Abstract
Regional sampling and isotopic analysis of lead in surface gossans and ore minerals may indicate the potential for the discovery of a major mineral deposit and the most probable direction of the centre of mineralization. Interpretation hinges on the recognition of ordinary and anomalous leads, their genetic relationship, and their spatial distribution. Lead is unique among the elements in possessing the following properties: it has three radiogenic isotopes which cause natural variations in its isotopic composition; it has high atomic mass, making it insensitive to natural mass-dependent fractionation processes; and it has a natural affinity for sulphide minerals. These three properties make lead a sensitive indicator of the scale of natural ore-forming processes. Ordinary lead is commonly associated with major ore deposits. It is characterized by uniform isotopic composition (for a particular mineralization) closely resembling that of average terrestrial “ore-lead” at the time of mineralization. Anomalous leads are commonly observed in minor mineral occurrences. They are characterized by variable isotopic composition within a given district. Anomalous leads frequently result from radiogenic contamination of remobilized ordinary lead, in which case the least radiogenic lead samples may indicate the direction of the centre of mineralization.
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