Gold, amongst other group 11 metals, was almost certainly one of the first three metals known to man. In addition to the economic importance of the metal, gold has a wide variety of applications in the medical, electrocatalytical and micro-electronics fields. However, the determination of gold ions in solution, with accuracy, precision, sensitivity and selectivity is still an interesting and much debated topic in analytical chemistry. A system whereby gold ions have been successfully detected employing an electrochemical technique, known as stripping voltammetry, has been developed. The electrochemical method was chosen over other available techniques for the sensitivity, particularly at low concentrations, and selectivity properties; notably in the presence of other metal ions. Under acidic conditions, the electrochemical technique was applied and the presence of gold(III), at a concentration of 2.53 x 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ in a mine waste water sample, was detected. Biomass, in particular yeast and algal types, have been successfully employed in extracting low concentrations of gold ions from industrial effluents. The manipulation of the biological facility for mineral interaction, biohydrometallurgy, may yield numerous potential new technologies. South Africa in particular would benefit from this area of research, since the country is a major ore and metal refining country and if the output and the efficiency of the mines could be improved, even by a small percentage, the financial rewards would be vast. In this study, the application of adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) of gold(III) in the presence of various Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall components, was investigated to determine which, if any, were involved specifically in the chemical binding of the gold ions. The chitin and mannan extracts showed the most promise with detection limits of 1.10 x 10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ and 9 x 10⁻⁹ mol dm⁻³, respectively; employing the AdCSV technique. A modification of the stripping voltammetry technique, Osteryoung square wave stripping voltammetry (OSWSV), provided the lowest detection limit, for gold(IIl) in the presence of mannan, of 1.70 x 10⁻¹¹ mol dm⁻³ ; utilising a modified carbon paste electrode. The detection of gold(III) has been shown to be dependent on the type of electrode employed, the electrolyte solution and the presence of interfering agents. The effect of copper(II) and silver(I) on the detection of the gold(III) in solution was investigated; whilst the silver(I) has shown no detrimental effects on gold (III) detection systems, copper(II) has indicated the possibility of forming an inter-metallic compound with the gold(III). However, mannan has shown to selectively and preferentially bind the gold(III) in the presence of a ten-fold excess of copper(II). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, as well as computer modelling techniques were employed to further investIgate the mannan-gold(III) interaction and proposed complex formed. The NMR, IR and computer modelling data are in agreement with the electrochemical data on proposing a mannan-gold(III) complex. The co-ordination site was established to be in the vicinity of the H-I and H-2 protons and the gold(III) adopts a square-planar geometry upon co-ordination. The benefits of the research are useful from a biological perspective (i. e. as more is known about the binding sites, microbiologists/biochemists may work on the optimisation of parameters for these sites or work could be furthered into the enhanced expression of the sites) and an industrial one. In addition to the' two major benefits, an improved understanding of gold and its chemistry would be achieved, which is advantageous for other fields of research as well.

Candelaria, situated in central western Nevada, along the western margin of the Great Basin, is a large and predominantly low grade, epigenetic disseminated- and vein-type Ag deposit, of Early Cretaceous age. It represents the eroded, deeply oxidised and fault-disrupted root of extensive stratiform quartz-dolomite stockworked and sericite-dolomite-altered zones of medium temperature pyrite-dominated Ag(-Pb-Zn-Sb-As±Cu±Au) sulphide-sulphosalt mineralisation, which is hosted by receptive sedimentary and igneous rocks within structurally favourable zones in a district-scale tectonic pinchout, and which is genetically associated with Cordilleran granodiorite porphyry hypabyssal magmatism (diking), of high K calc-alkaline affinity. The mineralisation occurs along and directly beneath the Pickhandle allochthon, a serpentinite-sheathed volcanic-sedimentary tectonic méange which forms a local 'sole' plate to the regionally extensive Golconda allochthon, which was emplaced onto the edge of continental North America during the Early Triassic Sonoma orogeny. Mineralisation occurred where an irregularity in the Pickhandle thrust plane, caused by thickening of the méange, effected locally deeper truncation of the parautochthonous foreland sequence in its footwall - chiefly marine sediments of the Lower Triassic Candelaria Formation - against the deformed cherts of the Ordovician basement (Palmetto complex), to form a structural trap. Within this trap, mineralisation is hosted mainly by carbonaceous, carbonate- and phosphate-rich (and trace metal-rich) black shales at the base of the Candelaria Formation and by dolomite-quartz-altered serpentinites at the base of the Pickhandle allochthon. Stable isotope data (O, H, S) point to a predominantly magmatic source for the hydrothermal fluids and ore sulphur, a source most likely to be the parent pluton to the granodiorite porphyry dikes. More ore metals were also of igneous origin (mass balance calculations rule out Candelaria member 1 as the chief metal source).

