Low-grade carbonaceous gold ore (0.01 to 1.8 oz/ton of gold) from the Carlin mine in Elko county, Nevada, has been characterized by a variety of analytical and spectroscopic techniques with emphasis on vibrational spectroscopy. A particular concern was determining the nature of the carbon-containing material in the ore. It was found that in addition to the anticipated carbonate, finely disseminated elemental carbon is present in amounts ranging from 0.062 to 0.43 wt. %. Contrary to previous reports, no detectable amounts of humic acid materials or organic hydrocarbons are present in any of the samples investigated.
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