Gold
Deposits
Mining and Exploration
Geology Handbook
Gold
Gold is a highly sought after mineral, both for its monetary value and its special properties as well as a long history of Gold being a symbol of wealth the world over.
Gold only (there is one exception) is found as a free element. The Gold (Au) element does not form bonds with other elements to form any unique minerals. This is represented by one of its special properties – it will not oxidize/rust or tarnish. This makes it a great choice for jewelry and commerce.
Golds other very useful property is its electrical conductivity which makes it very useful in electronics and computers. Future gold mines maybe todays computer waste.
Gold deposits
Narrow Vein, High Grade Gold
Indicator minerals tend to be general, with one or two specific to each gold deposit. The presence of the indicator mineral is only an indication that gold may be present.
In the above picture, the known gold deposit the primary indicator minerals are fine grained arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite. In this drill core there is a nicely mineralized quartz vein with both those indicators as well as the common pyrite. This peice of core did have high grade gold speckled in amongst the arsenopyrite.
All three of these indicator minerals are iron based and at surface this quartz vein would have abundant rust staining.
Deposits are currently being worked on and updated!
Gold
Narrow Vein, High Grade, low grade, Placer Gold deposits
chromite deposits
Ontario's "Ring of Fire" Chromite Deposits
Precious metals
Platinum, and Silver
Base Metal deposits
Copper, iron
precious stones
Amethyst, Diamonds, rubies and more