The Navachab Gold mine, an orogenic lode gold deposit, is located in the Karibib region of the Pan-African (ca. 550-500) Damara belt of central Namibia. Gold mineralisation is developed within the steeply NW dipping limb of the Karibib dome. Here, ore envelopes trend along three main orientations: a) trends shallowly towards the NE (the down plunge extent), b) trends sub-vertically in and along the down plunge extent and c) trends sub-horizontally across the down plunge extent. The down plunge extent represents the bulk of the gold mineralisation, hosting the only high grade ores mined at Navachab. As such, past work primarily focused on establishing the controls to the mineralisation observed here. The sub-vertical and sub–horizontal ore trends are seen as secondary, lower grade, being hosted in the footwall. By cutting pushbacks into the footwall, in an effort to regain access to high grade pit bottom, future gold production almost exclusively relies upon optimally mining these ores. This underlines the importance to investigate and outline the mineralising controls to the secondary ore trends. This study identified the following prevailing quartz vein sets developed within the footwall, set (1) dips shallowly towards the NE (conjugate vein set), (2) steeply towards the NW (bedding parallel veins) and (3) steeply towards the SE (S2 foliation parallel). The NW and SE dipping sets contain high average gold grades, occurring at an infrequent vein density. The NE dipping veins, as a result of occurrence density alone, was highlighted as the dominant gold hosting set. Veining occurred during the late stages of the NW-SE directed, sub-horizontal shortening (D2) event and is associated with top-to-the-NW thrusting and NW-verging folds. Re-Os molybdenite dating from auriferous quartz veins indicates mineralisation occurred at 525-520 Ma. As crustal shortening amplified the Karibib dome, flexural flow developed fractures along bedding planes, providing the control to bedding parallel veins (NW dipping). With continued crustal compression the dome later experienced fold lock up associated with reduced mean rock stress and sub-horizontal extension occurred along the steeply NW dipping limb. Horizontal extensional gashes sucked in fluids to form the shallowly NE dipping conjugate vein set. These features suggest the regional D2 strain as the first-order control to quartz vein development, down plunge and within the footwall ores. To further define the secondary ores, lithological and structural controls were evaluated on a more detailed local scale. With equal amounts of biotite schist and calc-silicate host rock (bulk of the footwall lithology) material analysed, the biotite schist units were found to contain a larger volume amount of quartz veins. The mineralisation incurred is also developed at higher average gold grades compared to that of the calc-silicates, demonstrating biotite schist having the optimal rheology for quartz vein emplacement. Normal faulting and thrusting occurs widespread, at all scale levels, across the footwall. These were primarily observed along bedding foliations and secondly at higher angles cutting across foliation. The study did not constrain the extent of these, but can conclude faulting plays a very prominent role in re-distributing the secondary ores parallel to bedding along sub-vertical trend planes. Great care should be placed in properly modelling these with 3D software such as Leapfrog. The Navachab gold mineralisation came about as a result of convergent and collisional tectonics activating metamorphic dehydration of the crustal metapelites. As these fluids ascended they absorbed gold from the crust, emplaced by either a magmatic or paleo-placer source. The gold enriched hydrothermal fluids amalgamated in large scale 1ste order structures (shearing of the steep NW limb of the Karibib Dome, the Mon Repos Thrust Zone) that acted as primary active fluid path ways. In the case of Navachab the gold enriched fluid fluxed along these pathways while interacting with fluid sinks related to a physical throttle (brittle schist, folding, bedding parallel shears) and/or a chemical trap (marbles). By summarising and detailing the fluid sinks and active fluid pathways identified by this and previous works, it is strongly recommended that a mineral approach system be designed and implemented as targeting model to lead future exploration endeavours.

