CHIM-geoelectrochemical method in search of concealed mineralisation in China and Australia

A version of the geoelectrochemical prospecting technique developed in China was demonstrated in China and Australia to test its suitability under both Chinese and Australian conditions. This paper briefly describes the mechanism and effectiveness of the technique applied to search of concealed mineralisation through regolith cover, based on both experimental and field tests. This paer deals with three main aspects of the method: a) how metallic ions are released from orebodies by electrochemical dissolution; b) how these ions migrate to the collector and are deposited as elements by electrochemical extraction in the presence of an electric field; and c) the effectiveness of the method illustrated by some case studies.