B1 StreamSediments

Hillgrove Applied Geochemistry Workshop
Stream Sediment Sampling

Bali 2012 ● Introduction
● Objectives and Planning
● Sample Types
Module B1 ● Data Analysis
● Catchment Analysis
Stream Sediments ● Catchment Geology
● Scavenging
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Stream Sediment Surveying Stream Sediment Sampling

● A proven and robust geochemical
exploration method. ● Introduction
● Can be successful, to a degree, even ● Objectives and Planning
when poorly executed!
● Ideally, the sample will represent all ● Sample Types
parts of the catchment basin so ● Data Analysis
mineralisation anywhere in the drainage
will have an equal chance of being ● Catchment Analysis
detected. ● Scavenging
● Suitable material may be found:
● Behind large boulders, or logs.
● In low energy pools at the tail ends
of bars or between riffle chutes.
● Infilling voids below the surface of
cobble gravel bars.
● Moss mats.
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© ioGlobal 2012
Sampling Objectives Drainage Geochemistry Affected By:
● Maximise the detectable length of anomalous dispersion ● Catchment size
trains for reconnaissance surveys. Follow-up surveys may
● The larger the catchment, the greater the dilution.
target physically transported grains with restricted dispersion
trains (e.g. pathfinders and then Au grain anomalies). ● Catchment Geology
● Provide a regular concentration gradient with increasing ● Some elements, such as the base metals, are strongly influenced by
distance from source so that follow up sampling will reveal rock type variability.
vectors toward mineralisation. ● Scavenging of metals by various sample constituents
● These requirements are complicated by sorting and hydraulic ● Secondary Fe and Mn oxides, clays and organic matter can
effects - this has important consequences for Au. preferentially adsorb metals in solution onto their structure,
resulting in “false” geochemical anomalies.
● Concentration of Au in the coarser fractions can become
increasingly erratic in space and time.
Modified from Mazzucchelli (AMF training notes)
Stream Sediments Fluvial Dispersion Mechanisms

● Basic premise is that a stream
sediment is representative of the
products of weathering and erosion
upstream of the sample site.
● Complications include:
● Flood plains de-coupling stream from its
interfluves.
● Supply may be dominated from a few
restricted sources (uneven erosion, land
slides).
● Supply may be disturbed by agricultural ● The dispersion mechanism dictates the most useful sampling media or
practices. analytical method for a particular exploration programme. for example:
● Human contamination. ● physical transport - coarse fractions.
● aqueous transport - partial leach analysis.
(From Plant & Raiswell 1994)
© ioGlobal 2012
Gold in Stream Sediments Particular Case of Gold Grains
● Sampling statistics are dominated by the coarsest particle
size therefore:
● very large samples may be needed to contain sufficient Au to achieve
good sampling statistics. 250um diameter 63um diameter
● often the recommendation is to collect the finest fraction
practicable.
Consider spherical gold grains with the above diameters.
● Au dispersed in lateritic material may be very fine grained
(<10µm). These are the largest grains that would pass through a 250um (60#)
● Fine particles <50µm should be dispersed further than coarse and 63um (240#) sieve.
particles.
Question: What would be the gold concentrations of 30g and 2000g
● Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) sampling can samples, with 1 grain of Au using both of these Au grain sizes?
preferentially lose <50µm Au, resulting in a sample with a
bias towards coarse particles. Answer: 30g – 5.26ppm, 2000g – 0.08ppm.
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Planning Considerations Generic Sampling Procedures

