First geochemical map detects untapped gold zones in Chile
Sernageomin’s Study sets potential sites places of this and 59 other chemical elements. The Map provides mining information, but also for environmental and urban planning.
Juan Pablo Lacassie, Head of the Geochemistry Unit of the National Service of Geology and Mining (Sernageomin), said that in the unlikely event that it had discovered the Pascua Lama gold mine, the first geochemical map of Chile would have done it sooner or early. Because in 2006, before this mine site came into operation, the facility detected the presence of the mineral with the same techniques that now designs this new mapping.
The purpose of the map, whose work began in 2009, is spatially identify the presence of 59 chemical elements in the country, including eight heavy metals harmful to health, such as lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium, copper, arsenic, nickel and chromium (see side note).
To assemble the map, it must completed 73 areas, whose preparation of them will take between two to three years. The work is done by Sernageomin officials, who move into the field to collect samples at the bottom of ravines, which are then analyzed in the laboratory and abroad.
To date it has been possible to map areas ranging between Arica and Pisagua and between La Serena and Coquimbo. The first results, to which La Tercera had access revealed the presence of gold in large areas of these territories, although not equivalent to sites as such, are a key guide for future mineral exploration.
“From these maps it could be programmed more detailed sampling campaigns, bounded to the basins with corresponding anomalies” details Lacassie.
In the north there are three areas with high concentrations of gold, also called “gold anomalous zones” of great extent: Lauca River basin near the Choquelimpie mine; in Pampa Camarones between Camarones and Vitor streams; and in Pampa Pisagua sector. The latter two located in the Cordillera de la Costa (see infographic).
Lacassie detailed that in Pampa Camarones, has only been installed a company, but that does not cover 30% of the area in which gold was detected.
Environmental Baseline
“Every geochemical map (of the 73 areas) has a cost of 260 million pesos, which includes the entire process from sampling, laboratory analysis and the development of cartography,” explains Rodrigo Alvarez Seguel, Sernageomin’s National Director.
The authority warns that such projects are an investment for the country, because every dollar spent on developing pre-competitive geoscience information in Chile, generating $ 11.5 on average earnings, and provides a basis for a series of productive activities.
The map, he says, is not only aimed at mining area, but also serves for planning and management of cities; decisions on public health; environmental baseline for characterizing the territory before and after the impacts caused by human activities; policy and regulations on water quality and potential investments in tertiary treatment plants, among others. “This map democratizes geoscience information so that citizens have to do to participate in discussions on land use,” says Alvarez.
Rare Earths
The mapping also includes so-called rare earths, common name given to a group of 18 elements having special properties within the periodic table. In geochemistry letter included 16 of these elements, such as yttrium, scandium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium and samarium, to name a few. Their main uses are related to production technologies as magnets for computers, halogen lamps, TV screens, among others.
Despite its name, are no less rare than lead or gold, but they are difficult to separate from accompanying minerals.
It is not yet estimated the potential of these elements in Chile, said in Sernageomin. But geochemicalmaps are already indicating the presence of areas with high concentrations of them.
Source: La Tercera
