The Importance of Gold Prospecting Sampling

In this first phase of mineral search, the sampling needs to be done with more of a qualitative than quantitative objective. There are two different cases that can come about: if the mineral deposit outcrops, it will be necessary to take more samples for the study in the polished area proceeding like in the petrographic samples and also some samples of a few hundred grams up to some kilograms, for the analysis. As long as the mineral is more heterogeneous, the samples need to be more voluminous. In any case they should be as representative as possible from the mineralization content. In the presence of a surface of iron, take around ten to fifteen samples from the top layer and on the face as differently as possible; ask for a multi element analysis because the trace elements often times allow us to establish if a layer of Fe derives or does not derive from useful sulfur. 

In the case of disseminated sulphur, of a rock that has suffered a hydrothermal alteration and of a rock that contains products of disseminated oxide, it is recommended to do a sampling of breaking off pieces of the rocks with a hammer, and avoid choosing visible minerals points. It is clear that the objective of the search is qualitative and that the tenors that will be provided by the analysis should not be taken in the exact same way. This is how a sampling of two to three kilograms can be found by breaking a number of rocks, especially the mineralized outcrop. The samples will need to be placed in plastic or cloth wrappings or coverings, with the written number on the outside and with the same writing in a plastic card placed on the inside. The samples can be directly sent to the laboratory or prepared in the field with grinding in mortar, quartered, sifted, or according to what was agreed with the person responsible of the analysis and the type of analysis required.