  X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy (EDX) are applied to investigate the properties of fine-grained
concentrate on artisanal small-scale gold mining samples from the Kubi Gold
Project of the Asante Gold Corporation near Dunwka-on-Offin in the Central
Region of Ghana. Both techniques show that the Au-containing residual sediments
are dominated by the host elements Fe, Ag, Al, N, O, Si, Hg, and Ti that either
form alloys with gold or inherent elements in the sediments. For comparison, a
bulk nugget sample mainly consisting of Au forms an electrum i.e., a solid
solution with Ag. Untreated (impure) sediments, fine-grained Au concentrate,
coarse-grained Au concentrate, and processed ore (Au bulk/nugget) samples were
found to contain cluster of O, C, N, and Ag with Au concentrations
significantly lower than that of the related elements. This finding can be
attributed to primary geochemical dispersion, which evolved from
crystallization of magma and hydrothermal liquids as well as migration of
metasomatic elements and rapid rate of chemical weathering of lateralization in
secondary processes. The results indicate that Si and Ag are strongly
concomitants with Au because of their eutectic characteristics N, C, and O
follow alongside because of their affinity to Si. These non-noble elements thus
act as pathfinders of Au ores in the exploration area. The paper further
discusses relationships between gold and sediments of auriferous lodes as key
to determine indicator minerals of gold in mining sites
