Gibraltar Cu-Mo deposit, British Colombia. In: Conceptual Models in Exploration Geochemistry.

Abstract:

This volume summarizes the exploration geochemical conditions in the
secondary environment, in the Canadian Cordillera and the Canadian
Shield. This is achieved by a number of conceptual models which
describe the principles and mechanisms of formation of anomalies, which
govern the use of exploration geochemistry. These models have been
constructed by drawing together information already existing in the
literature plus 38 individual case histories contained in this volume.

The formation of anomalies is described for: (1) residual
overburden, (2) overburden of local origin (e.g. till), and (3)
transported overburden of remote origin (e.g. stratified glacial drift
and alluvium). Within each of these categories the effect of element
mobility, seepage zones, bogs, variation in overburden thickness, rock
type change and soil type change are also described.

An attempt has been made, not only to summarize both these
conditions where geochemistry can be used as a reliable exploration
tool, but also to identify areas where the use of geochemistry is
unreliable.

A summary is also given of the length of anomalous dispersion and
contrast in both soil and sediments for all the case histories quoted,
both in this volume and in the literature. This summary is divided
according to the type of deposit, i.e. porphyry copper, massive
sulphide, etc., and provides a guide for planning the optimum sampling
interval.