MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HEAVY PLACER DERIVED FROM CHALIYAR RIVER, KERALA, INDIA

This study investigates the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of heavy placer deposits from the Chaliyar River in Kerala, India, with a focus on ilmenite. Sand samples were collected from five locations in the Nilambur region and examined through sieve analysis, heavy mineral separation, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and petrographic microscopy.

Grain size analysis revealed that most of the sediments are below 600 µm, with a dominant fraction around 180 µm, reflecting moderately high-energy depositional conditions suitable for heavy mineral accumulation. Heavy mineral separation allowed for the concentration of the dense fractions for further study. XRF analyses indicated notable enrichment of Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, ZrO₂, and Cr₂O₃, which confirmed the presence of ilmenite, zircon, and garnet. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of these mineral phases, while petrographic line counting provided quantitative data on their relative abundances across grain-size classes and sampling sites.

The results highlight the occurrence of economically valuable heavy minerals, particularly titanium-bearing ilmenite, within the Chaliyar River sediments. The observed mineralogical and geochemical variations also reflect differences in source rock composition and sediment transport processes within the basin.

This work establishes a baseline for understanding the distribution and concentration of heavy minerals in the Chaliyar River and provides a foundation for future studies and resource assessment in Kerala’s placer-rich terrains.