● Is the sampling representative, i.e. ● Active section of the stream, away from bank and flood plain
material.
● are there gaps in the basin coverage?
● are sample basins equivalent in size? ● Either active sediment or trap sites can be targeted. Be sure
to maintain consistency.
● Where to collect the sample from (and in some climates,
when)? ● Site should be sufficiently up stream of any junctions to avoid
adjacent floodplain contamination. Also upstream of any
● What size fraction to analyse? major disturbance (i.e. landslides).
● How large a field sample and analytical fraction to take? ● If feasible collect the material from 2-4 individual sites to
● What analytical technique?
minimise variation. Remove very recent sediment (top 5-
10cm) before sampling.
● Dry or wet sieve depending on conditions, but be consistent
throughout program. Alternatively, have all samples sieved
by the lab (but risk having insufficient -#80 material, for
example).
© ioGlobal 2012
Stream Sediment Sampling Sample Types
● Generally coarse and/or fine sieved fractions are collected
● Introduction for analysis.
● Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
● Sample Types
● Fine fractions: May be preferable where metals are
● Data Analysis
associated with clay minerals or hydrous oxides precipitates
as might be the case for hydromorphically transported
● Scavenging elements. Potentially longer dispersion trains.
● Coarse fractions are better at targeting metals moved by
physical dispersion such as coarse lithogenic fragments but
dispersion trains can be shorter.
● It is not uncommon to collect two fractions.
● Orientation studies are useful.
-75 µm -180 µm (-80#)

Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages
Fine gold retained – recognise anomalies Some sampling error if Au up to 75µm Generally provides a good balance Some sampling error if coarse Au is
missed by earlier prospectors. present. between anomaly contrast and dispersion present.
train length.
Partial compensation for variable dilution. Does not exclude dilution due to clay
minerals. Small sample size. Does not totally exclude dilution due to
clay minerals.
Topo/stream energy effects are May require transport of large samples
minimised. from field (if sieved elsewhere). Easy sample collection (generally).
Simple rapid field collection*** Fraction may be difficult to obtain.

Topography/stream energy effects ok. May require transport of large samples
from field (if sieved elsewhere).
Sample prep and lab procedures free of
Sample prep and lab procedures free of operator bias, small sample size.
operator bias.
*** Obtaining -75µm may be very difficult

Modified from Mazzucchelli (AMF training notes)
© ioGlobal 2012
BLEG HMC
Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages
Good sensitivity. Results affected by variable dilution. Good sensitivity. Short dispersion trains.
Good sampling statistics. Results affected by matrix Record of success. Poor reproducibility.
composition.
Topography effects minimised. Attack only partial for coarse Au*** Visual assessment on-site. Subject to topography influence.
Fine gold retained – recognise Logistic difficulties with large Eliminates dilution as a source of Slow.
anomalies missed by earlier samples. variation.
prospectors. Large sample weight – good May be ineffective for fine gold
Simple rapid field operation. Laboratory bias very possible. statistics. deposits.
Small concentrate sample to Subject to operator bias.
transport.
***Depending on the BLEG protocol
Modified from Mazzucchelli (AMF training notes) Modified from Mazzucchelli (AMF training notes)
Heavy Mineral Concentration Stream Sediment Sampling

Accumulation of heavy minerals
● Introduction
● Sample Types
● Data Analysis
● Scavenging
Alluvial garnet collection - China
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Catchment Analysis - Considerations Anomaly Dilution: Depends on Location
● The catchment area may be so large as to have diluted any ● Soil anomaly 2 is
geochemical signature associated with exposed diluted by the large
composite catchment
mineralisation – effectiveness of sampling programs can be area sampled by
assessed and follow-up survey densities can be optimised. sample 4.
● Soil anomaly 1 not
● Important to understand that hierarchical streams, as
diluted as sample 1
defined by stream order, results in nested catchments. as the catchment it is
in is smaller.
● The sample site does not reflect the geology from which the
● The main point is
stream sediment has been derived.
that these samples
● Need to know the catchment geology if levelling the are sampling
catchments of
geochemical data for bedrock. different size, and
thus different
degrees of dilution.
Anomaly Dilution Productivity Analysis

● Productivity analysis was introduced to account for the downstream dilution of the
geochemical signature from a mineral deposit exposed within a catchment.
MemAm = (Mea - Meb)Aa + MebAm where

