Geological Field Traverse and mapping Along the

Baula Nuasahi Complex , Keonjhar , Odisha

Aparajita Das

Saraswati Degree science college , cuttack

Department of Geology
 Field report on
Baula Nuasahi
Thesis submitted
To
Saraswati Degree science college cuttack

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

Of B.sc in Geology
By
Aparajita Das
Under the supervision of
Mrs.Monali Das

Saraswati Degree science college , cuttack

 Saraswati Degree science college , cuttack

Certificate of examination

This is to certify that field work report submitted by Aparajita

Das, bearing Roll No:BS18-044 in partial fulfillment of bachelor
Degree of science in Geology of Saraswati Degree science
college which has been guided by Mrs.Monali Das, lecture of
Department of Geology.

No part of this report has been submitted to any other

University of Institution for the award of any other purpose to
the best of my knowledge.

Alok kumar palei Monali Das

Head of the Department Co-supervisor
 Acknowledgement

I express my deep gratitude towards mr.Alok kumar polei,Head

of the Department and Mrs.Monali Das, lecture, Department of
Geology of saraswati Degree Science college, cuttack,Odisha for
his valuable guidance and providing the facilities in carrying out
this work.

I sincerely own my gratitude to all the members of the

Department of Geology of saraswati Degree Science college for
their co operation towards the completion of this field work
Report

I express my sincere regards to my parents, friends,relatives

and my teachers who have inspired me to work on this project.
 Declaration

I hereby declare that the field work Report

submitted to saraswati Degree Science college in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award
of the degree of bachelor in Geology is a record of
original report work done by me.l also declare that I
have never submitted this report to any other
educational or business oriented institution for the
completion of any other degree or for the sake of any
profit.

Full signature of the candidate

Saraswati degree science college
 Contents
CHAPTER-1
HADGARH SCHIST BELT
• INTRODUCTION
• LOCATION
• CLIMATE
• GEOMORPHOLOGY
• METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF GEOLOGICAL MAPPING
• EQUIPMENTS
CHAPTER-2
GENERAL GEOLOGY
• LITHOLOGY
• STRUCTURES
• STRATIGRAPHY
CHAPTER-3
DAITARI IRON ORE MINES
• ACCESSIBILITY
• PHYSIOGRAPHY
• DRAINAGE
• CLIMATE
• FLORA AND FAUNA
• REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SET UP
• LOCAL GEOLOGY
• ORE GEOLOGY
• STRUCTURE

CHAPTER -4
• CONCLUSION
 Abstract
Boula complex is also known as the Boula-Nuasahi complex.The complex belongs
to the Keonjhar dist,which surrounded by Singh him dist of Jharkhand in the
north,jajpur in the south,Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East.This complex is
precambrian.It is mainly represented by granitic outcrops, isolated hillocks,
undulating plains and alluvial tracts.The important economic minerals of the
entire complex are Chromite,Iron, manganese and some base metals etc.
 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

