Conceptual Models in Exploration Geochemistry: The Canadian Cordillera and Canadian Shield is a compilation of 38 case histories from the shield and the cordillera. This volume aims to develop models ideally for the systematic description and exploration of geochemical data. These idealized models describe the principles and mechanisms of anomalies, which govern the use of exploration geochemistry. Furthermore, this volume focuses on the use of soils and sediments in exploration geochemistry. This volume is divided into four sections, the first of which is an introduction about landscape geochemistry, the idealized models, standardization of field data, and the general principles of geochemical migration. The second section consists of the idealized models and nineteen case studies obtained from the Canadian Cordillera. The third section also consists of idealized models and case studies but these were obtained from the Canadian Shield. Both the second and third sections discuss, in different views, the mineral zoning and distribution of mineralization, Pleistocene geology, physiography, climate and vegetation, and soils. This volume concludes with a discussion on orientation sampling and standardization of data collection and presentation.

Conceptual Models in Exploration Geochemistry

The use of exploration geochemistry has increased enormously in the last decade. The present volume specifically addresses those geochemical exploration practices appropriate for tropical, sub-tropical and adjacent areas – in environments ranging from rainforest to desert. Practical recommendations are made for the optimization of sampling, and analytical and interpretational procedures for exploration according to the particular nature of tropically weathered terrains. The underlying theme is the recognition that regions between 35°N and 35°S in particular have a common history of deep chemical weathering and lateritization during the late Mesozoic and early Tertiary. This has had a profound and lasting effect, so that the surface geochemical expressions of mineralization throughout these regions have many similar features, with local modification due to more recent weathering under changed climates. The volume discusses the data derived from numerous research and case studies in terms of exploration and dispersion models based on the weathering and geomorphological history. The models permit valid comparisons between equivalent terrains that may be geographically widely separated and situated in quite different climatic environments. The basis of the volume is to view geochemical dispersion within the context of a genetic understanding of the evolution of landforms and the regolith (i.e. landscape geochemistry) and to develop exploration procedures based on this understanding. This book should be of interest to exploration geochemists, economic geologists, soil scientists, geomorphologists and environmental geochemists.

This book discusses potential mineral belts in various geotectonic regions around the globe, with a particular focus on concealed deposits, in order to highlight new areas for geochemical exploration and modelling. In recent years, the application of statistical methods using qualitative and, wherever possible, quantitative earth science data has become increasingly common for the evaluation of both offshore and terrestrial mineral resources. The book examines these approaches and provides examples from India, which are also applicable to deposits around the world, particularly those in South and South East Asia. The main objective of geochemical exploration and modelling is to present the geometry of the deposit in three dimensions. As such, the book describes the various conventional and non-conventional techniques of exploration geochemistry, especially in the context of concealed terrestrial and offshore mineral deposits. It serves as a guide for field geologists, geochemists, students, research scholars and scientists interested in earth science for the exploration of concealed mineral deposits and evaluation of their resources.

Developments in Economic Geology, Volume 17: Geochemical Exploration 1982 provides an outline of several significant areas of technical communications in relation to the mining industry. This book discusses the role of governments, universities, and industries in the search for and development of the natural resources. Organized into 56 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the significant role that technical communications play in everyday activities. This text then examines the geochemical case histories for soil and lake-sediment surveys. Other chapters consider the chemistry of deep ground waters from throughout the Athabasca Basin. This book discusses as well the uranium mineralization of the McClean Lake Area deposits, which can be described as belonging to two different facies. The final chapter deals with the application of factor analysis for the purpose of identifying areas potentially favorable for uranium deposits. This book is a valuable resource for scientists and mineral engineers.

Geochemists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, technicians and amateur prospectors alike will find this a practically oriented and comprehensive handbook for use in the field or office. It describes methodologies for assessing overburden in Arctic and temperate regions. Scientists can study the composition of bedrock by analyzing the overburden and ores found by the separation of the anomalies from the chemical background variation. This task is a very demanding one for previously glaciated terrain, where overburden consists totally of transported and mixed materials. It is possible to trace back the anomalies found in glacial till and sometimes those found in glacifluvial sediments. Special care in sampling and preparation of samples for analysis as well as very sensitive methods of analysis are necessary in obtaining results suitable for successful interpretation. The present handbook is dedicated to these vital problems. The genesis of overburden formations and the character of geochemical anomalies are discussed at length, after which examples are provided from a variety of situations. Articles concerning practical aspects of sampling, analysis and mathematical treatment, written specifically to help investigations are also included. The text is illustrated by 196 drawings, 32 tables and the selected bibliography contains 533 references. A key word list makes the handbook easy to use.

Developments in Economic Geology, 15: Geochemical Exploration 1980 focuses on practices, processes, methodologies, and principles involved in geochemical exploration. The selection first takes a look at the simultaneous determination of sulfide, polysulfides, and thiosulfate as an aid to ore exploration; hydrogeochemical exploration for uranium ore deposits; and mercury and mercury compounds in surface air, soil gas, soils, and rocks. Discussions focus on the methods of mercury analysis, calibration, sensitivity and computations, exploration, titration of hydrogen sulfide, polysulfides, thiosulfate and sulfite, and leaching of a sulfide deposit by percolating water. The book then examines meteorological noise in crustal gas emission and relevance to geochemical exploration; a mercury vapor survey in an area of thick transported overburden in Shanghai, China; and mechanisms of ore formation and primary dispersion at the Dexing porphyry copper deposit in Jiangxi and their implications to geochemical exploration. The publication explores the organic matter of a gulf coast well studied by a thermal analysis; selective extraction procedures applied to geochemical prospecting in an area contaminated by old mine workings; and application of radionuclide energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis in geochemical prospecting. The selection is a vital source of data for researchers interested in geochemical exploration.

Why another book about Ore Deposits? There are a number of factors which motivated us to write this text and which may provide an answer to this question. Firstly our colleagues are predominantly mining engineers and minerals processing technologists, which provides us with a different perspective of ore deposits from many academic geologists. Secondly we have found that most existing texts are either highly theoretical or merely descriptive: we have attempted to examine the practical implications of the geological setting and genetic models of particular ore deposit types. We have written the text primarily for undergraduates who are taking options in Economic Geology towards the end of a Degree Course in Geology. However, we hope that the text will also prove valuable to geologists working in the mining industry. The text is to a large extent based on a review of the existing literature up to the end of 1984. However, we have visited most of the mining districts cited in the text and have also corresponded extensively with geologists to extend our knowledge beyond the published literature. Nonetheless writing a text-book on Ore Deposits is a demanding task and it is inevitable that sins of both omission and commission have been committed. We would therefore welcome comments from readers which can be incorporated in future editions. RICHARD EDW ARDS KEITH ATKINSON Cmnhome School (~n\1illcs April 1985 Glossary Adit A horizontal, or near horizontal, passage from the surface into a mme.