ELEMENTAL CHEMISTRY OF ILMENITE - AN INDICATOR OF PROVENANCE

Elemental chemistry of ilmenite has been determined with a view to stu dying the applicability of the parameter in determination of provenanc e of the placer minerals. While the values of Mn/Mg ratio conform to t he already determined provenance of the east coast occurrence, the wes t coast ilmenites have lower values for this ratio suggesting a basic rock dominated provenance rather than charnockite/khondalite/migmatiti c source. Present study recommends a fresh look at provenance study of the west coast placers vis-a-vis examination of applicability of Mn/M g values of ilmenite in relation to the provenance.