Geological Appraisal and Mineralogical Characteristics of Iron Ore Occurrences around Neem Ka Thana Area in Khetri Basin, North Delhi Fold Belt, Rajasthan, Western India

Lensoidal iron ore bodies occur within the meta sediments of Ajabgarh Group of rocks in North Delhi Fold Belt and are exposed around Neem Ka Thana area of Rajasthan. The moderate to steeply dipping iron ore bodies continue from 100 m to1.5 km along the strike direction with the variable width from 2 m to 5 m. The ore bodies occur within the metapelite rocks comprising of micaceous phyllite, albitised phyllite and feldspathic quartzite. In some cases, albitite, pegmatite and quartz carbonate veins are seen to be intruded into the iron ore bodies. Detailed petrographic studies of the iron ore sample suggest a dominant hematite, magnetite and specularite composition with minor goethite cores. Based on the geological disposition, ore mineral assemblages, textural characteristics and host rock association, the iron ores in the areas are thought to be deposited by hydrothermal IOCG type deposits.