Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Potential in Sausar Fold Belt: Insights from Gondia District, Maharashtra, and Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, India

Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Potential in Sausar Fold Belt: Insights from Gondia District, Maharashtra, and Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, India | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Potential in Sausar Fold Belt: Insights from Gondia District, Maharashtra, and Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, India Abhay Kant, Rajan Kumar, Uma Shankar, Ansuman Bakshi, Alok Kumar Singh This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The study of regional gravity and magnetic surveys, combined with geospatial techniques and detailed geological analysis, has identified two promising blocks: Arjuni-Kindgipar block and Kachekhani block. These blocks have been selected for integrated detailed geophysical surveys, including magnetic and electrical methods such as Resistivity, Induced Polarization (IP), and Self-Potential (SP). The goal is to identify subsurface geological structures like faults, fractures, shear zones, and litho-contacts, which are crucial for mineral exploration. This information is essential for proposing borehole locations and determining the depth needed to intersect mineralization zones. In the Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the magnetic values ranged from -347.31 nT to 359.15 nT in the study area. The isolated high anomaly patches in the north-south direction are recorded in the central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of the magnetic anomaly. It is inferred as a fault. The two zones L1 and L2 of low SP value lie in the vicinity of a high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in the south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1, respectively which may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization. The values of L1 and L2 are -23mV and -25mV, respectively. These values are not very large but still stand out from the background values and might have been caused due to the disseminated nature of the body/bodies. These two low zones corroborate well with IP/Res values in the map and may point towards a possible mineralization in the area. The 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability shows the horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in the southeastern part of the study area. The slice also shows one linear high zone which starts from the southernmost part of the study area trends NE-SW and traverses through the whole study area. In the Kachekhani block, the magnetic values ranged from -104 nT to 55 nT. A low magnetic zone L1 exists in the north-eastern part of the study area having a strike direction of NE-SW, extending along the south-western direction being briefly interrupted in the west with moderately low values of around -40nT. The lowest value in zone L1 is around -90nT. The tightly placed contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW show the presence of some important geological features like fault/fracture. The occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones. The 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. Also with depth, the values of IP increase from 6.5 mV/V at the surface to 12.5 mV/V at 60 meters depth. The high chargeability zone also increases in width and is maximum along 2391000 meters northing. The low resistivity zones might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values. Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Solid earth sciences Sausar Fold Belt Resistivity Self-Potential Induced Polarization and Gondia Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 1. Introduction The Bouguer gravity (1 mGal) and magnetic (Total Field ‘50 nT’) anomaly maps and its derivative maps from National Geophysical Mapping Programme (NGPM) data, geospatial techniques, and detailed geological map were analyzed to select appropriate blocks for detailed geophysical surveys in toposheet no. 55O/14, which comprises the part of Sausar Fold Belt in Gondia district of Maharashtra and Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh. The gravity ‘high’ with steep gradients and magnetic bipolar anomalies along with analysis of its derivative maps are observed around south of Khairi and west of Kairlanji villages which may be due to the cumulative effect of magnetite-quartzite, calc-granulites, muscovite-biotite schist, quartz-muscovite schist, and quartz-biotite schist of Lohangi and Mansar formations of Sausar Group. This geophysical anomaly is significant for mineral potential zone for carrying detailed geophysical mineral investigation Fig. 1. Detailed geophysical mineral investigations, employing IP/Resistivity, SP and magnetic (TF) methods are carried out in Arjuni-Kindgipar and Kachekhani blocks of Sausar Fold Belt in Central India, Gondia district of Maharashtra and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, India. 2. Geological setting of study area 2.1 Regional geology The Sausar Fold Belt (SSFB) is an important constituent of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) a crustal-scale Precambrian mobile belt running E-W through the Indian Peninsular Shield (Fig. 2). It covers an area of about 7500 Sq. Km. forming a conspicuous arcuate belt in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra of Central India. The belt is about 35 Km wide and more than 215 Km long and has a prominent southward convexity. The SSFB trends in general NW-SE in its western part in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. In the middle its trend varies from WNW-ESE to E-W to ENE-WSW in parts of Nagpur and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra, while in the east it trends from ENE-WSW to NE-SW in Balaghat district of MP (Radhakrishna and Naqvi 1986). SSFB is Meso- to Neoproterozoic in age (Sarkar et al. 1986, Lippolt and Hautman 1994, Roy et al. 2006) and comprises two major lithotectonic ensembles, viz., Tirodi Biotite Gneiss and migmatite (TBG) and meta sedimentary Sausar Group (SSG). Lithologically, SSG represents acratonic assemblage of metamorphosed quartzite, pelites and carbonate (cf. QPC assemblage of Condie 1989). TBG, on the other hand, refers to the gneissic and plutonic igneous rocks including granite gneiss, tonalite-trondjhemite gneiss, granodiorite gneiss, etc., with enclaves of older, high-grade supracrustals (Bhowmik et al.1999, Chattopadhyay et al. 2001). The lithofacies distribution in the belt indicates progressive deepening of the basin towards the north (Chattopadhyay et al.2003a).The Sausar supracrustal rocks have undergone polyphase deformation encompassing a single cycle of metamorphism (Bhowmick et al 2000, Chattopadhyay et al 2001, Roy and Prasad 2001). 