Abstract
In this chapter we examine how geochemical techniques can be utilized in the exploration for different types of gold mineralization, the specific signatures of which must be identified in the various sampling media (rock, soil, etc.) used for exploration. The geochemical signature of gold mineralization depends upon several parameters, particularly the style of mineralization in question and the physico-chemical characteristics of the supergene environment. Consequently, different topographic and climatic environments will be considered, where the transposition of the characteristics of the primary mineralization to the surface sampling media may vary. This will be illustrated using a range of examples, emphasizing the procedures used as well as the results obtained. Two main components of the geochemical signature will be distinguished: Au and the pathfinder elements. By using the latter, an indication is obtained of the lithology and mineralizing processes, factors which are especially useful in terrains where outcrop is poor. However, problems specific to explorations in till-covered areas are considered by Coker and Shilts in Chapter 11.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bache J.J. (1982) Les gisements d’or dans le monde. Essai de typologie quantative. Mém. BRGM 118
Bagby, WC and Berger, BR (1985) Geologic characteristics of sediment-hosted, disseminated precious-metals deposits in the Western United States. In Geology and Geochemistry of Epithermal Systems eds. Berger, BR and Bethke, RM Reviews in Economic Geology, 2, Soc. of Econ. Geol., 169–202
Baker, W.E. (1978) The role of humic acid in the transport of gold. Geochem. Cosmochim. Acta 42645–649
Baker WE (1986) Gold in vegetation as prospecting in Tasmania, Australia. In Mineral Exploration: Biolological Systems and Organic Matter, Rubey Volume V, eds, Carlisle, D, Berry, WL, Kaplan, IR and Watterson, JR Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 150–158
Barasko, J.J. and Tegart, R (1982) Revised stream sediment geochemistry at selected precious metal deposits in British Columbia. Western Miner, April, 53–65
Barbier, J. (1987) Arid environment geochemical exploitation in Saudi Arabia. The problem of aeolian contamination. J. Geochem. Explor. 27, 29–51
Barbier, J. and Wilhelm, E. (1978) Superficial geochemical dispersion around sulphide deposits: some examples in France. J. Geochem. Explor. 10, 1–38
Barthélémy, F., Kassa Mombo, M. and Labbé, J.F. (1987) Inventaire minier transgabonais: campagnes géochimiques régionales et détaillées 1979–1986. Acquisition des données sur le terrain. In Abstracts of the 12th IGES, Orléans, France, April 23–26
Beaudoin, A., Perrault, G. and Bouchard, M. (1978) Distribution of gold, arsenic and tungsten around the Dest–Or orebody, Noranda district, Abitibi, Quebec. J. Geochem. Explor. 28, 41–70
Beus A.A. and Grigorian S.V. (1977) Geochemical Exploration Methods for Mineral Deposits. Applied Publishing, Illinois
Bonnemaison, M. (1986) Les ‘filons de quartz aurifère: un cas particulier de shear zone aurifière.’ Chron. Rech. Min. 482, 55–66
Bonnemaison, M. and Marcoux, E. (1987) Les zones de cisaillements aurifères du socle hercynien francais. Chron. Rech. Min. 488, 29–42
Boyle, R.W. (1979) The geochemistry of gold and its deposits (together with a chapter on geochemical prospecting for the element). Geol. Surv. of Can., Bull. 280
Boyle, R.W. (1982) Geochemical methods for the discovery of blind mineral deposits. Part 1. CIM Bull. 75(844), 123–142
Braux, C., Bonnemaison, M., Prévot, J.C., Maurin, G. and Zeegers, H. (1989) Le Chêtelet gold deposit, France, Creuse: gitology and geochemical exploration. Gold’89 in Europe, Toulouse, France, May 23–25 Terra Abstracts 1, 19
Brooks, R.R. (1982) Biological methods of prospecting for gold. J. Geochem. Explor. 17, 109–122
