Significance of fanned heavy concentrate sampling in geochemical prospecting for gold: A study from Atkur area, Gadwal schist belt, Andhra Pradesh

Heavy-concentrate has been found to be the most suitable sampling medium in geochemical exploration for gold in Atkur area of Gadwal schist belt, Maha bubnagar district, Andhra Pradesh. Au-contents in panned heavy concentrates of soil samples from B-horizon and termite mounds helped in improving gold anomaly contrast. SEM and heavy-concentrate analyses of termite samples re affirm their utility in exploration for gold. Hence, the study of heavy fra ction of soil and termite mound can be used as an important tool to reveal the subtle anomaly present in the conventional samples.