Electrogeochemical extraction technique in the prospecting of buried gold deposits

A new electrogeochemical extraction technique has been used in cooperation with the field paper chromatographic method to determine gold which migrates in ionic form and is deposited on the electrode inserted in the soil. The technique has been tested with encouraging results in several Au areas. The results indicate that distinct Au anomalies can be discovered which have been buried by transported overburden.     

Using electrogeochemical approach to explore buried gold deposits in an alpine meadow-covered area

Exploration for buried gold ores and other deeply buried ores, especially in high altitude localities, is one of the tough challenges facing the geological world today. Fast and efficient ore prospecting methods are badly needed to deal with the situation. This paper documents a test that, for the first time, uses an electrogeochemical approach to prospect ores in the alpine meadow-covered Bangzhuoma area and its periphery in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The results were compared with conventional soil measurements from a 2D prospection, and an ideal model of electrogeochemical anomaly formation in the area was established based on the comparison in order to provide theoretical guidance to buried ore prospecting in areas with similar conditions. The research shows that: (1) For exploration of deeply-buried mineral deposits, an electrogeochemical approach is better than soil measurements in terms of correspondence between element content values and anomaly forms and spatial distribution of known deposits in sections. Anomalies of high to low temperature element associations (Bi–Mo; Au–Ag–As–Bi and Au–Ag) and clear zonation were also observed along vertical vein runs in the sections. Based on integration of the observation with geological characteristics of the sections, we propose to use Au, Ag and As as the electrogeochemical indicators and Bi and Mo as the electrogeochemical tracing elements to guide further analysis. (2) Judging from element statistics and the scale, intensity, and range of anomalies in plan maps, we found that an electrogeochemical approach is less affected by topography and secondary actions. The plan maps also show that elemental differentiation coefficients of the study area are in an ascending order of Ag (0.67) < Mo (0.85) < Bi (0.97) < Au (1.51) < As (2.35), better representing the element distribution in the area and yielding more striking and concentrated anomalies for known deposits than that of the soil measurements. Apart from that, electrogeochemical anomalies were observed in the south of lines 002 and 003 and the central of lines 008 and 009. We suggest the existence of deeply-buried mineral deposits based on analyses of element combinations and gold grade variations in samples taken from exploratory trenches in the area. (3) A three-stage (referring to the ore body dissolution, the mineralogenetic particle migration, and the mineralogenetic particle unloading) electrogeochemical ideal model was established for the study area, which takes into account moderate rainfall, high altitude, low air pressure, well-developed vegetation and roots, and an Upper Triassic Nieru Formation carbonaceous sandy slate as overburden.     

Pyrrhotite mineralization as a search criterion for sulfide deposits at sediment-covered spreading centers

Pyrrhotite ores forming the hydrothermal vents of the Hydrothermal Hills in the Southern Trough of the Guaymas depression were studied. A series of features pointing to the occurrence of surface and buried sulfide deposits of pyrrhotite mineralization was revealed: the presence of pyrrhotite associations to hydrocarbons of oil series; low concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb; the enrichment of sulfur of pyrrhotite and hydrogen sulfide of hydrothermal solutions in heavy ³⁴S isotope by 5–7%; and the heavy isotope composition of carbon in naphthoid compounds. The results obtained allow one to suggest searching for large sulfide deposits at active rifts of high spreading and sedimentation rates, i.e., at near-continental rifts of the humid zone of avalanche sedimentation.     

富碲化物型金矿形成的物理化学条件——以水泉沟金矿田为例

通过对冀北水泉沟金矿田与偏碱性岩有关的富碲化物型金矿和不含碲化物金矿床的地质特征、黄铁矿的标型特征以及流体包裹体成分的对比分析，揭示了富碲化物型金矿的某些共同特征及其所指示的物理化学条件。同时利用热力学分析，从理论上阐明了这些现象的内在原因，并提出其形成需要三个条件：①高碲的地球化学背景场；②有利于碲活化和迁移的物理化学条件（酸性）；③有利于碲化物沉淀的物理化学条件：低温、高ｆＴｅ２值和高的ｆＴｅ２／ｆＳ２比值     

