CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMETALLIC-GOLD DEPOSIT OF EASTERN MANSON’S LODE, ULU SOKOR, KELANTAN

Abstract

Polymetallic gold in Manson’s Lode pit and Ulu Sokor Gold Mine in Kelantan are hosts to significant gold (Au) and base metal deposits. The deposit is hosted in Permo-Triassic meta-sedimentary and subordinate volcaniclastic rocks. Field observation and geochemistry sampling of ore zones have been carried out in Manson’s Lode Eastern pit to determine the type of sulphide minerals and ore composition in the ore body. The Eastern Pit is the hard rock extension below the main ore body, and this condition provides good samples for geochemistry sampling. Selected samples were collected and prepared for lab analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to confirm field observations of ore mineral composition. The polymetallic ores were subdivided into three main zones of mineral association. The upper zone is sheared carbonaceous host rock with pyrite-galena veins localized along the shear zone. The middle zone is rich with sphalerite-galena-pyrite within quartz carbonate veins and hosted within meta-siltstone. The lowest zone is dominated by pyrite with localised sphalerite. ICP-MS analyses of six ore samples indicate the average content of elements is 103,333 ppm iron (Fe), 4,031.7 ppm lead (Pb), 5,000.0 ppm zinc (Zn), 1,937.3 copper (Cu), and 0.6 ppm gold (Au), which represent the sulphide minerals pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and gold, respectively. However, Cu and gold are erratic across the ore zone and much higher grade in the upper zone. The gangue minerals include quartz and carbonates consisting of calcite, siderite, and dolomite. The Pearson correlation coefficient matrix shows the relationship between the elements in this deposit. The correlation determined for 20 elements shows that Au is well correlated with Cu, Bi, Sb, Sn, Te, Co, and Ni.