Mineral Finds and Other Feats of R.V.

Samudra Ratnakar
Lime mud: Very high quality lime mud off the coast of Gujarat, to the tune of 47877.58 million tonne over an
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area of 4338 sq.km with a thickness up to 22m was established.
Phosphorite: Large quantities of phosphatic minerals were identified from the continental shelf off Chennai
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA
and isolated sea mounts off Karwar and Mangalore.
Micro-manganese nodule: To establish lateral and vertical extension of micro-manganese nodules(earlier
reported) in the seabed sedimentson the western side of Lakshadweep ridge, detailed surveys with high
Mission IA: Baseline Geoscience Data Generation
resolution topographic mapping, sub-surface imaging, sensor surveys and seabed sampling were made and Systematic Geological Mapping
mineralized nodules of 10-15cm diameter were discovered from the area. Out of total mappable areas of 3.146 million sq km, an area of 3.1068 million sq km (98.75%) has been covered
Fe-Mn crest: Taking hints from earlier reports, a detailed search operation with Remotely Operated Vehicle on 1:50K scale by systematic geological mapping upto March 2017.
(ROV) and various sampling devices were taken up in and around Sewell Rise and West Sewell Ridge,
Andaman Sea. ROV footage indicates botryoidal and nodular structures along slopes and summit of
seamounts. These are known indicators for Fe-Mn and associated mineralisation. The results were
the encouraging and further cruises are planned to establish mineralizations.

Multi-Channel Seismic Surveys

The multi-channel seismic survey (MCSS) of Samudra Ratnakar is capable of probing up to ~4 km below
seabed and helps in study of deep seated structures and mineralizations. Such studies facilitate identification
of deep seated structural features and favourable sites of mineralization. MCSS in collaboration with National
Institute of Oceanography identified gas hydrates in the undersea channel levee system of Gulf of Mannar. Fault breccia in quartzite, Tight F2 fold within quartzite,
The shallow-water vessels viz. R.V. Samudra Nallamalai Fold belt, Andhra Pradesh Ajmer District, Rajasthan
Kaustubh and Samudra Shaudhikama have been High Resolution Surveys
used for systematic mapping of the Territorial Water In addition to mineral investigation, multichannel seismic surveys, high resolution topographic mapping with Specialised Thematic Mapping (STM)
Zone of India, which is endowed with huge of placer multibeam echo-sounder and sub-surface mapping with sub-bottom profiler, gravimeter and magnetometer STM Programme on 1:25K scale was drawn up in order to resolve
mineral deposits worth thousands of crores rupees. are also taken up by GSI for collection of baseline data on sub-surface features, gravity and magnetic fields of some unique interesting problems with a view to update the existing
the EEZ of India. Swath bathymetry study by multibeam echo-sounder is part of MoU between Ministry of geological knowledge base of the country as well as to locate
Apart from these, other important projects for Geological map of Archol-Harmara area,
Mines and Ministry of Earth Sciences on a project titled 'Geoscientific studies of the Exclusive Economic Zone prospecting areas of mineral deposits and targeting potential
detailed exploration of deep sea hydrothermal of India', aimed at preparing comprehensive 3-D topographic image of the entire EEZ of India. High resolution mineralized zones. Till March 2017 an area of 2,58,519 sq km on Rajasthan
polymetallic sulphide deposits in collaboration with surveys helps in identification of favourable sites for mineralizations and has brought out some remarkable 1:25K scale has been covered.
Ministry of Earth Sciences are being carried out. seabed features like impact crater, spreading centre, accretionary prism, volcanic cones, to name a few.
The various thrust areas identified are in conformity National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM)
with the charter of GSI and cater to the needs and Surveys for Other Agencies The programme has been launched for creation of a baseline
The multi-disciplinary survey capabilities of R.V. Samudra Ratnakar attracted many National and International geochemical database and production of a complete set of
R. V. Samudra Ratnakar agencies towards GSI for collaboration /assistance in their projects of National and International importance. geochemical baseline maps of the entire landmass of the country on
Surveys were taken up for NIA in the Kerala offshore for their investigation on Iranian boat case and helped the 1:50K scale to assess regional mineral prospects and other
challenges of the nation fulfilling the short term geoscientific issues . This activity, in the Phase I, is initially prioritised
agency in completion of their enquiry proceedings through scientific inputs. Another survey was taken up for
and long term socio-economic needs. They in the Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) area of 5.71 lakh sq km for
Indian Navy and Coast Guard in search of the AN-32 air craft that went missing during its flight from Chennai to
encompass baseline data collection (geological, Port Blair. The search operation was jointly done by survey vessels of Indian Navy, Ministry of Earth Science gold, base metal, iron ore, manganese ore, chromite ore, bauxite etc.
geophysical and geochemical), assessment of and GSI. The back scatter surveys in association with sub-bottom, gravity and multi-beam surveys helped the Till March 2017, a total area of 775472.5 sq km has been covered by
offshore mineral potential, basic research and Indian Navy in narrowing down the search area by demarcating objects of foreign nature on the sea floor. NGCM project, which includes 440274 sq km OGP area against
development in furtherance of understanding of Those locations were recommended for further scan by deep sea remotely operated vehicle. 571000 sq km OGP area of the country. Zn distribution map of TS 57F/5
various processes of earth science, industrial Geophysical Mapping
and port development, evaluation of natural Gravity and magnetic mapping are the primary geophysical surveys for understanding the structure and
processes and thereby controlling the damages geology in subsurface and their disposition. Ground geophysical mapping comprising the gravity-magnetic
due to natural hazards, historical and (G-M) survey under project National Geophysical Mapping Programme (NGPM) is being carried out in
archaeological evolution of coastal areas. Geological Survey of India since Field Season 2002-03. The main objective of these surveys is to generate
baseline Geosciences data and the same to be used as an input to locate and delineate subsurface geological
Milestones : structures like faults, folds, etc. These studies along with the geological and geochemical maps help in
v 1965: Setting up of a small Marine Unit postulating conceptual models to focus on potential/probable target areas of interest for mineral exploration in
v 1983: Acquisition of Deep Sea vessel RV deep as well as shallow level. Since the inception of NGPM project in 2002-03 in Geological Survey of India, a
Samudra Manthan total of about 4.6 lakh sq km area has been surveyed by gravity and magnetic techniques till March 2017.
Mineralized Fe-Mn concretions and Nodular surface of ferro-manganese
v 1984: Acquisition of Shallow Water vessel RV nodule recovered from sea mount off Mangalore encrustations, Andaman Sea
Samudra Kaustubh and RV Samudra
Shaudhikama
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

