Geologists in Western Australia have made a groundbreaking discovery in mineral exploration that could allow companies to directly target highly prospective ground – potentially ushering in a “modern-day gold rush”.
Following years of research, experts from the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) have finally honed in on a distinctive telltale sign that pinpoints locations where gold is most likely to be found.
By analysing thousands of geological samples, the GSWA team has identified the unique chemical fingerprint most closely linked to the formation of gold-rich mineral systems – especially those formed by ancient intrusions of molten rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
This breakthrough, funded by the WA Government, is being lauded as a “major step forward for mineral exploration on a global scale” owing to the near-elimination of reliance on broad assumptions or historical data alone.
Companies will now be able to use this chemical signature to zero in on highly prospective ground, reducing costs, lowering risk and increasing the likelihood of discovery.
Many of the world’s largest and most productive gold deposits are found within intrusion-related gold systems, the WA Government said in a statement.
These form when mineral-rich fluids, released from cooling magma deep underground, concentrate and deposit gold over time.
“Identifying the subtle chemical signals of these systems has long been a challenge – until now.”
GSWA, which sits under the newly formed Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, has already pinpointed high-potential targets within WA’s Yilgarn Craton, which is one of the oldest and most mineral-rich geological provinces on Earth.
“[The] identification of these chemical fingerprints will undoubtedly have global impacts for geochemical data usage, reinforcing WA’s position at the forefront of geoscientific research,” Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said.
