Is it possible to determine where gold might be found based on a map, and if so, how?

Question

Is it possible to locate potential gold deposits using maps that describe dominant rock type, altitude, vegetation, or geological formations? (I realize that the location would probably still have to be verified by traveling to the actual site. I am only looking for information that serves as an indicator of potential gold reserves.) For the sake of this question I am assuming of course that these maps would not directly list gold deposits or existing or past gold mining operations. What kind of information would a map need to contain in order to derive an indication of gold deposits from it?

Answer 1

Knowing rock types can certainly give you some clues. For example, most ore deposits are magmatic or hydrothermal in origin, so looking for igneous or metamorphic rocks is almost required. Veins within igneous and metamorphic rocks can concentrate gold further, but most geologic maps don't tend to include information about veins. As an individual hoping to find gold, the best approach would probably be to head to a mountainous area you know has the appropriate rock types, and has streams draining the mountain. You can often find gold and other heavy minerals in the stream bed sediments. Good examples of this occur in the Scottish and Welsh highlands.