1.1introduction

The archean rocks in northern Odisha including the

supracrustal belts of meta- sedimentary rocks
including iron ore super group having deposits of
Iron, manganese, gold and base metals.These are
also represented by the gneisses,granite,migmatite
(Singhbhum,Bonai and Mayurbhanj plutons)and
mafic/ultramafic intrusive.These intrusive are
associated with the Chromite,titaniferous
vanadiferos magnetite and PGM.The baula Nuasahi
igneous complex of Keonjhar district located around
170 km NNE of the state capital Bhubaneswar.It is
NW-SE trending and around 3km long arcuate
belt.Auge and Lerouge(2004) documented
magmatic and hydrothermal PGE mineralization
that occurs at the contact of the Bangur gabbro and
the ultramafics,and is characterized by high pt/pd
ratio ( ~8 to 9).
 The hydrothermal type is restricted to the breccia
apophysis of the Bangur gabbro, associated with an
intense hydrothermal alteration and compromises
relatively low pt/pd ratio.within the Baula ultramafic
complex, the interface between the ultramafic and
the mafic unit (gabbro) in it’s eastern border,is
marked by a prominent magnetic breccias zone
ranging in width between 1 m to 40m and with a
strike length of > 2 km.
1.2 LOCATION: Geographically, Keonjhar districts located
in the northern region of Odisha.It is a small and land locked
district with an area of 8303 sq.kilometers.The districts
surrounded by Singhbhum district of Jharkhand in the north,
Jajpur in the south,Dhenkanal and sundergarh in west,
Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak in the East.It lies between 21°1’N and
20°10’ N Latitudes and between 85°11’E and
86°22’Longitudes.
1.3 CLIMATE: Climate is mostly tropical v,semi-arid,hot and
humid.It experiences bitter cold in winter and is extremely hot
in summer.The annual mean maximum temperature in the
region varies from 25.7°c (December) to 38.3°c (May).The
average annual rainfall observed was 1200 mm. About 78.3%
of total rainfall is observed during the months of June and
September.
1.4 PHYSIOLOGY: The Keonjhar district shows conspicuous
physiographic variations and mainly represented by high hills/
isolated hillocks/ domal granitic outcrops,vast undulating
plains and alluvial tracts.
• High hills/ Isolated hillocks/Domal granitic
outcrops:
Highly resistant rock like quartzite ,BHJ and BHQ bearing
iron ore group of rocks, proterozoic volcanic and kolhan
sedimentaries constitute these out crop rising to maximum
height of 1062 meters above msl in sukati and Banspal
sector.The Tomka- Daitari Iron ore range exposed in the
southwestern part of the district encompasses high hills of
Meghananda parbar rising to a hight of 1055 meters above
msl.
• Undulating plains: The undulating terrain stretching
from north to the southest is reversed by numerous
isolated hillocks and granitic domes.the height varies from
100 m to 602m.

Alluvial tracts: Flat alluvial tract made up of late

pleistocene to recent and occurs in the flood plain of
Baitarani river in the south eastern part of the district and is
located at a height. Of about 20-35 meters above msl

In Bangur area a characteristic geomorphological

feature called exfoliation or onion peeling weathering
due to fluctuation of temperature and spheroidal
weathering.

Figure- exfoliation or onion peeling weathering

2. METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF GEOLOGICAL
MAPPING
METHOD
Geological mapping is the identification of
distinguishing on the earth’s surface of the earth such as
location of various boundaries/contact between different
litho units and then plotted it on a sheet of paper or on a
toposheet.
• A map may be defined as representation of 3D into 2D
plane of paper having a definite scale.
• The toposheet which is given to us have the toposheet
number is 73K/4, which is fall on Baula- Nuasahi area.
• Latitude 21°15’ to 21°7’30’’
• Longitude 86°7’30” to 86°15’

Locating on toposheet :
Location on position is one of the important
mathods of mapping.Thi method can perform by
taking bearing from any known point/ object which
marked on the toposheet. The different methods are
used in locating the position is as follows;

(1) Single bearing method

(2) Double bearing method
(3) Sound bearing method
(4) Tree bearing method
 (1) Single bearing method
In this method, fore bearing taken from the known
object marked on the base map and back bearing is
plotted. The distance is measured by tape or pace.

(2) Double bearing method

In this method , two bearing are taken from the known
points and their back bearing are plotted.The inter section point
of these bearing Will be the location of our position. The two
bearing should have a difference of 30°. This method is known
as “Intersection method”.
(3) Sound bearing method
Once on the contact point Is marked with the precision,
and is followed inside a thick forest to locate our position, sound
bearing method is used. This method is used in contact
mapping in our area. In this method, one of the partners goes
ahead for research of clear contract and shout. The other
partner takes bearing in the Direction of sound and pace up to
that point. Sometimes, both the partners shout or give whistle
and take bearings on the basis of direction on sound .
(4) Tree bearing method
Even after transferring the contact point inside
the forest, it is difficult to confirm the location again
by taking bearings. This can be easily done in the
tropical forests, where trees areas high as 20m. A
person climbs the top of tree with a base map and
 compass and identify the feature around and mark on
toposheet.

MAPPING TECHNIQUES
(1)Orientation of topographic map:
Proper orientation of map gives rise to understand the
position of objects with reference to true or magnetic North.
When we consider the North of the base map with North of the
magnetic North of the earth then the map is oriented with
respect to magnetic North. This could be easily done by using a
compass and map’s longitudinal lines on the map which must
be allowed to become parallel to compass needle. Once it is
done, features, around are easily identify able with reference to
North and bearing are taken to locate our position from the
features marked on the base map. The back bearing are plotted
to locate our position. If the located point is the contact between
two formations, it can be plotted on the base map.
(2) Reconnaissance survey:
Before starting to map any un- workable area,few quick
traverses are taken across the area in different direction to know
the general stratigraphy and structral set up by taking few
traverses in different directions in the first three days of the field
work, under guidance of our madam and our co.mentors.

