Geochemical exploration using sulfide minerals

Abstract

The distribution of minor elements (Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Ag, In, Bi, Cd, Sb) in pyrrhotites from the Simokawa Mine, copper deposits in Hokkaido, has been investigated to conduct geochemical exploration using sulfide minerals. 49 pyrrhotites were separated from various representative parts of the deposits and host rocks, and were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. It is observed that Ni, Cr and Mn are comparatively enriched in pyrrhotites from the host rocks and Co in pyrrhotites from the ores. These effects suggest that geochemi-cal dispersion patterns of Co, Ni, Cr and Mn in pyrrhotites clearly reflected a restricted mineralization. Fairly high anomalous concentrations of Ag, In, Bi, Cd and Sb were not found in the minerals.