Genesis of Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou Province, China

A solution containing nanometer-sized pure gold particles was prepared with the hydrolysisreduction method. As observed under the electron microscope, the gold particles were as large as 2–20 nm in size. Different kinds of mineral and rock were put into the solution and the experimental result showed that the nanometer-sized gold particles are obviously adsorbed on sulfide minerals, native copper and carbonaceous rocks. This experimental result is consistent with the actual geological observation. On this basis a better explanation is presented of the genesis of the Carlin-type gold deposits.