Geology & Mining

The iron mineralization zone lies in the Hupsekot Rural Municipality-5, East Nawalparasi Province-4, Nepal. This area lies about 20km north from East-West Highway.

The study area lies in the Lesser Himalaya in north and Sub Himalaya in south. The Lesser Himalaya is thrusted over the Sub Himalaya along north dipping Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). The Lesser Himalaya consists of rock of Lakharpata Group and Surkhet Group. The Surkhet Group rest unconformably above Lakharpata Group. The lithology and age of the Formation is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Lithostratigraphy of Durlunga-Dhuabadi-Pokhari Area (Adopted after Kayastha, 1992)

The Hematite mineralization is found in the Melpani Formation of Surkhet Group. The hematite zone was traced almost east-west extension of southern limb of syncline. However, in the northern limb, it is found to be omitted at most places probably by fault. However due to longitudinal and transverse faults, the zone is largely obliterated in the northern limb. About 10 km length of Hematite Mineralization was traced with the Melpani Formation of Surkhet Group of Rock in Fiscal years 2067/2068 and 2068/069. The mineralized zone consists of black to olive green shale, green quartzite, thick bedded white quartzite and black shales interbedded with hematite beds. Few Hematite beds seems to more siliceous. The mineralized band is displaced by local fault. The average thickness of mineralization band is about 25 m. The hematite is thin to massive bedded and is interbedded with grey to olive green quartzite and greenish grey to grey slate. The ore is compact, fine to coarse grained, oolitic and siliceous in the form.

The genesis iron ore deposit of Dhauwadi-Pokhari is of sedimentary metamorphosed hematite–magnetite type as the other important iron deposits of Nepal (e.g. Phulchauki Iron Deposit, Thosey Iron Deposit).

For the detail study of mineralization band, the total area is divided into four blocks shown in Map 2 and named as from west to east are:

• Durlunga Block: From Namjikot to Khanigaon
• Pokhari Block: From Khanigaon to Tharpadanda
• Ramche Block: From Tharpadanda to Khalte
• Dhaubadi Block: From Khalte to Shantipark

Photo 1- Distant view of mineralization zone

Table 2- Reconnaissance and Preliminary exploration work in whole mineralization zone

Area of study area	100 Sq. Km.
Fiscal year	2066/67, 2067/68, 2068/67

For the detail study of mineralization band, the total area is divided into four blocks shown in Map 2 and named as from west to east are:

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Fig 2- Geological Section along the line A-B, Pokhari Block

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C. Ramche Block: From Tharpadanda to Khalte

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D. Dhaubadi Block: From Khalte to Shantipark

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Map 6- Geological Map of Iron Mineralization at Dhaubadi Block

TFe content in ore content is 35.36%, the main impurity constituent is silica (SiO2) with content of 44.88%, the content of Al2O3, CaO, MgO, P and S is respectively 1.86%, 0.24%,0.19%, 0.04% and 0.02%. Combined magnetic separation is recommended which could obtain the qualified iron concentrate with the TFe content of 56.70% and recovery rate of 65.21% analyzed in “Southwest Metallurgical and Geological Testing Centre, Chengdu-China”.

Accessibility of iron prospect is very good because of its locality. In 100 sq.km area, preliminary and semi-detail exploration work is completed, where 8km length of mineralization zone is explored. About 2 km length of mineralization zone in Durlunga area needs the further exploration technique. During the detail exploration 2 drill hole of total length 105.35m in Pokhari block is completed.

The pilot testing of iron ore is required for selection of beneficiation plant. The detail exploration techniques like geophysical survey, surface sampling, drilling, chemical analysis and ore dressing must be followed in each block to determine the mineability and economic feasibility of mineral deposit.