2.2 Local Geology of study area The study area comprises two major litho-stratigraphic units: the Tirodi Biotite Gneiss (TBG) and the Sausar Group (SG). The Tirodi Gneiss is an ensemble of different types of gneissic and plutonic igneous rocks (e.g. biotite-plagioclase gneiss, tonalite- granodiorite-granite gneiss) with enclaves of meta-dolerite and mafic/felsic granulites (Bhowmik et al. 1999, Chattopadhyay et al. 2001). The study area falls in southern and southwestern part of the Sausar Mobile Belt and northern part of the Amgaon gneiss. The dominant litho-unit of study area are basement gneiss of Tirodi gneissic complex. The lithounits of Mansar formation viz. mica schist and quartzite comprises the central part of the area. It extends from western part of the area to central to north east part. The Arjuni-Kindgipar block consists of sulphide mineralisation in the silicified sheared amphibolite which falls in toposheet 55O/14, Gondia district, Maharashtra. The sulphide phases observed are chalcopyrite, pyrite and bornite. The strike of the amphibolite is N25°E - S25°W with 80° dip towards south east. The Kachekhani block consists of an arsenopyrite bearing quartz vein with the quartz mica schist of Sausar formation in toposheet 55O/14, Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh. The N15˚E-S15˚W trending arsenopyrite bearing quartz vein has been traced over a strike length of 1.2 km (Fig. 3). 2.3 Methodology and Layout of Arjuni-Kindgipar and Kachekhani blocks The Induced Polarization (IP)/Resistivity, magnetic and Self-Potential (SP) data are collected by deploying IRIS-5 KW (VIP 5000) Transmitter & ELREC PRO Receiver along with two porous pots filled with CuSO 4 solution, GEM System GSM-19T (with resolution 0.01 nT) and SP meter (DDR-3), respectively. The traverse interval is fixed at 100 meters along with station interval 20 m and the traverse length is 500 meters for both blocks. GeoSoft Oasis Montaj software version 9.1 is used for processing and preparation of the geophysical maps. The layouts of blocks are shown in Fig. 4&5. 3. Result and discussion of Arjuni-Kindgipar Block 3.1 Magnetic anomaly map IGRF (International geomagnetic reference field) corrected magnetic anomaly map is shown in Fig. 6a.The magnetic anomaly values vary from a minimum of -347.31 nT to a maximum of 359.15 nT, with an overall variation of 706.46nT. Some isolated high anomaly patches is observed in north-western and also south-western parts of study area. The isolated high anomaly patches in north-south direction are recorded in central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of magnetic anomaly. It is inferred as a fault. The reduced to pole (RTP) of magnetic anomaly map is a better resemblance of the actual disposition of magnetic bodies and also free from the effects of dip and strike direction which changes the amplitude and shape of magnetic anomalies (Fig. 6b). Total variation 717.89 nT is recorded in RTP magnetic (T.F.) anomaly (-668.20 nT to 49.69 nT). The inferred fault is more evident which is marked by dotted black line. 3.2 Self-Potential (SP) anomaly map The SP anomaly map is shown in Fig.7. The SP values vary from -28.7 mV to 13.5 mV along with overall variation -42.2 mV. Three major zones two lows L1 and L2 and one high zone H1 is marked in the map. The two zones L1 and L2 lies on the vicinity of high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1 respectively and may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization. The values of L1 and L2 are -23mV and -25mV, respectively. These values are not very large but still stand out from the background values and might have been caused due to disseminated nature of the body/bodies. These two low zones corroborate well with IP/Res values in the map and may point towards a possible mineralization in the area. 3.3 Induced polarization (IP) and Resistivity surveys The surface resistivity values vary from 65 ohm-m to 432 ohm-m, while the chargeability values vary from lows of 2.6 mV/V to highs of 9.8 mV/V at inversion of apparent resistivity and IP data. The plan view of resistivity is shown in Fig. 8a. The map can be classified as three low zones L1, L2, L3 and two high zones H1 and H2. The rest of the map is in general covered with yellow and green zones which display moderate resistivity values. The highest values of resistivity in zone H1 is 425 ohm-m while in H2 is around 400 ohm-m. Both the high zones are connected by a ridge type structure and trends in NNE-SSW direction. The low zones L1, L2 and L3 have their lowest values at 74 ohm-m, 66ohm-mand 70 ohm-m. The low zones surround most of the north-eastern, western and southern part of the study area. The plan view of induced polarization (chargeability) values is shown in Fig. 8b. A qualitative view of the map shows that the anomalies are trending in NW-SE direction. The low zones in the map are classified as L1, L2 and L3. A single high zone was denoted as H1 and two moderately high zones were shown as MH1 and MH2. The low zones have the lowest value of around 3 mV/V in all the cases. The high zone H1 peaks at around 9.7 mV/V while the peak value of MH1 is around 7.0 mV/V and 6.5 mV/V, respectively. The 2D views of resistivity and IP shows that the high resistivity zones H1 and H2 is overlain mostly by low chargeability values which makes them less prospective for mineralization. However, the high chargeability zones fall under moderate to low resistivity area making it a good prospect for mineralization. The 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability of the block is shown in Fig. 9. It shows horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in south-eastern part of the study area. The slice also shows one linear high zone which starts from the southernmost part of the study area trends NE-SW and traverses through whole study area. The sections of resistivity show an interesting picture. It shows the presence of a high zone in four of the five sections. The value of resistivity in this zone starts in the 2 nd southern-most section increases towards the middle and fades as one moves along the northern part and extends beyond the survey area. This high zone is devoid of high IP values which lies in the vicinity of this zone. The zone as per its impression can be interpreted as an acidic intrusion devoid of any mineralization or may represent an increase in silicification/compaction in the underlying subsurface rocks. The high IP zones at depth of 60 meters appears to be more linear than the surface and also have an increase in amplitude thus implying an increase in sulphide mineralization/clay content of the rocks with depth. Also the continuance of the high chargeability zone indicates that the mineralization may extend well beyond our depth of exploration. 4. Result and discussion of Kachekhani block 4.1 Magnetic anomaly map IGRF corrected magnetic anomaly map is shown in Fig. 10. The magnetic anomaly values in Kachekhani block varies from -104nT to 55nT a total variation of 159nT. The map shows a high zone H1 and a low zone L1 in north-eastern and north-western part of the study area. The high zones pinches in south-west direction and with decreasing amplitude and changes to a moderately high zone MH1. The highest value in H1 is 40nT while in MH1 is around 3nT. A low zone L1 exists in north-eastern part of the study area having a strike direction of NE-SW, extending along south-western direction being briefly interrupted in west with moderately low values of around -40nT. The lowest value in zone L1 is around -90nT.The tightly placed contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW shows the presence of some important geological feature like fault/fracture. 