Geochemistry
The definition of PCA?
What is Principal Component Analysis.
Faults resulting from extension.
What is normal faults.
The primary Au hosting stratigraphic unit in northeastern Nevada (lithology).
What is carbonate rocks (~ 90% carbonate and 10% clastic).
The primary host rock type at the Arturo Mine and the deposit type (commodities)?
What is Au-Ag deposits hosted in breccias.
Define miogeoclinal.
What is passive marginal sedimentation.
How does PCA aid in mineral exploration? (multiple answers)
1) identifies elemental suites associated with mineralization.
2) Identifies anomalies associated with mineralization.
3) Can identify new areas to explore for commodities.
4) Can provide insights into geologic uncertainty related to mineralization.
The mountain building even that formed the Golconda Thrust.
What is the Sonoma Orogeny.
Age of CTGD formation and depth of formation.
Eocene @500-2000m
The environment that forms carbonate rocks.
What is shallow submarine.
Define Machine Learning.
What is a supplementary tool used to support clustering mechanisms.
The chemical signature of ore in CTGD.
What is Au-As-Hg-Tl-Sb.
The basal thrust in northern Nevada.
Critical constitutions of CTGD.
Reduced Fe in porous permeable lithologies and reactivated structures.
The stratigraphic unit and primary Au host at the Arturo Mine.
What is the Devonian Rodeo Creek Formation.
Define a measured mineral resource.
What is a confident estimate of confirmed geologic and grade continuity that is used to assist in mining production.
Digestion method required for Lithogeochemical/ Whole Rock data.
What is Lithium metaborate fusion.
Why are fault intersection zones observed to be more mineralized in CTGD?
What is increased permeability and porosity near fault zones and fluid flow pathways.
Define refractory gold.
What is submicroscopic gold that is found incorporated into sulfide minerals.
How does silicification effect Au mineralization (multiple answers?
1) Decreases permeability and porosity.
2) Can form an impermeable horizon that can act as a trap for Au bearing fluids.
True or false, does a mineral resource display economic viability?
False. A mineral RESERVE displays economic viability.
Why do you use HFSE (high field strength elements) for rock classification?
HFSE is used because the elements are incompatible, hence no alteration effects.
Are faults and folds typically primary controls on CTGD mineralization?
Yes, CTGD are largely controlled by structures. Fluids carrying Au traveled along preexisting fractures to favorable stratigraphy or settled along the hinge line of folds.
How are oxide ore and sulfide ore processed differently?
Oxide ore: Heap Leach
Sulfide Ore: Roasted and Pressure oxidation
The 3 main Au hosting breccia types at the El Niño mine.
1) Tectonic Breccias
2) Hydrothermal Breccias
3) Collapse Breccias
The preferred mining method at El Niño (open pit and underground).
Open Pit: Shovel truck operation
Underground: Underhand Drift and Fill