Electrogeochemical patterns in surface soils - Detection of blind mineralization beneath exotic cover, Thalanga, Queensland, Australia

The problem of using surface geochemical exploration techniques in areas of very thick and electrically conductive weathering residuum is common to much of Australia. At the Elura deposit (New South Wales) a distinct electrogeochemical H⁺ anomaly can be detected in the top few cm of residual soil above about 100 m of conductive residual overburden. In the present paper the results of an investigation of the much more difficult problem of detecting sulfide mineralization beneath thick conductive transported overburden are described.The objective of the study was to demonstrate that sulfide mineralization beneath thick transported overburden can be detected by geochemical patterns in surface soils in the context of an electrogeochemical model of dispersion.The Thalanga massive sulfide deposit in northeast Queensland has at least 4 million tonnes of 15% combined Zn, Pb and Cu. The mineralized horizon lies at the contact between rhyolitic and dacitic rocks of the Cambro-Ordovician Mt. Windsor Volcanics. The deposit is covered by transported cemented Tertiary terrigenous clayey sandstones and grits; these are electrically conductive and vary in thickness from 0 to 70 m.Near-surface soil samples were collected along five traverses normal to the strike of mineralization. The traverses were located to give 0 m, 1 m, 30 m, 50 m, and 70 m overburden thicknesses; there is no known significant mineralization along the last traverse which is assumed to be background, and there is a small gossan where the overburden is absent.Dispersion patterns influenced by electrogeochemical processes should result in relatively low values for ions over massive sulfides with lateral peaks; this has been termed a “rabbit-ear” anomaly. “Rabbit-ear” anomalies in surface soils for H⁺, Cu, and Zn occur over the sulfide zone. The H⁺ pattern is better defined where there is a significant depth of overburden (where the anomaly is about 500 m wide). The Cu anomaly is 300–600 m wide, and the Zn anomaly is 450–675 m wide.Even where the overburden is 50 m thick, anomalous “rabbit-ear” anomalies for H⁺ and Zn are clearly identifiable, but the anomaly for Cu is a single peak of 20 ppm over the hanging wall. It is suggested that the results of this work convincingly demonstrate that at Thalanga surface soil samples may reliably be used to detect massive sulfide deposits - even where they are effectively blind beneath a considerable thickness of transported and conductive overburden. The processes of dispersion are speculated to be diffusion, and it is argued that the pattern-controlling mechanism is electrochemical.     

Assessment of massive sulphide base metal targets using lead isotopes in soils

An assessment is made of the use of lead isotopes in soils as an exploration tool for concealed lead-rich base metal massive sulphide deposits, using four case histories in southeast Australia as examples. Case history 1 covers soil profiles (< 1 m depth) unrelated to mineralization in which the lead isotope ratios exhibit variation with depth and are different from those for massive sulphide deposits. Case history 2 covers six shallow (< 0.4 m depth) profiles from two traverses over the concealed Elura Zn-Pb-Ag deposit in central western New South Wales. For one traverse over completely concealed (blind) sulphides, no isotopic or geochemical signature of the orebody could be detected. In two profiles from the other traverse, for depths of 0.15 m and 0.3–0.45 m, the lead isotopic ratios in the soils are identical with those in the ore (the target isotope ratios). Case history 3 covers two occurrences of Silurian volcanogenic Cu-Zn-Pb mineralization at the Benambra prospect in northeast Victoria. The isotopic ratios for the soils are identical with those in the sulphides and the isotopic signature of the sulphides is also detectable in traverses where no obvious surface anomaly is developed. Case history 4 is an undrilled anomaly in Silurian shales and felsic volcanics where the isotope ratios in B horizon soils are consistent with those of the target isotopic signature.The information from these case histories suggests that the lead isotopic analysis of soils will be a useful exploration tool for concealed mineralization, although at the present stage of research it appears that its application may be limited to shallowly buried (< 100 m) targets or deeply buried targets with an extensive oxidation profile. Its main advantage over conventional geochemical techniques is its ability to discriminate between similar geochemical anomalies arising from different styles of mineralization, as illustrated by an example from Benambra.     

