Recent Laboratory Works

Recent studies, even though they are not designed to sustain the premise of the lateralization as a source that contributes to the formation of gold placing, support the gold solubility in nature. Cloke and Kelly (1964) confirmed the previous work of Emmons (1917) and Kraushop (1951), which indicated that the acid solutions of chlorides in the presence of a strong source of oxidation produce favorable conditions for the dissolution of gold. One solution of H2SO4 and NaCl exposed to pyrolusite and goethite respectively, on top of a gold lamina, dissolved gold in appreciative amounts in both cases. Cloke and Kelly made emphasis in the fact that the only inorganic acid presented commonly in the supergenic environment is H2SO4, which is formed by the oxidation of sulphur which remain in the iron helmet.

Regarding supergenic transportation, Cloke and Kelly informed that the real process of movement of gold involves a repeated solution and deposition is considered, and they conclude: the previous evidence sustains the conclusion that the acid solutions of chlorides, together with oxides of iron and manganese, can proportion the superhygenic transportation of gold.

Concerning the goethite, Hotz (1964) numerated the limonite, the goethite, and the maghemite as constitutes of the laterites of the surface grounds of a red-brick color of Oregon, with these minerals characterized with nuggets like young partridges the maghemite is an anhidiric magnetic ferrous oxide.

Concerning the maghemite, Coveney (1972), informing about the location of gold minerals of high law in the oriental mines, of California, deducted that the reducing agent was the hydrogen gas which accompanies the magnetite, in a contact of serpentine. A precise work indicated that the H2 was not in the serpentine but in the sub-occurrences of the magnetite.

Rucklidge (1972) remembers with white (1968) in the belief that chloride is a significant element in the environments where the metals are being redistributed and deposited. Additionally, he commented that the content of chloride in the serpentines comes from a partial serpentination. He concluded that: the influence of the fluids with chloride content in the movement and in the redistribution of metal which proceed from ultra basic rocks is a tempting topic.