3926 PDF

SRO_GSI_3926
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

TAMIL NADU CIRCLE
REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS

IN THE KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY STATE
(With two plates)
by
S.MEENAKSHISUNDARAM,
Geologist (Sr.),
DECEMBER-1971
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REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS IN

THE KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY STATE
(With two plates)
by
Geologist (Sr.),
CONTENTS Page No.
ABSTBACT ................................................................................................................... 4
I. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 5
General: .............................................................................................................. 5
Communication:................................................................................................. 5
Physiography: .................................................................................................... 5
Climate: .............................................................................................................. 5
Previous Geological work: ................................................................................. 5
Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................... 6
II. DISTRIBUTION OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS ............................................. 6
III. SAMPLING ............................................................................................................. 7
IV. ANALYSIS OF SANDS ......................................................................................... 8
Mechanical Analysis: ......................................................................................... 8
Hand magnetic separation: ................................................................................. 8
Chemical analysis of untreated sand: ................................................................. 8
Electric Conductivity: ........................................................................................ 9
Radio activity: .................................................................................................... 9
Isodynamic separation: .................................................................................... 10
Studies by floatation: ....................................................................................... 10
a) Magnetic Separation: .............................................................................. 10
b) Floatation studies: ................................................................................... 10
V. ESTIMATION OF ILMENITE CONTENT........................................................... 11
VI. RESERVE ESTIMATION .................................................................................... 12
VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ..................................................................... 15
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 18
LOCALITY INDEX .................................................................................................... 19
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE-I: LITHOLOGICAL LOG OF PITS FOR ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS IN
THE KARIKAL COAST ............................................................................................. 20
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TABLE-II: DETAILS OF SAMPLE COLLETED FROM AKKARAIVADI,

KARIKAL.................................................................................................................... 24
TABLE-III: ANALYICAL RESULTS OF BEACH SANDS ..................................... 32
TABLE-IV (A): ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF GARNET-ILMENITE SANDS,
KARIKAL COAST ..................................................................................................... 35
TABLE-IV (b): ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF RARE EARTHS, KARIKAL
COAST, PONDICHERRY .......................................................................................... 36
TABLE-V: RESULTS OF THE STUDIES ON SEPARATION OF ILMENITE-
GARNET SANDS BY DRY MAGNETIC SEPARATOR. ........................................ 37
TABLE-VI (A): RESULTS OF FLOATATION STUDIES CARRIED OUT ON
NON-MAGNETIC FRACTIONS ............................................................................... 38
TABLE-VI (b): ESTIMATED CONENT OF ILMENITE (PERCENTAGE BY
WEIGHT) .................................................................................................................... 41
TABLE-VII: RESULT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY DETERMINATION OF THE
ILMENITE-GRANET SANDS OF KARIKAL .......................................................... 42
APPENDIX-I: REPORT OF WORK CARRIED OUT ON THE BENEFICIATION
OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS OF KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRYY
STATE. ........................................................................................................................ 43
SYNOPSIS ................................................................................................................... 44
LIST OF PLATES
PLATE-I: MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF PITS FOR ILMENITE-GRANET
SANDS IN KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY STATE. ..................................... 45
PLATE-II: SKETCH MAP SHOWING ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS
OCCURRENCE NEAR AKKARAIVADI, KARIKAL, PONDICHERRY STATE. 46
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REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS IN

THE KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY STATE
(With two plates I & II)
by
Geologist (Sr.),
ABSTBACT
Ilmenite and garnet sands occur as irregular patches over a length of 11 km
and widths varying between 20 and 24 m, along the coastal area of Karaikal,
Pondicherry State. In order to assess the contents of ilmenite and garnet in the sands
and their reserves, systematic collection of pit samples from the beach to the east of
Akkaraivadi was made. Over the remaining section samples were drawn from pits
located at distance of about 1.6 to 2 km. from each other.
A total indicated reserve of 50,160 tonnes of ilmenite has been estimated upto
a depth of 1.50 m, for the Melvanjiyur-Tirumalarajapatnam area. Of this only 2,510
tonnes analysing between 17.84 and 23.78% TiO2 can be recovered by dry magnetic
process.
In the Akkaraivadi area, a total indicated reserve of 23,740 tonnes of ilmenite

has been estimated to a depth of 1.50 m, of which only 760 tonnes with a TiO2 content
ranging between 12.65 and 23.57%, can be recovered by dry magnetic process.
The samples, from the Light House area near Karaikal have given TiO2 values
of 23.57 (LK/2d) and 24.85% (LK/2a) for dry magnetic fractions separated from
them.
Results of beneficiation tests on the ilmenite-bearing sands indicate that they

are not of commercial grade. No estimate of garnet is possible since it has not been
possible to separate it by floatation.
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I. INTRODUCTION
General:
This investigation was taken up to assess the potentiality of ilmenite and

garnet sands along the Karikal sea-coast between the 14th May and 16th June, 1969, in
accordance with the item No.NM/ME/35 on page No. 73, of the Annual Programme
for 1968-69. The work was carried out under the superintendence of Shri N.A.
Vemban, Director, Tamil Nadu Circle. The area investigated covers the Southern
0
Coastal part of Karaikal, Pondicherry State and lies between latitudes 10 51' and
0 0 0
10 51' and longitudes 79 50' and 79 51' forming parts of toposheet 58 N/l3.
Communication:
Karaikal, the largest town in the area, is connected by a metre gauge branch
line with the Peralam junction on the Tiruvalur-Mayavaram branch line of the
Southern Railway and is 302 km from Madras (Egmore). Akkaraivadi, where
prospecting was carried out, is 3 km. south of Karaikal, on the Karikal Nagapattanam
road and can be reached by an all-weather road. Nagapattanam, the nearest port, is
only 17 km. away.
Physiography:
The coastal belt near Karikal is a plain terrain devoid of sharp features,
excepting for migrating sand dunes. The area slopes gently towards east and is
drained by the rivers, Arasalar and Tirumalarajanar.
Climate:
The coastal region is usually hot during summer months, between April and
0
June. The mean highest day temperature is 36 C g and is recorded in May and the
0
mean lowest diurnal temperature of 20 C is usually reached in January.
Most of the annual rainfall is precipitated during the months of October and
November, the average being around 100 cm.
Previous Geological work:
Arogyaswamy (1957), made a preliminary examination of the black sand

occurrences in the Light House area near Karikal during the investigation for water
supply to Karikal town. He collected two samples from the area and carried out
mechanical analysis. Ganeshan (l96l) re-examined the area and recommended detailed
prospecting. Murthy (1966) recorded further occurrences in the coastal area from
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Melvanjiyur to Akkaraivadi and to the north of Light House. He observes that the
deposits are irregular and occur in patches.
Acknowledgements:
The author expresses his grateful thanks to the authorities of the U.N.B.P., and
the Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology (Madras) for
the help extended to him for utilising the laboratory facilities available in their
institutions.
II. DISTRIBUTION OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS

The area is covered by Sub-Recent to Recent alluvium and beach sands. In the
narrow coastal belt, 11 km along the 20 to 124 m wide, from the east of Melvanjiyur
to the north of Karikal Light House (Plate-I), ilmenite and garnet sands are-
distributed as irregular patches. These sands have been in all probability, brought
down by the rivers draining the area.
To the east of Akkaraivadi, ilmenite and garnet sands are seen along the coast
over a distance of 2.0 km and widths varying from 20 to 124 m. To the west of this
zone, the sands in the low lying areas are covered superficially by a hard clayey crust,
dark grey in colour. Immediately to the north of the confluence of the river
Tirumalarajanar, the beach is nearly 400 m. wide (Plate-II) The beach is narrow down
in width towards north because of sand duoes and casuarina plantations and again
widens near the confluence of river Arasalar with the sea. In this stretch, a 550 m.
long and 20 m. wide patch of ilmenite and garnet sands is noticeable.
From a study of pit sections (Table-I), it is evident that the concentration of

