Not as simple as that - the conglomerates at Beatons Creek are...

Not as simple as that - the conglomerates at Beatons Creek are quite compact and hard and are buckshot pyrite similar to the Rand. Most of the gold from recent mining was not recoverable by gravity and presumably sulphidic -as I personally expect the West Pilbara to be eventually beneath the weathered profile. The surface alluvials at Beatons Creek were processed by Metana in the early 70's with jigs prior to Knelson concentrators - very successfully. I agree the manner in which the gold occurs at Purdys is different and it is very exciting. Notwithstanding the Fortescue Group is still considered to be a leading indicator of gold deposition. Additionally the Oscar Wits gold mineralisation is apparently different again - so a lot to learn yet mate.