Post by
Wangotango67 on Sep 04, 2022 12:25pm
H2O2 - COBALT DETECTION
Cobalt can be quite difficult to detect not only in field observations but also at the lab.
As mentioned in prior posts - ( POLARIZED LIGHT )
Some use polarized light spectrometry - to assist in the detection of cobalt using special special light refractory - enabling one to see the cobalt more definitely.
XRF MINERAL DETECTORS - mineral detection - has difficulty distinguishing cobalt from other mineral species. There are other handheld detection units that have far more precise analysis but.. .even then, cobalt seems to be rather elusive.
ACID LEACING -
Cobalt sometimes resists ( acid leacing ) or is last to leach, out which then involves - lab analsis = and the timeframe one leave the specimen ores in solution.
A new study has come out whereas,
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE - allos a bonding to cobalt in which allows better detection of cobalt.
About time.
Hydrogen Peroxide Coordination to Cobalt(II) Facilitated by Second-Sphere Hydrogen Bonding
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.201606561
As pointed out in previous posts -
PINK + PURPLES are the strongest clues in which to visually detect the cobalt mineral.
Cobalt - being a grey metal will oxidize to a purple oxide - if one uses logic - it's quite obvious that through more oxidation and dilution whether by blending into other ores such as carbonates, or by way of water dilution, the purple hue is most likely to fade to pink.
Driftwood Reoprts - has shown that - pinks + purples - are present.
Associated pathfinders that support the potential presence of - cobalt - in nearby historical minesor, claims. Just as most geologist like having a granite association to copper - in this Nelson region it has shown that granite doesn't nessisarily have to be present in order for copper to reside - - SKARNS - are essentially ( calcium carbonate and calcites ) in which the copper depoists are found in - which makes this region ( defy ) standard copper depsits. And as so, one can also allpy this uniquness when exploring for potentail - cobalt. It would appear there are no standards due to - calcium / dolomites sit atop of granites. Replacement theology - 101.
- copper
- argillite
- lead
- silver
- iron
- zonc
- gold
In several reports... ( driftwood and vicinity ) the purple hues are seen in argillites.
If i recall - Brave Heart Deposit possesses - argillites - where the cobalt is also seen in the underground mine.
MGX has well over 100m of purple showing in stratigraphy.
And, as pointed out in my prior posts -
It's easy to concieve the idea that upon Mt Neslon froing - rising up- the straigraphy folded upon itself - thuscausing dolomites ( magnesium ) to form surficial or near surface depoists.
Add in more collapsing and silts + tills washing down - allows for a blended effect.
Argillites - could be the source.
Since so much purple hue is seen in the cores.
Mudstones also have the pinks - when mudstone rock was broken - pink colors appears - perhaps after oxidation.
And then there's the idea of, what if cobalt bonded to magnesium ?
There's always this notion one must factor.
Meaning the cobalt - could be thjorughout - and was just never detected.
MGX - ran ores through pilot plant to remove the carbonates - prior to - lab analysis.
Such reduces the detection of cobalt - considerably.
Yes, i could see how one would want just an MgO percentage grading - but the entire ores should have a petrographic study along with another second take looking for - cobalt.
One also has to keep in mind, the magnesium oxide
was fire assayed for over - 1 hour at 1000C.
I would think if any potential cobalt was still present after carbonates taken out, the little cobalt that could remain - would bond/alloy with the magnesium. Which would involve - hybrid /moleculars.
WHAT WOULD I DO ?
Use Dr Popes, litho study on M Nelson and begin pairing the purple sequece of over 100m with
matching drill cores - establsih a constraint along with tonnage estimate. I would also include all other ores just incase there is a cobalt presence - blend.
Pull forward the drill cores -
and begin a reanalysis for cobalt - using several methods.
Even as much as - inducing - an oxide formation to coach a reveal of the cobalt.
If detected ?
They've already a constraint and ore tonnage.
Find the percentage value and calculate an inferred.
Even... another field excursion would be in order...
Reexamining the north side of the western deposit to gain a better understanding of the
purple outcrop showing - 350m strike.
The above endevours - in plight of establishing the presence of cobalt...
is in my minds eye - justifiable.
Having an addition mineral credit to the tune of what cobalt commands...
Would place the Driftwood in an entirely different economics.
Not to mention - critical mineral status - receiving al lthe more attention.
I do like the supporting ( evidence ) of other peers in the province of B.C. that have detected cobalt
in argillites ( braveheart ) and cruz cobalt just south of driftwood and blavkhawk upper B.C. whereas Balck Hawk identified the - pink colbat - oxidation.
I'll leave others with tihs...
If dolmites and magnesium deposits are naturally - grey and white.
And if iron intrudes = the iron oxides will stain the mangesium carbonates.
Cobalt when it oxidized - turns purple and pink.
Ifthere's a presence of purple and pinks in the driftwood deposit and if numerous papers have been written on the special species of cobalt that resides in carbonates called - COBALTOAN
Then... is it not wise to perform a reanalysis of the ores ?
Of course it is.
I would say,
the one statement i found online is not quite that accurate -
when speaking about - there are only five known cobaltoan deposits worldwide.
The research that i've done - telsl a different story.
There are many areas who are now - just cluing in - on the purple - pink - connection to cobalt.
Now... if there's cobalt at the Driftwood ?
I would sure as hell hope the junoior is - wide awake - staking more claims.
Targeting the purple sequence lenses below - which reminds me - other nearby mines were 1 or 2 LITHO lenses deeper into different stratigraphy - where there's silver, gold, lead, zinc, copper.
If cobalt is present ?
Name change would be in order - lose the - Driftwood - rename it.
It needs a new image.
Cheers...