The use of mercury in geochemical prospecting in New Zealand

Abstract The use of mercury as an indicator element in geochemical prospecting has been tested in wall rocks, soils, and stream sediments near several mining prospects and ore deposits in New Zealand with various degrees of success. The use of mercury in soils and stream sediments is most promising for indicating areas of mercury mineralisation; it is of only marginal value for indicating areas of precious-metal and base-metal mineralisation. Useful primary mercury halos were not detected in the altered country rocks surrounding the base-metal and precious-metal lodes examined, although high concentrations of mercury were sporadically encountered in some of these rocks.

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