The Application of Spectral Data in Mineral Exploration

KAGEOGAMA WORKSHOP
UGM
11th May 2016

Rachel Harrison
CODES, UTAS/Independent Consultant Geologist
 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies: Candrian, Cascabel &Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

 Purpose and Objectives – Spectral
Analysis
 Definition of hydrothermal system
extent – deposit footprint
 Zonation and types of alteration
and characterization of
deposit/mineralization
 Trends in numerical spectral
features (mineral composition and
crystallinity
 A higher level of understanding of
alteration to relate to mineralization
(vectors to ore)
 A powerful dataset to refine drill
planning/regional targeting to
compliment logging, mapping and
soil geochemistry

Drillcore photo: Visual observation = fine-grained white clay . SWIR analysis = diaspore-pyrophyllite
 Definitions
 ASD = Analytical spectral device
 SWIR = Short wavelength infrared

 Vis-NIR = Visible near infrared

 Process and Procedure –
Spectral Analysis
 Sample media: drill core, soil
chips, soil materials, rock chips,
(powders and pulps only in
emergency)
 Sample preparation: drying,
core chips in RC tray, original
soil material
 Instrument: TerraSpec ASD
used to gather the spectral data
 Data collection: analysed using
contact probe, spectral data
gathered using RS3
 Interpretation: spectral data
manually interpreted using TSG
software
 Integration: incorporation of
visual observation, petrography,
ore petrology, XRD, feldspar
staining, geologic, geochemical, Photos courtesy of W. Mandradewi, 2010
and geophysical data sets
Source: AusSpec, 2010
 SWIR Identifiable Minerals 1300 – 2500 nm
Minerals suitable for spectral analysis contain ligands OH, H2O, AlOH, FeOH,
MgOH and CO3. They are typically (but not exclusively) light-colored minerals
and include:
 Clays and micas (e.g., kaolinite, pyrophyllite, illite)
 Phyllosilicates (e.g., chlorite and serpentine minerals)
 Hydroxylated silicates (e.g., epidote and amphibole)
 Sulfates (e.g., alunite, jarosite and gypsum)
 Carbonates (e.g., calcite, dolomite, ankerite and magnesite)
 Ammonium-bearing minerals (e.g., buddingtonite, NH4-illites)

Source: Major absorption

bands in the SWIR spectrum
(Herrmann et al., 2001)
Source: CODES, 2012
 Advantages of SWIR vs XRD
 Minimal sample preparation
 Identification of fine-grained clay minerals
 Fast, large throughput
 Low cost
 Can easily distinguish kaolinite from dickite
 Easy integration with other data layers
 Analysis can be done onsite

Disadvantages of SWIR vs XRD

• SWIR is not quantitative (QXRD available)
• Can not identify feldspars, quartz, anhydrite etc.

Source: modified from CODES, 2012

 Limitations of SWIR Analysis
SWIR analysis cannot detect anhydrous minerals
or minerals with no OH or carbonate e.g.,
 Quartz (SiO2)
 Feldspars (NaAlSi3O8 to CaAl2Si2O8)
 Anhydrite (CaSO4)
Also opaques as they are strongly absorbing (not
reflective) e.g.,
 Magnetite, sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, enargite etc.)
These minerals have to be recorded during visual
logging e.g., vuggy or massive quartz, K-Feldspar-
magnetite alteration..
It is crucial to combine visual observations with
SWIR data during logging/mapping/type section
construction
 High-sulfidation epithermal deposits
and lithocaps
Advanced argillic altered lithocaps = large masses of pyritic, hypogene
advanced argillic and silicic (vuggy-textured) alteration located between
the subvolcanic intrusive environment and the paleosurface (White, 1991)
• Lithocaps can be large, (some covering 20 km2)
• Topographically prominent (due to resistive vuggy or massive quartz
alteration)
• Structural roots
• Host HSE deposits

Lithocap 5km west of Quimsacocha HSE deposit, Ecuador

(White 1991; Sillitoe, 1995; Harrison, 2011)
 Genetic
Model:
Lithology

(Sillitoe, 2010)
 Genetic
model:
alteration

(Sillitoe, 2010)
 Alteration zonation in lithocaps: a
crucial exploration tool

Alteration zoning associated with high-sulfidation epithermal deposits (White, 1991, 2012)
 Alkaline Alteration zoning in HSE
Calcite CaCO3 CaCO3 systems (SWIR detectable
Epidote Ca2(Fe3+Al)Al2(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) OH, FeOH ligands)
Mg-chlorite (Mg,Al,Fe)12[Si,Al)8O20](OH)16 OH, FeOH, MgOH
Fe-Mg chlorite (Mg,Al,Fe)12[Si,Al)8O20](OH)16 OH, FeOH, MgOH
Fe-chlorite (Fe,Al,Mg)12[Si,Al)8O20](OH)16 OH, FeOH, MgOH
Nontronite (0.5Ca,Na)0.7(Fe,Al,Mg)4[(Si,Al)8O20](OH)4.nH2O FeOH, OH, H2O
Montmorillonite (0.5Ca,Na)0.7(Al,Mg,Fe)4[(Si,Al)8O20](OH)4.nH2O AlOH,OH, H2O
Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O OH, H2O
Illite Ca0.05Na0.03K0.61)Al1.53Fe3+0.22Fe2+0.03Mg0.28)(Si3.4Al0.6)O10(OH)2 OH,H2O,AlOH
Muscovite K2Al4[Si6Al2O20](OH,F)4 OH, AlOH
Paragonite NaAl2(Si3Al)O10OH)2 OH, AlOH
Kaolinite Al4[Si4O10](OH)8 OH, AlOH
Dickite Al4[Si4O10](OH)8 OH, AlOH
Pyrophyllite Al4[Si8O20](OH)84OH, AlOH
Topaz Al2[SiO4](OH,F)2 OH, AlOH
Diaspore α-AlO(OH) OH, AlOH
Alunite (K,Na)Al3(SO4)2(OH)6 OH, H2O

