GEO-CHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF SPECKLED SANDSTONE AND RELATED ROCKS OF THE SALT RANGE, PUNJAB

Abstract

The Warchha Sand stone and the Sardhai Formation rocks of the Salt Range Punjab were sampled systematically from the Mianwali and the Nilawahan areas. Their investigation was undertaken on the basis of old reports of occurrence of Copper minerals, although the earlier workers had attached only minor significance. During course of work, Copper minerals of earlier workers were found actually to be alternation products of primary minerals of Cu-Sn- Fe-S system. S tannite, of two varieties, Cassiterite, Chalcopyrite, Cuprits, Copper metal, Malachite, Azurite and Scheelite were identified. The rocks were subjected to detailed petrographic work and were classified accordingly. Geochemical, chromatographic and analytical work was carried out. X-Ray diffraction and mineral graphic methods were used to identify various metallic minerals present. Sieving and magnetic separation was carried out for finding concentration pattern of ore minerals. The ore assayed to Sn= 7.52 %, Cu = S4.05 %. Due to refractory nature of ore and shortage of time and resources at disposal other metals could not be quantitatively analyzed. The Projects requires urgent continuation.