CRC LEME
Open File Report 44
ABSTRACT
The distribution of gold and other elements in soils and vegetation
at Panglo, Western Australia
Lintern, M.J. and Scott, K.M.
Shallow auger, surface, profile, trench, grab and vegetation samples
were taken along two traverses at the Panglo gold deposit about
30 kilometres NNW of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Landscape and
soil features were photographed, described and used to interpret
geochemical information. The relationship between the geochemistry
of soils and vegetation was explored with particular reference to
Au. Detailed examination of weathering surface material was performed
using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) techniques. The results
establish a widespread and strong association between Au and pedogenic
carbonate. The most significant result was the presence of Au (up
to several hundred ppb) in pedogenic carbonate occurring in transported
overburden above mineralisation. There was also a weak association
between Au found in vegetation and that found in the soils. Other
results indicated the strong association between landscape features,
geochemistry and vegetation type. SEM studies revealed the importance
of calcite in near-surface weathering processes.
The study demonstrates the importance of locating and sampling
the pedogenic carbonate horizon if present. Augering and near-surface
sampling appear to be the most successful exploration techniques
whereas trench sampling may falsely locate or overlook the soil
anomaly altogether. Vegetation sampling alone cannot be used to
locate mineralisation.
Last updated: Thursday, January 06, 2000 08:37 AM
|
