Govt.

of India ISSN 0579 - 4706

Controller of Publication

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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

N>ÎmrgJ‹T H$m ^y{dkmZ Ed§ I{ZO g§gmYZ>

{d{dY àH$meZ g§»`m 30 ^mJ XXI, V¥Vr` n[aemo{YV g§ñH$aU

GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF CHHATTISGARH

Miscellaneous Publication No. 30 Part XXI, Third Revised Edition

^maV gaH$ma Ho$ AmXoe go àH$m{eV

Published by order of the Government of India
2013
 Stromatolitic limestone near Amaseoni, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh
Photo by: Shri B.K. Mishra, Senior Geologist, GSI, SU: CG, Raipur

Banded Haematite Jasper(BHJ), Bhalapuri area, Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh

Photo by: Shri D.K.Thawait, Senior Geologist, GSI, SU: CG, Raipur

Scheelite under ultraviolet lamp in Calc Silicate rock, Village-Adhaura, Balrampur district, Chhattisgarh
Photo by: Shri S.R. Mohanty, Geologist, GSI, SU: CG, Raipur
 Govt. of India ISSN 0579 - 4706
Controller of Publication
PGSI - 370
450-2013 (DSK-II)

85

^maVr` ^yd¡km{ZH$ gd}jU

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

N>ÎmrgJ‹T H$m ^y{dkmZ Ed§ I{ZO g§gmYZ>

{d{dY àH$meZ g§»`m 30 ^mJ XXI, V¥Vr` n[aemo{YV g§ñH$aU

GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF CHHATTISGARH

Miscellaneous Publication No. 30 Part XXI, Third Revised Edition
 C INDIA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (2013)

*First Published 1977

*Second Edition 2006 (Revised)
* Reprint 2007
* Third Edition 2013 (Revised)

Manuscript compiled by
B. K. Mishra Superintending Geologist, SU : Chhattisgarh, Raipur
and
Officers of M-II B, Kolkata

Manuscript processed for printing by

Swagata Chaudhuri Director, Nirmal Dhar Superintending Geologist
and
Manjusha Mahajan Senior Geologist

Under the supervision of

V. P. Sabale Deputy Director General, RMH-III
S. K. Sharma Director, PSS, SU : Maharashtra
and
P. Srivastva DIC, RMH-III

Under the overall guidance of

Eshwara
Deputy Director General
Geological Survey of India
Central Region

Published by
Director General
Geological Survey of India
27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road
Kolkata- 700016.

2013

Price : Inland : ` 168/- Foreign : $ 6.73 / £ 4.10

Printed at : Aishwarya Graphics, Ratan Apartment No.3, Ganeshpeth, Nagpur

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 Foreword

The State of Chhattisgarh constitutes one of the most important geological milieu of the
Indian Shield, exposing rock sequence from Archaean to Recent over an area of 1,35,084 sq km.
Combination of cratons, mobile belts and supracrustal belts occupying a large part of the state has
provided conducive environment for hosting a large variety of mineral deposits. The Archaean
and the Proterozoic rocks are the storehouse for minerals experiencing almost all the
metallogenic epochs in geological history.
The Proterozoic rocks cover the central part of the state and most of the minerals like iron
ore, limestone, dolomite and recently discovered diamond-bearing kimberlite are associated with
these rocks. The north and northeastern parts are occupied by Gondwana sediments with good
deposits of power grade coal. The Deccan Traps spread over north and northwestern parts are
responsible for the huge bauxite deposits in the state. The state is endowed with world class iron
ore deposit having 18.67% of total Indian iron ore, coal resources with 17.32% of the total
deposits of Indian coal, 4.5% of national reserve of bauxite, 5.15% of limestone, 11.25% of
dolomite, and 28.6% of diamond of total Indian reserve. It is the sole tin producing state of the
country with 38% of Indian Tin ore. Precious and semiprecious corundum, alexandrite and
kornerupine, multicoloured dimension stones are also available in the state.
Immense and invaluable data on geological investigations, generated by GSI in the last 162
years have culminated in bringing out the first edition of Miscellaneous Publication, No. 30, on
Geology and Mineral Resources of Madhya Pradesh (undivided) in 1977 and the second revised
edition of Chhattisgarh in 2006. Since then, significant additional data on the geology and
mineral exploration have been generated based on the modern conceptual models warranting
revision in the tectono-stratigraphy of various mobile belts and sedimentary basins present in the
state. A vast analytical data of geochemical samples have also been generated through National
Geochemical Mapping programmes. Moreover, new mineral deposits and prognosticated target
areas for mineral exploration have also been identified such as diamond bearing kimberlitic pipe
rocks in Raipur district; copper, tin and iron ore in Kanker and Bastar districts; gold and bauxite in
Jashpur, Kanker, Bastar and Raipur districts and new coal reserves in Surguja and Raigarh
districts. The discovery of diamondiferous kimberlites had opened up new vista for future
exploration works for diamond in the adjoining states of Odisha and Jharkhand.
The third revised edition of Miscellaneous Publication, No. 30, Part XXI, entitled as
"Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh" has been fulfilled into present volume which
has also a Geological and Mineral Map (1:2 M Scale) of the State. The upto date information on
the geology and mineral resources in this volume will help in planning future programmes in the
state and will facilitate accelerated industrial growth. The concept of equilibrium between
geological search, prospecting, exploration and utilization of mineral resources is our urge for the
accomplishment of sustainable coexistence between the mining, environment and human
resources in the state. It is hoped that this Publication will be immensely useful to various stake
holders especially the scientist engaged in the earth science studies.

Place - Kolkata A. Sundaramoorthy

Date - 05.03.2013 Director General

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 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
CONTENTS Page No.

àmŠH$WZ - FOREWORD iii - iv

I INTRODUCTION 1
General Information 1
Physiography 1

II GEOLOGY 3
II-1 ARCHAEAN 4
II-1.1 Bengpal (Sukma) Group 4
II-1.2A Bastar Gneisses 5
II-1.2B Baya Gneissic Complex 6
II-1.3 Granulite Belts 6
II-1.3A Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt 6
II-1.3B Kondagaon Granulite Belt 6
II-1.3C Konta Granulite Belt 7

II-2 ARCHAEAN- PALAEOPROTEROZOIC 7

II-2.1 Eastern Ghat Supergroup 7
II-2.2 Bailadila Group 7
II-2.3 Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex 8
II-2.4 Gneissic Complex of Bilaspur- Raigarh- Surguja (BRS) Belt 8
II-2.5 Unclassified Metamorphics of 9
Bilaspur-Raigarh - Ambikapur Region

II-3 PALAEOPROTEROZOIC 9
II-3.1 Sonakhan Belt 9
II-3.2 Nandgaon Group 11
II-3.3 Dongargarh and Equivalent Granites 12
II-3.3A Dongargarh Granite 12
II-3.3B Madanbera Granite 13
II-3.3C Kanker-Mainpur Granitoid 13

II-4 PALAEO - MESOPROTEROZOIC 13

II-4.1 Chilpi Group 13
II-4.2 Khairagarh Group 13
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II-4.3 Abujhmar Group 14
II-4.4 Tulsi Dongar Group 14
II-4.5 Mafic Dyke Swarms 14

II-5 MESO - NEOPROTEROZOIC 15

II-5.1 Chhattisgarh Supergroup 15
II-5.1A Singhora Group 15
II-5.1B Chandarpur Group 17
II-5.1C Raipur Group 17
II-5.2 Pairi (Khariar) Group 18
II-5.3 Indravati Group 20
II-5.3A Intrusives 21
II-5.4 Sabri Group 22

II-6 NEOPROTEROZOIC 22
II-6.1 Pakhal Supergroup 22

II-7 UPPER CARBONIFEROUS - LOWER CRETACEOUS 22

II-7.1 Gondwana Supergroup 22
II-7.1A Late Carboniferous to Early Permian 23
II-7.1B Early Permian 23
II-7.1C Late Permian 23
II-7.1D Early Triassic 24
II-7.1E Late Middle Triassic 24
II-7.1F Jurassic 25
II-7.1G Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous 25

II-8 CRETACEOUS 25
II-8.1 Lameta Group 25

II-9 CRETACEOUS - PALAEOGENE 25

II-9.1 Deccan Trap and Associated Rocks 25

II-10 CAINOZOIC: PLEISTOCENE - RECENT 25

II-10.1 Laterite 25
II-10.2 Alluvial Deposits 25

III GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING 26

IV MINERAL RESOURCES 27
Alexandrite 27
Amazonite 27
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 Andalusite 27
Arsenopyrite 27
Asbestos 29
Barites 29
Bauxite 29
Beryl 30
Building stones 30
Chromite 31
China clay/ Kaolin 31
Coal 32
Copper 39
Corundum 39
Diamond 39
Dolomite 40
Feldspar 41
Fire clay 41
Fluorite 41
Flux Grade Magnesian Rocks and PGE 42
Galena (Lead-Zinc ore) 42
Garnet 42
Gold 43
Graphite 45
Iron ore 45
Jade 46
Kyanite 46
Limestone 46
Manganese 48
Magnesite 48
Mica 48
Molybdenum 48
Nickel 48
Ochre 48
Phosphorite 49
Potash 49
Quartz 49
Radioactive minerals 49
Ruby 50
Scheelite 50
Sillimanite 50
Soapstone 50
Talc - Steatite 50
Thermal Springs 50
Tin 50
Slime beneficiation and pelletisation studies 51

IV REFERENCES 53

V LOCALITY INDEX 58

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LIST OF PLATES AND TABLES
PLATE - 1 : Geological and Mineral Map of Chhattisgarh
Table No. 1 : Generalised lithostratigraphy of Chhattisgarh 4
Table No. 2 : Litho association in the Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt 6
Table No. 3 : Lithostratigraphy of Bailadila Group 8
Table No. 4 : Lithostratigraphy of Sonakhan Belt 10
Table No. 5 : Lithostratigraphy of Nandgaon Group 11
Table No. 6 : Lithostratigraphy of Ainhur Group, Kotri Belt 12
Table No. 7 : Litho association in the Khairagarh Group 14
Table No. 8 : Lithostratigraphy of Chhattisgarh Basin 16
Table No. 9 : Stratigraphic Succession of the Pairi Group 19
Table No. 10 : Stratigraphic Classification of Indravati Basin 20
Table No. 11 : Correlation of Gondwana Strata in Son-Mahanadi Basin 23
Table No. 12 : Reserves/Resources of Minerals as on 1.4.2005 : Chhattisgarh 28
Table No. 13 : Mineral Production in Chhattisgarh, 2008-09 to 2009-10 (Excluding Atomic Minerals) 29
Table No. 14 : Inventory of Geological Resource of Chhattisgarh Coal 33
Table No. 15 : Grade-wise resource of noncoking coal in Gondwana Coalfields of Chhattisgarh 35
Table No. 16 : Areas of dolomite deposits in Chhattisgarh Basin of Bilaspur district 40
Table No. 17 : Mineral based industries of Chhattisgarh 52

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Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
I. INTRODUCTION
General Information
Chhattisgarh, deriving its name from the thirty six
forts of pre-independence feudal states, has been carved
out of the erstwhile Madhya Pradesh in the year 2000.
Before Indian independence, present-day Chhattisgarh
state was divided between the Central Provinces and
Berar, a province of British India and a number of
princely states in the north, south and east, which were
part of the Eastern States Agency.
The British province encompassed the central
portion of the state and was made up of three districts-
Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg, which made up the
Chhattisgarh Division of the Central Provinces. Durg
district was created in 1906 out of the eastern portion of
Raipur district.
The northern portion of the state, comprising present-
day Koriya, Surajpur, Surguja, Jashpur and Raigarh
districts, was divided among the six princely states of
Chang Bhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surajpur, Raigarh,
Surguja and Udaipur. To the east, the states of Nandgaon,
Khairagarh, and Kawardha comprised parts of present-
day Rajnandgaon and Kawardha districts. In the south,
the state of Kanker comprised the northern portion of
present-day Kanker district, and the state of Bastar
included present-day Bastar and Dantewada districts and
the southern part of Kanker district.
After Indian Independence, the princely states were
merged with the Central Provinces and Berar to form the
new state of Madhya Pradesh. Present-day Chhattisgarh
comprised seven districts of Madhya Pradesh. The
former states of Kanker and Bastar formed the new
Bastar district, the states of Surguja, Korea, and Chang
Bhakar formed the new Surguja district and the states of
Nandgaon, Khairagarh and Kawardha formed the new
Rajnandgaon district.
In 1998, the seven districts that make up the present-
day Chhattisgarh were reorganized to form 16 districts.
Dantewada and Kanker districts were split from Bastar;
Dhamtari district was split from Raipur; Janjgir-Champa
and Korba districts were split from Bilaspur; Jashpur
district was split from Raigarh; Kawardha district was
formed from parts of Bilaspur and Rajnandgaon; Koriya
and Surajpur districts were split from Surguja and
Mahasamund district was split from Raipur.
Presently there are 27 districts in Chhattisgarh viz.
Balrampur, Balod, Bastar, Baloda Bazar, Bemetara,
Bilaspur, Bijapur, Dantewara, Dhamtari, Durg,
Gariyaband, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Kabirdham,
Kanker, Korba, Koriya, Kondagaon, Mahasamund,
Mungeli, Narayanpur, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon,
Surguja, Surajpur and Sukma. Chhattisgarh with Raipur
as its capital covers an area of 135,084 sq. km bounded by
latitudes 17°46' and 24° 50' North and longitudes 80° 35'
and 84°51' East. It is surrounded by the states of Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh and Maharashtra. The other important towns are
Bilaspur, Durg, Bhilai, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Dhamtari,
Ambikapur, Korba and Jagdalpur. Chhattisgarh abounds
in natural resources including minerals, which have
contributed to establish a number of industries in the
state. Raipur, Bhilai and Korba are important industrial
towns. A good network of roads connects the major towns
as well as the interior villages in the state. Howrah -
Mumbai (southeastern railway) and Bilaspur - Katni
railway lines pass through the state joining the towns
Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Bhilai with important towns
in adjacent states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
Bilaspur is one of the important railway junctions.
Anuppur-Bishrampur Chirimiri railway line gives access
to the Surguja district and is useful for transport of coal
from this area. Durg - Dalli - Rajhara railway line goes
upto the northern border of tribal dominated district of
Kanker. Kirindul-Jagdalpur-Vizianagram (Andhra
Pradesh) railway line is the only rail link to Bastar district
in southern part of Chhattisgarh. Raipur is the only airport
in the state having daily flights from Delhi.
Physiography
Chhattisgarh exhibits highly rugged and undulating
topography in the northern and southern parts. The
Chhattisgarh plain or basin occupying the central part of
the state is relatively flat. This is extensively cultivated
and is known as the 'rice bowl'. The Chhattisgarh plain is
surrounded by highly rugged country comprising linear
hills and granite tors along its margins. Maikala hill range
on its western margin separates it from the main Satpura
hill ranges. Khariar plateau is on the southeastern margin
of the Chhattisgarh plain. This rises to elevations of more
than 900 m above the m.s.l. Keshkal - Amabera plateau,
1

on the southern margin of the Chhattisgarh plain, forms
the northern part of the Dandakaranya plateau in Bastar
district. North-South trending Bailadila hill range forms
the most prominent feature in Bastar district and has the
highest elevation i.e.1296 m above the m.s.l. in the state.
The southern marginal parts of the state demonstrate the
characteristics of peneplained country with low ridges
rising up to the elevations of 100 m above m.s.l. Raigarh-
Surguja plateau occupies the northern part of the state in
Korba, Koriya, Surguja, Jashpur and Raigarh districts.
This region is highly dissected and is having a number of
prominent hills and tablelands (locally known as pats)
rising to elevations more than 1,000 m above the m.s.l.
The most prominent amongst them are Mainpat,
Pandrapat and Jamirapat. These are known for their
pleasant climate during the summer. Raigarh-Surguja
plateau forms a prominent watershed region with a
2
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
number of rivers originating from this and flowing
towards north and south.
Mahanadi River, one of the country's important
rivers, forms the major drainage in the central part of the
state. It originates in the Sihawa hills in the south at the
border of Raipur and Kanker districts. Shivnath, Pairi,
Arpa, Lilagarh, Jonk, Hasdo, Ib and Mand rivers are its
important tributaries. The drainage in southern part of the
state belongs to the Indravati river basin. Indravati River
flows from east to west and then takes an abrupt turn
towards south near the border of Chhattisgarh and
Maharashtra, and joins the Godavari River. Kotri,
Narangi, Bhavardig and Markandi are its important
tributaries. Sabri River flowing southerly near the border
of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, forms part of the Godavari
drainage.
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
II. GEOLOGY
Introduction
The State of Chhattisgarh constitutes one of the
important geological terrains of the Indian shield
exposing rock sequences from Archaean to Recent. A
crustal scale Central Indian Shear zone (CIS) trending E-
W and passing through the central part, subdivides the
state into two distinct geological provinces viz., the
southern Bastar Province and the northern Satpura
Province.
The Bastar Craton preserves one of the oldest crustal
blocks in the Indian peninsular shield. It is confined
between the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB) on the
east and the Godavari graben on the west. The oldest
rocks of the Bastar Craton are the Archaean gneissic
Complex (Bengpal and Sukma groups) which is overlain
by the rocks of Bailadila Group followed by the bimodal
volcanics of Kotri Supergroup and Sonakhan Group
including Dongargarh and Bundeli granitoids and by
sediments and volcanics of Abujhmar Group (Lower-
Middle Proterozoic). This is followed by the platformal
sediments of Chhattisgarh group of basins including
Indravati and Sabri basins. The western boundary of the
Bastar Craton is covered by the rocks of Sausar and
Sakoli groups. On the north of Bastar Craton, beyond the
Mahanadi graben, lies the Raigarh fold belt and EGMB
on the north and the east respectively. This tectonic
scenario is very much important in regional
prognostication for diamond and kimberlites in the
Bastar Craton.
The Bastar Province constitutes the cratonic nuclei
comprising Archaean Gneissic Complex with tectonic
slivers of older Sukma supracrustals and flanked by
Kondagaon and Bhopalpatnam granulite belts in the
northeast and southwest respectively. In the central part of
the gneissic complex, Bailadila Group representing Neo-
Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic greenstone belt, occupies
linear north-south trending ridges in Bastar, Kanker and
Durg districts. Palaeoproterozoic volcanic rocks of
Nandgaon Group extend in north-south over a length of
around 250 km and width of 50 - 60 km in the western part
of the state bordering Maharashtra between Chilpi ghats
in the north to the fringes of Abujhmar in the south. The
volcano-sedimentary sequence in the eastern part in
Raipur and Mahasamund districts is included in the
Palaeoproterozoic Sonakhan Group. The Nandgaon
volcanic belt is intruded by batholithic Dongargarh
Granite. The Dongargarh Granite and its equivalent
granites in Madanbera and Kanker-Mainpur areas occupy
major portion of south - central part of the state. Mafic
dyke swarms conspicuously occupy Bhanupratapur -
Keshkal, Narayanpur - Kondagaon, Bijapur - Sukma and
Geedam - Tongpal areas.
Volcano - sedimentary sequences of the Khairagarh
and Abujhmar groups and sediments of Chilpi Group
belonging to Palaeo – Mesoproterozoic unconformably
overlie the older sequences and granite in the Maikala
range and Abujhmar plateau region. Pakhal Supergroup
belonging to Mesoproterozoic occupies the Godavari
valley region in the southwestern part of the state
bordering Andhra Pradesh. Meso-neoproterozoic plat-
formal cover sequence of the Chhattisgarh Supergroup
occupies the Chhattisgarh plains. The cover sediments of
Indravati, Sabri and Pairi groups, which are equivalents
of Chhattisgarh Group, occupy Jagdalpur plateau, Sabri
basin and Khariar highlands respectively. Laterite with
pockets of bauxite forms capping at a number of places
over these rocks in Keshkal -Amabera area.
The Satpura province is confined to the north of the
CIS and is devoid of the volcano-sedimentary sequences
as observed in the Bastar Province. The oldest rocks
belonging to Archaean to Paleoproterozoic include
granitic gneisses and enclaves of meta-sedimentary/
meta-igneous rocks confined to the southern part of the
province in the Raigarh-Bilaspur belt. Gneisses and
granitoids exposed to the east of Mahanadi basin are
included within Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex of the
Archaean (?) - Palaeoproterozoic. Inliers of gneisses and
granitoids also occur within the coal-bearing Gondwana
basins. Precambrian cover sequences, as present in Bastar
Province are absent in this province, but the Gondwana
sequence is well developed. Gondwana sequence
belonging to Upper Carboniferous - Lower Cretaceous
age is confined in the two basins NW-SE trending
Mahanadi Basin and ENE-WSW trending South Rewa
Basin. The two basins merge in Surguja area north of
Baikunthpur. Lameta Group is exposed in the
Amarkantak plateau region, southeastern and eastern
parts of Surguja District (Ambikapur). Remnants of
Deccan Trap occur in the plateaus in the western and
northeastern parts of Bilaspur District and in southeastern
and eastern parts of Surguja District. Basic dykes of
Deccan Trap affinity intrude the Gondwanas. Laterite
with bauxite pockets occurs in Jamirapat and Mainpat in
Surguja District, Pandrapat plateau in Jashpur District
and Phutka Pahar of Korba District. Quaternary alluvium
is confined to major river valleys. The generalized
lithostratigraphic sequence is given in Table - 1.
3
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Table - 1. Generalised lithostratigraphy of Chhattisgarh

Recent- Holocene Alluvium

Cainozoic
Mid-Pliocene Laterite, Bauxite

Upper Cretaceous- Deccan Trap

Mesozoic Palaeogene
Upper Cretaceous Lameta Group

Lower Cretaceous
Palaeozoic-Mesozoic Gondwana Supergroup
Upper Carboniferous

Neoproterozoic Pakhal Supergroup

Kimberlite
Meso- Neo- Chhattisgarh Supergroup, Indravati
Proterozoic Group, Sabri Group,
Pairi (Khariar) Group
Proterozoic
Palaeo - Khairagarh Group, Abujhmar Group,
Mesoproterozoic Tulsi Dongar Group, Chilpi Group
Dongargarh Granite,
Palaeoproterozoic
Nandgaon Group, Sonakhan Group

Unclassified metamorphites and granites

of Bilaspur Raigarh-Surguja (BRS) Belt,
Gneisses of BRS Belt
Archaean-Palaeoproterozic
Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex
Bailadila Group,
Eastern Ghat Supergroup

Konta Granulite,
Kondagaon Granulite and Charnockite,
Bhopalpatnam Granulite
Archaean
Unclassified Bastar Gneisses,
Baya Gneisses etc.
Bengpal (Sukma) Group,

II- 1 ARCHAEAN II-1. 1 Bengpal (Sukma) Group

Pioneering work in Bastar Province includes those of In Bastar-Kanker-Rajnandgaon sector, metasedi-

Bose 1898-99, 1899-1900, Ball (1877), King (1881),
Walker (1900), Crookshank (1938,1963), Ghosh, (1941).
Bose, (CF Griesbach 1899, 1900) described the Bastar
Supracrustals under the "Transition Series" and
correlated them with the Dharwar System. Crookshank
(1963) presented a geological succession based on his
work and that of Ghosh (1932-38) for the Precambrians
of southern part of Bastar Province and divided them into
Sukma, Bengpal and Iron Ore Series. Ghosh (1941)
reported the presence of metasedimentary and meta
igneous lithologies occurring as granulitic enclaves
within migmatitic and granitic gneisses. The granulite
facies rocks could clearly be delineated to form separate
belts in southern Bastar including the Bhopalpatnam,
Kondagaon and Konta Granulite Belt.
4
mentary and meta igneous rocks occurring as enclaves
within granite gneiss and showing almandine-
amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism have been
included in the Bengpal (Sukma) Group. These
Precambrian rocks in the southern part of Bastar were
sub-divided into Sukma, Bengpal and Iron Ore Series by
Crookshank (1963). The Sukma and Bengpal Series as
designated by Crookshank were differentiated based on
occurrence of diopsidic and calc-silicate rocks in the
Sukma and that of basic lava and tuff in Bengpals. The
metamorphic grade in the Bengpal Series was shown to
be lower than that in Sukma Series. Ghosh (1932-38),
however, differed from Crookshank's proposition by
recognizing a composite Bengpal Group (including
lithologies of both Sukma and Bengpal Series). The
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
differences between the two groups were attributed due
to facies variation and different depth of burial. The later
workers included the metamorphites of Bastar district
into Bengpal Group including lithologies of Sukma and
Bengpal Series of Crookshank (1963), Chatterjee (1970),
Ramakrishnan (1990) and Mishra et al. (1988).
Ramakrishnan (1990), however, reverted back to the
distinction between Sukma and Bengpal on the basis of
reported unconformity between the two. Ramchandra et
al. (2001) generally endorsed the stratigraphic scheme of
Ramakrishnan (1990) and regarded the Bengpal
sequence of Chandner-Tulsidongar Belt as a mobile belt.
Bengpal Group comprises calc-gneiss, pyroxene
quartzite (with specks of graphite at places), cordierite
schist and gneisses, metapelite (schist of various
compositions including andalusite schist), quartzite,
banded-magnetite quartzite (with or without grunerite),
metabasites, amphibolite and hornblende schist. These
supracrustals occur on mappable scale in Bastar,
Dantewara and Kanker districts of Chhattisgarh and are
well exposed in the following areas:
a. Sukma-Kerlapal-Chintalnar; Nainiras-Gariapal;
Aranpur and Ganglur west of Bailadila hills in
Dantewara district.
b. Barsur, Bastar district.
c. Kapsi-Pakhanjur and Bahmni, Kanker district
d. Mainpur-Nagri, Raipur district.
Apart from the above, enclaves of supracrustals
occur within gneisses as lenses and bands in the southern
part of Bastar in Konta Belt.
Due to polyphase deformation and metamorphism,
and effects of younger tectonic events the
lithostratigraphic succession of the supracrustals is not
clear. The following features are observed in Bastar and
Dantewara districts.
1. The rocks show E-W trend with vertical to steep
dips and grade into granulite facies metamorphic
assemblages. Further south, they are truncated
by the NE-SW trend of the younger Konta
Mobile Belt.
2. In the western part, these supracrustals grade into
Bhopalpatnam Granulite facies mobile belt and
show superposed NW-SE structural trends.
3. In the north, these supracrustals show mega-
scale refolding along N-S trending axial planes
due to the younger Bailadila orogeny.
4. In the east, these supracrustals trend N-S to
NNW-SSE and are cut by the younger NW- SE to
WNW-ESE trend of the Bengpal-Chandenar-
Tulsidongar Mobile Belt (BCTMB).
Quartzite occurs as bands extending for several kms
along the strike in the southern parts of Dantewara
district. These are inter-banded with other metasediments
and show gradational contact with BIF and calc-silicates.
Diopside quartzites/calc-gneiss commonly contains
minor amounts of graphite. Sillimanite and green micas
are commonly noticed within quartzite. Sillimanite
occurs as clusters at places.
BMQ (essentially magnetite quartzite) occurs as
bands extending for several kms and shows impersistent
quartz-magnetite banding on mm to cm scale. It shows
following mineral assemblage: Quartz-magnetite-garnet-
pyrrhotite; Quartz-magnetite-diopside-hornblende-
chlorite-garnet and Quartz-magnetite cummingtonite/
grunerite-hornblende.
Calc-silicate bands are dominant in the southern part
of Dantewara district and grade into para-amphibolite
and calc-gneisses. These occur closely interbanded with
BMQ and quartzite and show characteristic ribbed
weathering. Calc-gneisses show bands of quartzo-
feldspathic composition alternating with calc-silicate
minerals.
Amphibolite and meta ultramafites occur as small
lenses/bands within the migmatitic gneiss and as larger
mappable bands in Sukma area. They show a mineral
assemblage of quartz-plagioclase-k-feldspar-
hornblende-garnet-opaque-apatite. Metaultramafics are
highly retrograded and show an assemblage of
serpentinite-talc-actinolite-tremolite-chlorite-calcite-
opaque.
II- 1. 2A Bastar Gneisses
High-grade gneiss-supracrustal assemblage
belonging to the Archaean forms the oldest rock sequence
in Bastar Province. This is the most predominant litho-
unit in the Dantewara-Bastar-Kanker-Rajnandgaon
sector in southern part of Chhattisgarh. Similar litho-
assemblage is noticed on the southern fringes of the
Sonakhan Belt in Raipur and Mahasamund districts,
where it is referred as Baya Gneisses (Das, et al. 1990).
Gneiss migmatite mainly include banded gneiss,
stromatic gneisses and leucocratic gneisses, which
contain meta sedimentary, meta igneous and tonalite-
trondhjemite gneiss (TTG) restites. The gneiss is
commonly grey in colour, medium to fine grained and
crudely banded with parallel oriented streaks of biotite
and rare amphiboles. Bands are rich in quartz, feldspar
and biotite. The abundance of biotite in the vicinity of
meta sedimentary enclaves in the gneiss suggests that it is
not an original constituent of the granitic gneiss but
5

