GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

REPORT ON THE GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE

AHIRWALA SOUTH BLOCK, SIKAR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN.
(FIELD SEASON 1979-80)

By

K. Bahuleyan, Geophysicist (Sr.),

And
H. V. Rao, S.T.A. (Geophysics)

Geological Survey of India

JANUARY, 1981.

1 GSI-WRO-11281
 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

REPORT ON THE GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE

AHIRWALA SOUTH BLOCK, SIKAR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN.
(FIELD SEASON 1979-80)

By

K. Bahuleyan, Geophysicist (Sr.),

And
H. V. Rao, S.T.A. (Geophysics)

Geological Survey of India

JANUARY, 1981.

2 GSI-WRO-11281
 REPORT ON THE GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
AHIRWALA SOUTH BLOCK, SIKAR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN
(FIELD SEASON 1979-'80)

By

K. Bahuleyah, Geophysicist (Sr.)

&
H.V, Rao, S.T.A. (Geophysics)
Geological Survey of India

CONTENTS PAGE

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

PARTY PERSONNEL

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

GEOLOGY

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

METHOD EMPLOYED

LAYOUT

QUANTUM OF WORK

SP SURVEYS

MAGNETIC SURVEYS

IP SURVEYS

RESISTIVITY

3 GSI-WRO-11281
CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

PLATES

1. Detailed geological map of Ahirwala South Block with the general geology
of the area between Ahirwala and Chiplata/ Sikar district, Rajasthan.
GSI/35-WR/DO No.98/80 1:2000

2. Geophysical lay-out of the area between Ahirwala and Chiplata, Sikar

district, Rajasthan, GSI/35-WR/Do No. 99/80, 1:200000

3. Typical S.P. and Magnetic profiles of the area between Ahirwala and
Chiplata, Sikar district, Rajasthan. GSI/35-WR/DO No. 100/pp, 1:5000

4. S.P. profiles across the old working on the southern side of Tejwala
village, Sikar district, Rajasthan GSI/35-WR/DO No. 101/80, 1:2000

5. S.P E.P. Plan of Ahirwala south Block, Sikar district GSX/35, WR/DO No
102/80, 1:2000.

6. Typical SP Magnetic and I.P. profiles with borehole section of Ahirwala

South Block, Sikar district, Rajasthan. GSI/35-WR/DO NO. 103/80,
1:2000.

4 GSI-WRO-11281
 REPORT ON THE GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
AHIRWALA SOUTH BLOCK, SIKAR DISTRICT, RAJASTHAN
(FIELD SEASON 1979-'80)

By

K. Bahuleyah, Geophysicist (Sr.)

&
H.V, Rao, S.T.A. (Geophysics)
Geological Survey of India

ABSTRACT

This report pertains to S.P., I.P. and magnetic surveys carried out for
sulphide ores, if any, to the south of Ahirwala-Tejwala blocks in Sikar district,
Rajasthan. The area forms part of a regional doubly plunging anticline of Delhi
Supergroup of rocks extending from Baleshwar in the north to Chiplata in the
south. The investigation was taken up as an item of the GSI Field Programme
for 1979-80. A total area of about 12 sq km was covered.

The S.P. surveys have delineated a significant anomaly of -300 m.v.

near O1ia-Ka-Dhani, that has since proved sulphide mineralisation at depth
rich in molybdenum. In contrast with the marked success of the S.P. method,
the I.P. surveys have been relatively in effective due to the extensive presence
of sericite schist with high background polarisation. In view of the poor
contrast in susceptibilities and irregular distribution of ferromagnetic minerals,
the magnetic method has not been very helpful in mapping the various
geological contacts. Detailed drilling of the S.P. anomaly zone has been
recommended to delineate the precise geometry of the sulphide ore body.

5 GSI-WRO-11281
 INTRODUCTION

The present surveys for the investigation of sulphides between

Ahirwah and Chiplata further to the south were carried out as part of the GSI
field programme (item No.GP/ 45C/WR/Raj/75/7) for l979-'80. The present
area lying between Ahirwala and Chiplata comprises the southern part of a
major doubly plunging anticline of the Delhi Supergroup of rocks extending
from Baleshwar in the north and Chiplata in the south. Based on geological
considerations seven boreholes. were drilled in Chiplata block, out of which
only two met with mineralisation; that is also of marginal grade. The limited
success of this drilling programme underlined the need for the application of
geophysical methods, which were, in fact, highly effective in locating, sulphide
mineralisation in Baleshwar (Sarkar, 1975) and Ahirwala-tejwala blocks
(Sarkar, 1976) that lie in the same regional anticlinal feature.

