Overview of common processing methods for recovery of indicator minerals from sediment and bedrock in mineral exploration

Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis

Volumn 11, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 265-278

  Mcclenaghan, M Beth ^a  

^a GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA   (Canada)

Author keywords

Gravity concentration; Heavy mineral; Indicator mineral; Overview

Indexed keywords

BINARY ALLOYS; COPPER ALLOYS; DENSITY (SPECIFIC GRAVITY); DIAMOND DEPOSITS; GOLD ALLOYS; GOLD DEPOSITS; MAGNETIC SEPARATION; ORES; RECOVERY; SEDIMENTS; SEPARATORS; SULFUR COMPOUNDS;

ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE; GRAVITY CONCENTRATION; HEAVY MINERALS; KNELSON CONCENTRATORS; OVERVIEW; PROCESSING TECHNIQUE; UNCONSOLIDATED SEDIMENT; VOLCANOGENIC MASSIVE SULPHIDES;

MINERAL EXPLORATION;

BEDROCK; HEAVY MINERAL; INDICATOR MINERAL; MINERAL EXPLORATION; ORE DEPOSIT; SEDIMENT; UNCONSOLIDATED MEDIUM;

EID: 82955167941     PISSN: 14677873     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1144/1467-7873/10-IM-025     Document Type: Review

References (79)

