Soil gas geochemical survey exploring for concealed sediment-hosted Au deposits in the semi-humid region: A case study from the Zhaishang Au-deposit, West Qinling, China

Key Points

• Concealed Au deposits were identified through innovative soil gas techniques in the Zhaishang region.
• The geochemical analysis revealed specific markers indicative of sediment-hosted gold resources.
• Employing a detailed soil gas geochemical survey demonstrated effective exploration methods in semi-humid climates.
• Potential for new mineral discoveries suggests the need for further exploration in related geological areas.