Reconnaissance geological mapping of the belt was carried out by

Jhanwar et. al. (1966-'67) and detailed explorations including mapping,
geochemical Sampling and drilling were carried out by Kottri Reddi et.al.
(1973-1980).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors gratefully acknowledge Shri B. Koti Reddy, Geologist (Jr.)

for the detailed discussions they had with him on the geological aspects of the
problem. It is a pleasure to record the appreciation' of the survey work done in
the area by Shri D.N. Jhanb, Surveyor (Sr.). They sincerely thank Shri A.G.B.
Reddi, Director (Geophysics) for his baluable advise in the finalisation of the
report as well as the execution of the work.

6 GSI-WRO-11281
 PARTY PERSONNEL

1. Shri K. Bahuleyan, Geophysicist (Sr.)

2. Shri H.V. Rao, S.T.A. (Geophysics)
3. Shri M.C. Soti, S.T.A. (Insitn.) and
4. Shri D. N. Jhanb, Surveyor (Sr.)

LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

Ahirwala is a small village in the Neem-ka-Thana Tehsil. It about 20 km

S.S.E. of Neem-Ka-Thana (27°44'12" : 75°47'30") from where it can be
approached partly by an all weather road and partly by an asphalt and a fair
weather road. Chiplata, on the Southern side, is connected by cart tracks and
fair weather roads to Shapura on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway

The area forming a saddle in a north-South trending range of hills to

the east and: west of Ahirwala village, practically /_ Plain country with the
exception of /_ 1925 and /_1971 hills on the eastern and south-eastern sides
of the above village.

GEOLOGY

The rock types exposed in the area are Alwars and Ajabgarhs of the
Delhi Supergroup of meatsediments and are represented by mica schist with
massive quartzite, massive and sericite quartzite, amphibole quartzite,
actinolite marble, biotite schist and sericitic schist. They are intruded by post-
Delhi amphibolites and quartz, pegmatite and epidote veins. The formations
have a general north-south trend. The area forms the Southern part of a
doubly-plunging anticline extending over 20 km from Chiplara the south to
Kharakbingpara in the north (Reddi, 1975).

Mineralisation, indicated by surface evidences like old workings, mine

debris, slag sumps, malachite and azurite staining and supported by
geophysical indication, were confirmed by detailed exploration by drilling in the

7 GSI-WRO-11281
Ahirwala north, Tejwala and Chiplata blocks. In Chiplata area, exploratory
drilling carried out on the basis of only surface evidences, like malachite
staining, however, aid not prove any mineralisation of economic interest. A few
maroon-coloured exposures, observed in the area near Olia-Ka-Dhani hamlet,
in the absence of any malachite or Azurite, staining are presumed to be
gossans for molybedeite. Some boulders noticed in the vicinity of the said
exposures are also found to be leached. Old workings with malchite-stained
debris are also seen in the South of Tejwala village and on the north-east of /_
1925 hill. On the north-eastern side of Ladia hamlet, Slags are found scattered
in the cultivated land. Specks of chalcopyrite are observed in a couple of
boulders near a well on the south western side of Olia-Ka-Dhani hamlet.

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

A) Methods employed:

Due to the remarkable success of the self-potential method in the

Baleshwar, Ahirwala north and Tejwala blocks of the belt, it was extensively
used in this southern part also; Magnetic surveys were resorted to in an effort
to bring but the lithological units having perceptible susceptibility contrasts.
Limited Induced Polarisation surveys were also carried out not only for
corroporation of S.P. anomalies but also because deeper mineralisation may
evade detection by the S.P. method.

B) Lay out:

The general trend of the formations being north-south, a base line was
laid in this direction. The origin of the traverse grid O/O being located at the
flag-mast of an earlier drilling camp in Ahirwala to the south of a quartzite
ridge, Where, incidentally, copper mineralisation had been proved earlier.
Traverses were laid in the east-west direction on the southern side of the
above reference point with stations staked at 10 m interval, which is also the
unit of distance for numbering the traverses and stations. Consecutive stations
located at distances 10 m, 20 m etc., to the east of the base line on any

8 GSI-WRO-11281
traverse are designated as 1E, 2E etc., consecutive stations to the west of the
baseline similarly designated 1W, 2W etc. The traverse interval was initially 1
km, which was subsequently reduced to 200 m. 100 m and 20 m. for detailing.

