Hi all, I found this in the Mallee area of SA seems to be a copper nugget with what looks like gold and quartz in it. Wasn't expecting to find anything like this, when I dug it up all the sand around it had turned green.
Is this gold?
- Thread starter Alex25
- Start date
Help Support Prospecting Australia:
That's an interesting piece of rock. Copper/gold occurrences are a feature of SA geology (famously Olympic Dam), so there could potentially be something mineable in the vicinity. You'd need a geologist to check it out to be sure of its makeup though.
Thanks for the replies, I will see if I can get it checked by someone. I didn't think there was anything in this area, I was actually digging to make repairs to a septic pipe. I think it would be worth swinging the metal detector around here now.
Yes and a detector will pick up the copper with gold attached.
Try a flame test with a gas flame. The flame should turn blue if copper is present. Copper ores frequently feature the mineral chalcopyrite which is shiny yellow and one of the minerals often mistaken as fools gold.
My understanding of the Mallee area is that it is a deep alluvial basin without outcropping basement rocks. Checking geology maps of the area it was found in might reveal its proximity to outcropping rocks that might host minerals.
The other possibility is deeply corroded bronze or brass artifact.
My understanding of the Mallee area is that it is a deep alluvial basin without outcropping basement rocks. Checking geology maps of the area it was found in might reveal its proximity to outcropping rocks that might host minerals.
The other possibility is deeply corroded bronze or brass artifact.
Hi Alex.
I’m no geologist but agree with the others that it does look like gold.
You mention sand, is it a really sandy area? Are there any other rocks or rocky outcrops in the area?
Bit hard to tell from the pics but I'm getting pyrite vibes. Gold is malleable whereas pyrite is brittle and flaky. Scratch a bit with a pointed tool and if it dents or mars it's likely gold. If it crumbles and flakes more likely pyrite.
All the soil out here is pretty much red sand, soil is full of limestone can't really dig anywhere without hitting it. I think the above poster may be right with it being chalcopyrite, scraped it with a steel tool and got gold specks on my hand.
Going to dig around there a bit more this week and see if I can find anymore.
Pyrite. I remember taking the family for a pan at Araluen many years ago and the kids were playing in the water in the creek and at night they glowed like a Christmas tree with all the pyrite clinging to them. Mackka
