Integrated Hyperspectral and Geochemical Study of Sediment-Hosted Disseminated Gold at the Goldstrike District, Utah

Abstract

The Goldstrike district in southwest Utah is similar to Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada that are characterized by sediment-hosted disseminated gold. Suitable structural and stratigraphic conditions facilitated precipitation of gold in arsenian pyrite grains from ascending gold-bearing fluids. This study used ground-based hyperspectral imaging to study a core drilled in the Goldstrike district covering the basal Claron Formation and Callville Limestone. Spectral modeling of absorptions at 2340, 2200, and 500 nm allowed the extraction of calcite, clay minerals, and ferric iron abundances and identification of lithology. This study integrated remote sensing and geochemistry data and identified an optimum stratigraphic combination of limestone above and siliciclastic rocks below in the basal Claron Formation, as well as decarbonatization, argillization, and pyrite oxidation in the Callville Limestone, that are related with gold mineralization. This study shows an example of utilizing ground-based hyperspectral imaging in geological characterization, which can be broadly applied in the determination of mining interests and classification of ore grades. The utilization of this new terrestrial remote sensing technique has great potentials in resource exploration and exploitation.

Keywords

• hyperspectral
• Goldstrike
• gold mineralization
• Carlin-type
• decarbonatization
• argillization