represents assimilated material from the surrounding
rocks (Crookshank, 1963). BMQ, hornblende-schist,
pyroxene-gneiss and quartzite occurring as thin
unmappable bands scattered over wide area in
Malkangiri Valley, west of Sukma, within biotite gneiss
indicate that these gneisses are of hybrid nature and are
product of remobilization of the basement gneisses.
These gneisses have been referred as Bijapur Gneisses
(Mishra et al., 1988) and Bengpal Gneisses (Bhandara
District Resource Map). TTG occurs as restites within the
Bastar Gneissic Complex. In most places, tonalite-
trondhjemites have been involved in later anatexis
yielding melts of granite-granodiorite composition. The
TTG suite from Sukma Group in southern part of Bastar
district has given the oldest date of 3.6 Ga. (Sarkar, et al.
1994).
II-1.2B Baya Gneissic Complex
The gneisses occurring at the southern margin of
Sonakhan Belt in Raipur and Mahasamund have been
included in the Baya Gneissic Complex (Das, et al.
1990). These rocks occupy only a small area to be shown
on the present scale of the map. Younger intrusive granite
belonging to the Dongargarh suite isolates the Baya
Gneissic complex of Sonakhan Belt from the gneissic
complex of Bastar. Meta sedimentary, meta igneous
sequence belonging to the Archaean occurs as enclaves
within the Baya Gneissic Complex and has been included
in the Tonidongar Group (equated with Bengpal Group).
This consists of quartz-mica schist, sillimanite (fibrolite)
quartzite, banded magnetite quartzite, amphibolite and
meta ultramafites. The gneissic complex includes
tonalitic gneiss, granodiorite gneiss, granite and
migmatite.
II-1. 3 Granulite Belts
The granulite belts present within the Bastar
Province are classified into (1) Bhopalpatnam and Older
Kondagaon Belts (2) Younger Konta Belt based on their
lithological association, deformational history and age
correlation.
Table - 2. Litho-association in the Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt
Younger granites
Two-pyroxene granulite.
Olivine-spinel-opx bearing ultramafics,
Charnockite, Charnockitic gneiss, Enderbites etc,
Quartzite, Calc-silicate, Al- and Mg-Al metapelite, BIF
Gneiss-migmatites including banded gneiss, stromatic gneiss and leucocratic
gneiss containing metaigneous and metasedimentary restites.
6
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
II- I.3A Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt
The Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt along the
southwestern edge of the Bastar Craton and the
northeastern shoulder of the Godavari graben(Ghosh,
1941), is about 300 km long and 20-40 km wide and
trends NW-SE. Meta sedimentary and meta igneous
rocks occur as enclaves within migmatitic and granitic
gneisses. The carbonate rocks played a major role in the
granulite facies metamorphism and gradation is noted
between the calcareous facies BIF and calc-silicate rocks.
The lithological association in the Bhopalpatnam Belt
shows similarities with that of the Sukma Group. Gneiss-
supracrustals have been metamorphosed to granulite
facies conditions within this belt accompanied by
juvenile magmatic input. The litho-association in the
Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt is given in Table - 2
(Mishra, et al. 1988).
II-1.3B Kondagaon Granulite Belt
The Kondagaon Granulite Belt is about 70 km long
N-S trending belt occupying the area east of Kondagaon
in Bastar district. Sukma Gneiss-Supracrustals occur as
enclaves affected by granulite facies metamorphism
within this belt.
The litho-association in this belt is similar to that of
Bhopalpatnam Belt. Charnockite, charnockitic enderbitic
gneiss, leptynite, leptites, two-pyroxene granulite and
leptynitic rocks dominate the western part of the belt.
Pink granite occurs in northern part. Grey and pink potash
granites, diorites, garnet-bearing grey greasy granites and
rare anorthositic bands also occur. Acid charnockite
occurs in the eastern part with meta-sedimentary enclaves
including BIF, quartzite, mica schists, cordierite-
sillimanite quartzite, and garnet bearing Mg-Al meta
pelites. Calc-gneisses occur as patches and lenses in the
leptynites in the central and southeastern part, exhibiting
transitional contact with leptynites and migmatites.
The western and northern contacts of the Kondagaon
Belt are marked by shear zones with intrusion of coarse
porphyritic granite that continues to carry enclaves of
granulite facies rocks even tens of kilometers away from
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
the contact. The eastern margin of the belt is bordered by
younger granite associated with pillowed meta basalt
(Amravati Basalt) (Mishra, et al. 1988). This granitoid
separates the Kondagaon Belt from Eastern Ghat Mobile
Belt.
II-1.3C Konta Granulite Belt
The NW-SE trending Bhopalpatnam Belt is
truncated at its southeastern extremity by dominantly
NE-SW to E-W trending structures, particularly in the
southern part of Dantewara district. The earlier structures
have been affected by later deformation and rotated into
NE-SW trend. Sukma Gneisses Supracrustals show
tectonic contact (marked by shear zones) with granulite
facies rocks of this belt (including opx- bearing BIF,
metapelites, two-pyroxene granulite rocks, charnockites,
enderbites etc.). In the Banda-Maita and Konta areas in
southern part of this belt the foliation in the granulite
facies rocks trends NE-SW to ENE-WSW. The granulite
facies rocks are spatially associated with ultramafic
complexes and alkaline suite of rocks.
The set up in the granulite belts, especially in the
Konta area is identical with that noted in the Eastern Ghat
Mobile Belt (EGMB) exposed to the southeast.
II-2 ARCHAEAN- PALAEOPROTEROZOIC
II -2.1 Eastern Ghat Supergroup
The granulite belt exposed in Deobhog of Raipur
district forms extension of Eastern Ghat Supergroup and
comprises charnockitic gneiss, pyroxene - gneiss,
khondalite, granitoid, gabbro, metavolcanics and
metapelites.
II-2.2 Bailadila Group
Banded Iron Formation (BIF) occurs as narrow (a
few km wide and more than 100 km long), generally N-S
trending belts in the Bastar-Kanker-Durg districts. This is
well exposed in Bailadila area in Dantewara district and
was the earliest to be studied for its large deposits of iron
ores. BIF belts have also been noted around Rowghat,
Surajgarh, Gatta-Koti and Hahaladdi- Dalli-Rajhara. All
these belts show unconformable or tectonic contact with
the older Sukma Gneiss-Supracrustals. These are
characterised by polyphase deformation and green
schist-lower amphibolite facies of metamorphism. The
younger sediments belonging to Abujhmar Group occur
as cover over BIF belts. The post-Bailadila granites can
be correlated with the Dongargarh Granite of Late -
Archaean-Palaeoproterozoic age.
BIF is exposed in the following four belts.
i. Bailadila Belt (mainly Dantewara district)
ii. Rowghat- Mademnar Chhotadongar Belt
extending for more than 100 km in detached
belts along N-S with varying width from 3-8 km
(Bastar, Kanker districts).
iii. H a h a l a d d i - D a l l i - R a j h a r a e x t e n d i n g
discontinuously for more than 120 km with
width up to 5 km along north- south (Kanker,
Balod districts).
iv. Northeastern tip of curvilinear WNW-ESE to
ENE-WSW trending Surjagarh Belt is exposed
in western part of Kanker district.
Bailadila Group mainly comprises quartzite,
polymictic conglomerate, ferruginous shale / phyllite and
tuff, banded haematite quartzite, chlorite schist and
pillowed meta basalt (greenstone). Similar sequence is
noted in isolated sectors in western part of Bastar district.
The lithostratigraphic succession in different sectors is
given in Table - 3.
In Bailadila area the rocks show N-S to NNE-SSW
strike with dips varying from 30° to 70° eitherway and
effects of two phases of deformation resulting in
culmination and depression. The first phase resulted in to
N-S to NNE-SSW trending upright anticlines and
synclines and the second phase of folding resulted into
folds with ENE-WSW axial traces.
In Rowghat area, the regional scale 'M' shaped
outcrop pattern is due to F1 fold plunging 20° to 25°
towards SW. The major folds are represented by Salebhat
anticline in the central part with corresponding Anjree
and Huratarai synclines towards east and west
respectively.
Bailadila Group shows greenschist facies of
metamorphism. At their contact with intrusive granites
minerals like orthopyroxene and riebeckite are noted in
Malenger Valley. The grade of metamorphism decreases
in the northern parts and in Dalli- Rajhara area. Shales
associated with BIF show little effects of metamorphism.
The BIF- basic volcanic association of Algoma type
suggests their Late Archaean/Palaeoproterozoic
derivation.
The post Bailadila granites can be correlated with the
Dongargarh Granite (2500-2600 Ma). These are
leucocratic, coarse to fine grained and consist of quartz,
microcline, perthite, sodic plagioclase and myrmekite
with minor biotite.
7

Table - 3. Lithostratigraphy of Bailadila Group (Bose, 1899-1900)
Bailadila range South Bastar
Bacheli Greenstone Chlorite schist
Quartz arenite Phyllite/ talc-tremolite schist
Jhirka Iron Formation
Ferruginous shale
Meta-gabbro Meta-volcanics
Altered ultramafics
Conglomerate Quartzite
Quartz sericite schist
Balumeta Iron Formation BHQ
Sericite quartzite grit Meta-conglomerate
Ferruginous shale, phyllite
Scist (meta tuff)
Cherty dolomite
Iron formation
II-2.3 Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex
Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex comprises granitic
rocks, extending in east-west direction from the northern
part of Chhattisgarh in Bilaspur, Korba, Surguja,
Raigarh, Jashpurnagar districts to Jharkhand and West
Bengal. It forms floor of the coalfields, and regarded as
the rock barrier separating the northern and southern sea
during the Vindhyan times. The granitic gneiss is well
foliated and contains enclaves of schistose rocks. Every
gradation from wide band of schist hinging off from the
main outcrop into the granite, through injection gneiss to
typical migmatites is observed. Granitoids are medium
grained and non- porphyritic to porphyritic in nature with
large crystals of potash bearing sillimanite. Enclaves of
meta-ultramafites and hornblende schist are abundant.
These gneisses were originally named as the
'Fundamental Gneiss' as equivalent of Peninsular Gneiss
o f A r c h a e a n a g e . H o w e v e r, t h e a v a i l a b l e
geochronological data from these rocks do not
corroborate their Archaean age.
In Balarampur sector of toposheet No. 64M/10
(23030'00'' to 23040'00'' : 83000'00'' to 83045'00'') has
revealed that the basement gneiss is characterized by
tonalite-granodiorite gneiss with supracrustal sequence
of quartzite ( Kumar, V. V., et al. 2010-12). These are
emplaced by two phases of granite. Three phases of
folding were observed and shear bands are observed
parallel to S0, S1 and S2 graphite-mica schist and calc-
silicate rocks. Scheelite mineralisation was observed in
NE-SW trending zone with calc-silicate rocks as the host
rock.
8
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
North Bastar (Kanker- Durg district)
Meta-ultrmalite
Banded Iron Formation
Conglomerate
Meta-ultramafite
Quartz arenite
Ferruginous shale
Banded hematite quartzite
II-2.4 Gneissic Complex of Bilaspur-Raigarh-
Surguja (BRS) Belt
Gneiss-supracrustal association occurs bordering the
Chilpi and Chhattisgarh groups in the Bilaspur-Raigarh
area and along the fringes of Gondwanas in Bilaspur,
Raigarh and Surguja districts of Chhattisgarh. The belt
comprises high-grade gneiss, supracrustals and a
sequence of low- to medium-grade meta sedimentary
rocks with or without metabasics. Ultramafic (often
serpentinized) and basic and anorthositic intrusives occur
within the tonalite-granodiorite suite of rocks.
Along the northern fringes of the Chhattisgarh
Basin, more than 100 km long nearly E-W trending
mylonite zone has been traced forming part of CIS. A
mylonite zone extending for more than 100 km along
WNW-ESE has also been noticed south of Lakshmanpur
in the southern part of the Surguja district. Apart from
the above, several mylonite zones are noted within the
BRS belt including Tan shear (Jain et al., 1995) forming
eastern extension of Gavilgarh lineament. Presence of
two-pyroxene granulite within the gneiss from different
parts of the belt, as small enclaves, has been reported by
Narayanamurthy and Radhakrishna (1961); Dutta and
Dutta (1990); Jain et al. (1995). Cordierite- bearing
gneisses have also been reported from Baneya,
Thekatanagar and Kerju area in Raigarh and Surguja
districts by Chandra and Das, (1984), Sahu et al. (2003).
Younger granitoids with or without mafic
enclaves/xenoliths occur in Bilaspur- Korba-Raigarh
area. Alkaline (syenitic) and lamprophyre dykes occur in
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
eastern part of the BRS belt in Surguja and Jashpurnagar
districts.
II-2.5 Unclassified Metamorphics of Bilaspur-
Raigarh-Ambikapur Region
Gneiss-supracrustal belt occurs bordering the Chilpi
Group and Chhattisgarh Supergroup in the Bilaspur-
Raigarh area at the fringes of Gondwana basin in
Bilaspur, Raigarh and Surguja districts of Chhattisgarh.
Rao (1981) equated the supracrustals with the Sausar
metasediments of the Manganese Belt of Balaghat
district in southeastern Madhya Pradesh. Thorat et al.
(1990) have correlated the metasedimentary sequence in
Bilaspur with the Sausar Group which includes slate,
phyllite and mica schist with or without garnet, staurolite,
anthophyllite, marble, chert and banded magnetite
quartzite occurring as enclaves within migmatitic and
porphyroblastic gneiss. Garnet and sillimanite bearing
schists also occur as enclaves within gneisses in Bilaspur.
Sahu et al. (2003) have discussed the geology of western
part of Bilaspur-Raigarh Belt (BRB). Lithological
assemblage demonstrates a low grade terrain (green
schist facies) in the south and a medium grade terrain
(amphibolite facies) in the north separated by a wide
mylonite zone. The medium grade assemblage has been
equated with the Sausar Group. However, Bhattacharyya
and Bhattacharyya (2003) considered BRB as an
ensemble of Precambrian supracrustal granite, gneiss and
granulite with tectonic contacts and classified these rocks
as northern supracrustal, central supracrustal and
southern supracrustal.
Inliers of granite and supracrustals within the
Gondwana Basin
Numerous inliers of granitic rocks are present within
the Gondwana Basin of Mahanadi Valley in Bilaspur,
Korba, Surguja and Koriya districts. Fermor (as quoted in
Pascoe 1973) considered these crystalline rocks as
extension of the crystalline core of the Satpura range. In
majority of the places, the Gondwana rocks have faulted
contact with these granitic rocks and the faults normally
extend in ENE-WSW direction parallel to the regional
trend.
In the Korba Coalfield, inliers of gneiss, schist,
amphibolite and quartzite are recorded along the northern
and southern boundaries of the coalfield near Sangurha,
Dhaurabhata and Bharbamura.
In the Bisrampur Coalfield, granite and gneiss occur
along the western and northern boundaries of the
coalfield and also along eastern and southwestern
boundaries. The metamorphites comprising slate,
quartzite and amphibolite crop out mostly along the
eastern periphery of the coalfield near Chotka Dhariha in
Surguja district. A prominent fault zone marks the
northern boundary of Bisrampur Coalfield and extends
westward in Sohagpur Coalfield and eastward in Koriya
district within the gneissic country. The width of the fault
zone is about 200m, marked by intense shearing and
brecciation. In Sohagpur Coalfield, this fault is referred
as Chilpi-Bamni fault. Emplacement of dolerite dykes
and sill are recorded along it. The throw of the fault,
though not precisely determined, is likely to be over 400
m. (Raja Rao, 1983).
In Lakhanpur Coalfield, the gneiss and mica schist
are well exposed in the eastern and southeastern margins.
Quartzites form a prominent elongated ridge of low relief
along the northern boundary between Pondih and
Amgaon.
In Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, the inliers
comprising granite, gneiss, migmatite, amphibolite, mica
schist and quartzite are exposed in north and south.
Granite and gneisses are exposed near Tatapani and south
of Sendur. Outcrops of mica-schists are recorded around
Khairar and Mitgain in the northeast and near Gomharhia
in the north. Amphibolites are exposed in the southwest
of Khurri.
In Jhilimili Coalfield, the Precambrian rocks consist
of gneiss, granite and schist which are intruded by quartz
veins. The gneisses occur over a wide area of the
Precambrian terrain lying to the east of the coalfield.
Granites occur over a large area to the north of Tarka and
Pasla villages.
In Sonahat Coalfield, the Precambrian rocks show up
from beneath the Talchir rocks in the area south of the
Churcha block.
In Sohagpur Coalfield, the Precambrian basement
rocks are not exposed in the vicinity of the coalfield.
Inliers of these rocks are noted within the Talchir
Formation south of the Son River and also in the Hasdo
River section east of Manendragarh. The predominant
rock type is pink porphyritic gneiss. Aplite and pegmatite
bodies traverse the gneisses.
II-3 PALAEOPROTEROZOIC
II-3.1 Sonakhan Belt
The Sonakhan Belt covers an area of about 1200
sq.km extending in NNW-SSE direction for about 40 km
from Sonakhan in the north to Remra (21°17'N: 82°46'E)
in the south having maximum width of 40 km in the
central part. The belt exposes volcano-sedimentary
sequence belonging to Sonakhan Group, basic and acid
igneous suite belonging to Bilari Group and younger
9
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

intrusive granitoids and basic dykes. The Sonakhan
Group shows unconformable /tectonic contact with older
gneiss-supracrustals Baya Gneissic Complex in the
western and southern parts and is in turn unconformably
overlain by the Chhattisgarh Supergroup in the north and
eastern parts. In the southwestern and southern part of
Sonakhan Belt, intrusive granite occurs at the contact of
Sonakhan Group and Baya Gneissic Complex.
King (1899) first described the Sonakhan Belt in
southeastern parts of Raipur District. He correlated the
rocks of this belt with those of the Chilpi Group and
Sakoli Series. Pascoe (1973) correlated the Sonakhan
Group with the Dharwars based on lithological similarity
and presence of gold mineralization. However, on the
basis of litho-associations and tectonic setting, the
Sonakhan Group has been correlated with the
Palaeoproterozoic Nandgaon Group.
Stratigraphy
The lithostratigraphic succession of the Sonakhan
Belt (Das et.al., 1990) is given in the Table-4, which was
also followed by Ashiya and Manoj Kumar (1992).
Sonakhan Group includes the basal sequence
comprising two formations viz. Baghmara and Arjuni.
Baghmara Formation mainly consists of meta-
ultramafites, schists and massive metabasalt
(occasionally pillowed), meta-gabbro, pyroclastics of
intermediate to basic composition, ignimbrite, rhyolite,
acid tuff, pebbly tremolite-actinolite schist, and
carbonaceous argillite and ferruginous sulphide - bearing
chert. Meta-ultramafites are confined to the western and
the eastern part of the belt and comprise magnetite -
bearing talc schist, talc-tremolite schist, tremolite-
actinolite schist and meta-pyroxenite. A thin lensoid
polymictic conglomerate to pebbly schist body occurs
within the meta-ultramafite near Bamnidih. It is about 6
km in length and with a thickness of 50 m to 200 m.
Amygdular structures are common in the meta basalt.
Presence of pillows indicates that the basalts are mostly
of subaqueous origin. Pyroclastic rocks of intermediate to
basic composition occur as patches and pockets.
The volcanic suite of Baghmara Formation is
overlain by a thick sedimentary pile, which is
interspersed with minor volcanic bands. The sillimanite-
conglomerate arenite-argillite suite represents the

Table - 4. Lithostratigraphy of the Sonakhan Belt (Das et al. 1990)

Chhattisgarh Supergroup Conglomerate, Grit, Arenite

------------------------------------------------------------------- Unconformity ---- --------------------------------------------------------------
Quartz Vein
Basic Dykes Dolerite, Gabbro
----------------------------------------------------------------- Intrusive Contact -----------------------------------------------------------------
Granitoids Pegmatite, Aplite, Granophyre,
Biotite and porphyritic granite
----------------------------------------------------------------- Intrusive Contact -----------------------------------------------------------------
Gabbro-Ultramafite Intrusive
----------------------------------------------------------------- Intrusive Contact -----------------------------------------------------------------
Bilari Group Lakhdabri Acid Igneous Suite
Arangi Basic Igneous Suite
------------------------------------------------------------------ Disconformity ---- --------------------------------------------------------------
Metamorphosed polymictic Conglomerate,
Arjuni Formation Graywacke, Argillite, B.H.J, Arenite
with thin bands of basic volcanics.
Sonakhan Group
Metaultramafite, pebbly tremolite-
Baghmara Formation actinolite schist, amphibolite, metabasalt,
pillowed metabasalt, pyroclastics, acid
volcanics and tuffs, BIF, Chert, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------ Unconformity ---- --------------------------------------------------------------
Tonalitic and granodioritic gneisses,
Baya Gneissic Complex Gneisses migmatites and granites with restites of
BMQ, metaultramafite, mica schist, fibrolite
quartzite, etc.

10
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

sedimentary pile. This lithological unit is exposed mainly
in the western part of the schist belt and has been
designated as Arjuni Formation. This formation has
major polymictic conglomerate at the base known as the
Jonk Conglomerate. The conglomerate demonstrates
bimodality with matrix having meta arkosic and
chlorite/biotite rich greywacke composition. The
pebbles, cobbles and boulders are of heterogeneous
composition, variable in shape and show high degree of
roundness and sphericity and are mainly of granite,
gneiss, and acid volcanic rocks, porphyries,
amphibolites, metabasalt, quartzite, vein quartz, BIF,
jasper, phyllite and schist. Jonk Conglomerate shows
gradation towards east with the overlying meta-argillite-
arenite, graywacke sequence interbedded with banded
ferruginous quartzite.
The volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Sonakhan
Group have been affected by low-grade green schist
facies metamorphism.
The Bilari Group overlying the Sonakhan Group
occupies the eastern part of the belt. It is essentially
composed of undeformed metamorphosed basic and acid
extrusives and intrusives. It comprises Arangi Formation
(basic igneous suite) and Lakhdabri Formation (acid
igneous suite). Majority of samples of acid volcanics falls
in rhyolite field (Mishra, et al. 2012).
SiO2 and Nb/Y vs Zr/TiO2 plots, metabasalt ranges in
composition from andesite to rhyodacite-dacite.
Ultramafite and gabbro form younger intrusives.
Medium to coarse-grained granite with porphyritic
variants occurs as intrusive within the Sonakhan Belt
occupying large area having batholithic nature and also as
stocks and bosses fringing the Sonakhan Belt.
Two phases of deformation have been recorded in
Sonakhan Belt. The early folds (F1) are isoclinal and
show steep dipping NNW-SSE trending axial surface.
The folds in most cases plunge at moderate to high angles
towards north, north-west and south. The F2 folding has
produced broad open flexures with NE-SW axial planes,
and has resulted into culminations and depressions due to
interference of fold patterns. Most of the large-scale folds
developed in the region are synformal.
II-3.2 Nandgaon Group
Rajnandgaon-Dongargarh area in the western part of
Chhattisgarh exposes a sequence of volcanics and low-
grade metasedimentary rocks of Late Palaeoproterozoic
age, which are included in the Nandgaon Group of the
Dongargarh Supergroup, which comprises the
Nandgaon, Khairagarh and Chilpi groups (Sarkar, 1957).
Dongargarh Granite is intrusive in the Nandgaon Group.

Trace element variations reveal that acid volcanics
have rhyodacite-dacite composition. Both volcanic arc
type and volcanic arc+syn-collision type of tectonic
setups are indicated. Major oxide variation diagrams for
basic and metabasalt indicate sub alkaline nature,
majority falling in andesite and some in trachyandesite
and dacite field. Trace element variation diagrams
classify them as low potassium tholeiites. In Zr/TiO2 vs
Nandgaon Group comprises the Bijli Rhyolite and
the Pitepani Basic Volcanics. Bijli Rhyolite consists
mainly of rhyolite with interbanded rhyolitic conglo-
merate, welded rhyolitic tuffs, rhyolitic agglomerate,
ignimbrite and sandstone. Pitepani Volcanics mainly
includes massive to porphyritic basalt with rare pillowed
structure. The lithostratigraphic succession of the
Nandgaon Group is given in Table - 5.

Table - 5. Lithostratigraphy of Nandgaon Group (Sarkar, et al.1994)

Dongargarh granite Microgranite & aplite; coarse & porphyritic granite; Porphyritic
(2270 ± 90 to 2465 ± 22 Ma) microgranite & granophyre
Hypabyssal gabbro & dioritic units,
porphyry
Pitepani Volcanics (<1690 Ma) Non-porphyritic, porphyritic &
amygdaloidal tholeiite
Basic tuff & agglomerates
Shales & siltstones
Nandgaon Group Nandgaon Orogeny (Unconformity)

Porphyritic & non-porphyritic rhyolites,

Bijli Rhyolites rhyolite porphyry (flow layers)
Rhyolitic conglomerate, sandstones,
siltstones, shales & tuffs (300m)

Rhyolite with flow layers (2180 – 2503 Ma)

Amgaon orogeny, metamorphism & granitisation (> c. 2500 Ma).

Amgaon Group Quartz sericite schist; feldspathic garnet epidote, hornblende- biotite
– quartzite; quartz-feldspar-biotite gneiss, augen gneiss, hornblende
schist & amphibolite

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 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Similar sequence of rocks occurs in northwestern
part of erstwhile Bastar District (presently Kanker
district) forming the southern extension of Rajnandgaon-
Dongargarh Volcanic Belt. This north-south trending
belt defines the Kotri rift zone within the Bastar Craton
with high-grade gneiss- sillimanite association forming
the rift borders. The bimodal volcanic sequence in Kotri
Belt has been included in the Ainhur Group (Nandgaon
Group) comprising Pachangi, Kurse Korhi and Mendra
formations, which are unconformably overlain by
Patkasa Formation. Gabbro- ultramafic intrusive occur in
the west central part of the Kotri Belt showing north-
south trend. This comprises pods of altered dunite-
pyroxenite associated with differentiated gabbro. The
stratigraphic succession is presented in the Table-6.
The lowermost Pachangi Formation is exposed along
the western margin of Kotri Belt as a steeply dipping litho
association of alternating epiclastic and pyroclastic
sediments with layers of acid volcanic and volcano-
clastic rocks. It is best exposed around Pachangi village,
about 4 km east of Kapsi in the Kanker district. Epiclastic
rocks include conglomerate, sandstone, shale and
lahar-type volcanic breccia. Pyroclastic rocks include
tuff, tuffaceous sandstone, and minor ignimbrite and
agglomerate. The Kurse Kohri Formation is exposed east
of the Pachangi Formation. It comprises predominantly
of rhyolite-dacite, ignimbrite and different types of acidic
volcano-clastic rocks with minor basalt and sedimentary
rocks.
The Mendra Formation is exposed in the eastern part
of the belt. It comprises massive and vesicular basalt and
interbanded basaltic volcano-clastic rocks. Basaltic
pyroclastic rocks include lithic breccia, lapilli breccia,
agglomerates, tuffs and ash.
Rocks of Ainhur Group trend in N-S direction and
show steep easterly dips in the western part of the belt
with gradual shallowing in the eastern part. This variation
in the attitudes of rocks within the belt is partially due to
the original deposition over an asymmetrically subsiding
basin later steepened by compression during the closure
of the basin. Ainhur Group is weakly metamorphosed.
The litho-assemblages, their facies analyses and
structural features suggest that these were evolved in an
intra-cratonic volcano-sedimentary basin within a
tensional regime. The basin closed before oceanic crust
could develop, which is typical of an aborted rift.
Patkasa Formation is represented by greywacke,
epiclastic conglomerate and shale. These rocks show
gentle (<2°) rolling dips unconformably overlying the
Ainhur Group. The conglomerate of the Patkasa
Formation is both clast supported and matrix- supported.
II-3.3 Dongargarh and equivalent granites
II-3.3A Dongargarh Granite
Dongargarh Granite occurs as a batholith covering an
area of about 8000 sq. km in Rajnandgaon-Kanker-Bastar
and Dhamtari districts forming the central part of Bastar
Province. The batholith comprises three distinct plutons,
the Dhanora-Manpur (largest) pluton in the southern part,
the Chichola pluton in the central and Amgaon-Terha
pluton in the northern part. These plutons are oval in
shape, elongate along N-S to NNE-SSW and generally
taper to south. These intrude Amgaon Gneiss-
Supracrustals, and volcano-sedimentaries of the
Nandgaon and Ainhur groups. Enclaves of migmatitic
gneiss, metasediment, rhyolite, basalt, pyroclast and
conglomerate of the above groups occur within
Dongargarh Batholith.
Dongargarh Granitoids show magmatic fabrics
including porphyritic, rapakivi and granitic textures,
occasional magmatic flow-orientation of plagioclase

Table - 6. Lithostratigraphy of Ainhur Group, Kotri Belt (Ghosh and Pillai, 1992)

Patkasa Formation Siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate

Unconformity
Mendra Formation Basalt and basaltic pyroclastic rocks
Kursekorhi Formation Porphyritic rhyolite, rhyodacite, pyroclasts
Ainhur Group and ignimberites, acid tuff, sandstone,
shale and vesicular basalt
Pachangi Formation Sandstone, shale, conglomerate, rhyolite,
pyroclastics (lahar type volcanic breccia)
Unconformity/tectonic contact
Bailadila Group BIF, ferruginous phyllite, metagreywacke and ortho-quartzite.
Unconformity/tectonic contact
Bengpal Group Meta-sedimentary enclaves comprising BIF, amphibolites, calc –
gneiss pelitic schist etc. gneisses and supracrustals

12
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
phenocrysts, lenticles of weakly aligned anhedral quartz,
glomerocrysts of plagioclase and megacrysts of potash-
feldspar.
II-3.3B Madanbera Granite
Madanbera Granite is mainly coarse porphyritic
granite. It is exposed in the northern part of the Kotri Belt
and is intrusive into the basal part of the Ainhur Group.
This granite is grey to pinkish grey in colour and
characterised by large crystals of pink feldspar measuring
up to 10cm. At places rapakivi texture has been noted in
these rocks. A few smaller bodies of granite porphyry are
also noted within the linear belt on the western fringe of
Kotri Belt.
II-3.3C Kanker-Mainpur Granitoid
The Kanker-Mainpur granitoids represent a major
deep-seated Precambrian batholith exposed in parts of
Bastar and Raipur districts and cover an area more than
10,000 sq. km. They have been variously described as
Bundeli, Chura, Kanker or Keshkal granitoids. The
batholith is elongate and trends approximately N-S. It is
separated from the western Dongargarh batholith by N-S
trending belt of the Bengpal (Sukma) Gneiss-
Supracrustal. The Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt towards its
east borders the batholith, the Kondagaon Granulites to
the south and Sonakhan Schist belt in the north.
II-4 PALAEO-MESOPROTEROZOIC
II-4.1 Chilpi Group
Tripathi et al. 1981 named the sedimentary package
of the "Chilpi Ghat Series" of King (1885) as Chilpi
Group. The group essentially comprises psammo-pelites,
which unconformably overlie the Nandgaon volcanics
and Malanjhkhand granite to the south of CIS in the
northern part of Bastar Province. This group has been
correlated with the Khairagarh Group (Rao 1981), based
on the observation that south of Saletekri, the Chilpi
quartzite grades into Bortalao sandstone of Khairagarh
Group. The rocks are well exposed around Malanjhkhand
Pluton and northwestern margin of the Chhattisgarh
Basin. Small outliers of these rocks are also observed
around Godri, southeast of Kasangi, Nekum and
Gabdapahar to the north of Chhattisgarh basin, in
Bilaspur district.
The group comprises mainly chlorite phyllites and
chlorite-sericite phyllites with banded jaspilite. In the
basal part, local development of crystalline limestone
with phyllite and chert partings, associated with thin
manganiferous bands, is also observed. At the base,
quartzite, grit, conglomerate and pebble beds are seen
carrying clast of volcanic rocks.
Chilpi Group of rocks is characterized by
interbanded slate (meta-tuff) and meta-ferruginous
arenite overlain by coarse grained feldspathic arenite at
Pandah-Ghotiya and Dongargarh-Khilari sector
(21005'00'' to 21015'00'' and 80045'00'' to 80055'00'').
II-4.2 Khairagarh Group
Khairagarh Group is exposed in the central part of the
Dongargarh Belt along two N-S to NNE-SSW trending
belts, i) south of the Amgaon pluton of the Dongargarh
batholith, extending along strike for about 60 km with a
maximum width of 15 km, and ii) in the Khairagarh area
north of Dongargarh with an intervening screen of
Nandgaon Group, extending along strike for more than 50
km with a maximum width of 30 km.
The Khairagah Group is characterised by alternate
basic volcanics (sills) and sandstone underlain by meta-
tuff. The Chandrapur sandstone is observed to be
underlain by meta-tuff which is locally mined as clay
deposit with well developed fissile plane (Jungral S., et
al. 2012).
The litho-association of the Khairagarh Group given
in Table-7 is based on the classification by Sarkar (1957),
Rao (1981) and the latest revision by Sarkar (1994).
The Bortalao Formation forms the lowermost litho-
sequence of the Khairagarh Group, which
unconformably overlies the volcanic rocks of Nandgaon
Group and the Dongargarh Granite, as east-west trending
belts of varying width on the flanks of normal and
inverted canoe- shaped folds and saddle folds. It is best
represented in the area south of the Bortalao Railway
Station in Rajnandgaon district.
Impersistent beds of conglomerate often occur at the
base of this formation consisting of well-rounded
pebbles, cobbles and boulders of variously coloured Bijli
rhyolites, Dongargarh granite, arkose, vein quartz,
quartzite, chert, trachyte, basalt and andesite in a fine
grained matrix. In the northern part, laminated shales and
siltstones occur at the base of Bortalao sandstone
comprising arkose with subangular fragments indicating
its immature nature. The (Upper) conglomerate bands
consist of well-rounded pebbles (8-20 cm in diameters) of
vein quartz with sub-ordinate red and grey chert and
jasper in a coarse to medium grained white quartzose
matrix. Green sandy tuffs grading to tuffaceous
sandstones invariably overlie the upper conglomerate
bands and other members of the Bortalao Sandstone. The
Sitagota Volcanics overlies this and comprises dull green
basalt with minor tuffs and agglomerates. Karutola
Formation disconformably overlies the Sitagota
Volcanics and consists of fine to coarse-grained, well-
bedded pure and ferruginous quartzites. It is followed by
13
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Table - 7. Litho-association in the Khairagarh Group

Chhattisgarh Supergroup
Unconformity
Kotima Volcanics
Ghogra Formation (sandstone)

Khairagarh Group
Mangikhuta Volcanics
Karutola Formation (sandstone)
Sitagota Volcanics
Intertrappean shale
Bortalao Formation (sandstone)
Basal shale
Unconformity
Dongargarh Granite
Nandgaon Group
Bengpal Group /Amgaon group /Sukma Supracrustals

the Mangikhuta Volcanics consisting of non-porphyritic,
amygdaloidal pyroxene tholeiites with minor
intertrappean, laminated shales and siltstones. Ghogra
Sandstone is mainly quartz-arenite in composition, and is
considered as intraformational between Mangikhuta and
Kotima formations by Yedekar and Jain (1995).
Khairagarh Group in the area to the north of
Dongargarh is folded into a doubly plunging open
syncline, with axis trending NNE-SSW. Several major
faults have been recorded mostly affecting the lithounits
of the Khairagarh Group, which include N-S trending
Darekasa fault (Sarkar, 1957). Dhara-Kamarwara and
Tappa faults also extend in N-S direction for tens of km at
the eastern margin of the Khairagarh Group.
From the structural analysis, it is inferred that the
Chhattisgarh Supergroup is preserved in a synformal
basin and older Chilpi and Khairagarh group are exposed
in complimentary anticlinorium and preserved in
synformal keels. The first phase of folding is having NE-
SW axial trend and axial planar cleavages serve as
avenues for emplacement of basic volcanics which along
with metasedimentaries are folded by F2 having NNW-
SSE axial plane. Rhyolite/microgranite is emplaced syn
F2 and culminated with emplacement of Dongargarh
Granitoid. Thus rhyolite/dacite/microgranite/granophyre
are sills in consanguineous with Dongargarh granitoid.
The oldest rock was identified as Amgaon gneiss of
granodiorite composition.The basic rocks grades to
gabbro and pyroxenite. Sulphide mineralisation with
suspected gold is observed within acid magmatic rocks
(Jungral S., et al. 2012).
sq. km in the western part of Bastar district, exposing
dominantly sedimentary and volcanic rocks,
unconformably overlying Bengpal, Bailadila and
Nandgaon groups. The basal Gundul Formation of
Abujhmar Group comprises a thick sequence of
polymictic conglomerate, sandstone, arkose and shale
(slaty phyllite and quartzite in Bodhghat area), which is
overlain by basaltic flows with gabbroic rocks included in
the Maspur Trap. Basalt flows occur at different levels
indicating an erosional unconformity. Gabbro-norite and
anorthositic gabbro of larger dimensions are intrusives
into the sediments. Dolerite-gabbro occurs as dykes and
sills.
Major synclinal structure is identifiable in the central
part of Abujhmar Basin plunging towards southwest.
II- 4.4 Tulsi Dongar Group
Tulsi Dongar Basin is located in the eastern part of
Dantewara district and extends upto Orissa State
bordered by Indravati basin in the north and Sabri basin in
the south. Tulsi Dongar Group comprises a thick
sequence of sedimentary rocks intruded by basic sills
(gabbroic) and dolerite dykes and is correlatable with the
Abujhmar Group. This Group consists of lower quartzite-
sandstone sequence with or without detrital andalusite
described as Kukrimetta Formation. Rocks of the Tulsi
Dongar basin are folded in an east-west trending doubly
plunging syncline. Lineaments trending WNW-ESE have
also dissected the Abujhmar plateau and uplifted northern
margin.

