CRC LEME
Open File Report 6
ABSTRACT
Morphology and geochemistry of gold in a laterite profile, Beasley
Creek, Laverton, Western Australia
Freyssinet, P. and Butt, C.R.M.
The morphology and geochemistry of gold grains was studied in panned
concentrates from several depths in the weathering profile of gold
mineralization at Beasley Creek, near Laverton. At 70-80 m depth,
the mineralization is only partly weathered and both primary and
secondary gold grains are present. The former are characterised
by high Ag contents (maximum 48%), whereas the secondary gold is
of high fineness. Above 60 m, only secondary grains were found,
but with several morphological types, including flat polygonal forms,
euhedral prismatic crystals and pseudohexagonal crystals. Most of
the grains are etched and corroded. Above 20 m, a further generation
of secondary gold appears, as irregular rounded grains that are
only weakly corroded. No trace elements were detected in the primary
gold, but Fe and As are present sporadically in the secondary grains,
probably as micro-inclusions of Fe oxides.
Last updated: Tuesday, January 04, 2000 10:11 AM
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