An interesting localised feature found to be trending east-west as

against the general north-south trend was investigated by N-S traverses.

C) Quantum of work:

1. Area covered by reconnaissance surveys 12.00 sq.km.

detailed surveys 5.80 sq.km.

2. Total length of traverse 65. 56 L.km.

3. Total number of S.P. observations 5774

4. Total number of magnetic observations 4768

5. Total number of I.P.

a) Changeability observations 370

b) resistivity observations 370

b. Number of anomaly beacons 6

survey beacons 9

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Five traverses were lard our area mineral at starting from 100S
traverse near Ahirwala and Tejwala villages in the north upto traverses in the
south between chip and 101W of traverse. 100S. This feature was detailed by
observations along 200 m. interval traverses (Plate IV). This detailing has
shown that this anomaly zone is barely persistent for 200 metres along the
strike. Reconnaissance geological appraisal of the anomaly has indicated
surface evidences of mineralisation in the form of malachite coating in the
debris of pit about 3 m to 4m deep. This pit as well as the anomaly seem to lie

9 GSI-WRO-11281
roughly in the same end as the Tejwala mineralisation. which annular be
significant itself.

Recconaisance S.P. traverses to the south of Tejwala (200S, 300S

through Ghata village 400S terminator near Ladia 500S and 595S south of
Chiplata have not brought out any indications of intetest, with, the exception,
of a Meak the reconnaissance coverage at 1 km traverse interval, detailed
traverses were laid at 200 m interval from 520S towards north with a view to
study in detail the response of mineralisation encountered in the Chiplata
boreholes and its persistence, if any. No interesting features were recorded in
the entire Chiplata, block indicating that the sulphide mineralisation reported
to have in this area is poor or impersistent.

Surveys were continued towards north beyond Chiplata block,

extending the traverses, more or more towards east with a view to connect this
block with yet another old working, noticed at the foot of /_1 1925 to the north-
east. A broad and high amplitude anomaly was recorded on traverse 3225 with
a peak value of -300 mV at station 41 E, about 400 metres east of Oliya-Ki-
Dhani hamlet (Plate-V). A S tudy of this anomaly zone has indicated leached
bounders and maroon-coloured, exposures, in the vicinity. In contract to the
general north-south trend of the formations, in the area covered, the rock suits
in this block are found to have an appromimate east-west trend. Therefore, the
anomaly was detailed by traverses at 2om spacing. A contour plan of this
block, drawn at 20 mv interval, is presented in plate V. The source for the
anomaly seems to be about 250 m in length. Absence of malachite staining on
the surface In contrast to Ahirwala and Tejwala blocks proper were profuse
staining of malachite azurite is observed) is very striking and hence copper
association may possible be discounted at depth. It was observed in Ahirwala
and Tejwala block proper that the S.P. response over the Tejwala occurrence
of chalcopyrite with associated molybdenite is considerably mote than that
observed in Ahirwala block, where there is practically no molybdenite associa-
tion. The maroon coloured exposure of gossan occurring right with in the
anomaly size by side with leached boulders possibly represents a surface
manifestation of molybdenite at depth. Test boreholes recommended and

10 GSI-WRO-11281
since drilled have in fact intersected a molybdenite bearing zone upto 3m thick
at the interpreted depth of 35 to 46 m (Plate-II showing BH2 anomaly).

Coverage with traverses 200m apart further to the north upto the old
working (27°37'32" : 75°52'00" Bhujiala hamlet) and beyond has not brought
out any interesting features. Even though some of the debris samples around
this old working have malachite coating and the absence of any S.P.
response, suggests poor mineralisation at depth even if any.

2. Magnetic surveys: -

Magnetic surveys in the area were carried out with a fluxgate

magnetometer measuring the vertical intensity variations. The magnetic data
have not been helpful in mapping the various geological contacts, possibility
due to the poor contrast in sucerptibilities and also due to irregular distribution
of magnetite in the rock units. For example, sericite quartzite, biotite quartzite
and even the So called massive quartzite show, as is to be expected, almost
the same level of magnetic response with rapid fluctuations, that were
probably due to local magnetite concentrations. Likewise pegmatites and
quartzites are not distinguishable. Amphibolite and at places amphibole
quartzite are marked by higher magnetic responses with similar fluctuations
superimposed thereon. Mica schist, in some parts, is found to have the lowest
magnetic response among all the rock units in the area. However, it is
noteworthy that the S.P. anomaly zone where molybdenite has been struck is
marked by a clear local magnetic relief of about 50 to 100 gammas (Plate-VI).

