Detrital tin patterns in stream sediments and soils in mid-cornwall

Regional stream sediment sampling in southwest England has revealed extensive anomalous Sn values outside the known Sn mining districts. A detailed investigation of some of these anomalies in the Truro-Mitchell area of Cornwall, has shown that the high Sn concentration was due to detrital cassiterite introduced during previous cycles of erosion. Soil anomalies associated with these detrital cassiterite concentrations are contrasted with those related to known Sn mineralization. Methods of differentiating significant anomalies from those of detrital type on the basis of associated elements are discussed.