ilmenite and garnet sands is mostly restricted to a depth of 0.50 m, rarely reaching
1.00 m. Study of deeper pit sections was difficult due to shallow water-table
conditions.
In the coastal area between the confluence of Vettar R with the sea and to that
of Tirumalarajanar R with the sea, irregular patches of garnet- ilmenite sands, often
30 m. wide, are seen over a stretch of 6 km. Here again the pit sections (MU1 to PO1,
vide Table-I) show a concentration of heavy minerals upto a maximum depth of 0.80
m. only.
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III. SAMPLING
In order to obtain an idea of the concentration of ilmenite and garnet sands in
the above coastal strip, a total of 24 samples were collected from 6 pits measuring 1
m. in diameter to a depth of 1.50 m. from the east of Melvanjiyur to the north of
Karikal Light House, the pit being located at distances of nearly 1.6 km. from each
other (Plate-I). From each pit samples were collected for every 0.50 m depth and a
bulk of about fifty kilograms was progressively reduced by repeated coning and
quartering to obtain a final sample of one Kilogram, A separate composite sample
from a groove of uniform width and depth down the entire depth of the pit was also
collected and coned, and quartered, The sample for each depth interval was numbered
a, b and c from top to bottom and the composite sample as d.
In the area between the mouths of rivers Tirumalarajanar and Arasalar, over a
length of 6 km. intensive sampling was done along 8, E.W. lines covering an area of
0.50 sq.km. (Plate-II).
Lines I to IV were spaced at 200 m. intervals and lines IV to VIII were nearly
400 m. apart. In addition, three pits VI-A, VII-A and VII-A/A were sunk at locations
where the greatest concentration of the sands was noticed.
Pits were spaced 20 to 80 m. apart in each line and samples were collected at
0.50 m. depth intervals, as described earlier. A composite sample from each pit was
also drawn in the manner outlined.
In each line a deeper pit (marked D on Plate-II) was put down at the site of
greater concentration of the sands for getting an idea of their persistence upto in this
depth. Samples were collected as usual from the top at every 0.50 m depth, and a
composite sample for the entire depth. In order to study their concentration below the
seawater level, samples were collected from pits marked 0 at the eastern extremity of
the lines (Plate-II).
In all, 287 samples were collected from Akkaraivadi area, and including the 24
samples from the other pits, a total of 311 samples were drawn from the strip of coast
investigated. Details of the samples collected are given in Table-II.
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IV. ANALYSIS OF SANDS

Studies on the garnet and ilmenite sands of the Karikal coast were carried out
by using magnetic, electrical conductivity, radioactivity and surface tension
properties.
Mechanical Analysis:
In the first instance, one kilogram of the composite samples from eleven pits
(I/0, I-D, I/6, II-A, II-D, III-D, IV-D, V/l, VI-D, VII-A/A (Plate-II) and LX/2 (Plate-I)
from the Akkaraivadi and Karikal Light House areas were taken up for studies. The
samples were divided into two fractions, one of which was retained as duplicate for
further reference.
The remaining 500 grams was treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and
washed thoroughly in fresh water and air dried. He dried sample was weighed and
subjected to mechanical analysis by using sieves of 36,52, 72, 100, 120 and 150 (B.S.)
mesh sizes. Thus, for every sample seven fractions from + 36 to -150 were obtained.
Sieve analysis reveals a concentration of size range between -36 and -120 mesh size,
but mostly between -52 and -72 size. The fractions were individually weighed and the
results are given in Table-III.
Hand magnetic separation:
Each sieve fraction was subjected to separation of magnetite by using a hand

magnet. The magnetite content is generally low, ranging between 0.065 to 3.602%,
Sample LK/2d from the Karikal Light House area shows a maximum value of 7.224%
of magnetite (Table-III).
Chemical analysis of untreated sand:
Four untreated samples II-D 5, VII-A/A4, VI-A4 and VII-D5 were analysed
for their total content of Fe, TiO2 and Ni. One of the samples i.e. VII-D5 was sieved
and the fractions for -52 to -150 were analysed chemically. It is found that the Fe,
TiO2 and Ni contents are low. The TiO2 content ranges between 2.25 and 12.85 per
cent (Table IV a). Analysis of sieve fractions of sample VII-D5 without subjecting
then to magnetic and other methods of separations shows TiO2 percentage ranging
between 0.40 and 16.00%. The TiO2 content in the +120 fractions is low, being less
than 2.10% but the -120 fractions carry a fairly high TiO2 percentage of between
15.70 and 16.0%. But the total content of the -120 fraction in the whole sand is only
2.17% by weight (Table IV (a)).
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Electric Conductivity:
The sieve fractions of the sample from the eleven pits were individually
passed through Carpeo high tension laboratory separator, after the removal of
magnetite from them by hand magnet, to effect the separation of ‘non-conductor’
(attracted) and ‘conductor’ (not-attracted) fractions by electrically charging the grains.
In practice, it was found that 0.8 amperage of current separates the ‘non-conductor’
and ‘conductor’ fractions effectively. The fractions were weighed and the percentage
of the different sieve fractions calculated (Table-III).
The non-conductor fractions comprise ilmenite (partly altered to leucoxene

garnet, amphibole, chlorite, hypersthene (7) and minor amounts of quartz, feldspar
and mica. Rutile (?) Zircon (?) and monazite (?) are found in -72 to -150 sieve
fractions of slide. No. SC 2553 to 2556 and SC 2560 to 2563.
The proportion of garnet is found to be more in the sieve fraction from -36 to
+100 than in the size between -100 and -150 (slide Nos. SC 2550 to 2563). Other
minerals including ilmenite are minor in this range. Dominant ilmenite, with minor
garnet and other minerals are seen in the 'non-conductor’ (attracted) fractions in the
size range from -100 to +150. Thus a progressive increase in the proportion of
ilmenite is seen in the finer mesh sizes. The 'non-conductor’ fractions vary from
17.341 (Sample IV-D5) to 66.734% (Sample V/Id). The total percentage value of
maximum retention of 'non-conductors' ranges from 12.777 (Sample IV-D5) to
57.887 (Sample V/Id).
The 'conductor’ fractions consist essentially of quartz, felspars, mica,

amphibole and chlorite. Very minor amount of ilmenite and garnet are also found,
(slide Nos. SC 2543 to 2549 and SC 2564 to 2570). it is also noticed that Zircon (?)
and monazite (?) are found in the -120 and -150 sieve fractions even in the
‘conductors’ (not-attracted). However, the content of rare earths is not of any
economic significance.
Radio activity:
A study of monazite and zircon content by using Contamination Monitor has

not revealed the presence of Radio-active mineral in any appreciable quantity.
Baddeleyite (ZrO2) (?) is noticed in some of the samples (SC 2553, 2555 & 2559),
besides zircon and monazite (slide Nos. SC 2553 to 2556 and SC 2560 to 2563).
Chemical analysis of two samples from the Akkaraivadi area has also not brought out
the presence of rare earths (Table IV (b))
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Isodynamic separation:
The non-conductor (attracted) fractions of sample VII A/A4 were again

subjected to separation by using Frantz-Isodynamic separator; It is found that no
effective separation of garnet from ilmenite and of garnet and ilmenite from other
minerals is possible (Slide Nos. SC 2572 to 2577). However, partial concentrations of
garnet, with a fair amount of ilmenite, are obtained by adopting this method.
Studies by floatation:
This has been done in two stages, viz. magnetic separation followed by
floatation.
a) Magnetic Separation:
In order to study the recoverable garnet and ilmenite in the whole stretch of
Karikal coastal area investigated, 15 samples - MV/1a, PC/1a, I-D1, II-D5, III-D1, III-
D5, V/1d, VI-D1, VI-A4, VII-A/A1, VII A/A4, VIII/0, VIII/1d, LK/2a and IK/2d
were analysed by wet and dry magnetic separation at the Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras (Appendix I). It was found that the wet magnetic process is not
very effective. The separation of magnetics from these samples was effected by using
a dry magnetic separator. The 'magnetics’ contain essentially ilmenite (partly altered
to leucoxene) and magnetite, and comprise from 1.68 to 36.72% of the bulk) (Table
V). Only one sample contain 36.72% 'magnetics’ and four others more than 10%.
Minor amount of quartz, garnet, amphibole, hypersthene and monazite are also
noticed. (SCA 679 (a) to SC.A/693 (a)).
b) Floatation studies:
The non-magnetic fractions were subjected to floatation (by the Chemical