3. I.P. Surveys: -

Induced polarisation surveys were conducted in the area employing I

.P.R. VIII (model) receiver, which has a provision for sampling the decay curve
in throe modes of operation viz. Ist; 2nd and 3rd for 1,3 and 6 slices of the
decay curve to take care of E.M. coupling etc., in adverse conditions. The
occurrence of sericite schist in Tejwala, block and its strong chargeabitity
response were kept in view before embarking upon the test surveys in the

11 GSI-WRO-11281
area at a time when the detailed geological making of the clock had not been
completed. Strong I.P. indications recorded in this test surveys employing a
dipole-dipole array were found to persist for a considerable strike length for
beyond the zone of S.P. response. Here extensive sericite schists to be
inferred even in this block which has been hither to, presumed to be
predominently occupied by biotite schist. A deeper intersection of the
boreholes in the S.P. anomaly zone has confirmed the presence of sericite
schist.

Another feature noticed in the surveys was the progressive shift of the
chargeability anomaly peak towards north with increasing dipole separation
(Higher levels and hence dipper horizons) as against the expected shift
towards South since the mineralisation was expected to have a southerly dip
conforming to the formations. This also strenghtens the view that a large part
of the I.P. response in the area is probably from Sericite schist occurrence to
the north of mineralisation zone. Here no attempt was made to carry out any
detailed studies of the I.P. decay curves.

Resistivity: -

The resistivity profiles (recorded along with I. P. responses) indicates

values of the order of lob to 200 ohm m over the S.P. anomaly zone as
compared to background values of over 2000 ohm m. The resistivity low
extends about 1 km. in length and is over 200 metres wide near the SP
anomaly zone. Quartz veins and quartzite noticed within this anomaly are
highly resistive, the only moderately resistive formation in the zone being a
schist. Therefore, the relatively high conductivity, as revealed by resistivity
surveys may be inferred to be due to a shear zone.

CONCLUSIONS

The SP method has been strikingly successful in detecting at depth of

zone of sulphides rich in moly molybden near Olia-Ki-Dhani. The anomaly has
relief of -300 mv and trends East-west, while the general geological strike is

12 GSI-WRO-11281
north-south. No other significant S.P. anomalies have been obtained in the
various blocks including Chiplata, Where a few boreholes were drilled earlier
without inter-secting much mineralisation.

The S.P. Surveys have been almost ineffective due to strong

polarisation response from sericite schist occurring in the proximity of the
mineralisation. The resistivity profiles are indicative of a relatively conductive
shear zone of which the S.P. anomaly (that has boon proved to be associated
with molybdenite) forms a part.

The magnetic method has bet been helpful in mapping the various
geological contacts, firstly for want of adequate contrast in susceptibilities and
secondly due to irregular distribution of ferro-magnetic minerals in the different
rock units.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As significant milybdenum mineralisation has been met with in the

boreholes drilled to intersect the anomaly points GR 1 and GP2 (Plate V)
further detailed exploratory drilling of the entire S.P. anomaly zone may be
carried out for proving the detailed geometry of the orebody at depth.

13 GSI-WRO-11281
 LOCALITY INDEX

Latitude Longitude

Bhujiala 27°37'32" 75°52'00"

Nim-ka- thana 27°44'12" N. 75°47' 30" E

Goneswar 27°40'06" 75°49'18"

Ahirwala 27°36'48" 75°51'02"

Tejwala 27°37'12" 75°50'12"

Chiplata 27°30'00" 75°50'00"

Ghata 37°35'36" 75° 50' 30"

Olia-Ke-Dhani 27°35'34" 75°50'30"

REFERENCES

1. Jagannadham M., 1965. Report on the Geophysical investigation for

sulphides in the Mangamalai area of Arumanallur
village, Kanyakumari district Madras State.

2. Sarkar, B., 1975. Geophysical investigation for basemetal in Baleswar

area, Sikar district, Rajasthan

3. Sarkar, B., 1976, Report on the Geophysical investigation for

basemetals in Ahirwala and Tejwala area Sikar district,
Rajasthan.

14 GSI-WRO-11281