The research in this study consisted of two strands. The first consists of noble metal geochemical studies and the second involves base metal supergene processes. The precious metal geochemistry carried out in the scope of this thesis involves palladium and tellurium geochemistry, surface chemistry studies of palladium-bismuth- and tellarium-bearing synthetic minerals, and electrochemical determinations of the inactivity of a variety of primary telluride minerals and alloys. Two new minerals have been found in deposits near Broken Hill, N.S.W. The second section of the research concerns itself with supergene processes in two copper-bearing orebodies. This was carried out by designing a method utilising solution equilibria to predict whether secondary mineral species are precipitating or dissolving in the supergene zones of the Girilambone, N.S.W. and North Mungana, Qld. orebodies. Results found could be used to develop new geochemical prospecting methods in the regions discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)