A comparative analysis of enzyme leach and mobile metal ion selective extractions; case studies from glaciated terrain, northern Ontario

Abstract

The enzyme leach and MMI (mobile metal ion) selective digestions are rapidly gaining popularity in the exploration community because of their successful track record in non-glaciated, arid and tropical climatic regions. Few successful case studies from high-latitude, temperate regions have been published to date. Also lacking is a comprehensive discussion of the constraints and limitations of these geochemical methods and how they affect the successful interpretation of selective-leach survey results in glaciated regions. This paper evaluates each method using specific examples from four case studies undertaken in the glaciated region of northern Ontario. The case studies clearly demonstrate that both the MMI and enzyme leach selective digestions provide the explorationist with useful information, which, when used in conjunction with other exploration tools, can assist with the identification of potential diamond drill targets. Notwithstanding this, the techniques do not appear to work well as `stand alone' methods. The importance of following strict sampling protocols and obtaining high-quality observational information on the sampling site and media collected cannot be overstressed. It is only by filtering out the many variables that arise in any sampling program that a sound interpretation of the data can be made. The case studies have drawn attention to some of the apparent shortfalls of the techniques. Of these, issues such as the ability to reproduce survey results from year to year and the recognition of anomalous element associations which specifically target blind mineralisation are probably those which require significant follow-up work. Clearly, additional case studies are required from the glaciated regions of the world to assist with the optimisation of geochemical response of MMI and enzyme leach selective extractions. The mechanisms responsible for the formation of surface geochemical anomalies over deeply buried mineralisation are not well understood. The observed patterns of geochemical response in surface soils and both shallow and deep ground waters over concealed mineralisation should assist with the development of new dispersion models.