Drainage Geochemistry

Can it be done better?

•BLEG Philosophy

• How to BLEG

• BLEG Limitations

• Case Studies

• Sample Presentation

• BLEG Analysis

• Data Interrogation

• Data Interpretation

• Data Presentation
Barama River, Guyana
BLEG Philosophy
What is BLEG? Bulk Leach Extractable Gold

• Stream sediment sampling and analytical technique developed during

the early 1980´s to combat the poor reproduction of results from
conventional stream sediment sampling

• Passive and deliberate partial cyanide leach of fine-grained stream

sediment sample aimed at extraction and detection of fine-grained gold

• Analyze Cyanide for low-level Au (0.1 ppb), Ag (0.1 ppb), Cu (0.5 ppm) analysis

• Regional Scale: Aim to sample low density catchments to isolate enhanced

catchments for follow-up exploration

Paso del Sapo, Argentina

BLEG Philosophy
Why BLEG?

• As regional explorers, we like exploration tools that provide a definitive,

cost-effective and rapid means to evaluate a large target area for gold.

• We have one shot only so we must believe negative data &

we must react to single-point anomalies at reconnaissance scale.

Gastre, Argentina
The Strength of BLEG – Sample Fines!
Fine Stream Sediment is Highly Desirable Because:

• Most gold deposits contain fine-grained gold

• Fine-grained gold in an active drainage system behaves like a clay mineral

and floats rather than a heavy mineral which sinks; and so……

• Fine-grained gold will disperse further and homogenize better thereby

reducing any nugget effect

Baños del Indio, Peru Bamboo Creek, Suriname

How We BLEG
Sampling Procedure - Wet & Damp Sites

 Collect active stream sediment FINES from at least 8 separate localities

within a zone of a creek sample site

 Sample decantation to separate fine from coarse-grained portion

 Further sieving to separate the organic and +80# stream sediment

components

 Chemically-inert flocculent to quickly settle sample fines

 Two samples taken: 3 Kg for BLEG and 200 grams for stream sediment
analysis

 Samples dried in Lima (or field) and analyzed by ALS-Lima

Clean buckets using water and
sediment

Tarata, Peru
Collecting sample fines: >8 localities

Santiago de Machaca, Bolivia

Collect 2 buckets half-full
of sample fines
Fill remainder of buckets
with water
Decant Sample Twice
 Sieve Using
-0.5 mm Mesh
Sieve Using
-80 Mesh
Add Flocculant
Wait for Sample
Fines to Settle
Pour-Out
Clear Water
Pour 5 Kg of Sediment in Large Calico
Bag for BLEG sample
Squeeze Out Water
Pour 200 grams of Sediment in Small
Calico Bag for BLEG sample
Check Sample Weight & Place Samples
Inside a Plastic Bag

Japuoco, Peru
DRY BLEG Sampling

 Collect active stream sediment

FINES from at least 8
separate localities within a
zone of a creek sample site

 Dry field sieve the stream

sediment twice; first with
the -0.5 mm sieve then with
the -80# sieve

 Two samples taken: 3 Kg for

BLEG and 200 grams for
stream sediment analysis

 Analysis by ALS-Lima
Planning a BLEG Program
Issues to Consider:

Sample Density

• Regional: 1 sample per 5 to 8 km2

• District: 1 sample per 3 to 5 km2

Other factors: Abundant dilutants may require a higher sample density

Voids in the BLEG catchment coverage may require direct
field reconnaissance

Sieve Mesh Size

• The finer mesh size, the better (but finer mesh sizes require more time!)
• We take -80# BLEG samples

Field Transport

Ground-based (car, ATV, mule, feet) OR Helicopter OR Boat

Planning a BLEG Program
Equipment Required

• Calico Bags (Large bag for BLEG; Smaller of stream sediment)

• Plastic Bags (Large bag for BLEG; Smaller of stream sediment)

• Sieves (-0.5 mm and -80#) & at least 5 buckets

• Scale

• Clear Tape

• Markers & Brushes

• Flocculent

• Polywoven Bags

• Field Maps, GPS & Logging Cards/Ticket Books

• Metal Tags and Flagging

 Limitations to BLEG
Sample Dilution

• Inert geochemical dilutants (?) are always in our samples

• Recent volcanic ash blankets and aeolian sands

• Reduce effect by closing sample density (from 5 to 8 km2 to 3 to 5 km2)

Amate, Peru Cancanarve, Peru

 Limitations to BLEG
Poor Drainage System Development

• Low annual precipitation (mainly as melted snow) and low topographic relief
at higher altitudes result in a poorly developed drainage system

