Identifying pathfinder elements for gold in bulk-rock geochemical data from the Cripple Creek Au–Te deposit: a statistical approach

Abstract

The Cripple Creek alkaline igneous rock-related low-sulfidation epithermal gold telluride deposit, Colorado, is hosted in the 10 km wide Oligocene alkaline volcanic Cripple Creek diatreme in Proterozoic rocks. Gold occurs as native Au, Au-tellurides, and in the structure of arsenian pyrite, in potassically altered high-grade veins, and as disseminations in the host rocks.Correlation coefficients, principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and random forests were used to analyze major and trace element compositions of 995 rock samples primarily from low-grade gold mineralization in drill core from three currently operating pits (Wild Horse Extension (WHEX), Globe Hill, and Schist Island) in the northwestern part of the Cripple Creek diatreme. These methods suggest that Ag, As, Bi, Te, and W are the best pathfinders to Au mineralization in low-grade disseminated ore. Although Mo correlates with gold in other studies and is spatially related to gold veins, molybdenite post-dated the formation of gold and is likely related to a late-stage porphyry overprint. These elements, in conjunction with mineralogical studies, indicate that tellurides, fluorite, quartz, carbonates, roscoelite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, pyrite, sphalerite, muscovite, monazite, bastnäsite, and hübnerite serve as exploration guides to ore.

A Deep-Penetrating Geochemical Prospecting Experiment of Mahuagou Gold Deposit in the Core of the Huangling Anticline, Western Hubei, China

“…In the field of geochemical gold exploration, the analysis of coupled elemental relationships and the determination of their significance are of particular importance [67]. Studies such as the native halo of gold deposits, trace element patterns [68], and statistical relationships between various elements [69] play a crucial role in addressing gold exploration challenges. To elucidate the distribution patterns of geochemical elements within the overlying strata of the Mahuagou mining area and establish relationships among element combinations, this study conducted content analysis on soil samples containing 17 metallic and non-metallic elements closely associated with gold mineralization, including Ag, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, W, Zn, and Au.…”

Indicator Minerals, Pathfinder Elements, and Portable Analytical Instruments in Mineral Exploration Studies

“…Nude et al [12], in their gold exploration studies in the Wa-Lawra Belt, Northwest Ghana, using a multivariate statistical approach, found that Fe and Mn are strongly associated with gold, and alongside Pb, Ag, As, and Cu, these elements could be used as pathfinders for gold in the area, with ferruginous zones as targets. Kadel-Harder et al [30], in their study identifying pathfinder elements for gold in the Cripple Creek alkaline igneous rock-related, low-sulfidation epithermal gold telluride deposit in Colorado, US, found that Ag, As, Bi, Te, and W are the best pathfinders, and tellurides, fluorite, quartz, carbonates, roscoelite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, pyrite, sphalerite, muscovite, monazite, bastnäsite, and hübnerite are the indicator minerals to gold mineralization in low-grade disseminated ores.…”