Update on gold and base metal potential of the íngia area, central west Greenland

Geochemical reconnaissance of the Proterozoic Karrat Group in the Ingia area, Umanak district, was carried out by the Geological Survey of Greenland in 1989-92. A total of 133 stream sediment samples and 135 panned heavy mineral concentrates were collected over a 1300 km² area and analyzed for 36 elements.

The samples show relatively high values for gold (max. 19 ppm in pan samples), arsenic, tungsten and zinc. The gold is markedly associated with arsenic and is probably hosted mainly in arsenopyrite. A fairly good correlation exists between zinc, lead and copper. Correlation between the two sample types is poor, implying that they supplement each other.

The distribution of 13 selected elements are shown on 30 single element dot maps, where clusters of high values for both sample types define anomalous drainage areas. The most significant results for mineral exploration are summarized by two maps showing four gold-arsenic-tungsten anomalous areas, and four copper-zinc-lead-barium anomalous areas. These areas have potential for quartz vein or shear-zone bosted gold deposits, and forshale bosted base metal deposits, respectively.