Geology and Mineral Resources of the Bandipur Area, Lesser Himalaya, Central Nepal

Abstract

The present study was carried out around the Bandipur-Hilekharka-Keshavtar areas, west of Muglin, Central Nepal, Lesser Himalaya in an attempt to draw the stratigraphic set up, tectonic structures and mineral resources of the area. It consists of the rocks of the Nawakot Complex. The Fagfog Quratzite is the oldest unit of Lower Nawakot Group which is followed by the Dandagaon Phyllite, Nourpul Formation and Dhading Dolomite in successively higher positions and the Benignat Slate of Upper Nawakot Group but the Malekhu Limestone is missing in the study area. Based on lithology and environment of deposition, Nourpul Formation has been mapped into four members as Purebensi Quartzite, Amdanda Phyllite (laminated phyllile) and Labdi Khola Carbonate (observed in LabdiKhola areas) and Bandipur Slate (observed in Bandipur areas). The monotonous sequence of Carbonaceous Phyllite, well exposed on LabdiKhola-Mastipur section, poorly resembles with Benighat Slate of the type locality. Different types of erosional and tectonic structures are mapped in the study area. The Dadagaon Phyllite shows a broad inlier around Chipleti area and a small elliptical outlier of Purebensi Quartzite is mapped in Hilekharka area. A prominent thrust contact is mapped in between Dhading Dolomite and Nourpul Formation continuously around Chandrakot, Ripthok, Tilahar, Takmare and Kamalbari areas which is named as Jal Bhanjyang Thrust in present study. Two major folds viz. Bandipur Syncline and Hilekharka Anticline are also observed in the territory. Different types of sedimentary structures like ripple marks; mudcracks and graded beddings show the right side up sequence of the different units. A large number of tight isoclinal folds with folded quartz veins are observed in the Carbonaceous Phyllite of Benighat Slate. The rock units of the area consist of pelitic, psammatic and calcareous metasediments up to chlorite/sericite grade of metamorphism. Basic plutonic rocks are intruded in the upper part of Nourpul Formation which is sill like in nature and mappable in the field. Different types of both metallic and non-metallic minerals are found in the study area. Among them, copper deposit of Bhut Khola, hematite of Labdi Khola, roofing quality slate of the Bandipur and graphite deposit of Ghumaune-Labdi section are the potential resources of the area.