade (V2O5%) Reserve (in million tonnes) Reserve category

Bahalda 1.26 0.02 Probable
Andipur 2.41 0.02 Probable
Chitrabania 0.70 0.01 Probable

Kendujhar and Balasore Districts

Deposits are located at Rangamatia, Batei, Godasahi and Nuasahi.

Rangamatia: These occurrences are lenticular in shape and extend in length varying from 20 to 30m. The
southern slope is covered with ferro-gabbro.

Betei: This deposit includes a total of 9 magnetite bodies located to the south of Betei village. These bodies are
of lensoid type and trend from N70oW S70oE to N50oE-S50oW. The length is up to 150m with average width of
2.5m.

Locality Grade (V2O5%) Reserve (in million tonnes) Reserve category

Rangamatia-Batei-Godasahi Up to 1.4 0.02 Probable
Nuasahi-Boula 0.1-0.5 0.57 Probable

Total reserves of vanadium ore in Odisha has been placed at 6.48 million tones.

Dimension Stone-Granite Granite (DSG) is a colour based trade prefix. These

Dimension Stone Granite(DSG) refers to all type
of phanerocrystalline feldspathic igneous rocks of
granitoid texture with or without gneissose structure
ranging from granite (sensu stricto), granite-gneiss,
migmatites, syenite, gabbro,anorthosite,
charnockites,leptynites, pyroxene granulite,dolerite,
pyroxenite,dunite etc. Granite is resistant to weathering
and is found in a variety of pleasing colour. It is capable
of retaining its polish fresh as in the original form for a
long time. It is quite popular for use as tomb stone, paving
and architecture material.
are classified on the basis of colour and texture and some
times has been assigned commercial trade names in
reference to the locality. The craze for DSG in the fancy
of affluent society has been a late entrant to the granite
Industry in Odisha. But Odisha has established itself
well, as out of 150 varieties of granite known from India,
more than 20 varieties of granite are available in this
state having more than hundreds of working mines. The
commercial varieties include Berhempur Blue, Koraput
Blue wave, Titlagarh green, Sawan Rose, Grey
Mahogany Grey Magic, Sira Grey, Pottangi Green, Grey/
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III)
White Porphyry, Yellow Granite, English Teak, White
Zebra, Tiger Skin etc. GSI was assigned the role of
making systematic resource assessment of DSG as per
the of Government of India policy programme which
commenced from 1992-93.G S I, Operation Odisha unit
took up the preliminary resource survey work between
1994 to 1999 covering selected target areas over 125 sq
km area in parts of 19 districts. i.e Ganjam, Nayagarh,
Khurda, Cuttack, Phulbani, Boudh, Koraput, Rayagada,
Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Dhenkanal, Angul,
Deogarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore
and Sundergarh.
The coloured granites are found occurring within
Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt in the districts of Ganjam,
Khurda,Nayagarh, Cuttack,Baudh, Phulbani, Koraput,
Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Dhenkanal,
Angul and Sambalpur as well as the cratonic segments
in the districts of Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada,
Sambalpur, Deogarh, Sundergarh, Kendujhar,
Mayurbhanj. Similarly black granites are identified in
Koraput, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts.
Since nomenclatures of DSG are based on colour,
texture and structural design many varieties referred
could belong to more than one rock type. So the DSG
varieties and occurrences are classified as few segments.
Ganjam-Nayagarh-Khurda-Cuttack-Phulbani-Baudh
Segment
This part of the state belongs primarily to Eastern
Ghats constituted mainly by rocks belonging to Eastern
Ghat Supergroup comprising Khondalite group,
Charnockite suite and Granitic suite and Athagarh
sandstone (mostly lateritised) of Upper Gondwana in
Khurda and Cuttack districts .The varities identified are
Berhempur blue, grey granite, Seaweed green, midnight
green, pink granite(Oriental Juparna), multi coloured
granites, Phulbani pink, rose wood, Cats Eye etc
Koraput-Rayagada Segment
This area mostly constitutes of Eastern Ghat
Supergroup comprising Charnockite suite and Granitic
suite of rocks, unclassified granites of Bastar Craton and
59
Bengpal Group of meta sediments and basic dykes of
gabbro-dolerite composition. The varieties identified are
Red Pearl, White Wave, White Porphyry Black granite,
Jeypur black and Pottangi Green etc.
Kalahandi-Bolangir-Nuapada Segment
The rocks belonging to Cratonic granite, EGSG,
Chhatishgarh Supergroup of sedimentaries and
Gondwanas, alkaline syenites of Khariar area intrusive
to EGSG and Anorthosites of Bolangir area are identified
as the source rocks for DSG. The different varieties found
are Pink Granite, Cats Eye, White Porphyry, Sea weed
green, Midnight green Tiger skin etc.
Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundergarh segment
The area in north west occupied by cratonic granite
gneisses, green stones and sedimentaries belonging to
Gorumahisani, Singbhum, Gangpur Groups and
Gondwana Supergroup of rocks and EGSG Group of
rocks in southern part.
Sambalpur-Angul-Dhenkanal Segment:
The area forms a part of EGSG and Gondwana
Supergroup . Nepheline Syenite occurs as intrusive to
EGSG in Redhakhol area. A number of DSG namely
grey porphyry, salt and pepper, tiger skin, midnight green
occurrences are identified in the east west stretch of
this area extending from Redhakhol to Badamuktaposi.
Kendujhar-Mayurbhanja-Balasore Segment
This area is a part of Bonai-Singbhum craton
comprising of Archaean-Proterozoic older
Metamorphics, Singbhum granite with swarms of basic
dykes and occasional granophyre bodies. Badampahar
Group, Simlipal Group, Koira Group and younger
granite bodies like Mayurbhanj granite dominantly form
the geology of the region. Singbhum granite and younger
phase granite pluton along with basic and acid dykes
form important DSG rock types. In this belt varieties of
granites found are silver grey, grey porphyry, pink, black
& green.
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60 GEOL. SURV. IND

