1.University of Antsiranana | Department of Physics | Laboratory of Nuclear Metrology and Environment | Diégo Suarez | Madagascar | 2.University of Antananarivo | Department of Physics| Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Environmental Physics| Antananarivo | Madagascar |
This article is made freely available as part of this journal's Open Access: ID|Rosny–Ref2-5-16ajiras170523 |
ABSTRACT
Background: The discovery of gold in Madagascar is believed to have occurred in 1845, but significant mining operations did not commence until 1883. During the colonial era, various mining centers were established and contributed to gold production. However, following the country's independence, there was a sharp decline, with gold production reaching only ten kilograms in 1960. Since then, artisanal gold panning has become the primary source of gold production. Despite these historical developments, there remains a lack of comprehensive scientific knowledge to effectively identify the most promising gold deposits. Additionally, the high cost of advanced equipment restricts access for average gold miners. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the quantity of gold present in the selected plant samples and explore potential methods for exploiting the gold sector in the Ambilobe District. Method: Samples were collected from the DIANA region in the northern part of Madagascar, specifically from the rural commune of Betsiaka, which falls within the Ambilobe District. The samples were subjected to analysis using the "Amptek EXP-2" Dispersive Energy X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) method at the Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Environmental Physics (LPNPE) at the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Results: The analysis of the plant samples revealed the presence of elements such as iron, copper, zinc, and gold. The levels of these elements varied depending on the sampling location and the specific part of the plant being analyzed. Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated that trace amounts of gold are present in some of the analyzed plant roots. However, the concentration of gold is minimal. Keywords: Plants, XRF spectroscopy, Gold, Gold deposit and Mineralogy.
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