Termite Mound Geochemical Sampling: Prospecting for Polymetallic Vein Deposits and Porphyry Deposits in Ratanikiri, Cambodia
Dr Adrian Mann (Exploration Geologist - Angkor Gold Corp), Dr Craig Hart (Director-Mineral Deposit Research Unit), Mr Craig Richardson (Exploration Geologist - Angkor Gold Corp)
Mineral exploration in deeply weathered terranes requires robust and cost effective geochemical sampling programs to generate new exploration targets. Traditional soil sampling programs are effective, but large 'C' zone soil surveys were slow and expensive, while 'B' zone soil surveys proved erratic in transported soils. Termite mound sampling has been used to varying degrees of success in a number of regions throughout the world to prospect for mineral deposits. In northeastern Cambodia, termite mound sampling, with analyses by handheld XRF for base metals, has proven to be a robust and cost effective method for geochemical prospecting across large areas. Several termite mound orientation studies were run across known geochemical anomalies produced from 'B' and ‘C’ zone soil sampling. Samples from all three methods were sent to a commercial laboratory for multi-element analyses by Standard Fire Assay for gold and ICP-MS for base metals before analysis with a handheld XRF for base metals and simple gold panning. Following the orientation studies, termite mound surveys over extensive areas have been completed in several locations across northeastern Cambodia. These have led to the discovery of multiple Au-Ag polymetallic vein deposits and the CW and Halo prospects; two newly discovered Mo-Cu porphyry deposits.