Brooks, R.R., Chatterjee, A.K. and Ryan, D.E. (1981) Determination of gold in natural waters at the parts–per–trillion (pg cm–3) level. Chem. Geol. 33, 163–169
Busche, F.D. (1989) Using plants as an exploration tool for gold. /. Geochem. Explor. 32, 199–209
Butt, C.R.M. (1988) Genesis of lateritic and supergene gold deposits in the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia. In Proc. of Gold’88 Symposium, Melbourne, 359–364
Butt, C.R.M. and Zeegers, H. (1989) Classification of geochemical exploration models for tropically weathered terrains. J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 65–74
Carver, R.N., Chenoweth, L.M., Mazzucchelli, R.H., Oates, C.J. and Robbins, T.W. (1987) ‘Lag’ — A geochemical sampling medium for arid regions. J. Geochem. Explor. 28, 183–199
Chaffee, M.A. and Hills, R.H. (1989) Soil geochemistry of Mother Lode-type deposits in the Hodson mining district, central California, USA (extended abstact). J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 53–55
Chernyayev, A.M., Chernyayeva, L.E., Yeremeyeva, M.N. and Andreyev, M.I. (1969) Hydrogeochemistry of gold. Geochem. Int. 6, 348–358
Cloke, P.L. and Kelly, W.C. (1964) Solubility of gold under inorganic supergene conditions. Econ. Geol. 59, 259–270
Colin, F. and Lecomte, P. (1988) Etude minéralogique et chimique du profil d’altération de Mébaga Mvomo (Gabon). Chron. Rech. Min. 491, 55–65
Colin, F. and Lecomte, P. (1988) Etude minéralogique et chimique du profil d’altération de Mébaga Mvomo (Gabon). Chron. Rech. Min. 491, 55–65
Col vine, A.C., Fyon, J.A., Heather, K.B., Marmont, S., Smith, P.H. and Troop, D.G. (1988) Archean lode gold deposits in Ontario. Ontario Geol. Surv., Misc. Paper 139
Crone, W., Larson, L.T., Carpenter, R.H., Chao, T.T. and Sanzolone, R.F. (1984) A comparison of iron oxide-rich joint coatings and rock chips as geochemical sampling media in exploration for disseminated gold deposits. J. Geochem. Explor. 20, 161–178
Davies, T.C., Friedrich, G. and Wiechowski, A. (1989) Geochemistry and mineralogy of laterites in the Sula Mountains greenstone belt, Lake Sonfon gold district, Sierra Leone. J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 75–98
Davy, R. and El-Ansary, M. (1986) Geochemical patterns in laterite profile at the Boddington gold deposit, Western Australia. J. Geochem. Explor. 26, 199–144
Day, S. and Fletcher, K. (1986) Particule size and abundance of gold in selected streams sediments, southern British Columbia, Canada, J. Geochem. Explor. 26, 203–214
Day, S. and Fletcher, K. (1989) Effect of valley and local channel morphology on the distribution of gold in stream sediments from Harris Creek, British Columbia, Canada. J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 1–16
Degranges, P., Baubron, J-C. and Leleu, M. (1983) Ou en est l’atmogéochimie appliquée à la prospection des gîtes? Chron. Rech. Min. 473, 67–73
Dommanget, A., Diallo, M. and Guilloux, L. (1985). Un nouveau type de gisement d’or: Loulo (Mali). Chron. Rech. Min. 481, 5–18
Dommanget, A., Traore, H. and Zeegers, H. (1987) Discovery of the Loulo gold deposit (Mali). In Abstracts of the 12th IGES, Orléans, France, April 23–26
Erdman, J.A. and Olson, J.C. (1985) The use of plants in prospecting for gold: a brief overview with a selected bibliography and topic index. J. Geochem. Explor. 24, 281–304
Farrell, B.L. (1984) The use of ‘loam’ concentrates in geochemical exploration in deeply weathered arid terrains. J. Geochem. Explor. 22, 101–118
Fletcher, R.J. (1985) Geochemical exploration for gold in the Red Sea Hills, Sudan. I.M.M. Spec. Issue, Prospecting in Areas of Desert Terrain, 79–94
Freyssinet, P., Zeegers, H. and Tardy, Y. (1987) Neoformation de l’or dans les cuirasses latéritiques: dissolution, migration, précipitation. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris305, Série II, 867–874
