Characterization and identification of Au pathfinder minerals from an artisanal mine site using X-ray diffraction
Gabriel K. Nzulu, Per Eklund, Martin Magnuson
Abstract
Abstract Gold-associated pathfinder minerals have been investigated by identifying host minerals of Au for samples collected from an artisanal mining site near a potential gold mine (Kubi Gold Project) in Dunkwa-On-Offin in the central region of Ghana. We find that for each composition of Au powder (impure) and the residual black hematite/magnetite sand that remains after gold panning, there is a unique set of associated diverse indicator minerals. These indicator minerals are identified as SiO 2 (quartz), Fe 3 O 4 (magnetite) and Fe 2 O 3 (hematite), while contributions from pyrite, arsenopyrites, iridosmine, scheelite, tetradymite, garnet, gypsum and other sulfate materials are insignificant. This constitutes a confirmative identification of Au pathfinding minerals in this particular mineralogical area. The findings suggest that X-ray diffraction could also be applied in other mineralogical sites to aid in identifying indicator minerals of Au and the location of ore bodies at reduced environmental and exploration costs.