Mea = the metal content at the mouth of catchment
Aa = the total area of the catchment
Mem = the metal content of the eroding mineral deposit
Am = the area of the target exposed at surface
The ideal sample would represent all Meb = background metal content in the catchment
parts of the basin equally so that
mineralisation anywhere in the basin ● However, for a small deposit size relative to the area of the catchment:
would have an equal chance of MemAm = (Mea - Meb)Aa
being detected. This is also known as the Productivity
- assumes constant sediment supply
Rewrite as: Aa = MemAm/(Mea - Meb)
to solve for the maximum catchment area to be covered by each sample
(From Rose et al., 1979) Note: This is not our preferred approach in areas with existing data – too many assumptions
Stream Sediments
© ioGlobal 2012
How to hide my chook Real world dilution – Panguna PNG
● Modelling dilution, theoretical.
● Using real world -80# data the dilution of metal
● Chuquicamata sized anomaly, 1km by 3km at 2,000 ppm Cu concentration with catchment size shows the same pattern.
● Dilution of ssed conc. with catchment size looks like this...
300
Magnitude of Anomaly (ppm Cu)
250
200
170 ppm @ 5 sq km
150
110 ppm @ 10 sq km
100 62 ppm @ 50 sq km
50
Background
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Size of Catchment (km2) EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF ANOMALIES IN TROPICAL TERRAIN by D.H. MACKENZIE (1977) Explore Newsletter No.21,
Association of Exploration Geochemists.
Real world dilution – Kulu River Catchment Analysis

Prospect New Britain
● Again a similar pattern, but the smaller anomaly results in
background values being reached sooner.
The process starts with a DEM for which drainage and

EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF ANOMALIES IN TROPICAL TERRAIN by D.H. MACKENZIE (1977) Explore Newsletter No.21,
Association of Exploration Geochemists. catchments are constructed. These are linked to sample points.
© ioGlobal 2012
Catchment Analysis Sample Location Validation and Adjustment
Map shows catchments and drainage digitally generated from DEM ● Map shows sample
locations plotted on
digitally-derived
drainage compared
to cadastral
drainage.
● Always pays to
check. Reasonable
agreement here.
● Beware of stream
order
misclassifications.
● Location adjustment
is best done
manually in most
cases.
Catchment analysis – Modelling Anomaly Dilution How to hide my chook

● Modelling dilution, theoretical.
● Need to generate a total
catchment size for each sample ● Chuquicamata sized anomaly, 1km by 3km at 2,000 ppm Cu
taken to give Ac. The software ● Dilution of ssed conc. with catchment size looks like this...
generates a stream network
300
from a DEM and then defines
Magnitude of Anomaly (ppm Cu)

the watershed.
250
● Catchments for each sample are
outlined in brown and are 170 ppm @ 5 sq km
200
attached to each of the sample
points, which are effectively the
sample outlets. 150
110 ppm @ 10 sq km
● Once catchments are defined,
100 62 ppm @ 50 sq km
they can be integrated with
geological information and
catchment geology extracted by 50
Background
SQL query.
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Size of Catchment (km2)
© ioGlobal 2012
Element vs Catchment Area - Point Density Stream Sediment Data Analysis – Central
America
● In this case,
Sample points on grey-scale DEM Sample points on colour relief image
background levels are
reached at
approximately 5 km2.
● Outlier points in large
catchments can be
significant.
DEM generated from Shuttle 90m spatial resolution radar data 40km
Attributing by Rock type “Conventional” Imaging

Cu Levelled Cu
© ioGlobal 2012
Catchment analysis – Modelling Anomaly Dilution
Catchment analysis – Modelling Anomaly Dilution
Catchments shown in yellow and
< 50km2. Why?
“Productive” catchments less
than 50km2 shown overlain by
CmAm = (Cc-C0)Ac
the 80Th percentile contour taken
from the levelled Cu image.
Assume:
Anomaly is 100m by 500m
Am = 0.05 km2 There are areas where the
Cm = 10,000ppm Cu catchments highlight separate
C0 = 43ppm (median) anomalies.
Substitution gives
Cc = 500/Ac + 43
ie if the catchment is 50km2 the
anomaly will be 53ppm,
background is 43ppm!!
High Productivity Good
Application of Stream Catchment Analysis to

