A Deep-Penetrating Geochemical Prospecting Experiment of Mahuagou Gold Deposit in the Core of the Huangling Anticline, Western Hubei, China
Source abstract
Abstract
The Mahuagou gold deposit is among the most important gold deposits in the core of the Huangling Anticline. However, the geochemical exploration on the surface of the mining area presents challenges due to the thin overburden. This paper focuses on the overburden soil of the Fengxiangshugou (FXS)-Mahuanggou (MHG) section as the research object. It utilizes chemical form analysis of gold, soil halogen survey, and heat-released mercury survey to determine the key deep-penetrating geochemical methods for the mining area. The results indicated that Si and Al components of samples exhibit minimal variation, suggesting that drift loads did not influence the overburden soil. Based on the systematic clustering, As, Sb, Mo, Bi, W, and Hg emerge as ore-body or ore-belt front elements of hydrothermal gold deposits. In the study area, the predominant chemical form of gold in soil is the strong organic bond. Compared to the total amount, strong organic bound gold and heat-released mercury show higher anomaly contrasts, making them crucial indicators of faults, intrusions, and hidden ore bodies. Consequently, chemical form analysis of gold and heat-released mercury surveys can enhance the anomaly contrast, proving beneficial for geochemical prospecting for weak anomalies in this area.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Heavy metals in environment · Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources (GPMR), Faculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Seventh Geological Brigade, Hubei Geological Bureau, Yichang 443100, China
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources (GPMR), Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Department of Mineral Resources, College of Petroleum Geology and Minerals, University of Bahri, Khartoum 999129, Sudan
Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 75/10 Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China
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