Gold in Coal

[BrisJoe]

Just wondering if anyone else has come across gold around coal?

Found these the other day and can't figure out if it's pyrite or gold.
I've found large amounts of pyrite before around the place on the mudrock.

 

[BrisJoe]

1st pic has few large spots
2nd is speccicled through it
3rd is in 2 seams but didn't show up too well on the photo

 

[Next1m8]

Crush and pan, that's what I've always been told mate

 

[Tathradj]

Might be better to just burn it in a dish.
Fire it up with a bit of Metho.
Looks like pyrite.
Unlike rocks, Coal burns.

 

[mbasko]

We get pyrite in some of our coal that is visible at the face from time to time but haven't heard of any gold. The drill sample assay reports I have seen for a mine in the area did show a PPM (parts per million) reading of gold & as the crow flies gold bearing areas aren't that far away so it might be possible? I don't know that it would be visible to the naked eye though so pyrite seems more likely.
There are instances of gold in coal in Wales though but its not currently economically viable to worry about. Its also too small in concentration to see.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/gold-in-coal-raises-shining-prospect-1458689.html
http://m.geology.gsapubs.org/content/22/1/35.abstract

 

[Tathradj]

I suppose that coal forming in low depressions eon's ago may have had a bearing river burying it.
Possible.