• BLEG program may not cover all of the target geology

Mazo Cruz, Peru

Tignamar, Chile
 Limitations to BLEG
Organic Content

• Often unavoidable but must keep organic content to a minimum

• Organics may absorb Au and create false highs; OR be an inert diluatant creating
false lows; OR it may preg rob the cyanide leach creating false lows

Curipamba, Ecuador Nassau, Suriname

 Limitations to BLEG

More organic-rich Sites sourced from the vegetation and animals

La Oroya, Peru Viscachune, Peru

 Limitations to BLEG
Frozen Creeks

• Break the pack-ice to collect stream sediment

• Use cold-resistant gloves

Calcatreu, Argentina Viscachune, Peru

Limitations to BLEG
Glacial-Derived Materials?

• Are you sampling exotic and transported material?

• Look at the regolith – V-shaped valleys, moraines, rounded pebbles on topo highs

Galeno, Peru
 Limitations to BLEG
Contaminants - Rubbish

• Go and sample upstream of this!

Juliaca, Peru

Desaguadero, Peru
 Limitations to BLEG
Contaminants – Mine Workings & Known Mineralization

• Go and sample upstream of these as well

El Pingo, Chile Encrucijada, Chile

 Limitations to BLEG
Natural Contaminants

Candarave, Peru Nevado Sajama, Bolivia

Pinchollo, Peru
Limitations to BLEG

Other Contaminants

• No jewelry

• No metal sieves, metal scoops – Use non-reactive material & free from paint

• Enclose the sample in a plastic sample bag and tape it up!

Limitations to BLEG
Avoid colluvial transported material; alluvial material is OK if the
material comes from the target river

Central Channel

Visviri, Chile
Case Studies

• Perama Disseminated & Vein LS Epithermal

• Martabe HS Epithermal

• Encrucijada LS Epithermal Vein

• Navidad Exhalative Pb-Ag

• La Coipa HS Epithermal

• Batu Hijau Porphyry Cu-Au

Oficina Flor de Chile, Chile

Perama (Thrace, Greece)
LS Epithermal Au-Ag Vein Project

Background Information

• Previous explorer did BLEG survey.

• Results: 46 out of 47 samples, < 0.1ppb Au (DL), the other = 0.12ppb

• Conclusion despite good looking alteration, area has no potential to

host mineralisation.

• Quote “Whatever the origin of the reported ancient gold production from
Maronia, there is no chemical evidence to suggest that it originates from
the volcanics of this graben.”

• Normandy picked up the relinquished ground because of good looking geology

• Completed BLEG survey over same area, and got max value of 9.13 ppb Au
Geology & BLEG Au
PERAMA
30
23 1

9
Bulgaria PERAMA
SOUTH
Greece
SELEPI

MAP AREA
SAPAI
PETROTA

ALEXANDROUPOLIS 10

9
Parts per billion gold:
1993 bleg sample 3
1994 follow up sampling 500m
Aegean Sea
 Perama Surface Sampling

>1g/t Au in soils
Channel Samples
• Follow up led to siliceous cliffs at
Perama Hill and other significant
prospects VOLCANIC
ROCKS
• Channel sample results included:

53 m @ 9.9 g/t Au 53m@

20 m @ 17 g/t Au 9.9g/t Au
16.5 m @ 12.8 g/t Au.

• First drill hole 75m @ +5g/t from 20.1m@

METAMORPHIC
surface to BOH. 17g/t Au

ROCKS
16.5m@
12.6g/t Au
48m@
1.9g/t Au

100k
m
Perama Cross Section
So what went wrong with the Previous Survey?

• So, what went wrong with previous BLEG survey?

• We “acquired” report from previous company through JV partner.

Lab used (in UK) added cyanide BEFORE adding lime
So not all BLEG is the same.

• In true reconnaissance survey you only visit a site once.

It HAS to be right first time.
 Martabe (Sumatra, Indonesia)
HS Epithermal Project

Background Information

• Reconnaissance program established because staff knew some

CSR and BGS anomalies not followed up

• Accessible areas could be worked during wet season when no access to Irian Jaya

• Three major anomalies, Aek Pahu, Aek Kapur and Doluk Pinapan

• Aek Pahu 16ppb Au BLEG anomaly became Martabe

• Aek Kapur large area of argillic alteration, without known high grade core

• Doluk Pinapan proved to be the roots of a Cu Au porphyry system

• Several lower order anomalies also identified.