构造-流体耦合关系对水上亚系统金矿成矿环境的影响

流体温度-密度-盐度关系化学模式显示,水下亚系统是一种火山作用形成的富含NaCI向海底释放的流体系统,该系统形成块状硫化物矿床;水上亚系统是陆相火山岩地区的地下低盐度低温流体系统,形成了浅层低温热液型和热泉型矿床.由流体的质量方程、能量方程和运动方程的特点可以看出,在成矿作用过程中的流体运动,受到构造-流体-成矿系统的关系中多种因素的影响,如介质的孔隙度、流体密度、渗透率、流体的黏度和流体内压力等.以世界一些陆相火山地区的金矿为例进行讨论,充分证明了陆相火山地区的金矿流体的运动方式具有两种类型:一类是成矿流体沿岩石的孔隙流动,如伊尔曼得金矿等;另一类是成矿流体沿裂隙流动,如阿希金矿等.虽然这些金矿形成于同一火山岩地区,但是,流体在围岩的孔隙和断裂中以不同的方式运动,流体的内压力、流体的密度将发生不同的变化,同时引起流体的氧逸度、pH值、盐度产生不同的改变.由此表明流体运动的方式和扩散影响了成矿环境.     

The Ag/Au ratio of native gold and electrum and the geochemical environment of gold vein deposits in Japan

The chemical composition of native gold and electrum from auriferous vein and gold-silver vein deposits in Japan has been analyzed and summarized. The Ag/Au ratios of native gold and electrum from these two types of deposits are distinct, i.e., 10–20 Ag at % (auriferous vein) and 30–70 Ag at % (gold-silver vein). Thermochemical calculations suggest that the Ag/Au ratio of native gold and electrum should decrease with increasing chloride concentration and temperature. This is consistent with analytical results of native gold and electrum and fluid inclusion studies. Based on the Ag content of native gold and electrum, the Fe content of sphalerite, and the estimated temperatures, it is deduced that the sulfur activity for auriferous vein-type systems was lower than that of gold-silver vein-type systems.     

Thallium in the Carlin-type gold deposits

Five Carlin-type sediment-hosted precious metals deposits from the western United States have been analyzed for Tl, Rb, K, Sr, Au, and Ag, and the relationship between Tl, Rb, and K in mineralized and unmineralized rocks has been studied. The Carlin-type gold deposits studied include Carlin, Alligator Ridge, and Jerritt Canyon deposits of Nevada, Mercur deposit of Utah, and North Moccassin deposits of Montana.The mineralized rocks of all five deposits contain significantly high contents of Tl and low K/Tl and high Tl/Sr ratios. The oxidized mineralized rocks of the Carlin and Mercur deposits have higher contents of Tl than carbonaceous rocks while siliceous rocks from most of the deposits contain the lowest Tl concentrations.The K/Tl ratio and the relationship between Tl, Rb, and K can be used to separate mineralized and unmineralized rocks into two distinct populations in order to outline, successfully, potential mineralized areas. The data presented in this paper suggest that Tl is probably a more useful indicator element than Au and other associated elements, at least under certain situations.     

A New Genetic Type of Gold Deposits-Meso-Epithermal Carbonate-Type Gold Deposits as Exemplified by the Baguamiao Suprlarge Gold Deposit