1. Averill, S.A. 2001. The application of heavy indicator minerals in mineral exploration. In: McClenaghan, M.B., Bobrowsky, P.T., Hall, G.E.M. & Cook, S. (eds) Drift Exploration in Glaciated Terrain. Geological Society of London, Special Volume, 185, 69-82.
2. Averill, S.A. 2007. Recent advances in base metal indicator mineralogy: an update from Overburden Drilling Management Limited. EXPLORE, Newsletter of the Association of Applied Geochemists, 134, 2-6.
3. Averill, S.A. 2011. Viable indicators in surficial sediments for two major base metal deposit types: Ni-Cu-PGE and porphyry Cu. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 11, 279-292.
4. Averill, S.A. & Huneault, R 2006. Overburden Drilling Management Ltd: exploring heavy minerals. EXPLORE, Newsletter ofthe Association ofApplied Geochemists, 133, 1-5.
5. Bajc, A.F. & Hall, G.E.M. 2000. Geochemical responses of surficial media, north and East Ranges, Sudbury Basin. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6033.
6. Ballantyne, S.B. & Harris, D.C. 1997. Alluvial platinum-group minerals an gold in Alberta: results from the Orientation Studies Project an their significance to exploration. In: MacQueen, R.W. (ed.) Exploring for Minerals in Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada Geoscience Contributions, Canada-Alberta Agreement on Mineral Development (1992-1995), Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, 500, 279-329.
7. Baumgartner, M. 2006. Industry leading laboratory services for diamond explorers. EXPLORE, Newsletter ofthe Association ofApplied Geochemists, 133, 5-10.
8. Beaudoin, G., Dupuis, C. & McClenaghan, B. 2009. Fingerprinting mineral deposit types using iron-oxide chemistry: application to till from Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. In: Lentz, D.R., Thorne, K.G. & Lee-Beal, K. (eds) Proceedings of the 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, 1, 7-10.
9. Belousova, E.A., Griffin, W.L., O'Reilly, S. & Fisher, N.I. 2002. Apatite as an indicator mineral for mineral exploration: trace element compositions and their relationship to host rock type. Journal ofGeochemical Exploration, 76, 45-69.
10. Brundin, N.H. & BergstrOm, J. 1977. Regional prospecting for ores based on heavy minerals in glacial till. Journal ofGeochemical Exploration, 7, 1-19.
11. Cabri, L.J., Sylvester, P., Tubrett, M.N., Perogoedova, A. & Laflamme, J.H.G. 2003. Comparison of micro-PIXE and LAM-ICP-MS analyses for Pd and Rh. Canadian Mineralogist, 41, 321-329.
12. Cabri, L.J., Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N. & Lastra, R 2006. Hydroseparation: a new development in process mineralogy of platinum-bearing ores. CIM Bulletin, 99, 1-7.
13. Cabri, L.J., Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N. & Gorkovetz, V.YA. 2008a. Study of native gold from the Luopensulo deposit (Kostomuksha area, Karelia, Russia) using a combination of Electric Pulse Disaggregation (EPD) and Hydroseparation (HS). Minerals Engineering, 21, 463-470.
14. Cabri, L.J., Rudashevsky, N.S., Rudashevsky, V.N. & OberthUr, T. 2008b. Electric-Pulse Disaggregation (EPD), Hydroseparation (HS) and their use in combination for mineral processing and advanced characterization of ores. Canadian Mineral Processors 40th Annual Meeting, Proceedings, 14, 211-235.
15. Cabri, L.J., Martin, C.J. & Nelson, M. 2009. Deportment methodology for low-grade Ni-Cu PGE ores. In: Hamilton, C., Hart, B. & Whittaker, P.J. (eds) Proceedings of 48th Conference of Metallurgists, 3-15.
16. Chernet, T. Marmo, J. & Nissinen, A. 1999. Technical note. Significantly improved recovery of slightly heavy minerals from Quaternary samples using GTK modified 3 Knelson preconcentrator. Minerals Engineering, 12, 1521-1526.
17. CNT Mineral Consulting. 2009. Website: http://www.cnt-mc.com/services/hs.html
18. Davison, J.G. 1993. Diamond exploration samples: laboratory processing. In: Sheahan, P. & Chater, A. (chairmen) Diamond: Exploration, Sampling and Evaluation. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Short Course Proceedings, Toronto, March 27, 1993, 315-341.
19. de Souza, H. 2006. Indicator Mineral Processing at SGS Minerals Services. EXPLORE, Newsletter of the Association of Applied Geochemists, 133, 13-15.
20. DiLabio, R.N.W. 1990. Classification and interpretation of the shapes and surface textures of gold grains from till on the Canadian Shield. In: Current Research, Part C. Geological Survey ofCanada, 90-1C, 323-329.