Follow-up and Infill Optimisation Stream Sediment Samples
Final Comments
● There are a lot of assumptions built
in.
● Not a panacea, but worth looking at.
Cost is insignificant compared to
collecting the samples.
● GIS tools and the wide availability of
elevation data have made the job
much easier.
● There are more sophisticated models
for this sort of work (see diagram to
left and reference).
Unvalidated catchment basins courtesy of the British Columbia Geological Survey
Catchments in red are too large for a reconnaissance survey (i.e. > 30 km2), whereas as
those in violet would need to be re-sampled during follow-up work (i.e. > 10 km2).
© ioGlobal 2012
Stream Sediment Sampling Effects of Variable Background
● Introduction
● Sample Types Y’1 = 37 ppm 30% @ 40 ppm = 12 ppm 50% @ 10 ppm = 5 ppm 20% @ 100 ppm
= 20 ppm
● Data Analysis
● Scavenging and Geology
● Most large catchments contain variable lithologies

● Calculate weighted averages for each catchment and level (best, but time-
consuming).
● Level against the dominant catchment bedrock lithology.
● Level against the presence/absence of significant lithologies (i.e. basalt).
● Level against bedrock geology at catchment outlet (i.e. no catchment
analysis).
Vancouver Island Case Study Vancouver Island RGS Samples

● Moss matt stream sediment survey conducted in 1988
(northern half) and 1989 (southern half).
● The importance of catchment geology recognized by the BC
Geological survey in a series of studies in the 1990s – unable
to reliable detect the presence of porphyry Cu deposits in the
raw Cu data due to the presence of basalts on northern
Vancouver Island (Karmutsen Formation).
● Catchments provided by the BCGS in 2009 (cascading or
“nested” basins) have allowed levelling of the raw Cu data for
the dominant catchment bedrock geological unit.
● Other effects on the data have also been identified.
The positions of RGS moss mat samples are shown in blue. Whether this sample
distribution is adequate is impossible to assess without information on catchment area.
© ioGlobal 2012
Linkage to RGS Sample Points Geochemistry and Catchments
RGS sample points can be linked to their catchment areas, allowing for more Without the context of the catchment basins, gridding algorithms can place high raw Cu
effective interpretation of geochemical data.
values largely outside of the catchments from which the sediments were derived.
Follow-up and Infill Optimisation Levelling for Scavenging Effects

By Group Regression now in ioGAS!
There is clearly a relationship between Fe and some of the base metals suggesting that
Catchments in red are too large for a reconnaissance survey (i.e. > 30 km2), whereas as
scavenging by secondary Fe oxides may be occurring; note that the effect appears to be
those in violet would need to be re-sampled during follow-up work (i.e. > 10 km2).
different in samples from 1988 and 1989 for V. Batches must be regressed separately.
© ioGlobal 2012
Scavenging Effects Levelling for Dependency on Fe Content
False Cu anomalies ?
Raw Cu Data Cu Residuals Following Regression Analysis

High positive residuals;
Valid Cu anomalies
Cu from stream sediment samples shows a clear association with Fe in the

samples – data should be regressed and residuals plotted. Regression analysis is a form of levelling for a dependent variable, such as Fe, Mn, Ca
or Al. Scavenging effects, physiography, stream order and stream flow are all inter-
related by the dominant metal transport mechanism.
Data source: Geoscience BC Report 2008-5 (QUEST area)
Levelling for Catchment Rock Type Cu Data for Rock Type
Raw Cu Data Raw Cu Data Z-Score (Log 10) Levelled by Rock Type
Area of Karmutsen Fm. basalt
EDA is required to identify those parameters that have the The purpose of levelling for rock type is to remove the variability in background
greatest influence on the geochemistry of the drainage geochemistry and reveal subtle geochemical anomalies. Where done, this creates
samples. new exploration opportunities, as the highest sample points are readily apparent in
a first pass or cursory interpretation. This is best done using catchment geology,
rather than the bedrock geology beneath the sample point.
© ioGlobal 2012
Validation Validation – Skeena Region
Raw Cu
Cu levelled for dominant catchment bedrock geology
Raw Cu Index of Pb+As+Cu+Zn residuals after Fe

