Till and bedrock geochemistry in Sn exploration: A case study

Abstract

The youngest intrusive phases of the rapakivi granites are known as Sn granites. The endocontact and exocontact zones of the Viipuri rapakivi massif and its satellites have been considered on theoretical grounds as critical areas for Sn deposits. The area between the Viipuri rapakivi massif and its satellite, the Ahvenisto massif, was selected for prospecting as one Sn critical area. Heavy-mineral geochemistry was used in the reconnaissance phase. Samples (10 1) from the surficial part of the till deposits were taken from a sparse sampling grid. Heavy minerals of the samples were concentrated by washing on a riffle box and by subsequent heavy-liquid separation. The non-magnetic heavy fraction was analyzed by XRF. Quite a large and coherent glaciogenic Sn anomaly was found, the head of which terminated in the southern part of the Ahvenisto rapakivi massif. The source of the anomaly was sought by taking basal till and bedrock samples with a tractor-mounted percussion drill. The fine fraction of till was analyzed by AAS and the bedrock samples by XRF and AAS. Mainly on the basis of Sn and Cu anomalies in basal till and bedrock 10 holes were diamond drilled into bedrock. Several topaz-bearing greisen bodies with uneconomic Sn content were penetrated. The results demonstrate the soundness of the theory and the methods used.