Geology and Mineral Resources of the Bandipur Area, Lesser Himalaya, Central Nepal
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Geology
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.
Description
Keywords
Mineral resources, Calcareous metasediments