东秦岭南泥湖钼铅锌银多金属矿田地球物理场特征与深部找矿预测

南泥湖钼多金属矿田是中国重要的钼(钨)铅锌银多金属矿产地,已探明超大型钼(钨)矿床3处,大型钼(钨)矿床3处,中、大型铅锌银(金)矿床10余处。矿田具有优越的地质成矿条件,深部找矿潜力巨大。现有矿产勘查深度主要是500 m以浅范围,深部(500~2000 m)找矿工作基本为空白,需要使用综合地球物理方法研究深部成矿规律,预测新的矿产资源。文章通过研究该区地质、地球物理场特征和典型矿床物探异常特征,取得了有意义的研究成果。(1)确定了与成矿关系密切的隐伏岩体侵入模型:将全区隐伏岩体从南至北分为3个区,Ⅰ区隐伏岩体顶面深度0~800 m,分布面积约125 km~2;Ⅱ区隐伏岩体顶面深度0.8~1.5 km,分布面积约158 km~2;Ⅲ区隐伏岩体顶面深度1.5~3 km,分布面积约233 km~2。(2)建立了立体成矿模型(根据成矿空间位置的不同从地表向下分为4个空间成矿区)和综合地球物理找矿模型(包括隐伏岩体、隐伏岩体顶上带、岩钟和斑岩体、矿体和矿化体的地球物理场标志)。(3)指出隐伏岩体顶上带及其上方的岩钟、岩脉、岩枝和小斑岩体等是成矿有利部位。(4)预测了找矿潜力;总结了寻找钼钨铅锌银金矿产的勘查方法技术组合。研究成果对在该区和类似矿区进行深部找矿工作具有重要意义。     

Helium in soil and overburden gas as an exploration pathfinder — an assessment

Orientation surveys were conducted over five deposits to test the potential of determining helium in overburden gas as a pathfinder for uranium mineralization and other deposits containing uranium or thorium. Samples were collected via fixed tubes emplaced at depths of 6 m in backfilled holes drilled for this purpose. Compared to the atmospheric background value of 5.24 ppm v/v He, a variable weak anomaly (maximum 5.45–5.65 ppm He) was found over part of the Angela uranium deposit, N.T., in an arid area where mineralization is mostly at a depth of 60–90 m, at or below the water-table. Helium contents were mostly at background levels over a uranium deposit in the Officer Basin, W.A., where mineralization is at the water-table at 30–35 m, although radon gave a marked anomaly. Neither helium nor radon indicated the Manyingee deposit, W.A., which has uranium mineralization in a confined aquifer at 60–110 m. Similarly, no helium anomalies were found over the uranium- and thorium-rich Mt. Weld carbonatite or mineral sands at Eneabba.There appeared to be no correlation between helium distributions shown by groundwater and overburden-gas sampling at Manyingee or Mt. Weld. At Mt. Weld, groundwaters contained 0.06 to 13.60 μ/l He and overburden gases 5.24–5.47 ppm He, with the higher gas concentrations over country rock, where waters had background helium contents. It is presumed that equilibration between overburden gas and the atmosphere is far more rapid than that between overburden gas and groundwater, so that any helium released from the water is quickly dispersed.Overburden-gas helium concentrations were found to vary according to overburden type, being 5.24–5.32 ppm where sandy and porous and 5.30–5.50 ppm where clay-rich and less permeable. These background variations, which are greater than the total background-anomaly contrasts reported in the literature for shallow soil gases, have not been accounted for in most trial surveys, nor has the possibility of similar variations being due to analytical error. From the data obtained, there is little evidence that helium can be considered an effective pathfinder for blind or concealed deposits using soil gas or overburden gas as sample media. Previous work on the use of soil and soil-gas helium determinations in uranium exploration is reviewed in the light of these findings and the concept and techniques assessed.     

寻找和识别隐伏大型特大型矿床的勘查地球化学理论方法与应用

为了在广大覆盖区寻找隐伏大型特大型矿床的需要,我们探索研制了能在短期内以较少的费用迅速覆盖广大覆盖区的能觉察地下深部发出的极微弱直接找矿信息的战略性勘查地球化学新方法—金属活动态测量和地球气微量金属测量。这两种方法在各种景观覆盖区被广泛地加以试验与应用。其结果表明:(1)隐伏大型特大型矿床四周巨大的地球化学模式可以被各种营力搬运至地表,地气对超微量金属的搬运是厚覆盖区隐伏矿床在地表形成叠加含量地球化学异常的主要原因。(2)在覆盖厚度从几米至三、四百米都可以发现清晰的异常显示,因此为厚覆盖区找矿提供了强有利的工具;(3)地气与元素活动态不仅存在局部异常,而且在大型特大型矿床四周存在区域异常和地球化学省,用很稀的采样网就可以捕捉到这种大规模异常,因此这两种方法可以应用于大面积覆盖区的战略评价中;(4)地气和元素活动态所反应的指标和适用性在不同的景观、不同的矿床类型上是不同的,应根据不同的条件选择应用最佳的方法指标。地气与元素活动态配合使用所获得的深部矿化信息更稳定更可靠。(5)利用元素活动态可以近似定量估计或预测可被成矿利用的金属供应量,据此推测某一地区潜在的资源储量。     

