|
|
|
|
|
Types of Placer Gold
Information and Graphic
provided by
Steve Herschbach
Alaska Mining and Diving Supply |
|
|
|
|
|
Placer
deposits are deposits of any heavy, resistant metals. Gold is one of the
most common. Placer gold is any gold that has been freed from solid rock
by weathering. There are several types of placer gold:
1. Residual placers - This type of placer occurs directly at the
site of the original gold vein. As the vein erodes gold accumulates near
the surface.
2. Eluvial placers - The material weathered from the vein has now
been carried away from the original site, usually by gravity as material
works its way down a hill. Also known as ''hillside placers''.
3. Alluvial placers - The most common type of placer deposit.
Gold that has been deposited through the action of water. Often called
''stream placers'' but applies to any situation where running water has
deposited the gold (or other heavy minerals).
4. Eolian placers - Winds carry away surface sand and dust in a
process known as ''deflation''. Heavy, resistant materials such as gold
can accumulate at the surface. This process is most common in desert
areas, particularly in Australia.
5. Beach placers - The concentration of heavy minerals by wave
action. The most famous would be the gold deposit on the beaches of
Nome, Alaska.
Gold dust is a term referring to very small gold. Also called ''flour
gold'', ''colors'', or ''fly specks''.
See the site at www.nuggethunting.com for a more detailed explanation.
Steve Herschbach |
|
|
|
