A rapid field method for gold analysis in geochemical exploration has been developed. Cold extraction of Au, at room temperature, using a mixture of sodium bromide, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide is performed; the technique has the advantage of avoiding the irritating odour of commonly used aqua regia digestion. Polyurethane foam is used to concentrate gold from solution. After desorption of Au using mixed reagents (0.5% Na2S03-NaCl solution at pH 8), two sequential procedures, depending on the concentration, are followed for the determination of gold. (1) A 1 mL portion of desorbed solution is used to form Au-TMK-DBS (Thio Micher's Ketone and dodecyl benzene sodium sulphonate) ternary complex. Concentrations below 20 ng/g Au are determined by visual colour comparison of the organic layer with a series of standards. (2) If the concentration is greater than 20 ng/g Au, a complexation reaction using the same reagents is followed by fibre-optic colorimetry. The method is rapid and simple, and the tiresome operation of ashing the foam is avoided. The limit of detection is 0.5 ng/g Au and eighty determinations can be made in one working day. The method could be used for rapid follow-up of rock sample or in situ drill core analyses. About 600 samples from 5 gold districts were tested by this method. The results are very satisfactory.

Intermediate sulfidation (IS) veins is one of the subtypes of epithermal deposits formed in subduction-related arc settings or post-collisional orogenic belts. The economic and scientific significance of IS deposits has been highlighting importance in Ag-Au-Pb-Zn exploration and study of porphyry-epithermal systems.

SRK Exploration Services (SRK ES) has been requested by Metals and Minerals Group (MMG), to undertake a prospectivity review of the Tethyan Metallogenic Belt with the aim of identifying regions with the potential to host ‗Tier 1‘ copper deposits (containing the equivalent of >500 Mt at 1% Cu). MMG have expressed a primary interest in identifying large porphyry copper deposits at any stage of development, but area also interested in the potential of high sulphidation epithermal, sedimentary and IOCG (iron-oxide-copper-gold), polymetallic VHMS (volcanic hosted massive sulphide) and sediment-hosted Pb-Zn prospects. This review has examined the potential for these types of deposit across 20 individual countries from Poland through to Pakistan. <...>

A Short Course in Geotechnical Site Investigation is based on University of Surrey short courses. These courses were designed not only to familiarize students with the practicalities of geotechnical engineering but also to refresh the knowledge of practising engineering geologists and civil and structural engineers.