Resources
District Area in Sq km Recoverable Resource Recoverable Resource
in Cubic Meter Upto in Cubic MeterUpto
10 m Depth Ground level
Ganjam 5.537 97,91,300 33,706,750
Cuttack 0.413 19,50,000 17,62,000
Phulbani 2.29 68,00,000 105,60,000
Koraput 41.10 307,90,000 476,00,000
Rayagada 16.449 364,65,000 722,15,000
Kalahandi 4.785 1,69,80,000 2,70,50,000
Bolangir 1.47 3,51,08,000 9,44,05,000
Nuapara 0.91 22,80,000 40,00,000
Sundergarh 14.08 54,80,000 6,25,00,000
Sambalpur 0.282 5,82,000 11,64,000
Deogarh 0.735 36,60,000 51,30,000
Sambalpur 0.32 3,20,000 9,60,000
Angul 2.505 90,39,000 1,57,24,000
Dhenkanal 0.945 10,54,000 26,88,000
Keonjhar 2.668 97,14,250 1,88,15,800
Mayurbhanj 0.465 15,43,000 25,14,000
Balasore 0.1 60,000 2,60,000
95.054 90,39,000 1,57,24,000

Districtwise Occurrence of different Commercial varieties of Dimension Stone-Granite

District/Area Commercial Lat. & Long. T.S. No.
Name/Type

District Ganjam
Sripur Berhampur blue
(Garnetiferous granite-gneiss) 191350: 8430 74 A/12
Bhaduka Berhampur blue 192325:844450 74 A/10
Digapahandi Berhampur blue 192240: 8434 74 A/11
Mahuguna Berhampur blue 192155:844318 74 A/10
Bendalia Berhampur blue 191710:841545 74 A/5
Lanjia Berhampur blue 192115:844430 74 A/11
Garh-Govindpur Berhampur blue 191350:843220 74 A/12
Dindipath Grey granite 200133:843835 74 D/12
Shahanpath Grey granite 200230:843900 74 D/12
Soroda Grey granite 194530:842600 74 A/5
Math Berhampur Pink granite Oriental Japarna 193715:845637 74 A/13
Chikiti Berhampur blue 191210:843710 74 A/12
Ramgurha Berhampur blue 191155: 8438 74 A/12
Padripalli Berhampur blue 192140:844240 74 A/11

Dist. Nayagarh
Bhalumundia Berhampur Blue 202125:845750 74 D/15
Bedangi Berhampur Blue 201835:850852 73 H/3
Dist. Khurda
Banpur Chilka blue granite (Anorthosite) 194630:851005 73 E/1
Balugaon Chilka blue granite 194540:852550 73 E/1

Dist. Keonjhar
Baliaguda Dusty grey (Dolerite) 213950: 853530 73 G/10
Palaspanga Keonjhar green(Gabbro) 214645: 853150 73 G/9
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 61

District/Area Commercial Lat. & Long. T.S. No.

