Abstract: Placer gold is widely distributed throughout the western Yukon; however, lode sources for most of these deposits remain unknown. Previous studies of gold compositions in this region using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EMP) methods showed 1) that there are consistent differences in average composition (although with considerable overlap) between gold from different styles of lode gold mineralization; and 2) the composition(s) of placer gold can be matched with specific lode sources, or the most likely style of lode source can be identified. In the current study we employ SEM and EMP methods together with laser ablation ICP-MS trace element analysis and study of the micro-inclusion suite(s) to more completely characterize the major, minor and trace element composition of the gold as well as the mineralogy of the lode sources themselves. We also report new data for placer and lode gold, mainly from the Klondike District.

Authors: Mortensen, J.K., Chapman, R., LeBarge, W., and Jackson, L.

Keywords: gold mineralization, Klondike District

NTS Mapsheet(s): 115N, 115O

Citation: Mortensen, J.K., Chapman, R., LeBarge, W., and Jackson, L., 2005. Application of placer and lode gold geochemistry to gold exploration in western Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2004, Emond, D.S., Lewis, L.L., and Bradshaw, G.D. (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey, p. 205-212.

Downloads

Name	Comment
Report	File is 1.41 MB	Download PDF