Engineering Division, I.I.T., Madras) with a view to separating the garnets from
ilmenite and other minerals. The percentage of floats varies from e to 60.9 (Table VI
(a)). It is found that garnet, if present in the sample, is amenable for concentration to a
fair extent only in the floats (Sample No. MV/1a, III-D1, V/1d, VI-A4, VII-A/A4,
LK/2a and LK/2d, and where the recovery of floats is less than 30% (of the whole
sample), a fair to good concentration of garnet is obtained. Only sample No. V/1d,
constituted by mixing all the ‘non-conductors’ from the electric conductivity process,
has yielded a recovery of 60.9% of floats containing a fair to good concentration of
garnet. However, a fair amount of ilmenite and other minerals are present even in the
floats. Thus effective separation of garnet from ilmenite and of both from other
minerals like quartz, feldspar, mica etc., is not achieved, (Sections SC 2580 to 2603).
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V. ESTIMATION OF ILMENITE CONTENT

From the analytical data, the ilmenite content was computed by assuming that
the Ilmenite contains 52.65% TiO2 and that the entire TiO2 content of the sands has
been derived from only ilmenite.
In such a case, the normative ilmenite content in the samples analysed as a

whole ranges from 4.25 to 24.4% (Table N (a) samples 1 to 3). The nickel value is
also low (50 to 100 ppm.)
Magnetic fractions from samples MV/1a, PC/1a, I-D1, II-D5, III-D1, III-D5,
V/1d, VI-D1, VI-A4, ' VII-A/A1, VII-A/A4, VIII/0, VIII/1d, LK/2a and LK/2d were
chemically analysed for Fe, TiO2 and Ni (Table V). By assuming that TiO2 has been
derived from ilmenite alone, normative ilmenite percentage in the fraction has been
arrived at. (Col. 10, Table V). By multiplying this ilmenite content with the
percentage of magnetic fractions (recovered by magnetic separation) and dividing the
product by 100 (ie., Col. 5 x Col. 12), the ilmenite present in the whole sand which
is100/ amenable to dry magnetic separation has been arrived at (Col. II) - (Table V).
This percentage ranges, between 0.28 and 17.33%. The majority of the values are
below 5.0% and only 3 are over 5%.
From floats and sinks:
Analytical data on the middling (MV/1a), floats (PC-1a, I-D1,) III-D5, V/1d,
VII-A/A4, and LK/2d) and sinks MV/1a, PC-/1a, 1-D1, III-D5, V/1d, VII/A/A4 and
LK/2d) show an ilmenite content (computed as mentioned above) between 0.79 and
13.99% with the exception of one sample which contains 31.08%, in the fractions not
attracted by dry magnetic separator (Table VI-A). From these data, the total ilmenite
content in samples MV/1a, PC/1a, I-D1, III-D5, V/1d, VII-A/A4 and LK/2d is arrived
at by adding up the ilmenite contents recovered as magnetic, float and sink fractions
(excepting in the case of MV/1a where only magnetics, middlings and sinks were
analysed). The total ilmenite content thus computed varies between 4.12 and 22.17%
with the exception of one sample which contains 43.54% (Table VI (b)).
At Manavalakurichi, in Kanyakumari district, the separated ilmenite carries

54% TiO2. Specifications of ilmenite concentrations used for manufacture of titanium
white vary from consumer to consumer, but most of them prefer concentrates
containing not less than 50% TiO2 (Indian Minerals Year Book P.381 , 1966). Since
the highest TiO2 values in the magnetic and non-magnetic bearing sands or Karikal
are ‘sunk’ fractions are 24.85 and 32% respectively, the ilmenite too low a grade for
economic exploitation.
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VI. RESERVE ESTIMATION
Determination of bulk density:
In order to determine the ‘insitu’ bulk density, two samples were collected;
one each from Akkaraivadi area (near Pit D on Line IV, Plate II) and another from
near the Light House area of Karikal (near LK/1, Plate I). An wooden frame with an
inside volume of half a cu.m. (1m x 1m x 0.50 m) was placed on the garnet-ilmenite
sands and the frame was gradually lowered with the sand for its total thickness (0.50
m) Material from this half a cu.m, volume was collected and air dried and weighed by
using a platform balance. The sample from Akkaraivadi area weighed 651.6 Kg.,
indicating a bulk density of 1,303.2 Kg/Cu.m. The material from Light House area,
Karikal weighed 627.4 Kg. indicates a bulk density of 1254.8 Kg/ Cu.m. Thus an
average bulk density of 1.2785 Kg/Cu.m. is arrived at for the garnet-ilmenite sands of
Karikal. A few determinations of specific gravity on samples by using specific gravity
bottle were made and are detailed in Table VII. This is much above the bulk density
and in estimating the reserves only the bulk density is taken with consideration.
RESERVES
1. Melvanjiyur - Tirumalarajanpatnam area:
Assuming an average width of 30 m for the area from Melvanjiyur (MV/1) to

the north east of Tirumalarajanpatnam (PC/1) over a distance of 6 km, a volume of
2,70,000 cu.m. of sands will be available to a depth of 1.50 m.
MV/1a is estimated to contain 7.49% ilmenite by weight and PC/1a analyses

21.57% of ilmenite (Table VI b).
The average bulk density is 1.2785.
The area of influence of MV/1a is 3 km. and that of PC/1a is 3 km.
The inferred reserves of raw sand containing ilmenite garnet and under the
influence of MV/1a will be 135,000 x 1.2785 = 172,597.5 or say 172,600 tonnes.
Thus the ilmenite available in this area will be 172,600 x 7.49/100 = 12,927.7 or say
12,930 tonnes. Of this only 2.57% will be amenable to separation by dry magnetic
process. Thus 12,930 x 2.59/10 = 332.3 tonnes reserve of 330 tonnes of ilmenite will
be recoverable.
Similarly, the volume of 135,000 cu.m of raw sand from Tirumalarajanpatnam

area is expected to yield 172,600 tonnes ilmenite garnet sand. Ilmenite content in this
area is 21.57%. Thus the available reserves will be 172,600 x 21.57/ 100 = 37,229.8
or say 37,230 tonnes. Of this only 37,230 x 5.85/100 = 2177.9 or say 2,180 (inferred
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reserves of recoverable ilmenite) tonnes. Thus in the Melvanjiyur-

Tirumalarajanpatnam area a total inferred reserve of 50,160 (12,930+ 37,230) tonnes
of ilmenite will be available. Of this only 2,510 tonnes are recoverable by dry
magnetic process.
Since the water table is shallow (550 m from the surface) only one third of this
is recoverable ilmenite should be reckoned with. This will approximately yield only
840 tonnes of recoverable ilmenite (inferred reserve).
2. AKKARAIVAII AREAS:
(a) Line I to half the distance between Lines IV and V.
The area is flat, with the width of beach overaging 100 m. and its length 800
m. A volume of 120,000 cu.m. of raw sand is estimated upto a depth of 1.50 m. or a
bulk density of 1.2785, the inferred reserves will be 120,000 x 1.2735 = 153,096 or
say 153,100 tonnes. The ilmenite content varies abnormally between 4.12 (III-D5)
and 43.54 (I-L1) percent by weight.
The value for I-I, is high probably due to its being very near to the northern
bank of Tirumalarajanar R (Plate II). Even the very best (megascopically) samples
from Karikal Light House area (LK/2d) where concentration is more extensive, have
yielded. Only 22.17% ilmenite. So, for the computation of the total ilmenite content
the value of sample III-D5 is only taken into account. Thus, the ilmenite content will
be 153,100 x 4.12/100 = 6,233.5 or say 6,230 tonnes. Of this only 1.01% (average of
II - D.5 and III-D.5) will be amenable for concentration by dry magnetic process,
which will yield a reserve of 6,230 x l.0l/l00 = 62.9 or say 63 tonnes. Of this only one
third (21 tonnes) should be considered as available reserve ie., upto a depth of 0.50 m.
wherein concentration is visible.
(b) Area of half the distance between the Lines IV and V and, half the distance
between VI and VII.
The length of this patch is 800 m, whereas the width is only 30m. A volume of
24,000 Cu.m. will be available upto a depth of 1.50 m. For a bulk density of 1.2753,
the inferred reserves of raw sand are 30,620 tonnes. Its ilmenite content is 13.33% by
weight. So the available ilmenite content in this patch will be 4,080 tonnes. Of this
only 0.56% is amenable Ø for concentration by dry magnetic process, yielding 4080 x
0.56/l00 = 26.85 or say 27 tonnes recoverable reserve. Only one third (ie., 9 tonnes)
will be available above the water table.
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(c) Area of half the distance between Lines VI and Lines VII and little beyond
Line VIII.
For a length of 600 m, of this part of the coast, having a width of 60 m. and
depth of 1.50 m, a volume of 54,000 Cu.m, of raw sands is estimated. The bulk
specific gravity is 1.2758. The reserve of raw sand will be 54,000 x 1.2758 = 68,883.2
or say 68,900 tonnes. Ilmenite content of samples VII-A/AG is 19.48%. Thus the
inferred reserves are estimated at 69,900 x 19.49 /l00 = 13,428.6 or say 13,430 tonnes.
of this only 4.97% is recoverable by dry magnetic process. Thus the recoverable by
dry magnetic process ilmenite is 13,430 x 4.97/100 = 6.375 or say 670 tonnes. Of this
only one third (i.e., 223 tonnes) will have to be considered as available above water
table.
Of this, notable concentration occurs in the area marked by VI-A, VII/2, VII/3,
VII/A and VII-A/A measuring nearly 550 x 30 m.
Thus in the Akkaraivadi area, a total inferred reserves of 23,740 tonnes of

