Structural History of the Saladipura Pyrite-Pyrrhotite Deposit and Associated Rocks, Khetri Copper Belt, Rajasthan

Elucidation of the structural geometry and structural history of the area around Saladipura in the southern part of the Khetri copper belt, Rajasthan, helps in precise dating of formation of the massive sulphide deposit with respect to the different phases of deformation affecting the area. The pyrite-pyrrhotite deposit of Saladipura occurs almost along the contact of two lithological units and is traceable over a strike length of about 7 km. Rocks of the Delhi group exposed in this area have been folded into a series of normal, upright to inclined folds F₁ with NE-SW trend. Formation of sulphides in the area can be dated to be earlier than the first recognisable phase of deformation F₁ folding. Sulphides of the ore body bear imprints of all the phases of deformation affecting the associated metasediments of the Delhi group and distribution of sulphides within the ore body often define stratification. All these evidences indicate syngenetic primary nature of the sulphides, which have undergone textural modification, mineralogical reconstruction and (re)mobilisation in the course of regional metamorphism and deformation.