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For more videos about geology, geochemistry, AI, and much more, please visit and subscribe for free here: Golden droplets- https://shorturl.at/fetV1 Geovoices- https://tinyurl.com/m23pp4pb News about geology- https://tinyurl.com/3979urhy In this must-watch video, "A Geologist and a Geochemist walk into a bar…," we detail how lithogeochemistry and geochemistry are mandatory for maximizing exploration success, providing essential tools for vectoring toward blind ore deposits by accurately detecting cryptic alteration. We explore advanced analytical methods like Pearce Element Ratio (PER) and General Element Ratio (GER) analysis, crucial for robust mineral exploration. Hydrothermal alteration produces subtle, systematic chemical changes, known as cryptic alteration, that are often invisible during surface geological mapping but are critical for identifying mineralizing systems, even those concealed under thick cover. Using the sediment-hosted Elura Zn-Pb-Ag sulphide deposit in New South Wales, Australia, as a primary example, we demonstrate how this alteration and the resulting primary dispersion halos can be detected up to 350m from the orebody below the weathering front. Characteristic lithogeochemical vectors observed include strong Sodium depletion, accompanied by enrichment in pathfinders like Zn, Pb, Ag, As, Rb, Tl, and particularly Antimony (Sb). The advanced ratio analysis techniques, PER and GER, are essential because they quantify chemical variation while effectively avoiding closure problems when comparing altered and unaltered rocks, aiding drilling programs aimed at penetrating the cryptic alteration zone adjacent to ore. In precious metals exploration, understanding the vertical distribution of elemental assemblages (the primary dispersion halo) is paramount: Hg, As, and Sb typically form the "top" or "front" halo, while elements like Mo and W define the deep "tail" zone. The presence of strong "top" halo anomalies (Hg, As, Sb) where gold values are low can strongly indicate a blind ore deposit at depth. The bridge between Academy and Industry! P. Geo. Ricardo A Valls, M. Sc. and Geo Gadfly Valls Geoconsultant ORCID ID- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5421-0914 Scopus Author ID: 7003369619/35335510700 ResearcherID: S-6604-2018 If you like this content, please "buy me a coffee" https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goldendroplets #valls_geoconsultant #Lithogeochemistry #CrypticAlteration #BlindOreDeposits #MineralExploration References Austin, J. R., Birchall, R., Stromberg, J., Patterson, B., Bjork, A., Dhnaram, C., Lisitsin, V., Walshe, J., Gazley, M., leGras, M., Shelton, T., Spinks, S., Pearce, M., Schlegel, T., & McFarlane, H. (2024). Cloncurry METAL: multimodal integrated mineral system characterisation data [Dataset]. AuScope. https://doi.org/10.60623/82trleue Bruker. (n.d.). Pathfinder & indicator minerals in exploration. Retrieved from https://www.bruker.com/en/applications/minerals-mining-and-petrochemical/minerals-exploration-discovery/pathfinder-indicator-minerals-in-exploration.html Carranza, E. J. M., & Sadeghi, M. (2012). Primary geochemical characteristics of mineral deposits—Implications for exploration. Ore Geology Reviews. Diakov, S., Sanjdorj, S., & Jamsrandorj, G. (2018). Discovery of Oyu Tolgoi: A case study of mineral and geological exploration. Elsevier. Holliday, J. R., & Cooke, D. R. (2007). Advances in geological models and exploration methods for copper ± gold porphyry deposits. In B. Milkereit (Ed.), Proceedings of Exploration 07: Fifth Decennial International Conference on Mineral Exploration (pp. 791–809). Hutchison, W., Finch, A. A., & Boyce, A. J. (2020). The sulfur isotope evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids: insights into ore-forming processes. [Article]. Kirwin, D. J., Forster, C. N., & Garamjav, D. (2003). The discovery history of the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry copper-gold deposits, South Gobi, Mongolia. In NewGenGold 2003 Conference Proceedings (pp. 130–146). Li, C., Liu, B., Xiao, K., & Wu, Y. (2023). Metallogenic prediction of the Zaozigou gold deposit using 3D geological and geochemical modeling. Minerals, 13(9), 1205. McMillan, M. S., Haber, E., Peters, B., & Fohring, J. (2021). Mineral prospectivity mapping using a VNet convolutional neural network. The Leading Edge. McQueen, K. G., & Whitbread, M. A. I. (2011). An integrated lithogeochemical approach to detecting and interpreting cryptic alteration around the Elura Zn-Pb-Ag deposit, New South Wales, Australia. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis, 11(3), 233–246. https://doi.org/10.1144/1467-7873/09-011 Taylor, R. D., Monecke, T., Reynolds, T., & Monecke, J. (2021). Paragenesis of an orogenic gold deposit: New insights on mineralizing processes at the Grass Valley District, California. Economic Geology. https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.4794 Whiting, B. (2010). Interpreting geochemical anomalies in the hunt for blind ore deposits: Las Mesas Project example (Technical Note). Orex Minerals Inc.