ilmenite is estimated upto a depth of 1.50 m. Of this only 760 tonnes of ilmenite is
likely to be recoverable by dry magnetic processes.
3. Light House area, Karikal:
Two pits LK/1, and LK/2 separated by a distance of nearly 2.0 km, (vide Plate
I) were put down in the Light House area of Karikal and samples were collected from
them. Sample LX/2d shows an ilmenite content of 22.17% by weight. However
LK/2a representing a depth of 0.50 m. from the surface shows 17.33% of ilmenite,
which can be recovered by dry magnetic process, from the ‘magnetics’. Further the
specific gravity of LK/1a is 329 and suggests a greater concentration of ‘heavier’ in
the area. Since the beach is fairly wide it is suggested that further work may be taken
up for assessing the potentiality of the area.
The total reserves of raw sand and of ilmenite from Akkaraivadi areas are of
the order of 597,820 tonnes and 73,900 tonnes respectively upto a depth of 1.50 m. Of
this only 3,270 (2510 + 760) tonnes are recoverable by dry magnetic separation. The
TiO2 content of richest sample is only 24.85% (Sample LK/2a, Column 8, Table V)
excluding the value of 32% of TiO2 for sinks of sample I-D1 which is considered
abnormal.
It is evident from the study of pit sections that garnet and ilmenite sands are
concentrated generally upto a depth of 0.50 m. from the surface only. Further the
water table is very shallow, generally at 0.50 m. The TiO2 content (5.69 to 24.85%)
column 8, Table V) in the ilmenite recoverable by dry magnetic process is also low.
14
SRO_GSI_3926
The total TiO2 content of sands recoverable by dry magnetic separation and by
floatation (Table V (b) Col. 7) is also low being between 2.7 and 22.92% only. Garnet
present along with ilmenite does not get separated.
Thus the deposit of ilmenite and garnet sands in the Melvanjiyur- Akkaraivadi
area of Karikal coast cannot be considered as promising.
VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Ilmenite and garnet sands are seen in the coastal areas of Melvanjiyur,
Kilvanjiyur, Akkaraivadi and Karikal. Samples were collected by pitting at intervals
of 1.6 km. along the coast.
In the area to the east of Akkaraivadi, ilmenite and garnet sands occur as
irregular patches; generally their concentration is restricted to a depth of 0.50 m,
rarely reaching 1.00 m. After washing, the samples were mechanically sieved by
using 36, 52, 72, 100, 120 and 150 (B.S.) mesh sizes. Sieve analysis of some samples
reveals a concentration of size range between - 36 and - 120 mesh size, mostly
between -52 and -72 size.
It is found that the magnetite in the samples from Akkaraivadi area (by using
hand magnet) is generally 0.085 to 3.60% by weight. The maximum value of 7.224%
is seen in the area of Karikal Light House (Sample LK/2d) (Table III).
By using Carpeo high tension laboratory separator, sieve fractions (after

removal of magnetite by hand magnet) of eleven selected samples (I/0, I-D5, I-6d, II-
A4, II-D5, III-D5, IV-D5, V/1d, VI-D5,VII-A/A4 and LK/2d) well analysed for their
‘non-conductor’ (Attracted) and ‘conductor’ (not attracted) fractions. It is found that
the total ‘non-conductors’ content ranges between .17.431 (IV-D5) and 66.734
(V/1d). It is noticed that in the ‘non-conductor’ fraction, garnet is more in the -36 and
+100 fractions and ilmenite is dominant in the -100 and +150 fractions. The
‘conductor (fraction) consists essentially of quartz and felspar. Amphiboles,
hypersthene (?), chlorite and mica are present in both the fractions. In the finer mesh
sizes rare grains of monazite (?), Zircon (?) and rutile (?) are seen in both the
fractions.
By subjecting the ‘non-conductor’ fractions to separation by Frantz

Isodynamic separator, no appreciable concentration of garnet or ilmenite could be
achieved.
15 samples MV/1a, Po/1a, I-D1, II-D5, III-D1, III-D5, V/1d, VI-D1, VI-A/4,
VII-A/A1, VII-A/A4, VIII/0, VIII/1d, LK/2a and LK/2d were studied by wet and dry
magnetic processes. Floatation studies were carried out on the non-magnetic fractions
15
SRO_GSI_3926
of these samples. It is found that wet magnetic process is not very effective. By using
a powerful dry magnet, a ‘magnetic’ fraction of 1.68 to 36.72, containing TiO2
percentage between 12.65 and 24.85 (excluding sample VIII/0) is obtained. The non-
magnetic fractions analyses TiO2 between 1.40 and 13.52%, excluding the ‘sinks’ of
I-D1 (which shows an abnormal value of 32% TiO2 (Tables V and VI-A).
The normative ilmenite content for the whole sample by assuming that
ilmenite contains 52.65% TiO2 and that all the TiO2 is derived from ilmenite, varies
between 4.12 and 43.54% by weight (Table VI (b)),
A total inferred reserve of 50,160 tonnes of ilmenite has been computed upto a
depth of 1.50 m, for the Melvanjiyur-Tirumalarajanpatnam area. Of this 2,510 tonnes
can be recovered by the dry magnetic process.
In the Akkaraivadi area, a total inferred reserve of 23,740 tonnes of ilmenite

has been estimated upto a depth of 1.50 m. Of this 760 tonnes can be recovered by the
dry magnetic process. A notable concentration of ilmenite and garnet is found in a
small patch in the northern part of the Akkaraivadi area.
Two samples LK/2a and LK/2d collected from the Light House area of
Karikal, show recoverable ilmenite contents of 17.33 and 22.17% respectively Table;
V and VI (b). This area appears to be more promising than the others.
No estimate for garnet is possible since it did not get separated on floatation.
The TiO2 content of the richest sample is 24.85% (Sample LK/2a, column 8,
Table V). The Highest value of 32% of TiO2 noted in the ‘sinks’ of sample I-D1 is
considered to be an isolated one. In this context it should be noted that specifications
of ilmenite concentrates used for the manufacture of titanium white vary from
consumer to consumer, but most of them prefer concentrates containing not less than
50% TiO2. Further, concentrates of separated ilmenite from the Manavalakurichi
(Kanyakumari district) contain 54% TiO2 and concentrates containing less than 45%
TiO2 do not have a ready market. In view of the above, the ilmenite bearing sands of
Karikal coast are considered to be of too low a grade for commercial exploitation.
In the area to the east of Karikal Light House further work may be taken up for
fully assessing its potentiality in view of moderate concentration of ilmenite and
garnet.
16
SRO_GSI_3926
(Sd/-) S.M. Sundaram, Geologist (Sr.)

(Sd/-) N.A. Vemban, Director, Geological Survey of India, T.N. Circle.
APPROVED
(Sd/-) C. Karunakaran, Deputy Director General,
Southern Region.
17
SRO_GSI_3926
REFERENCES
AROGYASWAMY, R.N.P. 1957 Note on the beach sands near Karikal,
Pondicherry State'. Geological Survey of
India (Unpublished Report).
GANESHAN.K. 1957 Progress report for the field season 1959- 60:
'Geology and mineral resources of Karikal,
MURTHY, N.G.K. 1966 Progress report for the field season 1964-65:
'Geology of the Karikal Settlements,
TICKELL, F.G. 1965 The Techniques of sedimentary mineralogy
pp. 51-53. Elsevier Publishing Company
Amsterdam.
- 1968 Indian Minerals Year Book, pp. 381
18
SRO_GSI_3926
LOCALITY INDEX
Locality Latitude Longitude T.S. No.

