Geochemical exploration of gold and heavy metals in stream sediments from River Swat, Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was carried out for the geochemical analysis for gold and heavy metals in the Swat River, Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Six samples were collected at different locations from the Swat River which were refined through the process of panning. The refined samples were then transported to NCE in geology (National Center of Excellence in Geology, Peshawar). With great care 10gm these samples were converted to solutions through a series of processes and with the treatment of these samples with aqua regia. The results of geochemical analysis for gold when obtained did not gave satisfactory concentrations. Three of the samples had zero concentration while the other three samples from khwazakhela, shakardara, and chakdara had 0.596, 0.007 and 0.104 ppm concentration respectively. The minerals found were quartz, feldspar, lapis lazuli, magnetite, garnet, and tourmaline.