RE: Gold in NB
Just wondering MM about your statement referring to the reddish host rock: Quote:
"This is probably due to the presence of sulphides in the rock."
I have never seen sulphides/sulphates/sulphites give a red color but mainly would think it is the mixed presence of iron as an oxide. The sulphitized host probablycontains a great deal of iron oxide inaddition.
To me the iron is a critical component for visible gold to be formed. Dissolved gold in in an acidic solution will "flop" out as metallic gold when iron filings are added to it or the gold will deposite on an iron plate as visible gold. Iron is a necessary component to form visible gold. This is the principal of gold-iron ion exchange...under the right conditions.
What ever the case, it would take a considerable concentration of gold in the host rock to procuce metallic or visible gold so am in total agreement with you on very interesting possibilities!
Solver.