Origin and evolution of vanadium‐rich oxide and titanite phases in lamprophyre and mafic dykes from the Nuapada diamondiferous Lamproite field, BastarCraton‐EasternGhats Mobile belt contact, India: Metallogenic and geodynamic implications

Abstract

Transitional boundaries of the craton and mobile belt mark diverse and long‐term tectono‐thermal events like hot and cold lithospheric contact, back‐arc‐type subduction, and also constitute a favourable locale for metallogeny. The exact nature and origin of such metallogenic enrichment in the lithospheric mantle source beneath contact zones are still uncertain. The contact of Bastar Craton and the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt (EGMB), India, provides an ideal geological setup to study the metallogenic enrichment processes. In this study, we present a detailed petrographic and mineralogical investigation of various iron oxide phases and titanites in spatially and temporally distinct lamprophyre and mafic dykes from the diamondiferous Nuapada Lamproite Field (NLF) at the contact between Bastar Craton and EGMB. Diverse textural assemblages of oxides, namely, trellis, sandwich‐type exsolutions and reaction–replacement, are widespread. Ilmenites, magnetites and titanites from the mafic dykes as well as lamprophyre exhibit an anomalous enrichment of vanadium (V2O3up to 3.7 wt%), whereas ilmenites are also characterized by their elevated manganese content (MnO up to 3.8 wt%). Mineral chemistry‐based plots and thermo‐oximetric studies suggest the magmatic origin of iron oxides belonging to the Fe–Ti–V‐type ore in which partitioning and sequestration of the elements were controlled by differential crystallization, exsolution and fractionation rather than any imprints of contamination. Multiphase sequestration of vanadium as well as manganese in lamprophyre and mafic dykes, separated in space as well in relative depths of origin, signifies the presence of a fertile mantle. The role of subduction‐derived metasomatized fluids as a causative factor of vanadium metallogeny in this domain is evaluated. Low‐Mg and high‐Mn ilmenites of this study are consistent with the reported occurrences of diamonds from the NLF and adjoining areas of the Bastar Craton.