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GIS-based digital geological mapping of Pur-Banera belt, Rajasthan, India to show

relationship between the deformation, metamorphism and metallogenesis

Verma, G.1
1
Department of Geology, University of Delhi
Email Id: gverma@geology.du.ac.in

Abstract: The NE-SW trending Pur-Banera mineralised belt in central Rajasthan extends for
about 80 km from Banera to Rewara. It comprises predominantly of chemogenic rocks with
bands of clastics and is represented by conglomerate, garnetiferous schist, calc-schist, calc-
gneiss, calc-silicate, amphibole marble, ferruginous quartzite (or banded iron formation) and
amphibolite with associated sulphide mineralisation. In the geological map of Rajasthan
compiled by Gupta et. al. (1997) it was included within the Pur-Banera group of the Bhilwara
Supergroup. It was first discovered and published by Gupta (1934) who made reference to the
existence of old workings and slag dumps near the Banera which bear testimony to the
widespread mining and smelting activity during ancient times. Much work has been carried
out in the area since then, some of which include systematic geological mapping in parts of
the belt by Basu (1964), followed by Dutta (1968), aero-geophysical survey carried out by
GSI under Operation: Hard Rock, with AMSE, between 1968-1975, detailed mapping and
drilling by Upadhyay (1980) and Dhara (1982), use of Landsat imagery for the regional
tectonics and sulphide ore localisation by Bharktya & Gupta (1981), study of metamorphism
and ore mineralization by Gangopadhyay (1982), large-scale mapping and collection of soil
and bedrock samples for base metal potential testing carried out by Sharma (2006) and later
by the Dutta (2010). Mineral reserves (tropical and possible) have now been determined by
GSI for the Pb-Zn base metals with active mining undergoing in the area (Rajasthan
geological society 2006). The northern part of the mineralised belt (Pur-Banera-Sankli) has
the BIF associated with Pb-Zn-Cu mineralisation and lean mineralisation in garnet-rich
magnetite-bearing calc-gneiss and calc-silicate rocks. The southern segment of the belt (Wari-
Akola-Bhinder) has only Cu mineralisation recorded.

The Pur-Banera belt comprises of a series of regional scale antiforms and synforms in
NE-SW direction. The beds dip steeply (70-89) towards the south-east or north-west
direction and the fold plunges that low to moderate angle (5-40) towards north or south. The
entire sequence has undergone at least three phases of the deformation resulting in a series of
highly compressed overturned folds. This resulted in concentration of sulphides along the
hinges of the folds and axial-plane shear. The mineralization is observed in both limbs of the
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folds with its concentration seen along the foliation of the host rock (MECL report, 1992).
The ore minerals appear to have undergone metamorphism as indicated from the signs of
deformation, plastic flowage, recrystallization and cleaved and plastic characters. All the
rocks present in the area belong to the almandine-amphibolite facies and have reached kyanite
zone of Barrow (Gangopadhyay, 1982). Despite the information gathered about the geology,
structure, metamorphism and metallogenesis a lacuna still exists. To provide a comprehensive
and clear understanding of the area requires the incredibly tedious task of compilation of the
vast, dispersed and divergent data and correlating and analysing all of it together. Our aim to
fill this gap by utilising a new kind of field mapping technique namely the digital geological
mapping (DGM).

In general, DGM is the process of mapping and collecting geological data using some
form of portable computer and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), rather than a
traditional approach based on notebook and paper map. We carried out GPS and GIS based
digital mapping at 1:10000 or larger scale of key outcrops of structurally complicated host
rocks in the base metal prospect in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India. The geologic field data
collection, analyses, and map compilation using ruggedized personal digital assistants
(Spectra Promark 120 DGPS) with post-processing differential correction capabilities and
receiving geo-coordinates from various Global Navigation Satellite Systems (including GPS,
GLONASS, GAGAN - Indias SBAS), mobile computers capable of running geographic
information system (ESRIs ArcGIS) and the universal availability of free, web-based virtual
globes paired with 3D visualisations possibilities (Google Earth and ArcGlobe). We also used
three-dimensional computer-aided designing (CAD) softwares for geologists (Google
SketchUp Pro, ESRI ArcScene) to address the need for a precise definition of surface and
subsurface conditions and its analyses (Whitmeyer et. al., 2010).

