Ikhabu Pegmatite Field

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Phaktanglung, Taplejung District, P1 Koshi Pradesh, Nepal

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Key Information

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  • The Ikhabu Pegmatite Field is located in eastern Nepal, near the Kanchenjunga mountain, about 20 km NNE of Taplejung town.

  • It is known for aquamarine and other minerals like tourmaline and quartz, with small-scale mining ongoing.

  • The geological structure involves pegmatite dykes in ancient gneiss, formed through complex Himalayan processes.

  • Mining likely started in the early 2000s, with historical discoveries dating back to 1934.

  • The area has a rich Himalayan culture, with Buddhist and Hindu influences, and a humid subtropical climate with diverse ecology.

Geographic Location

The Ikhabu Pegmatite Field lies in Phaktanglung, Taplejung District, P1 Koshi Pradesh, Nepal, approximately 20 km northeast of Taplejung town at an elevation of about 1,283 meters. Taplejung District is in eastern Nepal, bordering India to the east and China to the north, and is renowned for its high mountain terrain, including the Kanchenjunga summit, the third highest mountain globally at 8,586 meters.

Minerals Produced

This field is famous for aquamarine, a gem variety of beryl, and also hosts minerals such as albite, alkali feldspar, biotite, columbite, cordierite, dravite, fluorite, garnet, hematite, microcline, muscovite, quartz, rutile, schorl, sillimanite, spessartine, tantalite, tourmaline, xenotime, and zircon, appealing to crystal enthusiasts seeking rare specimens.

Geological Structure

The pegmatite dykes are intruded into 4-7 km thick Precambrian to Cambrian gneiss of the Jungbesi Paragneiss Formation, part of the Higher Himalayan Sequence north of the Main Central Thrust. The Yamrang Pegmatite, a key part, is a beryl-columbite subtype, showing zonation from magmatic to hydrothermal stages, reflecting the complex geology of the Himalayas.

Mining History

Aquamarines were first discovered in Nepal in 1934, with the Ikhabu Pegmatite Field likely mined from the early 2000s for aquamarine, rock crystal, tourmaline, and hambergite. Small-scale mining for aquamarine, beryl, and tourmalines continues, though it may not be continuous or large-scale.

Local Culture and Characteristics

Taplejung District features a rich cultural heritage with Limbu, Sherpa, and other ethnic influences, including Buddhist gompas like Diki Chhyoling Gompa and Hindu temples like Pathibhara Devi Temple. The local economy is primarily agricultural, with tourism from trekking and mountaineering, especially around Kanchenjunga.

Climate and Ecology

The district has a humid subtropical climate with dry winters, averaging 15.1°C annually and receiving 3058 mm of rainfall. Its ecology is diverse, featuring rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and various Himalayan flora and fauna, enhancing its appeal for nature enthusiasts.

Citations

Wikipedia