Name/Type

Jamuposhi Keonjhar black(Dolerite) 212730: 855150 73 G/15

Chotraipur Keonjhar grey/silver green 202305: 854810 73 G/15
Chhatia Keonjhar grey/silver green 212830: 854805 73 G/15
Sunariposhi Keonjhar grey/silver green 211500: 854835 73 G/15
Gamaria Grey granite 215930: 853995 73 G/9
Ranipur Pinkish grey Granite 215640: 853855 73 G/9
Madhupur Pinkish grey Granite 215545: 853720 73 G/9
Khontaghar Keonjhar black 213020: 854950 73 G/14
Dist: Baleswar
Kuradiaghasa Black granite 21445: 862200 73 K/8
Dist: Sundergarh
Ekma-Timna Grey granite 221830: 892000 73 B/7
Kirlaga-Subdega Grey granite 221800: 841730 73 B/3
Dist: Cuttack
Mandumekha Multi coloured granite 203105: 843810 75 D/15
Balisahi Garnet-granite gneiss 202930: 850100 73 H/3
Kendapath Seaweed green charnockite 202710: 850605 73 H/3
Dist: Mayurbhanj
Harsadahi Grey granite 213027:863310 73K/10
Jashipur Grey granite 215615:860200 73K/1
Andharijhar Black granite 214752:854705 73G/13
Hathibari -do- 214810:855617 73G/13
Galusahi -do- 215225:855205 73G/13
Dist: Koraput
Pindapadar Red pearl(Porphyritic Pink Granite) 190100:820600 65 I/12
Marichamala Grey granite 184300:825300 65 I/14
Sunki Porphyroblastic Leucocratic Granite 830100: 181500 65 N/2,3
Pottangi Sea weed green, Basic charnockite,
Pottangi green 183400: 525800 65 J/14
Jaypur Black granite 185000: 823400 65 J/9
Kotamu Gabbro/Dolelrite composition 184100: 822400 65 J/6
Koraput Gabbro/Dolelrite composition 184900: 824300 65 J/9
Belgaon Gabbro/Dolelrite composition 184600: 822230 65 J/5
Dist: Rayagada
Therabali White porphyry 832630: 842430 65 M/7
Kashipur white wave Augen gneiss 191900: 831036 65 M/3
Dist: Kalahandi
Bhawanipatna Grey porphyry 195730: 831030 65 M/1
Dist: Bolangir
Kutenpali Greasy grey Anorthosite 203700: 822700 64 0/5, 9,10
Diyatan Titlagarh green seaweed green 201500: 830500 64 P/3
Shiker Grey granite 202100: 831000 64 P/3
Bhutiar bahal White porphyry (Porphyroblastic Granite) 203600: 832330 64 P/6
 visit: grvmalaikalam.blogspot.in
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 visit: grvmalaikalam.blogspot.in

Locality Index

1432 2115: 8617 Banpur 194630:851005

Adash 212215: 8436 Banrapal 2050: 8523
Adeswar 202330: 8430 Bansapani 2200: 8525
Akharkata 205030: 8430 Baraibera 2223: 8449
Amabeda 2217: 8620 Barampur 1905: 8441
Ambasar 2057: 8556 Barasinghari 2135:8336
Ambasarmunda 205145: 843515 Barbil 22 07: 8523
Amjor 213745: 8533 Bariadihi 2152: 8606
Ampali 2025: 83 26 Baripada 2158: 8647
Ampavalli 1824: 82 58 Baripahar 2146: 8347
Anamini Parbat 195445:841230 Barsuan 215030:8507
Anartopalla 1752: 8135 Barthajimundia 2020: 8551
Andharijhar 214752: 854705 Baudan 203950! : 824925
Andipur 2143: 8632 Baula 211730! : 861955
Arubandha 2134: 8640 Bedangi 201835:850852
Asanabari 2155: 8606 Belgaon 1908:821430
Asurbandh 2053: 8547 Belghar 1955: 8387
Athaghat 2209: 845140 Beligocha 22o00: 84o45
Badam Pahar 2204: 8605 Bendalia 191710:841545
Badamgarh Pahar 2148: 8516 Beradiha 2154: 8640
Badmal 2023: 8317 Beramal 2022; 8318
Bahalda 2147: 8633 Berhsagaon 1953: 8330
Bahanda 2043: 4526 Betei 212340: 863620
Baideswar Hill 2028: 8534 Betjharan 2215: 8619
Bailama 2211: 8426 Bhadrasahi 220330: 852350
Baipariguda 1845: 8225 Bhaduka 192325:844450
Bajirpador 1834: 8206 Bhalipadmpur 1938: 8332
Bakua 2149:862130 Bhaludungri 2151: 8450
Balabhadrapur 213615!:853630 Bhaludungri 2046; 8321
Baliadihi 213915!:8534 Bhaludungri 2151: 8450
Baliaguda 213950:853530 Bhalukasoni 2129: 8642
Baliapahar 2105:8515 Bhalulata 2222: 8442
Balidihi 2227:86 13 Bhalumundia 202125:845750
Balinga 220135:834535 Bharatpur 2018: 8547
Balisahi 202930:850100 Bharatpur 2203: 8356
Ballgot 2057: 8601 Bhargapahar 2213: 8624
Baludongri 2101: 8406 Bhaunra 215915: 8407
Balugaon 194540:852550 Bhawanipatna 195730:831030
Bamnipal 2701; 85 58 Bhimtangar 21 02: 85 45
Bangipal 2029: 8248 Bhurpara 2021: 8320
Bangura 2159: 8512 Bhutiar Bahal 203600:832330
Banjab 2021: 8312 Bhutura 2148; 8509
Banjipali 2138:8330 Bijadihi 2204: 8415
Bankibahali 220220: 8425 Bindujharia 220745: 844530

