Baikal–Vilyui Paleoproterozoic Belt of The Siberian Platform: Regional Gold-Controlling Structure

The article demonstrates that the placer gold content of the Vilyui Syneclise is governed by the regional structure of the crystalline basement of the Siberian Platform—the Baikal–Vilyui Paleoproterozoic belt, the boundaries and tectonics of which are substantiated by analysis of the gravitational field structure. The belt includes a system of basement blocks with a common northeastern strike, which form horsts (of the Suntar type) and grabens (of the Kempendyai type). The gold-bearing placers of the Vilyui Syneclise are mainly confined to the Suntar, Tyukyan, and Chybyda blocks of the belt, the metamorphic and igneous rocks of which were the primary gold sources in the sedimentary cover. The suture zone of the Baikal–Vilyui belt was very permeable to deep fluids responsible for gold migration. The types of possible primary gold sources (gold–platinoid, low-sulfidation gold-quartz, and gold–silver) reflect the peculiarities in the evolution of Early Precambrian gold during sedimentation in the Vilyui Syneclise. The areas controlled by the Suntar, Kempendyai, Tyukyan, Chybyda, and Khapchagai blocks of Early Precambrian rocks, which may contain gold objects, should be considered promising for buried gold placers in the Vilyui Syneclise.

Indices De Minéralisations En Or Dans La Province Panafricaine Du Sud Maradi (Sud Niger)

Le socle du Sud Maradi (Sud Niger) correspond à l’extrémité Nord du bouclier Bénino-Nigérian, appartenant à la zone mobile panafricaine à l’Est du Craton Ouest-Africain. Cette étude apporte une modeste contribution dans la caractérisation géochimique des minéralisations aurifères de cette province métallogénique panafricaine. A cet effet, l’approche méthodologique mise en oeuvre associe le dosage géochimique de l’or par absorption atomique (Au Fire Assay/AA) pour les roches saines, et la séparation des pépites d’or par l’utilisation de la table à secousse pour les altérites du socle et les sédiments (placers et paléoplacers). Les analyses géochimiques ont mis en évidence l’existence de deux types de minéralisations: primaires et secondaires. Les minéralisations primaires de l’or sont à l’état disséminé (faibles teneurs de 0.005 à 0.017 g/t) mais des teneurs relativement plus élevées (0.006 à 0.017 g/t) ont été enregistrées au voisinage des zones de cisaillement du socle. Tandis que la minéralisation secondaire, mise en évidence dans les altérites du socle, dans les alluvions (placers) et dans les grès du Crétacé (paléoplacers) présentent des teneurs en or plus élevées (5 à 30 g/t), dépassant largement les teneurs des minéralisations primaires observées dans les roches saines du socle. Ce grand écart de teneurs s’explique par un fort lessivage du socle, qui aurait permis une reconcentration de l’or dans les sédiments. The South Maradi (South Niger) basement corresponds to the northeastern part of the Benin-Nigerian Shield, belonging to the Pan-African mobile zone, which is located to the east of the West African Craton. This study brings a modest contribution to the geochemical characterization of gold mineralization in this Pan-African metallogenic province. For this purpose, the methodological approach implemented combines the geochemical determination of gold contents by atomic absorption (Au Fire Assay/AA) for basement rocks and physical separation of gold specks by using the vibrating table process for basement alterites and sediments (placers and paleoplacers). The obtained results showed two types of gold mineralization: primary and secondary. Primary gold mineralization is in a disseminated state (low contents of 0.005 to 0.017 g / t) but relatively the higher values (0.006 to 0.017 g / t) were recorded near the basement shear zones. While the secondary gold mineralization, highlighted in basement alterites, alluvium (placers) and Cretaceous sandstones (paleoplacers) present higher gold contents (5 to 30 g / t) than primary gold contents observed in basement rocks. This large difference in values can be explained by a strong alteration of the basement, which would have allowed a reconcentration of the gold in the sediments.

