RE: Assoc. Minerals-My DD
Chalcopyrite is a copper compound (Cu2S) while pyrite (fools gold) and pyrhotite are iron compounds. Both iron compounds can appear similar in appearance but are easily identified in a core by simply taking a small crushed sample and applying a magnet to them. Pyrite is non magnetic, pyrhotite is weakly magnetic. You won't know the exact ratio of one to another but you will know that both forms of iron are present. Thus in the field a geologist can quickly identify the two iron compounds by simply using a magnet. Iron compounds are complex.
Both are proven indicators of gold.
Visible copper is elemental and appears like a shiny new penny, while chalcopyrite compounds are black, ....like diesel soot and, after oxidation they turn blue when they form a copper sulphate. Moly can also be identified (in the field) to a high degree too, by simply crushing a small sample and adding water to it. Moly will usually float with a lustrous black sheen. These and other acid tests are quick ways geologists can ID samples in the field. There are of course many other methods but these are of the simplest nature.
Again copper and moly are proven indicators of gold.
Copper, moly, iron compounds are used as indicators to discover gold because gold remains invisible in most of its forms unless it is in the elemental form in sufficient quantity to be seen. Even then, visible gold may not be easily identified when pyrite content is high, and fire assys/ICP/AA only are certain ways of knowing if gold is present. Common gold compounds in the gpt range are invisible for all intents and purposes.
Many an old timer prospector have discarded their pyrite as worthless fools gold only to discover that years later gold was associated with it after all. However as time went on, they looked for fools gold knowing that the real thing might not be far behind!
In the RC district the above have been proven indicators of the presence of gold, but they will not tell you how much, or what state gold exists in......or what are the gold compounds.
As I stated before, in the lab I have seen very heavy mineralization of copper/iron/moly compounds and no trace of gold from certain areas, and very minor mineralization with very good to excellent gold grades in other areas. Each area has its own signiture personality if you will. For the RC area if I were doing the analysis I would take for granted that gold values will be present in good grades and proceed with a small test run (either ICP or) fire assay, to determine flux mixture for the remaining samples. Based on previous known analysis that would be the logical way to proceed. This would give me an idea of what gold gpt range I'm dealing with.
Not to be over looked are the quartz veinings. Again, in the lab, we have had almost clear quartz samples containing nice gold values, samples that without testing, would not seem worthy of analysis. In the RC field, both scenarios are covered...the mineralization and the quartz veining.
In fairness to all, we will have to wait for analysis to fully disclose the pending results. If you have chosen to invest now while SP are low and the gold values are very high, you will be rewarded for your bravery and risk ability. If the results are disappointing, and the gold values are low, all is not totally lost, because it will then depend of how much tonnage we have at what gold values. Here is the real venture in the Venture Exchange. What will be the end result? Personally, I am cautiously optimistic, other wise, why would I invest in SLAM?
KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS AND DO YOUR DUE DILLIGENCE!!!
Solver