4.2 Self-Potential (SP) anomaly map The self-potential anomaly map of Kachekhani block is shown in Fig. 11. The self-potential values in this block varies from -27 mV to 42 mV with -20 mV being considered as the background values. As visible from the map most of the areas are covered with background values except a single high zone trending NE-SW and having a semi elliptical shape. This high zone closely follows the topography and shows its peak around the topographic ridge present in the area. A close relation with the topography and its positive values mostly demonstrates that the self-potential anomalies in this block is dominated by the subsurface hydrogeological flows. The uniformity of the blues zones and its almost non-diversion of the lows from the assumed background values suggests that the SP signals were devoid of any signatures of sulphide mineralization. The occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones in this case. 4.3 Induced polarization (IP) and Resistivity surveys The surface resistivity values in Kachekhani block varies from 47 ohm-m to 1112 ohm-m a difference of 1065 Ohm-m (Fig. 12a). The maps show two low zones one broad elliptical low zone L1 in southern part of the survey area, and one comparatively low altitude zone L2 in north-northeastern side. The map also shows three small high zones H1 in south-west of central part of the map H2 near north of the central part of the survey area, and H2 in northern part of the survey area. The low L1 zone has lowest value of around 48 ohm-m and another low zone L2 has its lowest value of 172 ohm-m. The three high zones H1, H2 and H3 has highest values of 1040 ohm-m, 828 ohm-m, and 795 ohm-m. The plan view of chargeability of Kachekhani block is shown in Fig. 12b. This map is dominated by NE-SW trending anomalies all following the general trend of the area. The two lows L1 and L2 are along the western and eastern side of the study area respectively. The low L1 has lowest value at 1.4 mV/V and L2 has its lowest value at 1.7 mV/V. The high zone seems to following the topography and lies directly over the ridge of the study area. Its value is highest along the south-western side which diminishes along north-east direction. As the high anomaly is south-easternmost part of the study area is not closed it should be ignored and may be considered and the effect of side blocks of the inversion process. The highest value of the H1 zone is around 6.2 mV/V. A quick view of resistivity and chargeability plan view map shows that the high chargeability values directly overlays the high resistivity zones. This may imply that the mineralization is constrained in silicified zones of the rock. Fig. 13 shows the 3D view of resistivity sections overlain on a chargeability slice from a depth of 60 meters below subsurface. The sections were restricted to five to have a better view. The 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. Also with depth the values of IP increases from 6.5 mV/V at surface to12.5 mV/V at 60 meters depth. The high chargeability zone also increases in width and is maximum along 2391000 meters northing. The low zones of resistivity might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values. Conclusion Following conclusions are drawn from the overall study which is intended to describe detailed geophysical methods (SP, IP and resistivity methods) for mineral exploration/ proposing borehole location/ depth to be drilled to intersect mineralization zones: The study of regional gravity and magnetic surveys, combined with geospatial techniques and detailed geological analysis, has identified two promising blocks: Arjuni-Kindgipar block and Kachekhani block. In Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the isolated high magnetic anomaly patches in north-south direction are recorded in central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of magnetic anomaly. In Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the two zones L1 and L2 of low SP value lies on the vicinity of high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1, respectively which may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization In Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability shows horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in south-eastern part of the study area. In Kachekhani block, the tightly placed magnetic anomaly contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW shows the presence of some important geological feature like fault/fracture. In Kachekhani block, the occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones. In Kachekhani block, the 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. The low zones of resistivity might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values. Declarations Author Contribution All authors are equally contributed. Acknowledgement The authors gratefully thank the Additional Director General & HOD, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Region (CR), Nagpur for approving the mineral investigation project and providing logistic support to field work. Data Availability The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Geological Survey of India but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of the Geological Survey of India. References Bhowmik S.K., Pal T., Roy A. and Pant N.C. (1999). Evidence for Pre-Grenvillian high-pressure granulite metamorphism from the northern margin of the Sausar mobile belt in central India; J. Geol. Soc. India, 53, 385-399. Bhowmik S.K., Pal T., Roy A., Pant N.C. and Shome S. (2000). Implication of Ramakona cordierite gneiss in the crustal evolution of Sausar mobile belt in Central India. Proc. Int. Seminar on Precambrian crust in Eastern and Central India, UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP-368; Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ. 57 131-150. Bhowmik, S.K., Wilde, S.A., Bhandari, A., Pal, T. and Pant, N.C., 2012. Growth of the Greater Indian Landmass and its assembly in Rodinia: Geochronological evidence from the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. Gondwana Research , 22 (1), pp.54-72.