AKKARAIVADI 10 54 00 79 50 00 58 N/13
KARIKAL 10 55 00 79 50 00 58 N/13
KILVANJIYUR 10 51 00 79 51 00 58 N/13
LIGHT HOUSE , KARIKAL 10 55 00 79 51 00 58 N/13
MAYAVARAM 11 05 00 79 40 00 58 N/12
NEGAPATAM 10 48 00 79 51 00 58 N/13
MELVANJIYUR 10 50 00 79 50 00 58 N/13
PERALAM 10 58 00 79 40 00 58 N/09
TIRUMALARAJANPATNAM 10 53 00 79 50 00 58 N/13
TIRUVALUR 10 46 00 79 38 00 58 N/09
19
SRO_GSI_3926
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE-I: LITHOLOGICAL LOG OF PITS FOR ILMENITE-

GARNET SANDS IN THE KARIKAL COAST
Line Depth in (cm)

Description
No. Pit No From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
1 D 0 12 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
12 16 Light brown sand.
16 20 Ilmenite sands.
20 44 Grey colour sands with thin bands of
Ilmenite and garnet.
44 48 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
48 56 Light grey sands.
Light grey sands with thin bands of black
56 75 and red sands.
Water level at 75 cm.
- 11 0 56 Grey coloured sand with thin bands of
Ilmenite and garnet sands.
56 200 Clay
3 0 3 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
13 30 Ilmenite and garnet sand.
30 34 Light grey sand.
38 60 Light grey sand with thin bands of
II 11 0 4 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
4 6 Grey sands.
6 21 Grey sands with thin bands of Ilmenite and
garnets.
21 39 Greyish sandy clay.
39 79 Grey sand with thin bands of Ilmenite and
garnet.
79 270 Greyish sandy clay
20
SRO_GSI_3926
Line Depth in (cm)

Description
No. Pit No From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
III D 0 8 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
14 80 Light grey sand with thin Ilmenite and
garnet bands.
IV D 0 28 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
V D 0 28 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
28 32 Light yellow sands.
VI A 0 13 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
13 23 Yellow white sand.
23 80 Light grey sands, with Ilmenite and garnet.
VII 3 Light grey sand with thin bands of garnet
0 28 and Ilmenite.
28 80 Alternating bands of Ilmenite, Garnet and
quartz.
21
SRO_GSI_3926
Line Depth in (cm)

Description
No. Pit No From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
VII A A 0 37 Ilmenite and garnet sands (rich).
65 84 Grey sand with thin bands of Ilmenite and
garnet.
92 108 Light grey sand with Thin bands of
VIII 2 0 13 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
13 17 Light yellow sand.
17 20 Ilmenite and garnet sands
20 44 Alternate bands of Ilmenite and garnet,
and light grey sands.
64 68 Ilmenite-garnet sands.
88 92 Ilmenite garnet sands.
VIII 11 0 17 Light grey sands.
36 60 Light grey sand with thin bands of garnet
and Ilmenite.
MV-1 1 0 16 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
KV-1 1 0 12 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
16 44 Ilmenite and garnet sands with thin bands
of quartz.
22
SRO_GSI_3926
Line Depth in (cm)

Description
No. Pit No From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
TP-1 1 0 44 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
44 84 Light grey sands with thin bands of garnet,
and Ilmenite.
PO-1 1 0 25 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
25 55 Light grey sands with thin bands of garnet,
and Ilmenite.
55 83 Ilmenite and garnet sands with thin bands
of light coloured sands.
LK-1 1 0 8 Ilmenite and garnet sands.
13 24 Alternate bands of light coloured sands
and Ilmenite and garnet.
28 64
Alternate bands of light coloured sands
and thin Ilmenite-garnet sands.
64 92 Light coloured sands.
LK-2 1 0 13 Ilmenite-garnet sands.
13 21 Light grey sands with thin bands of garnet
and Ilmenite.
61 85 Ilmenite-garnet sands.
23
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-II: DETAILS OF SAMPLE COLLETED FROM

AKKARAIVADI, KARIKAL
Line Pit No. Sample Total

No. Depth in (cm) No. Remark
From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
0 0.00 0.50 0 1 (Collected under water)
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
(Composite sample)
0.50 1.00 1/b 2
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
0.50 1.00 2/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 2/c
0.00 1.50 2/d 4
3 0.00 1.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 3/c
0.00 1.50 3d 4
4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 4/c
0.00 1.50 4/d 4
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
(Composite sample)
0.50 1.00 5/b 2
I 6 0.00 0.50 6/a
0.50 1.00 6/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 6/c
0.00 1.50 6/d 4
7 0.00 0.50 7/a
0.50 1.00 7/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 1/c
0.00 1.50 7/d 4
8 0.00 0.50 8/a
0.50 1.00 8/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 8/c
0.00 1.50 8/d 4
9 0.00 0.50 9/a
0.50 1.00 9/b
(Composite sample)
1.00 1.50 9/c
0.00 1.50 9/d 4
10 0.00 0.50 10/a
0.50 1.00 10/b 4 (Composite Sample)
24
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
1.00 1.50 10/c
0.00 1.50 10/d
11 0.00 0.50 11/a
0.50 1.00 11/b
1.00 1.50 11/c 3 (Composite Sample)
D 0.00 0.50 D/1
0.50 1.00 D/2
1.00 1.50 D/3
1.50 2.00 D/4
0.00 2.00 D/5 5 (Composite Sample)
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
0.50 1.00 2/b
3 0.00 0.00 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
II
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
0.50 1.00 5/b
6 0.00 0.50 6/a
0.50 1.00 6/b
7 0.00 0.50 7/a
0.50 1.00 7/b
8 0.00 0.50 8/a
0.50 1.00 8/b
9 0.00 0.50 9/a
0.50 1.00 9/b
25
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
10 0.00 0.50 10/a
0.50 1.00 10/b
11 0.00 0.50 11/a
0.50 1.00 11/b
12 0.00 0.50 12/a
0.50 1.00 12/b
A 0.00 0.50 A/1
0.50 1.00 A/2
1.00 1.50 A/3
0.00 1.50 A/4 4 (Composite Sample)
D 0.00 0.50 D/1
0.50 1.00 D/2
1.00 1.50 D/3
0.00 2.00 D/4
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
0.00 1.50 1/d 4 (Composite Sample)
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
0.50 1.00 2/b
1.00 1.50 2/c
III 0.00 1.50 2/d 4 (Composite Sample)
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
1.00 1.50 4/c
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
0.50 1.00 5/b
III
1.00 1.50 5/c
26
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
6 0.00 0.50 6/a
0.50 1.00 6/b
1.00 1.50 6/c
7 0.00 0.50 7/a
0.50 1.00 7/b
1.00 1.50 7/c
8 0.00 0.50 8/a
0.50 1.00 8/b
1.00 1.50 8/c
9 0.00 0.50 9/a
0.50 1.00 9/b
1.00 1.50 9/c
10 0.00 0.50 10/a
0.50 1.00 10/b
1.00 1.50 10/c
1.50 2.00 10/d
0.00 2.00 10/e 5 (Composite Sample)
D 0.00 0.50 D/a
0.50 1.00 D/b
1.00 1.50 D/c
1.50 2.00 D/d
0.00 2.00 D/e 5 (Composite Sample)
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
IV
0.50 1.00 2/b
1.00 1.50 2/c
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
27
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
1.00 1.50 4/c
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
0.50 1.00 5/b
1.00 1.50 5/b
6 0.00 0.50 6/a
0.50 1.00 6/b
1.00 1.50 6/c
D 0.00 0.50 D/1
0.50 1.00 D/2
1.00 1.50 D/3
0.00 2.00 D/4
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
V 0.50 1.00 2/b
1.00 1.50 2/c
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
VI 0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
0.50 1.00 2/b
VI
1.00 1.50 2/c
28
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
D 0.00 0.50 D/a
0.50 1.00 D/b
1.00 1.50 D/c
1.50 2.00 D/d
0.00 2.00 D/e 5 (Composite Sample)
A 0.00 0.50 A/a
0.50 1.00 A/b
1.00 1.50 A/c
0.00 1.50 A/d 4 (Composite Sample)
A 0.00 0.50 A/1
0.50 1.00 A/2
1.00 1.50 A/3
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
VII 0.50 1.00 2/b
1.00 1.50 2/c
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
1.00 1.50 4/c
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
0.50 1.00 5/b
VII 1.00 1.50 5/c
6 0.00 0.50 6/a 4 (Composite Sample)
29
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
0.50 1.00 6/b
1.00 1.50 6/c
0.00 1.50 6/d
D 0.00 0.50 D/1
0.50 1.00 D/2
1.00 1.50 D/3
0.50 2.00 D/4
A 0.00 0.50 A/1
0.50 1.00 A/2
VII-A
1.00 1.50 A/3
1 0.00 0.50 1/a
0.50 1.00 1/b
1.00 1.50 1/c
2 0.00 0.50 2/a
0.80 1.00 2/b
1.00 1.50 2/c
3 0.00 0.50 3/a
0.50 1.00 3/b
1.00 1.50 3/c
VIII 4 0.00 0.50 4/a
0.50 1.00 4/b
1.00 1.50 4/c
5 0.00 0.50 5/a
0.50 1.00 5/b
1.00 1.50 5/c
6 0.00 0.50 6/a
0.50 1.00 6/b
1.00 1.50 6/c
0.00 1.50 6/d 4.00 (Composite Sample)
7 0.00 0.50 7/a
0.50 1.00 7/b 4.00 (Composite Sample)
30
SRO_GSI_3926

