Silver Mineralisation in Ingaldhal Copper Deposit, Chitradurga Greenstone Belt, Karnataka

Native silver alloyed with gold in varying proportions occurs as tiny inclusions mostly in the sulphide ores of Ingaldhal, Chitradurga schist belt. The data presented establishes the copper deposit as a source of silver metal too and the appropriateness of terming the hill 'Belligudda' (Silver Hill) by the ancient miners is affirmed. The volcanic flows having a dominant tholeiitic character are the actual source of basemetals, as well as precious metals, while tectonism and metamorphism aided by the intrusion of Chitradurga granite pluton have probably caused variable amounts of redistribution and remobilisation.