Delineation of geochemical blocks for undiscovered large ore deposits using deep-penetrating methods in alluvial terrains of eastern China

Many large ore deposits have been discovered in eastern China along the Circum-Pacific Rim. However, alluvium, which covers most of the terrain, prevents a complete assessment of the mineralization potential by geological and conventional geochemical approaches. Two deep-penetrating geochemical methods—collection of nanoscale metals in earthgas (NAMEG) and selective leaching of mobile forms of metals in overburden (MOMEO) have been used to investigate the possibility to delineate geochemical blocks generated from large ore deposits buried by alluvial terrains. A wide-spaced sampling was carried out in an area of approximately 250 000 km² at density of one sample per 400–800 km². The soil samples were subjected to MOMEO leaching and were analyzed for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The earthgas samples were analyzed for 17 elements by INNA. The results show that water-extractable metals by MOMEO processing can give prominent expression to concealed deposits and can delineate large-scale geochemical anomalies in the alluvial terrains. The distribution of gold in earthgas is situated along the largest deep fault systems and the concentration centers distribute in the secondary faults on the both sides of the deep fault systems.     

Sulphide mineralization and wall-rock alteration in ophiolites and modern oceanic spreading centres

Massive and stockwork Fe-Cu-Zn (Cyprus type) sulphide deposits in the upper parts of ophiolite complexes represent hydrothermal mineralization at ancient accretionary plate boundaries. These deposits are probable metallogenic analogues of the polymetallic sulphide deposits recently discovered along modern oceanic spreading centres. Genetic models for these deposits suggest that mineralization results from large-scale circulation of sea-water through basaltic basement along the tectonically active axis of spreading, a zone of high heat flow. The high geothermal gradient above 1 to 2 km deep magma chambers emplaced below the ridge axis drives the convective circulation cell. Cold oxidizing sea-water penetrating the crust on the ridge flanks becomes heated and evolves into a highly reduced somewhat acidic hydrothermal solvent during interaction with basaltic wall-rock. Depending on the temperature and water/rock ratio, this fluid is capable of leaching and transporting iron, manganese, and base metals; dissolved sea-water sulphate is reduced to sulphide. At the ridge axis, the buoyant hydrothermal fluid rises through permeable wall-rocks, and fluid flow may be focussed along deep-seated fractures related to extensional tectonic processes. Metal sulphides are precipitated along channelways as the ascending fluid undergoes adiabatic expansion and then further cooling during mixing with ambient sub-sea-floor water. Vigorous fluid flow results in venting of reduced fluid at the sea-floor/sea-water interface and deposition of massive sulphide. A comparison of sulphide mineralization and wall-rock alteration in ancient and modern spreading centre environments supports this genetic concept.Massive sulphide deposits in ophiolites generally occur in clusters of closely spaced (< 1–5 km) deposits. Individual deposits are a composite of syngenetic massive sulphide and underlying epigenetic stockwork-vein mineralization. The massive sulphide occurs as concordant tabular, lenticular, or saucer-shaped bodies in pillow lavas and pillow-lava breccia; massive lava flows, hyalcoclastite, tuff, and bedded radolarian chert are less commonly associated rock types. These massive sulphide zones are as much as 700 m long, 200 m wide, and 50 m thick. The pipe-, funnel-, or keel-shaped stockwork zone may extend to a dehpth of 1 km in the sheeted-dike complex. Several deposits in Cyprus are confined to grabens or the hanging wall of premineralization normal faults.Polymetallic massive sulphide deposits and active hydrothermal vents at medium- to fast-rate spreading centres (the East Pacific Rise at lat. 21°N, the Galapagos Spreading Centre at long. 86°W, the Juan de Fuca Ridge at lat. 45°N., and the Southern Trough of Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California) have interdeposit spacings on a scale of tens or hundreds of metres, and are spatially associated with structural ridges or grabens within the narrow (< 5 km) axial valleys of the rift zones. Although the most common substrate for massive sulphide accumulations is stacked sequences of pillow basalt and sheet flows, the sea-floor underlying numerous deposits in Guaymas Basin consists of diatomaceous ooze and terrigenous clastic sediment that is intruded by diabase sills. Mound-like massive sulphide deposits, as much as 30 m wide and 5m high, occur over actively discharging vents on the East Pacific Rise, and many of these deposits serve as the base for narrow chimneys and spires of equal or greater height. Sulphides on the Juan de Fuca