From To
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
1.00 1.50 7/c
0.00 1.50 7/d
8 0.00 0.50 8/a
0.50 1.00 8/b
1.00 1.50 8/c
9 0.00 0.50 9/a
0.50 1.00 9/b
1.00 1.50 9/c
11 0.00 0.50 11/a
0.50 1.00 11/b
1.00 1.50 11/c
D 0.00 2.00 D/1 1.00 (Composite Sample)
31
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-III: ANALYICAL RESULTS OF BEACH SANDS
Sample No. Sieve Magnetite Non-conductor Conductors Total

size (Percent) (Attracted) (not per-
(B.S.) attracted) cent
(by using Carpco Separator)
(Percent)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
+36 Nil 0.121 0.930 1.051
-36 Nil 0.791 5.140 5.931
I/0 -52 Nil 16.367 42.012 58.379
*(SCA/552) -72 Nil 1.578 2.469 4.047
(1-21) ** -100 Nil 8.549 18.707 27.256
-120 0.027 1.298 0.452 1.777
-150 0.050 0.794 0.151 0.995
Total 0.077 29.498 69.861 99.436
* I-D5 +36 0.002 0.110 0.658 0.770
(SCA/554) -36 0.002 0.859 2.732 3.593
(1-21) **
-52 0.089 21.246 37.903 59.238
-72 0.042 12.274 15.187 27.505
-100 0.030 2.798 1.550 4.378
-120 0.039 1.637 0.477 2.153
-150 0.209 1.543 0.181 1.933
Total 0.413 40.467 58.69 99.570
I/6d * +36 Nil 0.200 1.831 2.031
(SCA/558) -36 Nil 0.991 9.838 10.829
(1-21) **
-52 0.002 11.539 51.363 62.904
-72 0.009 7.055 12.637 19.701
-100 0.004 1.410 1.124 2.538
-120 0.016 0.753 0.284 1.053
-150 0.034 0.402 0.066 0.502
Total 0.065 22.350 77.143 99.558
II-A4 * +36 Nil 0.086 0.191 0.277
( SCA/568 ) -36 Nil 0.388 0.909 1.297
(1-21) **
-52 0.018 26.905 22.801 49.724
-72 0.021 23.733 14.189 37.943
-100 0.010 4.274 0.764 5.049
-120 0.041 2.441 0.168 2.650
-150 0.098 2.320 0.046 2.464
Total 0.188 60.148 39.068 99.404
II-D5 * +36 Nil 0.185 1.132 1.317
(SCA/574 ) -36 Nil 0.973 2.401 3.374
(1-21) ** 0.067
-52 14.386 39.114 53.967
32
SRO_GSI_3926

(Percent)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
-72 0.046 9.633 21.991 31.670
-100 0.037 2.084 2.075 4.196
-120 0.058 1.474 0.917 2.449
-150 0.154 1.763 0.371 2.288
Total 0.362 30.498 68.401 99.261
III-D5 +36 Nil 0.315 6.763 7.078
(*)(SCA/580) -36 Nil 1.403 9.341 10.744
(1-21) ** 0.077
-52 11.110 33.936 45.123
-72 0.082 10.017 18.354 28.453
-100 0.045 2.085 1.775 3.906
-120 0.065 1.469 0.611 2.146
-150 0.398 1.602 0.237 2.237
Total +36 0.668 28.001 71.017 99.686
-36 Nil 0.446 6.971 7.417
-52 0.020 4.756 44.424 49.200
IV-D5
*( SCA/584) -72 0.035 1.724 14.025 15.784
(1-21) ** 0.028 6.297 14.542 20.827
Total 12.777
-100 0.066 1.702 1.248 3.016
-120 0.091 1.252 0.174 1.517
-150 0.178 1.164 0.381 1.723
+36 0.006 0.596 0.861 1.463
-36 0.011 1.629 2.987 4.627
-52 0.204 31.070 21.210 52.484
V/1d
*(SCA/586) -72 0.547 21.765 5.341 27.653
(1-21 )** -100 0.169 5.062 0.288 5.519
Total 57.897
-120 0.317 3.464 0.122 3.903
-150 0.566 3.148 0.110 3.824
Total 1.820 66.734 30.919 99.473
VI-D5 +36 Nil 0.31 0.664 0.974
-36 Nil 0.466 3.441 3.907
-52 0.121 12.414 35.133 47.668
-72 0.344 16.532 14659 31.535
-100 0.263 5.274 1.430 6.967
-120 0.338 5.068 0.608 5.999
-150 0.564 1.757 0.191 2.512
33
SRO_GSI_3926

(Percent)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Total 1.630 41.811 56.121 99.562
VII-A/A4 +36 Nil 0.234 2.239 2.473
(SCA/605) -36 0.013 1.891 4.708 6.612
(1-21) **
-52 0.310 23.179 19.794 43.283
-72 1100 23.145 5.759 30004
-100 0.839 7.336 0.503 8.678
-120 0.611 3.846 0.186 4.643
-150 0.729 2.733 0.197 3.659
Total 3.602 62.364 33.386 99.352
LK/2 d +36 0.001 0.216 3.344 3.561
*(SCA/618) -36 0.007 0.823 4.915 5.745
(1-21) **
-52 0.080 7.537 15.137 22754
-72 2.708 29.161 10.099 41.968
-100 2.353 10.128 0.577 13.058
-120 1.076 5.932 0.311 7.319
-150 0.999 3.743 0.372 5.144
Total 7.224 57.54 34.755 99.519
Analysed at Petrological Laboratory, Southern Regional Office, Geological Survey of
India, Hyderabad.
* Represents Registered Laboratory Numbers.
** (1 to 21) 1-7 Represents magnetite
8-15 Represents non-conductors fraction
16-21 Represents conductor fraction.
34
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-IV (A): ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF GARNET-ILMENITE SANDS, KARIKAL COAST
SI. Registration Sample Sieve Percentage Chemical analysis (*) Estimated Remarks
NO. No. No. size in Wt. Fe% TiO2 Ni probable
(B.S.) % (ppm) ilmenite
content%
Un sieved and not magnetically
1 SCA/554 II- D5 - - 4.47 2.25 75 4.25 separated.
VII -
2 SCA/605 A/A4 - - 15.64 12.85 100 24.4 -do-
VI - A-
3 SCA/597 4 - - 8.94 5.70 50 10.82 -do-
Not magnetically separated Average
Ilmenite content in whole sample is
4 SCA/559 (10) VII-D5 +52 41.26 1.79 0.40 50 0.76 16.17% by weight.
5 SCA/559 (11) VII-D5 -72 14.38 4.47 2.10 100 3.98 -do-
6 SCA/559 (12) VII-D5 -100 2.03 3.58 2.10 50 3.98 -do-
7 SCA/559 (13) VII-D5 -120 1.11 16.19 15.70 50 29.63 -do-
8 SCA/559 (14) VII-D5 -150 1.06 25.02 16.00 75 30.39 -do-
(*) Analysed at the Chemical Laboratory, Geological Survey of India, Tamil Nadu Circle.
+ Higher sieve fractions of + 36 (14.54%) and - 36 (24.91%) contain very little visible garnet and ilmenite.
35
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-IV (b): ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF RARE EARTHS,

KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY
S. No. Registration No. Sample No. Chemical Analysis *

1 SCA/597 VI-A4 Rare earths not present
2 SCA/574 II-D5 -do-
* Analysed at the Chemical Laboratory, Geological Survey of India,
Tamil Nadu Circle.
36
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-V: RESULTS OF THE STUDIES ON SEPARATION OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS BY DRY

MAGNETIC SEPARATOR.
SI. Registration Sample Non- Magnetic Total Chemical Analysis (*) Estimated Total (**) Remark
No. Sample No. No. magnetite fraction % recovery (magnetic fraction) ilmenite ilmenite
fraction % content content
% Fe% TiO2 Ni % recovered as
% (ppm) magnetics %
(Col. (5) x
(10) Col/l00
1 SCA/679 (a) MV/1a 92.12 7.59 99.71 37.98 17.84 50 33.88 2.57
2 SCA/680 (a) PC/1a 86.89 12.95 99.84 40.21 23.78 50 45.16 5.85
3 SCA/681 (a) I-D1 97.97 1.68 99.65 27.25 13.83 100 26.26 0.44
4 SCA/682( a) II-D5 96.25 3.37 99.62 25.02 12.65 75 24.02 0.81
5 SCA/683 (a) III-D1 93.88 5.72 99.60 34.62 22.30 50 42.36 2.42
6 SCA/684 (a) III-D5 96.71 2.95 99.66 30.16 21.45 50 40.74 1.20
7 SCA/685 (a) V-1d 97.65 1.82 99.47 18.99 16.35 50 31.05 0.56
8 SCA/686 (a) VI-D1 90.40 9.17 99.57 36.86 22.93 75 43.55 3.99
9 SCA/687 (a) VI-A4 95.45 4.00 99.45 27.92 23.15 50 43.97 1.76
10 SCA/688 (a) VII- 89.10 10.46 99.56 42.45 23.57 75 44.76 4.68
A/A1
11 SCA/689 (a) VII- 88.49 11.11 99.59 43.56 23.57 50 44.76 4.97
A/A4
12 SCA/690 (a) VIII-0 97.07 2.60 99.66 8.94 5.69 50 10.81 0.28
13 SCA/691 (a) VIII/1d 97.67 2.06 90.73 22.34 16.35 50 31.05 0.64
14 SCA/692 (a) LK/2a 63.01 36.72 99.73 49.15 24.85 50 47.21 17.33
15 SCA/693 (a) LK/2d 83.32 16.50 99.82 44.68 23.57 75 44.76 7.39
(**) Estimates of ilmenite content (percentage by weight) recovered as magnetics from the whole sample.
37
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-VI (A): RESULTS OF FLOATATION STUDIES CARRIED OUT ON NON-MAGNETIC

FRACTIONS
SI. Regn. No. Regn. No. Sample Descrip Reco Chemical Estimated Recovery Ilmenite Remarks
No of of Slides No. tion of -very Analysis (*) ilmenite of content in
. Samples sample Fe% TiO2 content non- whole
% magnetics sample%
(Col.6x
9x10/100
x100)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 SCA/679 (b) SCA 2580 MV/1a Floats 6 92.12 Garnet (good) ilmenite
and others
2 SCA/679 (c) SCA 2581 MV/1a Middlin 16 4.03 3.05 5.79 92.12 0.85 Ilmenite (fair) garnet
g and others.
3 SCA/679 (d) SCA 2582 MV/1a Sinks 78 3.36 2.99 5.67 92.12 4.07 Quartz, felspar &
ilmenite.
4 SCA/680 (b) SC 2597 PC/1a Floats 38 8.29 8.37 15.89 86.89 5.25 Garnet (fair), ilmenite
and others.
5 SCA/680 (a) SC 2598 PC/1a Sinks 62 10.0 10.24 19.44 86.89 10.47 Quartz, ilmenite &
8 others.
6 SCA/681 (b) SC 2583 I-D1 Floats 47.8 11.6 13.52 25.67 97.97 12.02 Garnet (fair), ilmenite
8 and others.
7 SCA/681 (a) SC 2584 I-D1 Sinks 52.2 27.5 32.00 60.77 97.97 31.08 Ilmenite (good), garnet
5 and others.
8 SCA/682 (b) SC 2585 II-D5 floats 10 - - 96.25 - Quartz, felspar and
garnet.
9 SCA/682 (c) SC 2586 II-D5 Sinks 90 - - - 96.25 - Quartz & other minerals
10 SCA/683 (b) - III-D1 Floats 3 - - - 93.88 - -
11 SCA/683 (c) - III-D1 Sinks 97 - - - 93.88 - -
38
SRO_GSI_3926
% magnetics sample%
(Col.6x
9x10/100
x100)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
12 SCA/684 (b) SC 2587 III-D5 floats 18.4 2.69 2.4 4.55 96.71 0.61 Quartz, felspar, ilmenite
etc.,
13 SCA/684 (c) SC 2588 III-D5 Sinks 81.7 1.79 1.4 2.66 96.71 2.11 Quartz, felspar, ilmenite
etc.,
14 SCA/685 (b) SC 2589 V/1d floats 60.9 6.49 5.39 10.23 97.65 6.08 Garnet (Good), ilmenite
& others.
15 SCA/685 (a) SC 2590 V/1d Sinks 39.1 8.96 9.23 17.53 97.65 6.69 Quartz, ilmenite &
others
16 SCA/686 (b) SC 2595 VI-D1 floats 12 - 90.40 - Garnet (good), ilmenite
& others.
17 SCA/686 (c) SC 2596 VI-D1 sinks 87 - - - 90.40 - Quartz, ilmenite &
others
18 SCA/687 (b) - VI-A4 floats 6 - - - 95.45 - -
19 SCA/087 (c) - VI-A4 sinks 94 - - - 6.45 - -
20 SCA/688 (b) SC 2593 VII- floats 10.4 - - 89.10 - Garnet (good), ilmenite
A/A1 & others.
21 SCA/688 (c) SC 2594 VII- Sinks 89.6 - - - 89.10 - Quartz, felspar and
A/A1 others
22 SCA/689 (b) SC 2591 VII- floats 26.2 8.06 4.55 8.64 88.48 2.00 Garnet, ilmenite and
A/A4 others
23 SCA/689 (c) SC 2592 VII- sinks 73.8 10.0 10.1 19.18 88.48 12.52 Quartz, ilmenite and
A/A4 8 others
24 SCA/690 (b) - VIII-0 floats 4,3 - - - 97.06 - -
39
SRO_GSI_3926
% magnetics sample%
(Col.6x
9x10/100
x100)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
25 SCA/690 (c) - VIII-0 sinks 95.6 - - - 97.06 - -
26 SCA/691 (b) SC 2602 VIII/1d floats 12.2 - - - 97.67 - Garnet (good), ilmenite
and others.
27 SCA/691 (c) - VIII/1d sinks 87.8 - - - 97.67 - -
28 SCA/692 (b) SC 2601 LK/2a floats 21.3 - - 63.01 - Garnet (good), ilmenite
and others.
29 SCA/682 (c) - LK/2a sinks 78.7 - - - 63.01 - -
30 SCA/693 (b) SC 2599 LK/2d floats 4.2 12.7 11.83 22.47 83.32 0.79 Garnet (fair), ilmenite
7 and others.
31 SCA/693 (c) SC 2600 LK/2d sinks 95.8 10.0 9.23 17.53 83.32 13.99 Ilmenite (fair), garnet
8 and others.
40
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-VI (b): ESTIMATED CONENT OF ILMENITE (PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT)
SI. No. Registration Sample No. Estimated content of ilmenite (% by weight)

