PETROGRAPHY OF FACIES AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF MULTIPHASE STRUCTURE-BEDDING CONTROLLED DOLOMITES IN THE KINTA LIMESTONE: IMPLICATIONS ON PARAGENETIC SEQUENCE AND REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Occurrence of structure-bedding controlled dolomites in Palaeozoic carbonates of Kinta Valley has been discovered since centuries ago. However, the origin of Kinta Limestone and its dolomites, the mechanism of dolomites formation and controlling factors are yet to be ascertained. This integrated study includes investigations and documentations of field characteristics, petrographical, geochemical and mineralogical variations among the various facies to study limestone origin and their multiphase diagenetic processes and associated diagenetic fluids, and association with regional thermo-tectonic events. A total of seven facies are identified at field, host rock limestone, three dolomite variants, marble, breccia and late stage calcite.