Ridge appear to form more widespread blanket deposits in the shallow axial-valley depression. The largest deposit found to date, along the axial ridge of the Galapagos Spreading Centre, has a tabular form and a length of 1000 m, a width of 200 m, and a height of 30 m.The sulphide assemblage in both massive and vein mineralization in Cyprus type deposits is characteristically simple: abundant pyrite or, less commonly, pyrrhotite accompanied by minor marcasite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. With few exceptions, the composition of massive sulphide ranges from 0.3 to 5 wt. % Cu, from 0.1 to 3 wt. % Zn, from 0.5 to 30 ppm Au, and from 1 to 50 ppm Ag. The only common gangue minerals — quartz, chlorite, calcite, and gypsum generally make up less than 10 percent of the massive zone.Sulphide assemblages in massive sulphide samples recovered from the Juan de Fuca Ridge (abundant sphalerite, wurtzite, and pyrite; minor marcasite, chalcopyrite, and galena), East Pacific Rise (abundant sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite; minor wurtzite, marcasite, and pyrrhotite), and Guaymas Basin (abundant pyrrhotite and sphalerite; minor chalcopyrite) contrast with ophiolitic deposits. Bulk analyses of two zinc-rich sulphide samples from the Juan de Fuca Ridge yield the following average values: Zn, 56.6 wt. %; Cu, 0.2 wt. %; Pb, 0.15 wt. %; Fe, 4.9 wt. %; Ag, 260 ppm; and Cd, 775 ppm. Other minerals precipitated with sulphides at hydrothermal-vent sites include anhydrite, barite, gypsum, Mg-hydroxysulphate-hydrate, talc, sulphur, and amorphous silica.Massive sulphide lenses in some Cyprus-type deposits are underlain by a silica-rich zone consisting of massive quartz, opaline silica, red jasper, or chert mixed with disseminated and veinlet Fe-Cu-Zn sulphides. Some deposits are overlain by ochre, a gossanous Mn-poor Fe-rich bedded deposit composed of goethite, maghemite, quartz, and finely disseminated sulphide. In the Solomon Islands, ochre is overlain by siliceous sinter containing anhydrite, barite, and sulphide; the sinter contains anomalous Ag, Au, Cu, Zn, and Hg, and grades upward into Fe-rich chert and manganiferous wad. Amorphous Fe-Mn deposits (umber) and Mn-bearing chert enriched in Ba, Co, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Zn are common features near the top of ophiolite sequences. Although their genetic relation to sulphide mineralization is uncertian, they probably formed during off-axis hydrothermal discharge.At modern, medium-rate spreading centres, thin blankets of unconsolidated hydrothermal sediment have been observed near hydrothermal sulphide deposits. Basalt fragments recovered with massive sulphide from the Juan de Fuca Ridge have surfaces coated with smectite, magnetite, hematite, opaline silica, and Fe---Mn-oxyhydroxides. Sediment mounds composed largely of nontronitic clay and hydrated Fe and Mn oxides, and more distal metalliferous (Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) sediment on the flanks of ceanridges, are also products of off-axis hydrothermal processes.Pillow lavas, diabase dikes, and gabbro in ophiolite sequences, and deeper, layer 2 basalt and diabase recovered from oceanic ridges, are altered to greenschist-facies assemblages (albite + chlorite + actinolite ± sphene ± quartz ± pyrite) during high-temperature sub-sea-floor hydro-thermal metamorphism near the axis of spreading. Chemical changes in the wall-rock during this large-scale sea-water/rock interactive episode depend on the water/rock ratio and temperature but generally include gains in Mg, Na and H₂O and losses of Ca. Subsequent low temperature sea-water/rock interaction away from the axis of spreading results in fracture-controlled zeolitefacies alteration, characterized by smectite, caledonite, zeolite, calcite, prehnite, hematite, marcasite, and pyrite. This retrograde alteration involves increases in total Fe, K, and H₂O and decreases in Mg and Si in the wallrock; Ca may be lost or gained.Wall-rock alteration in Cyprus type stockwork zones is more striking, in that the basalt and diabase between veins of Fe---Cu-Zn sulphides, quartz, and chlorite have undergone partial to complete conversion to fine-grained aggregates of quartz + chlorite + illite + pyrite; kaolinite and palygorskite may be present in minor amounts. Calcium and Na are strongly depleted; K, Al, Ti, Mn, and Ni are leached to a lesser extent; and Fe, S, Cu, Zn, and Co are strongly enriched in the wall-rock underlying massive sulphide. Mafic rocks at depth in the volcanic pile may be enriched in K, Rb, and Li, and depleted in Cu, Co, and Zn. Lavas lateral to and overlying massive sulphide mineralization may have low concentrations of Cu and high concentrations of Zn and Co relative to background levels.Mutual consideration of hydrothermal sulphide deposits and associated wall-rock alteration in ophiolites and at modern oceanic spreading centres can provide useful criteria for the development of regional exploration models for ophiolitic terrains.     

