A Preliminary Study of Indicator Plants for Copper Mineralization in Malanjkhand Granitoid, Madhya Pradesh

The use of indicator plants and plant organs have been considered as a tool for mineral exploration as early as in eighth century. In the present paper, the data on the biogeochemical studies of the plants growing in three copper prospecting areas of Madhya Pradesh are presented. The areas are near Gidori, Pipardhar and Garhi Dongri villages within Malanjkhand granitoid, situated to the south of Malanjkhand porphyry copper deposit. Nineteen plant species abundant in these areas were chosen for chemical analysis of their organs for copper. Analyses indicated that Jangli Tulsi (Hyptis suaveolens, (L.) Poit) plant, with their stunted growth, act as an indicator plant for copper rich soil. High copper concentration in some of their organs are observed. Kurlu tree (Sterculia urens, Roxb ) is found to be a good metal accumulator plant among others for base metal exploration. These observations can help as a supplementary guide for exploration of copper and other metals in this vast soil covered area.