The Nsuta manganese deposit is located in the Western Region of Ghana, approximately five kilometers south of Tarkwa Goldfields. The deposit has been an important source of manganese ore since mining began in 1916. The purpose of this project was to produce a concise model of the stratigraphy, sedimentology and structural evolution of the deposit in support of future exploration projects. The manganese ores occur as an up to 45m thick carbonate bed in a thick turbidite-greenstone succession that is part of the ~2.2 Ga Birimian Supergroup. Calc-alkaline volcanics, volcaniclastics, turbidites, argillites and phyllites are thought to have been deposited in a backarc basin environment. The entire sedimentary succession, including the manganese orebody, is a thick turbidite package hosted between an upper and lower greenstone unit consisting predominantly of volcaniclastic material. The entire lithological succession at Nsuta is interpreted to have been deposited within the middle to lower reaches of a submarine fan environment. Field evidence suggests a simple stratigraphy, commencing with a lower greenstone unit composed largely of volcaniclastic material. This is followed by an upward-fining lower turbidite unit deposited in response to a marked transgression and sea level rise. Maximum rate of sea level rise provided ideal conditions for manganese precipitation and concentration, as detrital influx ceased. The central portion of the carbonate orebody that formed hosts the manganese orebody. An upward-coarsening turbidite unit follows above the carbonate unit. This upward-coarsening succession reflects a regression and a highstand systems tract in terms of sequence stratigraphic principles. It is capped by an unconformity that formed during a period of rapid relative sea level fall. It is overlain by a second upward-fining turbidite succession. This succession is not fully preserved as there is a sheared contact between it and the overlying upper greenstone unit. Post-depositional deformation and metamorphic alteration are largely attributed to the Paleoproterozoic Eburnean Orogeny. A first phase of compression was directed along a NW-SE axis and produced a series of isoclinal anticlines and synclines (F1) with NE-SW striking axial planes. This was followed by thrusting between the anticlines and synclines. The age of this deformation and closely associated greenschist metamorphism can be accurately constrained between 2.09 Ga and 2.07 Ga. E-W oriented oblique listric faulting has a prominent effect on the appearance of the Nsuta manganese deposit, as it produced a series of imbricate fault blocks dipping to the north. Associated with this period of deformation is small-scale cross folding with axes plunging to the east (F2). The faults post-date the Eburnean Orogeny and must be associated with a second major tectonic event. Finally, a NNE-SSW striking normal fault, locally known as the German Line, caused further block rotation, notably in the northern parts of the mining concession. Late Mesozoic deep lateritic weathering and incision of the lateritic peneplane by modern rivers have resulted in the complex dissected appearance of the Nsuta orebody. However, based on the detailed structural analysis provided in this study, a feasible target for future exploration of manganese ore buried beneath Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments and soils, has been identified. This target is located to the west of Hills A and B. / Dr. J.M. Huizenga Prof. Nic Beukes Prof. J. Gutzmer

A mapping project of the surface geology of the Lavino chrome mine and its surroundings was initiated in order to establish the surface geological relationships in the area. In so doing the chromitite layer presently being mined has been identified and potential exploration targets in the area have been outlined. The Lavino Chrome mine field area is situated within the eastern lobe of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. The area is bounded by in the north by the Steelpoort Lineament, in the west by the Dwars River fault and in the east by the contact with the Transvaal Sequence floor rocks. Layered igneous rocks (pyroxenites, norites and anorthosites) of the Rustenburg Layered Suite dominate the geological landscape at the Lavino mine. The fact that outcropping igneous rocks of the Critical Zone abut directly against the quartzite floor rocks on the mine property makes this area unique in the Bushveld Complex. The hills in the field area are capped by mafic/ultramafic iron-rich sheet - like bodies. Extensive strike-slip faulting is seen in outcrop in the area to the north/northwest of present mining operations. On the basis of field relationships, the main chromitite layer presently being mined at Lavino is identified as the Middle Group chromitite layer MG 1. Three other prominent chromitite layers stratigraphically associated with MG 1 are identified as the Middle Group chromitites MG 2, MG 3 and MG 4. Several other less prominent outcropping chromitite layers are tentatively identified as those belonging to the Lower and Upper group of chromitites. The disconformable nature of the contact between the layered igneous rocks and the Transvaal Sequence floor rocks has resulted in the development of a wedge of undifferentiated pyroxenites in the north of the field area. The economically important LG 6 chromitite layer may be developed in subcrop within this wedge.