Gold deposits of the meso-epithermal carbonate type were first proposed based on the study of the Baguamiao gold deposit.This new type of gold deposits has many unique characteristics as follows:(1)Obviously strata-bound.The gold deposits are hosted in Middle Devonian turbidite formations;(2)Structrually controlled.Struc-ture is an important factor leading to metallogenesis of this type of gold deposits.The shape and distribution of orebodies are controlled by byittle-ductile shear zones;(3)Multi-stage wall-rock alteration.According to the characteristics of mineral assemblage,gold mineralization can be classified into three stages in association with various wall-rock al-terations.Wall-rock alterations closely genetically related to the gold mineralization are ankerization ,silicification,pyrrhotization and pyritization ;(4)Mineral compositions of the orebodies are mainly pyrrhotite,pyrite,marcasitolite,chalcopyrite,quartz,ankerite,and sericite.Gold mineralization is associated closely in space and time with iron sulfides;(5)Rare elements and REE in ores are low in contents relative to those of the crust.Au content varies from 1.91g/t to 11.15g/t ,averaging 5.5g/t;(6)Studies of sulfur,hydrogen,oxygen and carbon isotopes in main gangue minerals (quartz and ankerite)indicate that fluids and ore-forming materials came from deep-seated sources;(7)Three types of inclusions are recognized in terms of their composition and the vapor amounts of inclusions.The homogenization temperatures of inclusions range from 210℃to 310℃,averaging 230℃,showing that this type of gold deposits belongs to the meso-epithermal type;(8)Metallogenic age of this type of gold deposits is similar to that of the collision between the Yangtze Plate and the North China Plate,indicating that gold deposits of this type are genetically related to continental-margin plate activity.     

Prospecting for epithermal deposits of gold in northeastern USSR

An uncommonly large epitherrnal gold-quartz vein was discovered in subvolcanic trachyliparites, a fissure-filling, unaccompanied by any hydrothermal alteration of the host rocks. – V. P. Sokoloff.     

半干旱—干旱地区以钙积层为采样介质的隐伏金矿地球化学勘查

在隐伏金矿的地球化学勘查中,常用的采样介质包括岩石、水系沉积物、土壤、植物和地气等.近几十年,澳大利亚在半干旱—干旱地区以钙积层作为隐伏金矿床地球化学勘查的采样介质,并取得了成功.本文对以钙积层作为隐伏金矿地球化学勘查采样介质的理论和勘查进展进行总结,其勘查理论基础是土壤剖面中金-钙高度相关性,其成因机理较合理地解释为...     

金矿成因类型的二重限定性分类——以大兴安岭北部金矿为例

近年来，在大兴安岭北部发现近10处岩金矿床（点），大兴安岭北部金矿形成于中生代，且其成因与中生代岩浆活动关系密切，对本区金矿的成因类型二重限定性分类方案的原则是以Au所赋存的岩石类型（热液岩或蚀变岩）为第一依据。成矿温度作为第二依据。大兴安岭地区金矿在不同构造单元成因类型具有较大差别；在额尔古纳地块和上黑龙江盆地形成多种中温蚀变岩型金矿，在其南侧的增生带中形成了低温热液石英岩型金矿。     

卡林型金矿床中的自然砷

自然坤是金－砷－（锑）型金矿床的标型矿物，自然砷呈细粒状集合体和微细脉状产出，细粒状集合体产出的自然砷，其As、Au含量较高；微细脉状产出的自然砷，其Sb、S含量较高。本文根据成矿实验和矿物组合特征，讨论了含自然砷的金矿床的成矿温度和成矿过程的fo2、fs2的变化。     

胶东金矿集中区金矿成矿年代学研究

对不同研究者采用蚀变矿物Rb Sr、K Ar和Ar Ar法 ,流体包裹体Rb Sr等时线法 ,石英Ar Ar法和矿石矿物 (黄铁矿 )Rb Sr等时线法等多种同位素定年方法获得的胶东金矿集中区金矿成矿年龄数据进行了方法适用性研究和应用选择 ,筛选后的成矿年龄集中于 15 3 8～ 80 6Ma。综合考虑与金矿床有密切时空关系的花岗岩类侵入体及脉岩的K Ar、Ar Ar及U Pb (SHRIMP)年龄 ,确认胶东金矿集中区金矿主成矿期年龄为 (115± 10 )Ma ,金 银 多金属矿成矿期年龄为 (85± 5 )Ma ,分别为中生代早白垩世晚期 (K21)和晚白垩世早期 (K12 )。     

