Reconnaissance guidelines for gold exploration in Central Alaska
Journal of Geochemical Exploration
By: T.D. Light, S. H. Moll, S. W. Bie, and G. K. Lee
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Abstract
Distribution of more than 300 gold-bearing samples from the Livengood (Tolovana) and parts of the Fairbanks and Rampart mining districts in central Alaska, USA, indicate that the concentration of gold in placers is spatially related both to structural features and to Late Cretaceous and (or) Tertiary felsic plutons. The regional consistency of these spatial relationships is demonstrated by proximity analysis using a Geographic Information System (GIS), and suggests a genetic association between faults, felsic plutons, and gold occurrences. The local presence of gold within several of the plutons indicates that these are the source of some of the gold. In addition, some gold occurs proximal to faults where plutons are not present, suggesting that some of the gold was also derived from the country rock. We envision a model whereby weakly mineralized solutions, thermally driven by latent plutonic heat, were enriched by circulation through clastic units that may have had a naturally elevated gold background. The resultant enriched solutions were channeled and reconcentrated along or adjacent to large-scale fault systems. Future exploration to define individual target areas should be directed toward areas where Late Cretaceous and (or) Tertiary felsic plutons occur near major faults. ?? 1993.
Suggested Citation
Light, T., Moll, S.H., Bie, S., Lee, G.K., 1993, Reconnaissance guidelines for gold exploration in Central Alaska: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 47, no. 1-3, p. 89-108, https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(93)90060-Y.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Reconnaissance guidelines for gold exploration in Central Alaska |
| Series title | Journal of Geochemical Exploration |
| DOI | 10.1016/0375-6742(93)90060-Y |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 1-3 |
| Year Published | 1993 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center |
| Description | 20 p. |
| First page | 89 |
| Last page | 108 |