Revisiting hydrocarbon phase mobilization of Au in the Au–Hg McLaughlin Mine, Geysers/Clear Lake area, California

Carbonaceous material (CM)-enriched silica is co-located with gold (Au) mineralization at the Au–Hg McLaughlin deposit, Geysers/Clear Lake area, California, U.S.A. The co-location suggests that hydrocarbons (HC) may be involved in mineralization and metal concentration processes, but little is known about the role of HC in the formation of ore deposits. Previous studies noted liquid oil inclusions in samples from the McLaughlin deposit, and...