During greenfield exploration in a previously unmapped area, our team identified multiple gossanous zones developed over altered polymetallic sulfide veins hosted within volcanic lithologies. These gossans exhibit a well-developed spongy texture, characteristic of advanced weathering and supergene enrichment processes. The porous, iron oxide-filled structure suggests the leaching of primary sulfide minerals likely chalcopyrite, pyrite, and possibly arsenopyrite with secondary oxide minerals such as goethite, limonite, and hematite occupying voids left by the dissolved sulfides.
Detailed field mapping and structural analysis revealed several altered sulfide-bearing veins, oriented along fault-controlled and fracture-hosted settings. These structures indicate a multi-phase hydrothermal system with overprinting alteration assemblages including silicification, sericitization, and localized propylitic alteration.
Geochemical assays of gossanous and vein samples have returned anomalous values of copper (Cu) and gold (Au), along with other pathfinder and economic metals, confirming the mineral potential of the system. The presence of iron oxides, manganese staining, and stockworking further supports advanced weathering and supergene mineralization above a potentially intact hypogene sulfide source.
These findings strongly suggest that the area holds significant promise for a Cu-Au polymetallic system, warranting further detailed exploration through IP-resistivity geophysical surveys, trenching, and targeted drilling to test subsurface continuity, geometry, and grade of mineralized zones.