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2011.09.008. Chattopadhyay A., Bandyopadhyay B.K. and Khan A.S. (2001). Geology and Structure of Sausar fold belt: A retrospection and some new thoughts, In: National Seminar on Recent Advances in the Field of Earth Sciences and their Implications in National Development, Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ, 64, 251-263. Chattopadhyay A., Khan A.S., Huin A.K. and Bandyopadhyay B.K. (2003a). Reinterpretation of stratigraphy and structure of Sausar Group of rocks in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, Maharashtra, Central India, J. Geol. Soc. India, 61, 75-89. Condie K.C. (1989). Plate Tectonics and Crustal Evolution, (3rd edn). Pergamon Press. Harris L.B. and Beeson J. (1993). Gondwanaland significance of Lower Palaeozoic deformation in central India and SW Western Australia. J GeolSocLond 150:811-814. Kant A., Kumar R., Shankar U., Tiwari C.B., Baswani S.R., Gorle R., Kumar A., Bharati S.K. and Jain P.K. (2023b).Quantitative interpretation of potential field data in parts of Sakoli and Sausar fold belt in MP and Maharashtra, Central India, International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 11(2):01-11. Kant A., Kumar R., Shankar U., Tiwari C.B., Baswani S.R., Gorle R, Kumar A., Bharati S.K. and Jain P.K. (2023a). Geophysical study to identify structural features and fabrics of Sakoli and Sausar Fold Belts using gravity studies, Journal of Indian Geophysics Union, 27(4): 1-15. Lippolt H.J. and Hautmann S. (1994). Ar40/Ar39 ages of Precambrian manganese of ore minerals from Sweden, India and Morocco; MineraliumDeposita 30 246–256. Radhakrishna B.P. and Naqvi S.M. (1986) Precambrian continental crust and its evolution, J. Geol., 94, 145-166. Roy A. and Prasad M.H. (2001). Precambrian of Central India: a possible tectonic model, Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., 64, 177-197. Roy A., Kagami H., Yoshida M., Roy A., Bandopadhyay B. K., Chattopadhyay A., Khan A. S., Huin A. K. and Pal T. (2006). Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd dating of different metamorphic events from the Sausar Mobile Belt, central India: implications for Proterozoic crustal evolution, J. Asian Earth Sci., 26, 61-76. Sarkar S.N., Trivedi J.R. and Gopalan K. (1986). Rb-Sr whole rock and mineral isochron age of the Tirodi Gneiss, Sausar Group, Bhandara district, Maharashtra; J. Geol. Soc. India, 27, 30-37. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4572930","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":325644408,"identity":"5f2227af-3ec8-4f07-9673-91d74af426aa","order_by":0,"name":"Abhay Kant","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA8klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCR4gcYCBwf7+44MPgEwePmK1SDAcSEs2AGlhI0FLjpkESICgFv7ZvQc/85y5U8fYcMas8muOnQwbA/PDRzfwWXLnXLI0z41nEsyMbWW3ZbclAx3GZmycg8+aGzkG0jwfDkuwMTNvuy25jRmohYdNGp8W+Rs5xr9BWoBKzYolt9UT1mJwI8cM6LDDEhI8LGaMH7cdJqzF8M4ZM8s5Zw5LbpBgS5Zm3Hach42ZgF/kbvcY33hz7DC/gQTzwY8/t1Xb87M3P3yM1/tAwMQDZTCDGcwElIMA4w90xigYBaNgFIwCZAAA9BZIpVzQRMUAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Geological Survey of India, NER","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abhay","middleName":"","lastName":"Kant","suffix":""},{"id":325644409,"identity":"012146ee-8eaf-4d73-80c6-92f0e04fa90a","order_by":1,"name":"Rajan Kumar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Geological Survey of India, Central Region","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rajan","middleName":"","lastName":"Kumar","suffix":""},{"id":325644410,"identity":"3882cb1c-26ea-4fc2-9acb-2670799e1dc9","order_by":2,"name":"Uma Shankar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Banaras Hindu University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Uma","middleName":"","lastName":"Shankar","suffix":""},{"id":325644412,"identity":"a4036b4e-3591-427d-a404-b972e772a246","order_by":3,"name":"Ansuman Bakshi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"RSAS, GSI","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ansuman","middleName":"","lastName":"Bakshi","suffix":""},{"id":325644415,"identity":"a2175641-18bf-49c1-b1ab-13621eaeb3bd","order_by":4,"name":"Alok Kumar Singh","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Geological Survey of India, Central Region","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alok","middleName":"Kumar","lastName":"Singh","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-06-13 01:53:26","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":60143291,"identity":"1b75f1e8-2e7c-46b7-b5e8-1fab9eab9928","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:27:49","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":110735,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGeological, Bouguer gravity anomaly and magnetic anomaly maps of toposheet no. 55O/14 (Kant et al. 2023a \u0026amp; 2023b).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/42ca4af7efb7c51737f982b7.png"},{"id":60144564,"identity":"a428d971-472a-479b-86a0-e6f9cab1584d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:43:49","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":101623,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRegional geological map of study area (after Harris and Beeson 1993).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/3059d2169383a117eed4c7fa.png"},{"id":60144563,"identity":"0c48ef40-584b-45be-a59e-48e888a65b83","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:43:49","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":163610,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDetailed geology map of study area (modified after Bhowmik et. al., 2012).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/93d315414d78a4e977492c7f.png"},{"id":60144560,"identity":"556aac1a-6af8-4824-b5a2-e8cb47841471","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:43:49","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":49820,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGeophysical layout map of Arjuni-Kindgipar block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/baeccd6b294a9c5e212b78fa.png"},{"id":60143862,"identity":"88e58ed8-a365-499c-9c14-ddfe15587b10","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:35:49","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":34233,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGeophysical layout map of Kachekhani block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/0aaf67e7e1e388cf754199f8.png"},{"id":60144559,"identity":"48e81b86-ea8d-4c06-b3b7-2295f52ee738","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:43:49","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":74877,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea \u0026amp; b.\u003c/strong\u003e Magnetic anomaly \u0026amp;RTP of magnetic anomaly maps of Arjuni-Kindigipar block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/d8bc412d84ad26dbab0e360c.png"},{"id":60145432,"identity":"e40971f3-f0a1-4338-9a82-00114aa3a3ab","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:51:49","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":67506,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSelf-potential anomaly map of Arjuni- Kindigipar block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/fbc0710255f7464659ec474a.png"},{"id":60143295,"identity":"8abc1312-faf8-462c-be55-6a7fe7f966d4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:27:49","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":101904,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea \u0026amp; b. \u003c/strong\u003eResistivity \u0026amp;Chargeability maps of Arjuni- Kindigipar block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/7db53cbd7fe17998293e9923.png"},{"id":60143866,"identity":"41344d95-9b9f-4805-8505-438683529892","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:35:49","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":68322,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSlice of chargeability\u0026amp; resistivity section of Arjuni-Kindigipar block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/6fe85ad417627ba4e10d34fa.png"},{"id":60143301,"identity":"58b7bbf6-090c-4284-ac12-a6d97490bd5e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:27:49","extension":"png","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":93234,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMagnetic anomaly map of Kachekhani block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/c9d45163001038b352e1f82f.png"},{"id":60143292,"identity":"4b666bc3-5ad0-4fc3-98eb-ce8ec7191e58","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:27:49","extension":"png","order_by":11,"title":"Figure 11","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":83614,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSelf-potential anomaly map of Kachekhani block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"11.