Surface geochemistry is one of the most effective tools available for identifying mineralisation and prioritising exploration targets. By analysing soils, rocks, vegetation, and other near-surface materials, exploration teams can detect subtle geochemical anomalies that may indicate mineral deposits beneath the surface. Surface geochemistry is widely used throughout the minerals industry because it provides a cost-effective method of assessing large areas before more intensive exploration techniques are deployed.
LabWest provides specialist surface geochemistry testing services to support exploration programs across Australia and internationally. Our analytical methods are designed to maximise signal detection, minimise contamination, and provide reliable, reproducible results that support informed exploration decisions.
What is Surface Geochemistry?
Surface geochemistry involves collecting and analysing materials found at or near the Earth's surface to identify geochemical patterns associated with mineralisation. Depending on the project and geological environment, samples may include:
- Soil
- Rock chips
- Stream sediments
- Vegetation samples
- Regolith materials
- Ultrafine clay fractions
Geochemical data can help explorers identify anomalous concentrations of metals and pathfinder elements, enabling the efficient targeting of follow-up work. Surface geochemistry is particularly valuable during early-stage exploration, where large areas must be assessed quickly and cost-effectively.
Gold Exploration Geochemistry
Detecting gold anomalies at the surface can be challenging because concentrations are often extremely low and easily masked by background variation.
LabWest has developed analytical procedures specifically optimised for surface and near-surface gold exploration. These methods focus on identifying subtle anomalies while reducing the risk of contamination throughout sample preparation and analysis.
Our procedures include:
- Careful sample preparation protocols
- Barren washing of pulveriser bowls
- Use of disposable digestion vessels
- Low-level gold analysis by ICP-MS
- Strict laboratory quality control procedures
These measures help ensure that genuine geochemical signals can be distinguished from background noise, providing greater confidence in exploration data.
Image kindly shared by Hamelin Gold
Surface Geochemistry Techniques Available
LabWest offers a range of analytical methods to suit different geological environments and exploration objectives.
Ultrafine+™ Analysis
Ultrafine+™ focuses on the reactive clay fraction in soil samples, enabling the identification of subtle geochemical signals beneath shallow to moderate cover.
This technique has been successfully applied to exploration programs targeting:
- Gold
- Lithium
- Rare earth elements
- Base metals
- Uranium
The method combines ultrafine particle separation with advanced microwave digestion and ICP-MS analysis to deliver highly sensitive results.
ASX Reports referencing UltraFine.
Image kindly shared by Hamelin Gold
Multi-Element Geochemistry
Comprehensive multi-element suites provide valuable information on both target commodities and associated pathfinder elements.
These analytical packages support exploration across a broad range of commodities, including gold, base metals, battery metals, and critical minerals.
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemical analysis uses vegetation samples to identify geochemical anomalies that may not be visible through conventional soil sampling.
This approach can be particularly effective in areas of transported cover where traditional surface geochemical techniques may be limited.
Why Data Quality Matters in Surface Geochemistry
The success of any surface geochemistry program depends on the quality of sampling, preparation, and laboratory analysis. Industry research consistently demonstrates that errors introduced during sampling or sample preparation can significantly impact the reliability of exploration data.
LabWest places a strong emphasis on:
- Sample integrity
- Contamination control
- Low detection limits
- Reproducible analytical results
- Rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
This commitment helps ensure exploration teams receive data they can trust when making critical project decisions.
Why Choose LabWest for Surface Geochemistry?
LabWest has extensive experience supporting mineral exploration projects across Australia and internationally. Our team combines specialist geochemical expertise with advanced analytical technologies to deliver reliable exploration data across a wide range of commodities and geological settings.
Our capabilities include:
- Gold exploration geochemistry
- Ultrafine+™ analysis
- Rare earth element testing
- Lithium and battery metals analysis
- Base metal exploration
- Biogeochemistry
- Multi-element analytical packages
Whether you are undertaking regional reconnaissance work or advanced target definition, LabWest can help identify the most appropriate analytical approach for your project.
Microwave Assisted Aqua-Regia Leach
LabWest has developed microwave-assisted digestion techniques to obtain maximum recovery of metals from geochemical samples, with negligible loss of volatiles and no cross-contamination.
Our microwave-assisted aqua-regia digestion (scheme code MAR) is a first-class exploration tool, giving a degree of confidence in results that is not easily obtainable with traditional hotplate or hotbox techniques.Very low detection limits are obtained with current-generation ICP-MS. Although this is an aggressive digestion, complete recovery of resistate and silicate-hosted minerals cannot be guaranteed from any aqua-regia digest.
