Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess soil geochemical data of the Canca alteration area (Gümüşhane- Turkey) using statistical methods and investigate potential gold mineralizations of the area. With this purpose, 288 soil samples were collected and analyzed for gold and associated pathfinder elements. The concentrations ranged (Au and Hg: in μg/kg, others in mg/kg) between 0,68-19,20; 0,02-28,97; 2-314; 7-857; 2,1-394; 4-199,5; 0,59-49,29; 5-89; 0,04-37; 0,52-16,30; 1,25-91,9 for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, As,Sb, Bi, Mo, Sn and Hg respectively. According to Sperman’s rho correlation coefficients, although not very strong, correlation was observed between Cu and Au; Zn and Cu; Sb and Pb and As; Mo and Pb and As and Sb; Sn and As; Sb and Mo. The threshold values of the elements were obtained by median+2 the median absolute deviation. The prediction maps of the elements were formed by using the Inverse Distance Weighting and Kriging methods. According to prediction maps; especially in the western part of the study area and also related to tectonic lines, elemental enrichments, (gold and silver) were determined. Therefore, it is suggested to give importance to the west of the area in exploration drilling, geophysics, etc. Since the element prediction maps produced by the Inverse Distance Weighting method has higher resolution in anomaly contrast, it is suggested that maps produced with this method can preferably be used to give an idea at first sight in soil geochemistry studies.

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