Freyssinet, P., Zeegers, H. and Tardy, Y. (1989) Morphology and geochemistry of gold grains in lateritic profiles of southern Mali. Geochem. Explor. 32, 17–31
Fripp, R.E.P. (1976) Stratabound gold deposits in archean banded iron-formation, Rhodesia. Econ. Geol. 71, 58–75
Goleva, G.A., Krivenkov, V.A. and Guttz, Z.G. (1970) Geochemical trends in the occurrence and migration forms of gold in natural water. Geoch. Int. 7, 518–529
Gosling, A.W., Jenne, E.A. and Chao, T.T. (1971) Gold content of natural waters in Colorado. Econ. Geol. 66, 309–313
Govett, GJS (1983) Rock Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Groves, DI, Ho, SE, McNaughton, NJ, Mueller, AG, Perring, CS, Rock, NMS and Skwarnecki, M (1988) Genetic models for Archaean lode–gold deposits in Western Australia. In Advances in Understanding Precambrian Gold Deposits, Vol. II, eds. Ho, SE and Groves, DI Geol. Dept. Univ. Extension, Univ. of W. Austr, Pub. 12, 1–22
Hall, G.E.M. and Bonham–Carter, G.F. (1988) Review of methods to determine gold, platinum and palladium in production–oriented geochemical laboratories, with application of a statistical procedure to test for bias. J. Geochem. Explor. 30, 255–286
Hamilton, T.W., Ellis, J., Florence, T.M. and Fardy, J.J. (1983) Analysis of gold in surface waters from Australian goldfields: an investigation into direct hydrogeochemical prospecting for gold Econ. Geol. 78, 1335–1341
Harris, D.C. (1986) Mineralogy and geochemistry of the main Hemlo gold deposits, Hemlo, Ontario, Canada. In Proc. of Gold’86 Symposium, Toronto, 297–310
Harris, J.F. (1982) Sampling and analytical requirements for effective use of geochemistry in exploration for gold. In Precious Metals in the Northern Cordillera, Assoc. of Expln. Geochemists, Special Vol. 10, 53–67
Hayba, DO, Bethke, PM, Heald, P and Foley, NK (1985) Geologic, mineralogic andd geochemical characteristics of volcanic-hosted epithermal, precious-metal deposits. In Geology and Geochemistry of Epithermal Systems, eds. Berger, BR and Bethke, PM Reviews in Economic Geology, 2, Soc. of Econ. Geol., 129–167
Heald, P., Foley, N. and Hayba, D.O. (1987) Comparative anatomy of volcanic-hosted epithermal deposits: acid–sulfate and adularia-sericite types. Econ. Geol. 82, 1–26
Hoffman, E.L. and Brooker, E.J. (1982) The determination of gold by neutron activation analysis. In Precious Metals in the Northern Cordillera. Assoc. of Expln. Geochemists, Special Vol. 10, 69–77
Hoffman, EL and Brooker, EJ (1986) Biogeochemical prospecting for gold using instrumental neutron activation analysis with reference to some Canadian gold deposits. In Mineral Exploration: Biolological Systems and Organic Matter, Rubey Volume V, eds. Carlisle D, Berry WL, Kaplan IR and Watterson JR Prentice–Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 159–169
Janatka, J. and Moravek, P. (1987) Geochemical exploration in the Celina Mokrsko gold district in the Jilove Belt, Bohemian massif, Czechoslovakia. In Abstracts of 12th IGES, Orléans, France, April 23–26
Kerrich, (1983) Geochemistry of gold deposits in the Abitibi greenstone belt. CIM. Spec. Vol. 27, 1–75
Kinkel, A.R. Jr. and Lesure, F.G. (1968) Residual enrichment and supergene migration of gold, southeastern United States. US Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 600–D, D174 – D178
Krauskopf, K.B. (1951) The solubility of gold. Econ. Geol. 46, 858–870
Large, R, Huston, D, McGoldrick, P, McArthur, G and Ruxton, P (1988) Gold distribution and genesis in Paleozoic volcanogenic massive sulphide systems, Eastern Australia. In Proc. of Gold ’88 Symposium, Melbourne, 121–126
