The Concentration and Distribution of Gold in the Uraniferous Conglomerates of Elliot Lake

Abstract

<p>A neutron activation procedure for the determination of Au in sulfides has been utilized to examine the concentration and distribution of Au in pyrite, and, to a lesser extent, in chalcopyrite of the conglomeratic uranium ore of the Denison Mine, Elliot Lake, Ontario. An extensive literature review of the geology of the Elliot Lake area is presented together with brief surveys of the geologies of two analogous areas, the Witwatersrand of South Africa, and the Jacobina of Brazil. A discussion of the two leading theories regarding the origin of such deposits follows. The present state of knowledge concerning the nature and causes of the distribution of Au in both rocks and sulfides is discussed. Analytical results are presented for Au in 58 pyrite, 8 quartz, and 2 chalcopyrite samples, and for Ir in 4 pyrite samples, all from the Denison Mine ore zones. These results are discussed with respect to their implications concerning the origin of the ore and of auriferous and/or uraniferous quartz pebble conglomerates in general.<p>