II-4.3 Abujhmar Group II-4.5 Mafic Dyke Swarms

The dissected plateau region, known as "Abujhmar", Proterozoic Mafic Dyke Swarms (MDS) are the
occupies the western part of Bastar district. The characteristics of the southern part of the Bastar Province.
intracratonic Abujhmar Basin occupies an area of 3000 Ramachandra et.al, (1995) have recognized at least four
14
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
major swarms (or swarm sets) in the Bastar terrain,
including,
a. The Bhanu Pratappur-Keskal swarm
b. The Narainpur-Kondagaon swarm
c. The Gidam-Tongpal swarm and
d. The Bijapur-Sukma swarm.
These MDS vary in width from 15-22 km, there
being very few or no dykes in intervening area between
the major swarms. The swarms predominantly trend
along NW-SE and may extend along strike for up to 150
km. The number of dykes within each swarm varies
greatly and the swarms are mainly linear to slightly
curvilinear; ring, locolith or sheet forms are absent.
Individual dykes in a swarm are commonly linear, sub-
vertical to vertical, a few metres to 300 metres wide,
extend along strike from a few tens of metres to 70 km
and some are exposed in vertical sections up to 200
metres. The dykes are diabasic, single, mostly
undifferentiated and are gabbroic and rarely pyroxenitic
in composition. Among the swarms mentioned above, the
Narainpur-Kondagaon swarm includes a minor
proportion of two- pyroxene granulite dykes apart from
unmetamorphosed diabases. The Gidam-Tongpal swarm
mainly includes diabases and it has been shown that in
Katakalyan area, the swarm includes syn-, late- and post-
tectonic dyke types (Ramachandra, 1990).
The lower emplacement age of these dykes may be
taken as 2550 Ma, the age of granitoids, into which the
dykes have been emplaced.
II- 5 MESO - NEOPROTEROZOIC
Meso - Neoproterozoic cover sediments in the Bastar
Craton in Chhattisgarh and marginal parts of Orissa State
are exposed in a number of isolated basins, viz., the
Chhattisgarh, Indravati, Sabri, Pairi (Khariar) and
Ampani. The constituent sediments in these basins,
comprising conglomerate-arkose-arenite-siltstone-
shale-limestone and dolomite show similar litho-
association. However, sequences differ in thickness from
basin to basin as well as in relative proportions of
different rock types. According to some workers, these
basins of various shapes and sizes are remnants of a single
master basin (Pascoe, 1973; Ball, 1877; Walker, 1900;
Crookshank, 1963; Dutt, 1964; Schnitzer, 1967 and1970;
Murti, 1996). Some other workers propose that these
basins evolved in several isolated occurrences with well-
defined structural boundaries and are unique in character,
content and duration.
The contacts of these basins with the mobile belts are
tectonic, probably thrusted (?) due to which the sediments
show deformation and some degree of metamorphism.
II-5.1 Chhattisgarh Supergroup
The intracratonic Chhattisgarh Basin is crescent
shaped and covers about 33,000 sq. km area in Raipur,
Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur and Raigarh districts of
Chhattisgarh and adjoining parts of Orissa. The basin has
a maximum length of about 300 km along ENE-WSW
direction. The maximum thickness of sediments is
estimated to be more than 2 km and is epicontinental or
stable shelf type. The litho-stratigraphic succession is
given in Table - 8.
Chhattisgarh Basin having roughly E-W basinal
trend rests unconformably over the basement complex
comprising different elements of the Archaean Lower
Proterozoic supracrustals and granitoids of Bastar
Province in the south and the Bilaspur-Raigarh-Sarguja
(BRS) metamorphics of the Satpura Belt in the north. The
basin is bounded to the west by the N-S trending
volcanics of Dongargarh Supergroup with faulted contact
and to the northeast and southeast by Gondwana rocks
(Mahanadi lineament) and the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt
(EGMB) respectively.
NNW-SSE trending Sonakhan high further divides
the main basin into two sub- basins, the Hirri sub-basin in
the west and the Baradwar sub-basin in the east, which
has an E-W axis, presumably. In the main basin the basal
sandy lithounit of Chandarpur Group define the basin
margin with dip towards the center of the basin. The
younger lithofacies have developed around the respective
depocenters with semi- circular to elliptical outcrop
pattern.
The lithounits of Chhattisgarh Supergroup are best
developed in Hirri sub-basin, particularly in central and
southern part of the depocentres exhibiting wide-scale
facies variation in the northern part and an asymmetric
distribution. The lateral facies variation in Hirri sub-basin
in west to Baradwar sub-basin in east is quite distinct. The
oldest litho-unit of the Chhattisgarh Supergroup i.e. the
Singhora Group is best developed in a proto-basin lying
to the south of Baradwar sub-basin. In the adjoining
Barapahar area (Orissa), similar litho-units considered to
be pre-Chandarpur sequence deposited in an isolated
Barapahar proto-basin (Pascoe, 1973). The early
embryonic basins, Singhora and Barapahar are situated
along the southern margin of eastern Chhattisgarh basin
having NE-SW trending basin axis.
II-5.1A Singhora Group
The Singhora Group, exposed in the southeastern
part of the basin, represents the oldest sequence in the
15

Table - 8. Lithostratigraphy of Chhattisgarh Basin (after Das, et al., 2001)
Intrusives
Maniari Formation (70m)
Hirri Formation (70m+)
Tarenga Formation (180m?)
Chandi Formation (67m)
Raipur Group
Gunderdehi Formation
C H HATTI S GAR H
SUPERGROUP
Charmuria Formation (490m)
Chandrapur Group
Kansapathar Formation
(20-200m)
Chaporadih Formation
(20-200m)
Lohardih Formation (20m)
Chhuipali Formation (300m?)
Singhora Group
Bhalukona Formation (20m)
Saraipali Formation (60m)
Rehatikhol Formation (20m+)
Basement
16
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Dolerite dykes
Purple shale with dolomite,
dolomitic limestone and gypsum
Grey dolomite, argillaceous dolomite
Bilha Member Purple dolomitic argillite
Dagauri Member Green clay, chert and shale
intercalation (tuffaceous?)
Kusmi Member Pink to purple calcareous shale
Nipania Member Purple and bedded limestone
Purple argillaceous stromatolitic
dolomite
Pendri/DeodongerMember Purple and grey stromatolitic
limestone and dolomite with flaggy
limestone-shale intercalation /
ferruginous glauconitic arenite and
shale
Newari Member Pink and buff stromatolitic limestone
and dolomite
Andha/Dotopar Member Predominantly pink, purple and grey
shale with limestone intercalations /
arenite / buff to green shale member
in the middle
Bagbura Member Purple limestone (phosphatic)
Kasdol Member Dark grey bedded limestone /
argillaceous limestone with minor
shale intercalations
Ranidhar Member Cherty limestone and dolomite
(phosphatic at places)
Sirpur Member Chert and clay intercalation
White to pinkish glauconitic quartz
arenite
Purple, green, grey and black shale
with fine quartz arenite intercalation
Ferruginous purple arkose and gritty
wacke arenite with shale partings and
conglomerate at the base
--- Unconformity ---
Stromatolitic limestone and dolomite
at the upper part
Variegated shale with minor bedded
limestone, chert, siltstone
intercalations
Quartz arenite /siltstone and minor
shale:
Variegated shale with minor siltstone
and limestone
Porcellanite, tuff / tuffite
Feldspathic arenite, arkose and
conglomerate at the base
--- Unconformity ---
Archaean and Lower Proterozoic
rocks
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh Basin. It has been subdivided into four
formations. The basal Rehatikhol Formation marks the
initiation of sedimentation in the Singhora proto-basin
and comprises conglomerate and gritty sandstone
showing unconformable contact with the crystalline
basement. This is exposed all along the eastern margin of
the basin and also locally at the western margin (near
Palsapani village). It is represented by the repetitive
sequence of conglomerate and arkose with minor
intercalations of siltstone and shale. The Saraipali
Formation comprising finely laminated shale, siltstone
and chert with limestone bands/pockets conformably
overlies Rehatikhol Formation. Shale is exposed
continuously in all three sides of the basin and forms the
predominant litho-unit. The overlying Bhalukona
Formation is arenaceous and is well-developed in
Bhalukona in western part of the basin. In Saraipali-
Arjunda area in central part, it is exposed as a linear ridge.
It comprises quartz arenite with minor sub-arkose and
arkosic intercalations. The dominant litho-unit is
variegated shale, showing laminated and highly friable
nature. Bedded limestone generally occurs as discrete
pockets and as impersistent bands in the lower part of this
litho-unit.
II-5.1B Chandarpur Group
Chandarpur Group rests unconformably over the
crystalline basement at the fringes of the Chhattisgarh
Basin and the older sediments of the Singhora Group in
the Singhora proto-basin, as observed in Sishupal Pahar
section. It is characterized by more or less arenaceous
lithology with regional variation. In the main
Chhattisgarh Basin along the southern margin, the
unconformity is marked at places by palaeosol (Murti,
1996). Along the southern periphery of the basin, the
Chandarpur Group is considerably thick (about400m). In
the central part of the basin (in Durg area), it is hardly
20m thick. The sequence is well-developed along the
northern periphery and is relatively thin with thickness up
to 200m.
The Chandarpur Group is divisible into three distinct
formations i.e. Lohardih, Chaporadih and Kansapathar in
ascending stratigraphic order. Lohardih Formation
comprises basal conglomerate and arkosic sandstone
with conglomerate bands. This formation has been
interpreted as initial alluvial fan associated with braided
fluvial sediment and followed by marine transgression
producing wave-tide dominated shallow marine shoal
bar, which shows signature of reworking of fluvial
sediments. The overlying Chaporadih Formation
comprising shale with fine quartz arenite represents
transgression with deposition of sediments in a relatively
deeper outer shelf to sub-tidal to inter-tidal zone and also
possibly lagoonal set-up. Storm deposits have also been
reported at different levels from Lohardih and
Chaporadih sediments. The Kansapathar Formation
mainly comprises glauconitic quartz-arenite. The
distribution of Kansapathar arenite in the basin in stable
shelf environment in a storm affected tidal and beach
environment indicating the regression of sea.
II-5.1C Raipur Group
The overlying Raipur Group comprises three cycles
of argillite-carbonate sequence, each cycle starting with a
carbonate followed by argillite at places with lenticular
arenaceous rocks denoting regressive phase of the sea.
These cycles are distinctly developed in the Hirri sub-
basin particularly in the southern and central part. The
cycles are represented by (1) Charmuria limestone-
Gunderdehi shale; (2) Chandi limestone-Tarenga shale
and (3) Hirri dolomite-Maniari shale.
The basal unit of Charmuria Formation is represented
by clay and chert which is well developed in the south
central parts of the basin. It is followed upward by flaggy
and cherty limestone, which is feebly phosphatic,
developed all along the southern part of the basin. The
overlying member is a dark grey, flaggy, pyritiferous
limestone. The youngest Bagbura member comprises
purple argillaceous limestone, which is locally
phosphatic. Charmuria Formation grades into overlying
Gunderdehi Formation comprising shale and sandstone.
The formation denotes a renewed submergence of the
basin with enhanced supply of silty and shaly clastics in a
warm oxidizing condition in sub-tidal zone. The
overlying Chandi Formation comprises a major
stromatolitic limestone sequence developed around
southern side of depocenter of Hirri sub-basin with
arcuate outcrop pattern. Through out the northern part,
the carbonate facies disappears or is present only as
intercalated discrete pockets or lenses in calcareous
argillite. Chandi Formation has been sub-divided into
four members based on dominant carbonate facies. They,
however, gradually fuse into a single carbonate sequence
towards west. The prolific growth of algae in photic zone
of subtidal to intertidal flats of a very slowly sinking basin
produced the thick carbonate succession. Tarenga
Formation conformably overlies the Chandi Formation,
which is sub-divided into Kusmi Member (argillite),
Dagauri Member (clay-chert) and Bilha Member
(dolomitic argillite) from bottom to top. The overlying
Pandaria Formation represents the calc-argillite facies
developed all along the northern part of the Hirri sub-
basin. This litho-unit overlies the Chandarpur arenite
along the northern margin and is characterised by
predominance of pink to purple calcareous shale with
lenses and pockets of bedded flaggy limestone,
stromatolitic limestone and dolomite and bedded
limestone associated with the chert bands. These lenses
and pockets vary widely in dimension from a few metres
to several hundred metres in length. Pandaria Formation
17

represents lateral facies variation of Charmuria (bedded)
limestone, Gunderdehi shale, Chandi (stromatolitic)
limestone and Tarenga argillite, which are distinctly
developed as mappable units in the southern part, but
occurs as a member along the northern part of the sub-
basin. The Hirri Formation is well developed around the
central part of Hirri sub-basin and forms an oval outcrop
pattern. Although it attains a considerable thickness in
south, it is very thin along the northern fringes and is
interpreted from outcrop exposures and/or local
excavations. The formation conformably overlies the
Tarenga Formation in the south and Pandaria Formation
in the north. The dominant rock type is dark grey, bedded
dolomite, associated with light grey laminated
argillaceous dolomite, and black and white chert. At
places intra-formational dolomite (conglomeratic) and
black shale contain gypsum as layers, parallel to bedding
and as disseminated grains/crystals. Stromatolitic
dolomite is exposed in Hirri and Kodwa mines. The
stromatolites are columnar having a wide inter-columnar
space. The youngest Maniari Formation is named after
the Maniari River along which the rock is best exposed
and an oval-shaped outcrop in the central part of the sub-
basin. It represents the closing phase of deposition in
Chhattisgarh Basin and consists of lower gypsiferous
grey siltstone, shale followed by reddish brown
calcareous/non-calcareous shale with limestone and
dolomite.
A close study of stromatolites in Raipur limestone
indicates two different assemblages, which can be
assigned to two biozones. Gymnosolen, Inzeria,
Baicalia, Tungussida and Linella represent the lower bio-
zone in the lower part by Baicalia, Anabaria, Tungussida,
Conophyton, Jacutophyton, Kussiella and Colonnela
represent the upper one. The upper bio-zone indicates an
age range from late Riphaean to Vendian whereas the
lower assemblage indicates a middle Riphean age.
Cement grade limestone and SMS and fettling grade
dolomite are reported from Charmuria and Hirri
formations of Raipur Group. They are being extensively
exploited/mined for cement industry and for Bhilai Steel
Plant. Low-grade phosphorite association with
stromatolite is also reported from here. Gypsum
occurrences are reported in Maniari Formation.
Intrusives
Basic intrusives in the form of dykes and sill are
reported mainly from the eastern and southeastern part of
the Chhattisgarh Basin. Das et al., (1988) reported a
number of dolerite dykes into the Chhattisgarh sediment
from the Baradwar sub-basin. In Hirri sub-basin, the
dykes are rare. Chhattisgarh Basin shows evidence of
structural disturbance along its faulted western, northern
and eastern margins.
18
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
II- 5 .2 Pairi (Khariar) Group
The small elliptical Upper Proterozoic basin,
popularly known as the ' Khariar highlands' is situated
between the Chhattisgarh Basin and Indravati Basin in
Central India, about 150 km. south east of Raipur. It lies
along the western margin of Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt
(EGMB) occupying an area of 1500 sq km in parts of
Orissa and Chhattisgarh. The N-S trending plateau, 150
km long and 50 km wide, shows table land topography
with number of mesa and butte with maximum elevation
of 996 m above m.s.l. The steep western scarp face
ranging in height from 40 to 200m, hosts a number of
water falls and cascades. The sediments of Khariar Basin
are correlatable with Chandarpur Group of Chhattisgarh
Supergroup. Das et al. (1988) reported a number of clastic
dykes in the crystallines to suggest the linkage between
Khariar and the Chhattisgarh Basins.
Mishra et al. (1988) designated the sequence of
Khariar Basin as 'Pairi Group' (Table-9). The name 'Pairi'
has been derived from the river of the same name, which
originates in the Khariar Plateau. 'Ampani Outlier'
(Balakrishna and Babu, 1987) lies to the south of Khariar
Basin.
The Pairi Group unconformably overlies the
basement crystallines and the supracrustals. The sub-
horizontally disposed sandstones are seen
unconformably overlying the granites at Devdhara falls.
The lower sequence of Pairi Group is well exposed
along the western and southwestern part of the basin and
upper sequence is exposed throughout the plateau region.
Devdhara Sandstone
Devdhara Sandstone, named after Devdhara falls
(20°11' : 82°20') in the southwestern part of the basin,
comprises of conglomerate, pebbly sandstone and
arenites with thickness varying from 10 to 60 m. The belt
is having arcuate shape with formation trending N-S, in
the central part, NE-SW in the northern part, and NW- SE,
in the southern part. Basal conglomerate is composed of
pebbles of angular quartz, granite, feldspar and
occasionally jasper. The matrix generally varies from
coarse gritty material to ferruginous arenite to wacke.
Thin bands (2 to 10cm) of pyritiferous black shale and
black pyritiferous arenites occur as intercalations within
the hard compact sandstone near the Sikasar dam.
Kulharighat Formation
The Devdhara Formation grades upward into
Kulharighat Formation comprising shale, chert and
carbonates, is best exposed at Kulharighat area (20°15':
82°21') occupying foothills of Khariar plateau below the
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Table - 9. Stratigraphic succession of the Pairi Group (after Mishra et. al, 1988)
Recent to Soil, Laterite, Bauxite
Sub-recent
Ling Dongri
Sandstone (60 –120m)
Tarjhar Formation (250 m)
Galighat Sandstone
PAIRI GROUP
Neor Formation (40 – 160 m)
Kulaharighat Formaiton (80- 120m)
Devdhara Sandstone (10 – 80m)
Unconformity
Lower Proterozoic to Archaean: Granitoid, supracrustals and gneisses
scrap section. Kulharighat Formation has conformable
relationship with the underlying Devdhara Formation
and overlying Neor Formation. The lowermost Indrawan
Member is calcareous shale with thin bands of impure
dolomitic limestone as intercalation, best exposed along
Bhursi nala near Kulharighat. The dolomitic limestone
horizon is 10 m in thickness, dark grey in colour and
stromatolitic. The middle Gawarmund Member, ranging
in thickness from 60 to 80 metres, is buff and greenish
grey coloured shale, best exposed near Gawarmund
village, along with lenticles of fine-grained arenite. At
places dark ferruginous shale upto 5m thick is observed
with a capping of calcareous shale. Bhursi stromatolitic
Member, exposed only in the southern part of the area
along Bhursi nala section at Orissa-MP border, is
composed of chert, lenses of dolomitic limestone and
calcareous black shale.
Neor Formation
The overlying Neor Formation, named after Neor
Ferruginous sandstone
orthoquartzite
Bamandev Sandstone
siltstone / intercalated shale –siltstone, sandstone,
shale /ferruginous orthoquartzite
Amjher Shale (30 – 35 m)
Job Sandstone: orthoquartzite arkose, pebbly
sandstone, grit / sandstone / shale
intercalated shale – siltstone
Bhaludigi Shale (60 m)
Dharpani Shale– siltstone (20 –80m)
Matulpahar Sandstone (30 – 80 m)
Intercalated shale siltstone and sandstone
Bhursi stromatolitic Limestone (2 – 10 m)
Gawarmund Shale (60- 80 m)
Indrawan Chert – limestone dolomite and
black shale (10 – 30m)
Conglomerate, arkose and sandstone with
intercalations and pyriteferous black shale
nala, is exposed all along the base of the scarp section of
the Khariar plateau having thickness varying from 40 to
160m. Thickness of the formation gradually decreases
from north to south. This formation is represented by grey
to bluish black coloured sandstone intercalated with
siltstone and shale. These intercalations of grey shale
with lenticles of carbonaceous shale are also observed at a
few places.
Galighat Sandstone
This sandstone, named after 'Galighat Pass', was
earlier named as plateau quartzite/sandstone
(Balakrishnan and Babu, 1973; Sarangi and Das, 1979).
Galighat pass forms a type locality where the exposed
thickness of the unit is 300m. Here, it is thickly bedded,
mostly creamish grey to white to brown ferruginous gritty
and pebbly sandstone. 10 to 50m thick siltstone-shale
intercalations are also present at a few places. This
sandstone is cross-bedded, graded quartz arenite to gritty
sandstone with 95% quartz and about 5% feldspar with
19

overgrowths of quartz grains. A 10m thick brecciated
quartzite with NW-SE trend marks the beginning of the
formation.
In the southern part, around Devdongar-Tarjhar, this
formation is divisible into four members: (i) Matulpahar
sandstone (ii) Dharpani shale (iii) Bhaludigi shale and
(iv) Job sandstone.
Tarjhar Formation
It is essentially an alternate sequence of wacke-
arenite-shale with thickness varying from 100 to 250m.
Tarjhar Formation is best exposed in the central and
southern part of the Khariar plateau. The formation starts
with shale-siltstone and grades upwards into wacke
arenite. In the southern part, this formation is divisible
into two members: (i) Amjhar shale (ii) Bamandev
sandstone.
Ling Dongri Sandstone
This comprises mainly of ferruginous sandstone and
quartzite and forms the top most part of the Pairi Group. It
is best exposed in the central part of the basin in the Ling
Dongri (20° 23'10": 82°20'25") hill. It varies in thickness
from 60m to 120m, conformably overlying the Tarjhar
Formation with capping of bauxite and laterite.
Structures
Pairi Group, at places, shows open to symmetric
folds with NW-SE to NNW-SSE axial traces, parallel to
their strike and plunging 5° to 25°. The folds with NW-
SE trending axial trace are open and upright showing
mild culminations and depressions. Doubly plunging
folds are seen north of Baramdev Dongri and Tarjhar. A
large number of faults are genetically related to the stress
pattern. The important sets are N-S, NW-SE, N30°E-
S30°W and E-W. The most prominent sets are NW-SE
and N-S. A post Khariar N-S to NNE- SSW trending
boundary fault marks the eastern contact of Khariar
sediments with the basement Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt
Table - 10. Stratigraphic classification of Indravati Basin (after Ramakrishnan, 1987)
Jagdalpur Formation (200 m)
INDRAVATI GROUP
Kanger Limestone (150 – 200 m)
Cherakur Formation
Tirathgarh Formation
20
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
(EGMB) in the Orissa part. Beds in the central and
northern part of the basin are almost horizontal.
Depositional environment and sedimentation
The lithology, sedimentary structures and presence of
stromatolite in general assign a shallow marine
environment viz., beach, inner shelf and outer shelf, for
deposition of the Pairi Group with occasional sub-aerial
exposure. The black shale alternates with dolomites or
calcareous shale and contains nodules of syngenetic
pyrites, indicating euxinic condition in a closed sub-
basin. The palaeocurrent directions in general found to be
towards SSE with local variation to northerly at the
western margin in the basal formation.
II-5.3 Indravati Group
The 'Indravati Basin', covering an area of 9000 sq.
km of Bastar Province, exposes Late Proterozoic cover
sediments in Jagdalpur plateau region. It is characterised
by sandstone, shale, limestone and stromatolitic
dolomite. The basin is mainly confined in Bastar district
of Chhattisgarh and Koraput district of Orissa. The
sedimentary sequence rests non-conformably on the
Archaean Granitic Complex.
This group has been divided into Tiratgarh, Cherakur,
Kanger and Jagdalpur formations (Table-10) in the
ascending order. The Tiratgarh Formation comprises
basal conglomerate, sub-arkose, and ortho-quartzite. The
Cherakur Formation is represented by shales, whereas the
Kanger Formation consists of grey laminated limestone,
which gradually passes into shale above. The Jagdalpur
Formation consists of basal purple shale, greenish grey
and purple cryptocrystalline limestone and dolomite
(both stromatolitic and non-stromatolitic) and purple
shale with thin intercalations of purple limestone and
upper shale with quartzite intercalations.
Structure and correlation
Indravati Group is nearly flat showing sub-horizontal
Purple shale with purple and grey stromatolitic dolomite
(Machkot Dolomite Member)
Purple limestone and shale
Grey limestone
Purple shale with arkosic sandstone, chert pebble,
conglomerate, grit
Quartz arenite (Chitrakot Sandstone Member)
Subarkose and conglomerate (Mendri Member)
Unconfirmity
Granite and Supracrustals
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
dips at places. The beds show overall centripetal dips.
Towards eastern margin of the basin, the rocks show
structural disturbance with tight folds showing axial
plane trending 30°-70°. Basin is dissected by numerous
normal faults. The southern margin is characterised by
en-echelon faults. The major Sirisgura fault has dissected
and laterally shifted the western margin of the basin. It is a
steep hinge fault with side oriented northward thrown
down, which increases to about 150m in the west from the
hinge zone near Sirisgura. The basalt formations of the
Indravati Group have been correlated with the
Chandrapur Group and upper two formations with the
Raipur Group of the main Chhattisgarh Basin.
II-5.3 A Intrusives
Kimberlitic and ultramafic to ultrapotassic intrusives
occur within the Indravati Basin, mainly in the
southwestern part.
The Raipur- Bastar Kimberlitic Fields (RBKF)
The Raipur- Bastar Kimberlitic Field (RBKF) is one
of the three diamond-bearing kimberlitic provinces in
Peninsular India, the other two being Panna in Madhya
Pradesh and Wajrakarur in Andhra Pradesh. RBKF is
located in the southeastern part of Raipur district and in
the central part of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. In
Raipur field, located 135km southeast of Raipur town,
five kimberlitic diatremes have been located viz.
Payalikhand I and II, Bahardih, Jangra and Kodomali, the
first three being diamond- bearing.
The RBKF is a NW-SE trending linear kimberlite
field, parallel to the main trend of fracture lineaments
present in the area. The kimberlites are now exposed in a
gneissic terrain. They occur as diatremes with diameters
varying from 50m to 300m.
The known kimberlites are spread over a stretch of 12
km, within the Bundeli Granitoid of 2200 million years of
age. Generally circular kimberlite diatremes vary in
diameter from 50 m. (Jangra, Payalikhand I) to 100 m.
(Payalikhand I) to 300 m (Bahardih, Kodomali). Most of
the kimberlites are weathered near surface to "green
earth", a smectite rich clay, because of prevailing semi
humid tropical conditions. All the occurrences expose
diatreme facie, kimberlite-breccia and tuff-breccia
except at Kodomali, which has been interpreted to be of
hypabyssal facies. The rocks contain abundant xenoliths,
which include country rocks, sunken pyroclastics, and
autoliths of precursor kimberlite and peridotite mantle
nodules. Features like pelletal lapilli and nucleated
autoliths have also been recognised.
The Bahradih Kimberlite having a surface area of
about 3.2 hectors is located on the western side of the
Raipur Kimberlite pipe cluster. On the basis of initial
reporting by villagers, the Directorate of Geology and
Mines M.P. (erstwhile) completed a diamond core
drilling programme in the mid-1990's comprising five
holes for a total of 708meters (one vertical hole and four
inclined holes), which indicated that the Bahardih
Kimberlite persists to a minimum depth of 180 meters.
However, the drilling did not establish whether the pipe
was single or multi- phased. Geological Survey of India
took up regional search of kimberlite/lamproite in
Raigarh, Surguja, Jashpurnagar, Bastar, Kanker and
Champa- Janjgir districts. During stream sediment
sampling in the Indravati Basin kimberlitic chromites
were picked up in I, II, III order streams and further search
led to the discovery of new kimberlites in the area (Sarkar
et al. 2001).
Small and Vaidya (2002) based on structural analysis
identified several northwest trending strike slip faults.
They also reported two more kimberlite diatremes based
on follow up of positive mineral assemblages in streams;
Kosambura Kimberlite (20º11' : 82º12'), 800 m east of
village Kosambura and Temple Kimberlite (20º12':
82º11') located 1300 m to the west of Bahradih pipe.
In Bastar, kimberlite field is entirely confined within
the sedimentaries of Indravati Basin, being located at the
directional continuation of the dyke swarms present in the
adjoining gneissic complex. Two crater-facies kimberlite
systems are reported in the area. (1) The multiple Tokapal
kimberlite system, covering about 550 hectare surface
area is one of the largest and oldest crater-facies
kimberlite systems known in the world. (2) The
Bejharipadar system, similar to Tokapal in chemical and
petrographic character and is situated about 4 km to the
northwest, composed of two closely associated pipes of 2
hectare each. The kimberlite lavas and tuffs are composed
of pseudomorphs of olivine macrocrysts and juvenile
lapilli set in a fine-grained talc-serpentine-carbonate
matrix with locally abundant spinel and sphene. Garnets
or diamonds have so far not been reported. The Tokapal
Kimberlite pipe is a circular body of 2 km in diameter and
possibly represents multiple intrusions. It is interesting to
note that in a part bordering the diatreme, kimberlite flow
has been found overlain and underlain by the
sedimentaries. The Duganpal pipe represents crater
facies, the pipe rock being surrounded by tuffaceous ring
constituting pyroclastic breccia and tuffs. The pyroclastic
breccia contains angular to rounded clasts of red and
purple shale, limestone and siltstone, ranging from a few
mm to 0.5 m in length and xenocrysts of olivine,
phlogopite and spinel.
B.K. Mishra and B. Dutta (2003) processed 4 bulk
samples from Tokapal and Donganpal kimberlitic rocks,
which indicated the presence of chromite and chrome-
21