Lithogeochemical exploration for delineating primary gold occurrences in West Kao area, North Halmahera District, North Maluku Province

Halmahera Island retains several gold deposits. One of the gold deposits is called as low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) quartz veins which is currently being mined and is situated in the Gosowong goldfield. The veins mostly originated in N-S and NNE-SSW direction. This study is aimed to determine the prospect area in the northern portion of Gosowong goldfield covering the West Kao sub district based on surface mapping and rock/float- and BLEG stream sediment survey. A total of 16 rock/vein float and 120 BLEG samples were analyzed by FA/AAS and CNO2 cyanide leach methods, respectively. The study area is occupied by tuffaceous sandstone, andesite, porphyritic andesite and lava andesite units. In the eastern part, tuffaceous sandstone is suffered from argillic and propylitic alteration, which may be controlled by the NW-SE-trending structures. The gold grade of rock/float samples is up to 0.044 ppm. BLEG data indicates a calculated threshold of 10 ppb for Au and 72 ppb for Ag. The highest Au and Ag contents (anomalies) are identified in the eastern part of the study area. This is spatially (and maybe genetically) related to the argillic-altered tuffaceous sandstone, structures and occurrences of quartz vein floats. To follow up this finding, a detailed exploration is recommended to be conducted within the prospect area.

Prospects of primary gold potential in southern Siberian platform based on study results for placer gold morphological and geochemical features

Data on geological structure and minerals of the southern Siberian platform are presented. Placer and primary gold occurrences widespread in this region are briefly characterized. Based on placer gold morphological and geochemical property studies using electron microscopy, its four types are revealed. Conclusions are made about potential primary sources of various placer gold types. Using retrospective data and based on the authors’ placer gold morphological and geochemical studies, Ust-Ilimskaya, Chernorechinskaya and Buraevskaya gold areas are characterized, their prospects for discovering primary gold deposits of various genetic types are determined.

Evolution of Pyrite Compositions at the Sizhuang Gold Deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China: Implications for the Genesis of Jiaodong-Type Orogenic Gold Mineralization

Gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula represent a primary gold resource in China and mostly exhibit similar ore-forming features related to sericite-quartz-pyrite alteration and other controls from (micro-)structural deformation. This study investigates the pyrite textures and trace elements in the Sizhuang gold deposit (>100 t Au) to document the key factors impacting on the genesis of the Jiaodong-type orogenic deposits. Three main types of pyrite are identified: (1) the first generation of pyrite (Py1) occurs as disseminated euhedral to subhedral grains in K-feldspar-albite-rutile-hematite and sericite alteration (stage 1), (2) Py2 as aggregates in quartz-sericite-pyrite altered rocks or quartz-pyrite veins (stage 2) can be subdivided into Py2a as irregular cores, Py2b as a zoned overgrowth on Py2a, and Py2c as overgrowth on early pyrite, and (3) Py3 as fine-grained crystals in siderite-polymetallic veins (stage 3). Primary gold at the Sizhuang deposit is coevally or slightly later deposited with Py2b, Py2c, and Py3. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) analyses show that the highest Co and Ni contents in Py1 and high but variable Co in Py2b favors the involvement of deep high-temperature magmatic waters at stage 1 and middle stage 2. The elevated As contents from Py2a to Py2c and depletion of trace elements (e.g., Co, Ni, As and Te) and high Au/Co, Cu/Ni, and As/Ni values in Py2a and Py3, combined with published H-O isotope data, imply a meteoric water ingress during stage 2–3. Thus, the fluid evolution at Sizhuang is a consequence of pulsed deep magmatic fluid release plus progressive meteoric fluid ingress. The rhythmic Co–As–Ni–Au bands of Py2b additionally suggest episodic changes in the composition of ore-forming fluids. Moreover, the sharp textural features (e.g., pyrite overgrowth on previously cataclastic crystals) of Py2 and As-Cu-rich and Co-poor bands in zoned Py2b probably also reflect rapid metal deposition and self-organization and subsequent mineral crystal growth due to the pressure release during phase separation in the Sizhuang deposit. Considering the significantly concentrated gold (>1300 t) in the regional Jiaojia fault zone and Au-bearing mineral formation related to phase separation (boiling) in the Sizhuang deposit, gold mineralization in the Sizhuang deposit was interpreted to be controlled by the pressure-driver owing to the seismic activities in the Jiaojia fault system.

