Mode of Occurrence and Origin of Manganese Ores of Shimoga District, Karnataka

Abstract

Four types of manganese ores are distinguished: 1. Reworked metasedimcntary ore in Precambrian banded manganese formation; 2. Sedimentary oolitic/pisolitic ore associated with claystone; 3. Cavity filling/replacement type ore in weathered Precambrian phyllitic schists and laterites; 4. Bouldery-pebbly float ore in soils and laterite. The reworked metasedimentary ore is low in silica (∼6%), high in Fe content (∼26%) and its Mn/Fe ratio varies between 0.75 and 1.2. The oolitic/pisolitic ore on the other hand is high in silica (∼14%), low in Fe ( ∼17%) and Mn/Fe ratio of 1.7 and 2.1. Supergene processes, during Tertiary-Quaternary (7) have contributed significant quantities of sedimentary oolitic/pisolitic ore and minor amount of cavity filling/replacement type ore. The surficial exposures of reworked metasedimentary and oolitic/pisolitic ores have been subjected to mechanical disintegration and detrital accumulation with repeated breaks leading to extensive development or float ore in both laterite and soil profile.