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/e0db95faad4021ae02ade91f.png"},{"id":60143870,"identity":"71c72c62-f9fe-4255-98ba-02f7ab87f714","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:35:49","extension":"png","order_by":12,"title":"Figure 12","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":114499,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea \u0026amp; b. \u003c/strong\u003eResistivity \u0026amp;Chargeability maps of Kachekhani block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"12.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/ab98b66961fbedb305bf9ad4.png"},{"id":60143865,"identity":"a8251fd7-62d5-4d1e-ba43-180ffcf1072a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-12 09:35:49","extension":"png","order_by":13,"title":"Figure 13","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":97529,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSlice of chargeability \u0026amp; resistivity section of Kachekhani block.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"13.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/233403431e6548d99c756be2.png"},{"id":63277585,"identity":"f89f1f76-f9f8-4340-850f-1ed197b6b07d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-08-26 12:29:14","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1662034,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4572930/v1/a0f0fe93-c67f-467a-a22c-441b0c7693ee.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Potential in Sausar Fold Belt: Insights from Gondia District, Maharashtra, and Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, India","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe Bouguer gravity (1 mGal) and magnetic (Total Field \u0026lsquo;50 nT\u0026rsquo;) anomaly maps and its derivative maps from National Geophysical Mapping Programme (NGPM) data, geospatial techniques, and detailed geological map were analyzed to select appropriate blocks for detailed geophysical surveys in toposheet no. 55O/14, which comprises the part of Sausar Fold Belt in Gondia district of Maharashtra and Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh. The gravity \u0026lsquo;high\u0026rsquo; with steep gradients and magnetic bipolar anomalies along with analysis of its derivative maps are observed around south of Khairi and west of Kairlanji villages which may be due to the cumulative effect of magnetite-quartzite, calc-granulites, muscovite-biotite schist, quartz-muscovite schist, and quartz-biotite schist of Lohangi and Mansar formations of Sausar Group. This geophysical anomaly is significant for mineral potential zone for carrying detailed geophysical mineral investigation Fig. 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed geophysical mineral investigations, employing IP/Resistivity, SP and magnetic (TF) methods are carried out in Arjuni-Kindgipar and Kachekhani blocks of Sausar Fold Belt in Central India, Gondia district of Maharashtra and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, India.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Geological setting of study area","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.1 Regional geology\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sausar Fold Belt (SSFB) is an important constituent of the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) a crustal-scale Precambrian mobile belt running E-W through the Indian Peninsular Shield (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2). It covers an area of about 7500 Sq. Km. forming a conspicuous arcuate belt in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra of Central India. The belt is about 35 Km wide and more than 215 Km long and has a prominent southward convexity. The SSFB trends in general NW-SE in its western part in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. In the middle its trend varies from WNW-ESE to E-W to ENE-WSW in parts of Nagpur and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra, while in the east it trends from ENE-WSW to NE-SW in Balaghat district of MP (Radhakrishna and Naqvi 1986).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSSFB is Meso- to Neoproterozoic in age (Sarkar et al. 1986, Lippolt and Hautman 1994, Roy et al. 2006) and comprises two major lithotectonic ensembles, viz., Tirodi Biotite Gneiss and migmatite (TBG) and meta sedimentary Sausar Group (SSG). Lithologically, SSG represents acratonic assemblage of metamorphosed quartzite, pelites and carbonate (cf. QPC assemblage of Condie 1989). TBG, on the other hand, refers to the gneissic and plutonic igneous rocks including granite gneiss, tonalite-trondjhemite gneiss, granodiorite gneiss, etc., with enclaves of older, high-grade supracrustals (Bhowmik et al.1999, Chattopadhyay et al. 2001). The lithofacies distribution in the belt indicates progressive deepening of the basin towards the north (Chattopadhyay et al.2003a).The Sausar supracrustal rocks have undergone polyphase deformation encompassing a single cycle of metamorphism (Bhowmick et al 2000, Chattopadhyay et al 2001, Roy and Prasad 2001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.2 Local Geology of study area\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study area comprises two major litho-stratigraphic units: the Tirodi Biotite Gneiss (TBG) and the Sausar Group (SG). The Tirodi Gneiss is an ensemble of different types of gneissic and plutonic igneous rocks (e.g. biotite-plagioclase gneiss, tonalite- granodiorite-granite gneiss) with enclaves of meta-dolerite and mafic/felsic granulites (Bhowmik et al. 1999, Chattopadhyay et al. 2001).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study area falls in southern and southwestern part of the Sausar Mobile Belt and northern part of the Amgaon gneiss. The dominant litho-unit of study area are basement gneiss of Tirodi gneissic complex. The lithounits of Mansar formation viz. mica schist and quartzite comprises the central part of the area. It extends from western part of the area to central to north east part.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arjuni-Kindgipar block\u0026nbsp;consists of sulphide mineralisation in the silicified sheared amphibolite which falls in toposheet 55O/14, Gondia district, Maharashtra. The sulphide phases observed are chalcopyrite, pyrite and bornite. The strike of the amphibolite is N25\u0026deg;E - S25\u0026deg;W with 80\u0026deg; dip towards south east. The Kachekhani block consists of an arsenopyrite bearing quartz vein with the quartz mica schist of Sausar formation in toposheet 55O/14, Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh. The N15˚E-S15˚W trending arsenopyrite bearing quartz vein has been traced over a strike length of 1.2 km (Fig. 3).