A batch of samples (say 100-300 samples) should take about 1 to...

A batch of samples (say 100-300 samples) should take about 1 to 2 weeks to process and assay for gold. Presumably the samples are being analysed for gold, copper and silver at least. Being initial exploration they should also be doing a broader suite of multi-element analyses. Different elements require different analytical methods and this can add to the time taken to get the final results.

Handheld XRF detectors can give a rough guide to Copper and maybe Silver values, in the field. If gold is present above about 30g/t you should start to see it in the core. For indicators to gold grade, the only other clues you have to go on are alteration and veining. If it’s a known deposit, you can sometimes get quite good at calling whether it’s low, medium or high grade, but this is an unknown bit of ground and you’d be very foolish to go guessing the gold grade before you’ve got the assays.