Carbonatite Body Near Kambammettu, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A small body of probable carbonatite of magnetite sovite variety occurs in the foothills east of Kambammettu, in Tamil Nadu. The rock is characterized by the presence of calcite in the main, with magnetite (lumps), apatite, barite, phlogopite, monazite and bastnaesite in subordinate quantity. Trace element study has revealed significant presence of P, Ba, Sr and some rare earth elements like Ce, La and Dy. The rock appears to have been emplaced along a NNE-SSW lineament.