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.3 Methodology and Layout of Arjuni-Kindgipar and Kachekhani blocks\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Induced Polarization (IP)/Resistivity, magnetic and Self-Potential (SP) data are collected by deploying IRIS-5 KW (VIP 5000) Transmitter \u0026amp; ELREC PRO Receiver along with two porous pots filled with CuSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e solution, GEM System GSM-19T (with resolution 0.01 nT) and SP meter (DDR-3), respectively. The traverse interval is fixed at 100 meters along with station interval 20 m and the traverse length is 500 meters for both blocks. GeoSoft Oasis Montaj software version 9.1 is used for processing and preparation of the geophysical maps. The layouts of blocks are shown in Fig. 4\u0026amp;5.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Result and discussion of Arjuni-Kindgipar Block","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.1 Magnetic anomaly map\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIGRF (International geomagnetic reference field) corrected magnetic anomaly map is shown in Fig. 6a.The magnetic anomaly values vary from a minimum of -347.31 nT to a maximum of 359.15 nT, with an overall variation of 706.46nT. Some isolated high anomaly patches is observed in north-western and also south-western parts of study area. The isolated high anomaly patches in north-south direction are recorded in central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of magnetic anomaly. It is inferred as a fault. The reduced to pole (RTP) of magnetic anomaly map is a better resemblance of the actual disposition of magnetic bodies and also free from the effects of dip and strike direction which changes the amplitude and shape of magnetic anomalies (Fig. 6b). Total variation 717.89 nT is recorded in RTP magnetic (T.F.) anomaly (-668.20 nT to 49.69 nT). The inferred fault is more evident which is marked by dotted black line.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.2 Self-Potential (SP) anomaly map\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SP anomaly map is shown in Fig.7. The SP values vary from -28.7 mV to 13.5 mV along with overall variation -42.2 mV. Three major zones two lows L1 and L2 and one high zone H1 is marked in the map. The two zones L1 and L2 lies on the vicinity of high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1 respectively and may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization. The values of L1 and L2 are -23mV and -25mV, respectively. \u0026nbsp;These values are not very large but still stand out from the background values and might have been caused due to disseminated nature of the body/bodies. These two low zones corroborate well with IP/Res values in the map and may point towards a possible mineralization in the area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInduced polarization (IP) and Resistivity surveys\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface resistivity values vary from 65 ohm-m to 432 ohm-m, while the chargeability values vary from lows of 2.6 mV/V to highs of 9.8 mV/V at inversion of apparent resistivity and IP data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plan view of resistivity is shown in Fig. 8a. The map can be classified as three low zones L1, L2, L3 and two high zones H1 and H2. The rest of the map is in general covered with yellow and green zones which display moderate resistivity values. The highest values of resistivity in zone H1 is 425 ohm-m while in H2 is around 400 ohm-m. Both the high zones are connected by a ridge type structure and trends in NNE-SSW direction. The low zones L1, L2 and L3 have their lowest values at 74 ohm-m, 66ohm-mand 70 ohm-m. The low zones surround most of the north-eastern, western and southern part of the study area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plan view of induced polarization (chargeability) values is shown in Fig. 8b. A qualitative view of the map shows that the anomalies are trending in NW-SE direction. The low zones in the map are classified as L1, L2 and L3. A single high zone was denoted as H1 and two moderately high zones were shown as MH1 and MH2. The low zones have the lowest value of around 3 mV/V in all the cases. The high zone H1 peaks at around 9.7 mV/V while the peak value of MH1 is around 7.0 mV/V and 6.5 mV/V, respectively.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2D views of resistivity and IP shows that the high resistivity zones H1 and H2 is overlain mostly by low chargeability values which makes them less prospective for mineralization. However, the high chargeability zones fall under moderate to low resistivity area making it a good prospect for mineralization.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability of the block is shown in Fig. 9. It shows horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in south-eastern part of the study area. The slice also shows one linear high zone which starts from the southernmost part of the study area trends NE-SW and traverses through whole study area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sections of resistivity show an interesting picture. It shows the presence of a high zone in four of the five sections. The value of resistivity in this zone starts in the 2\u003csup\u003end\u003c/sup\u003e southern-most section increases towards the middle and fades as one moves along the northern part and extends beyond the survey area. This high zone is devoid of high IP values which lies in the vicinity of this zone. The zone as per its impression can be interpreted as an acidic intrusion devoid of any mineralization or may represent an increase in silicification/compaction in the underlying subsurface rocks. The high IP zones at depth of 60 meters appears to be more linear than the surface and also have an increase in amplitude thus implying an increase in sulphide mineralization/clay content of the rocks with depth. Also the continuance of the high chargeability zone indicates that the mineralization may extend well beyond our depth of exploration.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Result and discussion of Kachekhani block","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.1 Magnetic anomaly map\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIGRF corrected magnetic anomaly map is shown in Fig. 10. The magnetic anomaly values in Kachekhani block varies from -104nT to 55nT a total variation of 159nT. The map shows a high zone H1 and a low zone L1 in north-eastern and north-western part of the study area. The high zones pinches in south-west direction and with decreasing amplitude and changes to a moderately high zone MH1. The highest value in H1 is 40nT while in MH1 is around 3nT. A low zone L1 exists in north-eastern part of the study area having a strike direction of NE-SW, extending along south-western direction being briefly interrupted in west with moderately low values of around -40nT. The lowest value in zone L1 is around -90nT.The tightly placed contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW shows the presence of some important geological feature like fault/fracture.