spinels as only key minerals. The spinel recovered from
Tokapal samples are macrocrysts and fragmented
macrocrysts, formed due to serpentinization of olivine.
There are typically Ti poor (0.02 – 0.24%) magnesian
aluminous chromite (MAC) and contain Cr2O3 from
29.19 to 60.75% with MgO value from 13.64% to
17.88% and some of the grains fall on kimberlitic field on
Cr/(Cr+Al) vs Mg/(Mg+Fe) plot.
II-5.4 Sabri Group
The sequence of rocks similar to Indravati Group
exposed in an isolated NE-SW trending triangular basin
near Sukma along the western bank of Sabri River covers
an area of about 700 sq. km. The stratigraphy of the basin
though, has not been worked out in detail, but broadly
correlatable with Indravati sequence. Rock types
corresponding to Tiratgarh, Kanger and Jagdalpur
formations are well developed, but only thin shale unit
represents Cherakur Formation. The Sabri Group of
rocks constitute the lower Tinadongri Formation and
upper Puriras Formation. The tentative stratigraphic
sequence is as follows:
Shale and phyllite
Sabri Group
Limestone
Purple shale
Conglomerate and quartzite
II-6 NEOPROTEROZOIC
II- 6.1 Pakhal Supergroup
Sedimentary cover sequences of Neoproterozoic age
bordering the Bhopalpatnam Granulite Belt occurring
along the northeastern margin of Godavari Valley in
southeastern part of Chhattisgarh have been classified as
Mulug and Sullavai groups. These are disposed along the
NW-SE trending linear belt and form high plateau over
the Bhopalpatnam plains.
The Mulug Group comprises Tippapuram Formation
consisting of shale and quartzite with intercalations of
dolomitic (stromatolitic locally) limestone at the base.
The Albaka Formation is represented by sub-horizontally
bedded sandstone, conglomerate and siltstone. The
Albaka sandstone occupies the plateau region covering
an area of 450 sq. km. Albaka sandstone is
unconformably overlain by Nambi conglomerate/
breccia of the Sullavai Group. The Nambi conglomerate
grades into sandstone, which has been designated as Doli
sandstone, which is horizontally disposed and occupies a
larger area in the northern parts. Considerable thickness
22
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
and varying nature of sediments in the basin clearly
indicate the shallow and sinking nature of the basin and
changing environments of deposition with litho-facies
ranging from fine argillaceous and calcareous in nature at
the base to coarse gritty sandstone in the upper part of the
sequence.
II- 7 UPPER CARBONIFEROUS - LOWER
CRETACEOUS
II-7.1 Gondwana Supergroup
The Gondwana rocks of Chhattisgarh mainly occupy
the Son-Mahanadi valley Basin covering parts of
Shahdol, Sidhi, Surguja, Bilaspur and Raigarh districts.
The Son-Mahanadi basin is a composite major basin with
three sub-basinal areas, namely the Upper Mahanadi
Valley, the Hasdo-Arand Valley and the Rewa Basin
comprising most of the coalfields of Chhattisgarh
(Table - 11).
In the Rewa Basin, the Gondwana sequence from the
Late Carboniferous to the Early Cretaceous is preserved,
whereas in the rest of Son-Mahanadi Basin, the record
ends in the Triassic. Although the litho-facies of the
formations are primarily siliciclastic, they vary greatly in
proportion. As a consequence, except the Talchir and the
Barakar which show similar litho-association all over the
regions, the post Barakar formations in the region or even
within the basin are often typified by characteristic
lithology, although they are more or less taxially
equivalent. Thus, the middle member of the Pali
Formation in the South Rewa Basin is the taxial
equivalent of the Raniganj Formation.
The Gondwana strata are disposed within semi-
elliptical to elongate trough like intracratonic basins
with one longitudinal side faulted. The strata mostly dip
sub-horizontally or are moderately dipping (3°-10°)
towards basin center. In cross section they have an
asymmetric geometry. Although free from large scale
folding, the Gondwana strata are mostly disturbed by
normal gravity faults. The major longitudinal fault the
boundary fault usually runs along the entire length of the
affected basin and often continues within the basement.
In a few cases, the boundary fault for one part of the basin
continues within the basin as intra-basinal faults. These
faults are generally steep dipping. About 20% of
intrabasinal faults continue within the basement. In the
north central part of the Singrauli Coalfield, an
appreciable strike slip component has been noted along
the northern boundary fault. Most of the faults are
aligned in E-W, ENE-WSW, N-W, NNW-SSE and
WNW-ESE directions and their throw ranges between a
few metres to 600-700 m.
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Table - 11. Correlation of Gondwana Strata in Son - Mahanadi Basin.

Age Upper Mahanadi Valley Hasdo- Arand Valley Rewa Basin-

(Mand –Raigarh (Hasdo, Sendurgarh (Tattapani, Ramkola, Jhilimili,
Korba Coalfield) Bisrampur, Lakhanpur, Sonhat, Sohagpur, Johilla and
Chirimiri Coalfield) Korar Coalfield)

Late Mastrichtian Basic intrusives Deccan Trap and Basic intrusives Deccan Trap and Basic intrusives

Mastrichtian --- --- Lameta Formation

Early Cretaceous --- --- Bansa Chandia bed (100m)

Jurassic.( Undifff.) Bandogarh Fm (200m)

Late Middle Triassic Kamthi Fm. ? Kamthi Fm. ? Parsora/ Tikki Supra Panchet Fm
(200-400m)

Early Triassic Kamthi Fm. ( +285m) Kamthi Fm (+200m) Panchet Fm (400m)/Pali Fm (+800m)

Late Permian Raniganj Fm. (+180m) Raniganj Fm.+150m) Raniganj Fm. (300m)
Barren Measures (265m ) Barren Measures (100-300m )
Barren Measures (300m)

Early Permian Barakar Fm. (424-850m) Barakar Fm. (300-500m) Barakar Fm (300-+600m)

Early Permian to Talchir Fm. (100-150m) Talchir Fm. (150-445m) Talchir Fm. (60-450m)
Late Carboniferous

Unconformity

Basement

II-7.1 A Late Carboniferous to Early Permian Talchir is the main coal measure. It is dominantly made
up of coarse to medium grained feldspathic sandstone,
Talchir Formation grey shale, carbonaceous shales and coal seams.

The Talchir Formation comprises diamictite, fine to
medium grained sandstones, grey and olive green needle
shales, varves and rhythmites. Plant fossils, occurring in
upper part of the Talchir Formation show an assemblage
of Glossopteris indica, Neoggeratheopsis hislopi and
Samaropsis sp. Besides, 3 m thick marine intercalations
(Umaria marine bed) have been located at Manendragarh
and Anuppur which have yielded Linoproductids,
Eurydesma and other lamellibranchs and bryozoans. In
addition, older strata of the formation are characterized
by Parasaccites complex of spores followed by
Sulcatisporites complex of spores. These formations
occur along the margins of Ramkola and Bishrampur
coalfields in Surguja district and comprise boulder beds,
sandstone and shale. These are also noticed in Jhilmili
and Sohagpur areas. Exposures of Talchir Formation
constituting polymictic bouldery conglomerate, green
silty shale, pinkish feldspathic sandstone and greyish
sandstone are observed as erosional outliers along
Tumbakhar nala in the south of Semarsot (Mishra et al.
1993)
In the Son-Mahanadi Valley basin, the lower part of
the formation is coarse grained feldspathic and
arenaceous with a few impersistent coal seams of
superior quality followed by more argillaceous sequence
of grey and carbonaceous shales, medium to coarse
grained sandstones, most of the regional coal seams. In
some coalfields, the top part is again arenaceous. Its
thickness ranges from 200 m in Jhilmili Coalfield to 850
m in Mand-Raigarh Coalfield.
The megaflora is characterized by the abundance of
Glossopteris, barakaria, Sphenophyllum sp.,
Gangamopteris sp., and Vertebraria indica. The known
microfloral assemblage comprises more than fifty in
general. Lower part of the Barakar is characterized by
abundance of trilete spores while striated disaccate
pollens characterize the upper part.
II-7.1C Late Permian
Barren Measures

II-7.1B Early Permian The Barakar Formation is conformably overlain by

the thick sequence of the Barren Measures strata.
Barakar Formation Generally devoid of coal seams, it has varied lithology,
which is distinct from the Damodar Valley type area and
The Barakar Formation comformably overlying the is generally represented by thick grey micaceous shale,
23

occasionally carbonaceous with ferruginous bands and
medium to coarse-grained sandstones. In the eastern coal
basin of Mand-Raigarh, the phosphatic marlstones are
present in the southern part. They occur as discontinuous
bands within the grey shale units. Megaflora is scanty in
this formation. The dominance of striate disaccate pollen
Gondwani; pollenites continues and Densipollenites
seems to be characteristic form of this formation.
Raniganj Formation
In Son-Mahanadi Valley Basin, the Raniganj strata
overlying the Barren Measures with a gradational
contact, is composed mainly of fine to medium grained
feldspathic wacke with profuse calcareous cement, grey
shale often carbonaceous and thin impersistent coal
bands. Although impersistent coal bands with local thin
seams abound in the Raniganj strata, they have attained
economic thicknesses only in Singrauli Coalfield.
Plant fossils are abundant in this formation with the
best development of Glossopteris sp. Raniganj
palynological assemblages show predominance of
striated bisaccate pollen with subtle appearance of
Vitreisporites and Satsangisaccites (Venkatachala, et al.
1993; Tiwari, 1994).
II-7.1 D Early Triassic
Kamthi Formation
In the upper Mahanadi Valley and in the Hasdo Arand
Valley, the hill forming Kamthi strata overlie the
Raniganj beds and comprise of ferruginous coarse
grained quartz arenites interspersed with occasional thin
red and light grey clay bands, specially in the basal and in
the top parts.
From Mand-Raigarh Coalfield, fresh to brackish
water Estheriids viz. Palaeo-limnadiopsis sp. and
Palaeolimandia sp. have been collected from red beds in
the basal part indicating a Triassic age. Dicroidium floral
remains have also been collected from the same bed.
Elatocladus sp. has been reported from northern part of
Mand-Raigarh indicating a Late Triassic age.
Panchet Formation
In the eastern coalfields of the Rewa Basin namely
Tatapani-Ramkola, Singrauli, Jhilmili and Sonhat
coalfields, the Raniganj is overlain by the Panchet with a
gradational or an overlap contact. These areas show
considerable development of the Panchet strata which
can be sub-divided into two members. While the lower
member comprises greenish grey shale and immature
feldspathic sandstone, the upper member is dominated by
quartz-arenite with occasional bands of feldspathic
sandstone and variegated to red siltstone and mudstone.
24
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Glossopteris sp. and Vertebraria sp. occur in lower
member in eastern side.
Pali Formation
The Raniganj Formation is overlain/overlapped by
the Pali Formation in the northern end of the Sohagpur
Coalfield. The lower Pali strata in the Sohagpur Coalfield
are best exposed. Pali Formation is characterised by cross
bedded, immature, medium to coarse grained, feldspathic
sandstone with occasional presence of coarse grained to
granular arenites, lenses and bands of pebbly
conglomerates containing rounded quartzite clasts in a
clayey matrix and thin but persistent, variegated, brick
red coloured massive shales and siltstones. A thick (10-20
m) pale greenish yellow, variegated massive mudstone
with lenses and bands of fine-grained sandstones marks
the contact with the Raniganj Formation. This mudstone
zone (palaeosol?) is best developed in the northwestern
part of the coalfield (best exposed on the right bank of
Murna nala, about three km upstream of its confluence
with Son River). The basal claystone bed is generally
overlain by very coarse grained to granular subarkose
with pebble armour. It is underlain by the Raniganj strata
with an irregular contact. An outlier of Pali Formation is
overlapping the Talchir strata in the east of
Manendragarh. The maximum intersected thickness of
Pali Formation is 825m near Jaisingnagar at northwestern
part of Sohagpur Coalfield.
II-7.1 E Late-Middle Triassic
Supra Panchet Formation
In the eastern Rewa Basin, the Supra-Panchet over
lies the Panchet with an angular unconformity and
comprises coarse arenites with thin lenses and bands of
pebbles and subordinates red, white and lavender clays
and siltstone bands.
Parsora Formation
In western Rewa Basin, the upper member of the Pali
Formation is overlain by the Parsora (Stage) Formation
introduced by Cotter (1917). At type section near Parsora
village, it is represented by pink, red and lilac coloured
mudstone with minor brownish red silty shale
interbedded with clay clasts. Elsewhere it is sandstone
dominated litho-assemblage represented by profusely
cross-bedded medium to coarse-grained quartz-arenite to
quartz-wacke with lenses and laterally impersistent thin
bands of lavender and violet mudstones. Widespread
development of ferruginated sandstone bands is quite
common. Sinha et al. (1993) reported Daneopsis hughesi,
Dicroidium odontopteroids, Aslenium whitbyense,
Taeniopteris sp. Pterophyllum sp. etc. indicating a late
Triassic age.
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Tiki Formation
In west central part of the Rewa Basin, a
lithoassociation of variegated clays, mudstones, shales
with thin bands of lime pellet conglomerate and coarse-
grained arenites, occasionally calcareous had been
termed as the Tiki Stage. Its contact with the underlying
Pali strata is sharp to gradational and occasionally
faulted. Tiki flora is characterized by the occurrences of
D i c ro i d i u m s p . , X y l o p t e r i s s p . a n d w o o d
Mesembrioxylon. Fauna include fish-Ceratodus,
amphibian - Metaposaurus malariensis, brachyopidae
Panchygoia incarvata, reptile-Paradapedon huxlyi. This
assemblage is similar to those from the Maleri Formation
and indicates a Carnian to Early Norian age (Chatterjee
and Roy Choudhari, 1974).
II- 7.1F Jurassic
Bandogarh Formation
In northwestern part of the Rewa Basin, the
Bandogarh Formation overlies the Parsora and the Tiki
formations. Being +200m thick, it comprises of white,
coarse to fine grained quartz-wacke, ferruginated
arenites with pockets and bands of white, cream and lilac
coloured mudstone. The bed shave yielded Pagiophyllum
sp. Gleichenites sp. and Williamsonia sp. indicating
Jurassic age.
II-7.1G : Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous
Jabalpur Formation
The Jabalpur Formation overlies the underlying
strata with a pronounced unconformity in Satpura region.
It contains massive sandstones, jasper - bearing matrix
supported conglomerates, soft white clays, subordinate
beds of calcareous nodules, red clays, carbonaceous
shale, cherts and thin coal bands. Plant fossils abound the
Jabalpur beds and consists mainly of Ptilophyllum sp.
with Cladophlebis indicus, Sphenopteris hughesi,
Nilssonia sp. Williamsonia sp. etc.
Bansa - Chandiya Bed
Bansa-Chandiya Bed exposed in the western end of
the Rewa Basin is separated from Jabalpur strata by
intervening Precambrian rocks and also shows an
unconformable relationship with underlying strata. It
consists of silty sandstone, light gray to white clay and
occasional clayey silt bands. They have also yielded a
rich floral assemblage and include Sphenopteris
rajmahalensis, Cladophlebis cf. Kathiwarensis,
Gleichenites rawahensis, Weichselia reticulata,
Onychiopsis sp. etc., indicating an Early Cretaceous
(Wealden) age.
In the southwestern corner of the Rewa Basin, the
Deccan Trap flows overlie the Gondwana strata. Besides
trap flows, the Gondwana strata witnesses profuse
intrusion in the forms of dykes and sills of basic rocks of
same age. The infra-trappean Lameta beds overlie the
Gondwana strata, unconformably being exposed as thin
strips. It is usually characterised by massive limestone
bed, calcareous conglomerate, cherty sandstone and clay.
II- 8 CRETACEOUS
II-8.1 Lameta Group
Lameta Group belonging to the Cretaceous occurs as
thin disconnected patches underlying the Deccan Trap.
The Lameta Group is mainly exposed in Bilaspur,
Surguja and Jashpurnagar districts. The Lameta Beds are
also known as infra-trappean.
II- 9 CRETACEOUS - PALAEOGENE
II- 9.1 Deccan Trap and associated rocks
The basaltic lava flows of Cretaceous-Eocene age
with subordinate intertrappean sediments have been
grouped into Deccan Trap. The trap comprises horizontal
to sub-horizontal lava flows and forms a flat-topped
terraced plateau.
The constituent flows in the Deccan Trap are mainly
'aa' types. The presence of intertrappean sedimentary
rocks and red clay, weathered flow top in the form of red
bole, weathered bottom of the flow to form green earth,
palaeo - weathering of upper part of the flow, variation in
the nature of joints and petrographic characteriststics help
in demarcating the individual flows.
The flow rocks are basaltic fine to medium grained,
and aphyric to highly porphyritic. The maga-phenocrysts
are generally labradorite.
Doleritic sills and dykes related to Deccan Trap
activity are seen in most of the coalfields.
II- 10 CAINOZOIC: PLEISTOCENE- RECENT
II- 10.1 Laterite
Primary high-level laterite with bauxites has
developed on Deccan Basalt in Bilaspur-Raigarh-Surguja
Belt. Iron ore deposits have also developed in Bailadila.
II- 10.2 Alluvial Deposits
Quaternary alluvium is generally confined to major
river valleys like Mahanadi, Gopad and Hasdo.
25

III. GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING
The National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM), one
of the most important and esteemed survey and mapping
activities being executed by GSI was started in FS 2001-
02 with launching a number of pilot surveys in different
states all over the country to assess and monitor the
changes of chemical elements at the earth's surface and
identify new prospective areas for new mineral
exploration. The prime objective of this mapping is to
create a baseline geochemical database and to produce a
complete set of geochemical baseline maps of the entire
landmass of the country so that the regional mineral
assessment is done in systematic manner and multi-
variant environmental issues are addressed effectively.
The systematic geochemical mapping is being
carried out on 1: 50,000 scale with sampling and analysis
of stream sediments, soil, humus and surface and
subsurface water etc. The standard practice being
followed for sampling is collection of stream sediment
samples from a cell size of 1 km by 1 km of first order
streams, which are later being processed and composited
on 2 km by 2 km cell for analytical purposes. Samples
from the other media such as soils from different horizons
like regolith, A, B and C horizons, humus surface and
subsurface water, etc. are being collected on a 5' x 5' cell
size on the base map of 1: 50,000 scale. All out efforts
have been put to collect the stream sediment sample of
–120 mesh without any contaminations. A standard
procedure is being followed to number the samples in a
grid pattern systematically.
Geochemical mapping was initiated by SU:
Chhattisgarh during 2002-03 field season. So far (till
March 2012) an area of 6528 sq. km has been mapped
covering 10 toposheets. Analytical values of 32 samples
collected from the area of toposheet no. 64K/8, occupied
by granitoids, basic dykes, quartz and aplite veins
26
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
overlain by the sandstone of Chandrapur Group of
Chhattisgarh Supergroup, indicate above 3 ppb values for
gold ( Au), while granitoids with basic intrusive show
anomalies of Cr (130.8ppm/238ppm), Co (20.97
ppm/28ppm), Ni (40.8 ppm/73 ppm), Sr (228.5 ppm/479
ppm), Rb (204.6 ppm/456 ppm), Th (62.68 ppm/120
ppm), Y (91.62 ppm/140 ppm) and Nb (47.13 ppm/63
ppm).
In toposheet 64K/10, out of 113 samples 97%
samples show 1-10 ppb of Au with maximum of 16 ppb;
66% samples indicate 100-180 ppm of Cr (max. 459
ppm); 84% samples show1-30 ppm of Co (max. 72 ppm);
81% samples show 1-80 ppm of Ni (max. 149 ppm) and
94% samples show 1-40 ppm of Pb (max. 42 ppm); 85%
samples indicate 10-40 ppm Cu (max. 65 ppm) and 87%
samples show 21-60 ppm Zn (max. 95 ppm). Re-look into
the area for detailed work is contemplated. In T. S. No.
64K/15, higher incidences of U (1.09-16.93 ppm), Th (3-
301 ppm), Y (threshold value 86.75 ppm) and Zr
(threshold value 21.42 ppm) are observed in the SW
corner of the toposheet. Besides, the higher values of Cu
(1-125 ppm), Pb (7-292 ppm), Ni (14-384 ppm) and Cr
(threshold value of 458 ppm) are also observed in an
anomalous zone developed over meta-ultramafics. The
Chhattisgarh Supergroup of rocks in parts of T.S. No.
64K/14 show anomalous concentration of Li with
threshold value of 31.75 ppm and Cs with threshold value
of 20.42 ppm in central part, Ge with threshold value of
1.99 ppm in shales in western part, U with threshold value
of 4.35 ppm in southern part and Ag with threshold value
of 240.72 ppb in the south-western part of the toposheet.
The same group of rocks in parts of TS 64K/06 does show
anomalous concentration of Zr (threshold value 804.15
ppm), Pb (threshold value 40.1 ppm), Cr (threshold value
152.99 ppm) and Co (threshold value 32.23 ppm).
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
IV. MINERAL RESOURCES
Chhattisgarh, a 21st century state, possesses all major
minerals including diamond. Mega industries of steel,
aluminium and cement have been developed depending
on the potential occurrence of minerals. Its large power
surplus is attracting power-intensive industries and the
state is poised to become the power hub of the nation due
to its vast coal deposits. Chhattisgarh is the sole producer
of tin concentrate. The state is the leading producer of
coal accounting for 21% and second largest producer of
dolomite with contribution of 23% of the total production
of these minerals. Important mineral occurrences of the
state are bauxite in Bastar, Bilaspur, Dantewara, Jashpur,
Kanker, Kabirdham, Korba, Raigarh and Surguja
districts; china clay in Durg and Rajnandgaon districts;
coal in Koria, Korba, Raigarh and Surguja districts;
dolomite in Bastar, Bilaspur, Durg-Janjgir Champa,
Raigarh and Raipur districts, iron ore (haematite) in
Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Durg
districts. Bailadila-Rowghat hill ranges in the state are
considered to be one of the biggest iron ore field in India.
Limestone occurs in Bastar, Bilaspur, Durg-Janjgir
Champa, Kabirdham, Raigarh, Raipur and Rajnandgaon
districts. Quartzite occurs in Durg, Raipur, Rajnandgaon
and Raigarh districts, and talc/steatite/soapstone in Durg
and Kanker districts.
Other minerals found in the state are corundum in
Dantewada district, diamond and other gemstone in
Raipur, Mahasamund and Dhamtari districts, fire clay in
Bilaspur, Raigarh and Rajnandgaon districts, fluorite in
Rajnandgaon district; garnet and marble in Bastar
district, emerald and gold in Raigarh and Raipur districts,
granite in Bastar, Kanker and Raipur districts,
quartz/silica sand in Durg, Jashpur, Raigarh, Raipur and
Rajnandgaon districts.
During 2008-09, aerogeophysical multisensor data
were acquired by surveying over an area of 6,428 sq.km
involving 12,857line km in Kanker area in Bastar Craton,
Chhattisgarh, and Central India using Twin Otter Air-
borne Survey System (TOASS) by GSI.
Category-wise recoverable reserves/resources of
minerals in Chhattisgarh are shown in the Table - 12.
The value of mineral production in Chhattisgarh was
at Rs.12,225 crore in 2009-10, decreased by about 8% as
compared to that in the previous year. The state is ranked
fourth in the country and accounted for 7% of total value
of mineral production. The important minerals produced
in the state in 2009-10 were coal, bauxite, iron ore, tin
(conc), dolomite and limestone which together accounted
for about 98% of the entire value of mineral production in
the state.
During 2009-10, the production of coal was
increased by about 8%, limestone by 4% and bauxite by
1%. There was a decline in production in dolomite and
iron ore by 8% and 12% respectively during the year
2009-10. The production value of minor minerals was
estimated at Rs. 261 crores in the year. The number of
reporting mines in Chhattisgarh was 152 in 2009-10 as
against 162 in the previous year.
The index of mineral production in Chhattisgarh
(base 1993-94=100) was 251.55 in 2009-10 as against
240.38 in the previous year.
Mineral Production in Chhattisgarh during 2008-09
and 2009-10 is given in Table - 13.
ALEXANDRITE (CHRYSOBERYL)
Gariyaband district
Alexandrite variety of chrysoberyl is reported from
pegmatite vein in Deobhog area, northeast of Latapara
(19°55':82°40'). Alexandrite has also been located in the
area around Kotrapara (19°52':82°49'). The State Mining
Corporation is now exploiting the deposit.
AMAZONITE
Gariyaband district
Sea-green amazonite a variety of feldspar, occurs in
pegmatites traversing the granite in west of Indagaon
(20°05':82°03') Raipur district. The maximum length of
crystals measures up to 15 cm.
ANDALUSITE
Sukma district
Small quantities of andalusite occur in the mica-
schists of Bengpal Group, near Kumharras
(18°51':81°21'), Chandenar (18°49':81°24') and Bhegi
(18°02':81°19').
ARSENOPYRITE
Bastar district
Arsenopyrite is reported in the form of lenticular
27
28
Table - 12. Reserves/Resources of Minerals as on 1.4.2005 : Chhattisgarh (Indian Mineral Year Book 2010)

Reserves Remaining resources

Total
Mineral Unit Proved Probable Total Feasibility Pre-feasibility Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance Total resources
STD 111 (A) STD211 STD331 STD332 STD333 STD334 (B) (A+B)
STD121 STD122 STD221 STD222

Bauxite '000 tonnes 30706 46981 11279 88966 - 36759 3823 1262 2572 14933 - 59349 148315
China clay '000 tonnes 914 179 1585 2678 - 600 110 - - 11378 - 12088 14766
Corundum tonne 310 - 288 597 - - - - - 288 - 288 885
Diamond carat - - - - - - - - - 1304000 - 1304000 1304000
Dolomite '000 tonnes 52108 64526 27972 144606 242 190795 6499 19840 33670 449108 1950 702105 846711
Fireclay '000 tonnes - 50 12 62 - - - 10580 - 10336 - 20916 20978
Fluorite tonne - - - - 65889 153132 9288 185485 5573 126088 - 545455 545455
Garnet tonne - - - - - - - - - 28800 - 28800 28800
Gold
Ore (primary) tonne - - - - - - - - 600000 300000 - 900000 900000
Metal
(primary) tonne - - - - - - - - 1.8 0.9 - 2.7 2.7
Granite
(Dim. stone) '000 cu m - - - - - - - - - 50057 - 50057 50057
Iron ore
(Hematite) '000 tonnes 570227 190285 - 760512 101548 - 656 81555 526906 779609 480000 1970275 2730787
Limestone '000 tonnes 669205 197381 200015 1066602 - 1544395 600882 2136876 619250 3069683 - 7971087 9037689
Marble '000 tonnes - - - - - - - - - 83000 - 83000 83000
Quartz-
silica sand '000 tonnes 424 - 304 727 - - 457 - - 282 - 739 1466
Quartzite '000 tonnes 3402 4142 4121 11665 - - - - - 14688 - 14688 26353
Talc/soapstone
steatite '000 tonnes 22 - 8 30 - - - - 70 8 - 78 108
Tin
Ore tonne 188136 - 48669 236805 - 2516392 - 168326 595914 29109378 - 32390010 32626815
Metal tonne 73.05 - 26.40 99.45 - 369.92 - 662.49 213.60 13103.43 - 14349.44 14448.89

Figures rounded off.

GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Table - 13. Mineral Production in Chhattisgarh, 2008-09 to 2009-10 (Excluding Atomic Minerals)
Indian Mineral Year Book 2011 (Advance Release) (Value in ` '000)

2008-09 2009-10
Mineral Unit
No. of Quantity Value No. of Quantity Value
mines mines

All Minerals 162 132698116 152 100529786

Coal '000t 61 101922 67873600 60 109953 50308300
Bauxite t 14 1674427 557371 15 1687069 607911
Iron ore '000t 12 29997 59064269 10 26211 44227248
Tin conc. kg 5 59778 21267 5 59016 22895
Clay (others) t 1 400 100 - - -
Dolomite t 23 1317858 361156 24 1286514 335580
Kaolin t - - - - - -
Limestone '000t 43 15789 2208173 33 15160 2231873
Quartz t 1 1846 258 1 384 54
Quartzite t 1 50 8 1 50 8
Steatite t 1 476 48 3 128 32
Minor Minerals@ - - 2611866 - - 2795885

Note : The number of mines excludes minor minerals.

@ Figures for earlier years have been repeated as estimates, wherever necessary, because of non-receipt of data.

patches in felsite near the junction with granite batholith, BAUXITE

south of Manitoba (22°49':80°39').
DGM Chhattisgarh has established about 0.4 million
Durg district tonnes of bauxite resources in Surguja district. Bauxite is
one of the major mineral resources of the state. Important
Occurrence of arsenopyrite is reported from village deposits of bauxite are located in plateau in Bilaspur,
Locahi in the Bhutna valley. Raigarh, Bastar, Durg, Rajnandgoan and Surguja
districts. Bauxite also occurs as irregular tabular and
ASBESTOS lensoidial bodies of various sizes associated with laterite
cappings over the Archaeans. A total of 148.315 million
There are numerous minor occurrences of asbestos in tonnes (I.M.Y. Book 2010) of bauxite has been estimated
the state. in Chhattisgarh.