北山荒漠景观区金、铜矿床植物地球化学找矿试验

通过对北山地区金、铜矿床植物地球化学找矿试验发现,生长在金矿区的所有植物种属中的Au和生长在铜矿区的所有植物种属中的Cu均属于极高—高衬度型,利用各植物种属中的Au和Cu含量寻找金和铜矿床具有良好的效果。根据植物地球化学异常的特征元素能区别金、铜矿种或矿化类型;矿上植物地球化学异常元素组合及分带性能定位预测掩埋或隐伏金、铜矿体的部位,同时还能推断隐伏矿体的剥蚀深度和深部矿化规模。     

Soil air carbon dioxide and oxygen measurements as a guide to concealed mineralization in semi-arid and arid regions

The differences between the CO₂ and O₂ concentrations in soil air and atmospheric air have been measured where sulfide mineralization occurs beneath transported exotic overburden in semi-arid and arid areas of the USA, South West Africa (Namibia) and Saudi Arabia. These mineralizations are reflected near surface by anomalous levels of CO₂ and O₂ in soil air, whereas in most cases heavy-metal anomalies are absent. The normal background variability of CO₂ and O₂ in soil air falls with increasing aridity, and anomaly definition improves with increasing aridity. Thus soil air CO₂ and O₂ data are potentially useful in exploring for concealed mineralization, especially in regions with an arid climate or conspicuous dry season.     

东天山中段区域化探异常评价方法研究

本文利用1/20万区域化探数据,研究了东天山中段地区针对不同类型铜矿化的元素组合异常圈定方法。选择典型（含）铜矿床及其周围地段的化探测量点为建模样本,通过因子分析,查明针对不同矿化类型的指示元素定量组合;以因子得分为综合指标,用泛克里格剩余值圈定化探异常。结果得到3个元素组合：Cu-Co-Ni-Mn-V-Fe-Cr组合...     

Geochemical challenges of diverse regolith-covered terrains for mineral exploration in China