3.Field equipment
While doing the field work, a geologist needs various
essential instruments for exploration.
Some of them are discussed here.
1.3.1 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP:
Topographic map is essential for the geological mapping
prepared by the “survey of India” This is also used as base or
Geological mapping. Base map is the map used by geologist to
plot their data such as Geological boundaries, rock types and
there attitude on the surveyed map on a given scale. On this
map we marked the boundaries of the different rock type and
the structural features, present in them. It is also referred as
topographic sheet simply as toposheet which shows relative or
absolute position of natural and cultural features on the given
scale with reference to Earth’s magnetic North.
For preparation of a toposheet, the land area of the Earth
firstly divided into approximately sequence of grids 4° longitude
to 4° latitude and are serially numbered from North to South
and then further from East to West. We know 1/3rd of the total
Earth is covered by land and rest is occupied by water of ocean
or sea. There are only 106 such grids covered the entire land
area of our planet. India is located between 68°- 98°E
longitude and latitude from 8° - 38° N.
1.2 COMPASS :
A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation
that shows direction relative to the geographical cardinal
directions or points. There are following types of compass.
1.2.1 BRUNTON COMPASS:
It is properly known as Brunton packet transit. It is a type of
precision compass made by David W.Brunton (1894). The
Brunton pocket specialized instrument used widely by those
who need to make accurate degree and angle measurement in
the field. Brunton compass has a graduated dial. It has mirror
and small hole.

At the base of the lid which must be held together it while taking
bearing. The object at the mirror image must lie in the same
plane or straight line. The instrument has an eye bubble and a
Longitude bubble, while taking the reading bull’s bye bubble
must be leveled. There is a screw driver which allows correction
of magnetic declination. A pendulum is also provided inside the
box to measure the dip and gradient.
FIG- Brunton compass is the best compass of all the
compasses. It is a multipurpose device through vwhich we can
measure beds, plunge of the folds etc.and it also used as a
primitive compass.
1.3.2.2 CLINOMETER COMPASS: equipment for Geological
field work of any type. It is rather simple instrument made up of
suitably graduated circular dial. At the centre of the dial,there
exist, pivot, which a magnetic needle can rotate freely and
provided with a pointer against which readings in the 0-0 scale
can be taken conveniently. The pendulum is used for the
determination of dip of rock beds, joints, faults etc. The free
movement of the magnetic needle can be 18 stopped with the
help an arresting key, on the body of the instrument is provided
with a bridge which can be rotated about the North – South axis
of the dial. The image of clinometer compass is shown in
1.3.3 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM:
The GPS is the global positioning system is a space based
satellite navigation system that provides location and time
information in all weather conditions anywhere on or near the
earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more
GPS satellites. The system provides critical compatibilities to
military civil and commercial users around the world. The
united state government created the system maintains it and
makes it freely accessible to anyone with GPS receiver.

1.3.4 GEOLOGICAL HAMMER:

Any geologist going into the field needs atleast one hammer with
which to break rock in order to get the fresh surface of the rock.
Hammer has varying weight, out of which, hammer of 750 gm
weight is more appropriate. The commonest pattern still used
in Europe has one square faced end, called blunted and one
chisel end. Many geologists now prefer prospecting pick’, it has
along pick like end which can be inserted into cracks for leveling
out loose rock, and can also be used for digging in soil in search
of float. The blunt end used to crack the rock by striking it over
the rock.

Geological Hammer with a blount end and another chisel

1.3.5 MEASURING TAPE:

The measuring is used to measure the horizontal/inclined
distance or height. It is divided into centimeter and feet.
1.3.6 HANDLENS:
Biconvex lens with magnification 10x is attached with a metallic
or plastic ring supported by handle. It is used for megascopic
identification of rock/ minerals. This types of lens are used in
the field with the lens to enlarge the size of minerals grain about
10 times of the real size.