Sukma district District wise occurrences are stated below:

A thin vein of tremolite asbestos, associated with Kanker-Kondagaon-Narayanpur-Dantewara districts

actinolite schist, has been recorded in the Saliapara area
(20°15':81°16'). Occurrences of tremolite asbestos are
reported on the northern slopes of Kommaraju Ghutta
near Kondasanvali (18°30':81°13') and NE of Gollapalli
(18°56':81°04'). The occurrences are patchy and
associated with talc tremolite schist.
BARITES
It is used as mineral filler. The total reserve in the
state is 1,90,000 tonnes of all grade (I.M.Y. Book 2002)
Baloda Bazar district
Barites occur in the septarian nodules in the
concretionary zones overlying the Gunderdehi shale near
Dotapur (21°39':82°15').
Small deposits of high grade bauxite occur in the
plateau between Keshkal (20°05':81°35') and Amabera
(20°04':81°20'). There are a few local concentrations of
bauxite in the laterite capping over Kotri Supergroup
metabasalts in the neighbourhood of Rowghat (19°52':
81°13').
Around 0.21 million tonnes of bauxite has been
estimated from a number of deposits at Bandhanpara
(20°06':81°25'), Kudarwahi (20°07':81°26'), Kuye
(20°05':81°27') Cherbera (20°04':81°26') Budhiarmari
(20°09':81°19'), Pat Dongri (20°08':81°20'), Halekurum
Dongri (20°03':81°22'), Marmakonari (20°10' : 81°22'),
Taralimeta Peak(18°32':80°14') north and northeast of
Jarandul (20°10':81°16') and 2.5 km west of Bailadila rest
house (18°44':81°15').
29

Bilaspur district
There are about 20 occurrences of bauxite in the
state. The important localities are Phutka Pahar (22°34':
82°46'), Pawan Akhra Pahar (22°28':82°54'), Karela
Pahar (22°32' : 82°52'), Ranaikhet Pahar (22°30':82°57')
and Gaurduari Pahar (22°30':82°57').The total resources
of bauxite is estimated in the order of 3.44 million tonnes
in Phutka Pahar and Paunakhera Pahar area (DID, GSI).
Durg district
The total bauxite reserves in the district are 0.487
million tonnes.
Raigarh district
The plateau laterite in Khuria (23°06':83°41') and
Marol highlands (22°48':83°46') contains segregations of
bauxite in several localities. The total resources are of the
order of 0.52 million tonnes in 9 blocks of Khuria
highlands. The total resource of the district is 4.753
million tonnes (IBM Year Book 2002). The bauxite is of
pisolitic, massive and brecciated types.
Rajnandgaon district
There are 22 known occurrences of bauxite in the
district. It occurs in Bodai (22°26':81°11'), Daldali
(22°24':81°11'), Kesamarda (22°27':81°12'), Bangora
(22°27':81°08') and Dhanwahi (22°21':81°08'). Bauxite
forms discontinuous, thin and flat lenticular bodies
within laterite over the Deccan Trap.
The estimated resource is 8.68 million tonnes with
46.28% to 49.12%Al2O3 in different deposits viz, Daldali
(22°24':81°11'), Ghamda (22°23':81°12'), Bodai
(22°26':81°11'), Rabda ( 22°25'15":81°12'), Kesamarda
(22°27': 81°12') and Bangora (22°27':81°08').
Surguja district
Extensive laterite cappings on the top of Deccan Trap
in Mainpat-Jamirapat and Joka-Luchupat plateau show
development of good bauxite. Sixteen occurrences of
bauxite from different localities in Jamirapat (23°21':
83°52') and Joka-Luchupat plateau are reported.
Jamirapat area: Prospecting by GSI in 13 blocks in
Jamirapat belt established sizeable bauxite deposits. The
belt is 40 sq. km. in extent. The bauxite is derived from
Deccan Trap basalts. The total reserve is 36.62 million
tonnes (DID, GSI) with an average 52% Al2O3.
Mainpat area: DGM, Madhya Pradesh has establi-
shed a reserve of 33 million tonnes of bauxite (DID, GSI).
30
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
During 2008-09, DGM, Chhattisgarh carried out
prospecting for bauxite in Patharai (Northeast area) of
Mainpat plateau in Surguja district. Four lakh tonnes of
metallurgical grade bauxite resource with average 47%
Al2O3 was estimated.
BERYL
Bilaspur district
Beryl has been found from 1.5 km NE of Barbhata
(22°39':82°33') in pegmatite intruding muscovite granite.
Raigarh district
Bluish green crystals of beryl, 0.64 cm to 7.5 cm
across, are reported 2.5 km northeast of Keikachar
(22°48':84°10') in pegmatite. Green beryl crystals occur
in biotite schist 5 to 7 km east of Baneya (22°43':83°31'),
Belghurti (22°45':84°02'), north of Ganabahar
(22°46':84°00') and Kunkur (22°44':83°57'). Beryl is also
noted in pegmatite intrusives into the mica schists of
Jamchua area.
Gariyaband district
Beryl is reported to occur in pegmatites intruding
Khondalites, northeast of Latapara (19°55':82°40') and
Kotrapara (19°52':82°49').
Surajpur district
Beryl is found in Rampur mica mine near Pratappur
town (23°29': 83°12').
BUILDING STONES
Granite and Decorative Stones
The granitic rocks are exposed in Surguja, Bastar and
Raipur districts. Massive, fine to medium grained granite
with attractive colours and uniform texture, found in the
state, is amenable to good polish. The marbles of Surguja
may be tested for the extraction of blocks and their
amenability to good polish. Total resources in the state are
50057000 cubic metres (I.M.Y. Book 2010).
Marble
In Surguja district, marble belongs to Mahakoshal
Group. The suitability of marbles, for extraction of blocks
and their amenability to polishing, needs to be tested.
Quartzite
Quartzites in Chhattisgarh are associated with
Precambrian rocks and are restricted to Bastar, Durg and
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Raipur districts. They have good potential as building
stone.
Durg and Rajnandgaon districts
Deposits of quartzite, in Paniajob (21°13':80°42'),
Bortalao (21°13':80°37') areas, have estimated resources
of about19.50 and 2.00 million tonnes respectively. The
deposit at Danitola (22°41':81°08') is at present exploited
by Steel Authority of India. The SiO2 content varies from
95.2 to 97.42%, Al2O3 2.5 to 4.43%, Fe2O3 1.00 to 2.65%,
CaO up to 0.40%, alkalies in traces and L.O.I.
CHROMITE
Bastar district
Chromite has been reported in talc-tremolite schist
near Kondasanvali (18°30':81°13')
CHINA CLAY/KAOLIN
Three types of clays found in the state are china clay,
fire clay and red clay. The total resources of china clay in
Chhattisgarh are 14.76 million tonnes (I.M.Y. Book,
2010). This is one of the essential raw materials in the
ceramic industry for the production of insulators, spark-
plugs, ceramic switches, white-ware, sanitary-ware,
glazed tiles, storewares, pipes and jars. The supply of
china clay mainly comes from Bastar, Rajnandgaon,
Bilaspur, Durg, Raigarh, Raipur and Surguja districts.
Bastar district
Fairly large deposits of white, buff coloured
variegated clay, suitable for low grade pottery, occur in
Raikot (19°10':81°50') and Manganpur (19°05':82°09'),
Medpal (19°06':82°08') and Rokel (18°34':81°44'). The
probable resource of clay in Raikot and Maganpur area is
2.59 million tonnes. A resource of 0.40 million tonnes of
white clay has been estimated from Kotamsor
(18°53':81°55') area.
Besides, white and buff coloured clay occurs in Jojal
(18°58':82°05'), Sindigarh (18°32':81°45') and Kukra
Dongri (19°10':82°01').
Bilaspur and Korba districts
Small pockets of white clay, formed by alteration of
feldspars in granites and gneisses occur near Ganipakha
(22°02':82°34'), Gopalpur (22°36':82°39'), Bisanpur
(22°30':82°35'), Ramkechhar (22°36':82°18'), Jogisar
(22°38':80°00') and Thandapura (22°45':81°45').
Durg district
White clay occurs at Danitola (22°41':81°08'), Dhaba
(21°05':80°01') and Panikibat (20°41':80°14'). The other
occurrences of white clay are at Harratola (20°54':82°43')
and Kariagondi (22°45':81°00') and variegated clay in
Chichori (21°05':80°35'), Hatapahar (20°40':80°53'),
Bhandaritola (20°41':80°58'), Markatola (20°34':81°23')
and Chapri (22°06':81°10'). Kaolin derived from the
decomposition of felsite and porphyry is reported from
1.5 km west of Markasar (20°59':80°32'). The material is
white, soft and soapy in feel. Reserves are 0.197 million
tonnes (IBM 2002 data).
Raigarh district
Red clay, suitable for tile industry, is found near
Rawatpura (24°02':76°44') and Bateri (24°02':76°45'). A
30m thick zone of white clay occurs over an extensive
area at 4 km ESE of Purunga (22°17':83°12'). Other small
deposits of white clay occur in Arajhar (21°56':83°18'),
Kishanpur (21°54':83°23') and Prasada (21°57':83°19').
Terra Cotta clay deposits are noted between Biora (21°
54':76°55') and Raigarh (21°54':83°24').
Dhamtari district
Clay has been reported from Singarpur
(21°50':82°00'). Buff and yellow clay occurs in Pankibhat
(20°49':81°27') and Kosagondi (20°50':81°37') near
Dhamtari (20°35':81°25') railway station. The clay lies
below 5 m of laterite cover. The estimated resource of 0.3
million tonnes of non-refractory clay can be used as filler
in paint and paper industries.
Rajnandgaon district
A five meter thick band of white clay occurs at 0.8 km
NE of Musalijob (21°03':80°49'). Other occurrences are
located at Charbhatta (21°06':80°35'), Mohanpur
(21°07':80°34'), Karelagarh (21°27':80°48') and Dabka
(21°24':80°58'). The Dabka occurrence is fairly large and
the reserve is 12 million tonnes (IBM 2002 data). A total
of 1.2 mt of clay resource has been estimated in
Rajnandgaon district.
Surguja and Balrampur districts
A fifteen meter thick horizon of clay occurs below the
Deccan Trap at 0.4 km north of Konundha
(23°20':83°03'). The middle portion of 10 m thickness is
white clay. A twenty meter thick band of white clay
occurs at about 2.5 km north of Khandon (23°19':83°57').
White and stained clay beds of 3 m thick occur at Khajri
(23°20':84°02') over a length of 2.5 km; in southern slope
of Jamirapat (23°21':83°52') plateau- 13 m thick and at
2.5 km NW of Chutai (23°22':83°52') 23m thick bed over
a length of 60m.
31

COAL
In Chhattisgarh a total estimated resource of coking
and noncoking coal upto 50846.15 million tonnes has
been estimated by all agencies (as on 01.04.2012). The
inventory is based on data available from GSI, CMPDI,
MECL, Singereni Colliery company limited, private and
public entrepreneurs.
The inventory of coal resources in different coal
fields along with grade-wise resume are given in
Table - 14 and Table - 15.
Korba Coalfield (Korba district)
It covers an area of about 520 sq. km within the Korba
district. The Korba coalfield forms the western member
of the linear Gondwana belt extending from Ib River in
Orissa in the southeast to Korba in the northwest. In the
south-eastern and north-eastern part of the coalfield that
is contiguous with Mand-Raigarh, the Gondwana
sediments of Korba sub-basin were classified into Talchir
(250m+) and Barakar (750m+) formations to be
succeeded by Kamthi (200m+) Formation. However, in
the light of reclassification of Gondwanas in Mand-
Raigarh and Ib sub-basins, the sediments in the south-
eastern part of Korba sub-basin were reclassified.
Accordingly, a vast area in this part that was believed to
be covered by the Barakar Formation was later identified
to be covered by the rocks of Raniganj Formation
(180m+).
The Barakar Formation hosts a number of major or
minor coal seams that account for entire resources of this
coalfield. However, a few thin coal seams occur in the
Raniganj Formation. In the Barakar Formation coal
seams are restricted to its Lower and Upper members,
separated by a barren zone. The Lower member is
characterised by the presence of thin but superior quality
coal seams, while the Upper member contains a number
of thick coal horizons of inferior quality. Development of
coal seams in the Korba coalfield differs from area to
area. Though, at times, correlation of coal seams in
adjacent areas is possible, it is difficult to extend it
regionally. This has resulted in adaptation of different
nomenclatures of the coal seams in different areas.
Pali West and Pali East areas are, in fact, continuous
and these together form the extreme westernmost part of
the Korba basin. In this area occurrence of seven coal
seams of variable thickness ranging from less than a
metre to 18.74 m has been established through sub-
surface studies. Of these, six are regional in nature. Seam
III is economically important and is 1.68 m to 4.05 m
thick. It not only splits from east to west along strike but
also splits into three sections towards outcrop. Seam VII
is the most important and the thickest seam of the area.
32
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Quarriable potentiality of the seam for its occurrence at
shallow depth (8.80 m) further enhances its importance. It
is 16.82 m to 18.74 m thick and occurs in the western part
of the area only in between two NNE-SSW faults. In all,
there occur eight seams in Lalmatia-Suklakhar, Banki-
Surakachar areas. Many of the seams are absent either in
the Dipka-Tiwarta in the southwest or Korba colliery in
the southeast. However, the important upper Barakar
seam known as Kusmunda seam and some additional
seams between Kusmunda seam and seam VIII are found
to occur in the southern part of Dipka-Tiwarta area.
Kusmunda Seam is the thickest seam of the coalfield
belonging to the Upper member of Barakar Formation
and has been found to occur in the southern part of Dipka-
Tiwarta area. The seam has an aggregate thickness of
64.20 m and is clearly defined into a 40.82 m section and a
bottom 21.75 m section separated by a parting of 1.65 m.
In Bhelai east, coal seams belonging to both Lower and
Upper member of Barakar Formation including the thick
Kusmunda seams have been encountered. Kusmunda
(lower) Seam is the thickest one and is 35.53 m (in two
sections with a parting of 1.93 m) to 75.54 m thick,
though over the major part it is 60 m to 65 m thick.
Kusmunda (Upper) Seam is most important coal seam of
the area. Over the major part of the area it ranges around
60 m to 75 m. in thickness.
As per the National Inventory of Coal, 2012, the total
coal resources of the Korba Coalfield, has been estimated
to be 11755.66 mt.
Hasdo-Arand Coalfield (Korba and Surguja districts)
Hasdo-Arand Coalfield lies in the districts of Korba
and Surguja and extends over an area of around 1200
sq.km. The coalfield occupies a transitional area between
drainage of the Mahanadi and the Son.
The database acquired from surface and subsurface
exploration indicates Talchir (maximum 445m) at the
base which is successively overlain by Barakar
(maximum 484m), Barren Measures (100m), Raniganj
(150m) and Kamthi (100m) formations.
Barakar is the main coal bearing formation of the
coalfield. Its middle member bears most of the important
coal seams with a few local coal seams occurring in the
lower member. Later re-appraisal has reported a few coal
seams in the Raniganj Formation also. From west to east
important areas are Chotia, Morga, Puta-Parogia and Tara
where exploration has established presence of six
regional coal seams in the middle member of the Barakar
Formation. However, a few local seams also occur in the
lower member of the formation. In Chotia area, the Seam
no. IV (Dhajag seam) is important. It occurs within
younger Barakar sediments and attains 3.7 m to 7.95 m
thickness. In Morga area coal seam sequence differs to
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Table - 14. Inventory of Geological Resource of Chhattisgarh Coal (as on 01.04.2012) (Resource in million tonne)
Coalfield/ Depth Proved Indicated Inferred Inferred Total
Type of coal (Exploration) (Mapping)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1. SOHAGPUR
NON-COKING 0-300 94.30 10.08 0.00 104.38
TOTAL FOR SOHAGPUR 94.30 10.08 0.00 104.38

2. SONHAT
SEMI-COKING 0-300 70.77 16.45 0.00 87.22
300-600 0.00 82.80 0.00 82.80
SEMI-COKING Total 70.77 99.25 0.00 170.02

NON-COKING 0.300 101.00 936.39 0.00 1037.39

300-600 27.72 859.37 1.89 888.98
600-1200 0.00 568.85 0.00 568.85
NON-COKING Total 128.72 2364.61 1.89 2495.22

TOTAL FOR SONHAT 199.49 2463.86 1.89 2665.24

3. JHILIMILI
NON-COKING 0-300 228.20 38.90 0.00 267.10
TOTAL FOR JHILIMILI 228.20 38.90 0.00 267.10

4. CHIRIMIRI
NON-COKING 0-300 320.33 10.83 31.00 362.16
TOTAL FOR CHIRIMIRI 320.33 10.83 31.00 362.16

5. BISRAMPUR
NON-COKING 0-300 986.06 628.64 0.00 1614.70
TOTAL FOR BISRAMPUR 986.06 628.64 0.00 1614.70

6. EAST OF BISRAMPUR
NON-COKING 0-300 0.00 164.82 0.00 164.82
TOTAL FOR EAST OF BISRAMPUR 0.00 164.82 0.00 164.82

7. LAKHANPUR
NON-COKING 0-300 454.88 3.35 0.00 459.23
TOTAL FOR LAKHANPUR 455.88 3.35 0.00 459.23

8. PANCHBAHINI
NON-COKING 0-300 0.00 11.00 0.00 11.00
TOTAL FOR PANCHBAHINI 0.00 11.00 0.00 11.00

9. HASDO-ARAND
NON-COKING 0-300 1369.84 3589.66 390.66 5350.16
300-600 0.00 39.98 7.33 47.31
TOTAL FOR HASDO-ARAND 1399.84 3629.64 397.99 5397.47

10. SENDURGARH
NON-COKING 0-300 152.89 126.32 0.00 279.21

11. MAND-RAIGARH
NON-COKING 0-300 4274.32 11769.33 1974.87 18018.52
300-600 204.97 5651.86 634.09 6490.92
600-1200 0.00 610.40 0.00 610.40
TOTAL FOR MAND-RAIGARH 4479.29 18031.59 2608.96 25119.84

12. TATAPANI-RAMKOLA
NON-COKING 0.300 50.43 1092.58 24.85 1167.86
300.600 0.00 997.47 177.34 1174.67
600-1200 0.00 302.67 0.00 302.67
TOTAL FOR TATAPANI-RAMKOLA 50.43 2392.72 202.19 2645.34

TOTAL FOR CHATTISGARH 13987.85 33448.25 3410.05 50846.15

p The inventory is based on data available from Geological Survey of India, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, Mineral Exploration
Corporation Limited and Private/Public Entrepreneurs.
p A few Entrepreneurs sent resources not in proper format and the resources could not be taken up.
p This inventory dealt with net geological resources assessed, so far, and did not take into account the mined out reserve.

33

some extent from east to west of Paturia. In west of
Paturia Seam no. IV (Dhajag seam), the most important
and persistent seam of the coalfield occurs 11.5 m to
22.56 m above the Seam no. III. It attains maximum
thickness in this part of the coalfield and is 10.1 m to 15.9
m thick. However, in comparison to rest of the coalfield
the seam contains more dirt bands. In east of Puturia
Seam No. IV is attenuated to 6.95 m to 12.33 m with more
clean coal sections and this thickness uniformly persists
over the rest of the eastern part of the coalfield upto
Kente. On the contrary, the Seam no. V occurring with a
gradual attenuation of parting of 39.26 m to 44.49 m
above Seam no. IV shows a gradual increase in thickness
ranging from 0.58 m to 4.35 m. But it remains highly
banded. In Puta-Parogia area Seam no. IV is the thickest
one and the thickness varies from 4.19 m to 10.34 m. In
Tara area Seam No. IV maintains a thickness of 6.64 m to
10.29 m while Seam No. V becomes thicker with
thickness ranging from 5.07 m to 8.74 m.
As per the National Inventory of Coal, 2012, the total
coal resources of the Hasdo-Arand Coalfield, has been
estimated to be 5397.47 mt.
Sendurgarh Coalfield (Korba District)
Sendurgarh Coalfield extends over an area of about
40 sq.km and lies in Korba district. Rocks of Talchir and
Barakar formations occur over the metamorphic
basement. Barakar Formation (about 300m thick)
contains six regional coal seams with three local seams
towards the basal part. The thickness of the regional
seams (Seam I to Seam VI) ranges from 0.44m to 14.24m,
while the local seams are thin (0.1m to 1.10m thick).
Although Seam IV is best developed, it is relatively thin
(0.5m to 1.25mthick). On the other hand, Seam VI is
thickest (11.24m thick) with a very restricted aerial
extent. The coal seams are high moisture and non-coking
type and belong to B and D grade. Seam Nos. III & I are
qualitatively better (B & C grade) and are most
promising. Total reserve of coal upto 0-300m, estimated
from this coalfield, is about 279.21 million tonnes. (As on
01-04-2012, Data source GSI).
Mand-RaigarhCoalfield (Korba and Raigarh
districts)
It is located within the Korba and Raigarh districts,
The Coalfield comprises two coal bearing areas, one in
the north and the other in the south, separated by Kamthi
formation. The NW-SE elongated northern coal bearing
tract extends over a large area from Mand valley in west
upto the eastern boundary of the Raigarh basin in its
northern limb. It covers northern part of earlier
designated Mand River Coalfield and entire North
Raigarh Coalfield. The southern coal bearing area is
comparatively small. It is located in the southern limb of
34
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
the basin adjacent to the southern boundary fault and it
comprises southern part of earlier designated Mand River
Coalfield.
The Mand-Raigarh basin forms the south-central part
of the Mahanadi valley master basin. Here the
Gondwanas occur over an extensive spread from Hasdo-
Arand basin in the northwest through Raigarh district to
Ib-basin in Orissa. In fact, this basin is continuous with
the Ib-basin further to the south-east and Korba basin to
the west with large part of intervening terrain occupied by
the Kamthi Formation. Thus the Mand-Raigarh basin is a
part of the Ib River-Mand-Korba master basin lying
within the Mahanadi graben.
The geology of the Mand-Raigarh basin has since
undergone a major change when regional exploration and
large scale revision mapping was carried out over a large
part of the basin from 1978 onwards. Contrary to the
earlier notion that the Kamthi Formation (~ 285m)
directly overlies the Barakar sediments (425 – 770m+),
the entire Gondwana sediments were reclassified in
conformity with the Damodar valley basin. Barren
Measures ~385) and Raniganj Formation (150-180+)
successively overlying the Barakar and Talcher
formations were recognized.
The Barakar and the Raniganj formations of the basin
are coal bearing. Of these, the Barakar Formation is more
potential containing a number of seams of mostly power
grade coal and a few superior grade coal seams. In the
Raniganj Formation coal exposures are reported from a
few isolated places both in the northern and southern
limbs of the basin, which are inferior in quality and
insignificant.
A total of 12 nos. of regional coal seams and several
local seams have so far been reported from this coalfield.
Some of the important areas have been discussed. Seam
Nos. III (1.20 to 8.75m), IV (0.5 to 4.35m ) and V (1.9 to
10.6m ) in Dharamjaygarh area and Seam Nos. II ( 0.9 to
2.6m ), IV ( 1.1 to 5m ), VI ( 7.33 to 11.6m ) and IX bottom
( 1.55 to 2.5m ) in Kurumkela are important. In
Chimtapani area Seam no. II (2.33 to 3.62m) is of
superior grade (Grade A & B). Seam III and IV are
developed as combined seam in the area, excepting in the
central part where they preserve individual identity. The
combined seam varies in thickness from 8.92 m to 14.25
m. The other regional seams vary in thickness from 0.7 to
4m. In Titaipali area seam II (1.31 to 5.83m) and III (0.9 to
5.95m) are important in respect of quality. Seam II is
mostly Grade – A, while seam III B to D. The Superior
Grade coal is also reported from the lower most two
seams of Pelma area, where seam I is mainly of Grade A
and the seam II varies from A to C. In Gare area seam I
(0.94 to 8.15m), II (0.05 to 8.05m) and VI (0.58 to 7.6m)
are significant in respect of their thickness. From Chhal
 Table - 15. Grade-wise resource of noncoking coal in Gondwana Coalfields of Chhattisgarh (As on 01.04.2012)
(in million tonne)

Depth range (m) Proved Indicated

Inferred Grand
Gr. A Gr. B Gr. C Gr. D Gr. EFG Total Gr. A Gr. B Gr. C Gr. D Gr. EFG Total Exploration Total

BISRAMPUR
0-300 97.83 257.49 158.79 215.22 256.73 986.06 15.37 141.69 138.34 127.23 206.01 628.64 0.00 1614.70
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

EAST OF
BISRAMPUR
0-300 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.95 5.59 28.17 77.54 38.57 164.82 0.00 164.82

CHIRIMIRI
0-300 66.14 116.11 116.09 11.00 10.99 320.33 0.76 5.04 5.03 0.00 0.00 10.83 31.00 362.16

HASDO-ARAND
0-300 1.36 18.40 91.54 298.05 960.49 1369.84 61.42 147.06 637.16 1598.06 1145.96 3589.66 390.66 5350.16
300-600 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6.19 13.69 5.22 12.57 2.31 39.98 7.33 47.31
0-600 1.36 18.40 91.54 298.05 960.49 1369.84 67.61 160.75 642.38 1610.63 1148.27 3629.64 397.99 5397.47

JHILIMILI
0-300 64.86 49.70 27.40 15.02 71.22 228.20 14.02 10.11 7.78 0.66 6.33 38.90 0.00 267.10

KORBA
0-300 223.01 110.08 148.80 252.60 4352.70 5087.19 38.15 32.95 114.86 126.29 3332.05 3644.30 99.91 8831.40
300-600 10.00 0.00 0.00 6.03 547.92 563.95 7.50 0.00 39.81 372.77 1872.12 2292.20 68.11 2924.26
0-600 233.01 110.08 148.80 258.63 4900.62 5651.14 45.65 32.95 154.67 499.06 5204.17 5936.50 168.02 11755.66

LAKHANPUR
0-300 4.22 44.21 125.23 135.25 146.97 455.88 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.79 2.53 3.35 0.00 459.23

35
36
MAND-RAIGARH
0-300 26.74 38.53 175.18 381.64 3652.23 4274.32 78.71 32.91 268.81 1793.13 9595.77 11769.33 1974.87 18018.52
300-600 40.39 23.95 24.40 35.10 81.13 204.97 96.79 92.92 489.42 1762.84 3209.89 5651.86 634.09 6490.92
600-1200 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 82.03 162.49 365.88 610.40 0.00 610.40
0-1200 67.13 62.48 199.58 416.74 3733.36 4479.29 175.50 125.83 840.26 3718.46 13171.54 18031.59 2608.96 25119.84

PANCHBAHINI
0-300 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 6.60 1.73 2.66 11.00 0.00 11.00

SENDURGARH
0-300 0.78 27.79 48.24 32.53 43.55 152.89 11.57 51.22 30.77 19.27 13.49 126.32 0.00 279.21

SOHAGPUR
0-300 23.20 35.40 29.02 4.92 1.76 94.30 0.43 1.28 6.99 0.96 0.42 10.08 0.00 104.38

SONHAT
0-300 14.31 35.83 20.00 12.80 18.06 101.00 0.00 9.21 51.22 291.53 584.43 936.39 0.00 1037.39
300-600 1.25 19.37 5.45 1.65 0.00 27.72 11.71 129.29 201.72 373.10 143.55 859.37 1.89 888.98
600-1200 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 46.09 105.85 176.77 240.04 568.85 0.00 568.85
0-1200 15.56 55.20 25.45 14.45 18.06 128.72 11.81 184.59 358.79 841.40 968.02 2364.61 1.89 2495.22

TATAPANI-RAMKOLA
0-300 1.15 1.08 2.54 3.92 41.74 50.43 28.55 73.59 236.84 283.62 469.98 1092.58 24.85 1167.86
300-600 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 44.04 46.30 208.37 253.43 445.33 997.47 177.34 1174.81
600-1200 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 17.73 12.42 30.74 49.79 191.99 302.67 0.00 302.67
0-1200 1.15 1.08 2.54 3.92 41.74 50.43 90.32 132.31 475.95 586.84 1107.30 2392.72 202.19 2645.34