BLEG Au (ppb)

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Project Geology

GERHANA

KEJORA
SEDIMENTS

LEDGEsilica - vuggy silica.

quartz - alunite.
BASKARA MIOCENE ANDESITIC SUBVOLCANIC
INTRUSIVES
DACITIC FRAGMENTALS
DACITIC COMPLEX
BASALTIC LAVAS/ANDESITE
AGGLOMERATE
PURNAMA EOCENE GRANODIORITE

PELANGI
TALUS FAN
Soil Au & As Geochemistry
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Encrucijada (Region III, Chile)
LS Epithermal Au-Ag Vein Prospect
Geology & BLEG Au (ppb)
Au in Rocks
Ag in Rocks
Navidad (Chubut, Argentina)
Exhalative Ag-Pb-Cu Project
Navidad (Chubut, Argentina)
BLEG Ag (ppb)
La Copia (Region IV, Chile)
HS Epithermal Ag-Au Mine

Can Can
Coipa Norte
Brecha Norte

Portezuelo

Ladera-Farellón

Farellón Bajo

1 Km
BLEG Au (ppb)

Can Can
Coipa Norte
Brecha Norte

Portezuelo

Ladera-Farellón

Farellón Bajo

1 Km
Batu Hijau (Sumbawa, Indonesia)
Porphyry Cu-Au Mine

196.0 ppb
15.3 ppb

7.0 ppb

Batu Hijau
Au Cu porphyry
1.9 ppb 8.7 ppb

7.4 ppb

0 km 3
Indian Ocean
Maula and Levet (1996).

“... the (BLEG) anomaly decay down stream from the main
deposit can be clearly seen with values up to 196 ppb gold
reported near the deposit, diluting to 7 ppb Au at the coast....
GOLD IN THE <80 MESH SILT SAMPLES WAS NOT
DETECTABLE GREATER THAN 1.5 KM FROM THE
SOURCE, and was only effective for anomaly definition
within 1 to 2 km from a gold source.”

“THE BLEG TECHNIQUE....IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD

OF DETECTING THESE DEPOSITS IN PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY DRAINAGES UP TO 15 KM FROM
MINERALISED OUTCROP. Analysis of <80# silts, for both Au
and Cu, proved to be most effective....within 1 to 2 km of...
mineralisation”
Sample Presentation & Office Drying
Create a Good Impression!

• Send 3 Kg DRY - why pay to send more?

• Send clean, secured and ordered samples

• Lima office sample drying facility

Dataset Due Diligence - Data Sources

GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT!!!

Data sources - Newmont, Normandy, Battle Mountain, Santa Fe, INGEMET

& others??

• Recognise effects from different field sampling techniques (mesh size,

sample weight, wet or dry sample), laboratory and assay method

• Coordinate system, datum & projection used

KNOW YOUR DATA!!! Huaytire, Peru

Dataset Due Diligence - Data Review

Open file in text editor or as Excel spreadsheet:

• Check for missing data and incorrect data

• Make sure all columns are in a numeric format (no words, letters)

• Copy duplicate pair samples to a ‘BLEG Duplicate database’

• Cut and paste standard data to a ‘BLEG Standard database’

• Change all below detection symbols (< or BLD) to ‘half of the detection
limit’

• Change all above detection symbols (> or ADL) to ????

Dataset Due Diligence - Profile Display

Plot data as stacked profiles to quickly assess:

300
• Tentative background
250
• Maximum and minimum
200
values
150
• Relationship between 100
elements
50

0
Generate profiles in Excel 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
or DataDesk
Au Cu Pb Zn
 Dataset Due Diligence – Spatial Display

Plot data as East/North spatial distribution plot to assess:

• Geographic distribution - coordinate errors; datum errors

• Sample clusters - uniform or cluster

sampling

• Review of elevated values –

cultural influence,
laboratory problems or
geochemical significant values

• Review of low values - different

detection limit or laboratory drama
(look of steps or stripes in the dataset)

Evaluate easily using MapInfo or

DataDesk
Standard Samples - BLEG
Tests the precision and accuracy of the laboratory analysis

Bill Griffin submits standard, repeat and blank samples per batch and
comments on any deviation from the expected value
 Duplicate Samples
Tests the precision of the laboratory analysis

• We submit one duplicate sample per 25 samples

• Plot as scatter plot - look for linear relationship

• Possible legitimate variation - Intra-sample site variability

• Still have an unexplainable problem??? Talk to me

20 800
18 700
16
Ag (duplicate) 600
Au (duplicate)

14
12 500
10 400
8 300
6
200
4
100
2
0 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Au (routine) Ag (routine)
Geochemical Terminology

• Anomaly - any departure from an expected or normal value. Can vary

depending on geological environment and target mineralisation.

• Background - normal concentration of an element in an unmineralised

geological material. Also varies depending on geological environment.