1.3.7 CAMERA:
Some of the geological features are different to be represented
by free hand drawings. So a camera is a necessary divice for a
geologist. We can take the picture of different Geological
features with the help of camera and keep them for future use.
1.3.8 WHISTLE:
A whistle is also there with a field geologist for sound bearing
and for the purpose if someone is lost in the deep Forest. Then
with the help of whistle, he can find the group again.

1.3.9 FIELD DIARY:

A field notebook is used for keeping a record of observations
made in the field notes, should be written in such a manner that
they may be understood and interpreted correctly and
conveniently after the field work is over and during the course
of laboratory work.The exact location of the outcrops and the
location of specimen collected should be noted clearly in the
field notebook.
In addition to these ,there marks of the workers
regarding the possible field relations between different rock
types should be recorded .in brief ,the field notebook should
served as a key to the work done in the field.
10.OTHERS
These are the essential field equipment for a geology student
in the field.we should have the other stationary sheets like
drawing sheets ,pen ,pencil,eraser etc.and some books for
study.
 CHAPTER -2
2.1 LITHOLOGY
The Hadgarh schist belt consists of different rock types.
Such as
• Fuchsite quartzite
• Banded metachert
• Banded iron formation
• Ortho quartzite
• Mafics and ultra magics

GEOLOGY
The Hadgarh schist belt has different types of rocks
which means the area had undergone different phases of
metamorphism. The rocks are also folded and faulted
(minor) which also indicates that the area had three mines
of Chromite and also the associated rocks are gabbro,
dunite, peridotite, pyroxenite etc. Which are the rocks that
are formed at greater drpths called plutonic rocks. This
indicates the large scale upliftment of the area to bring
those rocks upto the surfaces. The area also has a number
of dykes, shear zones which are the structures of later ages.

DESCRIPTION:
The Hadgarh schist belt contains different rock types and
many Geological structures.

1. The Rock fuchsite quartzite is present in a layered form of

alternative quartzite and fuchsite. It is a metamorphic rock in
which the protolith are quartz and cr- bearing mica. This is
originally a sedimentary layer and later metamorphosed to form
fuchsite quartzite. The surface of the hillock is laterised. The
rock has trend E- W and it has under gone different phases of
folding. The folding is known from s0, s1 ,s2 foliation planes.
There also some plunging folds are seen which have plunge
angle 29° and plunge direction is N 25° E.

The ages of the of the rocks are mainly precambrian. The rock
quartz sericite schist is situated 250m north of the fuchsite
quartzite. The area has latitude N21°11’34.7” and latitude
E86°13’59.2” and height from MSL in 59 m. Sericite is a
mecaceous mineral which is the altertion of plagioclase
feldspar. The protolith of the schist is gritty quartzite which has
under gone metamorphism. It is of low temperature and
pressure green schist facies. There is a solid contact zone
present between the fuchsite quartzite and quartz sericite
schist. The rock has iron encrustations which are the
precipitation formed by secondary solution. The deposits are
mainly goethite and and limonite. The trend of the rock is N34°E
which also indicates the trend of the contact. Dip direction is
S56°E and dip angle is 44°.

2. The rock metachert is found at the area of latitude

N21°11’50.4” and longitude E86°13’39.4” and height is 51m
above MSL. The rocks are banded hence called banded
metachert. They are of precambrian. These are the rocks
formed by chemical precipitation containing mainly silica and
some amount of impurities. These rocks are crystalline in
nature. Within that metachert minor shear zones are found. The
shears are 6 type simple shear of sinistral type. Minor faults are
seen which are of dextral type. Strike of the fault is E- W and the
dip is vertical. Within the banded metachert a banded iron
formation is found which contains both BHJ and BHQ.

3. Another banded metachert is seen near Gadchandi area. The

trend of the bedding plane is N43°E and dip direction is N47°E
and dip angle is 45°.

4. The rock ortho quartzite seen at Gadchandi near a stream of

second order. The rock has under gone very less grade
metamorphism and here the quartzite is immuture. These ortho
quartzite are of proterozoic age.

