RECONNAISSANCE AND FOLLOW-UP EXPLORATION FOR GOLD IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA

A geochemical reconnaissance survey for gold has been successfully conducted in a remote, relatively inaccessible wet tropical area of central Kalimantan. Seven anomalous areas were delineated for detailed investigation. The results show that analysis of both stream sediment and panned concentrates is desirable in order to recognise anomalous patterns in all areas. Multi-element analyses were useful in the initial reconnaissance phase, but only gold was analysed during follow-up. Using a step-by-step approach, 4000 km2 was reduced to 440 km2 in the first five months. In a further three-month period, about 180 km2 of prime interest was identified, using only three geologists and local field assistants. These periods included analysis and interpretation. The total cost was less than US$90,000.