TOTAL FOR
575.24 777.94 972.68 1405.73 10185.49 13917.08 447.99 851.37 2695.76 7484.57 21869.31 33349.00 3410.05 50676.13
CHHATTISGARH
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
area, located in the southern limb of the Mand-Raigarh
basin, nine regional coal seams have been reported. Out
of these, seam III is the most promising, which
constitutes of three to four clean coal section, with
individual section varying in thickness from 1.08 to
5.23m. In the west central part of this, seam V has been
intersected at a very shallow depth (between 12 -16 m
depth). However, the seam is highly interbanded.
As per the National Inventory of Coal, 2012, the total
coal resources of the Mand-Raigarh Coalfield, has been
estimated to be 25119.84 mt.
Sohagpur Coalfield (Bilaspur and Koriya districts)
The Sohagpur Coalfield forms a part of South Rewa
Basin and extends for about 3000 sq. km areas, mainly, in
Shahdol and Anupur districts, M.P. and partly within
Bilaspur and Koriya districts, Chhattisgarh. In about
300m thick Barakar Formation, the occurrence of five
regional coal seams (I to V), with wide variation in
thickness, pattern of splitting, seam structure and quality,
has been established. These seams vary in thickness from
0.22m to11.60m. The coal seams show abrupt increase in
rank on the down thrown side of east-west trending
Bamhani-Chilpa fault, which has dissected the coalfield.
On the upthrown side, the seams are high in moisture and
volatile content and also are non-coking in nature. They
are being exploited in Rajnagar, Kotma and Bijuri in the
east and Dhanpuri, Amlai and Burhar in the west. On the
down thrown side of the fault, the seams are low in
moisture and high volatile medium coking type with
UVM ranging between 35 and 40 and CI from 14 to18.
Petrographically, the lower II, III seams and I are
inertinite rich (46-67%) and upper seams (IV and V
seam) are high in reactives (46 to 85%).
Estimated total resource for the coalfield up to 0-300
m depth is 104.38 million tonnes. (As on 01-04-2012,
Data source GSI)
Chirimiri Coalfield (Koriya district)
Chirimiri Coalfield extends over an area of about 125
sq. km in the Koriya district. The main rock types;
exposed in the coalfield, belong to the Talchir and
Barakar formations, which unconformably overlie the
Precambrian rocks. Basic rocks in the form of dykes and
sills intrude Barakar Formation, which attains a
maximum thickness of about 435m in this coalfield.
Barakar Formation contains five regionally
correlatable coal seams varying in thickness from 0.30m
to 12.40m. These seams are well developed in the north
and in the south central parts. Out of these seams, Seam
No. III is the thickest with a maximum thickness of
12.40m and is extensively developed in the northern part
of this coalfield. The coal seams have high moisture
content, low ash and are non-coking type. Total estimated
reserve of noncoking coal from this coalfield, upto 0-
300m is about 362.16 million tonnes.
Bisrampur Coalfield (Surguja district)
Bisrampur Coalfield is situated in Surguja district.
This coalfield shows development of the Lower
Gondwana sediments represented by the Talchir, Barakar
and Supra - Barakar Formations, which together have
been intruded by dolerite intrusives. The coal bearing
Barakar Formation, occupying a major part of the
coalfield overlies the Talchir strata and shows wide
variation in thickness ranging from 45m to
304m.Thickness of Barakar coal seams that are generally
ten in number, range from 0.25m to 18.20m. Seam no. IX
(Dhajagir Seam) is the thickest seam (10m to 18.20m).
Seam No. VIII (Masan Seam) and Seam No. V (Upper
Parpahari Seam) are the other important seams. The coal
seams of Bisrampur Coalfield are medium in rank, and at
places show weakly coking nature. The coals are
generally of superior grade (A to C). However, coals of
inferior grade are also present. A total reserve of
noncoking coal upto 0-300m about 1614.70 million
tonnes of coal has, so far, been estimated from this
coalfield. (As on 01-04-2012, Data source GSI)
East Bishrampur Coal field: A reserve of
164.82million tones noncoking coal upto 0-300m depth
has been estimated. (As on 01-04-2012, Data source GSI)
Lakhanpur Coalfield (Surguja district)
Lakhanpur Coalfield lies in Surguja district and
extends over an area of 350 sq.km, out of which135 sq.km
is coal bearing. Talchir and Barakar formations occur over
the Precambrian basement. The Barakar Formation
conformably overlies the Talchir Formation and is about
360m thick. Four coal seams have been reported from this
coalfield. These coal seams range in thickness from 0.33m
to7.55m. The bottom most seam i.e., Seam I is regionally
persistent and has workable thickness (varying from 1m to
7.55m), particularly in the northern part of the coalfield.
Other seams are generally thin and impersistent. The coals
are high moisture, low rank non-coking type. A total
resource of about 459.23 million tonnes of coal has, so far,
been estimated upto 0-300m depth from this coalfield. (As
on 01-04-2012, Data source GSI)
Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield (Surguja district)
Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield represents a broad
structural syncline with east-west axial trace. It is actually
a composite coalfield comprising the northern strip of
coal-bearing rocks referred to as the Tatapani Coalfield
and the southern one called the Ramkola Coalfield. The
37

potential coal-bearing Barakar Formation is exposed
along the northern, eastern and southern periphery of the
sub-basin which is largely occupied in the central and
western part by the younger stratigraphic units viz.
Supra-Panchet, Panchet, Raniganj and Barren Measures.
Integrated surface and subsurface study carried out
over last few decades has established the development of
thirteen regional coal seams viz. I to XIII in ascending
order of sequence of Barakar Formation and seams show
wide variation in their development pattern. Out of these,
Seam III, IV and V deserve special mention due to their
thickness, regional persistency and quality both in
Tatapani and Ramkola areas. The coal seams have
consistent thickness in the eastern (Tatapani area) and in
the south-central part (Ramkola area).
In Bhormi-Mitgain block of Tatapani area coal seams
merit special attention due to their persistency,
development pattern and superior quality. In this area, the
thickness of Seam III ranges from 1.09 m to 5.07 m
showing little thickening in the southern segment
(Bhormi area). In the northern segment (Mitgain area),
Seam III splits into 1.83m thick top section and 2.54m
thick bottom section, whereas in the southern segment (
Bhormi area it occurs as single seam with improved coal
quality upto Grade A). This quality persists over a strike
length of about 1.5 km at a shallow level indicating
quarriable potentiality of this superior coal. Seam V has a
persistent development in south, where it varies in
thickness between 1.56m and 5.50m indicating
southward thickening. But in the northernmost part of
this segment, this seam in all probability merges with
Seam V with an aggregate thickness of 7.70m. In the
north, seam V ranges in thickness from 1.28m to 3.95m,
while its thickness increases upto 10.95m in the southern
segment where it occurs in two split sections. The top
section is 2.10m to 5.54m thick and the bottom split is
0.75m to 4.00m thick. Seam V, while has restricted
development in the northern segment, it becomes most
important one in the south because of its persistent thick
development, superior quality and shallow depth of
occurrence.
In Ramkola area Seam III is one of the most
important seams having variable thickness from 2.96m to
9.80m (Amartipur area), where top section degenerates to
carbonaceous shale and grey shale. It is well developed in
the south (Duba area) having thickness variation from
3.53m to 13.50m. The overall quality of the seam
generally varies between Grade 'D' and 'E', but the
notable character of the seam is that over the entire area,
the lower section of average 2.5m to 3m thickness is
uniformly of Grade 'C' quality. Seam (IV + V) is
composite in nature over major part of the area and it is
the thickest (10.49m to 20.71m), persistent and the most
important seam. Seam IV and V at places maintain
38
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
separate identity, but in the area to the north (Amartipur
area) and in the south (Duba area), they practically merge
with thin intervening partings.
As per the National Inventory of Coal, 2012, the total
coal resources of the Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield, has
been estimated to be 50846.15 mt.
Panchbahini Coalfield (Surguja district)
A non coking variety of coal of 11.00 million tonnes
has been estimated upto 0-300 m depth (As on 01-04-
2012, Data source GSI)
Jhilimili Coalfield (Koriya district)
The Jhilmili Coalfield is located within Koriya
district. An ENE-WSW trending major fault towards
north divides the coalfield into two major segments.
Talchir and Barakar formations represent the southern up
thrown block. Talchir, Barakar (300 m) and the Supra-
Barakar formations represent northern down thrown
block. Basic bodies intrude the latter. Regional studies
have established the presence of five regional
correlatable coal seams (I to V) around Bharkarpara,
Kutkona and Majhan. Of these, Seam No. I (0.3 m to 3.55
m) is well developed in Kutkona area and thins out
towards east. Seam No. II occurs in two split sections and
its combined thickness varies from 0.2 to 3.51m. Seam
No. III, mostly clean coal, is 0.33 to 2.45m thick. Seam
No. IV attains persistent thickness of about 3.4m for
about 5km strike length in Majhan area, whereas it is less
than 1.2m thick in most of the area.
The topmost seam, Seam V (3.96 to 5.4 m thick) is
usually intercalated with dirt bands. It occurs in two split
sections towards east around Bharkarpara where the
thickness of top split section varies from 1.47 to 4.57 m
and the thickness of bottom one from 1.17 to 2.07m.
Quality - wise, the coals are with high moisture (2.5% to
36%) and with medium to low ash content. Lower seams
are having caking index of about 5-14. The lower most
seam is weakly coking with C.I 12-19 and top most seam
is non-coking with C.I less than 5. So far, a total of 267.10
million tonnes reserve has been assessed upto 0-300m
depth, of which about 166 million tonnes belong to class I
to III. (As on 01-04-2012, Data source GSI)
Sonhat Coalfield (Koriya district)
The coal measures located just east of the Sohagpur
Coalfield, which forms part of the south-central portion
of the Rewa Basin, is known as the Sonhat Coalfield. It
covers a total area of about 845sq. km in Koriya district.
The Barakar and the Supra Barakar formations
successively overlie the Talchir Formation, overlying the
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Precambrians. Thick dolerite sill, related to Deccan Trap,
is a conspicuous feature of this basin.
In the Churcha area, five persistent Barakar coal
seams (No. I to V), ranging in thickness from 0.4m to
6.1m, have been recorded. The thickest Seam No. V has
1.7% to 3.9% moisture and 14.4% to 22.8% ash content.
In the Ghugra-Labji area, lying to the dip side of Churcha
area, the coal seams occurring in the lower part of the
Barakar Formation show a tendency to attenuate in
thickness. Three correlatable coal seams, ranging in
thickness from0.6m to 6.75m, have been recorded from
this area.
Ash content of these seams ranges from 21.7% to
27.7%. In Amritdhara block, development of five
impersistent seams (Seam I to Seam V) ranging in
thickness from 0.5m to 1.10m has been recorded. Coals
from all the seams are of high volatile content and weakly
to semi-coking type with 7-12 C.I. Approximate resource
for semi-coking and non-coking coal in the coalfield is
170.02 million tonnes up to 0-300 and 300-600m depth
and 2495.22 million tones up to 0-300m, 300m-600m and
600m-1200m, respectively (As on 01-04-2012, Data
source: GSI).
In order to explore and produce natural gas from coal
bearing areas, the government has formulated coal bed
methane (CBM) policy for exploration and production of
CBM. Under CBM-I to III, a total of 3 blocks have been
awarded in Chhattisgarh.
COPPER
Bastar district
Copper mineralizations have been reported from a
number of localities in Bastar district. Maximum value of
copper, in a core sample from Mundatikra
(19°28':81°19') area, indicated 0.30% Cu. Minor copper
mineralisation has been encountered at Netanar
(18°52':82°03'), Modenar (18°48':81°43'), Tongsal
Dongri (19°38':81°15') and Kesarpal (18°46':82°03').
CORUNDUM
Bastar district
Corundum occurs in quartzo-feldspathic gneiss and
biotite gneiss associated with pegmatites near
Bhopalpatnam (18°51':81°23') and Kochhnoor
(18°51':81°25'). Corundum is found in the form of
hexagonal barrel-shaped crystals varying in size from a
few mm to 3 cm and shows various shades of ruby red,
aquamarine blue, honey brown, yellow and flesh colours.
The total estimate of ruby-red variety is about 980 kg.
Small scale/cottage industry, for cutting and polishing, at
Jagdalpur is dependant on supplies from Bhopalpatnam.
Corundum also occurs in placers derived from the above
rock types. About 700 tonnes of industrial corundum is
expected from the alluvial cover spread over 3.62 sq. km
area. A few more occurrences are also reported from
Kochhnoor (18°51':81°25'), Chikpalle (18°16':81°33'),
C h i n t a l n a r ( 1 8 ° 2 1 ' : 8 1 ° 11 ' ) a n d B u rg u d d e m
(18°19':81°28').
Raipur district
Corundum, in association with garnet and
alexandrite, occurs in pegmatites in Deobhog
(19°52':82°41') area of Raipur district.
DIAMOND
In Chhattishgarh region, search for kimberlite clan
rocks had been conducted in twelve priority blocks on the
basis of favourable geotectonic setups and diamond
incidences. The investigated blocks include i) Pairi-
Khariar basin, ii) Indravati basin, iii) Sabri basin, iv)
Singhora basin, v) Bardwar basin , vi & vii) two blocks in
Raigarh Mobile belt, viii) Kondagaon sector , ix) Kanker-
Keshkal sector, x) Dhamtari sector xi) Bilaspur sector
south of CIS and xii) in Dhamtari-Kanker districts.
Raipur district
A total of five kimberlitic pipes including two
diamondiferous were discovered in Bahradih-
Payalikhand area and more than forty kimberlitic
anomaly zones were detected by stream sediment
sampling and Mainpur kimberlite Field (MKF)
was established in Pairi-Khariar basin of Chhattisgarh
region.
The Mainpur kimberlite field (MKF) has become one
of the three established diamond bearing kimberlite fields
in the Peninsular India, the other two being Panna in
northern Madhya Pradesh and Wajrakarur in Andhra
Pradesh. The Mainpur field is 135 km southeast of Raipur
city. The five diatremes, identified in this field by GSI
during 1992-94, are Payalikhand I & II, Jangra, Bahradih
and Kodomali. Payalikhand and Bahradih pipes are
proven to be diamond bearing. There are some reports of
diamonds being recovered from Kodomali pipe as well.
N.V.Chalpati Rao et al. carried out petrology, bulk
rock geochemistry, indicator mineral composition and
zircon U-Pb geochronology of the diamondiferous
Mainpur orangeites. The end- Cretaceous
diamondiferous Mainpur orangeite field comprises six
pipes (Bahradih, Kodomali, Payalikhand, Jangra,
Kosambura and Bjaghati located at the NE margin of
Bastar Craton).
39
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

The kimberlite bodies occur as intrusives in the DOLOMITE

granitoid rocks locally known as Bundeli Granite and
carry fragments of basal Khariar Group. A total resource Total resources of 846.711 million tonnes of
of diamond potential has been estimated to be1304000 dolomite have been estimated in Chhattisgarh (I. M. Y.
carats (I. M. Y. Book, 2010). Book, 2010)

Bastar district Bastar district

Exploration by GSI in the years 1994-95 to 1996-97 Deposits of dolomite are found in the Machkot-Tiria
could establish a new field of kimberlite clan rocks area, which are confined to the Indravati Group. The total
(KCR) in Indravati basin and the Tokapal field. Tokapal probable resource is 80.778 million tonnes (IBM-2002
field kimberlite clan rocks were reported near Tokapal, data), occurring in a number of deposits in Sakhajodi
Duganpal, Parakot-Parpa and Bhejripadar villages. The (18°48':82°11'), Jhiram (18°48':81°51'), Tikipodero
detailed exploration for crater facies KCR was carried out (18°57':82°13'), Gupteswar (18°49':82°10') and Pulcha
during FS 2000-2002 through detailed mapping, (18°49':82°07'). In Pulcha the dolomite contains flux
systematic grid drilling and ground geophysical methods. grade reserve of 3.30 million tonnes.
The study revealed the presence of more than two carrots
like root features in the area and a link between the Bilaspur district
Tokapal and Duganpal rocks below the top soil. The
pyroclastic kimberlite clan rock of crater facies exhibits In Bilaspur district, dolomite deposits occurring in
distinctive clast-matrix texture and consists dominantly different areas of Chhattisgarh Basin is given in Table-16.
of macrocrystal and groundmass serpentine (after two
Table - 16. Areas of dolomite deposits in Chhattisgarh
generation olivine), carbonates together with Basin of Bilaspur district.
macrocrystal chrome spinels, magnesio chromite,
groundmass spinels (members of ulvospinel-magnetite Sl.No. Deposit Grade
series) and G5 garnets (Magnesian almandine). The
pyroclastic KCR with tuff cover of Tokapal field are very 1 Hardi-Parsoda-Ramtola-Khaira cluster All grades
rare and can be recognized as Tokapal type (Mishra et al.
2002, Mishra et al. 2008). The Tokapal-Duganpal 2. Manikchauri (210 48, :820 14,)
kimberlitic clan rocks are volcaniclastic type and its Potaidih (210 49, : 820 16,)
diamond potential remains to be tested. Pachperi (210 50, :820 16,) All grades
Kokri (210 46, : 820 14,)
Junwani Cluster
The other investigated blocks include (i) Sabri basin,
(ii) Singhora basin, (iii) Bardwar basin and (iv) Two 3 Deragarh (220 00, : 820 52,)
blocks in Raigarh Mobile belt along Tapti lineament zone. Belhadih (21 58,: 82 50,) SMS
The investigation in Sabri basin of Bastar district has not
revealed presence of any kimberlite indicator so far. 4 Akaltara (22 02 :82 25 ) Mixed Grade

5 Chhatona (220 02, : 820 02,) Mixed grade

Raigarh district
6 Lachhanpur (210 34, : 820 17,) Mixed grade
The investigation in Raigarh belt along Tapti
lineament zone was conducted from 1994-95 to 1998-99. 7 Baimapara (220 09, : 820 17,) Mixed grade
The initial prospecting has indicated the tri-junction area
8 Salfa (210 55, : 820 12,) Mixed grade
of Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Bihar as the potential target
area for the primary source of diamond as reported by the 9 0 ,
Madku-Kirna (21 50 : 81 57 ) 0 ,
Mixed grade
local people from Ib, Maini, Mand and Sankh streams of
Chhattisgarh and Orissa. No kimberlitic rock has yet Sizeable deposits of dolomite also occur at
been reported except the recovery of kimberlitic chromite Dumarpara (22°00':82°50'), Ralia (22°04':81°18'),
in Mand river catchment. Chitapandaria (21°57':82°51'), Hirri (21°58':82°03'),
Keonchi (22°38':81°47') Akalsona (21°55':82°51') and
The investigation during 1999-2000 in Sarangarh- Bhutidand (21°53':82°52').
Chandrapur sector of Raigarh district, in parts of Bardwar
sub-basinal area of Chhattisgarh Supergroup revealed the Baloda Bazar district
presence of kimberlitic garnet (G9 pyrope garnet of
lherzolitic derivative). These garnets are important as far Dolomite is found in association with limestone of
as the source rock for diamond is concerned (Mishra et al. Chhattisgarh Supergroup near Bhatapara (21°44':
2000, 2007). 81°57'), Patpara (21°24':81°58'), Gondadih
40
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
(21°42':81°56') and Dharbadih (21°44':81°56').
Resources are 1.5 million tonnes (IBM- 2002 data).
Rajnandgaon district
Dolomite, in minor quantity, occurs as member of the
Chhattisgarh Supergroup near Mirmiria (22°07':81°18'),
Lakhanpur (22°07':81°15'), Tarwgaon (22°10':81°15')
and Khairagarh (21°26':81°59').
FELDSPAR
Feldspar occurs in commercial quantity in
pegmatites mainly in Bilaspur and Raigarh districts.
Bastar district
In Jhiram area, there are numerous pegmatite veins
containing huge amount of feldspar.
Bilaspur district
Feldspar occurs in pegmatites in Tikar khurd
(22°38':82°12'), Chektipanu (22°44':81°47'), Pidha
(22°37':81°51'), Sadwani (22°43':81°56'), Jogisar
(22°38':80°00'), Umarkholi (22°36':82°04'), Kotmi
Khurd (22°37':82°07') and Keonchi (22°38':81°47').
Jashpur district
Microcline has been reported to occur in good
quantity in pegmatites around Bagicha (22°58':83°38')
and Bonpur (22°50':83°48').
FIRECLAY
Fireclay is the most common raw material for
refractory industry. Deposits of fire clay are found mainly
associated with the Gondwana rocks in Rajnandgaon and
Bilaspur districts. Minor occurrences are also known
from Durg, Raigarh and Raipur districts. In western part
of Rajnandgaon district 1.2 mt of clay resource has been
estimated. A total 20.978 million tonnes of fire clay
resources have been estimated. (I. M. Y. Book, 2010).
Bilaspur district
Large deposits of fireclay occurs in Uprora
(22°48':82°36') district. The principal occurrences are
noted in a tributary of Dhajag nala. The fireclay band is 2
m thick. The clay, cream to milky white in colour, shows
poor plasticity, low shrinkage and resistance to heat at
1400C. Other exposures of fireclay are located south of
Bisnar nala (22°48':82°34'), in the Katiabahar nala
(22°47':82°40'), in the Amanala, 2.5 km NNE of Nakia
(22°39':82°55') and near Bimalta (22°39':82°58').
A 0.6 km long fire clay band occurs along the Lachmi
nala north of Manegaon (22°20':82°37'). Small pockets
of fireclay occur 0.8 km SW of Kesla (21°35':82°09'),
0.8 km SE of Mahuadih (21°18':82°36') and Malgaon
(22°19':82°32'). Fireclay occurs in association with a coal
seam near Madanpur (22°23':82°58') in the Petpora and
China nalas, 1.6 km down stream of the confluence of the
two nalas, in the Dhuwan nala, north of Chontmar
(22°19':82°59'), Jhinga nala, and near Puta
(22°19':82°24'). The estimated resources in Bilaspur
district are 0.272 million tonnes (IBM-2002 data).
Balod district
Fireclay occurs near Mariakotola (20°47':81°01') and
Lohara (20°48':81°03'). The clay is soft and whitish grey
in colour.
Raigarh district
In Domnara area, fire - clay occurs with coal seams.
The estimated resources are of the order of 5.18 million
tonnes (IBM-2002 data). This can be used in refractory
industry.
Baloda Bazar district
Minor occurrences of fireclay have been reported
from Baloda Bazar (21°39': 82°10').
Rajnandgaon district
In Ranga-Kathera-Kohka area, fireclay deposits have
been estimated at about 12.5 million tonnes. The analyses
indicate SiO2-61.20 to 73.18%, Al2O3-9.30 to 19.60%,
Fe2O3-1.20 to 12.50%, TiO2-0.60 to 4.80% and loss on
ignition 4.21 to 8.30%. The fireclay reserves in the
district are about 10.624 million tonnes (IBM-2002 data).
FLUORITE
The total estimated resources of fluorite in the state
are 0.545455 million tonnes (I.M.Y. Book, 2010).
Mahasamund district
In Achanakpali (21°28':83°06'), Charakuta
(21°18':83°12'), Chiwrakuta (21°10':83°13'), Ghatkachar
(21°18':83°14'), Makarmuta (21°17':83°14') and
Nawadih area fluorite veins and veinlets in sheared
feldspathic quartzite occur intermittently over 2500 m
length, in a 10 m wide zone.
Rajnandgaon district
Fluorite occurs, in association with vein quartz, in
41

granitic terrain in a 19 km long belt, extending from
Kotapani (21°10':80°39') to Lamti Dongri
(21°02':80°37'). A reserve of 0.066 million tones with
+85% CaF2 is estimated from Chandi Dongri
(21°05':80°38'). Fluorite red to yellow in colour is found
as lenticles along with galena in quartz veins. It is highly
crushed, and intrudes the granitic and basic rocks. Violet
coloured fluorite is also seen at places. The average
recovery percentage of fluorite at this place is 26% to
30%.
FLUX GRADE MAGNESIAN ROCK AND
PGE
The search for flux grade high magnesia ultrabasic
rocks and their potential for PGE in Sonakhan greenstone
belt, Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh were conducted
in four different areas like Chandranagar, Lohardadar,
Boradih and Amakachar. In the 40 sq. km area covered,
detailed works was done on this ultrabasic and ultramafic
bodies to find out the portions suitable for flux grade
(MgO>30%). The ultramafic schist containing tremolite,
actinolite shows very high value of MgO. The ultrabasic
rock of Chandranagar area show MgO content upto
31.54% (N.K. Sahu et al. 2009)
Jashpur district
R. Choubey (1987-88) had carried out regional
geochemical survey and collected bed rock and soil
samples for PGE around Mayurnacha (22°31':83°45'),
Kanpara (22°24':83°51') and Madhuban (22°27':83°45')
area. Analytical results of 18 bed rock samples revealed
Pt < 2 ppb to 9 ppb, Pd 2 to 6 ppb, Rh <2 to 6 ppb, Ir <2
ppb and analytical results of 9 soil samples revealed Pt
<2ppb, Pd <2 to 5 ppb, Rh <2 to 6 ppb, Ir <2ppb. B.K.
Mishra et al. (2007) reported that Mayurnacha ultramafic
rock contains Pt 15ppb and Pd 55 ppb and Jamjhor
ultramafic rock (22°29': 83°45') contains Pt 30 ppb and
Pd 65ppb. The area is occupied by Precambrian rocks of
quartz- mica schist, quartzite, chlorite schist, magnetite
schist and actinolite-chlorite schist of Raigarh-Bilaspur-
Surguja belt. These rocks are intruded by basic and
ultrabasic dykes, represented by metagabbro,
metapyroxenite, serpentinised ultrabasic rocks and
talcose rocks. Younger intrusions are granite, quartz-
tourmaline veins, quartz vein and pegmatites.
Raipur and Mahasamund districts
N.K. Sahu (2004-06) carried out investigation for
search of flux grade high magnesium bearing ultrabasic
rocks around Boradih-Chandranagar-Lohardadar area in
Sonakhan belt with collection of 21 nos. of samples to
ascertain the potential area for Ni and PGE. Ultramafic
schist is exposed around Boradih area and the analytical
42
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
results indicate maximum value of Ni – 0.12% and Cr –
0.26%. Chandranagar ultrabasic rock comprises two
bodies namely Chandranagar East and West. The
Chandranagar East body is an oval shaped plug like body
(550m x 100 to 350m) which is intrusive into the gabbro,
whereas the Chandranagar West body is a bottle shaped
body (1500m x 200 to 700m) which is intrusive into the
acid volcanic and gabbro and the analytical results of
samples have maximum value of Ni – 0.21% and Cr –
80ppm. The ultrabasic rock at Lohardadar appears like an
oval shaped plug (1000m x 110 to 460m) intruding at the
contact of the acid volcanic and gabbro with maximum Ni
value 0.23% and Cr value 90 ppm. Analytical results of
PGE from Boradih-Chandranagar-Lohardadar area
reveals Pt – 5ppb to 80 ppb and Pd – 10 ppb to 100 ppb.
The area is occupied by bimodal volcanics of Sonakhan
Group, intrusive gabbro, ultrabasic, minor granitoids,
aplites and quartz veins. In Chandranagar the ultrabasic
rock is layered type and PGE and Ni values may increase
at deeper level.
GALENA (LEAD-ZINC ORE)
Rajnandgaon district
Minor surface occurrence of lead-zinc
mineralization, in the form of scattered disseminations of
galena and sphalerite in quartzite, have been reported
from Chandi Dongri (21°05':80°38'), Hat Banjari
(20°53':80°35'), Bhanwar (20°57':80°36') and Bagduar
(20°56':80°43'). Analytical results of soil samples show
values between 100 ppm and 1000 ppm.
Balrampur district
Copper-lead-zinc mineralisation, in the form of
primary sulphides, have been reported by GSI in
calcsilicates near Dhulangi (23°59':83°27'), Surguja
district. The analytical values indicate 10 ppm to3.04%
Cu, 40 ppm to 4.40% Pb and 10 ppm to 0.55% Zn and <1
ppm to 200 ppm Ag.
Poor incidences of lead-zinc mineralization,
associated with cerussite and chalcopyrite, have been
reported from two shear zones in Bhelai (23°14':83°22')
area and in Dhorpur area (23°12':83°26') of Surguja and
Sidhi districts.
The mineralization, noticed over 15 km strike length,
occurs along shear and fault zones in dolomitic rocks
intruded by granites.
GARNET
Garnet, suitable for abrasive industry, has been
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
reported from gneisses and schists of Bastar and Bilaspur
districts. Semi-precious gem variety occurs in Raipur
district. Inferred resources of the order of 28800 tonnes
have been estimated in Chhattisgarh (I. M. Y. Book,
2010).
Bastar district
Garnet crystals occur in gneiss 3 km NNW of peak
Ä 422 (17°49':81°16').
Bilaspur district
Porphyroblastic almandine occurs in mica schist and
hornblende schist, east of Tatedhar (22°34':81°53'), west
of Bhoska (22°33':81°55') and south of Rupadand
(22°42':81°56')
Gariyaband district
Semi-precious, red/pink transparent garnets occur in
pegmatites around Dhupkot (19°58':82°42'), Gohekela
(19°54':82°41') and NE of Latapara (19°55'; 82°40') in
Deobhog area (19°53':82°40'). Besides, industrial variety
of garnet also occurs in association with corundum.
GOLD
The state is endowed with some auriferous veins of
primary origin, but most of the occurrences fall under
residual and placer category. Total resources of gold ore
(primary) are 900,000 tonnes with 2.7 tonnes of metal (I.
M. Y. Book, 2010).
Sukma district
Small occurrences of alluvial gold are known in
Kakur River near Sonpur (19042':81001'), in the Sabri
River at Pushpal (18038':81053'), in the Kolab River at
Kolar (19054':81012') and Pratapur (19059':80048').
Besides, gold is also reported from the placers of Kakar
and Sabri rivers, and at Supnarghat areas.
Bilaspur distrtict
Gold has been reported in the brecciated quartz veins
along a shear zone extending between Kosabani
(22°21':81°40') and Tingipur (22°17':81°51').
Durg district
An occurrence of primary gold in quartz vein near
Tappa (21°05':80°49') is reported. A sample from the vein
yielded about 1 gm/ton of gold.
Raigarh district
Small pockets of residual gold occur in the Ib river
near Pharsabahar, Bantoli (22°35':84°00'), Dharsasand
(22°32':83°58'), Turi Alga (22°35':83°55') and
Dharamajaigarh (22°28':83°58').
Primary gold mineralization has been reported from a
good number of chert bands, quartzite and quartz vein in
Pandripani sector (23°30':83°30'). The central Pandripani
block hosts around 80 kg of gold in chert over 125 m
strike length and down to 80 m depth with an average
grade of 1.4 gm/ton of Au. The placers in and around the
area host gold concentration, in the order of 0.2 to 1.00
gm/ton, over extensive areas in gravel beds. At Bangaon
(22°32':83°54') crushing and panning of quartz vein
material showed 0.99 gm/ton of Au.
Kanker district
Primary gold mineralization has been found by GSI
in quartz veins in sheared rhyolite and tuff in Gurwandi
area (20°10':80°45'). In Sonadehi BIF zone
(20°20':80°52') primary gold mineralization occurs in a
hydrothermally altered zone over a length of 500 m.
Prospecting for gold mineralization through scout
drilling was conducted during FSP 2000-2004 in
Sheetalpur, Bhelwapani, Bejhar, Chachar and
Puromichgaon blocks of BIF Belt, Kanker district,
Chhattisgarh.
The area is located in the eastern margin of Kotri
basin where rocks of Kotri Supergroup occur in contact
with the rocks of Bailadila Group. Around 31 of old pits
were mapped in Bhelwapani block. The prospect was
explored by pitting, trenching, channel sampling and
followed by limited drilling. The mineralization is
associated with sheared, silicified zone occurring near the
contact of felsic and mafic rocks. From the available
limited borehole data and trench data with 0.2 g/t cut off,
the resources of the main N-S trending mineralized zone
in Bhelwapani block has been estimated to be 605773.28
tonnes with gold of 462.48 kg with an average grade of
0.76 g/t. The true width of the mineralization is 2.256-6.2
m, for a strike length of 415m.
In Bejhar block, the mineralization exposed in trench
No. BJT-3 (1.6ppm for 5m) was intersected in two
boreholes. The mineralization intersected in bore hole
BJ-1 is from 70.20m to 71.00m with average grade of
0.58 g/t for 0.80m with maximum value of 1.2 g/t and
another one is from 81.60 to 83.60m with gold value of
1.4 g/t for 2m. The corresponding mineralized zone
intersected in bore hole BJ-5 is between 133.10m to
136.25m with gold value ranging from 0.2 to 6.0g/t
(average grade 1.2g/t for 3.15m)
43