Lateritisation is associated with tropical climates and geomorphic conditions of peneplanation where hydromorphic processes of weathering predominate. Laterites are products of relative (residual) and absolute(chemical) accumulation after leaching of mobile constituents. Their major element chemistry is controlled by the aluminous character of bedrock and drainage. Bauxitisation is characterised by residual gibbsite neoformation and lateritisation, by both residual accumulation and hydromorphic precipitation of goethite controlled by the redox front at the water table. The laterite forms part of a weathering profile that is underlain by saprock, saprolite, the mottled zone and overlain by a soil horizon. The secondary gold in laterites has its source invariably with mineralised bedrock. The distribution of secondary gold is controlled by mechanical eluviation and hydromorphic processes governed by organic, thiosulphate and chloride complexing. The precipitation of secondary gold is controlled by pH conditions, stability of the complexing agent and ferrolysis. Gold-bearing laterites are Cainozoic in age and are best developed on stable Archean and Proterozoic cratons that have suffered epeirogenesis since lateritisation. Mechanical eluviation increases in influence at the expense of hydromorphic processes as a positive function of topographic slope and degradation rate. Gradients greater than 10⁰ are not conducive for lateritisation, with latosols forming instead. High vertical degradation rates may lead to the development of stone lines. In the Western Australian case, post-laterite aridification has controlled the redistribution of secondary gold at levels marked by stabilisation of the receding palaeowater table. Mineable reserves of lateritic ore are located at Boddington, Westonia and Gibson toward the south-west of the Yilgarn Block. A significant controlling variable appears to be the concentration of chloride in the regolith. Based on the Boddington model, the laterite concentrates the following elements from bedrock gold lodes: i) Mo, Sb, W, Hg, Bi and Au as mobile constituents. ii) As and Pb as immobile constituents. Geochemical sampling of ferruginous lag after bedrock and laterite has provided dispersed anomalies that are easily identifiable. "Chalcophile corridors" up to 150 km in length are defined broadly by As and Sb but contain more discrete anomalies of Bi, Mo, Ag, Sn, W, Se or Au, in the Yilgarn Block. The nature of the weathered bedrock, the tabular distribution of secondary gold ore deposition and the infrastructural environment lends the lateritic regolith to low cost, open-cut mining. The western Australian lateritic-gold model perhaps can be adapted and modified for use elsewhere in the world.