CG-5 Auto-Gravity Unit Superimposition of Bouguer-Gravity

Source: Mission I, GSI Meandering channels on the seabed Botryoidal surface of ferro-manganese Gravity Survey using DGPS
Prepared by Publication Division, GSI, CHQ, Kolkata under guidance of Dy DG, Mission -IIIB & ADG NMH-III, Kolkata in the vicinity of Laxmi ridge encrustations, Andaman Sea
anomaly map on magnetic (TF) anomaly
Published by Director General, GSI, Kolkata map; TS No. 73B/8,11,12,16 & 73G/1
February 2018
 Mission IB: Remote Sensing and Aerial Survey Multi-Sensor Aero-Geophysical Surveys over OGP and adjoining areas Hyperspectral Remote Sensing
Remote Sensing & Aerial Surveys (RSAS), Bangalore of Geological Survey of India (GSI) is engaged in multi- The multi-sensor aero-geophysical survey is a nationally funded (National Mineral GSI initiated Hyperspectral Remote Sensing studies in 2009 and is currently engaged in
sensor airborne geophysical survey activity since 1965 to harness the emerging field of airborne geophysics in Exploration Trust, NMET) programme to undertake regional-scale geophysical mapping alteration zone mapping and generation of spectral library using Hyperspectral (Hyperion)/
exploring mineral resources, particularly base metals (copper, lead and zinc) and to simultaneously nurture (magnetic/radiometric) over areas of obvious geological potential (OGP) and known and multispectral (ASTER and Landsat) remote sensing data since 2010. GSI is equipped
and develop indigenous professional expertise in this field. The Twin Otter Airborne Survey System (TOASS) mineral occurrences. with ASD FieldSpec 3, field portable spectroradiometer and a spectroscopy laboratory for
has covered an area of 5,89,412 sq. km. (7,21,427 line km) till December, 2017, over various geological milieu the generation of spectral signatures of rocks and minerals. The studies aim to generate
GSI will conduct multi-sensor aero-geophysical surveys over 12 identified blocks of OGP, alteration maps by processing the satellite data with spectroscopy, which is used for the
using different survey parameters based on the objective of the survey. The TOASS has been employed for covering around 8.1 lakhs sq km over a period of three years. The main objective of this
acquisition of magnetic, gamma-ray spectrometric and frequency domain electromagnetic (TRIDEM) data at a identification of alterations and its extension areas associated with hydrothermal activity
exercise is to acquire uniform aero-geophysical data initially over the obvious geological and other mineral potential zones. GSI is generating indigenous spectral signatures of
low survey altitude. potential (OGP) and its adjoining areas followed by the coverage of whole country in a minerals and rocks from mineralised/non mineralised or altered zones to create database
specific time. This will ultimately enhance the exploration activities in the country and of International standard. The alteration maps generated using satellite data is used for
attract investments in the mineral sector. The promising areas of mineral potential targeting mineral potential block and can be used as an input for the creation of exploration
identified by this project will be followed by high resolution electromagnetic, gravity, models (integration).
gravity-gradiometry and magnetic surveys.
Hon'ble Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Power, Coal, New and Carboante/MGOH alteration from Utti
area, Raichur
Renewable Energy and Mines, Govt. of India, inaugurated the Pilot project through video
conferencing from the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on 7th April, 2017.
The pilot project in year 1 (2017-18) will cover four identified blocks (Blocks 1-4), covering
1,94,131 sq. km and 7,11,813 line km (excluding restricted area by MoD) is under
progress. The four identified blocks cover western marginal areas of South Delhi Fold Belt
in Rajasthan, eastern Vindhyan and Bundelkhand areas in north central India and Bastar
cratonic areas of Chhattisgarh. Three Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) have been Utti

