Aqueous Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration - ADIMB
Aqueous Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration - ADIMB
Aqueous Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration - ADIMB
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1<strong>Aqueous</strong> <strong>Geochemistry</strong> <strong>in</strong> M<strong>in</strong>eral <strong>Exploration</strong>Matthew I. Leybourne, GNS Science, Avalon, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Outl<strong>in</strong>e• Why aqueous geochemistry <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eral exploration?• Field analyses - importance of pH and Eh• Major species• Trace metals and metalloids• Stable isotopes• Radiogenic isotopes• Insights ga<strong>in</strong>ed from water chemistry• Seawater exploration for SMSGNS Science
Utility of groundwater geochemistry• Significant challenge for m<strong>in</strong>eral exploration is to f<strong>in</strong>dnew and deeper deposits, particularly <strong>in</strong> areas whereeither thick cover exists• Where past exploration has already discovered shallowm<strong>in</strong>eralization and exploration must extend to greaterdepth• Groundwater recharges to depth, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> greaterlikelihood of <strong>in</strong>teract<strong>in</strong>g with buried m<strong>in</strong>eralizationcompared to surficial geochemical methods, thusprovid<strong>in</strong>g a three dimensional perspective• <strong>Aqueous</strong> geochemistry can provide <strong>in</strong>sights <strong>in</strong>to othersample media and dispersion processes, secondarym<strong>in</strong>eral formationGNS Science
Natural waters vs AMDGNS Science
Field based analyses- pH and redoxKZK (Yukon)Spence (Chile)GNS Science
Major species: Monturaqui, Salar de Punta Negraand Hamburgo Bas<strong>in</strong>GNS Science
Major species: Kirkland Lake,OntarioGNS Science
Trace metals and metalloidsGNS Science
Trace elements - Spence, ChileGNS Science
Trace elements - Spence, ChileGNS Science
Trace elements - KZK, YukonGNS Science
Trace elements - Bathurst Camp, NBGNS Science
Trace elements - Bathurst Camp, NBGNS Science
Filtration versus non-filtrationGNS Science
Stable Isotopes - Spence, ChileGNS Science
Stable isotopesGNS Science
Stable isotopes - KZK, YukonLayton-Matthews and Leybourne (unpublished data)GNS Science
F<strong>in</strong>gerpr<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g trace metal sourcesde Caritat, P. and Kirste, D., (2005)GNS Science
Radiogenic isotopes - Pb• Pb has low solubility <strong>in</strong> waters• Dist<strong>in</strong>guish<strong>in</strong>g true from false anomalies (organic, Mn or Fe oxideaccumulation of metals)GNS Science
Radiogenic isotopesGNS Science
Integration of geochemical model<strong>in</strong>g with realworldexamples• Enhanced understand<strong>in</strong>g of critical processes• Application to metallurgical processes, remediation studies, supergenem<strong>in</strong>eralizationGNS Science
Formation of atacamiteGNS Science
Formation of soil anomaliesGNS Science
GNS Science
<strong>Aqueous</strong>Geochemical<strong>Exploration</strong>: TheOceansGNS Science
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Plume Hunt<strong>in</strong>gGNS Science
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1.01.41.8GNS Science
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Sometimes the water comes to you…GNS Science
26 th International Applied <strong>Geochemistry</strong> SymposiumIncorporat<strong>in</strong>g the New Zealand Geothermal Workshop18-21 November, 2013, Rotorua, New Zealandwww.gns.cri.nz/iags
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