70
 visit: grvmalaikalam.blogspot.in
MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 71

Birasal 2100: 8541 Dudhiasol 220645:8641

Birmitrapur 2220: 8440 Dudukamal 203403; 825005
Bisermunda 2023: 8322 Dulunga 215645:834805
Bisoi 2210: 862415 Dumguda 1837: 8201
Bodipara 2026: 8322 Dundurkot 2041: 8515
Boipariguda 1834: 8227 Dungaripalli 2046:8320
Bolianposi 213455:853245 Dungri 2142: 8334
Bonai 2149: 8457 Dupinikuda 1751: 8137
Boroni 2022: 8311 Durga Parbat 2201:8523
Buriadihi 211010: 853245 Durhugi 1953; 8325
Chachabari 2148: 8601 Duria 2157: 8559
Champagarh 21 50: 85 35 Dwarjam 1920; 8432
Champajhar 2104: 8556 Ekma-Timna 221830:892000
Chandatora 2020:8317 Galusahi 215225:855205
Chandiprasad 2026; 8548 Gamaria 215930:853995
Chhatia 212830:854805 Gandhamardan 2137:8530
Chhota-Phiringbahal 2208:843245 Gangadar R.F. 2041: 825715
Chichanga 2031: 8338 Gangajal 2138: 8432
Chikiti 191210:843704 Ganjapadar 2034: 8245
Chitrabania 2135: 8628 Gardihi 2134: 8640
Chopura 2031: 8338 Gargari 2212: 8623
Chormara 2018: 8317 Garh-Govindapur 191350:843220
Chotraipur 202305:854810 Garhpur 2058: 8602
Dal Pahar 2158:8524 Garimal 2020:8310
Dalapur 1846: 8219 Garjanbehi 220045!:8346
Dalimpur 214125:853135 Garrisapalle 1719: 8132
Danakudar 2210:8455 Ghagabahl 202915:824630
Dandapara 222345:8444 Ghatsi 2058: 8443
Dandrahar Pahar 2151:8509 Ghichampra 2146: 8406
Danga Chancha 2054;8303 Ghoriajhor 2202; 840845
Dangchancha 2054:8302 Ghotringa 2103: 8541
Dantamure 2443:8356 Girida 2053:8433
Darikupa 2037:8339 Giringkela 2208:8350
Darilpalli 2146:8351 Girsuan 2206:833030!
Daringburu 2152:8523 Gobardhanpur 220655:860045
Dasamantapur 1840; 8225 Gobira 2219:8444
Dengasurgi 2011: 832515 Godageda 2012:8312
Deogarh 2045; 8417 Godal 2005:8231
Devandera 1904: 8228 Godasahi 2122:862930
Devjolla 1908; 831115 Godashankar 2047;8322
Dhandatapa area 2048: 8436 Gohaldongri 2224:8620
Dharnakud 2041: 8351 Gohaldungri 2204:8620
Dharuadihi 215945:841315 Golabandh 2122:8443
Dharuakhaman 213630:8249 Golagadia 2103:8522
Dhulabera 2200: 8611 Gomardihi 221245:843010
Diamunda 230345:8353 Gondivalasa 1825:8259
Digapahandi 192240:8434 Gopalpur 2043:8557
Dindarani Parbat 2141:8608 Gopapali 2204:8343
Dindipath 200133:843835 Gopinathpur 2115:8547
Diring 2131:8604 Gorumahisani 2220:8607
Diyatan 201500:830500 Gotitanger 2224:8453
Dolia 2107:8529 Guali 2159:8517
Doliambe 1830: 8252 Gumma 191045:8320
Dongarmonda 2025: 8320 Gundichanali 205820!:8532
Dublabera 2110:8603 Gupteswar-Binsuli 1849:8210
Dublabera 2218: 840 38 Gurjang 21 04:8547
Dubna 2151; 8524 Harsadahi 213027:863810
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72 GEOL. SURV. IND

