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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINERALS ASSOCIATED WITH GOLD IN THE SHEWUSHAN SUPERGENE GOLD DEPOSIT, CHINA

The Center for Material Research and Testing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, P.R. China

^* E-mail address of corresponding author: honghl{at}public.wh.hb.cn

The mineralogical properties of goethite and clay minerals from the Shewushan supergene gold deposit have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results show that in the weathering zone of the Shewushan supergene gold deposit the mineral assemblage is mainly composed of quartz, kaolinite, halloysite, minor illite and goethite. The coexistence of these minerals is apparently indicative of weak laterization. The Al content in goethite from XRD data is ~10.0%, suggesting formation by weak desilicification. Observation by TEM shows that the flakes of clay minerals with larger particle size usually have extremely rounded outlines, indicating intensive dissolution of clay minerals. Halloysite is derived from the decomposition of kaolinite and the micrographs of curling, tubular, and club-shaped halloysite strongly suggest significant hydration and thus a water-saturated environment. Both the XRD data of goethite and the micrographs of the clay minerals show that the environment in Shewushan is characteristic of high [H₂O] activity and high [SiO₂] activity. The high dynamic hydraulic conditions may facilitate the downward migration of the primary gold particles during their mechanical concentration, resulting in the accumulation of gold in the lower portion near the water table.

Key Words: Clay Minerals • Crystallinity • Goethite • Lateritization • Micrograph • Supergene Gold Deposit • Weathering Zone

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Hong, Z. Li, M. Yang, P. Xiao, and H. Xue Kaolin in the net-like horizon of laterite in Hubei, south China Clay Minerals, March 1, 2009; 44(1): 51 - 66. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]