Finely dispersed gold and carbon in ores of the Sukhoi log deposit (geochemical aspect)

The distribution pattern and modes of occurrence of finely dispersed gold i n the presence of Insoluble carbonaceous substance (ICS) were studied at th e Sukhoi Log stratiform gold-ore deposit, Fractionation of ICS of debitumin ized ore samples through successive treatment of the samples with solvents (water; hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, and nitric acids) yielded ICS concentra tes and by-products (suspensions, filtrates, and rock remnants). The presen ce of gold in all products indicates diverse modes of its occurrence in the Sukhoi Log ores: bound with carbon (ICS concentrates), colloidal (suspensi ons), soluble (filtrates), and nonextractable (rock remnants). The kinetics of gold evaporation (ICS concentrates) evidences the presence of several m odes of gold occurrence in the sample matrix; a scintillation analysis show s the presence of mobile gold forms: Large particle have not been detected in the final product. The analogy of the heterogeneities of gold and carbon aceous substance is considered. The possible endogenous transfer suggests t hat gold can exist in the form of cluster. The existence of various modes o f gold occurrence allows reestimation of the Sukhoi Log gold potential.