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This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Sarala, P. Articles by Peltoniemi-Taivalkoski, A. GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Gold exploration using till at Petäjälehto, northern Finland

Geological Survey of Finland, PO Box 77, FIN-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland

^* Corresponding author (e-mail: pertti.sarala{at}gtk.fi)

Till geochemistry, ground geophysics, heavy mineral studies and diamond drilling have been used for gold exploration at the Petäjälehto target, northern Finland. Geochemical anomalies of gold and its pathfinders Cu, Bi, Co and Te in detailed till sampling have encouraged further exploration at the target scale. In addition, tens of Au nuggets in heavy mineral concentrates of basal till and in pre-Quaternary regolith indicate significant Au mineralization in the target area. Preliminary lithological studies based on the outcrop observations and drill-cores proved the hydrothermally altered, brecciated shear zones in granite gneiss and amphibolite host rocks to be suitable for Au mineralization. The source for Au nuggets seems to be the quartz–carbonate and magnetite–pyrite–quartz veins. This research also strengthens the concept of effectiveness of surficial geological methods for tracing potential sources of mineralized debris and rock fragments in glaciated terrains.

KEYWORDS: gold, till geochemistry, heavy minerals, magnetite, diabase, monzonite, hydrothermal alteration, exploration, Central Lapland, Finland