Identification of Fe, Ti, Cr, Nb and Zr Geochemical Anomalies in Heavy-Mineral Concentrates and Fine Sediments Using Geochemical Maps in the Orinoco Mining Arc, Venezuela

Abstract

In the Orinoco Mining Arc, located in the north of the Bolivar state, Venezuela, a geochemical prospecting study was carried out, by the statistical and spatial analysis of the concentrations of the chemical elements Fe, Ti, Cr, Nb and Zr in heavy-mineral concentrates and fine sediments deposited by rivers of order 6 and 7, in order to identify geochemical anomalies that allow locating potential prospective areas, which may be associated with mineral deposits. The chemical analysis, in the case of mineral concentrates, was made by ICP-OES for Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂, and by ICP-MS for Cr, Nb and Zr, while in the case of fine sediments, the chemical analysis was made by ICP-OES for all elements. For its part, the statistical analysis was performed using the STATISTICA 10.0 software. With the obtained information, geochemical maps were generated, locating the anomalies. The results allowed suggesting the existence of two large prospective zones: the first zone presents anomalies of Cr and high concentrations of Fe and Ti, the second zone presents anomalies of Nb and Zr, and high concentrations of Fe and Ti.