Hathibari 214810:855617 Kathpali 215628:834720

Hatibari 2224:8451 Katikhole 1948:8334
Hatichar 2215:862530 Katni 204830:853030
Hirakud 2132:8356 Katpada 1841; 8220
Hirapur Hill 1938:8206 Katpal 21 01: 85 43
Jaganathprasad 2020:8546 Kattameta 1820: 810 42
Jagdalpur 1940:8330 Kendapalli 202710:850605
Jagdalpur 1945:833345 Kendapath 202710:850605
Jajang 2157:8526 Kendua 2214: 8620
Jaldihi 215020!:851415 Kendumundi 2104:8607
Jalerpodar 2024:8322 Kendupatti 1842: 8219
Jamakani 220630!:833430 Keonjhargarh 2137: 8536
Jamuaposhi 212730:855150 Kermali 2103: 8316
Jareikela 2219:8506 Kesarpur 2207:8441
Jashipur 215615:800200 Kesham 2202: 8614
Jashipur 215630!:8604 Khairamal 211640:832320
Jashipur 2226:8612 Khajurdihi 215430:835030
Jeypore 1851:8364 Khandadhar 2147:8507
Jharabera 2122: 862930 Khariaguda 1936: 8341
Jharbera 2149:8453 Khariar 201710:8246
Jharbera 2213:8429 Khatkurbahal 221630:8429
Jhiling Pahar 2158:8526 Khinda 2147: 8356
Jhilli 210530:8524 Khola 2140: 8340
Jillinda 1942:8457 Khontaghar 213020:854950
Joda 2201:8526 Khuntijheria 215528:834910
Jodiguda 1820:8246 Khutijharia 2155:8349
Joshipur 2150:8605 Kirilega Subdega 221800:841730
Junagarh 2106:8450 Kiringera 22 05: 84 25
Junai 2132:8354 Kiripsora 2159:8347
Jurabaga 2147:8352 Kodamunda 22 23: 8432
Juraboga 214655:835212 Kollaru 1834: 8227
Kadlimunda 220025:835815 Komorjhori 2019: 8241
Kaintora 2158:8402 Koraput 184900:824300
Kaliapani 210230!:8546 Kotamu 184100:822400
Kallaru 1837:8224 Kotgod 19 57: 8343
Kalrangi 210110!:854415 Kuanr 213055: 852730
Kalta 2151:8508 Kudersai 2226: 8617
Kalupadar 1942:8322 Kuiposi 21 04: 8549
Kamalpur 202330!:8430 Kukurphuka 2212: 8430
Kamparkala 2122:8514 Kuljhar 2159: 8451
Kanchera 22o00:81o49 Kumardah 2048:863515
Kandaimunda 22o14:84026 Kumardubi 221715: 861910
Kanjipani 211630:861955 Kumbakerra 2229:8444
Kansa 2023:8324 Kunjakocha 2213: 8623
Kansar 2022:8324 Kuradiaghasa 21445:862200
Kapilabahal 2046;8319 Kurband 2157:8524
Karanda 2042;8520 Kuriposi 204715: 862130
Karanjia 2245:8558 Kuropali 2147: 8354
Kardega 2225:8447 Kurutoi 214710:8349
Karlagi 1952:8334 Kusumdihi 215635: 8514
Karunapalli 192130:830715 Kusumdihi 2207: 8541
Kashinguda 1915:8340 Kusumura 2218: 8402
Kashipur 192130:830715 Kutenpali 203700:822700
Kasia 2204:852225! Kutinga 1905; 8310
Kasipenth 2217:8621 Kutra 221345:8730
Katamati 2708:8530 Lafhiponga 1940: 8330
Katang 2214:84029 Lahunipada 215245:845615
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 73

