Himalayan Geology, Vol. 39 (2), 2018, pp. 188-196, Printed in India

Morphology of Placer Gold grains from Nathal Khad area, Akhnoor, Jammu District (J&K)

P.K. SRIVASTAVA*, NEHA ARORA, PAWAN SINGH, RAJNI MAGOTRA, STANZIN NAMGA, ISHYA DEVI

Economic Geology Research Group, Department of Geology, University of Jammu, Jammu

Email (Corresponding author): pankajsrivastava.ju@gmail.com

Abstract: Placer gold of Nathal Khad area, Jammu is associated with the Siwalik fed river system. The morphology and micro-textural parameters of the gold particles in stream sediments from this area have been studied for the first time. Size of the gold grains vary from 1 µm to 55 µm with some rare larger grains measuring up to 60 µm, all showing sub-rounded to irregular shape. The average flatness index of the collected gold grains is 16.29. Surface of the majority of grains show pitted, grooved and pounded nature. SEM-EDX analysis of the gold grains shows sharp peaks for Au with minor peaks for Ag, Al and K.

Based on the morphology, surface texture and chemical composition of the gold grains, it is suggested that the gold in the stream sediments of the Nathal Khad are multicycled i.e. recycled palaeoplacer. It is concluded that this gold in the stream sediments is derived from the Upper Siwalik and upper part of the Middle Siwalik Subgroups.

Keywords: Placer gold, Morphology, Surface textures, Siwalik, Jammu.