Readily extractable copper in eruptive rocks as a guide for prospecting

This investigation explores the possibility of ascertaining the mineral potentialities of an area around an outcrop of limited size using rock analyses involving a chemical attack of moderate intensity. By using hot aqua regia, which does not substantially attack silicates, wide variations in the Cu content of plutonic rocks have been noted. In general, our preliminary results suggest that, in the vicinity of mineralization, the readily extractable Cu of plutonic rocks is from 5 to 10 times greater than that from rocks unrelated to mineralization. This technique may prove useful in exploration and prospecting.

This record provided courtesy of AGI/GeoRef.