5. Another rock type found in the gabbro. It is found at the base

of the Hadgarh dam which is concrete masonry dam made for
purpose of irrigation and flood control. The trend of the dam is
NE-SW. These gabbros are found on the left side of the dam and
are coarse grained. Minerals found are plagioclase and
pyroxene. The gabbro is intruded in to the Hadgarh schist belt.
The ore in the Hadgarh area are dipping towards east. These
gabbros are called as the “football gabbro”. The rock is of the
age 3.09 billion years. The rock has three sets of joints but these
joints are inclined not vertical
6. BANGUR CHROMITE MINES(OMC) :
The mines has characteristics coarse grained gabbro called
“Bangur gabbro”. Here coeval of basic and felsic magma is
seen. Basic magma crystalized first and formed enclaves of
circular to spherical shapes. Ferri chromite [From(Cr-Fe)2O3] is
seen within the gabbro. High grade Chromite was mined from
here by open cast mining now underground mining in going on.
4 different types of lodes are found such as Durga, Laxmi,
Ganga, Shankar and out of these four Ganga- Shankar lodes
contains PGE.

Chromite and dunite show layering which is due to the

magmatic segregation. This process forms 2 types of rocks such
as

Chromiferous dunite and olivine Chromite. There are 3

transverse zones in the mines. The rock type is serpentine,
dunite, peridotite, pyroxenite, leherzolite, websterite and
saxonite. The shear are of dextral and sinistral type. The surface
part of the Fe- Mg rich rocks has altered to limonite and yellow
ochre to some extent.

A dolerite dyke is intruded into the gabbro indicating it as a

younger formation. Chilled margin is seen in dolerite dyke that
has altered to asbestos. This part of the dolerite dyke exposed
to the surface shows spheroidal weathering. Pyroxenite is also
associated with Chromite. In order to undertake exploration
programme by OMC,bore holes are being made in the BNIC
making an angle of 60° with the horizontal dipping towards west
as the ores present are dipping towards east.

FIGURE-1 Geological map of Bangur open pit ( Geological

survey of India BRGM, India)

7. Another gabbro is seen in the location of latitude

N21°16’36.5” and longitude E86°18’56.0”. This gabbro is
otherwise called as “Dhananjayapur Gabbro”. It is also known
as hanging wall gabbro as it is situated above the ore lodes of
BNIC. Different sets of joints are developed within them. There
are major and are district. Set-1 has attitude 220°/600, set-2
has attitude 160°/70° and set-3 3340°/86°. The essential
minerals are pyroxene and plagioclase and somewhere the
pyroxene has altered to Chromite.
8. Another rock types such as Enstatite, Ti- v magnetite,
Granophyre are also seen.
These all rock types constitute the Bangur area and the Hadgarh
schist belts.

2.2 STRUCTURE:
The different type of structure are found in Baula Nuasahi
complex are:
a) The general trends of the rock near Chhenapadi area are E-
W. Larger folds ( Anticline and Syncline) are seen. In these
folds, foliation are clearly marked.

b)The parts of the folds seen are the foliation or cleavages

are parallel to bedding planes which indicates that the
part is the limb of the fold.
C)In some rocks, 1st foliation (so) had folded further which
means there is another phase of deformation (2nd order)
happened and the foliation plane developed are also
folded indicating another deformation. Hence we found s0,
s1 and s2 planes.

S0 = bedding plane formed by process of sedimentary rock

S1 = foliation formed due to compression of the bed that
result in foliation of the folded bed
S2 = liniation formed due to 2nd stage of deformation big
the S1 foliation plane.

The bedding planes are also associated with lamina and

microlithons.
The 2nd order folds developed are of 3 types:
1. M/W type
2. Z- type
3. S- type
M=Anticline
W=Syncline

d) In Chhenapadi area minor dextral faults found in between

banded metachert. The strike of the fault is 270 i.e E- W
trending,dip is vertical.
e)MICRO STRUCTURE: Sence of shear ( e.g.sinistral or
dextral) can be deduced in ductile shear zone using several
criteria. These include:
 1)The vergence of assymetric s FIGURE- TYPE-3
SUPERPOSED FOLD hear fold;

2) The direction of non directionals ( <T- type structure) and

rotational (o type structure) augen tail;

3) The orientation ( sense of obliquity) of synthetic minor

shear zones or shear planes (C) or extensional crenulation
cleavages, in relation to the finite strain planar fabric (S) an
arrangement that is termed as S-C structure.

f) Here in Chhenapadi area a sinistral shear zone is found.