Tracing gold nuggets back to the source: a microchemical analysis of tertiary gold placers in Central Spain.

<p>Gold placers are abundant and intensively surveyed in western Iberia since antiquity. Three Cenozoic gold placers covering Neoproterozoic-Lower Paleozoic basement rocks have recently been revealed, which stand out for the number and size of the samples recovered: Salvatierra de Tormes (ST), Santibáñez el Alto (SA) and Casas de Don Pedro-Talarrubias (CSDP). To date, primary sources remain undiscovered. We have combined microchemical, inclusion analysis and morphology of gold nuggets to define the placer gold signature and its relationship with bedrock primary sources and infer mineralization styles. Coarse gold particles prevent secondary resetting of source signature and increase the chances to investigate mineral assemblages. Nuggets morphology analysis have reveled that ST and SA deposit are fluvial "trunk" placers, while CSDP represents an autochthon or colluvial placer type. Four different types of gold have been defined in nuggets: core gold (T1), rim gold (T2) fine grained gold in Fe-oxyhydroxides aggregates (T3) and "mustard" gold (Au+Sb-Pb-Fe-oxides) (T4).</p><p>Based on those categories we have explored primary and secondary signatures in the deposits. Lode signature is observed in the core of nuggets (T1) with a fineness between 800 and 1000. Alloy composition ranges from binary (Au:Ag) in SA to ternary (Au:Ag:Cu) in ST and CSDP. Sulphides and sulfarsenides dominates inclusions association in ST, while Sb- and Sb-Pb-Fe phases appear in ST and CSDP respectively. CSDP primary gold shows a distinct Hg content. The identification of mineral phases non-compatible with supergene conditions in gold and textural remnants of annealing microstructures, point to an hypogenic origin of T1 in all deposits and coul be compatible with a mesothermal system (<400ºC) in which, CSDP represents the higher T and SA the lower T end. A hybrid hydrothermal-magmatic system is proposed.</p><p>Secondary signature is complex and reveals several stages. Older evidence of in-situ modification of primary gold was found in CSDP gold-bearing quart fragments, with pervasive alteration under oxidizing and alkaline conditions. This process liberated gold from T1 and primary phases (e.g., aurostibite), leading to the formation of auroatimonades and "mustard" gold (T4), showing a complex textural pattern. Gold particles were subsequently modified during fluvial transport and deposition through the interaction with fluids, which activated Ag-leaching processes, resulting in the development of gold-rich rims (T2). Partial dissolution and re-precipitation of gold in reduction conditions formed very fineness gold particles embedded in Fe oxy-hydroxides (T3).</p>