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.2 Self-Potential (SP) anomaly map\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe self-potential anomaly map of Kachekhani block is shown in Fig. 11. The self-potential values in this block varies from -27 mV to 42 mV with -20 mV being considered as the background values. As visible from the map most of the areas are covered with background values except a single high zone trending NE-SW and having a semi elliptical shape. This high zone closely follows the topography and shows its peak around the topographic ridge present in the area. A close relation with the topography and its positive values mostly demonstrates that the self-potential anomalies in this block is dominated by the subsurface hydrogeological flows. The uniformity of the blues zones and its almost non-diversion of the lows from the assumed background values suggests that the SP signals were devoid of any signatures of sulphide mineralization. The occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones in this case. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4.3 Induced polarization (IP) and Resistivity surveys\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surface resistivity values in Kachekhani block varies from 47 ohm-m to 1112 ohm-m a difference of 1065 Ohm-m (Fig. 12a). The maps show two low zones one broad elliptical low zone L1 in southern part of the survey area, and one comparatively low altitude zone L2 in north-northeastern side. The map also shows three small high zones H1 in south-west of central part of the map H2 near north of the central part of the survey area, and H2 in northern part of the survey area. The low L1 zone has lowest value of around 48 ohm-m and another low zone L2 has its lowest value of 172 ohm-m. The three high zones H1, H2 and H3 has highest values of 1040 ohm-m, 828 ohm-m, and 795 ohm-m.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plan view of chargeability of Kachekhani block is shown in Fig. 12b. This map is dominated by NE-SW trending anomalies all following the general trend of the area. The two lows L1 and L2 are along the western and eastern side of the study area respectively. The low L1 has lowest value at 1.4 mV/V and L2 has its lowest value at 1.7 mV/V. The high zone seems to following the topography and lies directly over the ridge of the study area. Its value is highest along the south-western side which diminishes along north-east direction. As the high anomaly is south-easternmost part of the study area is not closed it should be ignored and may be considered and the effect of side blocks of the inversion process. The highest value of the H1 zone is around 6.2 mV/V.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA quick view of resistivity and chargeability plan view map shows that the high chargeability values directly overlays the high resistivity zones. This may imply that the mineralization is constrained in silicified zones of the rock.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFig. 13 shows the 3D view of resistivity sections overlain on a chargeability slice from a depth of 60 meters below subsurface. The sections were restricted to five to have a better view. The 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. Also with depth the values of IP increases from 6.5 mV/V at surface to12.5 mV/V at 60 meters depth. The high chargeability zone also increases in width and is maximum along 2391000 meters northing. The low zones of resistivity might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing conclusions are drawn from the overall study which is intended to describe detailed geophysical methods (SP, IP and resistivity methods)\u0026nbsp;for mineral exploration/ proposing borehole location/ depth to be drilled to intersect mineralization zones:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe study of regional gravity and magnetic surveys, combined with geospatial techniques and detailed geological analysis, has identified two promising blocks: Arjuni-Kindgipar block and Kachekhani block.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the isolated high magnetic anomaly patches in north-south direction are recorded in central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of magnetic anomaly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the two zones L1 and L2 of low SP value lies on the vicinity of high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1, respectively which may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability shows horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in south-eastern part of the study area.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Kachekhani block,\u0026nbsp;the tightly placed magnetic anomaly contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW shows the presence of some important geological feature like fault/fracture.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Kachekhani block, the occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIn Kachekhani block, the 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. The low zones of resistivity might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll authors are equally contributed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors gratefully thank the Additional Director General \u0026amp; HOD, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Region (CR), Nagpur for approving the mineral investigation project and providing logistic support to field work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the Geological Survey of India but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of the Geological Survey of India.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBhowmik S.K., Pal T., Roy A. and Pant N.C. (1999). Evidence for Pre-Grenvillian high-pressure granulite metamorphism from the northern margin of the Sausar mobile belt in central India; J. Geol. Soc. India, 53, 385-399.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBhowmik\u0026nbsp;S.K., Pal T., Roy A., Pant N.C. and Shome S. (2000). Implication of Ramakona cordierite gneiss in the crustal evolution of Sausar mobile belt in Central India. Proc. Int. Seminar on Precambrian crust in Eastern and Central India, UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP-368; Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ. 57 131-150.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBhowmik, S.K., Wilde, S.A., Bhandari, A., Pal, T. and Pant, N.C., 2012. Growth of the Greater Indian Landmass and its assembly in Rodinia: Geochronological evidence from the Central Indian Tectonic Zone. \u003cem\u003eGondwana Research\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e22\u003c/em\u003e(1), pp.54-72.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2011.09.008.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eChattopadhyay A., Bandyopadhyay B.K. and Khan A.S. (2001). Geology and Structure of Sausar fold belt: A retrospection and some new thoughts, In: National Seminar on Recent Advances in the Field of Earth Sciences and their Implications in National Development, Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ, 64, 251-263.