Soil Geochemical Characteristics and Prospecting Potential in the Nibao Carlin-Type Gold Deposit and Peripheral Areas, Southwestern Guizhou, China

Carlin-type gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou, China require systematic exploration methods to identify deep and peripheral prospecting potential beyond known deposits. We conducted a 1:50,000-scale soil geochemical survey across 928 km2 in the Nibao gold deposit and its surrounding areas, with a total of 8842 samples collected. Fifteen elements were systematically analyzed, with particular focus on pathfinder elements associated with Carlin-type gold mineralization. Building on previous comparative analyses of soil geochemical and tectono-geochemical characteristics, this research systematically examines the enrichment patterns of soil geochemistry and their significance for ore prospecting. The results demonstrate that (1) elements such as Au, As, Sb, Hg, W, and Mo show significant positive correlation and strong enrichment patterns, indicating excellent metallogenic potential; (2) 176 and 12 single- and composite-element anomalies were delineated, respectively, with HS-2, HS-3, and HS-7 anomalies exhibiting high intensity and distinct concentration zonation, similar to those of the high factor score distribution of Au-As-Sb-Hg-W-Mo; (3) three prospecting targets were identified based on anomaly characteristics and geological conditions, including Nibao, Baogudi, and Sandaogou; (4) multiple mineralized bodies were revealed through engineering verification, indicating good prospecting potential in the deep and surrounding areas of the targets. These findings provide a scientific basis for further exploration of Carlin-type gold deposits in the study area and southwestern Guizhou.