In recent years mineral exploration has concentrated on concealed deposits in regolith-covered terrains. In China, the regolith-covered landscapes mainly include desert windblown sand basins, desert peneplains, semi-arid grassland, loess plateaus, forestry land, alluvial plains and laterite terrains. These diverse regolith-covered areas represent geochemical challenges for mineral exploration in China. This paper provides an overview of recent progress on mechanisms of metal dispersion from the buried ore deposits through the transported cover to the surface and penetrating geochemical methods to detect the anomalies. Case studies show that, in arid and semi-arid desert sand-covered terrains, sampling of fine-fraction (− 120 mesh, < 0.125 mm) clay-rich horizon soil is cost-effective for regional geochemical surveys for sandstone-type uranium, gold, and base metal deposits. Fine-fraction sampling, selective-leaching and overburden drilling geochemical methods can effectively indicate the 210 gold ore body at Jinwozi goldfield. In alluvium-covered terrains, fine-grained soil sampling (− 200 mesh, < 0.074 mm) combined with selective leaching geochemistry shows clear ring-shaped anomalies of Cu and Ni over the Zhouan concealed Cu–Ni deposit. In laterite-covered terrains, the anomalies determined by the fine-fraction soils and selective leaching of absorbed metals on coatings of Fe–Mn oxides coincide well with the concealed deposit over the Yueyang ore deposits at the Zijin Au–Cu–Ag field. Nanoparticles of hexagonal crystals mainly native copper, gold and alloys of Cu–Fe, Cu–Fe–Mn, Cu–Ti, and Cu–Au were observed in gases, soils and ores using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The findings imply that nanoparticles of gold and copper may migrate through the transported cover to the surface. Uranium is converted to uranyl ions [UO₂^2 +] under oxidizing conditions when migrating from ore bodies to the surface. The uranyl ions are absorbed on clay minerals, because clay layers have a net negative charge, which needs to be balanced by interlayer cations. Nanoparticles of Au and Cu and ion complexes of U are more readily absorbed onto fine fractions of soils containing clays, colloids, oxides and organic matters. Thus, fine-grained soils enriched with clays, oxides and colloids are useful media for regional geochemical surveys in regolith-covered terrains and in sedimentary basins. Fine-fraction soil sampling combined with selective leaching geochemistry is effective for finding concealed ore bodies in detailed surveys. Penetrating geochemistry at surface sampling provides cost-effective mineral exploration methods for delineation of regional and local targets in transported cover terrains.     

东天山戈壁荒漠景观区地球化学勘查中某些工作方法的研究

通过东天山地区地球化学勘查中某些方法的试验,研究了一套适宜于戈壁荒漠景观中地球化学勘查的工作方法.（1）查明了盛行风对岩屑异常特征的影响程度;（2）推荐消除风成沙影响的合理采样粒级;（3）利用水溶态铜、金异常指示被运积物掩盖的铜、金矿体;（4）明确了荒漠区盐磐层不会阻碍在残积物覆盖区发现矿致岩屑异常和在运积物覆盖区发现后生晕.     

Nanoscale metals in Earthgas and mobile forms of metals in overburden in wide-spaced regional exploration for giant deposits in overburden terrains

This paper describes the use of NAnoscale Metals in EarthGas (NAMEG) and MObile forms of MEtals in Overburden (MOMEO) methods in regional scale geochemical exploration for giant deposits in terrains covered by overburden. These methods are based on the premise that gases generated from the earth's interior can not only transport mobile forms of elements from an ore deposit and its geochemical halos to the surface to form a local anomaly, but also transport them from distinct bedrock “geochemical blocks” hosting large and giant ore deposits and give rise to large regional geochemical anomalies and geochemical provinces at the surface.Regional NAMEG and MOMEO surveys for giant gold deposits were carried out in Shandong Province, where the largest gold deposits in China are found, and in the Muruntau region of the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan, one of the world's largest gold ore provinces.In Shandong Province, where most of the area is covered by complex overburden, large regional anomalies in earthgas and water-extractable Au were delineated over and around the giant gold deposits. For many trace elements, the anomalies are larger in area and have greater contrast than those from other methods. High concentration of water soluble Au extends into the southern area covered by transported overburden, suggesting that this region may have potential for the discovery of new concealed gold deposits. The anomalous provinces of Au in both earthgas and water soluble salts coincide with a deep fault, supporting the idea that the deep fault is the main conduit of Au from the interior.In the central Kyzylkum Desert, nearly all Au-hosting rocks are covered by sedimentary sequences overlain by desert sand. Gold and As anomalies over Muruntau and Kokpatas gold deposits have contrasts ranging from 2 to 400 times background. Strong anomalies were also discovered in the south of the Muruntau region, suggesting a promising area for the discovery of new giant gold deposits.     

栾川西鱼库隐伏斑岩型Mo-W矿床地球化学及其意义

西鱼库大型隐伏斑岩钼-钨矿床是近年来在栾川地区开展深部找矿勘查过程中的新发现。该矿床与南泥湖、上房沟钼矿不同,其矿体主要赋存于斑岩体内部而非岩体外接触带的矽卡岩或角岩中。与南泥湖和上房岩体相比,西鱼库隐伏斑岩体的Si O2、K2O含量略低,具有正Eu异常,表明西鱼库隐伏斑岩体比南泥湖和上房岩体分异程度略低,更接近成矿岩浆中心位置。     

