Evidence supporting micro-galvanic coupling in sulphides leads to gold deposition
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Geological Sciences
Publication Date
3-12-2021
Abstract
Electrical micro-junctions in metal sulfides drive electrochemical reactions with passing gold-bearing fluids, resulting in the deposition of gold, even from under-saturated ore fluids. Understanding the role micro-junctions play in the deposition of gold requires (a) imaging the electric field distribution of a galvanic couple near the surface to qualify the existence of an active micro-geo-battery and (b) correlating it with gold precipitation on the p-type cathode side of the junction by mapping the host at minor and trace levels. Here we report on correlating electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) elemental maps including micron-scaled gold hot spots with laser beam induced current (LBIC) photocurrent maps of galvanic coupling in natural arsenian pyrite from the Otago Schist in New Zealand. The results provide convincing evidence that sulphide electrochemical interactions can lead to gold electro-deposition. We finish by discussing a simplistic model of the processes involved in reference to the original model of Möller and Kersten (Miner Deposita 29(5):404–413. 1994), and discuss the effects of temperature in light of recent-reported evidence of electrochemical gold deposition in the formation of hydrothermal gold deposits.
Recommended Citation
Laird, J. S., Halfpenny, A., Ryan, C. G., & Liu, W. (2021). Evidence supporting micro-galvanic coupling in sulphides leads to gold deposition. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 176(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-021-01781-w
Journal
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology
Rights
Copyright © 2021, Crown
Comments
This article was originally published in Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.
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