Adjustment of weak partial extraction data assuming metal ion adsorption: examples using bulk cyanide leach

ABSTRACT Geochemical analysis of soils using partial extractions, purported to detect only a fraction of elements mobilized during dispersion, represents a useful exploration tool. Interpretation of partial extraction data is, however, subject to uncertainty because the effects of changing soil or sediment properties on extraction are poorly defined. In particular, soil properties which are known to affect the retention of metal ions (e.g. clay content, organic carbon content, pH) may provide useful parameters against which to calculate adjusted total and partial assay values and thereby enhance anomaly contrast in geochemical exploration. Bulk cyanide leach (BCL), a commonly-used weak partial extraction technique, reduces the nugget effect for Au and can provide higher anomaly contrast than total elemental analyses. For a range of elements (Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pd and Zn), we conducted BCL determinations, measured the same elements by NAA, XRF or aqua regia digest, and determined a range of soil chemical properties for traverses at 10 exploration prospects in Australia and Namibia. Raw total and BCL data were compared with (i) concentration : soil parameter ratios, and (ii) adjusted BCL values based on a simple model of trace element speciation in soils. Anomaly contrasts for raw and normalized or adjusted data were compared using an estimate of anomalism based on both quantitative and heuristic criteria. At prospects with soils containing detectable carbonate, normalization of total and BCL assays to carbonate content significantly improved multi-element anomaly contrast. Normalization to amorphous Fe or Mn oxide content, or total Al, K or Mg also significantly improved anomaly contrast at fewer prospects. Adjusting BCL values using a simple adsorption model also showed limited success in improving anomaly contrast, and represents a useful framework for interpreting weak partial extraction data.