DGM is rapidly becoming accepted and established as a valuable tool for geoscientists
having effectively overcome the limitations of the traditional paper-based mapping while
adding benefits of faster map preparation, visualisation, spatial and statistical analyses and
geological interpretations. (Clegg et. al. 2006). Utilising the digital technology available to us
we have created a dynamic and interactive geological database of the area. This database
includes the previous (scanned and geographically referenced) geological maps and
topographic sheets, lithology, structural attributes of bedding plane, cleavage, joints and faults
collected in the field as well as the photographs, traditional paper field notes and sketches
made by me in the field. The immersive map viewing experience includes the capability of
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two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) viewing and the ability to zoom in and out
so that local and regional scale data is available and selectively visible for analyses on a single
platform. This allows us to define and visualize highly irregular geological volumes quickly
and effectively to carry out otherwise difficult task of geological interpretation. Spatial
resolution is dramatically improved for the data as the DGPS provides sub-metre to
centimetre-level accuracy (after post-processing). Any future work done in the area can
further be added to the same database to modify and/or add to the previous data. The database
can later even be circulated around to people to come up with a better understanding of the
geology of the area. The standard protocol developed by us for the primary digital acquisition
in structural geology in Indian context can be used by field geologists of different
organizations in the future. To create this methodology, we also had to consider whether long-
established exercises were still essential and caution was needed in adding new and deleting
redundant and obsolete field exercises since the new methodology may suffer from inclusion
of new technologies that turnout to be short lived and discontinued in the nearby future (De
Paor & Whitmeyer 2009). In a country like India, where geology is quite complex and varied,
and geoscientific research activities are diverse, its highly recommended to inculcate the
culture of digital geoscientific fieldwork in the current and future generation of earth
scientists so that a cumulative dynamic database of geoscience data can be archived in future
(Chattopadhyay et. al. 2010).

References:
Basu, K. (1971). Base metal mineralisation along the Pur-Banera belt, Bhilwara
district, Rajasthan. Misc. Publ. Geol. Surv. India, 16, 153-159.
Bharktya, D., & Gupta, R. (1981). Regional tectonics and sulphide ore localisation in
Delhi-Aravalli belt, Rajasthan, IndiaUse of LANDSAT imagery. Advances in Space
Research, 1(10), 299-302.
Chattopadhyay, A., Holdsworth, R., McCaffrey, K., & Wilson, R. (2010). Recording
and analyzing geospatially accurate structural data through digital mapping technique: A
case study from the Canisp Shear Zone, NW Scotland. Journal of the Geological Society of
India, 75(1), 43-59.
Clegg, P., Bruciatelli, L., Domingos, F., Jones, R. R., De Donatis, M., & Wilson, R. W.
(2006). Digital geological mapping with tablet PC and PDA: A comparison. Computers &
Geosciences, 32(10), 1682-1698. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2006.03.007
De Paor, D. G., & Whitmeyer, S. J. (2009). Innovation and obsolescence in geoscience
field courses: Past experiences and proposals for the future. Geological Society of America
Special Papers, 461, 45-56.
Gangopadhyay, K. K. (1982). Metamorphism and ore mineralisation in a part of Pur-
Banera belt, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. Quaternary Journal Geology Mineral
Metamorphism Society India, 54(1 & 2), 55 - 63.
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Geological Report on the Exploration for Lead and Zinc Ores, Devpura Block, Pur-
Banera belt, District Bhilwara, Rajasthan (1992), MECL.
Gupta, S. N., Arora, Y. K., Mathur, R. K. I., Prasad, B., Sahai, T. N. and Sharma, S. B.
(1997), The Precambrian Geology of the Aravalli Region, Southern Rajasthan and
Northeastern Gujarat, Geol. Surv. India Memoir, 123, 262.
Gupta, P and Malhotra. G, Geology and Mineral Resources of Rajasthan. (2011).
Geological Survey of India Miscellaneous Publication, 30(12), 140.
Whitmeyer, S. J., Nicoletti, J., & De Paor, D. G. (2010). The digital revolution in
geologic mapping. GSA Today, 20(4/5), 4-10.

Fig 1: A part of the Pur-Banera belt near Jipiya village, Bhilwara, digitally mapped to
prepare a geological map using ESRIs ArcGIS (vs. 10.3.1). The map offers various
benefits which include variable zooming ability, high spatial resolution, inter-connectivity
of different data types, spatial, statistical and now, even structural analysis of data (as
shown here by use of stereonet plot).