No. of Sample
In 'Magnetics' In 'floats' In 'sinks' Total Remark
1 SCA/679 MV/1a 2.57 0.85 4.07 7.49 * represents only
2 SCA/680 PC/1a 5.85 5.25 10.47 21.57 middling.
3 SCA/681 I-D1 0.44 12.02 31.08 43.54
4 SCA/684 III-D5 1.2 0.81 2.11 4.12
5 SCA/685 V-1d 0.56 6.08 6.69 13.33
6 SCA/689 VII-A/A4 4.97 2.00 12.52 19.49
7 SCA/693 LK/2d 7.39 0.79 13.99 22.17
LK/2a 17.33 Not determined 17.35
41
SRO_GSI_3926
TABLE-VII: RESULT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY

DETERMINATION OF THE ILMENITE-GRANET SANDS OF
KARIKAL
SI. No. Sample No. Description Specific

gravity
1 V/1d Floats 3.57
2 V/1d Sinks 3.30
3 VI-D1 Floats 3.40
4 VI-D1 Sinks 2.20
5 VI-D5 Whole Sample 2.76
6 VI-D5 Whole Sample 2.58
7 VII-A/A4 Floats 3.57
8 VII-A/A4 Sinks 3.06
9 VIII/1d Floats 3.42
10 LK/1a Whole sample 3.29
11 LK/2a Floats 3.79
42
SRO_GSI_3926
APPENDIX-I
APPENDIX-I: REPORT OF WORK CARRIED OUT ON THE

BENEFICIATION OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS OF
KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRYY STATE.
Department of Chemical Engineering - Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

- 6000036.
REPORT OF WORK CARRIED OUT ON THE BENEFICIATION OF

ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS OF KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRYY STATE.
The results of beneficiation studies of fifteen samples of ilmenite-garnet sand

supplied by Geological Survey of India (Tamil Nadu Circle) are reported.
Both wet and dry methods of magnetic separation have been tried. Separation
by dry methods is found to be more convenient and economical as the sands are
coarse. The results of dry magnetic separation on laboratory drum magnetic separator
are given in Table I (Author’s remarks - Table I is the same as Table V of this report).
It may be seen from Table I that the percentages of magnetic materials in the sand
samples range from 1.68 to 36.72 and of titanium dioxide in the magnetic fraction
from 12.65 to 24.85 (except in sample VIII-0).
Floatation studies are carried out on non-magnetic fractions in a laboratory.

Sub aeration floatation cell. The conditions of floatation studies are as follows:-
Solids concentration : 10% W/W

Impellar Speed : 1650 RPM
Air rate : 260 litres per hour
Collector : Sodium oleate (0.072 g/kg)
Frother : Pine Oil (0.050 g/kg)
Results of floatation studies are given in (Table II Author’s remarks - Table II

is the same as Table VI (a) of this report) which indicates the following ranges for the
different samples investigated.
Floats Sinks
Material recovery. 3.0 - 60.9 39.10 - 97
Ilmenite. 4.55 - 25.69 2.66 - 60.77
Ilmenite recovery. 5.32 - 47.63 52.37 - 94.68
43
SRO_GSI_3926
SYNOPSIS
Subject of Report : Report on the Investigation of Ilmenite and

Garnet sands in the Karikal Coast, Pondicherry
State.
Item No. : NM/ME/35 on page No. 73 of the Annual
Programme for 1968-69.
Locality/Area : Coastal Area of Karikal, Pondicherry
Toposheet 58 N/13 A
sketch map covering an area of 0.50 sq.km, on
1:4000 scale.
Reg. No. of band : Tamil Nadu Circle Office.
specimens No. SCA/552 to 618 and SCA 679 to
SCA 694
Regn. No. of slides : SC 2543 to SC 2605
Duplicate : 311 samples.
Specimen Collected
44
SRO_GSI_3926
LIST OF PLATES
PLATE-I: MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF PITS FOR
ILMENITE-GRANET SANDS IN KARIKAL COAST,
PONDICHERRY STATE.
PLATE-I
MAP SHOWING THE LOCATION OF PITS FOR ILMENITE-GRANET

SANDS IN KARIKAL COAST, PONDICHERRY STATE.
PART OF 58N/13
Scale 1: 63,360
Index
Mv/1 a – Mv/1 d depth 1.50 m 4 samples
Kv/1 a – Kv/1 d depth 1.50 m 4 ,,
Tp/1 a – Tp/1 d depth 1.50 m 4 ,,
Pc/1 a – Pc/1 d depth 1.50 m 4 ,,
Lk/1 a – Lk/1 d depth 1.50 m 4 ,,
Lk/2.a – Lk/2 d depth 1.50 m 4 ,,
Area Covered by Intense Sampling

S.MEENAKSHISUNDARAM
F. S ’68 – 69.
GSI,SR,TNG,DRG No 701-69
45
SRO_GSI_3926
PLATE-II: SKETCH MAP SHOWING ILMENITE-GARNET

SANDS OCCURRENCE NEAR AKKARAIVADI, KARIKAL,
PONDICHERRY STATE.
PLATE-II
SKETCH MAP SHOWING ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS OCCURRENCE NEAR
AKKARAIVADI, KARIKAL, PONDICHERRY STATE.
Scale 1: 4,000
INDEX
High tide mark
Sandy area with hard & clayey crust
Sand duress, Cauarina parts
Limonite garnet zone
Location of shallow sample pits
Location of deep sample pit
Pillar
Total Ha of sample pits
S.MEENAKSHISUNDARAM
F. S ’68 – 69.
GSI,SR,TNG,DRG No 700-69
46

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SRO_GSI_3926

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS

REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS IN

CONTENTS Page No.

TABLE-II: DETAILS OF SAMPLE COLLETED FROM AKKARAIVADI,

REPORT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF ILMENITE AND GARNET SANDS IN

In the Akkaraivadi area, a total indicated reserve of 23,740 tonnes of ilmenite

Results of beneficiation tests on the ilmenite-bearing sands indicate that they

This investigation was taken up to assess the potentiality of ilmenite and

Previous Geological work:

Arogyaswamy (1957), made a preliminary examination of the black sand

II. DISTRIBUTION OF ILMENITE-GARNET SANDS

From a study of pit sections (Table-I), it is evident that the concentration of

IV. ANALYSIS OF SANDS

Hand magnetic separation:

Each sieve fraction was subjected to separation of magnetite by using a hand

Chemical analysis of untreated sand:

The non-conductor fractions comprise ilmenite (partly altered to leucoxene

The 'conductor’ fractions consist essentially of quartz, felspars, mica,

A study of monazite and zircon content by using Contamination Monitor has

The non-conductor (attracted) fractions of sample VII A/A4 were again

The non-magnetic fractions were subjected to floatation (by the Chemical

V. ESTIMATION OF ILMENITE CONTENT

In such a case, the normative ilmenite content in the samples analysed as a

From floats and sinks:

At Manavalakurichi, in Kanyakumari district, the separated ilmenite carries

VI. RESERVE ESTIMATION

Determination of bulk density:

1. Melvanjiyur - Tirumalarajanpatnam area:

Assuming an average width of 30 m for the area from Melvanjiyur (MV/1) to

MV/1a is estimated to contain 7.49% ilmenite by weight and PC/1a analyses

The average bulk density is 1.2785.

The area of influence of MV/1a is 3 km. and that of PC/1a is 3 km.

Similarly, the volume of 135,000 cu.m of raw sand from Tirumalarajanpatnam

reserves of recoverable ilmenite) tonnes. Thus in the Melvanjiyur-

(a) Line I to half the distance between Lines IV and V.

Thus in the Akkaraivadi area, a total inferred reserves of 23,740 tonnes of

3. Light House area, Karikal:

VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

By using Carpeo high tension laboratory separator, sieve fractions (after

By subjecting the ‘non-conductor’ fractions to separation by Frantz

In the Akkaraivadi area, a total inferred reserve of 23,740 tonnes of ilmenite

(Sd/-) S.M. Sundaram, Geologist (Sr.)

- 1968 Indian Minerals Year Book, pp. 381

Locality Latitude Longitude T.S. No.

TABLE-I: LITHOLOGICAL LOG OF PITS FOR ILMENITE-

Line Depth in (cm)

Line Depth in (cm)

Line Depth in (cm)

Line Depth in (cm)

TABLE-II: DETAILS OF SAMPLE COLLETED FROM

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

Line Pit No. Sample Total

TABLE-III: ANALYICAL RESULTS OF BEACH SANDS

Sample No. Sieve Magnetite Non-conductor Conductors Total