Langiberna 2215:84030 Palsoma 2117: 8453

Lanjia 192116:844430 Pampur-Madanpur 201200:830100
Lanjiberna 2215:843115 Panijia 2003: 8640
Laxmipur 1900: 830730 Panijia 2203: 8641
Liliguma 1916; 8313 Papsi 2024: 8316
Limpara 2022: 8317 Pasangmali 1922: 8307
Lohadar 2208:8452 Patingia 2201: 86 37
Lohdungri 2028: 8226 Patrapura 2105: 8446
Lokdega 22 03: 8350 Phatatangar 2203:8433
Lolabara 2207:842130 Phatsinagar 2211: 8428
Longlota Pahar 2158:8526 Pilibasini 1923: 8243
Ludhukutoli 2215:840 25 Pindapadar 190100:820600
Lugupoda 2117: 8447 Pipalpadar 201940:832355
Lukopali 2046: 8233 Pithabata 2157: 8535
Madansahi 210430:864130 Podakona 191230:8313
Madhupur 1953: 8328 Polleru 1752: 8139
Madrangajodi 214130:8531 Pukkili 1830: 8254
Magarmuhan 211230:852145 Purkapali 2217: 840 29
Mahuguna 192155:844318 Purnapani 2230:84040
Malangtoli 2149:8519 Purnapani 2218: 8618
Malisira 200025: 832510 Purnapani 2225:8453
Malkangiri 1821: 8153 Raghunathpalli 2214; 8448
Manda 215845!:8601 Rajharan 2057: 8458
Mandumekha 203105:843810 Raju-Nagphena 203030: 8245
Mandura 1956:8343 Rakmo 2149:8518
Mandurpalli 1945:8334 Ramagiri 1845:8244
Maniguda 1935: 8333 Ramagiri 1841: 8215
Manjapara 220130: 841130 Ramgurha 191155:8438
Manjimali 1923: 8304 Ramjori 2209; 8457
Mankarnacha 2148:8514 Rampakot 211830:853915
Manmunda 2205; 8409 Rampur 2146:8355
Marichamala 184300:825300 Ramyori 2209:8457
Math Berhampur 193715:845637 Rangadhi 213150:8524
Maulabhanj Parbat 2055: 8540 Rangamatia 2129:8624
Mayurbeka 2201: 8612 Rangpur 2215:8610
Misoriguda 1852: 8241 Rangra 22 02: 85 09
Mohapadar 1857: 8158 Ranipur 215640:853855
Mumorphol 2115: 8443 Reba-Palaspal 211830:8541
Mundaguda 1830: 8158 Roduan 213315:853545
Muniguda 1937: 8330 Ruansi 2224:8616
Myrisahi 2228:8616 Saintala 2026: 8331
Nabgam 1906: 8230 Saleguda 1944: 8332
Nandabani 2205: 8635 Salijarria 220715:834625
Nandiveda 1819:8140 San Indupur 2155:851845
Naraj 2028: 8546 Sanaparbat 220945:8454
Navotoli 221130:845515 Sandi Murra 2152: 8534
Nawana 215330:862330 Sanibahal 1926: 8251
Nishikal 1916; 8313 Santhopur 1844: 8224
Nitigotha 214005:854115 Saradaputti 1834: 8227
Norabahal 2022: 8319 Sarangoda 2014; 8407
Nuasahi 211630:861955 Sarasposi 213615:853915
Nulungi 2157: 8633 Sarbahal 2218:8402
Obuguda 1845; 8245 Sargipalli (Baragarh) 2055: 8305
Ostapal 2104:8547 Sargipalli (Sundargarh) 2203: 8355
Padampur 2145: 8335 Sargod 2051: 8355
Padripalli 192140:844240 Saruabil 2104: 8548
Pahartoli 222220:845850 Satarpally 1942: 8451
Palaspanga 214645:853150
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74 GEOL. SURV. IND

