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Abstract

A set of criteria. has been developed, using selected trace element
analyses, which may be used at an early stage in exploration to distinguish
ironstones with high potential for gold mineralisation from barren
ironstones. The critical elements recommended for routine analysis are Au,
Pb, Bi, Mo, Cu and zn. Gold requires accurate analyses at low levels, down
to 1 ppb. The AAS-carbon rod technique on 20 gm samples is recommended.
The other elements also require lower detection limits than normal, down to
at least 2 ppm.
The principal criteria are;
1. There is a consistent positive relationship between gold and lead in
all ironstones. Truely barren ironstones always contain less than 100
ppb gold and less than 20 ppm lead. Ironstone intersections which
contain gold from 100 ppb to 1000 ppb and/or lead from 10 ppm to 200
ppm may represent the halo around a gold pod, and therefore require
follow-up drilling.
2. Ironstones with greater map 20 ppm Pb and zinc numbers in the range 0
to 10 have high potential for associated gold mineralisation.
3. Spidergrams of multielement sets from ironstone intersections provide
a very useful way of assessing the gold potential of an ironstone.
Gold-bearing ironstones show a consistent pattern which is quite
distinct from the barren ironstones.
Using the above criteria on the set of 13 weakly mineralised and
"barren" ironstones investigated in this study, the Navigator 7 prospect
stands out as having very high potential for a gold pod.

Item Type:	Report (Technical Report)
Authors/Creators:	Large, RR and Robinson, P
Publisher:	University of Tasmania
Additional Information:	© 1987 University of Tasmania
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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