21. Doherty, M. 2009. Quality control in indicator mineral methods. In: 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Workshop B. Indicator Mineral Methods in Mineral Exploration, 35-36.
22. English, B.L., Desborough, G.A. & Raymond, W.H. 1987. A mechanical panning technique for separation of fine-grained gold and other heavy minerals. United States Geological Survey, Open File Report 97-0364.
23. Erlich, E.I. & Hausel, W.D. 2002. Diamond Deposits: Origin, Exploration & History ofDiscovery. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc.
24. Fipke, C.E., Gurney, J.J. & Moore, R.O. 1995. Diamond exploration techniques emphasizing indicator mineral geochemistry and Canadian examples. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin, 423.
25. Garvie, O.G. 2003. Surface textures found on kimberlite indicator minerals. In: Indicator Mineral Methods in Mineral Exploration. Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, Short Course 2, March 8, 23.
26. Gleeson, C.F. & Boyle, R.W. 1980. Minor and trace element distribution in the heavy minerals of rivers and streams of the Keno Hill District, Yukon Territory. Geological Survey ofCanada, Paper 76-31.
27. Grammatikopoulos, T.A., Kapsiotis, A., Zaccarini, F., Tsikouras, B., Hatzipanagiotou, K. & Garuti, G. 2007. Investigation of platinum-group minerals (PGM) from Pindos chromitites (Greece) using hydroseparation concentrates. Mineral Engineering, 20, 1170-1178.
28. Grant, A.H., Lavin, O.P. & Nichol, I. 1991. The morphology and chemistry of transported gold grains as an exploration tool. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 40, 73-94.
29. Gregory, G.P. & White, D.R. 1989. Collection and treatment of diamond exploration samples. In: Ross, J. (ed.) Kimberlites and Related Rocks Volume 2 Their Crust/Mantle Setting, Diamonds and Diamond Exploration. Geological Society of Australia, Special Publication, 14, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1123-1134.
30. GrUtter, H.S. 2007. Application of new-age clinopyroxene and garnet thermobarometry techniques in Arctic diamond exploration. In: Indicator Minerals in Mineral Exploration. Workshop No. 3, Exploration 07, Toronto, 27-32.
31. GrUtter, H.S., Gurney, J.J., Menzies, A.H. & Winter, F. 2004. An updated classification scheme for mantle-derived garnet, for use by diamond explorers. Lithos, 77, 841-857.
32. Hattori, K. & Cabri, L.J. 1992. Origin of platinum group mineral nuggets inferred from osmium-isotope study. The Canadian Mineralogist, 30, 289-301.
33. Jones, M.P. 1987. Applied Mineralogy, A Quantitative Approach. Springer, London.
34. Keulen, N., Hutchinson, M.T. & Frei, D. 2009. Computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy: A fast and reliable tool for diamond prospecting. Journal ofGeochemical Exploration, 103, 1-5.
35. Kiridzija, M. 2006. Extraction of kimberlitic indicator minerals at KIM Dynamics Inc laboratory. EXPLORE, Newsletter ofthe Association ofApplied Geochemists, 133, 19-22.
36. Lastra, R. & Cabri, L.J. 2003. Comparative liberation study by image analysis of Merensky reef samples comminuted by electric-pulse disaggregation and by conventional crusher. In: Lorenzen, L.& Bradshaw, D.J. (eds) Proceedings: XXII International Mineral Processing Congress, 251-260.
37. Leake, R.C., Bland, D.J., Styles, M.T. & Cameron, D.G. 1991. Internal structure of Au-Pd-Pt grains from south Devon, England, in relation to low temperature transport and deposition. Transactions ofthe Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Section B, Applied Earth Sciences, 100, B159-B178.
38. Leake, R.C., Chapman, RJ., Bland, D.J., Stone, P., Cameron, D.G. & Styles, M.T. 1998. The origin of alluvial gold in the Leadhills areas of Scotland: evidence from interpretation of internal characteristics. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 63, 7-36.
39. Lehtonen, M.L., Marmo, J.S., Nissinen, A.J., Johanson, B.S. & Pakkanen, L.K. 2005. Glacial dispersal studies using indicator minerals and till geochemistry around two eastern Finland kimberlites. Journal ofGeochemical Exploration, 87, 19-43.
40. Le Couteur, P.C. & McLeod, J.A. 2006. Heavy mineral processing at Vancouver Indicator Processors Inc./Teck Cominco Global Discovery Lab. EXPLORE, Newsletter ofthe Association ofApplied Geochemists, 133, 15-18.
