Geology Lesson?

[Lead Detector]

Is this conglomerated and ironized rock a good sign of possible gold?

[afreakofnature]

If historically there is gold in the area found in that type of ore than maybe.

[GotAU?]

I only have a minor in Geology and am an amateur rock hound, but I’d say those “conglomerated” rocks are breccia, a type of sedimentary rock with more angular materials cemented together. If the breccia and bedrock (can’t tell from photos) form an edge like in the 2nd photo, that contact between it and the gneiss (metamorphosed granite) can make for good gold potentials in gold-bearing areas as they may collect gold washing downstream. You could take soil samples from the cracks and in the very bottom of that area above the bedrock and pan it.

[HardPack]

On 12/13/2023 at 7:36 PM, Ndplumr said:

ironized rock a good sign of possible gold?

You might want look for any crossing between the iron bearing formation (dike) and any quartz stringers in the area. Iron has a higher attraction to sulfides than gold. Gold will form a weak bond with the sulfides under great pressure at depth. As a pulse of gold bearing silica solution moves towards the surface the pressure is decreasing. As the pressure decreases the already weak gold sulfide bond weakens further. At the crossings the iron will readily bond with the sulfides dropping out the gold. Usually at points where the quartz vein changes direction, dip or widens. There are a few pocket miners on the forum who can explain the process far better.  Good luck