Petrographicand Geochemistry Studies of Kudrekonda Gold-Sulfide Mineralized Zones andAssociated Lithologis, Shimoga Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton.

Abstract

Kudrekonda area is situated in the southeastern part of Shimoga schist belt.  Kudrekonda area is known for placer gold since over a century and there are records of gold nuggets found in the streams.Kudrekonda gold deposit is located 0.5 Km west of Kudrekonda village and 16 Kms SW of Honnali town. Lithologically the area consists of metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sequence and belongs to Chitradurga group.It is the northern extension of the Palavanahlli and Kodikoppa prospects.The major litho units of study area are namely, amphibolite, chlorite schist, quartz sericite schist, acid volcanic, conglomerate and auriferous quartz veins Extant of old workings viz., adit, shaft and old pits indicatingthat there was intensive mining activity during ancient times.Rama Rao (1963) has given the description of the old working for gold in Kudrekonda. Recently, Lingadevru et al., (2007) have recognized three NNW-NW trending discontinuous parallel auriferous quartz veins. These veins occur within the highly deformed amphibolite and exhibit pinch and swelling structure. The mineralized zone essentially consists of sulphide minerals viz., chalcopyrite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, magnetite, and covellite besides very fine specks of native gold.