Comparison to know occurrences is needed to validate data treatment. Data from Geoscience BC Report 2009-5, QUEST West area
Conclusion
● $$$$ spent on collecting and analysing regional geochemical
data – very little emphasis on basic interpretation.
● The geochemical highs are generally still highs after EDA, and
PINE PASS CASE STUDY
have been known about for decades – the data must be
processed to reveal subtle 2nd and 3rd order anomalies in
order to derive new targets for exploration.
● Raw geochemical data needs to be levelled for a variety of
effects, as determined by exploratory data analysis, for
proper interpretation – followed by validation.
● Stream sediment data cannot be fully interpreted without
catchment analysis – scope for new exploration
opportunities using existing data.
© ioGlobal 2012
Data Interrogation: Multiple Effects In
Pine Pass Outline Stream Sediment Data – Zn Search
● Paleozoic carbonate
Data from Jackaman, W. (2008)
sequence along strike from
the Robb Lake Pb-Zn MVT
deposit in north-eastern
British Columbia.
● Stream samples collected
during 2007.
● No catchment analysis – just
a simple exploratory data
analysis of the data.
Univariate Analysis Zn vs Fe:

Stake Here? Regression
180ppm Zn Stake Here?
@ Abs Std Res 2.5
© ioGlobal 2012
But, what controls Zn apart from Fe? – Geology... Separate ‘by Geology’ Regression
Separate ‘by Geology’ Regression

‘By Group’
Regression
Outliers
Usual
Regression
Outliers
© ioGlobal 2012
What About This group? The Blue Group Zn is also Influenced by
LOI (organic C in stream sediments)
No relation to Fe, regression doesn't work, are they genuine anomalies?
Temporal Variation in Ssed Conc.
BENAMBRA DEPOSITS CASE STUDY
© ioGlobal 2012
NURE Stream Sediment Surveys Demo of Rotated PCA analysis
Factor Loadings (Varimax normalized) (ngb_DCL.Log)
Extraction: Principal components
(Marked loadings are >.700000)
Factor Factor Factor
Variable 1 2 3
Ag(part)_ppm-Log 0.820876 -0.065766 0.110032
As(part)_ppm-Log 0.748157 -0.007424 -0.182095
Au_AA-Log 0.575575 0.084580 -0.007874
Ba_ppm-Log 0.455080 -0.115542 -0.600502
Cd(part)_ppm-Log 0.802944 0.080867 0.141663
Co_ppm-Log -0.247753 0.919059 -0.071164
Cu(part)_ppm-Log 0.281447 0.766117 0.040718
Fe_%-Log -0.215660 0.868305 0.002212
Mn_ppm-Log -0.132295 0.721040 0.029086
Mo(part)_ppm-Log 0.761106 -0.169387 0.023709
Ni_ppm-Log 0.235449 0.773547 -0.044351
Pb(part)_ppm-Log 0.698332 0.041730 0.365705
Sr_ppm-Log -0.363814 0.146863 -0.717774
● National Uranium Resource Evaluations. Zn(tot)_ppm-Log 0.455229 0.533888 0.409492
Expl.Var 4.083267 3.672295 1.252725
● Primary goal of identifying uranium resources in Prp.Totl 0.291662 0.262307 0.089480
the continental US and Alaska.
● Added benefit! A comprehensive widespread
stream survey database publically available! Sr –Ba Carbonates
● Examples from Ag, As, Au, Cd, Mo, Pb, (Zn)
● Northern Nevada/Southeastern Oregon. Mineralisation Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni (Zn)
● Red Dog area, Alaska.
Probably Rocktype
Graphical Display of Rotated PCA Analysis Structural Interpretation from Geochemistry

