Research Projects

The Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) in eastern India is home to numerous polymetallic deposits, primarily used for U, Cu, and apatite. These deposits contain rare earth elements and low-Ti magnetite, all recovered as by-products of uranium or copper mining. However, the origin of mineralization remains unanswered, leading to contentious ore genetic models. The SSZ's complex evolutionary history, including mineralization, deformation, metamorphism, and hydrothermal fluid influx, has led to multiple generations of ore and gangue minerals. To answer these questions, in situ analytical techniques are necessary to probe into the micro-domain geochemical variability of mineral grains. Despite the contentious ore-genetic models, all authors agree on the hydrothermal origin of the polymetallic deposits in the SSZ. Pyrite, a common sulphide mineral, can be used as a potential tracer of mineralizing conditions. New analytical techniques have enabled the analysis of multiple parameters, including major and trace element geochemistry, conventional light isotope, and unconventional metal isotope geochemistry, in micro-domain scale on texturally well-constrained single mineral grains. However, integrated studies are either scant or unavailable in the context of the SSZ.