the next large epithermal deposit + map, page-6

Hi


Firstly - thanks john435 for posting the map again in response to my request. Much appreciated.

Secondly, a recent article about La Josephina is a good explanation when considering co-located /pathfinder elements in the area. While noting that the circumstances for La Josephina may be distinct, the reference is:

Andrada de Palomera, P., et al., Geochemical indicators of gold-rich zones in the La Josefina epithermal deposit, Deseado Massif, Argentina, Ore Geol. Rev. (2012), doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2012.01.001)

From the abstract:

"We conclude that in rhyolitic to rhyodacitic pyroclastic rocks of the study area, affected by predominantly argillic and silicic hydrothermal alterations, high concentrations of Au, Cu, Hg, V, Co and P, and low concentrations of Ba are probably the best deposit-scale geochemical indicators to distinguish Au-mineralized zones from non-mineralized zones.High concentrations of As, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cr, Ni,MgO and Zn (as well as high values of chlorite-carbonate-pyrite index), and low concentrations of Be and CaO can also distinguish mineralized from non-mineralized zones. High concentrations of Au, Cu, Pb, As, Hg, and Co indicate Au-rich zones, independently of lithology and alteration, because they were introduced into the veins and host rocks together with Au. At detailed-scale, the concentrations of 15 elements vary with distance to Au-rich veins; therefore,
those elements are considered potential indicators of proximity to Au-rich veins. Of those elements, Au, P, Cu, Pb, Hg, Ba and MgO are the strongest indicators of proximity to the Au-rich veins. In strongly oxidized rocks, some indicators of mineralized zones (Co,Mn, Pb, Zn andMgO) and some indicators of proximity to Au-rich veins (P, Au, Cu, Hg and Ba) should be used with caution or be avoided because weathering modifies their quality as indicators."

A good read... It includes some tables that provide insight into the concentrations of elements over at Hunt in the Au-rich veins vs non-mineralised drilling attempts.

Finally, for any newcomers wondering why there is interest in the drilling, read the other article I mentioned a couple of posts ago if you want to understand why the surface expressions for low epithermals may be subtle but the depths may yield high returns (web link was provided).

Regards

Elisby1