Factor 1
Factor 3 Sr –Ba Carbonates
Ag, As, Au, Cd,
Mo, Pb, (Zn) Note times -1
MIneralisation Lots of structure in

this image
Factor 2
Cu, Co, Fe,

Mn, Ni (Zn) Probably rock type
© ioGlobal 2012
RGB 90th Percentile Au-Ag-Ni
RED DOG CASE STUDY
Red Dog Location Map
What if we were just starting out in this area?
Red Dog
Regional Geochemical Data Interpretation
http://www.alsap.org/RedDog/reddog.jpg
© ioGlobal 2012
Regional Alaska NURE RGB – PbCuZn (90th Regional Alaska NURE RGB – PbCuZn (90th
Percentile), On NURE Levelled Zn Image Percentile), On NURE Levelled Pb Image
Red Dog Red Dog
Regional Alaska NURE RGB – PbCuZn (90th Drainage Critical

Percentile), On NURE Levelled Cu Image Zn-Pb Mineralisation Here
Don’t Claim This
Red Dog
Red Dog
Regional Samples – Not great for targeting, get you into the ballpark
© ioGlobal 2012
Elura case study – Pb distribution in
drainage channels
● Investigation into the use of drainage geochemistry in an
area where there is no present-day perennial drainage.
ELURA CASE STUDY ● Conventional geochemical techniques are difficult to apply in areas
of extreme weathering of the ancient land surface.
● Drainage samples were collected from vicinity of Elura zinc-
lead deposit, NSW.
● The local land surface was developed on lateritic weathering
surface (known as Cobar pediplain). Characterised by
ferricrete and silcrete remnants.
● Ferricrete comprises geothite, hematite and maghemite.
● Ferricrete pebbles commonly reworked through younger soils, in
drainage channels and as lag deposits.
Dunlop et al. (1983)
Sampling Geochemical Patterns

● Drainage system is clearly defined on aerial photos, but on
● Coarser fractions containing ● A regression line for Pb on
the ground many of the channels are rather diffuse and ferricrete fragments are high in Pb Fe in the -2.12+1.18mm
broad features in low relief terrain. {Sample locations are (top) near the orebody, fraction.
(middle) distant from orebody and (bottom)
● Sample sites situated in the centres of drainage features. unmineralised}. ● Residual Pb values were
● Samples comprised red sandy loam containing coarse calculated and plotted.
ferricrete pebbles, quartz and variably silicified and
ferruginised lithic fragments.
● Samples were air-dried, split and sieved into fractions:
● +2.12mm
● -570 + 260µm ● -180 + 130µm
● -2.12+1.18mm
● -260 + 220µm ● -130 + 63µm
● -1.18mm+570µm
● -220 + 180µm ● -63µm
© ioGlobal 2012
Findings pH controls on BCL Extraction
The Pb distribution is related to physical dispersion of Pb anomalous
0.1 ● Strong Au - cyanide complexes
ferricrete fragments in the coarse stream sediment fraction. 0.09
0.08 means no significant changes.
0.07
0.06
● Arsenic acts as an oxyanion so
ppm
0.05
0.04
0.03 As_ppm increasing pH = decreased
0.02
0.01 Au_ppm adsorption = more arsenic in
0
10 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11 11.2 11.4
solution.
pH
● The dominant stable complex for
Cu_ppm
Mn, Ni, Co, Cu and Zn is not
6
Mn_ppm
0.06 necessary CN at higher pH causing
5 Co_ppm 0.05
decreasing extracted
4 0.04
concentrations and erratic
ppm
3 0.03
2 0.02
behavior.
1 0.01
● Motto? Be careful using the
0 0
Left: Distribution of Pb in –63um fraction of Right: Distribution of Pb (after correction for Fe 10 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.8 11 11.2 11.4 pathfinder elements as analysed
drainage soils around the Elura deposit. content) in –2.12 to +1.18 mm fraction of channel pH by BCL.
soils around the Elura deposit.
From Rate et al. (2010)
Au Results From SSeds, Rossland, BC

