Distribution of gold and other metals in the Cripple Creek district, Colorado

Abstract

Analyses of surface samples from rocks throughout the Cripple Creek district show that several extensive gold-silver-tellurium nnomalies exist. These anomalies are coextensive or partly coextensive with anomalies of iron, lanthanum, lead, mercury, antimony, arsenic, and vanadium. Manganese seems to be most concentrated in a zone peripheral to the highest gold concentrations. Hydrothermal alteration has resulted in the replacement of sodium in the sodium-rich minerals by potassium. The highest concentrations of gold, silver, tellurium, and iron conform well with the areas of greatest potassic alteration. In general, the abundance of the metals is in inverse proportion to their abundance in the crust of the earth. The largest gold anomalies are suggested as exploration targets for large low-grade gold deposits.