Challenging the traceability of natural gold by combining geochemical methods: French Guiana example

摘要: Abstract Considering the high economic importance and worldwide distribution of gold, ability to identify its provenance is critical challenging ensuring a responsible supply chain from deposit consumer, especially within conflict-affected areas. Here we present an innovative approach trace natural gold French Guiana through combination geochemical statistical methods. This divided in three steps allows identification illicit certification declared origin coming legal operators and, some cases, unknown gold. was chosen as demonstration case our because it well-known area where illegal mining widespread. In first step, showed that use Hg amalgamation can be easily revealed by looking grain morphology with optical microscope or detecting laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy allow direct detection on field. second principal demonstrated certify degree confidence measuring Ag content population checking against database Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic. final step used (i) minor elements (Cu Hg), (ii) mineral inclusions their relative proportions samples (iii) element composition grains determined LA-ICP-MS coupled permutational multivariate analysis variance similarity percentage analysis. method 69% samples; other populations (31%) cannot identified geological groups. The traceability guaranteeing approach, particular certifying provenance. Further challenges addressed will implementation such others regions support global