Author(s)

Barry Mamadou Saliou, Xinwu Huang

China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China.

Exploration and prospecting for mineral resources deposits are perceived to not be an easy process due to big deposits being discovered in early times. Numerous gold prospecting methods have been used in gold prospecting. The aim of this research is to critically analyze both traditional and modern gold prospecting methods that are being used in gold exploration. The research objective is to critically evaluate the numerous studies that focus on gold prospecting methods in an effort to provide an effective analysis of gold prospecting methods. In doing so, the study has used a qualitative method to review the existing literature. The study reviews academic journals and articles, books, and periodicals which were published between 2010 and 2019. This study has achieved to critically analyze both traditional and modern gold prospecting methods. The study finds out that the traditional gold prospecting methods include gold panning and dry washing. Additionally, the current gold prospecting methods include biological prospecting, geochemical prospecting and geophysical prospecting methods.

Gold Prospecting, Geochemical Prospecting, Gold Panning, Biological Prospecting, Geophysical Prospecting

Saliou, B. and Huang, X. (2020) A Critical Analysis of Gold Prospecting Methods. International Journal of Geosciences, 11, 15-24. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2020.112002.