41. Maurice, Y.T. & Mercier, M.M. 1986. A new approach to sampling heavy minerals for regional geochemical exploration. In: Current Research Part A, Paper 86-1A. Geological Survey of Canada, 301-305.
42. McCandless, T.E., Baker, M.E. & Ruiz, J. 1997. Trace element analysis of natural gold by laser ablation ICP-MS: a combined external/internal standardisation approach. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, 21, 271-278.
43. McClenaghan, M.B. & Cabri, L.J. 2011. Review of gold and Platinum Group Element indicator minerals methods for surficial sediment sampling. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 11, 251-264.
44. McClenaghan, M.B. & Kjarsgaard, B.A. 2003. The Seed and Triple B kimberlites and associated glacial sediments, Lake Timiskaming, Ontario. Geological Survey ofCanada, Open File, 4492.
45. McClenaghan, M.B. & Kjarsgaard, B.A. 2007. Indicator mineral and surficial geochemical exploration methods for kimberlite in glaciated terrain, examples from Canada. In: Goodfellow, W.D. (ed.) Mineral Resources ofCanada: A Synthesis ofMajor Deposit-types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution ofGeological Provinces and Exploration Methods. Geological Association of Canada, Special Publication, 4.
46. McClenaghan, M.B., Paulen, R.C., Ayer, J.A., Trowell, N.F. & Bauke, S.1998 Regional till and humus geochemistry of the Timmins-Kamiskotia (NTS 42A/11, 12, 13, 14) area, northeastern Ontario. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File, 3675.
47. McClenaghan, M.B., Kjarsgaard, I.M., Schulze, D.J., Berger, B.R., Stirling, J.A.R. & Pringle, G. 1998. Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Diamond Lake kimberlite and associated esker sediments, Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Geological Survey ofCanada, Open File, 3576.
48. McClenaghan, M.B., Kjarsgaard, B.A., Kjarsgaard, I.M. & Paulen, R.C.1999 Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Peddie kimberlite and associated glacial sediments, Lake Timiskaming, Ontario. Geological Survey ofCanada, Open File, 3775.
49. McClenaghan, M.B., Kjarsgaard, I.M. & Kjarsgaard, B.A. 2004. Kimberlite indicator mineral chemistry and till geochemistry around the Seed and Triple B kimberlites, Lake Timiskaming, Ontario. GeologicalSurvey ofCanada, Open File, 4822.
50. McMartin, I. 2009. Till composition along the Meliadine Trend near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut: applications to gold exploration in permafrost terrain. In: Paulen, R.C. & McMartin, I. (eds) Application of Till and Stream Sediment Heavy Mineral and Geochemical Methods to Mineral Exploration in Western and Northern Canada. Geological Association of Canada, Short Course Notes, 18, 153-166.
51. McMartin, I., Corriveau, L. & Beaudoin, G. 2011. An orientation study of the heavy mineral signature of the NICO Co-Au-Bi deposit, Great Bear magmatic zone, Northwest Territories, Canada. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 11, 293-308.
52. Mertie, J.B. 1954. The gold pan; a neglected geological tool. Economic Geology, 49, 639-651.
53. Michaud, M.D.J. & Averill, S.A. 2009. Introduced particles in indicator mineral processing: Considerations in preparing test samples for QA/QC and examples of anthropogenic contamination. In: 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Workshop B. Indicator Mineral Methods in Mineral Exploration, 67-70.
54. Mircea, C. 2006. Kimberlite indicator mineral services offered by SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories. EXPLORE, Newsletter of the Association of Applied Geochemists, 133, 10-13.
55. Mortensen, J.K., Chapman, R., LeBarge, W. & Jackson, L. 2004. Application of placer and lode gold geochemistry to gold exploration in western Yukon. In: Edmund, D.S., Lewis, L.L. & Bradshaw, G.D. (eds) Yukon Exploration and Geology. Yukon Geological Survey, 205-212.
56. Muggeridge, M.T. 1995. Pathfinder sampling techniques for locating primary source of diamond: recovery of indicator minerals, diamonds and geochemical signatures. Journal ofGeochemical Exploration, 53, 183-204.
57. OberthUr, T. et al. 2008. Combination of novel mineralogical methods in the study of noble metal ores - focus on pristine (Bushveld, Great Dyke) and placer platinum mineralisation. Ninth International Congress for Applied Mineralogy ICAM 2008. The Australasian Institute ofMining and Metallurgy, Publication Series No. 8/2008, 187-194.