Method for Revealing Placer Gold Source

Material characteristics of placer gold and geological and geomorphological features of placercontaining watercourses allow revealing the type of source that formed the placer. The studied area (the middle reach of theAdychaRiver, Verkhoyansk District, Yakutia) is characterized by highly developed placer gold mineralization both in ancient terrace sediments and high-order watercourses. The significant placer gold mineralization in the high-order watercourses, at very limited number of known bedrock gold deposits suggests the presence of not yet discovered bedrock gold mineralization. Revealing the type of sources of placer gold in young high-order watercourses allows to create prognostic and prospecting models for both potential placer and primary (vein) ore occurrences. The purpose of the study is to compile a logical-information algorithm, which, based on the most significant material and geological-geomorphological factors, will enable revealing the type of placer gold source and the possibility of its location discovery and probability of gold transportation continuation from the source. The study result is presented by a program (the Python programming language) that characterizes the type of placer gold source based on gold grain rounding degree, the presence of gold intergrowths with other minerals and the presence of heavy fraction. Assessment of the possibility of placer gold source location determination is based on geological and geomorphological factors: watercourse order, the type of placer, and spatial association with terraces of ancient erosion levels. The study of well-known gold placers using the created program allowed revealing gold placers with supposedly primary gold source and other ones with the source in the form of a natural intermediate gold concentrator. A map of exogenous gold mineralization with forecast elements was also created, presenting areas promising for revealing primary gold mineralization (areas of presence of high-order watercourses with gold mineralization source) and areas of high-order watercourses promising for discovering gold placers (identified by analogy (in geological and geomorphological position) with watercourses with the known source in the form of natural intermediate gold concentrator.

Active carbons for selective flotation of primary gold-copper-porphyry ore

The results of a study on the flotation of gold-copper-porphyry ore are presented. The quality of the obtained concentrates is confirmed by the efficiency of using activated carbon to reduce the excess of reagents accumulating in the collective concentrates. Detailed studies of concentrates of copper selection using scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of carbon in their composition. On the surface of gold and chalcopyrite particles, thin coal deposits and coatings were observed. Flotation of particles of gold and sulfide minerals can probably be improved by naturally hydrophobic or hydrophobized coal particles. “Carbon” coatings are selective with respect to the surface of sulfide minerals. No coal coatings were found on the surface of quartz grains and crystals.

Alteration Alteration, Mineralization and Geochemistry of Metamorphic Rocks Hosted Hydrothermal Gold Deposit at Rumbia Mountains, Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

In Indonesia, gold is commonly mined from porphyry, epithermal and skarn type deposits that are commonly found in volcanic/magmatic belts. However, were recently numerous gold prospects discovered in association with metamorphic rocks. This paper is intended to describe an alteration and ore mineralogy hosted by metamorphic rocks at Rumbia mountains, Bombana regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The study area is found the placer and primary gold hosted by metamorphic rocks. The placer gold is evidently derived from gold-bearing quartz veins hosted by Pompangeo Metamorphic Complex (PMC). This study is conducted in three stages, three stages including desk study, field work and laboratory analysis. Desk study mainly covers literature reviews. Field work includes mapping of surface geology, alteration and ore mineralization as well as sampling of representative rocks types, altered rocks and gold-bearing veins. Laboratory analysis includes the petrologic observation of handspecimen samples, petrographic analysis of the thin section and ore microscopy for polished section, XRD (X-ray diffraction), ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy), ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Mass Spectrometry and FA/AAS (Fire Assay/Atomic Absorbtion Spectophotometry) analysis. The results shows that the alteration characteristics of hydrothermal gold deposits in Mendoke and Rumbia mountain consist of 3 (three) alterations namely sericitic, argillic dan propylitic. Characteristics of mineralization hydrothermal gold deposits in the research area are generally p related to gold-bearing quartz veins/veinlets consist of chalcopyrite, pyrite, chrysocolla, covellite, cinnabar, magnetite, hematite and goetite in rocks categorized into greenschist facies. There are three generations of veins identified including the first is parallel to the foliations, the second crosscut the first generation of veins/foliations, and the third is of laminated deformed quartz+calcite veins at the late stage. The quartz veins commonly deformed, segmented, massive, laminated, irregular, brecciated, and occasionally sigmoidal. The veins contain erratic gold in various grades from below detection limit <0.0002 ppm to 18,4000 at found in third generation veins which are laminated quartz±calcite in argillic alteration. ppm. The protoliths of metamorphic rocks in Rumbia Mountain, which comes from sedimentary rocks, spesifically pelitic rocks and graywacke. Based on those characteristics, it obviously indicates that the primary gold deposit present in the study area is of orogenic gold deposits type. The orogenic gold deposit is one of the new targets for exploration in Indonesia.