Formation of gold deposits: a metamorphic devolatilization model

A metamorphic devolatilization model can explain the enrichment, segregation, timing, distribution and character of many goldfields such as those found in Archean greenstone belts, slate‐belts and other gold‐only provinces. In this genetic model, hydrated and carbonated greenschist facies rocks, particularly metabasic rocks, are devolatilized primarily across the greenschist–amphibolite facies boundary in an orogenic setting. Devolatilization operates on the scale of individual mineral grains, extracting not just H₂O and CO₂ but also S and, in turn, Au. Elevated gold in solution is achieved by complexing with reduced S, and by H₂CO₃ weak acid buffering near the optimal fluid pH for gold solubility (the buffering is more important than being at the point of maximum gold solubility). Low salinity ensures low base metal concentrations in the auriferous metamorphic fluid. Migration of this fluid upwards is via shear zones and/or into hydraulic fracture zones in rocks of low tensile strength. The geometry of the shear zones dictates the kilometre‐scale fluid migration paths and the degree of fluid focusing into small enough volumes to form economic accumulations of gold. Deposition of gold from solution necessitates breakdown of the gold–thiosulphide complex and is especially facilitated by fluid reduction in contact with reduced carbon‐bearing host rocks and/or by sulphidation of wallrocks to generate iron‐bearing sulphide and precipitated gold. As such, black slate, carbon seams, banded iron formation, tholeiitic basalt, magnetite‐bearing diorite and differentiated tholeiitic dolerite sills are some of the important hosts to major goldfields. Gold deposition is accompanied by carbonation, sulphidation and muscovite/biotite alteration where the host rock is of suitable bulk composition. The correlation of major gold deposits with rock type, even when the gold is primarily in veins, argues for rock‐dominated depositional systems, not fluid‐dominated ones. As a consequence, a general role in gold deposition for fluid mixing, temperature decrease and/or fluid pressure decrease and boiling is unlikely, although such effects may be involved locally. Several geological features that are recorded at gold‐only deposits today reflect subsequent modifications superimposed upon the products of this generic metamorphic devolatilization process. Overprinting by higher‐grade metamorphism and deformation, and/or (palaeo)‐weathering may provide many of the most‐obvious features of goldfields including their mineralogy, geochemistry, geometry, small‐scale timing features, geophysical response and even mesoscopic gold distribution.     

胶东地区破碎带蚀变岩型金矿时代的测定及其地质意义

通过对胶东半岛西北部超大型破碎带蚀变岩型金矿 -新城金矿的强烈热液交代成因黄铁绢英岩 Rb- Sr等时线法测年 ,获得 116 .6± 5 .3Ma成矿年龄。结合本区焦家、仓上等大型 -超大型金矿蚀变矿物、石英流体包裹体的 Rb- Sr等时线年龄、K- Ar年龄 (10 5± 7Ma;10 6± 2 Ma;113.5± 0 .6 Ma)等前人成果 ,确定胶东半岛西北部破碎带蚀变岩型金矿成矿时代主要集中在 10 0～ 117Ma。与围岩花岗岩、花岗闪长岩的成岩年龄 (16 0～ 15 0 Ma;130～ 12 6 Ma)存在着近 10 Ma的时差 ,并根据(87Sr/ 86 Sr) i比值以及已有的 C、H、O稳定同位素资料表明 ,即使成矿物质部分来源于围岩花岗岩类 ,但成矿作用与岩浆活动无明显的成因关系 ,而是深部循环的大气降水或幔源 C- H - O流体参与成矿作用的结果     

Calcrete formation and implications for buried archaeological deposits in the Mariana Islands,western Pacific

Calcrete zones of cemented sands are found repeatedly at beach sites in the Mariana Islands, western Pacific region, with mid‐ to late‐Holocene artifacts and midden sealed within and beneath these layers. Three site‐specific cases demonstrate that the cementation process of the calcareous sand material post‐dated the deposition of artifacts and midden. Archaeological efforts must be prepared for deep excavation through zones of cemented sand. Also, recovery of preserved ancient materials can proceed by excavating large hardened blocks and soaking in light (5%) acid. This knowledge about formation process and recovery technique may prove useful not only in the Mariana Islands but also more broadly in other regions with similar settings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.