Lawrance, LM (1988a) Behaviour of gold within the weathering profile in the Yilgarn block, Western Australia. In Advances in Understanding Precambrian Gold Deposits, Vol. II, eds. Ho, SE and Groves, DI Geol. Dept. Univ. Extension, Univ. of W. Austr, Pub. 12, 335–351
Lawrance, L.M. (1988b) Geochemical dispersion anomalies in transported overburden around the quartz vein system at the Mount Pleasant gold mine, Western Australia. In The 2nd Int. Conf. on Prospecting in Arid Terrain, Perth, W. Australia. Aust. IMM, Symposia Series 57, 87–93
Lecomte, P. (1988) Stone line profiles: importance in geochemical exploration. J. Geochem. Explor. 30, 35–61
Lecomte, P. (1988) Stone line profiles: importance in geochemical exploration. J. Geochem. Explor. 30, 35–61
Leprun, J.C. (1979) Les cuirasses ferrugineuses des pays cristallins de l’Afrique Occiddentale sèche. Genèse-Transformations-Dègradation. Mém. Sci. Géol., Strasbourg, 58
Ling Ong, H. and Swanson, V.E. (1969) Natural organic acids in the transportation, deposition and concentration of gold. Colorado School Mines Quarterly 64, 395–425
McCarthy, J.H. Jr. (1986) The uses of gases in geochemical exploration. Anal. Chem. 43, 171–180
McHugh, J.B. (1988) Concentration of gold in natural waters. J. Geochem. Explor. 30, 85–94
Mann, A.W. (1984a) Mobility of gold and silver in lateritic weathering profiles. Some observations from Western Australia. Econ. Geol. 39, 38–49
Mann, A.W. (1984b) Redistribution of gold in the oxidized zone of some Western Australian deposits. The Aust. IMM, Perth and Kalgoorlie branches, Regional Conf. on Gold Mining, Metall. and Geol., 1–12
Monti, R (1988) The Boddington lateritic gold deposit, Western Australia: a product of supergene enrichment processes. In Recent Advances in Understanding Precambrian Gold Deposits, Vol II eds. Ho, SE and Groves, DI Geol. Dept. & Univ. Extension, Univ. W. Aust., Publ. 11, 355–368
Moravek, P. and Pouba, Z. (1984) Gold mineralization and granitoids in the Bohemian Massif, Czechoslovakia. In Gold’82: The Geology Geochemistry and Genesis of Gold Deposits, ed. Foster R.P. Balkema, Rotterdam, 713–729
Moravek, P. and Pouba, Z. (1987) Precambrian and Phanerozoic history of gold mineralization in the Bohemian massif. Econ. Geol. 82, 2098–2114
Nahon, D. (1976) Cuirasses ferrugineuses et encroûtements calcaires au Sénégal occidental et en Mauritanie. Systèmes évolutifs: géochimie, structures, relais et coexistence. M6m. Soc. Géol., Strasbourg, 44
Nair, N.G.K., Santosh, M. and Mahadevan, R. (1987) Lateritisation as a possible contributor to gold placers in Nilambur Valley, Southwest India. Chem. Geol. 60, 309–315
Nichol, I. (1986) Geochemical exploration for gold: a special problem. In Applied Geochemistry in the 1980s: Proc. Meeting to Honour the Contribution of Professor John S. Webb to Applied Geochemistry, eds. Thornton, I. and Howarth, R.J. Graham and Trotman, London, 60–85
Ouedraogo, M.F. (1988) The Kwademen gold deposit: a polymorphic mineralization within a Precambrian (Birrimian) greenstone belt in Burkina Faso, West Africa: a case history (Abstract). In The 2nd Int. Conf. on Prospecting in Arid Terrain, Perth Western Australia. Aust. IMM, Symposia Series 57, p. 105
Perrault, G. and Trudel, P. (1984) Auriferous halos associated with the gold deposits at Lamaque mine, Quebec. Econ. Geol. 79, 227–238
Prian, J.P., Siméon, Y., Johan, V., Ledru, P., Piantone, P., Coste, B. and Eko N’Dong, J. (1988) Valorisation géologique de l’inventaire minier de l’Archéen et du Protérozoique inférieur des feuilles de Mitzig, Booué et Mouila, à 1/200 000 (Gabon central). Chron. Rech. Min. 491, 67–104
Ronkos, C.J. (1986) Geology and interpretation of geochemistry at the Standard mine, Humbolt county, Nevada. J. Geochem. Explor. 25, 129–137
Ronkos, CJ (1986) Geology and interpretation of geochemistry at the Standard mine, Humbolt county, Nevada. J. Geochem. Explor. 25, 129–137
