Betul belt is known for its volcanic massive sulphide type of mineralization in the geological circles of India. But here the betul belt has been presented with a different qualification, which is graphite mineralization. The graphite mineralization is popularly known within the proterozoic sediments of Aravalli Supegroup of rocks in South Rajasthan and in its extension in the Jhabua and Alirajpur districts of Madhaya Pradesh. The graphite mineralization in Betul belt is confined to the supracrustals enclosed within the granite gneisses and has been brought on the national map after the recently explored blocks by geological survey of India, which were auctioned for the commercial exploitation. This paper briefly discuses the possible mechanism of formation and the nature of mineralization of graphite here in this belt, essentially based on the inferences drawn from petrography supported by scanning electron microscopic and XRD data. It is concluded that major proportion of the graphite mineralization here is accumulated due to progressive metamorphism of the organic matter deposited along with various sediments, while a considerable component has been contributed by the precipitation from super critical graphite rich fluids.
Narayanmurthi (1958) A Note on the Investigation of Graphite Deposits in Tikari, Gauthana, and Chiklar Areas, Betul Tehsil, Betul District, Madhya Pradesh. Unpublished GSI Report, January 1959, GSI, Bhopal, ACC Library, No 195.
Roy, A. and Prasad, M.H. (2001) Precambrian of Central India: A Possible Tectonic Model. Geological Survey of India, 64, 177-197.
Srivastava, S.K. and Chellani, S.K. (1995) Report on Secial Thematic Mapping of Archean Proterozoic Rocks in Area North of Bordehi & around Khari Betul Dist., M.P. Unpublished GSI Progress Report, FS 1994-1995.
Lenka, B. and Ahmad, A. (2013) Investigation for Graphite in Tikari, Chiklar, Gauthana Area, Betul District, M.P. Unpublished GSI Report, FS-2012-13.
Chakraborty, S.K., Chore, S.A. and Vishwakarma, L.L. (2009) Report on the Geological Studies of the Volcano Sedimentary Litho Assemblage of Betul Belt, Central Indian Tectonic Zone, M.P. GSI Unpublished Final Report, FS 2000-01 & 2001-02.
Raut, P.K. and Mehrotra (1992) A Report on Second Generation Mapping of Archaean-Proterozoic Rocks around Mahuapani, Palaspani and Kolhudhan, Betul District, M.P. Unpublished GSI Report, FS-1990-1991.
Lenka, B. (2014) Investigation for Graphite in Tikari, Chiklar, Gauthana Area, Betul district, M.P. Unpublished GSI Report, FS-2013-14.
Rumble, D., Ferry, J.M., Hoering, T.C. and Boucot, A.J. (1982) Fluid Flow during Metamorphism at the Beaver Brook Fossil Locality, New Hampshire. American Journal of Science, 282, 886-919. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.282.6.886
Cameron, E.N. and Weis, L. (1960) Strategic Graphite: A Survey. Geological Survey Bulletin, 1082-E, 201-321.
Grew, E.S. (1974) Carbonaceous Material in Some Metamorphic Rocks of New England and Other Areas. Journal of Geology, 82, 50-73. https://doi.org/10.1086/627936
Weis, P.L. (1980) Graphite Skeleton Crystals—A Newly Recognized Morphology of Crystalline Carbon in Meta-Sedimentary Rocks. Geology, 8, 296-297. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1980)8 2.0.CO;2
Ballhaus, C.G. and Stump, E.F. (1986) Sulphide and Platinum Mineralization in the Merensky Reef: Evidences from Hydrous Silicate and Fluid Inclusions. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 94, 193-204. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00592936
Hollister, L.S. and Burrs, R.C. (1976) Phase Equilibria in Fluid Inclusions from the Khtada Lake Metamorphic Complex. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 40, 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(76)90174-5
Bonijoly, M., Oberlin, M. and Oberlin, A. (1982) A Possible Method for Natural Graphite Formation. International Journal of Coal Petrology, 1, 283-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-5162(82)90018-0
Landis, C.A. (1971) Graphitization of Dispersed Carbonaceous Material in Metamorphic Rocks. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 30, 34-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373366
Kalyoncu, R.S. (2000) Graphite, U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook—2000.
Diessel, C.F.K., Brothers, R.N. and Black, P.M. (1978) Coalification and Graphitization in High-Pressure Schists in New Caledonia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 68, 63-78. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00375447
Buseck, P.R. and Bo-Jun, H. (1985) Conversion of Carbonaceous Material to Graphite during Metamorphism. Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta, 49, 2003-2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(85)90059-6
Okuyama-Kusunose, Y. and Itaya, T. (1986) Metamorphism of Carbonaceous Material in the Tono Contact Aureole, Kitakami Mountains, Japan. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 5, 121-113. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1314.1987.tb00375.x
Diessel, C.F.K. and Offler, R. (1975) Change in Physical Properties of Coalified and Graphitized Phyoclasts with Grade of Metamorphism. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, 1, 11-27.
Itaya, T. (1981) Carbonaceous Material in Pelitic Schists of the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt in Central Shikoku, Japan. Lithos, 14, 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-4937(81)90043-8
Wang, G.-F. (1989) Carbonaceous Material in the Ryoke Metamorphic Rocks, Kinki District, Japan. Lithos, 22, 305-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-4937(89)90032-7
Durand, B. and Monin, J.C. (1980) Elemental Analysis of Kerogens (C, H, O, N, S, Fe). In: Durand, B., Ed., Kerogen, Technip, Paris, 113-142.
Etheridge, M.A., Wall, V.J. and Vernon, R.H. (1983). The Role of the Fluid Phase during Regional Metamorphism and Deformation. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 1, 205-226. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1314.1983.tb00272.x
Kerrick, D.M. and Caldeira, K. (1998) Metamorphic CO2 Degassing from Orogenic Belts. Chemical Geology, 145, 213-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(97)00144-7
Bickle, M.J. (1996) Metamorphic Decarbonation, Silicate Weathering and the Long-Term Carbon Cycle. Terra Nova, 8, 270-276. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3121.1996.tb00756.x
Oberlin, A., Boulmier, J.L. and Villey, M. (1980) Electron Microprobe Study of Kerogen Microtexture. Selected Criteria for Determining the Evolution Path and Evolution Stage of Kerogen. In: Durand, B., Ed., Kerogen, Technip, Paris, 191-240.
Luque, F.J., Pasteris, J.D., Wopenka, B., Rodas, M. and Barrenechea, J.F. (1998) Natural Fluid Deposited Graphite: Mineralogical Characteristics and Mechanisms of Formation. American Journal of Science, 298, 471-498. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.298.6.471
Wopenka, B. and Pasteris, J.D. (1993) Structural Characterization of Kerogens Togranulite-Facies Graphite: Applicability of Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy. American Mineralogist, 78, 533-557.
Wada, H., Tomita, T., Matsuura, K., Iuchi, K., Ito, M. and Morikiyo, T. (1994) Graphitization of Carbonaceous Matter during Metamorphism with References to Carbonate and Pelitic Rocks of Contact and Regional Metamorphisms, Japan. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 118, 217-228. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306643
Nishimura, Y., Coombs, D.S., Landis, C.A. and Itaya, T. (2000) Continuous Metamorphic Gradient Documented by Graphitization and K-Arage, Southeast Otago, New Zealand. American Mineralogist, 85, 1625-1636. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2000-11-1206
Beyssac, O., Rouzaud, J.-N., Goffe, B., Brunet, F. and Chopin, C. (2002) Graphitization in a High-Pressure, Low-Temperature Metamorphic Gradient: A Raman Microspectroscopy and HRTEM Study. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 143, 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-001-0324-7
Luque, F.J. and Rodas, M. (1999) Constraints on Graphite Crystallinity in Some Spanish Fluid Deposits Occurrences from Different Geologic Settings. Mineralium Deposita, 34, 215-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001260050198
Pasteris, J.D. (1999) Causes of the Uniformly High Crystallinity of Graphite in Large Epigenetic Deposits. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 17, 779-787. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1314.1999.00231.x
Mastalerz, M., Bustin, R.M. and Sinclair, A.J. (1995) Carbon-Rich Material in the Erickson Hydrothermal System, Northern British Columbia, Canada: Origin and Formation Mechanisms. Economic Geology, 90, 938-947. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.90.4.938
Pasteris, J.D. and Chou, I.M. (1998) Fluid-Deposited Graphitic Inclusions in Quartz: Comparison between KTB (German Continental Deep-Drilling) Core Samples and Artificially Reequilibrated Natural Inclusions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 62, 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(97)00322-0
Cesare, B. (1995) Graphite Precipitation in C-O-H Fluid Inclusions: Closed System Compositional and Density Changes, and Thermo Barometric Implications. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 122, 25-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004100050110
Satish-Kumar, M. (2005) Graphite-Bearing CO2-Fluid Inclusions in Granulites: Insights on Graphite Precipitation and Carbon Isotope Evolution. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 69, 3841-3856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2005.02.007
Ziegenbein, D. and Johannes, W. (1980) Graphite in C-H-O Fluids: An Unsuitable Compound to Buffer Fluid Composition at Temperatures up to 700°C. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, 7, 289-305.
Sunagawa, I. (1987) Morphology of Minerals. In: Morphology of Crystals, Part B, Terra Scientific, Tokyo, 509-587.
Sear, R.P. (2006) Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Nucleation Compared: Rapid Nucleation on Microscopic Impurities. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 110, 4985-4989. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp056377e