Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography
In this contribution, we highlight a correlative approach in which three-dimensional structural/positional data are combined with two dimensional chemical and mineralogical data to understand a complex orogenic gold mineralization system; we use the Kirk Range (southern Malawi) as a case study. Thre...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-05-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/5/476 |
| _version_ | 1797567187261587456 |
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| author | Joshua Chisambi Bjorn von der Heyden Muofhe Tshibalanganda Stephan Le Roux |
| author_facet | Joshua Chisambi Bjorn von der Heyden Muofhe Tshibalanganda Stephan Le Roux |
| author_sort | Joshua Chisambi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this contribution, we highlight a correlative approach in which three-dimensional structural/positional data are combined with two dimensional chemical and mineralogical data to understand a complex orogenic gold mineralization system; we use the Kirk Range (southern Malawi) as a case study. Three dimensional structures and semi-quantitative mineral distributions were evaluated using X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and this was augmented with textural, mineralogical and chemical imaging using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy as well as fire assay. Our results detail the utility of the correlative approach both for quantifying gold concentrations in core samples (which is often nuggety and may thus be misrepresented by quarter- or half-core assays), and for understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space. This approach overlays complementary datasets from 2D and 3D analytical protocols, thereby allowing a better and more comprehensive understanding on the distribution and structures controlling gold mineralization. Combining 3D XCT analyses with conventional 2D microscopies derive the full value out of a given exploration drilling program and it provides an excellent tool for understanding gold mineralization. Understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space holds vast potential for exploration practitioners, especially if the correlative approach can be automated and if the resultant spatially-constrained microstructural information can be fed directly into commercially available geological modelling software. The extra layers of information provided by using correlative 2D and 3D microscopies offer an exciting new tool to enhance and optimize mineral exploration workflows, given that modern exploration efforts are targeting increasingly complex and low-grade ore deposits. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:38:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d732e0845d574ef3bf740e9d0ab578cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:38:06Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-d732e0845d574ef3bf740e9d0ab578cb2023-11-20T01:31:09ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2020-05-0110547610.3390/min10050476Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed TomographyJoshua Chisambi0Bjorn von der Heyden1Muofhe Tshibalanganda2Stephan Le Roux3Department of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South AfricaDepartment of Earth Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South AfricaCentral Analytical Facility, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South AfricaCentral Analytical Facility, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch 7602, South AfricaIn this contribution, we highlight a correlative approach in which three-dimensional structural/positional data are combined with two dimensional chemical and mineralogical data to understand a complex orogenic gold mineralization system; we use the Kirk Range (southern Malawi) as a case study. Three dimensional structures and semi-quantitative mineral distributions were evaluated using X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and this was augmented with textural, mineralogical and chemical imaging using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy as well as fire assay. Our results detail the utility of the correlative approach both for quantifying gold concentrations in core samples (which is often nuggety and may thus be misrepresented by quarter- or half-core assays), and for understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space. This approach overlays complementary datasets from 2D and 3D analytical protocols, thereby allowing a better and more comprehensive understanding on the distribution and structures controlling gold mineralization. Combining 3D XCT analyses with conventional 2D microscopies derive the full value out of a given exploration drilling program and it provides an excellent tool for understanding gold mineralization. Understanding the spatial distribution of gold and associated structures and microstructures in 3D space holds vast potential for exploration practitioners, especially if the correlative approach can be automated and if the resultant spatially-constrained microstructural information can be fed directly into commercially available geological modelling software. The extra layers of information provided by using correlative 2D and 3D microscopies offer an exciting new tool to enhance and optimize mineral exploration workflows, given that modern exploration efforts are targeting increasingly complex and low-grade ore deposits.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/5/476gold explorationX-ray computed tomographycorrelative science |
| spellingShingle | Joshua Chisambi Bjorn von der Heyden Muofhe Tshibalanganda Stephan Le Roux Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography Minerals gold exploration X-ray computed tomography correlative science |
| title | Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_full | Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_fullStr | Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_short | Gold Exploration in Two and Three Dimensions: Improved and Correlative Insights from Microscopy and X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_sort | gold exploration in two and three dimensions improved and correlative insights from microscopy and x ray computed tomography |
| topic | gold exploration X-ray computed tomography correlative science |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/5/476 |
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