In Puromichgaon block, surface trench samples
show gold with average grade of 0.35 g/t for 15m wide
zone. But the mineralization could not be traced at depth.
During the investigation for gold and base metal
mineralization in Sheetalpur and Bhelwapani blocks, a
number of old workings in the form of pits and vertical
shafts were located on a laterite mound to the northwest
of Parvelli village in toposheet number 64D/15, in the
year 1996-97.
As a follow up, a two year programme was taken up
to delineate target areas for gold mineralization in
Parvelli area (H. Mishra et al. 2007).
A total of 63 no. of old workings were mapped in a
small area of 100m X 50m by tape and compass and the
major axis of the old working cluster was found to be
N35°W-S35°E.
In trench PV/T-1, a 14.0 m wide mineralized zone is
identified with 0.43 g/t Au. Trench PV/T-3 has seven
sporadic zones of low grade mineralization with varying
width from 0.5m to 1.5m and grade from 0.1 g/t Au to
0.13 g/t Au. The target area can only assume economic
significance if it can be established through drilling that
there is increase in grade with depth.
Preliminary prospecting for gold mineralization in
Tumrisur-Garda-Bhuski area (T.S.No.64D/15&16), west
of Hahaladi Donger, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh was
conducted during 2005-06. In this area, gold occurs in
the criss-cross quartz veins in the bimodal metavolcanics
in the Kotri rift zone belt. Apart from the above rocks, the
other interesting lithic units found are conglomerates and
the ripple marked tuff material. The weathering over
burden is quite high in this area. Trenches put across the
quartz veins in the detailed mapped area show consistent
gold values, but less than 1g/t. The soil samples were also
analysed to point out the auriferous laterite below.
In Kumarkatta -Gurpher block, four bore holes, with
a total of 522.30 meter drilling, have been completed.
Logging of boreholes indicated that the area is occupied
by a sequence of quartzite, banded chert, ferruginous
phyllite, quartz chlorite schist and calc arenite of
Bailadila Group of rocks and altered felsic volcanics of
Kotri Supergoup. Out of 84 core samples analysed from
four boreholes, only two samples from borehole GP-1(A)
have indicated positive gold value of 0.13 g/t and 0.22 g/t
respectively while rest have gold value less than 100 ppb.
At Kumarkatta, pitting and trenching of 56 cu m in three
trenches have been completed. Analysis of rock samples
has indicated that only one, out of fifty six samples, has
gold value of 0.11 g/t.
Detailed geological mapping of 0.05 sq. km. in
44
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
Parveli block has been completed. The area is mostly
covered by laterite. A total of 5 boreholes, with a total of
511meter drilling, have been completed. Logging of
boreholes indicated that boreholes mainly intersected
felsic volcanics and quartz vein with thin mafic bands.
Felsic volcanic rock is silicified at places with thickness
varying from a few mm to 50cm. Sulphides, mainly pyrite
and arsenopyrite are found to occur disseminated in
quartz veins. Analysis of core samples from boreholes
PV-1, PV-4 and PV-5 analysed for Au & Ag value did not
show any encouraging results. Maximum gold value of
0.4 ppm, Ag - 1 ppm and As value from <1ppm to 30 ppm
were recorded in borehole PV-2. In borehole PV-3, only
one sample has shown Au value of 0.23 ppm.
Exploration by drilling for gold mineralization in
Sonadehi prospect, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh (E-I
stage) was conducted during F. S. 1994-2000 to establish
zones of gold mineralization. The Sonadehi gold prospect
is located 20 km west of Bhanupratappur in the
northwestern part of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. The
prospect is 1275 m in length and around 400m in width.
Banded magnetite chert (BMC), banded hematite chert
(BHC) and minor basics (belonging to the early
Proterozoic BIF of Bailadila Group) are exposed in the
central part. Quartzites are seen to the east, whereas
gabbro, ultramafics and ferruginous phyllites are exposed
to the west. The rocks strike N-S and are overturned with
steep dips 70° to 80° towards east. Around 110 ancient
pits and 10 inclines are located over the area.
Three well defined zones of gold mineralization each
of 500m to 600m in length were delineated -(A) trending
N30° E-S30° W in the southern part (B) trending N-S in
the northern part and (C) trending N30E-S30W, parallel
to zone (A) running from SW to the central part. They all
follow major zones of shearing, brecciation and
silicification.
From limited borehole results an attempt has been
made to estimate the resource of mineralized zone (A).
At 0.10g/t Au cutoff, the resource has been estimated to
be 2283927.75 tonnes gold ore with 1608.014 kg of gold
with an average grade of 0.699 g/t Au for a strike length of
395 m and to an average vertical depth of 100m. The stage
of exploration corresponds to G-3 stage of UNFC system
(Gautam Saha et al. 2008). At higher cut off of 0.6 g/t Au
or above the resource has been estimated to be 217293.20
tonnes with 1008.36 kg of gold with an average grade of
4.64 g/t Au for a strike length of 217m to an average
vertical depth of 100m.
Raipur and Mahasamund districts
The Directorate of Geology and Mining,
Government of Madhya Pradesh has estimated 2, 700 kg
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
of gold ore in a chert band in Sonakhan area. The average
grade is around 3 gm/ton of Au.
Investigation for gold by drilling in Baghmara block,
Sonakhan area, Raipur and Mahasamund districts,
Chhattisgarh in parts of T.S.No.64K/11 was conducted
during FSP 2003-2007 (M.C.Patel et al. 2009). The area
comprises the rocks of Sonakhan granite- greenstone
belt, such as mafic and felsic metavolcanics and rocks of
carbonate facies. The objective was to find out the
westward extension of the 630m quartz vein explored by
DGM, Chhattisgarh. The boreholes show that in the
eastern part, there are isolated Au values of 0.2 g/t but the
boreholes in the western part show the continuation of the
above quartz veins and values up to maximum 1.7g/t Au.
The interesting finding was the carbonaceous horizon
around 100m depth in all the boreholes put in the western
part. The samples taken below the carbonaceous zone
give good gold values. This horizon is associated with
chert and the mafic and the felsic volcanic rocks.
An auriferous quartz vein was explored for gold by
DGM, Chhattisgarh during 1981-90 in this block. The
work by GSI was taken up to delineate zones of gold
mineralization in deeper levels and to find out the western
continuity of the mineralization.
Borehole BM-I intersected the vein at 160m level and
borehole BM-2 intersected it at 150m level. Borehole
BM-1 intersected four additional zones with widths
varying from 1.55m to 13.90m and grades from 0.2g/t to
0.36g/t. Similarly, BM-2 intersected five additional zones
varying in width from 1.0m to 4.05m and grades varying
from 0.17g/t to 0.85 g/t. Out of the five first level
boreholes (60m level) towards NNW, BM-3 intersected
four additional zones of mineralization with widths
varying from 1.0m to 15.90m and grades varying from
0.18 g/t to 3.3 g/t. Three more boreholes towards NNW
have intersected two mineralized zones each.
Resource estimation has been attempted with the
results of four surface trenches and six boreholes. At
0.10g/t Au cutoff, the resource has been estimated to be
1898825.36 tonnes of ore with 1196.117 kg of gold with
an average grade of 0.778g/t Au for a strike length of
645.5m and to an average vertical depth of 136m.
Rajnandgaon district
In Amner river valley, near Khairagarh and Kotri
rivers, placers contain alluvial gold.
GRAPHITE
The crucible and foundry industry is the major
consumer of natural graphite. Minor quantities are also
used for making dry battery cells, paints and pencils.
Sukma district
Graphite occurs associated with quartzite and
diopside gneiss on the west bank of Sabri River. Flaky
graphite has been noted near Borakonde (18°31':81°14')
and 3km SW of Kamaram (18°25':81°12'). Specks of
graphite in quartzite are noticed at Palachelama
(18°02':81°07') and Bote Tongu (18°11':81°02')
Raigarh district
About 5 km NW of Chandgaon, graphite occurs
alongwith the veins and clusters of pegmatite traversing
muscovite granite.
Raipur district
Graphite occurs as specks and stringers in
khondalites near Kartpadar (19°59':82°39') and Limpara
(19°57':82°43').
Surguja district
Graphite schist occurs as lenses in association with
quartzite and schists at Kennapara (23°37':83°15'),
Manikpur (23°40':83°29'), Khobi (23°37':83°24') and
Tolkipara (23°37':83°18'). Graphite is flaky and the
estimated resources are of 2350 tonnes.
IRON ORE
Chhattisgarh is the leading producer of iron ore. The
annual production of iron ore from the state, in 1999-
2001, was 18.58 million tonnes, out of which 99.6% came
from Bastar, Dantewara, Balod and Durg districts. The
grade of haematitic iron ore varies, generally, from 55%
to 62% Fe. There is practically no sizeable deposit of
magnetitic iron ore in the state, though minor occurrences
of magnetite quartzite are found as enclaves within
granitic gneiss in the Bengpal Group of Bastar district.
Total resources of iron ore (Haematite) in the state are of
3291.824 million tonnes (I. M. Y. Book, 2011 adv.
release).
Bastar and Dantewara districts
Large deposits of haematitic iron ore occur in the
Bailadila range extending over a length of 35 km, and in
the Rowghat range. The total estimated recoverable
reserves are 819 million tonnes. A total of 14 deposits
have been demarcated in the Bailadila iron ore range
(18°36'-18°44':81°11'-81°14'). About 28km NNW of
Narainpur (19°43':81°15'), large deposits of iron ore
occur in Rowghat range (19°52':81°13') which is
45

geologically the northern continuation of the Bailadila
range of iron ore. The main deposits are at Rowghat and
Ari Dongri (20°03':81°00'), the other smaller deposits are
exposed around Penuir Dongri (19°52':81°03'),
Mundatikra (19°28':81°19') and Hahaladi
(20°13':80°55'). In Rowghat area, six deposits A, B, C, D,
E and F, have been demarcated with a total estimated
reserve of 661 million tonnes with 60.29% to 64.32% Fe
(average from all the six deposits being 59.72% Fe).
Another 48 million tonnes of ore with +60% Fe have been
estimated from Chhota Dongar (19°29':81°20'). Total
resource of 1839 million tonnes iron ore of all grades has
been estimated.
Preliminary investigation for low grade iron ore was
conducted in Aridongri area, Kanker district,
Chhattisgarh in parts of T.S. No. 64H/03 during F.S.
2006-08 and 2009-10 (D.K.Thawait et al. 2011). The
item was sponsored by Chhattisgarh Mineral
Development Corporation.
The area constitutes metapelite, micaschist,
quartzite, quartz mica schist, amphibolites, BIF, phyllite,
metabasics and granite gneiss of Bengpal group of
Archaean age and gabbro dyke, dolerite dyke, quartz and
aplite veins of Palaeoproterozoic age. Iron ore band, soil
with float ore, soil with scree of BIF and lateritic soil of
Cenozoic age occur in the area.
Analytical results of trench channel and grab
samples have shown good values with Fe upto 69.6025%
with Al2O3 and SiO2 within permissible limits. A resource
of 410.01148 million tonnes of iron ore has been
estimated in three blocks. Average grade of Fe for the
entire deposit is 62.28%, where as the average grades of
SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, P2O5 and S for the entire deposit are
4.48%, 2.78%,0.0043%,0.13% and 0.04% respectively.
As per United Nations Framework of classification
(UNFC), Aridongri Iron ore prospect is associated with
stratabound type of deposits of regular habit (Type-I).
The investigation has proved the presence of 10.01148
million tones of iron ore resource with the average grade
of 62.28% Fe and hence it has been codified as 333 stage
of UNFC.
During 2008-09, GSI carried out investigation for
iron ore in Parwi area, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh in
BIF at four locations. Analytical results of grab samples
indicated 67.88 to 69.30% Fe.
DGM, Chhattisgarh in 2008-09 conducted
exploration for iron ore by mapping and sampling in
Rowghat area, Kanker district and in north Bailadila area,
Dantewara district. In Rawghat area 0.174 mt of high
grade haematite resources were estimated with an iron
ore content of 64.37%.
46
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
DGM has established 0.174 mt of high grade
haematite resources in Rowghat area, Dantewada district.
NMDC in Bailadila Deposit Nos.11 B and 14 B, BIOM
has estimated as on 1.4.2009 a total of 180.89 mt and at
deposit No.11 an estimate of 60.40 mt of haematite.
Durg and Balod districts
An estimated recoverable reserve of 219 million
tonnes of iron ore with 68 to 69% Fe occurs in the Durg
and Balod districts, which is the captive resource of the
Bhilai Steel Plant. The most important deposits are those
of Dalli (20°34':81°06') having pockets of haematite
developed in banded haematite quartzite extending over
32 km length. At Kalwar (20°26':80°59') and Kaucher
(20°29':81°00'), 16 small promising deposits occur,
which extend upto Bastar District. The tentative resource
is of the order of 244 million tonnes. Some other deposits,
having possible resources of 20 and 50 million tonnes
occur at Kohan and Mahamaya, respectively.
SAIL has estimated the iron ore (Haematite) as
follows: Rajhara, Durg district: a total of 30.76 mt iron
ore, Dalli (Kondekasa), Durg district, 28.36 mt,
Jharandalli, Durg district, 7.73 mt. At Dalli 3.31 mt
resources estimated. (I. M. Y. Book, 2009)
Rajnandgaon district
The total possible estimated resources of iron ore are
4.2 million tonnes.
Raigarh district:
A minor occurrence of iron ore has been reported near
Narsinghgarh (23°43':77°05')
JADE
Surguja district
Occurrences of jade are found to the west of Damruh
(23°55':82°58'). Olive green variety of Jade occurs to the
NW of Kisaree (23°52':82°57')
KYANITE
Bastar district
Minor occurrences of kyanite, noticed in schists and
gneisses of Bengpal Group and in pelitic schists of Mura-
Ka-Gutta (18°05':81°19')
LIMESTONE
Chhattisgarh produces 0.55 m tonnes of limestone
with 3% of national production. A total resource of
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
9037.689 million tonnes has been estimated (I.M.Y.
Book, 2010) in Chhattisgarh. Rich and extensive deposits
of limestone are found mainly in Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon,
Durg, Raipur and Bastar districts.
Bastar district
The major limestone belts are: -
(i) Kanker limestone belt extends over a length of
30km from Dhurvaras (18°57':81°50') to Kotamsor
(18°53':81°55') and further east. Around 820 million
tonnes of cement grade limestone and around 14 million
tonnes of flux-grade limestone occur in this belt.
ii) Pakela limestone belt of 5 km stretch, located near
Jagdalpur (19°05':82°02'), where around 80 million
tonnes of cement grade limestone occurs.
iii) Manjhi Dongri, a total of 120 million tonnes of
cement grade limestone has been estimated.
iv) Potnar (19°07':81°53') - Barangi (19°10':81°49')
belt of 8 km stretch, located at a distance of about 30 km
from Jagdalpur on Jagdalpur-Chitrakut road. A total of 45
million tonnes of cement grade limestone occur in this
belt.
A small part of the limestone of the major belts is of
BF and SMS grades. The rest of the limestone reserves
come from other belts- Bebrapal, Golinadi, Netanar
(18°35':81°52'), Gudra (18°34':81°49'), Botaras
(18°28':81°43').
The estimated recoverable reserves of Bastar district
are of the order of 1476.8 million tonnes of all grades.
Bilaspur and Janjgir Champa districts
A total of about 20.7mt resources and 18.07 mt
mineable reserves of lime stone were estimated in Hirri
block, Bilaspur district.
Extensive deposits of BF grade limestone are present
in the district. Best development of limestone, belonging
to Chhattisgarh Group, is seen near Akaltara
(22°02':82°52'), where 5 to 7m thick limestone band
extends for a considerable distance. 678 million tonnes of
flux grade limestone are available near Akaltara
(22°02':82°25'), Chilhati (21°47':82°19'), Arasmeta
(21°57':82°20'), Mohtara (22°00':82°17'), Akshatara
(22°02':82°25'), Bargaon (22°02'30":82°26'30"), Rank
(22°06':82°17'), Khaira (22°01':82°17'), Latia
(22°01':82°24'), Deragarh (21°58':82°50') and
Jayramnagar (22°02':82°18'). A total of about 20.7mt
resources and 18.07 mt mineable reserves of limestone
were estimated in Hirri block, Bilaspur district.
The estimated recoverable reserves of limestone in
the district are 1634 million tons.
Durg district:
In Nandini area of Durg district, the strike length of
limestone deposit was found to be 1500 m. A total
resource estimated was 104.86mt (93.13mt of BF grade
and 11.73mt of refractory grade, as on 1.4.2009. The main
limestone bearing areas are Semaria (21°25':81°26'),
Nawapara (21°12':81°16'), Khapri (20°52':81°03'),
Achhoti (21°19':81°28') and Nandini-Kumudini
(21°23':81°23'). The limestone reserves are confined to
the Chhattisgarh Group. The total estimated recoverable
limestone reserves in the district are 872 million tons.
Raigarh district
The main limestone bearing areas are Sarangarh
(21°35':83°05'), Banipathar (22°00':83°11'), Timariaga,
Lalaghukha and Jharapdih (22°00':83°03'). The total
estimated recoverable limestone reserve of the Raigarh
district is 61.2 million tons.
Raipur district
The main limestone bearing areas are Jhirpa (21° 35':
81°59'), Rawan (21°34' , 82°00') Pendri area ( 21° 34':
81°58'), Fargada (21°44':81°57'), Nipania (21°50':
82°03'), Karhi Chandi (21°37':82°03'), Sondadih
(21°45':82°12'), Gaitra (21°41':82°07'), Amlidih (21°
43':82°02') Arjuni (21°41':82°03') Turma (21°41':
82°01'), Jantar and Bahesar (21°30':81°48') confined to
Chhattisgarh Group. The estimated recoverable reserves
of limestone in Raipur District are 2373 million tonnes
(IBM- 2002 data).
After 2002, DGM has established about 11mt of
cement grade limestone resources in Raipur district. In
Deugaon-Kurra area in Raipur district 2.82 mt of cement
grade limestone and 1.26 mt of low grade limestone
resources have been estimated.
Rajnandgaon district
Around 63 million tones (IBM- 2000 data) of cement
and lower grade limestone have been estimated from
Rajnandgaon district, with 25million tonnes of cement
grade limestone in Charvata (21°52':81°15') area and 5
million tonnes of cement and lower grade limestone in
Muripar area (21°12':81°08'). Apart from this, deposits of
limestone are also reported from Kawardha tehsil near
Lohara (21°50':81°07').
After 2000, DGM has established 2.46 mt of low
grade limestone resources in Rajnandgaon districts. In
Tekapara-Kalkasa area of Rajnandgaon district 8.27mt of
47

cement grade limestone and 1.20mt of low grade
limestone resources have been estimated.
Surguja district
A small deposit of cement grade limestone occurs at
Devipur (5 km south of Surajpur).
MANGANESE
Bilaspur district
Manganese minerals are found scattered on the
eastern slope of a hill, 1.5 km northeast of Ratanpur
(22°16':82°13'), near Newasa (22°15':82°16') and
Kamarakhol (22°19':81°26').
MAGNESITE
Sukma district
Near Nendra (17°57':81°23'), veinlets of magnesite
are found to be associated with asbestos and talc in an
intrusive ultrabasic body.
MICA
Bastar district
Lepidolite is an important raw material for lithium. It
is lithium-bearing mica associated with pegmatites.
Commercial lepidolite contains 3 to 4% Li2O. Minor
occurrences of lepidolite are found near Mundval
(18°39':81°50'), Jungani (19°55':81°49') and Kenkapal
(18°36':81°50') in association with pegmatites. At
Mundval, lepidolite occurs as boulders and also insitu
within pegmatites. One of the deposits of lepidolite
occurs about 450 m south of Mundval and extends
westwards for about 325 m. A rich occurrence is noted on
the face of the hill, 700 m southwest of Mundval. The
lepidolite is confined to a 5 m wide zone in the central part
of the pegmatite. A sample has analysed Li2O-2.56%, and
F-3.67%, and it also contains a fair amount of rubidium
and a little caesium.
Plates of muscovite, measuring 10 cm to 12 cm
across, were found in a coarse grained granitoid rock
exposed in the Baordhig River, south of Jungani
(19°55':81°49'). The occurrence however is not
economic. Flakes of mica, occurring 2.5 km west of
Maita, are 3.5 cm to 5 cm in width and are along the
contact of mica schist with quartz vein. It is associated
with tourmaline and garnet. The quantity is not sufficient
and is uneconomical.
Mica has been reported to occur in pegmatites
between Adwal (18°55':81°40') and Kondagaon
48
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
(18°54':81°32'). The occurrence is not of economic
significance.
Bilaspur district
Lepidolite occurs in muscovite granite near Garhtora
(22°31':81°39'). Books of biotite and green mica within
schist are noticed SSW of Nawapara (22°38':82°00'). The
width of the outcrop is 500m and length is 2.5 km.
Raigarh district
Lepidolite has been reported from pegmatite veins in
parts of Dharamjaygarh tehsil of Raigarh district. The
area is bounded by latitude (22°30' to 22°37') and
longitude (83°30' to 83°45').
MOLYBDENUM
Raipur and Dhamtari districts
Molybdenite occurs as specks in pegmatite and pink
granite in Sukhipali area and on the southwestern flank of
415 hill (21°08':82°34') respectively. It also occurs in
granodiorites at 0.5 km N50°E of Dendupadar (19°56':
82°26') and 1 km S25°W of Usrijor (19°57':82°28')
NICKEL
Bastar district
Nickel associated with chromite has been detected in
ultramafic rocks, from south of Marbera (19°47':80°39'),
NNE of Kanhargaon (19°50':80°29'), northwest of hill
427, south of 441 hill, Benur (19°45':80°36'), south of
Chhote Bethia (19°51':80°38') and east of Benur (19°45':
80°36') Values of nickel and chromium vary from 175
ppm to >1000 ppm.
Rajnandgaon district
Nickel has been reported from soil samples from
Dhana (21°46':80°40') having 0.10 to 0.14% Ni. Nickel
and cobalt incidences have also been noted in the area
south of Kaurikasa (20°43':80°44'). Two samples
analysed show 30 ppm and 90 ppm Ni and 30 ppm Co.
OCHRE
Bastar district
The iron ore deposits of the Bailadila range of Bastar
district are associated with thick deposits of yellow and
red ochres. Their suitability for industrial use has not yet
been ascertained.
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
Durg district
Red and yellow ochre of good quality, suitable for
paint and colour wash, occurs near Dongaria
(21°51':80°52'), Gandai (21°39':81°06'), Thakur Tala
(21°39':81°02') and Garra (21°55':80°55').
Raigarh district
Minor occurrences of ochre are found in Baherna
(23°19':83°58'), Kukuria (23°16':83°17'), Noapani Pahar
(23°08':83°34') and Gaipura (23°02':83°34').
Surguja district
Minor occurrences of ochre are found in Beruli
(23°55':82°13').
PHOSPHORITE
Phosphorite occurs in Charmuria Limestone of
Raipur Group in Chhattisgarh Basin, Raipur, Durg and
Rajnandgaon districts.
Raipur-Durg-Rajnandgaon districts
Rock phosphate occurs within the Charmuria
Limestone of Raipur Group in Chhattisgarh Basin. The
important locations are Kharkara canal section
(20°49':81°04'), Kurum nala section (21°16':82°08'),
Acholi (20°53':81°03'), Raipura (20°49':81°06')
Semridih (20°50':81°04'), Karanddih (20°48':81°06'),
Arajkund (20°53':80°58') and Khapri (20°52':81°03').
These horizons are 2.5m to 8 m thick, and the P2O5
content varies from 0.55% to 9.0% except in Kharkara
canal section where the P2O5 percentage varies from
0.55% to 29%. The grade is low and there is no
consistency in thickness or grade.
Investigation (G4) for assessment of Phosphorite in
Kharenadih-Bhargaon-Sambalpur area in Durg district,
Chhattisgarh was conducted during FS 2009-10 in parts
of T.S.No.64H/1 (Praveer Pankaj, 2011). The area
exposes rocks of Charmuria Formation of Raipur Group
of Chhattisgarh Supergroup comprising cherty limestone
& clay. Large scale mapping of 33 sq km and drilling of
605.30 m was conducted in the area. A total of 601
samples were analysed for P2O5, FeO, Fe2O3, SiO2, Al2O3,
CaO. Phosphorite was tested on drill site by using
Shapiro's solution. Results of 455 of core samples indicate
P2O5 content from 0.1% to 10.98%. Five zones were
demarcated in the clay bent. The average content of P2O5
in different boreholes is 5.64%, 6.04%, 4.50%, 6.12% and
7.56%. With a cut off value of 4%, the total resource has
been estimated to be is 5.835824 million tones. As per
UNFC, the resource can be categorized as 334.
POTASH
Raipur District
Gunderdehi Shale of Raipur Group has been reported
to contain grains of glauconite near Kesla
(21°35':82°09'), Bhainsa (21°24':82°01') and Halwai
Khapri (21°39':82°12'). Glauconite is noticed in arkose
and quartzite at Tamtora (21°29':83°00').
Rajnandgaon district
Orthoquartzite of Chandrapur Formation of
Chhattisgarh Supergroup contains glauconite near
Jungera (20°45':81°11'), Balagaon (20°57':80°52'),
Barapara (20°52':81°01'), Marwapathra (20°51':80°58'),
Mundatola (20°48':81°00'), Dhangao (20°49':81°02') and
Bendarchua (20°50':80°59'). At Marwapathra and
Belgaon, the accessory glauconite and rock fragments
make 3% to 5% of the rock.
QUARTZ
The total resources in the state are 1466000 tonnes (I.
M. Y. Book, 2010), the main resource is located to the
western part of Rajnandgaon district.
RADIOACTIVE MINERALS
Bastar district
High GM counter values are reported over some
pegmatites (2500 to 3000 against background value of
1200 counts/second), near Yenchawada (18°46':81°31')
and Raiguda (18°47':80°31'). In Panchangi area
(20°08':84°43'), readings up to 1000 counts/second on
high scale were consistently found over the rhyolitic
rocks. Panning tests carried out in the Sabri River at
Pushpal (18°38':81°53') indicated the presence of
monazite.
Rajnandgaon district
Atomic Mineral Division has carried out detailed
exploration for radioactive minerals in sheared
metabasites and rhyolites near Bhandaritola (20°43':
80°41') and Bodal (20°40':80°46').
Surguja district
Carbonatite (?) is suspected in granite porphyry
occurring around Kudartola (23°14':83°25') which shows
high incidences of radioactive value.
49

RUBY
Surguja district
Very small quantities of ruby with sillimanite are
reported near Kariapal (18°18':81°32') in Surguja
district.
SCHEELITE
Raigarh and Jashpur districts
Tungsten (scheelite) mineralisation is noticed
between Lawakera (22°23':84°00') in the east and
Dumaria (22°26':83°47') over a distance of about 15 km
in the form of sporadic disseminations. Richer
disseminations are seen only at Junwain (22°24':83°57'),
Sajbahar (22°27':83°56'), Sikirma (22°27':83°50') areas.
The individual thickness of scheelite- bearing veins
varies between a few cm and 1 m. The tungsten value
varies from 40 ppm to 6.5%.
SILLIMANITE
This alumino-silicate mineral possesses properties
similar to those of natural mullite. This is used as high-
alumina refractory mineral.
Bastar district
Sillimanite is found at Samsatta (18°18':81°30') and
Kaulapal (18°18':81°32') associated with schists and
quartzites. The estimated resources are 17,000 tonnes.
Surguja district
A small occurrence of sillimanite has been noted in
sericite-quartz schist near Duari (23°35':83°29') and
Chemi (23°31':83°17').
SOAPSTONE
Durg district
Soapstone is reported in west of Kilakora
(20°41':81°02'). It is found in pocket varying from 1m to
2.5 m in thickness. It is dark grey and pink in colour.
Small pockets of this material are found near Khursi,
Tikul and Gondi. The last one is being exploited.
Kabirdham district
Near Chilpi in the Kawardha Tehsil (22°00':81°41'),
soapstone occurs in Bandarmutta hill. The rock analyses
SiO2 61.66%, Al2O3 0.88%, Fe2O3 0.59%, CaO 0.14%,
MgO 32.87% and Alkalies 0.35%.
50
GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI
The total resources of soapstone, talc and steatite in
the state are of the order of 108000 tonnes (I.M.Y. Book,
2010)
TALC-STEATITE
Kanker district
Occurrences of steatite has been reported by DGM,
MP, near Nangul (19°01':81°26') village of
Bhanupratappur Tehsil where preliminary investigation
has indicated about 0.5 million tonnes of resource. The
analyses indicate MgO 27.42%, SiO2 56.12%, Al2O3
3.7%, Fe2O3 7.3%, CaO 0.12% and L.O.I. 5.05%.
Raigarh district
Pockets and linear bodies of talc and talc-tremolite
schist occur southeast of Pathalgaon, near Pangsuwan
and at Pitha Ama. The bulk samples have been
undertaken for beneficiation tests at RRL, Jammu.
Total resource of talc-steatite in the state is 25000
tonnes (IBM- 2002 data).
THERMAL SPRINGS
Son valley sector
Geothermal activity manifests itself in the Son valley
sector in the form of thermal springs at Tattapani and Jhor
in Surguja district. At Tattapani (23°41':83°43'), a number
of hot springs occur.
At least an area of 4 x 0.5 sq km around Tattapani is
thermally anomalous. The geothermal activity at
Tattapani is intense with springs discharging hot waters at
temperature ranging between 34°C and 98°C. The
cumulative discharge of these springs is 3,600
litres/minute. Siliceous sinter is observed around the
thermal springs at Tattapani and the drill hole cores from
this place show the presence of pyrite, chalcopyrite,
stilbite and laumontite. Thermal water discharging from
the drill holes is at the temperature of 100°C. Chemical
geothermometry points to the possibility of having base
temperature of 160±10°C in the Tattapani geothermal
field.
At Jhor, the thermal spring is at a temperature of 40°-
43°C. The cumulative discharge of the thermal spring at
Jhor is 40 litres/minute.
TIN
Tin is found in the form of cassiterite mineral in the
pegmatites and in alluvial soil being derived from these
pegmatites in Bastar district. The total resources of 32.62
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh
million tonnes of tin ore and 14448.89 tonnes of metal
have been estimated in the State (I.M.Y. Book, 2010).
Bastar and Sukma districts
Primary mineralisation of tin ore occurring as
cassiterite (with Niobium and Tantalum), in the form of
discrete crystals and fine disseminations is
predominantly confined to the pegmatites traversing
mafic sills and dykes emplaced in Bengpal meta-
sediments. Cassiterite also occurs as small lenticular
veinlets in the quartz core of zoned pegmatites and in
association with quartz veins near Jangarpal
(18°40':81°54') and Pushpal (18°38':81°53').
Secondary mineralisation has been found in the
alluvial, colluvial and elluvial horizons lying close to the
pegmatite outcrops in Kudripal (18°41':81°51'),
Bendarpal (18°41':81°48'), Govindpal (18°42':81°54')
and Bodavada (18°44':81°55'). The zone of colluvium
extends over a length of about 25km and its width varies
from 750 metres to 1 km. It has been found extending to
the northeast of Tongpal (18°44':81°44') upto
Kumarupara (18°40':81°53') with a width of about 500 m.
Cassiterite mineralisation associated with pegmatite
veins have been reported from Rani nala around Jalapara
(18°50':81°39'), Kapanar (18°15':81°39') and Dharapara
(18°50':80°48').
The tin content of granite and metasediments in the
Tandur-Kakalpur area and in Jhiram Valley analysed 47
to 57 ppm of tin, which clearly establishes the staniferous
nature of Bastar granitoid rocks. In Katekalyan area, in
Bothapara block (18°47':81°38'), four pegmatite zones
with an aggregate strike length of 2 km were delineated.
The grade varies between 0.06% and 0.14% Sn.
Three distinct zones of cassiterite-bearing pegmatites
occur in Bastar district.
(i) A 15 km long belt of zoned pegmatites from
Churwada (18°44':81°53') and Govindpal
(18°42':81°54') to Mundval (18°39':81°56').
(ii) A 15 km long belt from Mundaguda of Orissa to
Pushpal (18°38':81°53') to Kudripal (18°41':81°51').
(iii) A 15 km long belt from Bhimsen River to
Bodavada (18°44':81°55') to Bedhanpal to Tongpal
(18°44':81°44').
The total resources of colluvial tin ore, as estimated
by GSI, are 28.63 million tonnes, which is equivalent to
5628 tonnes of tin metal. Geological Survey of India
carried out exploration in Bodovada-Kate-Kalyan area
and estimated a tin-metal resource of 12,700 tonnes.
SLIME BENEFICIATION AND PELLETISATION
STUDIES:
Slime beneficiation and pelletisation studies
(NMDC): Processing of iron ore at Bailadila results in
generation of huge amount of slime which are usually
dumped near the mine site. The Bailadila slime samples
that assayed iron, silica and alumina content as 61.0%,
7.33%, & 1.8% respectively, after beneficiation were
upgraded to 66.0%, 1.9% &1.0% respectively with 70 to
75% recovery. BF grade and DR grade pellets were
produced in pot grate furnace from the slime concentrate.
The slime concentrates hence were found suitable for
pellet making. Encouraged by the above studies, NMDC
Ltd is setting up a 2.0 & 1.2 million tonnes capacity
beneficiation and pelletisation plant at Bailadila. Slime
will be the raw material for the proposed plant.
51
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Table - 17. MINERAL BASED INDUSTRIES OF CHHATTISGARH

The important large and medium scale mineral based industries in the organized sector in the state of Chhattisgarh are
furnished below (Indian Mineral Year Book, 2009)
Sl.No Industry Plant Capacity('000tones)

