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Evidence supporting micro-galvanic coupling in sulphides leads to gold deposition

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Abstract

Electrical micro-junctions in metal sulfides drive electrochemical reactions with passing gold-bearing fluids, resulting in the deposition of gold, even from under-saturated ore fluids. Understanding the role micro-junctions play in the deposition of gold requires (a) imaging the electric field distribution of a galvanic couple near the surface to qualify the existence of an active micro-geo-battery and (b) correlating it with gold precipitation on the p-type cathode side of the junction by mapping the host at minor and trace levels. Here we report on correlating electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) elemental maps including micron-scaled gold hot spots with laser beam induced current (LBIC) photocurrent maps of galvanic coupling in natural arsenian pyrite from the Otago Schist in New Zealand. The results provide convincing evidence that sulphide electrochemical interactions can lead to gold electro-deposition. We finish by discussing a simplistic model of the processes involved in reference to the original model of Möller and Kersten (Miner Deposita 29(5):404–413. 1994), and discuss the effects of  temperature in light of recent-reported evidence of electrochemical gold deposition in the formation of hydrothermal gold deposits.

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Fig. 1
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taken from Xu et al. (Yong and Schoonen 2000). The top of each bar is the CB while the bottom is the VB. The two sulfides indicated are chalcopyrite and pyrite. The large variability in band positions is likely to result in a broad range of potential differences across any junctions formed. Also shown are position for the redox couples (Au3+/Au0), Fe3+/Fe2+ and O2/H2O taken from Osseo-Asare (1992)

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge CSIRO Minerals for financing this work and Prof Ross Large at the University of Tasmania for providing samples for analysis. We also acknowledge the Associate Editor Prof Steven Reddy and CTMP reviewer Christof Kusebauch.

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  1. School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Jamie S. Laird

  2. CSIRO Minerals, Normanby Road, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Jamie S. Laird, Chris G. Ryan & Weihua Liu

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, USA

    Angel Halfpenny

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Correspondence to Jamie S. Laird.

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Communicated by Steven Reddy.

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Laird, J.S., Halfpenny, A., Ryan, C.G. et al. Evidence supporting micro-galvanic coupling in sulphides leads to gold deposition. Contrib Mineral Petrol 176, 25 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-021-01781-w

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