g) An anticlinal fold is found in the Bangur area of the OMC

Chromite mines
g)In Bangur area several magnesite veins occurs which cross
cut the host (Chromite)

h) A Dolerite dike is intruded into the gabbro indicating it a

younger formation. Chilled margin is seen in Dolerite and also
altered to asbestos. In some places ‘xenolith’ of gabbro are also
found.
FIGURE- XENOLITH OF GABBRO WITH DOLERITE
Crenulation Cleavage is caused, as the name suggests,by small
small scale folding ( crenulation) of very thin layers of
laminations within a rock, if the axial surface of such
crenulations are closely spaced and parallel , they are produce
a marked foliation.
The formation of a crenulation cleavage.The phenomenon ,
which is common in low grade of un- metamorphosed rocks is
caused by the process of pressure solution and the resulting
cleavage is termed solution cleavage.
The solution and accompanying deposition appears to be
part of a diffusion process which takes place by means of again
boundaries fluid phase . solution occurs on grain or layer
boundaries are perpendicular to the direction of greatest
compression and depositions takes place on surfaces that are
perpendicular to the direction of extension or least
compression.
In this most common form,this structure consists of
alternating lighter and darker band .where the dark bands are
produce by removal by solution of calcite or quartz.The same
process is responsible for the formation of stylolites.
Near Hadgarh dam the foot wall gabbro showing 3 set of
joints, which are nearly perpendicular to each other.

FIGURE- GABBRO SHOWING 3 SET OF JOINT

 A 3 set of superposed fold is found in the Daitari hill, which is
a secondary fold

FIGURE- TYPE-3 SUPERPOSED FOLD

.

2.3 STRATIGRAPHY:

The rocks are considered to be para metamorphites in view of

the highly metamorphosed nature of rocks up to the middle
level of green schist facies. The rock are sedimentary by syn
sedimentary volcanism also exists in both pre and post BIF
stage, the former being more intense. Banded and veriegated
shakes are observed in the area, where a chert and shale
intercalation also do exist at place.
REGIONAL STRATIGRAPHY EAST INDIAN SHILD
 CHAPTER-3
DAITARI IRON ORE MINES

Daitari iron ore mining project is located in Talipada village

under Jajpur and Keonjhar district of odisha. The lease area is
connected with the Brahminpal town at a distance of 12 km
thorough a state road. The lease area falls within Deogaon and
Sukinda ranges of Rebana reserve Forest.

3.1 ACCESSIBILITY:

Daitari iron ore project of OMC is locate around Daitari hills

on the district boundary of Keonjhar and Jajpur. The lease area
falls within latitude 21°05’ to 21°10’ N and longitude 85°45’ to
85°50’ E featured in the survey of India toposheet no. 73G/16.
The project is located at a distance of about 150 km from
Bhubaneswar, the state capital of ODISHA. Bhubaneswar is
connected to the mine site via Chandikhol on NH-5. The nearest
port is at Paradeep on the Bay of Bengal and connected to the
project site by an exclusive highway of 149 km length formerly
known as the express highway.
3.2 PHYSIOGRAPHY:

Daitari lease area is an insulated hilly terrain consisting of

high ridges and valleys formed a part of the Tomka-Daitari hill
range extending from Tomka upto Harichandanpur and
beyonds. Daitari hill peak at the current level of 840 MSL forms
the highest point of the area as well as the lease hold. The lowest
point in the lease hold is represented by the south- Eastern part
at 480 MSL.
3.3 DRAINAGE:
The area displays a dendritic pattern of drainage . Daitari hill
range acts as water divider where the surface run off from the
north,north-east of Daitari contributes to the Baitarani river.The
Surface run off are collected by kukrangi Nala through several
streams and discharged at pancham in to the kusei Nala, a
major tributary of the river Baitarani.The south ,south-west
slopes contributes to the river Brahmani where the surface run
off is collected by Damsal Nala and Ganda Nala ,two major
tributaries of Brahmani.
3.4 CLIMATE
Daitari area enjoys a humid temperature sub tropical climate .
Summer months are the hottest periods of the year with the
Mercury rising up to 40°c .coolest nights in the winter bring the
mercury down to around 5°c.Annual rainfall is of the order of
1000mm-1300mm . maximum rainfall is witnessed during the
month of July to September.
3.5 FLORA AND FAUNA
Most part of Daitari area is covered with a sub tropical
deciduous vegetation of mixed varieties of which sal is the
predominant species. The fauna consists of the general type of
animals and birds common to most indian deciduous forest.
The area comes within the Rebana reserve Forest of Anandpur
wildlife division of Keonjhar District and Daitari protected forest
Of cuttack Division.

