Copper in Deccan Basalts (India): review of the abundance and patterns of distribution

In comparison to world larger flood basalts, the Deccan Trap exhibits more than double the amount of copper abundance. This is true for most basalt types but quartz tholeiites are particularly rich in copper, the absolute abundance reaching up to 0.05% Cu in certain areas. In such areas it can be established that apart from entry into silicates and oxides, the major portion of copper was removed as sulphides. While studying the variation of copper abundance and variation within the Deccan Trap and comparing it with other basaltic rocks around the world, the occurrence of native copper and other cupriferous minerals copper is discussed here. Review of earlier work is done in the light of some new findings. Prospects of finding native copper mineralization and copper rich flows are discussed. It is concluded on the importance of studying the copper mineralization in the Deccan Trap.