Abstract The gold mineralization event within Archaean granite-greenstone terranes occurred during the late Archaean, and followed the intrusion of syn- to late-tectonic granitic plutons into previously deformed greenstone belts. An Archaean granite/gneiss-hosted gold deposit, in terms of this project, is classified as having a gold-assay cutoff of 1g/metric ton over widths of at least several metres, or higher grades over narrower widths and/or verbal descriptions that indicate such values. Fluid inclusion studies and isotopic data identify two possible origins for the auriferous fluids; namely magmatic and metamorphic. The exploration target according to the magmatic model, is a late-Archaean, hydrothermally altered, mineralized and fractured granitic intrusion preferably with a granodioritic or quartz-dioritic composition. The exploration target according to the metamorphic replacement model is a granitic stock that has intruded a zone of crustal weakness such as a shear zone, active during the late Archaean. Alternatively, the granitic intrusion should be affected by regionally extensive late-Archaean shearing. It should be hydrothermally altered, deformed and mineralized. Five areas within the Pietersburg granite-greenstone terrane were selected for the 'Regional Area Selection' phase of exploration for Archaean granite/gneiss-hosted gold deposits; namely Roodepoort, Waterval, Ramagoep, Moletsie and Matlala. Roodepoort contains a known granodiorite-hosted gold deposit; the Knight's Pluton, and served as an orientation survey for this project. The use and interpretation of LANDSAT images formed an integral part of exploration techniques; to assess their usefulness in the exploration of Archaean granite/gneiss-hosted gold deposits. Area selection criteria for granite/gneiss-hosted gold mineralization at Roodepoort are the major ENE-trending shear zone, the NNW-trending lineament and hydrothermal alteration, shearing, quartz-stockworks and sulphide mineralization within the Knight's Pluton. The origin of the gold within the Knight's Pluton is uncertain; both magmatic and metamorphic models are possibilities. Ongoing exploration is in progress at Roodepoort. The only area selection criterion for granite/gneiss-hosted gold mineralization at Waterval is the sericitized, subcropping granites located within trenches. Gold mineralization is insignificant. No area selection criteria for Archaean granite/gneiss-hosted gold mineralization were located at Ramagoep, Matlala and Moletsie. No further exploration is recommended for all these areas. The MES image interpretations were successful in identifying lineaments, granitic outcrops, greenstones, vegetation and soil cover. The Clay-iron images adequately differentiated betweeen iron-rich and clay-bearing areas. However, not all clay-bearing areas were associated with hydrothermal alteratian; field checks were necessary to discriminate between weathered granites and hydrothermally altered granites. The Wallis images served to locally enhance the contrasts of the MES and Clay-iron images.

The interpretation of leached outcrops as guides to the specific minerals from which they were formed has been developed to a rather high degree by earlier workers, among whom Boswell and Blanchard deserve particular mention. In the present work, a gossan that led to the discovery of a lead deposit is described. Since many hand specimens of the limonite from this gossan lack the characteristic boxwork structures described by the authors above, microscopic investigations of thin and polished sections were carried out. However, the gossan is classified into six types mainly on the basis of its physical properties. At least three of these are correlated with types described by Boswell and Blanchard, one of pyrite derivation and the others from galena. The relative solubility of different limonite types in dilute HC1 was not found to be of as much value as some writers have indicated. The mineral deposits to which the limonite pointed the way have not been sufficiently exposed to allow detailed study, but the presence of tremolite and phlogopite in an area of disseminated mineralization indicates that this portion at least may be of contact metamorphic origin. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

A total of 34 lead ore samples from selected hydrothermal deposits in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho have been isotopically analyzed and geochronological interpretations made from the results. Leads from along the southeastern flank of the Idaho Batholith appear to have a primary component 2500 my old. Leads from Butte and Cassia counties, Idaho, may be interpreted as having this same primary component with an added component that is estimated to be 1400 to 1600 my old. The radiogenic component of leads along the southeastern flank of the Idaho Batholith commenced development in a closed system 2500 my ago. Radiogenic components of the leads from Butte and Cassia counties commenced development 1900 and 2700 my ago respectively. Preliminary results of analyses from the south end of the