微生物地球化学探矿—蜡样芽孢杆菌法寻找金,铀矿的试验研究

壤中蜡样芽孢杆菌找矿法是微生物地球化学探矿方法之一。本文叙述了蜡样芽孢杆菌法的找矿原理、野外工作方法、室内测量技术、野外初步试验的地质效果以及测量中应注意的若干问题。在已知隐伏金矿床（点）和铀矿床（点）上测得了明显的蜡样芽孢杆菌计数异常，并在４６０铀（钼）矿床外围的铀矿化远景地段进行了试验，地质效果较为理想。     

The distribution of Hg, Ba, Cu and Zn in the vicinity of cupriferous sulfide deposits, Troodos complex, Cyprus

A geochemical rock- and soil-sampling program was carried out in the vicinity of eight concealed “Cyprus type” deposits, occurring in marginal mafic to intermediate metapillow lavas of the Troodos Ophiolite Complex. The mineralization of massive and stockwork sulfide ore is characterized by the predominance of pyrite, intergrown with less chalcopyrite and minor amounts of sphalerite.Background values of Hg are in the range of 8–12 ppb for soils and 3–6 ppb for surface rocks. Anomaly/background ratios of 10:1 (soils) and 5:1 (rocks) have been found only, where Hg migrated along channels formed by faults cutting shallow-seated mineralization. Here, Hg sometimes shows significant correlations with Cu, Zn, Ba and exceptionally with Co. However in one case an Hg anomaly in soils and surface rocks was detected directly over a deposit. The use of Hg as indicator element for these types of deposits is therefore limited. Buried mineralization may be delineated more distinctly by Cu, Zn and Ba.     

Heavy-mineral concentrates from rocks in exploration for massive sulphide deposits

A number of programs have investigated the use of rock geochemistry in the search for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the Canadian Shield. Regional-scale studies have been successful in differentiating productive from nonproductive volcanic cycles. Wall-rock studies have successfully delineated alteration halos related to the mineralizing event. While an alteration halo has been identified around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit, this halo does not extend far enough from the deposit to be useful for reconnaissance purposes. The authors therefore tested the possibility of enhancing detection of a primary trace-element halo by using the heavy mineral fraction of the rocks.The geochemical dispersion of trace elements in the heavy-mineral fraction of rocks was investigated around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit, in the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. Approximately 270 samples were ground to 74–500 μm (−35 +200 mesh) and separated using the heavy liquid bromoform. Following removal of the magnetic fraction, the samples were further pulverized, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Fe, Mn, Co and Ni. Corresponding whole-rock samples were analyzed to provide for a comparative study with the whole-rock geochemistry.Analysis of the heavy-mineral fraction of rocks revealed strong and extensive halos of Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag persisting in some cases up to 10 km along strike away from the South Bay Deposit. By comparison, in the whole-rock data, halos of Pb, Ag and Zn were detected no farther than 1–2 km away from the deposit. Furthermore, trace-element content in the whole rocks appeared to be dominated by rock type; either multivariate statistical techniques, or separation of the data by rock type, was necessary to distinguish the anomaly related to mineralization. Trace-element content in the heavy-mineral concentrates was dominated by the presence of the sulphide minerals pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, thus directly reflecting mineralization.Use of the heavy-mineral fraction of the rock eliminates the dilution effects of quartz and feldspar, allowing enhancement of trace-metal concentrations in sulphide minerals, and the delineation of strong and extensive halos of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Mn around the South Bay massive sulphide deposit. While the cost of preparation of heavy-mineral separates is higher than that for whole-rock samples, the anomaly clearly defined by the trace-element content of the heavy fraction avoids the need for costly major-element and subsequent statistical analysis, and increases target size by an order of magnitude. The heavy-mineral fraction obtained from rocks shows great potential as an exploration guide to volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.     