● Series of 3 conventional silt samples, 1 bulk sample collected
within a few feet of each other.
ROSSLAND CASE STUDY ● Each sample prepared and analysed in the same way (-80
mesh, 5g analytical subsample).
● Results show substantial variability in the laboratory sub-
sampling and analytical imprecision (as against the field
duplicates) – indicating some Au at least in a coarse form.
● The 5g sub-sample is a major issue – increasing this to 10g or
larger reduces the CV% (relative error) considerably.
However increasing field sample size may also help.
● Pulverising to -200mesh does not improve relative error
much (in this example), although the mean values are
reduced – perhaps reflecting Au loss to the equipment rather
than a reduction in gold ‘nugget’ grain size. Harris (1982)
© ioGlobal 2012
Au Results From Stream Sediments Au Results From Stream Sediments in British Columbia
in British Columbia
Key
1. First Analysis
-80 mesh, 5g subsample
2. Second Analysis
3. Third Analysis
95 samples analysed in triplicate
70 retuned background values in the triplicate results
6 initially anomalous samples confirmed
6 initially anomalous samples unconfirmed
13 samples initially background returned anomalies in

subsequent analyses
Threshold (20ppb) Harris (1982) Harris (1982)
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Au (ppb)
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Stream Sediments
Summary – Stream Sediment Survey Lake Sediment Surveying

Case Studies
● Public data sets have been around for decades in some instances – the obvious highs ● The key benefit of lake sediment
have presumably been investigated many times previously and are constantly re- surveying is that it typically provides
hashed through targeting exercises – as the old adage goes, you need new a more homogenous sample
approaches in mature exploration terrains. medium for widespread areas.
● Catchment analysis allows a re-interpretation of stream sediment data that will ● Lake sediment exploration detects
generate new geochemical anomalies for exploration targeting using an empirical elements liberated from rock, till, or
approach made easier by recent advances in computing. other material during weathering,
● Regional RGS data must be corrected for a variety of influences, including batch which is then transported and
effects, dependent associations with other elements due to metal “scavenging”, deposited at the lake bottom.
and bedrock geology in order to remove “false” anomalies.
● Lake sediment surveys are
● Flow rate, physiography or stream order may be used as surrogates for catchment appropriate in areas of subdued
area, but catchment information is superior, as it allows levelling of the data for topography with an abundance of
dominant catchment bedrock geology. lakes.
● Catchment analysis also allows an assessment of sample coverage and can be used Photo from BCGS website
● Effective in areas where stream
to determine if sample density is optimal for reconnaissance or follow-up surveys.
channels have little sediment activity
● Levelled data can be used to easily develop a series of linear additive deposit and drainage systems are
pathfinder or rock type indices. disorganised.
© ioGlobal 2012
Data Compilations – Ni in
Lake Sediment
Southern Ontario
LAKE SEDIMENT SURVEYING
1500km wide field of view
Zoomed View
Southern Ontario
VOISEY’S BAY CASE STUDY
© ioGlobal 2012
Voisey’s Bay – Labrador, Canada Regional Lake Sediment Data
● Reconnaissance level lake sediment surveys in Labrador
(18,000 sites).
● Voisey’s Bay is a Ni-Cu-Co deposit.
● Clear Ni anomalies in the lake sediments.
● Discovered by Donner Resources, through detailed work in
an area identified by anomalous Cu and Ni values in the lake
sediment surveys.
● Drilling produced intersections of 12% Ni and 10% Cu over
1.1m.
Voisey’s Bay – Labrador, Canada Raw Ni in Lake Sediments
Voisey’s Bay
The Voisey’s Bay Ni-Cu deposit is not prominent in the raw lake sediment Ni data.
Figure from Dunn and Coker (1991)
© ioGlobal 2012
Raw Ni Distribution Association with Mn
Voisey’s Bay
The Voisey’s Bay area has raw Ni values well within the main population. Positive association with Mn is stronger than that with LOI or Fe.
Multiple Regression Residual Targeting Residual Targeting

