Argentine Mina Pirquitas 1: 250 000 Geochemistry Dataset

Mina Pirquitas, situated in the Andes Mountain of northwest Argentina, and within the Cenozoic Cu (Au) and polymetal metallogenic belt, is a part of Andes metallogenic belt. The region is diverse in lithology, well developed in volcanic and intrusive rocks, complex in geological structure, advantageous in metallogenic geological conditions, and thus the most prominent distribution region of metallic mineral resources such as Au and Cu in Argentina. From 2010 to 2014, China Geological Survey (CGS) and Argentina Geological Survey (AGS) cooperated on 1:250 000 geochemistry research demonstration during which 2 470 fluvial sediment and soil samples were collected in Mina Pirquitas at a sample grain-size ranging between -10 meshes and +60 meshes and at a mean sampling density of 1.01 samples/4 km². 39 elements and oxides were analyzed with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, plasma-mass spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and ion selective electrode method, and single-element geochemical maps and comprehensive anomaly maps were plotted. A total of 487 locations with single-element geochemistry anomaly and 52 locations with comprehensive anomaly were discovered and prospective mineral areas worthy of further investigation were delineated. These data and maps are important for reference to mineral exploration, fundamental geological research, and environmental engineering in the region.