Satrasda 1947; 8448 Sunajhar 213050:8524

Shahanpath 200230:843900 Sunariposhi 211500:854835
Shanjabani 22 04:8637 Sunki 181500:830100
Shialari Pahar 2131: 8515 Sunmudra 1943: 8334
Shiker 202100:831000 Surgura 22o10: 8349
Sialgolingi 202245: 830920 Suriagera 2225: 8615
Sialgolingi, Fulmati 2017: 831015 Talangi 210355:854835
Sialkundar 2155: 8452 Talbasta 2220: 8535
Sialnoi 2200: 8610 Talchalinala 1934: 8329
Siarmai 220255:834325 Taldoshi 1907: 831210
Sibalopose 2056; 8503 Talpatia 215700: 8405
Sibultosi 2056: 8530 Talpatia 215700: 8405
Sidhamat Parbat 2200:8522 Talsara 222230:8406
Sidhmath 213645:853445 Tangarmunda 2205:8421
Sikkar Palrapalle 2024:8319 Tantra 22 53:8510
Simlipahar 2152:8627 Taresinga 202210:8316
Simlipal 2206: 8629 Tatakandi 2048: 8346
Simlipalgarh 215150:862325 Telkoi 212115:8524
Singhjharan 2014:8315 Tentolikuntia 1917: 8244
Siphripara 20o07: 83o48 Thakurani Pahar 2206:8526
Sirgarajnkonta 1817; 8148 Thalkodebse 2019: 8242
Siringi 2010; 8409 Theruballi 1920:832530!
Sishakhal 201640:832320 Tinkantoli 2215:8459
Sonapenth 2115:8545 Toradanali 21 06:8524
Soramohan 2186: 8413 Toresinga 202210!:8316
Sorispadar 1903: 8216 Tuljeri 2041: 8359
Soroda 194530:842600 Tumudibandh 195730:8342
Souri 2203: 8640 Turekela 202956: 824757
Sripur 191350:8430 Turekela 202055:8250
Suidihi 220915:8453 Turia 1836: 8258
Sukinda 2058:8555 Turukripa 1942: 8333
Sukrangi 21 03: 85 49 Ukchabeda 213330:853945
Sulaipat 2209:8614 Umarkote 1940:8213
Utunia 2117: 8451
Vedurpalle 1835: 8158
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Appendix

TABLE 13

ESTIMATED RESERVES OF IMPORTANT MINERAL RESOURCES OF ODISHA

Mineral District-wise Location Mode of occurrence Total reserve of all Grade Recoverable
categories (in reserve (in million
million tones) tones)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Asbestos Kalahandi, Metamorphosed, 0.4
Sundergarh and sheared mafic
Mayurbhanj districts and ultramafic rocks
Bauxite Koraput, Kalahandi, Blanket deposit 1739 +40%Al2O3 and 5% SiO2 1395.219
Bolangir & Sambalpur over khondalite and
districts charnockitic rocks
Beach sand Ganjam district Limonite 35.90 38.58
Garnet 25.39 25.39
Rutile 1.34 1.62
Zircon 1.08 1.21
Sillimanite 16.15 16.15
Monazite 0.87 0.87
(Total) 80.73 (Total) 83.82
China clay Sundergarh, Bolangir, As product of 158 158
Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, weathering of
Phulbani, Sambalpur granitic rocks
and Koraput districts
Chromite Jajpur, Keonjhar, Associated with 183.395 30-48% Cr2O3 83.6
Dhenkanal districts altered ultramafic
complexes
Coal Dhenkanal, Associated with 47,889.83 47,889.83
Angul, Lower Gondwana as on (01.01.97)
Sambalpur, sediments
Jharsuguda and (Sandstone, shale,
Sundergarh districts etc.)
Copper ore Mayurbhanj and Disseminated 2.91 0.55-1.54% Cu 6.44
Deogarh districts sulphide ore (probable+
within sheared possible)
metabasic rocks of
Iron Ore Supergroup
Dissemination
in basic granulite
of Eastern Ghats
Supergroup
Dolomite Sundergarh, Malkangiri, Within Proterozoic 1,415.667 691
Nabarangpur, rocks of Gangpur,
Sambalpur Indravati and
and Baragarh Raipur Groups
districts