3.6 REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL SETUP:

Daitari iron ore deposit forms a part of the Tomka-
Daitari-Kalisagar-Rebana-Harichandanpur basin(Daitari
basin, BIF-2) which is considered to be older to the Bonai
iron ore horse shoe described by Jones and Dunn. BIF of
Daitari is regarded to be of older Proterozoic age.
Iron ore formation of Daitari-Tomka basin overlies the
granitic basement with an unconformity. The lithology of
the area can broadly divided as below.
Talangi gritty quartzite
Upper metapellites
BIF with variants
Lower metapellites
Granites
 The BIF is the key horizonvof reference in the basin. The
rocks are highly metamorphosed to green schist facies.
The iron ore formation is intruded by the Chromite
bearing ultramafics of Sukinda located to the North
Daitari hill range.

3.7 LOCAL GEOLOGY:

Daitari iron ore deposit is an isolated deposit forming
a conspicuous ridge along the district boundary between
Keonjhar and Jajpur towards the North of Sukinda
Chromite belt. The lower metapellites from the basal unit
of the sequence uncomfomably overlying the granitic
basements. The lower metapellites represented by
phyllites, chlorites and chloritoid schist, lenses of
quartzite and quartz schist, metavolcanics with tuffs and
sediments, banded phyllites, slates, manganese bearing
shale, ferrugenious pyritiferous shale/phyllites, coarse
dark coloured quartzite etc. observed abundantly along
the Ghat road section from Baliparbat upto the mines.
Rocks of banded iron formation consisting of Banded
Hematite Jasper (BHJ), Banded Hematite Quartzite
(BHQ) overly the lower metapellites and are found out
croping near the primery crusher house. Outcrops of BHQ
is also observed behind the canteen in the mines. Highly
weathered BHQ outcrop close to the dry screen plant.
 The iron ore formation of Daitari is overlain by thinner
sequence of metapellites represented by phyllites,
ferrugenious shale, slate, tremolite- actinolite schist,
dolerite with feldspar porphyry etc. The entire sequence
of the metapellites is exposed along the western slopes of
Daitari hills. However these sequence of BHQ/BHJ found
at the crusher house continues towards Sindurmundi
along the slopes apparently overlying the iron ore
mineralization of Daitari. No BHQ/BHJ sequence has
been reported occuring on the foot wall side of iron ore
mineralization except for the small outcrops at the
canteen and the dry screen plant.
A horizon of gritty quartzite named as Talangi gritty
quartzite represents the uppermost horizon of the
sequence. The Chromite bearing ultramafics bear an
intrusive relationship with the iron ore formation. A large
dolerite dyke of coarse grained dolerite cuts across the
area which is found outcropping along the Ghat road.
Exposures of this dyke can be found at about 100m South
of the Tarini gate. Outcrops of basalt can be observed to
the NE of the township along the stream.
Daitari is the largest iron ore deposit in the Tomka-
Daitari range. Iron ore has developed by leaching of
banded Hematite Jasper and enrichment of lower
tuffacious shale. Several smaller iron ore bodies have also
been reported at Champajhar, Tungaisuni, Tomka,
Baghiathali, Kalisagar and Nipania. These ore bodies are
intra BIF and broadly parallel to bedding and form
massive to laminated ore deposits.

