Size estimation of fine-dispersed natural gold by electron microscopy

The ingenious technique for preparation of auriferous rock specimens to ana lysis of modes of fine gold occurrence by the transmission electron microsc opy (TEM) has been developed. This technique is based on concentration of f ine gold by flotation and extraction at the organic liquid/water interface. Analysis of films recovered onto the interface by this method demonstrates that free-dispersed gold was separated in a native form with a thousand-fo ld enrichment of the metal. The technique makes it possible to measure part icles of a few microns to fractions of a micron. The particles have been id entified using the electron diffraction analysis.