A recent geological study from the Colorado School of Mines has uncovered substantial evidence of high-grade gold potential at the Surebet discovery within the Golddigger Property in British Columbia's Golden Triangle. The research validates a Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold (RIRG) source and highlights two distinct high-grade gold environments that could significantly impact future exploration strategies.
The study identified two primary gold-bearing settings: shear-hosted quartz-sulfide veins and gold-bearing felsic to intermediate dykes. Both settings demonstrate widespread visible gold that increases in abundance and coarseness with depth. Notably, mineralization ages ranging from 50.7 to 52.0 million years confirm a common Eocene-age magmatic origin.
Drill data from 243 holes revealed impressive gold intercepts, including measurements as high as 34.52 g/t AuEq over 39 meters. These findings are particularly significant because they challenge historical geological assumptions about the region, which traditionally focused on Jurassic-era targets.
The research's most intriguing aspect is the newly recognized phase separation process in CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids, characterized by melt droplet inclusions and unique fluid textures. This breakthrough provides crucial insights into gold mineralization mechanisms and could reshape exploration approaches in similar geological environments.
For the mining industry, these results underscore the potential of previously overlooked Eocene-aged mineralization zones. The comprehensive geological model offers a more nuanced understanding of gold deposit formation, potentially guiding future exploration efforts in the Golden Triangle and similar geological settings.