LabWest Code MAR-04 (50 elements)
| Element | DL (ppm) | Element | DL (ppm) | Element | DL (ppm) | Element | DL (ppm) |
| Ag | 0.01 | Fe | 100 | Nb | 0.05 | Ta | 0.01 |
| Al | 10 | Ga | 0.05 | Ni | 0.5 | Te | 0.01 |
| As | 0.5 | Ge | 0.05 | P | 5 | Th | 0.02 |
| Ba | 0.2 | Hf | 0.02 | Pb | 0.2 | Ti | 10 |
| Be | 0.05 | Hg | 0.01 | Pt | 0.002 | Tl | 0.02 |
| Bi | 0.01 | In | 0.01 | Rb | 0.1 | U | 0.02 |
| Ca | 10 | K | 10 | Re | 0.001 | V | 1 |
| Cd | 0.02 | La | 0.05 | S | 50 | W | 0.01 |
| Ce | 0.05 | Li | 0.5 | Sb | 0.01 | Y | 0.05 |
| Co | 0.2 | Mg | 10 | Sc | 1 | Zn | 0.2 |
| Cr | 2 | Mn | 2 | Se | 0.05 | Zr | 0.5 |
| Cs | 0.1 | Mo | 0.1 | Sn | 0.1 | Indicative | |
| Cu | 0.2 | Na | 10 | Sr | 0.1 | Au | 0.0005 |
Cyanide Extraction
Oxidised surface materials such as stream sediments containing free gold, are well suited to cyanide extraction techniques. The use of a larger sample (500g) ameliorates nugget-effect to a large degree. Cyanide dissolves very little of the surrounding matrix, and excellent detection limits can be obtained.
LabWest Code WCN-500: 500-4000g cyanide leach
| Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) |
| Ag | 0.1 | Bi | 0.1 | Cu | 10 | Pd | 0.1 |
| As | 2 | Cd | 0.1 | Mo | 0.1 | Pt | 0.1 |
| Au | 0.01 | Co | 1 | Ni | 10 | Zn | 50 |
Partial Leach Exploration
Partial Leach approaches are used where it is desired for metals to be extracted from surface coatings of soil grains, without dissolving the underlying host matrix. Metals adsorbed onto these outer layers or held in metallic oxide coatings on soil grains may have been mobilised through the soil profile, and can give good indications of orebodies deep under cover. Different leaches apply to different soil types, with some being more specific than others.
Please call or email to discuss the appropriate leach for your application and arrange an orientation study if required. Our partial leach extractions cover most requirements, from very benign (water leach), through broad-spectrum chelating (PL-01) to aggressive (aqua-regia).
Other leaches are available on request, please see the list of scheme codes below:
LabWest partial leach elements and detection limits:
| Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) | Element | DL (ppb) |
| Ag | 0.05 | Er | 0.1 | Na | 100 | Sr | 1 |
| Al | 100 | Eu | 0.1 | Nb | 0.05 | Ta | 0.05 |
| As | 0.5 | Fe | 100 | Nd | 0.1 | Tb | 0.1 |
| Au | 0.02 | Ga | 0.5 | Ni | 1 | Te | 0.05 |
| B | 10 | Gd | 0.1 | P | 20 | Th | 0.02 |
| Ba | 10 | Ge | 0.1 | Pb | 0.2 | Ti | 5 |
| Be | 0.1 | Hf | 0.5 | Pd | 0.1 | Tl | 0.5 |
| Bi | 0.1 | Hg | 0.1 | Pr | 0.1 | Tm | 0.1 |
| Br | 1 | Ho | 0.1 | Pt | 0.05 | U | 0.05 |
| Ca | 200 | I | 1 | Rb | 0.1 | V | 10 |
| Cd | 0.05 | In | 0.01 | Re | 0.01 | W | 0.1 |
| Ce | 0.1 | La | 0.1 | S | 5000 | Y | 0.1 |
| Co | 0.2 | Li | 0.2 | Sb | 0.5 | Yb | 0.1 |
| Cr | 1 | Lu | 0.1 | Sc | 1 | Zn | 0.2 |
| Cs | 0.1 | Mg | 10 | Se | 2 | Zr | 0.1 |
| Cu | 0.2 | Mn | 2 | Sm | 0.1 | ||
| Dy | 0.1 | Mo | 0.1 | Sn | 0.05 |
To learn more about our services and how we can help you, contact the LabWest team today!