Heavy-minerals reconnaissance in the Fatimah Formation, near Jiddah, Saudi Arabia

Near Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, a heavy-minerals survey was made in the Precambrian sediments o# the Fatima Formation. Samples measuring 0.25 cubic meters were taken in a net related to the drainage system and. washed in a sluice. The concentrates were tested. for 29 elements which included precious and. base metals, rare earths, and. radioactive elements. Only 17 elements were detected in the samples and all values were normal. The concentrates contained only common species o# heavy density resistate minerals. The survey showed that the area is not a favorable one in which to search for ores of the elements tested.