Twin Otter Airborne Survey System (TOASS) identified through e-Global Tendering for this project. M/s McPhar (India) with partners Eon
(Canada) and Kiwi (New Zealand) has been awarded two blocks (Block 1 & 4), M/S
Geoken (Kazak) with Helica (Italy) and Secon (India) was awarded Block 2 and M/s IIC
Technologies Ltd (India) along with GPR (Canada) and Goldak (Quebec) was awarded
Block 3. The PIAs will undertake data acquisition, processing, interpretation and
integration with the available geological information leading to prognostication of target
areas. The data acquisition in Blocks 1 & 4 has been completed by covering a total of
1,93,234 & 1,64,549 line km respectively. While in Block 2 & 3, the data acquisition is under
progress and a total of 6,128 line km in Block 2 and 347 line km in Block 3 have been
covered till December, 2017. Kaolinite and amphibole map generated using ASTER data Spectral data base of different litho
in parts of Raichur and Yadgir district, Karnataka. variants from Raichur and Yadgir area,
Karnataka

Remote Sensing Division

Integrated map with target blocks of Chamardi – Palitana
– Jafarabad block, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar & Amreli
Districts, Gujarat. The Remote Sensing Division
integrates geological, aero-geophysical and remote
sensing data acquired by Multi sensor airborne
geophysical survey data. The activity involves processing
and interpreting the multispectral satellite data (ASTER,
Landsat8-OLI and IRS-LISS III), preparation of different
Aeromagnetic Anomaly Map RTP (Tilt Derivative) Map thematic maps of geomorphology, geology, drainage,
surface alteration and lineaments and their integration
with interpreted aero geophysical data (Magnetic, gravity
and Spectrometric) for delineation of target blocks
through limited field checks. Integration of various
thematic data serves as a powerful tool in targeting
mineral potential blocks. The studies are also useful in
understanding and refining the surface and subsurface Integrated map with target blocks of Chamardi –
TOASS AERO-GEOPHYSICAL geology of the given area. Palitana – Jafarabad block, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar
DATA OF MARWAR AREA, & Amreli Districts, Gujarat.

RAJASTHAN & HARYANA

Airborne Data Archival & Dissemination Division
The ADA&D division, is engaged in integration of geological, geophysical, geo chemical
and remote sensing data for targetting the potential blocks for future exploration.
Integration of various databases containing geological, aero-geophysical (magnetic and
electromagnetic), ground-geophysical (gravity and magnetic), remote-sensing, lineament
and NGCM datasets in combination has been used. Modeling of integrated datasets is
being carried out in the GIS platform on the basis of Overlay Indexing, Weighted Overlay
and Fuzzy Logic approach (Taking into geostatistical and fuzzy mathematics theory) for
Mineral Prospectivity Mapping, i.e. to outline favorable areas for future mineral
Analytic Signal Map exploration.