• Threshold - lowest detectable value, the point at which the process or

effect commences. Also varies depending on geological environment. Can
be very low or very high.

Area Threshold Value

Patagonia, Argentina 0.98 ppb Au; 28 ppb Ag

Southern Peru 3 ppb Au; 87 ppb Ag

Northern Peru 25 ppb Au; 301 ppb Ag

Very Low Absolute Value Anomalies

Still there is a 10 x difference between background & anomaly

Reconn sample
49.4 0.10
15.10 Follow up samples

BLEG Au in ppb.
9.55
18.8
0.05 0.95
0.65 0.05
1.10
0.10
0.15
0.10

0 km 2
 Interpretation - Statistical Analysis
Disclaimer - Statistical Analysis alone will not issue warnings when

• The chosen method may be inappropriate when the results are based on
inadequate or unsuitable data;

• The necessary conditions for their proper application have not been satisfied; or

• The conclusions do not make geological sense.

Statistical Analysis is part of our geological interpretation

Note: Stream sampling will generally not determine:

Deposit style or grade and tonnage of mineralization

It will not find non-outcropping bodies

That’s what geologists & geophysicists are for!

Know Your Elements

Calculate basic dataset statistics for each element

• Minimum and maximum values

• Mean, median and standard deviation

• Number of samples

Calculate using Datadesk software

Near Ubinas, Peru

 Data Distribution
Statistical techniques are parametric:

• Require the frequency distribution of each element to conform to a normal or

Gaussian distribution (Frequency histogram is symmetrical bell-shaped;
cumulative frequency distribution ‘s’; shaped; or probability plot a straight line);
and

• The distribution should be free of outliers (or greater than 70% of the dataset
assays should be above detection).

Most elements do not display a normal distribution in their raw state and require
transformation (varieties include logarithmic, exponential, square-root)
Geochemical Threshold

Need to screen-out a small population of higher values that may be related

to mineralisation by determining a ‘threshold’ value

• Done best by orientation surveys downstream of known mineralisation

• In the absence of orientation data use statistical methods

Karim, Peru
Statistical Threshold Calculation Methods

• Mean + Two Standard Deviations

• Percentile Methods

• Univariate Multiple-Population Distribution

• Probability Plots

• Simple Multi-Variant Statistics

• Complex Multi-Variant Statistical

Processes (factor analysis, principle
component analysis, cluster analysis)
Log-Normal As (ppm) at Ñangali
 Soil As
Best Interpret drainage & soil geochemistry in a landscape & regolith perspective
 Dataset Sub Setting

• Subset with respect to geology (dominant rock-type at sample site) or regolith

• Geology from field logs or from regional geology maps

• Generate probability plots and thresholds for each lithology

Sub-setting can be done manually in Excel or in DataDesk

Karim, Peru
Elemental Associations

Most mineralised systems and some lithologies show elemental

associations:

• Low-Sulphidation Epithermal: Au-Ag-As-Sb-Hg

• High-Sulphidation Epithermal: Au-Ag-As-Sb-Hg-Te

• Porphyry Gold Deposits: Cu-Mo-Au-Te or W-Mo-Au

• Mississippi Valley Type: Pb-Zn-Ag

• Mafic-Ultra Mafic Rock Index: Co-Cr-Ni-Cu-(Pt-Pd)

Sol de Oro, Nasca

Simple Multi-Variant Statistics

Recognise elemental associations and correlations by:

• Graphically by element profile display

• Correlation Matrices - Spearman Rank method preferred

• Geological wisdom using a combination of elements we know should occur

together

Calculate a Spearman Rank Matrix easily in DataDesk

Andamarca, Peru
Z Sums or Z Scores

Use to view the combined influence of correlated or associated elements

Normalises each element from the defined correlation or association and

allows it to exert equal influence

[ Z ep au =……]

Use Datadesk to calculate Z sum values. A probability plot is then used to

highlight elevated values

Comas, Peru
Ranking Anomalies

Best is to visit the anomalous catchment and prioritise according to

observed geology

Clusters of anomalies in adjacent catchments may infer a larger source. But

remember single point anomalies (Ñangali, Choreveco and Martabe)

Support of other elements (BLEG and -80# stream sediment)

Support from other disciplines

Sajama, Bolivia
BLEG Data Presentation

• Colour and size-coded dot plots, annotated with assay result for
each element is best

• Use images (Landsat, aster) and digital maps (both topographic

and geological) as a background

• Map scales at 1:100,000 or 1:50,000 are best for regional programs

• Highlight catchment boundaries in areas of anomalous results

• Present data in a landscape 3D context, with catchment

boundaries on topographic models with Quickbird, geology map or
regolith map drapes
BLEG Data Presentation