1. Aluminium Bharat Aluminium Co. Ltd, Korba 200(Alumina), 350(Aluminium)

2. Cement ACC Ltd, Jamul, dist Durg 1580

3. Cement Ambuja Cement Ltd, Rawan, dist. Raipur 1146

4. Cement CCI LTD, Akaltara, Dist. Janjgir-Champa 400

5. Cement CCI, Mandhar, Dist:Raipur 380

6. Cement Ultra Tech Cement ltd, Hirmi, Dist. raipur 1600

7. Cement Century Cement, Baikunth, Dist, Raipur 2100

8. Cement Grasim Cement, Rawan, Dist: Raipur Ltd, 2500

9. Cement Lafarge India Pvt.Ltd, Arasmeta, 2240

Dist: janjgir, Champa

10. Cement Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd, Sonadih, dist: Raipur 400

11. Ferilizer DEC Fertilizers, Sirgitti, Dist : Bilaspur 66(SSP)

13. Ferilizer Dharamsi Moraji Chemical Co. Ltd, 183(SSP & H2SO4)
Kumhari, Dist : Durg

13. Ferilizer Jairam Phosphate Ltd, 66(SSP),49.5%(H2SO4)

Farahad, Dist: Rajnandgaon

14. Iron & Steel Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai 6334(Sinters),4700(Pig iron), 3153 (Salable steel),
30(Refractory bricks), 45(H2SO4), 53.2 (Amm. Sulphate)

15. Iron & Steel Jindal Steel & Power, Raigarh 1600 (Hot metal), 1370 (Sponge iron), 36 (Ferro chrome)

16. Iron & Steel Jayaswal NECO Industries Ltd, 750 (Pig iron), 400 (sponge iron), 800 (sinter), 400(Steel)
Siltara, Dist : Raipur

17. Iron & Steel Sarda Energy& Minerals Ltd. 360 (sponge Iron), 240(Finished steel),
60 MVA(Ferro Alloys)

18. Sponge Iron A.P.I. Ispat & Power tech 105

Pvt. Ltd, Siltara billets, Raipur

19. Sponge Iron Arti Sponge & Power 45

Ltd. Siltara, Dist; Raipur

20. Sponge Iron Godavari Ispat & Power Ltd, Siltara, raipur 495

21. Ferro Alloys Alok Ferro Allows Ltd., Urla, Raipur 11

22 Ferro Alloys Nav-chrome Ltd, Urla, dist; Raipur 50

23. Ferro Alloys Indsil Energy & Electro Chemical Ltd, 24

Urla, Dist Raipur

24. Ferro Alloys Hira Power & Steel Chemical Ltd, 17

Urla, Dist Raipur

25. Refractory Bharat Refractory Ltd 60

26. Silicon carbide Crucible M.P.Carbon (Pvt) Ltd, Raipur NA

52
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

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 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

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pp. 205-208

57
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

LOCALITY INDEX
Latitude (N) Longitude (E)
Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Achanakpali 21° 28' 83° 06'

Achhati 21° 19' 81° 28'
Acholi 20° 53' 81° 03'
Adwal 18° 55' 81° 40'
Akalsona 21° 55' 82° 51'
Akaltara 22° 02' 82° 52'
Akshatara 22° 02' 82° 25'
Alga 22° 35' 83° 35'
Amabera 20° 04' 81° 20'
Amapani 23° 43' 82° 33'
Amaratipur 23° 43' 82° 32'
Ambanera 20° 04' 81° 20'
Ambikapur 23° 04' 82° 56'
Amgaon 21° 22' 80° 24'
Amlai 23° 12' 81° 35'
Amlidih 21° 43' 82° 02'
Amritdhara 23° 40' 82° 30'
Angarpal 18° 40' 81° 54'
Anjree 19° 57' 80° 40'
Anuppur 23° 07' 81° 42'
Arajhar 21° 56' 83° 18'
Arajkund 20° 53' 80° 58'
Arand 22° 30' 81° 55'
Arasmata 21° 57' 82° 20'
Ari dongri 20° 03' 81° 00'
Arjkund 20° 53' 80° 53'
Arjunda 21° 16' 83° 01'
Arjuni 21° 41' 82° 03'

Bagduar 20° 56' 80° 43'

Bagicha 22° 58' 83° 38'
Bahradih 20° 13' 82° 11'
Baherna 23° 19' 83° 58'
Bahesar 21° 30' 81° 48'
Bahmni 21° 55' 81° 16'
Baikunthpur 23° 13' 82° 24'
Bailadala (RH) 18° 44' 81° 15'
Baimapara 22° 09' 82° 12'
Balagaon 20° 57' 80° 52'
Baloda Bazar 21° 39' 82° 10'
Bamhani 23° 38' 83° 27'
Bamni 23° 14' 81° 48'
Bamnidih 21° 26' 82° 53'
Banda-Maita (Konta) 24° 39' 79° 19'
Bande 19° 56' 80° 33
Bandhanpara 20° 06' 81° 25
Bandogarh 23° 32' 81° 02'
Baneya 22° 43' 83° 31'

58
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Bangaon 22° 32' 83° 54’

Bangora 22° 27' 81° 08'
Banipathar 22° 00' 83° 11'
Bantoli 22° 35' 84° 00'
Baradwar 21° 57' 82° 48'
Baramdev Dongri 22° 08' 81° 10'
Barangi 19° 10' 81° 49'
Barapani 20° 52' 81° 02'
Barapara 20° 52' 81° 01'
Barbhata 22° 39' 82° 33'
Barima 22° 45' 83° 18
Barsur 19° 08' 01° 23'
Baruli 23° 55' 80° 13'
Bateri 24° 02' 76° 45'
Baya 21° 19' 82° 34'
Bejharipadar 19° 02' 81° 51'
Belghurti 22° 45' 84° 02'
Belhadih 21° 58' 82° 50'
Bendarchua 20° 50' 80° 59'
Bendarpal 18° 41' 81° 48'
Bengpal 18° 48' 81° 46'
Benur 19° 45' 80° 36'
Beradih 20° 13' 82° 11'
Beruli 23° 55' 82° 13'
Berur 19° 45' 80° 36'
Bhainsa 21° 24' 82° 01'
Bhainsa Kanhar 23° 06' 79° 26'
Bhamni (Baumnee) 23° 38' 83° 27'
Bhandaritola 20° 43' 80° 41'
Bhanupratappur 20° 18' 81° 04'
Bhanwar 20° 57' 80° 36'
Bharbamura 22° 25' 82° 20'
Bhatapara 21° 44' 81° 57'
Bhegi 18° 02' 81° 19'
Bhelai 23° 14' 83° 22'
Bhilai 21° 09' 81° 57'
Bhopal patanam 18° 51' 81° 23'
Bhopalpatnam 18° 52' 80° 23'
Bhormi 22° 38 83° 27'
Bhoska 22° 33' 81° 55'
Bhursi 19° 05' 82° 17'
Bhursi (Tin) 19° 04' 82° 16'
Bhutidand 21° 53' 82° 52'
Bijapur 18° 47' 80° 49'
Bijuri 23° 15' 82° 07’
Bilaspur 22° 05' 82° 09'
Bimalta 22° 39' 82° 58'
Biora 21° 54' 76° 55'
Birhor Pat 23° 24' 83° 55'
Bisanpur 22° 30' 82° 35'
Bishrampur 23° 11' 82° 58'
Bisnar nala 22° 48' 82° 34'

59
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Bodai 22° 26' 81° 11'

Bodal 20° 40' 80° 46'
Bodavada 18° 44' 81° 55'
Bodhanpara 20° 06' 81° 25'
Bondho 20° 27' 82° 55'
Bonpur 22° 50' 83° 48'
Borakonde 18° 31' 81° 14'
Bortalao 21° 13' 80° 37'
Botaras 18° 28' 81° 43'
Bote Tongu 18° 11' 81° 02'
Bothapara 18° 47' 81° 38'
Budhiarmari 20° 09' 81° 19'
Burasiji 19° 10' 81° 49'
Burguddem 18° 19' 81° 28'
Burhar 23° 13' 81° 32'

Chandarpur 21° 42' 83° 14'

Chandenar 18° 49' 81° 24'
Chandgaon 19° 41' 81° 23'
Chandi Dongri 21° 05' 80° 38'
Chandiya 23° 40' 80° 43'
Chandrapur 22° 03' 83° 32'
Chapri 22° 06' 81° 10'
Charakuta 21° 18' 83° 12'
Charbhata 21° 06' 80° 35'
Charhat Pat 23° 26' 83° 54'
Charpi 22° 06' 81° 10'
Charvata 21° 52' 81° 15'
Chektipanu 22° 44' 81° 47'
Chemi 23° 31' 83° 17'
Cherbera 20° 04' 81° 26'
Chhal 22° 37' 83° 35'
Chhan 24° 00' 75° 07'
Chhatana 22° 02' 82° 02'
Chhatarpur 23° 43' 83° 23'
Chhota Bethia 19° 51' 80° 38'
Chhota Dongar 19° 29' 81° 20'
Chichola 21° 17' 80° 55'
Chichori 21° 05' 80° 35'
Chikpalle 18° 16' 81° 33'
Chilhati 21° 47' 82° 19'
Chilpighat 22° 10' 81° 07'
Chimtapani 22° 18' 83° 26'
Chnchoni 21° 05' 80° 35'
Chintalnar 18° 21' 81° 11'
Chirmiri 23° 11' 82° 22'
Chitapandaria 21° 57' 82° 51'
Chitrakot 19° 12' 81° 42'
Chiwrakuta 21° 10' 83° 13'
Chontmar 22° 19' 82° 59'
Churcha 23° 20 82° 34'

60
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Churwada 18° 44' 81° 53'

Chutai 23° 22' 83° 52'

Dabka 21° 24' 80° 58'

Daldali 22° 24' 81° 11'
Dalli 20° 34' 81° 06'
Damitola 22° 41' 81° 08'
Damruh 23° 55' 82° 58'
Danitola 22° 41' 81° 08'
Dantewara 18° 48' 81° 24'
Dendupadar 19° 56' 82° 26'
Deobhog 19° 53' 82° 40'
Deragarh 22° 00' 82° 52'
Deragarh 21° 58' 82° 50'
Devdhara 20° 11' 82° 20'
Devdongar 20° 18' 82° 21'
Dhaba 21° 05' 80° 01'
Dhajag 22° 47' 82° 38'
Dhajagir 22° 43' 82° 31'
Dhamtari 20° 35' 81° 25'
Dhana 21° 46' 80° 40'
Dhangaon 20° 49' 81° 02'
Dhanora 20° 01' 81° 28'
Dhanpuri 23° 11' 81° 37'
Dhanwahi 22° 21' 81° 08'
Dharamjayagarh 22° 28' 83° 58'
Dharapara 18° 50' 80° 48'
Dharbadih 21° 44' 81° 56'
Dharia 23° 19' 83° 16'
Dharsasand 22° 32' 83° 58'
Dhaurabhata 22° 22' 82° 20'
Dhorpur 23° 12' 83° 26'
Dhulangi 23° 59' 83° 27'
Dhupkot 19° 58' 82° 42'
Dhuria 23° 42' 83° 19'
Dhurvaras 18° 57' 81° 50'
Doli 24° 05' 80° 55'
Dongargarh 21° 11' 80° 46'
Dongaria 21° 51' 80° 52'
Dora 24° 15' 85° 03'
Dotapur 21° 39' 82° 15'
Duari 23° 35' 83° 29'
Duba 23° 40' 83° 17'
Dumaria 22° 26' 83° 47'
Dumarpara 22° 00' 82° 50'
Dunganpal 19° 01' 81° 51'
Durg 21° 08' 81° 16'

Fargada 21° 44' 81° 57'

Gabdapahar 22° 21' 81° 44'

61
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Gaipura 23° 02' 83° 34'

Gaitra 21° 42' 82° 07'
Galighat pass 20° 28' 82° 19'
Ganabahar 22° 46' 84° 00'
Gandai 21° 39' 81° 06'
Ganglur 18° 48' 81° 36'
Ganipakha 22° 02' 82° 34'
Ganyau 24° 35' 79° 49'
Gare 22° 09' 83° 30'
Garhtola 22° 31' 81° 39'
Gariapal 18° 33' 81° 34'
Garra 21° 55' 80° 55'
Gatta 17° 54' 81° 08'
Gaurduari Pahar 22° 30' 82° 57'
Geedam 18° 59' 81° 24'
Ghamda 22° 23' 81° 12'
Ghatkachar 21° 18' 83° 14'
Ghugra 23° 24' 82° 32'
Gidhwa Bhanwar 20° 57' 80° 36'
Gobdapahar 22° 21' 81° 44'
Godri 22° 45' 80° 28'
Gohekela 19° 54' 82° 41'
Golighat 21° 53' 77° 42'
Golinadi 18° 44' 81° 14'
Gollapalli 18° 56' 81° 04'
Gomharia 23° 49' 83° 33'
Gondadih 21° 42' 81° 56'
Gondi 18° 40' 81° 41'
Gopalpur 22° 36' 82° 39'
Govindpal 18° 42' 81° 54'
Gudra 18° 34' 81° 49'
Gupteswar 18° 49' 82° 10'
Gurwandi 20° 10' 80° 45'

Hahaladdi 20° 13' 80° 55'

Halekurum Dongri 20° 03' 81° 22'
Halwai Khapri 21° 39' 82° 12'
Hardi 24° 55' 80° 21'
Harratola 20° 54' 82° 43'
Hasdo 23° 19' 82° 15'
Hat Banzari 20° 53' 80° 35'
Hatapahar 20° 40' 80° 53'
Hirri 21° 58' 82° 03'
Huratarai 19° 56' 81° 04'

Indagaon 20° 05' 82° 03'

Jabalpur 23° 11' 80° 00'

Jagdalpur 19° 05' 82° 02'
Jaisingnagar 23o 41' 81o 23'
Jalapara 18° 50' 81° 39'
Jamirapat 23° 21' 83° 52'

62
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Jangarpal 18° 40' 81° 54'

Jangra 20° 11' 82° 19'
Janjgir 21° 04' 81° 17'
Jantar 20° 42' 80° 50'
Jarandul 20° 10' 81° 16'
Jashpur 22° 48' 83° 56'
Jatashankar 24° 31' 79° 33'
Jayramnagar 22° 02' 82° 18'
Jharapdih 22° 00' 83° 03'
Jhilmili 22° 24' 80° 50'
Jhiram 18° 48' 81° 51'
Jhirpa 21° 35' 81° 59'
Jhor 23° 36' 83° 13'
Jogisar 22° 38' 80° 00'
Jojal 18° 58' 82° 05'
Jonk 20° 41' 80° 08'
Jungani 19° 55' 81° 49'
Jungera 20° 45' 81° 11'
Junwain 22° 24' 83° 57'

Kaimur 24° 03' 80° 34'

Kakalpur 18° 52' 81° 54'
Kalinger 25° 00' 80° 29'
Kalwar 20° 26' 80° 59'
Kamarakhol 22° 19' 81° 26'
Kamaram 18° 25' 81° 12'
Kamarwara (F) 21° 36' 80° 49'
Kanchar 20° 29' 81° 00'
Kandrasa 22° 44' 83° 20'
Kanhargaon 19° 50' 80° 29'
Kanker 20° 11' 81° 24'
Kanpara 22° 24' 83° 51'
Kapanar 18° 15' 81° 39'
Kapsi 20° 05' 80° 43'
Karalagarh 21° 27' 80° 48'
Karanddih 20° 48' 81° 06'
Karela Pahar 22° 32' 82° 52'
Karelagarh 21° 27' 80° 48'
Karhi Chandi 21° 37' 82° 03'
Kariagondi 22° 45' 81° 00'
Kariapal 18° 18' 81° 32'
Karki 23° 48' 81° 23'
Kartpadar 19° 59' 82° 39'
Karutola 21° 08' 80° 32'
Kasangi 19° 52' 81° 41'
Katekalyan 18° 48' 81° 37'
Kathera 24° 40' 80° 53'
Katiabahar nala 22° 47' 82° 40'
Katmi 22° 02' 83° 06'
Katrapara 19° 52' 82° 49'
Koucher 20° 29' 81° 00'
Kaulapal 18° 18' 81° 32'

63
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Kaurikasa 20° 43' 80° 44'

Kawardha 22° 01' 81° 14'
Kawardha Tehsil 22° 00' 81° 41'
Keikachar 22° 48' 84° 10'
Kenkapal 18° 36' 81° 50'
Kennapara 23° 37' 83° 15'
Keonchi 22° 38' 81° 47'
Kerju 22° 38' 83° 40'
Kerlapar 18° 18' 81° 33'
Kesamarda 22° 27' 81° 12'
Kesarpal 18° 46' 82° 03'
Keshkal 20° 05' 81° 35'
Kesla 21° 35' 82° 09'
Khaira 22° 01' 82° 17'
Khairagarh 21° 26' 80° 59'
Khairar 23° 46' 83° 38'
Khajri 23° 20' 84° 02'
Khandon 23° 19' 83° 57'
Khapri 20° 52' 81° 03'
Khara 22° 01' 82° 17'
Khariar 20° 17' 82° 46'
Kharkara 20° 49' 81° 04'
Khedapali 22° 06' 83° 08'
Khobi 23° 37' 83° 24'
Khurd 22° 38' 82° 12'
Khuri 23° 42' 83° 40'
Khuria 23° 06' 83° 41'
Khursi 23° 23' 82° 02'
Kilakora 20° 41' 81° 02'
Kirindul/Kohindul 19° 53' 80° 19'
Kisaree 23° 52' 82° 57'
Kishanpur 21° 54' 83° 23'
Kodapalli - 20° 12' 82° 14'
Kodwa 21° 37' 81° 23'
Kohka 20° 23' 80° 52'
Kohria 21° 58' 81° 40'
Kokri 21° 46' 82° 14'
Kolar 19° 54' 81° 12'
Kondagaon 18° 54' 81° 32'
Kondasanvali 18° 30' 81° 13'
Konta 17° 48' 81° 23'
Konundha 23° 20' 83° 03'
Korba 22° 15' 82° 36'
Korhi 19° 47' 81° 30'
Koriya 23° 41' 80° 11'
Kosabani 22° 21' 81° 40'
Kosagondi 20° 50' 81° 37'
Kosambura 20° 11' 82° 12'
Kota 22° 18' 82° 02'
Kotamsari 18° 53' 81° 55'
Kotamsor 18° 53' 81° 55'
Kotapani 21° 10' 80° 39'

64
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Kotima 23° 14' 80° 17'

Kotma 23° 12' 81° 39'
Kotmi khurd 22° 37' 82° 07'
Kotrapara 19° 52' 82° 49'
Kotri 25° 14' 78° 36'
Kochhnoor 18° 51' 81° 25'
Kudag 23° 27' 83° 56'
Kudartola 23° 14' 83° 25'
Kudarvahi 20° 07' 81° 26'
Kudripal 18° 41' 81° 51'
Kurka Dongri 19° 10' 82° 01'
Kukuria 23° 16' 83° 17'
Kulharighat 20° 13' 82° 20'
Kumarupara 18° 40' 81° 53'
Kumharras 18° 51' 81° 21'
Kunkur 22° 44' 83° 57'
Kurekela 22° 12' 83° 06'
Kurse 19° 55' 81° 19'
Kursekorhi 20° 13' 80° 47'
Kurum 21° 16' 82° 08'
Kusmunda 22° 20' 82° 43'
Kutkona 23° 03' 83° 02'
Kuye 20° 05' 81° 27'

Labji 23° 21’ 82° 28'

Lachhanpur 21° 34' 82° 12'
Lakha 22° 58' 83° 24'
Lakhanpur 22° 07' 81° 15'
Lakshmanpur 22° 08' 83° 03'
Lamti Dongri 21° 02` 80° 37'
Latapara 19° 55' 82° 40'
Latia 22° 01' 82° 24'
Lawakera 22° 23' 84° 00'
Lewahi 21° 48' 81° 59'
Limpara 19° 57' 82° 43'
Ling Dongri 20° 23' 82° 20'
Loa 18° 38' 81° 11'
Lohara 20° 48' 81° 03'

Machkut 19° 02' 82° 13'

Madanbera 20° 14' 80° 42'
Madanpur 22° 23' 82° 58'
Mademnar 18° 48' 81° 43'
Madhuban 22° 27' 83° 45'
Madku-Kirna 21° 50' 81° 57'
Mahasamund 21° 09' 82° 15'
Mahendragarh 23° 13' 82° 12'
Mahuadih 22° 18' 82° 36'
Mainpur 20° 17' 81° 23'
Maita 24° 15' 81° 42'
Majhan 23° 28' 82° 47'
Makarmuta 21° 17' 83° 14'

65
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Malanjkhand 22° 02' 80° 43'

Malgaon 22° 19' 82° 32'
Mand 21° 45' 83° 01'
Manegaon 22° 20' 82° 37'
Manganpur 19° 05' 82° 09'
Mangikheta 21° 20' 80° 30'
Mangikhuta 21° 09' 80° 32'
Manikchauri 21° 48' 82° 14'
Manikpur 23° 40' 83° 29'
Manitoba 22° 49' 80° 39'
Manjur Dongri 19° 01' 82° 14'
Manpur 25° 05' 79° 31'
Marbera 19° 47' 80° 39'
Mariakotola 20° 47' 81° 01'
Markasara 20° 59' 80° 32'
Markatola 20° 34' 81° 23'
Marmakonari 20° 10' 81° 22'
Marol highland 22° 48' 83° 46'
Marwapathra 20° 51' 80° 58'
Masan 23° 22' 83° 04'
Masani 22° 21' 74° 31'
Maspur 23° 17' 80° 35'
Mayurnacha 22° 31' 83° 45'
Medpal 19° 06' 82° 08'
Mendra 17° 57' 80° 36'
Meta 20° 15' 80° 32'
Mirmiria 22° 07' 81° 18'
Mitgain 23° 45' 83° 38'
Modenar 18° 48' 81° 43'
Mohanpur 21° 07' 80° 34'
Mohtara 22° 00' 82° 17'
Mundatala 20° 48' 81° 00'
Mundatikra 19° 28' 81° 19'
Mundval 18° 39' 81° 56'
Mundval 18° 39' 81° 50'
Mura-ka Gutta 18° 05' 81° 19'
Muripar 21° 12 81° 08'
Musalijob 21° 03' 80° 49'

Nagri 20° 21' 81° 57'

Nainiras 18° 29' 81° 34'
Nakia 22° 39' 82° 55'
Nandgaon 19° 55' 79° 44'
Nandini-Kumudini 21° 23' 81° 23'
Nangul 19° 01' 81° 26'
Narainpur 19° 43' 81° 15'
Narayanpur 23° 12' 82° 47'
Narsinghgarh 23° 43' 77° 05'
Navgaon 26° 07' 78° 10'
Nawadih 21° 29' 83° 06'
Nawapara 21° 12 81° 16'
Nawapara 22° 38' 82° 00'

66
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Nekum 22° 06' 80° 44'

Nendra 17° 57' 81° 23'
Netanar 18° 52' 82° 03'
Netanar 18° 35' 81° 52'
Newasa 22° 15' 82° 16'
Nipania 21° 50' 82° 03'
Noapani 23° 08' 83° 34'

Pachperi 21° 49' 82° 16'

Padrapat 23° 05' 83° 41'
Palachelama 18° 02' 81° 07'
Palaspani 21° 29' 77° 56'
Pali 24° 07' 78° 36'
Panchangi 20° 08' 84° 43'
Pandrapat 23° 05' 83° 41'
Pandripani 23° 30' 83° 30'
Pandrumetta 18° 18' 81° 20'
Pangsuwan 22° 32' 83° 33'
Paniajob 21° 13' 80° 42'
Panikibat 20° 41' 80° 14'
Pankibhat 20° 49' 81° 27'
Parpahari 23° 22' 82° 58'
Parrior Dongri 19° 52' 81° 03'
Parsoda 22° 21' 82° 11'
Parsora 20° 05' 78° 55'
Pasla 23° 16' 82° 40'
Pat Dongari 20° 08' 81° 20'
Pathalgaon 22° 33' 83° 27'
Patpara 21° 24' 81° 58'
Pawan Akhra Pahar 22° 28' 82° 54'
Payalikhand 20° 10' 82° 20'
Peak 415 21° 08' 82° 34'
Peak 422 17° 49' 81° 16'
Pelma 23° 06' 82° 32'
Pendri 21° 34' 81° 58'
Penuir Dongri 19° 52' 81° 03'
Petmea 22° 35' 83° 42'
Pharsabahur 22° 31' 83° 06'
Phutka Pahar 22° 34' 82° 46'
Pidha 22° 37' 81° 51'
Pitepam 21° 09' 81° 35'
Pitepani 20° 10' 80° 35'
Pitha Ama 22° 25' 83° 40'
Pondih 22° 54' 82° 16'
Potaidih 21° 49' 82° 16'
Potanar 19° 07' 81° 53'
Prasada 21° 57' 83° 19'
Pratappur 23° 29' 83° 12'
Pratapur 19° 59' 80° 48'
Pulcha 18° 49' 82° 07'
Purnapani 23° 27' 83° 57'
Purunga 22° 17' 83° 12'

67
 GSI Misc. Pub. No. 30 Part- XXI

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Pushpal 18° 38' 81° 53'

Puta 22° 19' 82° 24'

Rabda 22° 25' 81° 12'

Raigarh 21° 54' 83° 24'
Raiguda 18° 47' 80° 31'
Raikot 19° 10' 81° 50'
Raipur 21° 12' 81° 36'
Raipura 20° 49' 81° 06'
Rajgamar 22° 23' 82° 51
Rajnagar 23° 11' 82° 09'
Rajnandgaon 21° 12' 81° 03'
Ralia 22° 04' 81° 18'
Ramganj 23° 36' 87° 08'
Ramkechhar 22° 36' 82° 18'
Ramkola 23° 41' 83° 39'
Ramtola 21° 57' 81° 56'
Ranikhet Pahar 22° 30' 82° 57'
Rangakhar 21° 58' 80° 52'
Rank 22° 06' 82° 17'
Ratanpur 22° 16' 82° 13'
Rawan 21° 34' 82° 00'
Rawatpura 24° 02' 76° 44'
Rawghat 19° 52' 81° 13'
Remra 21° 17' 82° 46'
Richhai Hill 24° 23' 80° 23'
Rockal 18° 34' 81° 44'
Rokel 18° 34' 81° 44'
Rowghat 19° 52' 81° 13'
Rupadand 22° 42' 81° 56'
Sadwani 22° 43' 81° 56'
Sajbahar 22° 27' 83° 56'
Sakhajodi 18° 48' 82° 11'
Salebhat 20° 40' 81° 44'
Saletekri 21° 47' 80° 48'
Salfa 21° 55' 82° 00'
Salipara 20° 15' 81° 16'
Samri 23° 24' 83° 56'
Samsatta 18° 18' 81° 30'
Saraipali 21° 33' 83° 03'
Saraipat 23° 28' 83° 56'
Saranggarh 21° 35' 83° 05'
Semaria 21° 25' 81° 26'
Semridih 20° 05' 81° 04'
Sendur 23° 41' 83° 35'
Senurgarh 22° 48' 82° 22'
Serangdag 23° 21 83° 54'
Shahdol 23° 17' 81° 22'
Sidhi 24° 20' 81° 55'
Sihawa hill 20° 17' 81° 51'
Sikasar 20° 32' 82° 19'
Sikirma 22° 27' 83° 50'
Sindigarh 18° 32' 81° 45'
68
Geology and Mineral Resources of Chhattisgarh

Latitude (N) Longitude (E)

Name of the place
Degrees Minutes Degrees Minutes

Singarpur 21° 50' 82° 00'

Singhora 21° 18' 83° 12'
Singrauli 24° 12' 82° 39'
Sirisgura 18° 07' 81° 47'
Sishupal Pahar 21° 13' 83° 09'
Sitagatta 21° 10' 80° 29'
Sonadehi BIF zone 20° 20' 80° 52'
Sonadih 21° 45' 82° 12'
Sonakhan 21° 25' 80° 59'
Sonpur 19° 42' 81° 01'
Sukma 18° 24' 81° 40'
Supansaghat 18° 24' 81° 42'
Surajkund 22° 51' 77° 52'
Suriagarh 22° 35' 83° 35'

Tamtora 21° 29' 83° 00'

Tandua 22° 15' 81° 53'
Tapakora 22° 30' 83° 57'
Tappa 21° 05' 80° 49'
Taralimetta Peak 18° 32' 80° 14'
Tarda 22° 13' 82° 41'
Taregaon 22° 10' 81° 15'
Tarjhar 20° 17' 82° 24'
Tarka 19° 54' 80° 26'
Tatedhar 22° 34' 81° 53'
Tatijharia 23° 23' 83° 54'
Tattapani 23° 41' 83° 43'
Tehra 24° 52' 79° 43'
Thakur Tala 21° 39' 81° 02'
Thandapura 22° 45' 81° 45'
Thekatanagar 22° 38' 83° 36'
Tikar Khurd 22° 38' 82° 12'
Tiki 23° 56' 81° 22'
Tikipodero 18° 57' 82° 13'
Tikul 21° 43' 81° 55'
Tingipur 22° 17' 81° 51'
Tiria 18° 54' 82° 10
Tokapal 19° 01' 81° 53'
Tolkipara 23° 37' 83° 18'
Tongpal 18° 44' 81° 44'
Tongsal Dongri 19° 38' 81° 15'
Toni Dongar 21° 18' 82° 35'
Tulsi 21° 43' 81° 44'
Turi Alga 22° 35' 83° 55'
Turma 21° 41' 82° 01'
Turri 24° 42' 80° 52'

Umarkholi 22° 36' 82° 04'

Umjhar 24° 01' 82° 36'
Uprora 22° 48' 82° 36'
Usrijor 19° 57' 82° 28'

Yenechawada 18° 46' 81° 31'

69
 The Publication is available for sale from the office of the
Director, Geological Survey of India, Publication and Information Division,
27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700 016.

The Controller of Publication, Government of India, Civil Lines, Delhi - 110 054.
and the following offices of the Geological Survey of India

Central Region : GSI Complex, Seminary Hills, Nagpur - 440 006.

Western Region : Khanij Bhawan, 15 & 16 Jhalana Dungri, Jaipur - 302 004.

Eastern Region : Bhu-Bijnan Bhawan, DK-6, Sector-II, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700 091.

Northern Region : GSI Complex, Plot No. 2, Sector E, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226 024.

Southern Region : GSI Complex, P. O. Bandlaguda, Hyderabad - 500 068 and

Kerela Unit T.C. 24/338, Model School Road, East Thampanur,
Thiruvanathpuram - 695 014.

North Eastern Region : Kumud Villa, Nongrim Hills, Shillong - 793 003.
 NOTES

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 Polymictic Jonk Conglomerate of Arjuni Formation in Jonk river section, Sonakhan belt,
Raipur district, Chhattisgarh (T.S.No.64K/11)
Photograph by: Shri B.K. Mishra, Senior Geologist, GSI, SU: CG, Raipur

Front Cover Photograph

Rocks of Kansapather and Chaporadih formations, Chandarpur Group, Chhattisgarh Supergroup exposed in a
Mesa in Singhora Proto basin, 16 km southeast of Saraipali, Mahasamund District, Chhattisgarh.
Photograph by : Dr. Mathew Joseph, Senior Geologist, GSI, FTC, Raipur
 Plate - 1

GEOLOGICAL AND MINERAL MAP OF CHHATTISGARH

10 0 10 20 30 40

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Dimensional stone Copper Ore Manganese

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Reduced from 1 : 1 million map published in 2005

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C Government of India copyright, 2005 (Reprint 2013)