Application of multi-element relationships in stream sediments to mineral exploration: a case study of Walawe Ganga Basin, Sri Lanka

This study on the application of multi-element relationships in stream sediments to mineral exploration in the Walawe Ganga Basin presents one of the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. In order to determine the nature of these sediments, multi-element analysis of selected grain size (<63 μm, 63–125 μm, 125–177 μm and 177–250 μm) fractions was undertaken. The chemical composition of these fractions were compared with those of the upper continental crust. Some elements, notably Zr, Hf, Th, U, Ce and La, show very high enrichment factors (e.g. 54 for Zr) as compared to the upper crustal abundance. These are presumably associated with heavy minerals such as zircon, rutile and monazite found in abundance in the stream sediments of the Walawe Ganga Basin. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the geochemical data show that multi-element relationships could be effectively used to delineate target areas for mineral exploration. With the use of PCA, this study reveals that areas with associations of calc-silicate/marble and charnockitic rocks are probable source regions for mineral occurrences, particularly in the axial regions of anticlines.