● Ni Residuals – 80th, 90th, 96th percentiles
● Ni Residual
Targeting in Lake
Sediments
© ioGlobal 2012
Voisey’s – Ni Residuals References
● Dunlop, A.C., Atherden, P.R. And Govett, G.J.S., 1983. Lead distribution in drainage channels about the Elura zinc-
lead-silver deposit, Cobar, New South Wales, Australia: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 18, p. 195-204.
● Dunn. C. E., Coker, W. B., Rogers, P. J., 1991. Reconnaissance and detailed geochemical surveys for gold in eastern
Nova Scotia using plants, lake sediment, soil, and till. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, Amsterdam, vol. 40, pp
143-163.
● Fletcher, W. K. 1997. Stream Sediment Geochemistry in Today’s Exploration World. Exploration Geochemistry,
Paper 32, pp. 249-260.
● Hawkes, H.E. 1976. The downstream dilution of stream sediment anomalies. Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Volume 6, Issues 1–2, pp. 345–358
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Hillgrove Applied Geochemistry Workshop

Stream Sediment Sampling

ioGlobal 2012 ioGlobal | the evolution of data 2

Stream Sediment Surveying Stream Sediment Sampling

Modified from Mazzucchelli (AMF training notes)

Stream Sediments Fluvial Dispersion Mechanisms

Planning Considerations Generic Sampling Procedures

-75 µm -180 µm (-80#)

Simple rapid field collection*** Fraction may be difficult to obtain.

*** Obtaining -75µm may be very difficult

Heavy Mineral Concentration Stream Sediment Sampling

Alluvial garnet collection - China

Anomaly Dilution Productivity Analysis

MemAm = (Mea - Meb)Aa + MebAm where

Real world dilution – Kulu River Catchment Analysis

The process starts with a DEM for which drainage and

Catchment analysis – Modelling Anomaly Dilution How to hide my chook

Magnitude of Anomaly (ppm Cu)

Size of Catchment (km2)

Attributing by Rock type “Conventional” Imaging

Application of Stream Catchment Analysis to

● Most large catchments contain variable lithologies

Vancouver Island Case Study Vancouver Island RGS Samples

Follow-up and Infill Optimisation Levelling for Scavenging Effects

Raw Cu Data Cu Residuals Following Regression Analysis

Cu from stream sediment samples shows a clear association with Fe in the

Levelling for Catchment Rock Type Cu Data for Rock Type

Area of Karmutsen Fm. basalt

Cu levelled for dominant catchment bedrock geology

Raw Cu Index of Pb+As+Cu+Zn residuals after Fe

Univariate Analysis Zn vs Fe:

@ Abs Std Res 2.5

Separate ‘by Geology’ Regression

No relation to Fe, regression doesn't work, are they genuine anomalies?

Temporal Variation in Ssed Conc.

BENAMBRA DEPOSITS CASE STUDY

Graphical Display of Rotated PCA Analysis Structural Interpretation from Geochemistry

MIneralisation Lots of structure in

Cu, Co, Fe,

RED DOG CASE STUDY

Red Dog Location Map

What if we were just starting out in this area?

Red Dog Red Dog

Regional Alaska NURE RGB – PbCuZn (90th Drainage Critical

Don’t Claim This

Sampling Geochemical Patterns

Au Results From SSeds, Rossland, BC

95 samples analysed in triplicate

70 retuned background values in the triplicate results

6 initially anomalous samples confirmed

6 initially anomalous samples unconfirmed

13 samples initially background returned anomalies in

Threshold (20ppb) Harris (1982) Harris (1982)

Summary – Stream Sediment Survey Lake Sediment Surveying

LAKE SEDIMENT SURVEYING

1500km wide field of view

VOISEY’S BAY CASE STUDY

Voisey’s Bay – Labrador, Canada Raw Ni in Lake Sediments

Multiple Regression Residual Targeting Residual Targeting

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