Minerals behave differently at nanoscale, compared to their bulk properties and significant variations are observed in their physico-mechanical properties at the nanoscale. The other physico-chemical processes such as transportation, precipitation, dissolution, phase changes and microbial interaction are also related to nanoscale mineral phases in different geological environments. The study of all such phenomena at nanoscale has a significant implication at the deposit and province scale ore system of a gold prospect. This work is a review of the existing national scenario in terms of the scope and potential for such kind of investigation, where nanotechnology has a key role in understanding the nanoscale processes during the gold mineralization. Such studies are being carried out in India within the Archean terrains of the Dharwar Craton (DC) and as well as Archean and Paleo to Mesoproterozoic Singhbhum Crustal Province (SCP). The investigations are mostly confined to the metasedimenthosted auriferous sulfides such as pyrites and arsenopyrites. The sub micrometer gold grains within the sulfides are studied to understand the mechanism of the mobilization of gold and its subsequent precipitation within a mineralizing system. The present study includes a review of the such nanoscale characterization of sulfides by conventional petrographic and ore microscopic technique followed by quantitative analysis of major and trace element by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) and Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP MS). The FE-SEM and EPMA are used to study the mineral chemistry and the distribution of trace elements. The LA-ICP MS are used to carry out the quantitative analysis of various trace element concentrations associated with auriferous sulfides. The application of nanogeosciences led to the discovery of new deposits of Carlin type gold mineralization in Nevada, USA and Guizhou Province in China. Similar types of studies were also carried out in the Zarshuran gold deposits in northwest Iran and Alshar gold deposits in southern Macedonia. These studies highlight the fact that the application of nanogeoscience techniques have significant implications on exploitation, beneficiation and mining of gold prospects.
Nanogeoscience in Gold Exploration: Challenges and Opportunities in India
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Minerals behave differently at nanoscale, compared to their bulk properties and significant variations are observed in their physico-mechanical properties at the nanoscale. The other physico-chemical processes such as transportation, precipitation, dissolution, phase changes and microbial interaction are also related to nanoscale mineral phases in different geological environments. The study of all such phenomena at nanoscale has a significant implication at the deposit and province scale ore system of a gold prospect. This work is a review of the existing national scenario in terms of the scope and potential for such kind of investigation, where nanotechnology has a key role in understanding the nanoscale processes during the gold mineralization. Such studies are being carried out in India within the Archean terrains of the Dharwar Craton (DC) and as well as Archean and Paleo to Mesoproterozoic Singhbhum Crustal Province (SCP). The investigations are mostly confined to the metasedimenthosted auriferous sulfides such as pyrites and arsenopyrites. The sub micrometer gold grains within the sulfides are studied to understand the mechanism of the mobilization of gold and its subsequent precipitation within a mineralizing system. The present study includes a review of the such nanoscale characterization of sulfides by conventional petrographic and ore microscopic technique followed by quantitative analysis of major and trace element by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) and Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP MS). The FE-SEM and EPMA are used to study the mineral chemistry and the distribution of trace elements. The LA-ICP MS are used to carry out the quantitative analysis of various trace element concentrations associated with auriferous sulfides. The application of nanogeosciences led to the discovery of new deposits of Carlin type gold mineralization in Nevada, USA and Guizhou Province in China. Similar types of studies were also carried out in the Zarshuran gold deposits in northwest Iran and Alshar gold deposits in southern Macedonia. These studies highlight the fact that the application of nanogeoscience techniques have significant implications on exploitation, beneficiation and mining of gold prospects.
Publication Mode |
Online |
---|---|
Publication Author |
Sahendra Singh |
Publication Language |
English |
Publication Type |
Conference Paper |
Publication Year |
2021 |
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