Au $$$
Alkaline Acid
 Terminology
A hydrothermal Mineral assemblage is a group of minerals that
appear to be stable together at the mesoscopic scale and to have
formed contemporaneously. Assemblages are geochemically
significant because they can be used to estimate restricted physio-
chemical conditions of formation assuming local equilibrium
thermodynamics (Seedorff et al., 2005). Mineral assemblages are
groupings of minerals that occur in direct contact and that do not
display evidence of chemical instability and reaction. They are
assumed to have formed contemporaneously e.g.,
Kaolinite - dickite
A hydrothermal Mineral association is a group of minerals that
occurs together regardless of whether the minerals formed at the
same time or local equilibrium. These associations are the result of
time-integration of a number of events (Seedorff et al., 2005) e.g.,
Montmorillonite - dickite TIDAK BAGUS UNTUK
ALTERATION VECTOR
MODEL!
 Alunite-vuggy-
pervasive quartz &
$$$$$$

Pyrophyllite -
dickite
Kaolinite Common
erosional level in
Illite (paragonite) terrains where
lithocap is not
preserved

Mg chlorite
FeMg Fe Fe
chlorite chlorite chlorite FeMg
chlorite
Mg chlorite

Harrison and Rohrlach, (2012).

AMIRA Green rock vector model

chlorite epidote actinolite epidote chlorite

Cooke et al. (2014)
Minerals in soil detectable by SWIR
analysis
High-sulfidation epithermal
 Alunite (Na to K), dickite, hypogene
kaolinite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, topaz and
zunyite

Porphyry
 White micas (paragonite, muscovite and
phengite), chlorite (Fe, Fe-Mg and Mg
chlorite), biotite(?), actinolite(?), nontronite,
epidote, gypsum and calcite
 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies: Candrian, Cascabel &Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

 Benefits of soil spectral analysis
 Provides directional indicators, particularly important in
large lithocaps
 Advanced argillic alteration minerals: alunite, dickite,
kaolinite, pyrophyllite, diaspore and topaz can all be
detected from soil sample media
 Spectral analysis of soils can delineate the size and
orientation (structural trend) of advanced argillic altered
lithocaps buried at depth
 Identify zones of alteration which remain “open”/untested
 Target alunite core of HSE mineralization
 Identification of nontronite in soil samples (Fe-bearing
smectite after chlorite) can indirectly map chlorite alteration
 Useful Spectral Parameters
Kaolinite Crystallinity
Very useful to determine crystalline hypogene kaolinite from
poorly crystalline weathering kaolinite that often dominates
soil samples
K-alunite vs Na-alunite vector
Alunite composition parameter (increasing Na-content of
alunite) indicates proximity to possible (porphyry) intrusive
sources (e.g., Chang et al., 2011)
White mica crystallinity
Porphyry deposits can often be surrounded by an alteration
halo of highly crystalline white mica (“phyllic alteration”)
White mica composition
Paragonite (higher T) vs muscovite
Chlorite composition
Higher temperature Fe-chlorite (potassic alteration) vs lower
temperature Mg-chlorite (propylitic)
 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies: Candrian, Cascabel &Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

 Why Soil Sampling?
Recommended areas:
 Limited or no rock exposures due to
vegetation/forest cover

 Residual soil over bedrocks (mineralized bedrocks)

 Soil developed on in-situ regolith or transported

regolith that is less than 5m thick

 May be appropriate in areas of deeper transported

cover [up to 10m thick] where geochemical
indicators have reached the surface

Other benefits:
 An effective, low cost exploration tool, especially in
the early stages of mineral exploration.

 Large areas can be sampled quickly and cheaply (in

comparison to geophysical surveys and drilling)

 Near - surface sampling plays a greater role around

known mineralization (brownfields surveys) by
providing vectors towards deeply buried targets

Auger sampling in Indonesia, photo courtesy of

Adi Maryono
 Soil Survey Planning
Planning an effective sampling program
requires consideration of many variables:

 Sample spacing: 400m x 200m

(reconnaissance) 100m x 200m (detailed
anomaly) 50m x 50m (infill)

 Soil horizon to be sampled

 Soil fraction to be sampled and analysed

(generally either bulk or a particular size
fraction)

 Method of sample digestion and analysis

There is no substitute for a well-executed

orientation program which will answer
questions relating to the above mentioned
parameters and optimize the signal to
background ratio for the target and
pathfinder elements ALS, (2012) Manual auger sampling in a forested region of
Sumbawa, Indonesia, photo courtesy of Adi Maryono
Auger soil sampling in densely vegetated areas with very limited outcrop, Tujuh Bukit project, Indonesia
Target soil horizon for spectral sampling:
In-situ soil formed above altered bedrock (C or
B/C transition)
A1 Active humic horizon
A2 Leached by organic acids. Clay-sized particles

Clay-rich, strongly colored

Bt (red, brown or ochreous).