58. Paulen, R.C., Paradis, S., Plouffe, A. & Smith, I.R. 2011. Pb and S isotopic composition of indicator minerals in glacial sediments from northwest Alberta, Canada: implications for Zn-Pb base metal exploration. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 11, 309-320.
59. Peuraniemi, V. 1990. Chapter 10 Heavy minerals in glacial sediment. In: Kujansuu, R. & Saarnisto, M. (eds) Glacial Indicator Tracing. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 165-185.
60. Peuraniemi, V.J. & GehOr, S.A. 2000. Mineralogy and mineral hemistry of Sn-Nb-Ta anomalous heavy mineral till samples from the Hameenlinna area, southern Finland. In: Rammlmair, D., Mederer, J., Oberthur, T., Heimann, R.B. & Pentinghaus, H. (eds) Applied Mineralogy. A.A. Balkema, 391-394.
61. Podlipsky, M.Y., Nesterenko, G.V. & Krivenko, A.P. 2007. Isoferroplati-num mineral assemblage in the northwestern Salair gold placer. Russian Geology and Geophysics, 48, 291-298.
62. Ramsden, A.R., Griffin, W.L. & French, D.H. 1999. Application of resistate indicator mineralogy to metalliferous exploration: tourmaline. In: Research Review, CSIRO Exploration and Mining, 49-52.
63. Rudashevsky, N.S., Garuti, G., Andersen, J.C.O., Kretser, Y.L., Rudashevsky, V.N. & Zaccarini, F. 2002. Separation of accessory minerals from rocks and ores by hydroseparation (HS) technology: method and application to CHR-2 chromitite, Niquelandia, Brazil. Transactions of Institution of Mining and Metallurgy/Proceedings Australasian Institute Mining Metallurgy (Sect. B: Applied Earth Science), 111, B87-B94.
64. Sarala, P. & Peuraniemi, V. 2007. Exploration using till geochemistry and heavy minerals in the ribbed moraine area of southern Finnish Lapland. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 7, 195-205.
65. Sarala, P., Pulkkinen, E., Juhani Ojala, V. & Peltoniemi-Taivalkoski, A. 2009. Gold exploration using till at Petajalehto, northern Finland. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 9, 247-255.
66. Schulze, D.J. 1997. The significance of eclogite and Cr-poor megacryst garnets in diamond exploration. Exploration and Mining Geology, 6, 349-366.
67. Scott, K.M. & Radford, N.W. 2007. Rutile compositions at the Big Bell Au deposit as a guide for exploration. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 7, 353-361.
68. Searcy, C.A. 2001. Preliminary data results of drift exploration for platinum group elements, northwestern Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report, 6054.
69. Silva, M. 1986. Placer gold recovery methods. California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, Special Publication, 87.
70. Spry, P.G. & Teale, G.S. 2009. Gahnite composition as a guide in the search for metamorphosed massive sulphide deposits. In: 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium, Workshop B. Indicator Mineral Methods in Mineral Exploration, 27-34.
71. Stendal, H. 1978. Heavy minerals in stream sediments, southwest Norway. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 10, 91-102.
72. Stendal, H. & Theobald, P.K. 1994. Heavy-mineral concentrates in geochemical exploration. In: Hale, M.& Plant, J.A. (eds) Drainage Geochemistry, Handbook of Exploration Geochemistry, 6, 185-225.
73. Svoboda, J. 2004. Magnetic Techniques for the Treatment of Materials, Springer, New York.
74. Towie, N.J. & Seet, L.H. 1995. Diamond laboratory techniques. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 53, 205-212.
75. Ulrich, T., Kamber, B.S., Jugo, P.J. & Tinkham, D.K. 2009. Imaging element-distribution patterns in minerals by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The Canadian Mineralogist, 47, 1001-1012.
76. Waters, R.A. 1983. Geochemical exploration for uranium and other metals in tropical and subtropical environments using heavy mineral concentrates. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 19, 103-124.
77. Wierchowiec, J. 2002. Morphology and chemistry of placer gold grains - indicators of the origin of the placers: an example from the East Sudetic Foreland, Poland. Acta Geologica Polonica, 52, 563-576.
78. Wills, B.A. 1988. Mineral Processing Technology. Pergammon Press, Oxford.
79. Wyatt, B.A., Baumgartner, M., Anckar, E. & GrUtter, H. 2004. Compositional classification of kimberlitic and non-kimberlitic ilmenite. Lithos, 77, 819-840.