General Information
Abstract: This project compares fine sediment geochemistry (-53 microns) with traditional -180 microns (-80 mesh) sediment geochemistry. The goal of this project is to confirm or deny the key theoretical advantages of fine fraction sediment sampling as outlined in YGS Open File 1993-9 (G), and to develop practical and efficient techniques for collecting and processing the samples. Those key theoretical advantages are less local sample site variation, improved reproducibility, and the potential to preferentially define anomalies associated with significant bedrock mineralization.
Five study areas were selected in Yukon. Four of these areas contain known gold mineralization that has been mined in the past or contain significant drill indicated reserves. The Mt. Skukum deposit is a low sulfide quartz carbonate vein system that was mined in the mid 1980s. Ketza River is a sulfide-rich manto-style deposit with significant oxide reserves that was mined in the late 1980s. Dublin Gulch is a gold-bearing stockwork hosted within intrusive, similar to the Fort Knox gold deposit at Fairbanks, Alaska. Brewery Creek is a disseminated gold deposit hosted primarily within structurally disrupted intrusives.
Samples of -2000 micron sediment were collected from streams draining these areas of known mineralization, as well as from streams draining areas with no known significant mineralization but with erratic gold values from government sponsored regional geochemical surveys (RGS), and from streams that have only background gold values from RGS. Gold concentrations for each sample were determined by duplicate 30 g fire assay and one 10 g aqua-regia analysis. Values for 32 other elements were determined by ICP analysis.
Evidence from this orientation survey demonstrates the potential to improve the success rate of reconnaissance exploration for gold by collecting fine fraction sediment samples as a first step in exploration. Increased project cost at this stage could be greatly offset by more efficient and successful follow-up programs.
Five study areas were selected in Yukon. Four of these areas contain known gold mineralization that has been mined in the past or contain significant drill indicated reserves. The Mt. Skukum deposit is a low sulfide quartz carbonate vein system that was mined in the mid 1980s. Ketza River is a sulfide-rich manto-style deposit with significant oxide reserves that was mined in the late 1980s. Dublin Gulch is a gold-bearing stockwork hosted within intrusive, similar to the Fort Knox gold deposit at Fairbanks, Alaska. Brewery Creek is a disseminated gold deposit hosted primarily within structurally disrupted intrusives.
Samples of -2000 micron sediment were collected from streams draining these areas of known mineralization, as well as from streams draining areas with no known significant mineralization but with erratic gold values from government sponsored regional geochemical surveys (RGS), and from streams that have only background gold values from RGS. Gold concentrations for each sample were determined by duplicate 30 g fire assay and one 10 g aqua-regia analysis. Values for 32 other elements were determined by ICP analysis.
Evidence from this orientation survey demonstrates the potential to improve the success rate of reconnaissance exploration for gold by collecting fine fraction sediment samples as a first step in exploration. Increased project cost at this stage could be greatly offset by more efficient and successful follow-up programs.
Authors: MacKay, G.
Map Scale: 1 : 0
Citation: MacKay, G., 1994. Fine Sediment Geochemistry for Gold Orientation Survey. Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 1994-11(G).
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