隐伏铜矿区土壤微细粒测量有效性实验——以江西通江岭铜矿为例

土壤微细粒分离测量是一种可应用于隐伏矿勘查的地球化学技术, 亟需开展多景观、多矿种有效性实验。本文以位于湿润低山丘陵区的江西通江岭铜矿为研究区, 开展土壤微细粒分离测量试验, 并讨论其异常形成机理。结果显示, 主成矿元素Cu与Zn、Pb、Ag、Au等有较强的相关性, 该组元素富集系数大、空间变异强, 在研究区内趋于强烈富集。面积性试验结果显示Cu-Pb-Zn-Au多元素组合异常与已知矿体有良好对应关系。剖面试验表明断层和地层接触界面土壤成矿元素含量较高, Cu、Pb、Zn等异常可以指示隐伏矿体。根据元素组合及空间分布特征, 预测研究区东部第四系覆盖区存在隐伏铜金矿体以及19线南段深部有隐伏多金属矿体, 其中19号线南段在2019年详查工作中钻获铜铅锌多金属矿体。以上结果证实了低山丘陵景观区土壤微细粒测量探测隐伏矿床的有效性。断裂带、地层接触带既是容矿空间, 也是深部成矿物质向地表迁移的主要通道, 灰岩地层中的溶蚀缝与构造缝是次要迁移通道。深部成矿物质在多营力作用下迁移至地表, 并被土壤微细粒中的铁锰氧化物、黏土矿物和无定型硅铝氧化物所捕获, 在地表形成地球化学异常。     

Superficial geochemical dispersion around sulphide deposits: Some examples in France

Examination of geochemical exploration data accumulated in France over a period of almost 20 years has led to detailed consideration of the relationship between anomalies and mineral deposits.Geochemical anomalies associated with sulphide mineralizations seem to follow several general rules i.e. Ag and Pb are almost systematically present, As is very frequent, while Cu and Sb may also be present. The behaviour of Zn seems to be controlled by the lithological character of the host rock with anomalies in carbonate media even for occurrences without economic interest and an absence of anomalies in non-carbonate media, even for Zn deposits of considerable size. Moreover, the contents of this element are greatly amplified by contamination from old workings. The abundance (or scarcity) of supergene minerals in the occurrences directly influences the nature of the anomalies. Lead anomalies frequently correspond to the presence of Pb oxides such as pyromorphite while Zn anomalies derive from Zn oxides which are much more common in carbonate media (smithsonite-hydrozincite) than in schistose host rock. High Cu and As contents are most frequently linked to the presence of “ferruginous fragments” (gossans) derived from sulphides. As a general rule, the various geochemical peculiarities or associations encountered in soils are very much similar to those of the oxidized part of the deposits.We are therefore led to assume that, contrary to the usual conceptions, superficial dispersion is basically mechanical and that the anomalies detected near mineralizations are due to the presence in the soils of supergene minerals, gossan microfragments and more or less mineralised rock debris, etc. Mechanical migration of this kind can be explained by the existence in France during the Pleistocene of cold climates of the tundra type with associated permafrost. The thawing in summer of the superficial part of the frozen overburden resulted in massive downslope solifluction favoring mechanical migration over distances in the order of 100 m and contributing to the surface dispersal of the mineralizations. These phenomena are extremely important for geochemical exploration because they allow and justify the use of large grids (200 m × 200 m or even 400 m × 400 m) during soil surveys at least at the initial stage of prospecting on areas of several square kilometers.These conclusions are valid not only for France but for all regions with the same paleoclimate. These form a belt bounded to the north by glacial formations linked to ancient inland ice and to the south by the maximum extension of Pleistocene permafrost, including, in particular, the north of the United States and Central Europe. This paleo-climate belt characterized by traces of solifluction constitutes a well-defined unit in which geochemical prospecting has proved itself extremely effective.     

Distribution of trace Hg and its mode of occurrence over Fankou Pb---Zn deposit, Guangdong, China

Blind ore bodies more than 200 m below the surface and ore-bearing faults are clearly indicated by soil-air Hg anomalies through an overburden 20–40 m thick over the Fankou Pb---Zn deposit. The background of soil-air mercury in this area is 50 ng m⁻³ and the highest value encountered is 2000 ng m⁻³. The maximum anomaly to background contrast is 40. The width of anomalies higher than 500 ng m⁻³ can be greater than 600 m. The background Hg in soils of the area is 0.06 ppm and increases to 0.15 ppm where there are soil-air anomalies. The contrast of Hg in soils is only 2.5. Mercury in the unconsolidated overburden is in the form of free gas and is absorbed onto soil colloids such as clay minerals and Fe-Mn oxides. The primary sulphides contain 14–320 ppm Hg where Hg is incorporated isomorphically in sulphide minerals, which is confirmed by microprobe analysis.Based on a systematic analysis of the materials from surface and underground workings for the mode of occurrence of Hg, the authors suggest that the Hg-vapour anomalies in soil-air are the oxidation products of the ore.