TARGET SAMPLE B/C TRANSITION

TO C-HORIZON + 1m DEPTH
C Zone of transition from soil to bedrock
IDEAL SAMPLE: JUST ABOVE BEDROCK
R Bedrock

Modified after Levin, (2000)

 Typical soil profiles

A-horizon:
“Dark Soil”. Organic rich - leaf litter, plant roots and dark
brown
or black soil. Can contain transported clay, sand or gravels
Approximate thickness: 0 – 30cm.

B-horizon:
“Clay” – transitional zone. Clay rich, no primary textures,
low organics. Approximate thickness: 10 – 100 cm
[commonly ~70 cm]

THE TOP OF THE C-HORIZON IS THE TARGET HORIZON

sample should contain mainly clay and weathered rock
rather than isolated rock chips
C-horizon:
“Clay rock” - primary textures evident in clay or
weathered rock. Bedrock appearing - highly weathered
bedrock (primarily as clay) ranging to near un-weathered
rock. Total depth to C-horizon ranges from 40 to 170 cm
(average 95 cm depth)

IDEAL SAMPLE = JUST ABOVE BEDROCK

Modified after Hasnur, (2011) and Lulofs, (2011)
Multiple soil horizons, nr Zijin mine, China Transported material masking in situ
soil horizons at depth

A Transported material

A Paleosoil

B
C
C

Taking a good soil sample

helps make good decisions
Examples of soil profiles in China and Indonesia, (Hasnur, 2011; Harrison , 2014)
 Ideal soil profiles
A = dark, organic rich
B = clay rich, no rock fragments
A C = weathered bedrock with
fragments
A

Examples of soil profiles in China (Harrison , 2014)

Soil sampling process-hand auger
Soil sampling process - motorised auger
1 Remove A-horizon 2 Drill B-horizon 3 Take samples every 20cm
lay left to right on white bag

4 Drill C-horizon 5 Locate target sample 6 Take samples for geochem

top of C-horizon and spectral analysis
 Soil profile
target samples

POOR GOOD BEST

0.2m 0.6m 0.9m 1.1m 1.3m 1.5m 1.7m

A-horizon B-horizon C-horizon

Increasing clay, weathered bedrock, alteration minerals and gold

 Gold distribution in soil profiles

0.05

0.2

1.0
TARGET SAMPLE
HORIZON

IDEAL SAMPLE
HORIZON

Example from Tumpangpitu HSE-porphyry deposit,

Indonesia, Modified after Lulofs, (2011) and ALS (2012)
Multi-element distribution

Example from Tumpangpitu HSE-porphyry deposit,

Indonesia, Modified after Lulofs, (2011)
Multi-element distribution

Example from Tumpangpitu HSE-porphyry deposit,

Indonesia, Modified after Lulofs, (2011)
Preparing soil samples for SWIR analysis
 Extract ~ 25 g of soil from the main sample for
geochemical analysis (during or after field sampling)
 Dry sample to eliminate water (under the sun or use
an oven)
 Place and label with sample number and spectral ID
 Arrange in plastic RC chip trays for storage, filing,
future use/reference and efficient, fast spectral
readings
 Make sure width of chip tray matches the window of
the ASD probe
 Cautions
 A pilot study (soil orientation survey) should be conducted
beforehand over a zone of known mineralization to identify which soil
horizon exhibits greatest enrichment in gold and determine sampling
horizons
 Key to successful SWIR soil sampling is the quality of the sample-e.g.,
take from the in-situ, high priority C-horizon (above altered bedrock),
hence, deep auger sampling
 C-horizon sampling can result in a detection rate of +80% of hypogene
alteration minerals from a soil survey
 Shallow surface sampling (upper 20 - 50 cm) can result in a poor
detection rate of only 10 - 15 % of hypogene alteration minerals from a
soil survey
 Important to determine hypogene alteration minerals from weathering-
related minerals that dominate soil sample spectra
 Manually analyse spectral data for alteration and Fe oxide mineral
mixtures (don’t rely on automated software e.g., TSA)
 Up to 5 alteration minerals can often be detected in 1 SWIR spectrum
from soil samples from areas of advanced argillic alteration around
buried HSE deposits
 Example of data tabulation
very useful to colour code alteration minerals
Spectral Database
Wav Xt Xt
Spectrum FeOx
Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Fe Mineral WavAlunite
ID WtMica WtMica Kaolinite Intensity

soil41.577 Nontronite Kaolinite PX 2208 0.21 NULL 0.96 2.22

soil41.578 Nontronite Kaolinite WX 2208 0.17 NULL 0.98 2.39
soil41.579 Dickite Pyrophyllite Kaolinite diaspore Mixed he-go 2207 0.16 NULL 1.00 3.24
soil41.580 Kaolinite WX Montmorillonite Mixed he-go 2208 0.28 NULL 0.96 2.65
soil41.581 Kaolinite WX Nontronite Mixed he-go 2207 0.18 NULL 0.98 2.01
soil41.582 Muscovite Pyrophyllite Kaolinite Mixed he-go 2206 0.23 NULL 0.97 2.34
soil41.583 Kaolinite PX Pyrophyllite 2207 0.13 NULL 0.99 2.3
soil41.584 Kaolinite PX Paragonite Mixed he-go 2207 0.23 NULL 0.97 1.99