75
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76 GEOL. SURV. IND

1 2 3 4 5 6
Fire clay Sundergarh, Cuttack, Associated with 175.256 113.338
Dhenkanal, Puri and Upper Gondwana
Sambalpur districts sediments
Graphite Bolangir, Kalahandi, Associated with 2.46 Sargipalli 13.35% 2.46
Koraput, Rayagada, migmatised FC
Deoghar, Sambalpur Khondalite Nishikhal 10-30%
and Angul districts FC
Muniguda 5-15%
FC
Deogarh 8-10% FC
Tumudibandh
10-54% FC
Dhandatapa
50-68% FC
Iron ore Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Hematite ore 3360 60-63% Fe 3360
Cuttack, Dhenkanal, associated with
Koraput, Mayurbhanj banded iron
and Sambalpur formations of
districts Iron Ore
Supergroup
Lead ore Sundergarh district Sulphides associated 6.54 5.75% Pb 6.54
with garnetiferous
biotite schist
(Gangpur Group)
Limestone Koraput, Malkanagiri, Within Proterozoic 1646.23 1191.04
Nabarangpur, rocks of Gangpur
Baragarh, and Raipur groups
Sambalpur,
Sundergarh and
Nuapada districts
Manganese Bolangir, Keonjhar, Associated with 50.36 25.46% Mn 50.36
ore Koraput, Rayagada (i) Metachert,
Sambalpur and shale of Iron ore
Sundergarh districts (ii) Khondalite of
Eastern Ghat
Supergroup and
(iii) Gonditic rocks of
Gangpur Group
Nickel ore Jajpur and Associated with 285 (conditional 1.03% Ni (Sukinda) 203.02
Mayurbhanj laterites capping reserve) 0.93% Ni (Simlipal)
districts over Sukinda
ultramafic complex
and Amjori Sill
of Simlipal Complex
Pyrophyllite Keonjhar, Associated with 10 8.6
Mayurbhanj and Singhbhum and
Sundergarh districts Bonai Granite
Tin Malkangiri Associated with 12,692 tonnes
(Cassiterite) District pegmatites emplaced
at the contact of
granite and
metabasic
Vanadiferous Mayurbhanj, Associated with 6.48 0.21-2.41% V2O5 6.48
magnetite Keonjhar and gabbro intrusions (proved+probable)
Balasore districts
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MISC. PUB. NO. 30(III) 77

TABLE 14
Estimated Reserve of Copper Resources in Odisha.
Locality / District Average Grade (% of Cu) Cut-off grade (% of Cu) Probable and possible
reserve (in million tones)
Mayurbhanj District
Kesarpur 1.5 0.8 2.16
Didhisol 0.55 0.4 1.27
Deoghar District
Adash School Block (east) 1.46 0.8 0.93
Adash School Block (west) 1.01 0.4 2.41
Ramapalli Block 0.66 0.4 0.17

TABLE 15
Dimensional and Chemical characteristics of East Coast Bauxite deposit of Odisha
Name of Deposit Area (in Sq km) Thickness (in m) Reserve Average in wt. percent
(in million tones)
Proved Possible Al2O3 SiO2 FeO3 TiO2
A. Koraput District
Pottangi (1834:8258) 2.65 16.83 69.03 11.18 40.63 2.16 23.37 2.04
Panchpat Mali (1852:8364) 14.45 13.45 307.33 316.98 45.58 2.46 24.05 1.37
Kodingamali 5.33 13.65 91.40 102.14 46.48 2.19 24.01 1.99
Ballada 0.86 7.70 12.41 40.69 2.40 22.77 2.27
Malliparbat 1.09 5.00 9.80 43.19 2.04 26.31 1.58
Kornapadi Konda 1.93 5.00 17.20 46.58 1.73 23.30 1.90
B. Rayagada District
Baphimali (1921:8259) 9.60 11.98 195.73 103.03 45.21 2.19 26.03 1.96
Sasbahumali 12.74 9.20 81.0 40.38 2.63 25.40 1.96
Sijimali 13.00 6.40 86.00 42.02 2.29 29.43 1.98
C. Kalahandi District
Kutrumali 5.50 8.0 40.00 41.10 3.36 25.40 1.96
Lanjigarh 5.64 7.64 53.00 47.36 2.65 20.55 2.73
Karlapat (1941:8309) 9.73 6.63 67.00 42.35 4.55 28.38 1.99
D. Bolangir-Bargarh District
Gandhamardan (2057:8257) 17.00 12.16 207.37 46-50 1.3-5 18-22 1-3

TABLE 16
Status of Mineral Resources as on 01-01-2006
Sl. No. Commodity/Mineral Resource/Resreve (in millon tones)
1. Bauxite 1808.27
2. Chromite 202.95
3. Copper 6.05
4. Dolomite 836.079
5. Fire clay 175.486
6. Graphite 5422.933
7. Iron ore 4760.625
8. Lead 1.75
9. Limestone 1738.36
10. Manganese 152.964
11. Nickel 174.48
12. Tin 15.49
13. Vanadium 4864.795
Source: INDIAN MINERALS YEAR BOOK, 2006
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