GOLD EXPLORATION METHODS IN DEEPLY WEATHERED ENVIRONMENTS: A COMPARISON OF SOUTHEASTERN US AND SURINAME

Gold is mobile both mechanically and chemically and understanding both processes is critical in regions of past and present intense chemical weathering as found in semi tropical and tropical environments. Exploration tools and geologic expertise must recognize the mobility of gold and use this understanding to discover new gold deposits. The first gold rush in the US was in North Carolina. Panning of the creeks has led to major discoveries, from the early 1800’s to most recently the discovery of the Ridgeway mine in South Carolina. Panning remains an effective tool in exploration in the SE US. Suriname is in the middle of a modern day gold rush. Panning is also effective, but more so is following, mapping and sampling the porkknockers – the small scale gold miners. The Nassau or Merian deposit was discovered utilizing this method. Auger sampling and fire assay for gold of the weathered profile is effective in either area. However in Suriname, a thicker and often well developed and complex regolith must be understood to avoid chasing false anomalies or missing significant gold due to mobility and depletion of gold within the laterite profile. Geophysics can assist in interpretation of structure, lithological and alteration controls to mineralization essential in any drilling program. In both regions, drilling and more drilling is the key method of discovery and resource development as is demonstrated by the Haile mine in South Carolina and Rosebel mine in Suriname.