soil41.585 Kaolinite PX Pyrophyllite Na-alunite Hematite 2206 0.19 1491.2 0.99 2.77

soil41.586 Kaolinite PX Paragonite 2207 0.11 NULL 0.98 1.82

soil41.587 Paragonite Pyrophyllite Kaolinite Mixed he-go NULL NULL NULL 0.99 2.61
soil41.588 Dickite Pyrophyllite Kaolinite Mixed he-go 2207 0.23 NULL 0.99 2.7
soil41.589 Kaolinite WX Montmorillonite 2207 0.18 NULL 1.00 2.57
soil41.590 Kaolinite PX Pyrophyllite Goethite 2207 0.19 NULL 1.00 2.95
soil41.593 Kaolinite PX Montmorillonite 2208 0.111 NULL 0.99 1.56
soil41.594 Montmorillonite Pyrophyllite Dickite Mixed he-go NULL NULL NULL 0.99 2.21
soil41.595 Pyrophyllite Paragonite Kaolinite Mixed he-go NULL NULL NULL 1.06 2.44
soil41.597 Kaolinite WX Nontronite Mixed he-go 2209 0.21 NULL 0.99 2.44
soil41.598 Kaolinite WX Nontronite Mixed he-go 2209 0.22 NULL 0.99 2.62

Notes: An extract from Candrian spectral database showing manually identified Mineral 1 to 4, Fe oxides and mineral parameter calculations. Abbreviations: Kaolinite
WX = well crystalline hypogene kaolinite, Kaolinite PX = poorly crystalline supergene kaolinite, Na-alunite = sodic alunite, he-go = mixed hematite-goethite, Wav
WtMica = wavelength of white mica, Xt WtMica = crystallinity of white mica, WavAlunite = wavelength of alunite, XtKaolinite = crystallinity of kaolinite, FeOx
Intensity = intensity of iron oxide.
 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies: Candrian, Cascabel &Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

 Supergene Fe-Oxides

Hematite after complex

Cu (Fe, As, Sb) sulfides

Jarosite related to
alunite and pyrite-rich,
acid supergene
environment

Goethite - more
ubiquitous but mostly
after pyrite-chalcopyrite

FIG. Diagnostic absorption features for hematite and goethite in vis-NIR reflectance spectra
Abbreviations: He = hematite, Go = goethite

(Pontual et al., 2008a; Cooke, 2013)

 Supergene Fe-Oxides
useful vectors
 Hematite oxidation - indicative for oxide gold mineralization
 Supergene hematite can form after the oxidation of complex
sulfide minerals that occur along feeder zones associated
with vuggy and pervasive quartz
 In leached cap environment supergene hematite formed in
zone of leached chalcocite blanket
 Halos of goethite can form after oxidation of disseminated
pyrite halos and chalcopyrite around porphyry (and HSE)
deposits
 Jarosite can be indicative of the core of a HSE system if it
formed after alunite or pyrite-rich zone
褐铁矿: Limonites:

黄钾铁钒 针铁矿 赤铁矿

Jarosite Goethite Hematite
(Cooke, 2013)
 Examples of secondary
iron minerals in leached
caps

Jarositic leached cap in a

highly pyritic Ag-Au bearing
epithermal system, Bolivia

Goethitic leached cap

above a pyritic Sn-Ag
porphyry system, Bolivia

(Cooke, 2013)
 Vis-NIR spectra from Fe oxides in soil samples
Hematite Goethite

Mixed hematite Jarosite

-goethite

(Harrison, 2014)
 Jarosite vis-NIR features
JAROSITE 435NM FEATURE null, nakal, dik (Ref: Jarosite, VLines: Fe Oxides)

890
910
940
435 ja

860 He
H epeak
peak
660 H e s houlder

760 G o peak
750 ja
750
0.4
Reflectance
0.3

435nm feature still

representative of jarosite
even if no peak around 750
0.2

nm and trough exist

600 900 1200 1500

Wavelength in nm
 K-alunite vs Na-alunite
> 1480 = > 1490 =
K-alunite Na-alunite

K-Na alunite

K-alunite Na-alunite
 Alunite Composition
K-alunite vs Na-alunite vector
 Alunite composition parameter (increasing Na-content of alunite)
indicates proximity to possible (porphyry) intrusive sources (e.g., at the
Lepanto lithocap, Philippines; Chang et al., 2011)

Source: (Chang et
al., 2011)
 Ca, K Alunite (Ref: Alunite-K, VLines: Fe Oxides)
0.9

2170 range
1510 nm
0.6

2324
Norm. HullQ

2160 range
1510 Ca
1455 nm

1760
0.3

1490 greater Na alunite

less K Alunite
1429 alunite range
1440 alunite range

1480
1485
0

1400 1600 1800 2000 2200

Wavelength in nm

Ca, K alunite
= high T vector

Thompson et al., 1999

 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies: Candrian, Cascabel &Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