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eChattopadhyay A., Khan A.S., Huin A.K. and Bandyopadhyay B.K. (2003a). Reinterpretation of stratigraphy and structure of Sausar Group of rocks in Ramtek-Mansar-Kandri area, Maharashtra, Central India, J. Geol. Soc. India, 61, 75-89.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCondie K.C. (1989). Plate Tectonics and Crustal Evolution, (3rd edn). Pergamon Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHarris\u0026nbsp;L.B. and Beeson J. (1993). Gondwanaland significance of Lower Palaeozoic deformation in central India and SW Western Australia. J GeolSocLond 150:811-814.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKant A.,\u0026nbsp;Kumar R., Shankar U., Tiwari C.B., Baswani S.R., Gorle R., Kumar A., Bharati \u0026nbsp;S.K. and Jain P.K. (2023b).Quantitative interpretation of potential field data in parts of Sakoli and Sausar fold belt in MP and Maharashtra, Central India, International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences, 11(2):01-11.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKant A., Kumar\u0026nbsp;R., Shankar U., Tiwari C.B., Baswani S.R., Gorle R, Kumar A., Bharati S.K. and Jain P.K. (2023a). Geophysical study to identify\u0026nbsp;structural features and fabrics of Sakoli and Sausar Fold Belts using gravity studies,\u0026nbsp;Journal of Indian Geophysics Union, 27(4): 1-15.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLippolt\u0026nbsp;H.J. and Hautmann S. (1994). Ar40/Ar39 ages of Precambrian manganese of ore minerals from Sweden, India and Morocco; MineraliumDeposita 30 246\u0026ndash;256.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRadhakrishna B.P. and Naqvi S.M. (1986) Precambrian continental crust and its evolution, J. Geol., 94, 145-166.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRoy A.\u0026nbsp;and Prasad M.H. (2001). Precambrian of Central India: a possible tectonic model, Geol. Surv. India, Spec. Publ., 64, 177-197.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eRoy A.,\u0026nbsp;Kagami H., Yoshida M., Roy A., Bandopadhyay B. K., Chattopadhyay A., Khan A. S., Huin A. K. and Pal T. (2006). Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd dating of different metamorphic events from the Sausar Mobile Belt, central India: implications for Proterozoic crustal evolution, J. Asian Earth Sci., 26, 61-76.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSarkar S.N., Trivedi J.R. and Gopalan K. (1986). Rb-Sr whole rock and mineral isochron age of the Tirodi Gneiss, Sausar Group, Bhandara district, Maharashtra; J. Geol. Soc. India, 27, 30-37.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Sausar Fold Belt, Resistivity, Self-Potential, Induced Polarization and Gondia","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe study of regional gravity and magnetic surveys, combined with geospatial techniques and detailed geological analysis, has identified two promising blocks: Arjuni-Kindgipar block and Kachekhani block. These blocks have been selected for integrated detailed geophysical surveys, including magnetic and electrical methods such as Resistivity, Induced Polarization (IP), and Self-Potential (SP). The goal is to identify subsurface geological structures like faults, fractures, shear zones, and litho-contacts, which are crucial for mineral exploration. This information is essential for proposing borehole locations and determining the depth needed to intersect mineralization zones. In the Arjuni- Kindigipar block, the magnetic values ranged from -347.31 nT to 359.15 nT in the study area. The isolated high anomaly patches in the north-south direction are recorded in the central part of the study area which abruptly disrupts to monotonicity of the contour patterns of the magnetic anomaly. It is inferred as a fault. The two zones L1 and L2 of low SP value lie in the vicinity of a high chargeable zone at 60 meters depth in the south-western direction and high surface chargeability H1, respectively which may be considered as the signal originating from sulphide mineralization. The values of L1 and L2 are -23mV and -25mV, respectively. These values are not very large but still stand out from the background values and might have been caused due to the disseminated nature of the body/bodies. These two low zones corroborate well with IP/Res values in the map and may point towards a possible mineralization in the area. The 3-dimensional view of resistivity and chargeability shows the horizontal slice of chargeability at 60 meters depth from the surface and resistivity sections at 200 meters interval for better visibility. The chargeability slice shows an elliptical high zone trending NW-SW in the southeastern part of the study area. The slice also shows one linear high zone which starts from the southernmost part of the study area trends NE-SW and traverses through the whole study area. In the Kachekhani block, the magnetic values ranged from -104 nT to 55 nT. A low magnetic zone L1 exists in the north-eastern part of the study area having a strike direction of NE-SW, extending along the south-western direction being briefly interrupted in the west with moderately low values of around -40nT. The lowest value in zone L1 is around -90nT. The tightly placed contours between H1 and L1 trending NE-SW show the presence of some important geological features like fault/fracture. The occurrence of high SP values in the vicinity of low chargeability zones and moderately high resistivity zones also points towards its relevance to locate subsurface hydrogeological features and its inconclusiveness in locating any sulphide zones. The 3D view of IP and resistivity shows a continuous relation of high resistivity zone with high chargeability values. Also with depth, the values of IP increase from 6.5 mV/V at the surface to 12.5 mV/V at 60 meters depth. The high chargeability zone also increases in width and is maximum along 2391000 meters northing. The low resistivity zones might indicate a shear zone along which the fluid has intruded bringing down the resistivity values.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Potential in Sausar Fold Belt: Insights from Gondia District, Maharashtra, and Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh, India","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-07-12 09:27:44","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4572930/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"742eba53-56d7-487f-af6f-8d1c503e7f2f","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 12th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":34451130,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"},{"id":34451131,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Solid earth sciences"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-08-26T12:21:07+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-07-12 09:27:44","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4572930","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4572930","identity":"rs-4572930","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}