We collected and analyzed, using transmission electron microscopy, the particles carried by ascending gas flow in soil above the concealed orebody of the Tongchanghe copper mine, Guizhou Province. Particles of native copper, native copper-iron alloy, and native chromium-iron-copper alloy particles in the ascending gas flow were first discovered. Commonly, they were aggre- gations of relatively small particles. Individual particles within aggregations were subcircular, elliptical, regularly polygonal, or elongate and from 5 to 40 nm in size. The aggregations were subcircular or elliptical and 20-150 nm in size. Chloride, oxide, sulfate, and hydroxide particles containing ore-forming metals in the ascending gas flow were also discovered. The elements of the particles were commonly in a high valence state, suggesting that they were formed in a near-surface oxidizing environment. Discovery of the particles extracted from the ascending gas flow above the Tongchanghe copper mineprovided a powerful tool for exploration for deep concealed orebodies. Our study also showed that native copper, native copper-iron alloys, native chromium-iron-copper alloys, as well as chloride, oxide, sulfate, and hydroxide compounds containing ore-forming metals can be transported in particle form by ascending gas flow below the Earth's surface.