Case study: Candrian, Tujuh Bukit
project, Indonesia

(Intrepid Mines, 2011)

Candrian: geochemical sampling history
2008 2008
200 x 50 m undiscovered
200 x 50 m undiscovered

Candrian Candrian

2009
400 x 50 m weak anomalism
2009
400 x 50 m weak anomalism

Candrian Candrian

Harrison, 2014
2011 50 x 50 m infill 2011 50 x 50 m infill

Candrian Candrian

2011 2011

Candrian Candrian

Harrison, 2014
 Outcomes of spectral soil
analysis

 Alteration mineral distribution

overlays with soil geochemistry and
geophysical datasets
 Iron oxide distribution maps
 Mineral parameter vector maps
 Drill hole targeting
 Porphyry and HSE intersections of
Au and Cu
 Candrian Spectral Dataset Overview

Soil Spectra S7-S9: Dataset Overview (MinCol=1% sTSA 6.3, Mineral Subset) Error
>1000
48.243

1000 (Bad)
900
% Samples

800
700
600
500
400
300
200
0

100
KaoW KaoP Dick Para Mont Pyro NaAl IlMu IlPa 0 (Good)
Probable TSA Mineral
Soil Spectra S7-S9: Spatial Summary (Bin=41 MinBin=5% sTSA 6.3, Mineral Subset) Mineral
Kaolinite PX
100
Bin % Sample Count

Montmorillonite

Py rophy llite

Kaolinite WX

Dickite

Illitic Paragonite

Paragonite

Illitic Muscov ite

0

0 140 280 420 560 700

Use with understanding Index Use at y our own risk

Harrison, 2014
Mineral 1 distribution
50 x 50 m soil grid

Harrison, 2014
Mineral 2 distribution
50 x 50 m soil grid

Harrison, 2014
Iron oxide distribution
50 x 50 m soil grid

Harrison, 2014
Kaolinite crystallinity White mica crystallinity

Porphyry intersection
Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation intersection
High-sulfidation intersection

White mica composition Alunite composition

K-alunite

Porphyry intersection
Na-alunite
High-sulfidation intersection

Harrison, 2014
 SWIR soil alteration map
500m

Outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection

Harrison, 2014
 Iron oxide distribution
500m

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation intersection

Harrison, 2014
Iron oxide distribution & RTP magnetics
500m

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection

Harrison, 2014
 500m
GOLD

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Au soil geochemistry

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection
Harrison, 2014
 500m

COPPER

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Cu soil geochemistry

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection
Harrison, 2014
 500m

MOLYBDENUM

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Concentric molybdenum
anomalies

Mo soil geochemistry

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection
Harrison, 2014
 ZINC 500m

outline of zinc
halo

outcropping porphyry
stockwork with chlorite-
magnetite alteration

Zn soil geochemistry

Porphyry intersection
High-sulfidation
intersection
Harrison, 2014
Outcomes of SWIR targeted drill program:
signs of porphyry mineralization at depth

porphyry quartz stockwork veined clast

dickite-kaolinite

molybdenite
2m @ 0.54 ppm Mo
Harrison, 2014
Outcomes of SWIR targeted drill program:
Porphyry intersections including 138 m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 0.21 % Cu
(CND-11-002) from just 6 m below surface

2m @ 2.45 ppm Au, 0.44 % Cu

chalcopyrite-bornite
veinlets

quartz - cp - bn
sheeted veins

Harrison, 2014
(Intrepid Mines, 2011)
 Case Study:
Cascabel porphyry discovery, Ecuador, S. America

Cascabel

Junin

Source: Chiaradia et al., 2004;

Rohrlach, 2013.
 Outcrop Samples
Porphyry quartz B-veins within Advanced argillic altered sample from
sedimentary protolith Alpala lithocap with pyrite stringers

Vein with sulfide

centerline and bleached
sericitic halo Quartz-chalcopyrite porphyry vein

Source: Rohrlach, 2013.

 Channel Samples

Photo: Three channel samples spanning 4m collectively, and averaging 4m @ 0.99% Cu and 3.30 g/t Au.
The samples were collected across a zone of intensely sheeted porphyry Cu-Au related quartz ‘B-veins’ which
formed along a through-going NW-trending structure Source: Rohrlach, 2013
 Objectives of spectral analysis
at Cascabel

 Porphyry Cu-Au and Mo deposits often exhibit large,

distinct, concentric alteration halos with a high grade
potassic altered core, a sericitic alteration halo and a low-
grade propylitic altered margin
 SWIR analysis using ASDs such as the TerraSpec is very
efficient at identifying these distinct alteration mineral
zonations to establish vectors towards the higher
temperature, higher grade potassic cores of mineralized
porphyry systems
 Create a clear, coherent spectral alteration map to use along
with geochemical and geophysical data for drillhole
targeting
 Initial alteration map – creek mapping

 Alteration zones
are not clear
 Where are the
vectors?
 Where to target
drillholes??

Source: SolGold, 2013.

Soil alteration vector map and RTP magnetic imagery

pyrophyllite

Hypogene kaolinite

paragonite
muscovite
FeMg-chlorite
dickite

Figure: Spectral alteration

Mg-chlorite soil vector map of the
Cascabel porphyry property.
Source: Harrison, 2013.
 Outcomes of spectral analysis
from Cascabel
 713 soil spectra analysed from Cascabel 50 x 50m soil grid
 Primary minerals identified: intermediate iron-
magnesium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, epidote, illite,
muscovite, paragonite, hypogene well-crystalline kaolinite,
minor dickite and pyrophyllite
 Secondary minerals identified: poorly crystalline
kaolinite, gibbsite (Al-hydroxide), smectites including
montmorillonite and nontronite (Fe-bearing smectite often
forming after chlorite)
 Fe oxides identified: Goethite, hematite and minor
jarosite. Goethite is the dominant Fe oxide, however a
significant proportion of mixed goethite and hematite was
observed and rarely pure hematite
 Conceptual model for Cascabel
using spectral soil data
 Pyrophyllite detected at surface generally indicates the eroded
roots of a vertically formed lithocap and near surface porphyry
mineralization
 Preservation potential of HSE deposits are generally reduced

NW SE

Figure: Carmen-Alpala interpretive long section. Source: Rohrlach, 2013.

 3D inversion model for Cascabel
with spectral soil data
Hypogene kaolinite High level
intrusive body w
pyrophyllite dickite hydrothermal
magnetite? Or
potassic
illite alteration?

Figure: 3D Inversion model of magnetic data at Apala. Source: Rohrlach, 2013.

Spectral data aiding drillhole planning

pyrophyllite

dickite

3D Inversion model

Hypogene kaolinite

Figure: Proposed drillholes at

Apala with spectral soil data and
3D inversion model. Source:
Rohrlach, 2013.
illite
Soil Fe oxide vector map

Figure: Fe Oxide Intensity and Fe oxide

species. The circular zone of high Fe-oxide
intensity may be mapping an oxidised pyritic
halo to the Cascabel porphyry system. The
‘halo’ is symmetrically disposed about the
Alpala prospect. Source: Harrison, 2013.
Soil illite crystallinity vector map
• Illite crystallinity = proxy
to fluid temperature at
time of mineralization
• Cooler colours imply
poorly crystalline, lower
temperature illite. Hotter
colours imply higher
crystallinities and higher
temperatures

High crystallinity
illite

Figure: Illite crystallinity plot overlain by

muscovite and paragonite point data
Source: Harrison, 2013.
Soil kaolinite crystallinity vector map
• Hypogene kaolinite is an
important alteration mineral
because it forms in the
intermediate/shallow parts
of epithermal systems.
• SWIR data can distinguish
hydrothermal (hypogene)
kaolinite vs weathering
kaolinite
• When the hypogene
kaolinite is plotted spatially
it often correlates with high
temperature acid alteration
minerals such as
paragonite, dickite and
pyrophyllite in zones of
advanced argillic alteration
Main coherent zones of
highly crystalline hypogene
kaolinite

Figure: Kaolinite crystallinity plot overlain by

occurrences of hypogene Kaolinite manually
identified from spectra. Source: Harrison, 2013.
 Outcomes of SWIR-aided drill program:
1st porphyry intersection: 100 m @ 1 g/t Au and 0.68 % Cu

Source: SolGold Plc, 2013

 Coarse, Au-rich Cu-sulfides
3.99 % Cu, 7.92 g/t Au!

cpy

py

py

Source: SolGold Plc, 2015

Source: SolGold Plc, 2015
 Conclusions
 Spectral data compliments and adds more detail to existing field mapping
 typical zonation of high-temperature pyrophyllite (+280°C) outward to
dickite to hypogene kaolinite to paragonite to muscovite to intermediate
chlorite and finally to low-temperature magnesian chlorite as a propylitic
margin
 Illite crystallinity, illite composition and kaolinite crystallinity all exhibit a
similar temperature vectoring trend in this region
 The area appears to contain the remnants of the eroded roots of an
advanced argillic epithermal lithocap. The absence of alunite and minor
pyrophyllite along with the exposure of potassic alteration and stockwork
veining at the prospect suggests that the upper levels of the epithermal
system (high-sulfidation) has partly been eroded away leaving porphyry
mineralization and deep epithermal mineralization exposed at surface
Geological Setting
Fertile segment of the deeply eroded Miocene Sunda arc

Rohrlach (2011)
 Pulau Merah Island

Exposed telescoped epithermal and porphyry

mineralization
Close atMerah
up of Pulau Pulau Island
Merah
Tumpangpitu (1.9 Bt)

10km x >5km
Pulau Merah Island

Permitting and Prospect Locations

87
Modified after Rohrlach (2011) Tumpangpitu looking south
• GVM hole GTD-001, the first hole drilled on the property (500m), missed the
ore body by about 100m
• In 2010 Intrepid drilled nearby hole GTD-10-163 which intersected 589.5m @
0.57g/t Au, 0.65% Cu, 122 ppm Mo

GTD-001
GTD-001
GTD-10-163

36m
36m @
@ 0.2g/t
0.2 g/tAu
Au

main mineralised
zone
589.5m @ 0.57 g/t Au; 0.65% Cu

500m

Modified after Norris (2011)

 Batu Hijau
0.3% Cu shell

Batu Hijau 1%
Cu shell

Tumpangpitu 3D Model
looking SE with Cu and
porphyry surface

Modified after Rohrlach (2011)

Type Section – 11060mN

Modified after Intrepid Mines Ltd (2011)

 Geology Type Section 11060 mN

HSE Au-Ag Mineralization

Diatreme Breccia

Porphyry Cu-Au Mineralization

200m
Coarse-Grained Tonalite

Fine-Grained Tonalite
Harrison and Maryono (2012)
Section construction required
logging alteration zones to
contacts using:

1. Visual alteration mineral

observations including %
massive quartz, vuggy quartz
occurrences, magnetite, K-
feldspar, shreddy biotite and
chlorite.
2. Spectral data.

