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Development of kimberlite exploration Geographic Information System


Target area for kimberlite exploration
The prioritization of smaller potential segments for kimberlite exploration takes into account the GIS result, permutation and combination of different exploration data and extensive field database. Through, the kimberlite occurs in clusters, in a given geologic environment the various kimberlite clusters may be separated in space and time. The concentration of diamond and other heavy minerals at the suitable placer locations provide indication for intensity of kimberlite occurrences in any area. The occurrence of diamonds at Sinapali (adjacent to MDA but lying in the state of Orissa and, a trading center for diamonds and other minerals) in placer invariably points towards possible large number of primary sources, located upstream areas falling within MDA. One of the major hindrances in identification of kimberlite in MDA is its small dimension and level of erosion since emplacement. The kimberlite pipes, in general, occur with negative topographic expression and are expected to be picked up in low attitude, closely spaced (200 m X 200 m or even less) aeromagnetic data. Since, on legal ground these data are not available to users, identification of target area for kimberlite exploration remains vague in a sense.

The result of KEGIS yields a fuzzy gamma, which is finally classified on the basis of the histogram of fuzzy membership value. The five probability classes are identified in which fuzzy membership value less than 0.63 indicate low possibility of kimberlite occurrence, where as fuzzy membership value in 0.81 to 0.95 range indicates very high possibility of kimberlite occurrence.

The identified potential zone for kimberlite exploration through KEGIS has limitations. The technique is primarily centered on known kimberlite occurrences and is based on averaging of all observed factors. However, based on real world field data and other exploration guides, priority zones for kimberlite targeting are identified.

Acknowledgements
MSK thanks the DGM, Govt. of M. P. for necessary permission and the IIRS, Dehra Dun for laboratory support.

Suggested readings
  • Clifford TN, 1966. Tectono-metallogenetic units and metalogenic province of Africa. Earth planetary Science letters, 1, pp. 421-434.
  • Smirnov YD, 1993. Structural setting of the Kimberlites of the east European craton. Intern Geol. Rev. 35:264-270.
  • Verma PK, 1993. Tectonic inferences from the statistical treatment of the remote sensing lineament fabric data associated with the Great Boundary Fault of Rajasthan, India. Jour. Indian Society of Remote Sensing (Photonirvachak), vol 21, No.2.
  • Verma P. K. 1999. Deep continental structures and processes in the Aravalli mountain range, NW India: Focus on evolution and inversion of regional faults. DCS-DST News Letter. Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 21-24.
  • Verma P. K. 2000. Integration of remote sensing and other geophysical data for identification and mapping of regional tectonic elements in the Aravalli mountain range, Northwest India. International Conference on Remote Sensing/GIS/GPS, Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. pp. 5-8.
  • White SH, De Boorder H and Smith CB, 1995. Structural controls on the emplacement of Kimberlites and Lamproites. In: W.L. Griffin (Editor), Diamond exploration into the 21st Century. J. Geochem. Explor., 53:245-264.

Fig. 5a Lineament intersection density map of MDA


Note the High lineament density girdles that are also favourable sites for kimberlite occurrences.


Fig. 5b Rose diagramme for lineaments of MDA.


The N-S trends are dominated in the Eastern Ghat rocks, the NW-SE trends are prominent in Basement granitic terrain while the Khariar sediments are characterized by NE-SW trending lineaments.

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