A case-hardened, low contamination ring mill for multi-element geochemistry

Residual regolith over the Aries kimberlite pipe, situated in the central Kimberley Block of Western Australia, consists of lateritic duricrust, mottled zone, upper saprolite, lower saprolite and saprock. Duricrust and mottled zone are dominated by goethite and kaolinite while saprolite consists mostly of smectite with minor amounts of mica and serpentine. Most kimberlite indicator minerals except chromite have been weathered. Kimberlitic rock fabric is preserved in the regolith up to the top of saprolite. Chromium, Ni, Co, Cu, Nb, Zr, Ti, P and rare earth elements (REE) are significantly enriched in the mottled zone and duricrust relative to the saprolite and fresh kimberlite. Vanadium, Sb, As, Mo and U, derived from the sediments and basaltic rocks around the pipe, are also enriched. Goethite partly hosts Cr, Ni, and Co, and Nb and REE are associated with anatase. The clay fractions of the mottled zone and saprolite contain significant quantities of Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zr, Ga, Ti, Nb, Zn and REE. A suite of six trace elements comprising those associated with ultramafic rocks (Cr and Co) and felsic rocks (Nb, La, Sm and P) can readily distinguish the kimberlitic laterite from that derived from ultramafic or felsic rocks.

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Geochemical mapping of the deeply weathered western Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia, using laterite geochemistry

Cornelius

Robertson

Cornelius

et al. 2008

GEEA

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Multi-element analysis of ferruginous nodules and pisoliths from lateritic residuum, derived lag and ferruginous gravel, selected from locally derived colluvium (laterite) sampled at an approximate 9 km interval (triangular grid) over the western Yilgarn Craton, shows regional geochemical trends, major lithologies and dispersion halos around significant bedrock mineralization. The sample density (one sample per 60–100 km 2 , depending on sample availability) and extent of the coverage ( c . 400 000 km 2 , including large unsampled areas in drainage) mean that the data are potentially valuable for both exploration and environmental purposes. More than 3100 samples have been analysed for 53 elements by XRF, ICP-AES and ICP-MS, with selected samples also analysed for PGE. Elevated Au abundances in the NE of the survey area not only cluster around known gold deposits but extend beyond them, indicating the likelihood of more widespread mineralization in these areas. A chalcophile element index illustrates potential for Au and base metal mineralization in the westernmost part of the Yilgarn Craton, whereas a pegmatophile index shows a regional NW trend parallel to regional structures. Abundant chromium in granite-dominated areas might indicate mafic-ultramafic remnants (some with anomalous Au) beyond known greenstone belts. A newly discovered regional Hg anomaly trends NW for more than 500 km. Anomalous As, Bi, Mo and Sb along the southern margin of the craton may be related to Au mineralization. The spatial and geochemical consistency of the dataset means that it is well suited to multivariate statistics.

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A case-hardened, low contamination ring mill for multi-element geochemistry

Cited by 3 publications

References 1 publication

Origins and applications of size fractions of soils overlying the Beasley Creek gold deposit, Western Australia

Origins and applications of size fractions of soils overlying the Beasley Creek gold deposit, Western Australia

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the regolith profile over the Aries kimberlite pipe, Western Australia

Geochemical mapping of the deeply weathered western Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia, using laterite geochemistry

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