Plotting on section allowed

grouping of broader
alteration zones:

Harrison and Maryono (2012)

 Domains for alteration vector model
decreasing quartz content/hardness

1. Vuggy quartz ± alunite central ore zone

2. Quartz - alunite ± dickite ± kaolinite ± pyrophyllite main ore

zone

Topaz – bearing (Fluorine in topaz presents major

geometallurgical issues in floatation cells)
3. Quartz - pyrophyllite ± alunite ± kaolinite ± dickite ± diaspore
deep ore zone
4. Quartz - dickite ± kaolinite ± alunite low grade periphery to
main ore zone

5. Illite - montmorillonite/nontronite ± kaolinite ± chlorite ± calcite

waste rock
6. Chlorite - calcite ± epidote waste rock
Illite

Alunite

diaspore

pyrophyllite Dickite
Alteration Main Type Section 11060mN

Vuggy quartz ledges

500m

Harrison and Maryono (2012)

 Spectral Alteration Type Section 11060mN
vuggy quartz
ledges
quartz-alunite
quartz-dickite
quartz-pyrophyllite
illite-smectite

Base of HSE System

Chlorite-Calcite

Chlorite-Calcite

Upper Limit of
Porphyry System Qtz-Illite

500m
Qtz-chlorite-
magnetite-
Harrison and Maryono (2012)
biotite-KSpar
 Presentation Outline
 Introduction: Purpose, objectives & definitions

 Genetic and SWIR alteration models

 Benefits of SWIR soil data

 Soil and SWIR sampling procedures

 Soil vis-NIR and SWIR example spectra

 Case studies:Candrian, Cascabel & Tujuh Bukit

 Conclusions and exploration implications

Conclusions & Recommendations
 Spectral analysis using TerraSpec has proven to be
effective exploration technique in exploring lithocap
environment for HS Epithermal Au-Ag and porphyry Au-Cu
targets
 Quality is better than quantity - very important to sample
the soil horizon that formed IN-SITU (C-horizon) above
altered/mineralized bedrock, showing the greatest
enrichment in gold, base metals and alteration clays during
pilot studies (e.g., Maula and Levet, 1996; Harrison, 2014)
 Motorized auger sampling with 1m extensions is the best
method to achieve (deep) C-horizon sampling and SWIR
data coverage (80% alteration mineral detection rate)
Conclusions & Recommendations
 Motorized auger sampling with 1m extensions is the best
method to achieve (deep) C-horizon sampling and SWIR
data coverage (80 % alteration mineral detection rate)
 Geochemical and SWIR spectral sampling has proven
unsuccessful (10-15 % SWIR alteration mineral detection
rate) at projects (in Indonesia) where only shallow soil
samples have been gathered using a shovel (upper 20 – 50
cm)
 Spectral data analysis can be as good as geochemical
assay results. It’s very critical in scout exploration drilling
programs as well as detailed deposit modelling work
 Exploration implications

 Identification of a large surface lithocap footprint,

suggests a proxy to a large hydrothermal system at depth
that can host extensive HSE mineralization
 SWIR data including alteration zoning and mineral
parameter maps can provide vectors to buried porphyry at
depth
 Conduct thorough geological mapping and sample all in-
situ outcrop for spectral analysis to provide a QA-QC test
for the soil spectral survey to identify zones of soil
migration
 Exploration implications
 Combine visual observations of alteration minerals from
field outcrop (for minerals that cannot be detected by
spectral analysis) with spectral data e.g., vuggy quartz,
magnetite, anhydrite, K-feldspar, albite (epidote, chlorite,
actinolite and biotite are dark minerals and can exhibit
poor detection in SWIR)
 SWIR soil data can give an indication of erosion levels in
HSE-porphyry districts
 Geochemical assays, magnetic datasets and regional
geology along with SWIR data are crucial to provide a
robust dataset for exploration targeting
 References