Wind River Mtns, Wyoming, and the Little Belt Mtns, Montana, show primary lead ages of about 3200 and 2200 my respectively. Common lead geochronology indicates that the basement rocks of Southern Idaho may be assigned to the Superior Province of North America as defined by Kanasewich (1965). A second Precambrian event was recorded by a change in the lead isotope abundances during the Penokian era. Thus, Southern Idaho had been subjected to several uplifts during parts of Early and Middle Precambrian time. The ages of the anomalous leads from Butte and Cassia counties could represent the times of formation of sedimentary layers which remained closed systems until the time of formation of the ore bodies. A model for continental accretion and growth is discussed. The contribution of the present report to tectonic development models is in the suggestion of a geological sequence which may give rise to anomalous lead suites. This geological sequence is concerned with regional tectonic events which take place in the lower crust and are manifested by igneous activity. Examples of leads with apparent enrichment in the 208 isotope were found during this study and other instances are mentioned. The enrichment is tentatively considered to occur as a result of concentration of the thorium decay product in sedimentary basins. This could occur if the thorium is in more easily weathered minerals than are the uranium isotopes. Evidence supporting naturally occurring lead isotope enrichment phenomena is cited. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Casino porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit ia in the Dawson Range, midway between Dawson City and Whitehorse, Y.T. Mid-Cretaceous granitic rocks of the Klotassin batholith form the backbone of the Dawson Range and have intruded the Yukon Hetamorphic Complex of Paleozoic or earlier age. A 70 m.y. old volcanic unit, the Casino complex, intruded the Klotassin batholith, and is cogenetic with Casino deposit. Hear the deposit extrusive volcanic rocks are unknown but formation of a subvolcanic plug of feldspar porphyry was followed by an explosive event that formed a steeply plunging, conical breccia pipe. This permeable pipe, about 2,000 ft. (670m.) by 1,200 ft. (400m.) at the surface localized hydrothermal fluids that formed large concentrically zoned alteration patterns during upward and outward percolation. A potassic alteration facies core, about 1,500 ft. (500m.) in diameter, is centered approximately on the breccia pipe, and is characterized by secondary magnetite, biotite and potassium feldspar. This core is surrounded by phyllic (quartz, sericite, sulphide) alteration that extends about 1,000 ft. (330m.) into adjacent rocks of the Klotassin batholith. Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are concentrated in the phyllic zone along the potassic alteration side of a pyrite halo. Peripheral, weakly developed zones of argillic (clay-carbonate minerals) and propylitic (chlorite) alterations are present. This characteristic location of economically significant minerals within a zonal distribution of alteration minerals provides an important exploration guide for porphyry-type deposits in the area. Breccia formation and hydrotherrnal zoning appear interrelated and probably result from escape of metal-bearing saline solutions from "wet" magmas derived from an underlying Benioff zone associated with subduction of an oceanic plate. Supergene enrichment, preserved because the area is unglaciated, probably occurred mainly in the Paleogene and resulted in an increase in the grade of copper by an average factor of 1.7 through precipitation of chalcocite in a subhorizontal enriched zone. Copper added to this zone was extracted from up to 500 ft. (l70a.) of overlying capping rock. Controls for enrichment processes include grade of original hypogene copper, favourable breccia occurrence and alteration, and presence of pyrite. A plate-tectonic model relates the genesis of Upper Cretaceous to Tertiary porphyry-type deposits to the evolution of the western and central Canadian Cordillera. Existence of two Benioff zones is assumed from definition of two distinct younging trends of intrusive centres. The first Benioff zone, initiated west of the Queen Charlotte Islands near the Middle Triassic, continued activity until the early Tertiary when 50 m.y. old granitic rocks and associated porphyry deposits near the eastern boundary of the Coast Crystalline Belt were formed. The second Benioff zone, initiated near the earliest-Cretaceous, extended under the western margin of the North America plate and produced stocks and associated porphyry deposits that become younger from west to east across the Intennontane Belt. Intrusive activity associated with both Benioff zones ceased at about the same time, 50 m.y. ago, implying that they became imbricated. As a result, the North America plate overrode the Insular plate. Doubling of these plates is reflected in the late Mesozoic and Tertiary uplift and erosion of the Coast Crystalline Belt. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate