RESEARCH PROPOSAL

GEOCHEMICAL AND HEAVY MINERAL STUDY OF

STREAM SEDIMENTS FOR GOLD, SILVER, AND

BASE METAL

INTRODUCTION

One of the most widely used methods in regional geochemical approaches is the stream
sediments sampling. Stream sediment geochemistry is extensively used in mineral exploration
and environmental studies. Active sediments in the channels of streams and rivers can contain
low levels of metals derived from weathering of mineralized rocks within the upstream
catchment (Marjoribanks). Many of the ore minerals undergo decomposition or disintegration
and their chemical constituents become dispersed into weathering debris, soils, ground water,
and plant tissue. Further dispersion, often over considerable distances, may ensue due to the
agencies of glaciers or stream systems (Dugmore et al., 1996; Le Couteur and Mcleod, 2006;
Sarala and Peuraniemi, 2007; Champan et al., 2009). The moving water, especially streams
and rivers, causes an accumulation of mechanically concentrated ore minerals termed as
placer deposits(Gandhi and Raja, 2014). The stream sediment survey for exploring economic
minerals is the most reliable, less-expensive and worldwide established technique(Beeson,
1995; Fletcher, 1997; Chandrajith et al., 2001; Ayodele, 2011).The geochemical composition
of stream sediments represent the average composition of the whole drainage basin (Reimann
and Melezhik, 2001; Halamic et al., 2001).Although stream sediments are affected by
different chemical, biological and physical weathering processes, yet they retain the original
geochemical composition of the source (Naseem et al., 2002; Formoso, 2006; Dill, 2008).
Hunt for economic mineral deposits is the utmost desire of every geochemical explorer.
Geochemical mineral exploration incorporates any technique of mineral prospecting based on
the systematized analysis of chemical properties of a particular mineral (Hawkes, 1957;
Reimann and Melezhik, 2001). The technique of panning or sluicing applied in the field on
the stream sediments yield anomalous concentrations of Au due to its heavy and resistant
nature(Townley et al., 2003; Shah et al., 2007). The heavy mineral study and morphological
characterization of Au grains provide valuable information about the primary deposit of
placer-type minerals (de Oliveira and de Oliveira, 2000; Duk-Rodkin et al., 2001; Nakagawa
et al., 2005). Therefore, the present study is being proposed to understand the mineralogical
and geochemical characteristics of the placer deposits.

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Aims and Objectives

The proposed research work includes the following aims and objectives;
 To scan the proposed area for gold, silver and base metals anomalies by using
appropriate geochemical techniques of exploration.
 To prepare the litho-geochemical maps using Arc GIS tools and to delineate the
anomalous areas of interest for detailed studies.
 To conduct multivariate statistical analysis of the geochemical data and spatially
correlate geochemical association with underlying lithology and structure in Arc-
GIS.
 To evaluate the economic significance of the studied gold, silver and base metals
in the study area.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology includes the field work and the laboratory work as described below:

Field work

An extensive field work will be conducted in the proposed area and representative
samples from streams and their tributaries will be collected in a systematic way. Stream
samples (about 2 Kg each) will be collected from active sediments, while panning or sluicing
technique of sampling will be applied along the low-energy or standing water body. All the
samples will then be brought to the Geochemistry laboratory for mineralogical and chemical
investigations.
Laboratory work
The stream sediments samples will be dried and sieved from # 80 mesh size fraction.
The pan concentrates will be studied under the binocular/stereomicroscope for identification
of gold grains and other heavy minerals. For determining elemental concentrations (ppm) of
gold, silver and base metals in both stream sediments and pan concentrates, the method of
Hubert and Chao (1985) will be used. A specific amount of sample i.e., one gram for base
metals and 20 grams for gold will be digested in aqua-regia and other acids for the
determination of Au, Ag and base metals.However,the methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) will be
used for the extraction of gold. The final solutions obtained will be analyzed for gold, silver
and base metals concentrations (ppm) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

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Statistical and GIS analysis

The SPSS software will be used for geo-statistical analysis. Geologic map of the
study area will be digitized using Arc GIS software and elemental concentrations of gold,
silver and other base metals will be plotted on it. Finally a geochemical model will be
prepared for interpretation of data.

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