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Geochemical Sampling Methods

Geochemical sampling methods are methods which involve collecting and analyzing various types of
geological materials (such as soils, stream sediments and rocks) or certain biological materials (such as
plants). Historically these methods have been some of the most productive in of any methods used in mineral
exploration.  Sometimes mineralization can be extremely subtle, if not impossible to recognize, in hand
specimen.  Without the use of geochemical sampling methods, many known ore deposits would probably not
have been discovered. After discovery, geochemical sampling plays a key role in the delineation of
mineralization.  For example, geochemical sampling of soils is often employed to outline the general
distribution of mineralization at shallow depths where outcrops of bedrock are minimal or nonexistent.  The
procedure involves collection of materials in the field, laboratory (or field) analysis of the geochemistry of the
materials, plotting of the geochemical values on maps, and interpretation of the results.  The materials may
be analyzed for any number of elements.  Which elements are chosen for analysis depends on budget, the
geology of the area, and the commodity which is being sought after.  Often there are specific elements or
suites of elements which are known to be associated with specific types of mineralization.  Therefore it is
possible to evaluate the potential for the existence of certain types of mineralization by evaluating which
elements are associated in a given area.