Sharpe, WV (1988) BLEG: a geochemical tool in the Great Sandy Desert. In The 2nd Int. Conf. on Prospecting in Arid Terrain, Perth, Western Australia. Symposia Series57,117–119
Silberman, ML and Berger, BR (1985) Relationship of trace-element patterns to alteration and morphology in epithermal precious-metal deposits. In Geology and Geochemistry of Epithermal Systems eds. Berger, BR and Bethke, PM Reviews in Economic Geology, 2, Soc. of Econ. Geol., 203–232
Sillitoe, R.H. (1988) Environments, styles and origins of gold deposits in western Pacific island arcs. In Proc. of Gold’88 Symposium, Melbourne, 127–138
Smith, B.H. and Keele, R.A. (1984) Some observations on the geochemistry of gold mineralization in the weathered zone at Norseman, Western Australia. J. Geochem. Explor. 22, 1 –20
Smith, R.E., Birrell, R.D. and Bigden, J.F. (1989) The implications to exploration of chalcophile corridors in the Archaean Yilgarn Block, Western Australia, as revealed by laterite geochemistry. J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 169–184
Tardy, Y. and Nahon, D. (1985) Geochemistry of laterites, stability of Al-goethite, Al-hematite and Fe–kaolinite in bauxites and ferricretes: an approach to the mechanism of concretion formation. Amer. J. Sci. 285, 865–903
Taylor, G.H., Coste, B., Lambert, A. and Zeegers, H. (1989) Geochemical signature (bedrock and saprolite) of gold mineralization and associated hydrothermal alteration at Dorlin, French Guyana (extended abstract). J. Geochem. Explor. 32, 59–60
Turner, L.D. and Ikramuddin, M. (1982) Electrothermal atomic absorption determination of gold, silver, and arsenic in stream waters and their relationship to gold–silver occurrences in the Republic Graben, N.E. Washington. In Precious Metals in the Northern Cordillera, Assoc. of Expln. Geochemists, Special Vol. 10, 79–88
Vasconcelos, P. and Kyle, J.R. (1988) Gold geochemistry during semiarid weathering: a case study of the Fazenda Brasileiro deposit, Bahia, Brazil. In Proc. of Gold’88 Symposium, Melbourne, 645–647
Vasquez-Lopez, R., Lefur, Y., Chevance, H., Bellivier, F., Brosset, R., Callier, L. and Kerjean, M. (1987) La recherche de l’or primaire dans le massif Armoricain (France): approches géochimiques et minéralogiques combinées. In Abstracts of the 12th IGES, Orléans, France, April 23–26
Volkov, G.A. and Shakhbazova, L.V. (1975) Some data on geochemistry of gold in natural waters of the Beskessk ore field. Internat. Geology Rev. 17, 142–148
Wargo, J.G. and Powers, H.A. (1978) Disseminated gold in Saddle prospect, Lander county, Nevada. J. Geochem. Explor. 19, 236–241
Watters, R.A. (1983) Geochemical exploration for uranium and other metals in tropical and subtropical environments using heavy mineral concentrates. J. Geochem. Explor. 19, 103–124
Webster, J.G. (1986) The solubility of gold and silver in the system Au-Ag-S-02-H20 at 25°C and 1 atm. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 50, 1837–1845
Webster, J.G. and Mann, A.W. (1984) The influence of climate, geomorphology and primary geology on the supergene migration of gold and silver. J. Geochem. Explor.22, 21–24
Zeegers H. (1987) Remaniements de surface et prospection géochimique de For. Chron. Rech. Min. 488, 55–61
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Blackie and Son Ltd
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zeegers, H., Leduc, C. (1991). Geochemical exploration for gold in temperate, arid, semi-arid, and rain-forest terrains. In: Gold metallogeny and exploration. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0497-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0497-5_10
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7837-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0497-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive