Geomicrobiology as an Aid to Prospecting: A Critical Study from Malanjkhand and Zawar Base Metal Deposits, India

Cold extractable and total Cu, Zn and Pb in soils arc faithful pointers to concealed mineralisation. Geomicrobiological studies have failed to give positive results. Thiobacillus ferrooxidanS, T. nevellus, T. permetabolis, T. thiooxidans, T. thioparus in soils over the mineralised zones were not detected in the present study. But cultures grown in P.D.A. media have shown quantitative differences for the mineralised and non-minearalised soils. Several possible reasons for this negative geomicrobiological response are discussed which include: deficiency in Mo and organic carbon in soils. unfavourable pH of soils/water, lack of moisture and water-logging among others. More detailed study of soil geomicrobiology minerai exploration is suggested.