3.8 ORE GEOLOGY:

Iron ore mineralization around Daitari is confined to
the highest topography of Daitari hills over a strike length
of 1400m along the hill axis in NNW- SSE direction. Dip
of the ore body is 60-45° towards west. After prolonged
mining activities, the highest point of the Daitari hill is at
840m as on date. The ore body shows a larger width of
about 400m to the NW.
Hematite,martite, magnetite and martitised magnetite
are common minerals with speculative, limonite and
goethite occuring as secondary products. Specularite is
traced usually along the fault and shear zones within the
ore body. Goethite and limonite are the predominant
contaminants of the ore and contribute to the high
phosphorus in the ore. Through limonite is separated to
some extent during washing process, the goethite is not
separable and hence the phosphorus too.
Iron ore body of Daitari is traversed with numerous
veins and stringers of clayey materials of varied
dimensions, which could be clastic dykes or weathered
intrusive rocks. The current state of these materials
doesn’t throw any light of their origin. However, these
could be the reason of the high alumina content of the
ore. Through not separable during mining, these
materials are washed off to certain extents during
washing/screening of the ore. Still this is a major
contaminant of the ore. Several fractures within the ore
body show secondary manganese mineralization
consisting of predominantly pyrolusite and psilomelane.
Small manganese occurrence had been reported on the
eastern flank of Daitari hill. However these are not
workable.
Imprint of structral elements for the bedding planes
are obscure in the ore zone. Very small scale localized
folds and faults of diverse axis orientation and magnitude
are plenty within the ore body. Two major N-S faults are
interpreted cutting the ore body. Sindurmundi block also
is separated by a NNE-SSW fault represented by the
saddle. Slickensides can be observed on the quartzite on
the SE face of Sindurmundi hill.
3.8.1 GENESIS AND CONTROLS OF ORE LOCALIZATION:
A variable syngeneic and epigenetic mode of origin is
inferred for the Daitari at as well as the smaller iron ore
deposits in the Tomka-Daitari basin. Initial deposition of
the rocks of Tomka-Daitari range started in a marine
environment With pellitic and psammatic sediments with
overlapping pyretic argillaceous bed. The volcanic
episode gradually gave place to undisturbed
sedimentation which was at times rhythmic giving rise to
banded phyllites and quartzites. Faults in the iron oxide
rich protons of BIF have allowed reconcentration of
hematite and specularite along them and often enriching
the previous deposits. Iron ore enrichment is not found in
the silica rich portions of the BIF. Later enrichment from
the parent rock has been found to have taken place which
is corroborated by presence of generation of iron oxide
minerals in the ore body. Daitari ore body developed
essentially below the BIF as an infra-BIF and is oriented
N-S forming a cresent shaped body because of the NE-
SW folding.

3.8.2 ORE TYPES:

Almost the entire ranges of Iron ore types are
discernible at Daitari. However, the dominant ore type is
of soft laminated ore(SLO) variety. At several places a still
softer variety of ore are extensively used in the Dry
screening plant for production of calibrated ore (CLO).

The northern part of the deposit is dominated by hard

laminated and hard massive variety of ore. A crude liner
contact can be inferred between the hard massive/
laminated ore and the soft laminated/ biscuit type of ore.
All the type of ore of Daitari are predominantly rich in
limonite/ goethite and hence rich in alumina and
phosphorus. But limonitic materials mostly become
sticky in contact of water and make the removal very
difficult. They are also cause frequent shot down of the
plant because clogging. Goethite being harder is
inseparable and therefore no improvement is observed in
phosphorus after washing the ore.

3.9 STRUCTURE:

Iron ore formation vpf Daitari-Tomka represents an

overturned anticline where the Talapada valley forms the core
of the anticlinal structure. Daitari along with Sindurmundi hill
makes the southern limb where the Baghiathali ridge makes the
northern limb of the anticline. Both the limbs strike almost E-W
trending and dip southerly by 62-720°. A later N-S trending fold
with N-S trending axial plane is noted between Daitari ore body
and Sindurmundi Parbat which extends further north upto
Kukrangi Nala. It has a plunge parallel to the first fold sequence.
The third sequence of folding with an E-W axial plane shows a
plunge parallel to the first fold sequence. Faults have affected
the region and as a result, both the BIF and the ore bodies have
shifted. The change in the trend of the hill as well as the ore
body from SSE-NNW at the southern pattern of E-W at the
northern part along with similar change in the strike of foliations
and banding in some country rocks indicate a subsequent cross
fold forming a synform with its axis passing near the
trangulation point and plunging steeply towards south-west. The
general planer features as bedding plane foliation exhibit the
strike trend varying between NNE-SSW to N-S with available dip
due to West and South-west between 60° to 80°. In addition of
minor folds are observed mostly in BIF.
 CHAPTER-4

CONCLUSION:

The proposed expansion project is going to create

considerable positive impact on socio- economic conditions of
the people in the study area. A separate department
Environmental Management cell shall be formed at Daitari mine
to look after the monitoring requirements.