International Journal of Geosciences, 2020, 11, 15-24 https://www.scirp.org/journal/ijg ISSN Online: 2156-8367 ISSN Print: 2156-8359 DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2020.112002 Feb. 5, 2020 15 International Journal of Geosciences A Critical Analysis of Gold Prospecting Methods Barry Mamadou Saliou, Xinwu Huang China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China Abstract Exploration and prospecting for mineral resources deposits are perceived to not be an easy process due to big deposits being discovered in early times. Numerous gold prospecting methods have been used in gold prospecting. The aim of this research is to critically analyze both traditional and modern gold prospecting methods that are being used in gold exploration. The re- search objective is to critically evaluate the numerous studies that focus on gold prospecting methods in an effort to provide an effective analysis of gold prospecting methods. In doing so, the study has used a qualitative method to review the existing literature. The study reviews academic journals and ar- ticles, books, and periodicals which were published between 2010 and 2019. This study has achieved to critically analyze both traditional and modern gold prospecting methods. The study finds out that the traditional gold prospect- ing methods include gold panning and dry washing. Additionally, the current gold prospecting methods include biological prospecting, geochemical pros- pecting and geophysical prospecting methods. Keywords Gold Prospecting, Geochemical Prospecting, Gold Panning, Biological Prospecting, Geophysical Prospecting 1. Introduction Since the earliest settlement need for mineral sources such as copper for utensils, lead for bullets, and iron for guns and tools has stimulated an exploration for sources of these mineral resources. Hence, prospectors have largely contributed to the development of the world’s mineral resources. The lure of silver and gold has offered the impulse for much of development of mineral resources in the western countries between 1850 and 1910 [1]. Over the years, prospectors have performed successful ventures in an effort to fulfill the world’s expanding indus- trial demands for gold and other mineral resources. Even United States barred How to cite this paper: Saliou, B.M. and Huang, X.W (2020) A Critical Analysis of Gold Prospecting Methods. International Journal of Geosciences, 11, 15-24. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2020.112002 Received: December 29, 2019 Accepted: February 2, 2020 Published: February 5, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access