 ALS., 2012, Geochemical soil and sediment sampling/analysis considerations: ALS Minerals Technical Note, 4 p.
 Chang, Z., Hedenquist, J.W., White, N.C., Cooke, D.R., Roach, M., Deyell, C.L., Garcia, J., Gemmell, B.J., McKnight, S.,
and Cuison, L., 2011, Exploration tools for linked porphyry and epithermal deposits: example from the Mankayan
intrusion-centered Cu-Au district, Luzon, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1365-1398.
 Chiaradia, M., Fontboté, L., and Beate, B., 2004. Cenozoic continental arc magmatism and associated mineralization in
Ecuador: Mineralium Deposita 39; 204–222.
 Cooke, D.R., and Wilson, A.J., 2013, Leached caps and supergene enrichment processes in porphyry copper deposits:
Course presentation, Ore deposits of South America fieldtrip, Masters of Economic Geology program, CODES,
University of Tasmania,16 p.
 Cooke, D.R., Hollings, P., Wilkinson, J.J., and Tosdal, R.M., 2014 Geochemistry of porphyry deposits: H.D. Holland, K.K.
Turekian (Eds.), Treatise on Geochemistry (Second edition), 13 Elsevier, Oxford, pp. 357–381.
 Harrison, R.L., and Maryono, A., 2012, Tumpangpitu porphyry-high sulfidation epithermal deposit, Tujuh Bukit Project,
Indonesia - geology, alteration and mineralization: Red Metals Symposium Presentation, CODES, University of
Tasmania, 51 p.
 Harrison, R.L., and Rohrlach, B.D., 2013, Application of TerraSpec spectral data in exploration at Cascabel, Northern
Ecuador: Investor report for SolGold Plc, 9 p.
 Harrison, R.L., 2014, The application of short wave infrared (SWIR) spectral data in exploration for the Candrian
porphyry Cu-Au-Mo and high-sulfidation epithermal prospect, Tujuh Bukit district, southeast Java, Indonesia: Masters of
Economic Geologic thesis, CODES, University of Tasmania,126 p.
 References

 Hasnur, R., 2011, Tujuh Bukit soil geochemistry – program update, soil profiles and sampling procedures: Technical
meeting presentation, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, 19 p.
 Lulofs, D 2011 Soil Sampling Procedure, Tujuh Bukit Project: Unpublished report, 13p.
 Pontual, S., Merry, N., and Gamson, P., 2008a, GMEX Spectral analysis guides for mineral exploration Volume 1:
Spectral interpretation field manual, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia, AusSpec International Pty. Ltd., 189 p.
 ——2008b, GMEX Volume 2: Practical Applications Handbook: Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia, Ausspec International Pty.
Ltd, p. 51-60.
 Rohrlach, B.D., 2013, Cascabel Property – Imbabura, Northern Ecuador, Geological Observations at the Cascabel
Property and Drill Target Proposal: Report for SolGold Pty, 36 p.
 Sillitoe, R.H., 2010, Porphyry copper systems: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 3-41
 White, N.C., 1991, High sulfidation epithermal gold deposits: Characteristics and a model for their origin: Geological
Survey of Japan Report 277, p. 9-20.
 White, N.C., 2012, High-sulfidation epithermal deposits - Characteristics, origins and issues: Red Metals Presentation,
CODES, University of Tasmania, 32 p.
Terima Kasih
Matur Nuwun
谢谢
Thank You
104
SWIR soil spectra from the advanced
argillic alteration zone
Pyrophyllite

Dual feature 2066 nm and

2078 nm only persists when
significant proportions of
pyrophyllite are present

2x sharp absorption
features around 1396
nm and 2166 nm

Pyrophyllite spectrum with very minor kaolinite (black line) pink pyrophyllite reference spectrum
 Diaspore
Diaspore - kaolinite mixture (black
spectral line) and diaspore reference
spectrum (pink line)

broad
absorption/collapse
feature at 1798 nm

Topaz
Topaz – dickite – pyrophyllite - Na
alunite mixture. Pink reference line
shows the distinctive absorption
feature of topaz at 2080 nm (the 1045 single,sharp,
nm feature does not persist in diagnostic
mixtures) absorption feature
at 2080 nm
 alunite
full spectrum

Na-Alunite
> 1490 nm

Na-alunite mixed with

pyrophyllite and kaolinite with
Na-alunite reference (pink
lines)
 Dickite

2 distinctive double
absorption features

pure dickite (black spectrum) with dickite reference spectrum (pink)

 hypogene
kaolinite
Deeper 2162 nm hypogene kaolinite -
shoulder montmorillonite mixture
developed in (pink kaolinite reference
highly crystalline spectrum and black
kaolinites kaolinite vertical lines)

mixed kaolinite-
dickite

kaolinite-dickite mixture
(pink kaolinite reference
spectrum and black
kaolinite vertical lines)
Absorption
feature shifts
towards dickite
2180 nm
SWIR soil spectra from the porphyry
alteration zone

 White micas (paragonite, muscovite

and phengite)
 Chlorite – not well preserved in soil
samples (?)
 Nontronite (Fe-bearing smectite)
commonly replaces chlorite
 White micas
paragonite-
montmorillonite
range of paragonite
wavelength
2,180 - 2,190 nm

muscovite-
kaolinite PX
range of muscovite
wavelength
2,200 - 2,208 nm
 Smectites
montmorillonite

chlorite nontronite

Nontronite-
chlorite
nontronite is an Fe-
bearing smectite
commonly forming
after chlorite
 How does SWIR work?
 Involves exposure of samples to a light (energy) source
 Measuring the intensity of the reflected light at different
wavelengths
 Individual minerals can be identified from the characteristic
reflection of light by their component molecules = unique
spectral signature
 Bonds between molecules bend & stretch at particular
frequencies according to their molecular weights and state
of excitation
 Materials selectively absorb electromagnetic energy at
specific wavelengths which harmonise with the frequency of
vibrations in their molecular bonds
 Reflected light is measured and characterized by
spectrometers
 Then examine the absorption peaks to identify minerals and
derive numerical values
Source: modified from CODES, 2012