## 1 Introduction  
Mineral resource exploration is a vital aspect of contemporary society, driving economic growth and technological progress [1, 2]. Gold has been highly regarded among various valuable minerals due to its rarity, enduring value, and versatile applications for centuries. However, the depletion of easily accessible reserves has made exploiting new gold deposits increasingly challenging. To address this challenge, scientists and geologists are pioneering innovative techniques, such as geochemical prospecting [3], and focusing on mineralization trials to understand subsurface permeability. Geochemical exploration research focuses on analyzing the chemical composition of rocks, soils [4], stream sediments [5, 6], and water systems [7] to target potential mineral deposits [8]. Key research methods include primary halos, secondary halos, stream sediments, enzyme leaching [9; 10], MMI (Mobile Metal Ions) [11; 12; 13], MOMEO (Leaching of Mobile Forms of Metals in Overburden) [14; 15], NAMEG (Collection of Nanoscale Metals in Earthqu) [14; 16], electrogeometry [17; 18], biogeochemistry [19], Feldspar IRSL (Infrared Stimulated Luminescence), and Quartz OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) [20]. In addition, the Fine-Grained Soil Prospecting Method has displayed its effectiveness in identifying hidden deposits in recent years [21; 22; 23; 24]. These techniques enable scientists to understand the forms and enrichment patterns of ore-bearing information on the Earth's surface, identify geochemical anomaly zones, and locate concealed mineral bodies. Geochemical surveys are highly effective in delineating zones with potential gold mineralization in gold exploration. By examining the distribution of various elements and their concentration patterns, scientists can infer the geological processes responsible for gold anomalies and predict potential sources. One of the primary challenges in exploring gold deposits is identifying and characterizing permeable conduits that govern the migration and accumulation of auriferous fluids or constituents within the surrounding lithospheric matrix [25]. These conduits, often associated with specific geotectonic features, such as faults, fractures, shear zones, and microporous domains, are intricately interconnected through various mechanistic associations [26; 27]. Gold mineralization experiments provide researchers with a nuanced understanding of rock permeability and the multifaceted factors that drive the mobilization of auriferous fluids. Gold mineralization trials involve a meticulous process, starting with carefully sampling and curating rock specimens from promising locations and proceeding with rigorous laboratory analyses. Electron microscopy [28], geochemical cartography, and stable isotopic assessment provide a comprehensive framework for elucidating the intricate interplay of mineralogical composition, chemical attributes, and alteration dynamics within gold mineralization [29]. By critically evaluating the attributes of gold-bearing minerals and their interaction with the host rock matrixes, scientific inquiry gains the capacity to unravel the underlying mechanisms driving gold enrichment phenomena, thereby facilitating the identification and delineation of potential exploration targets. The insights derived from these experimental endeavors contribute to the discovery of novel gold reservoirs and provide invaluable data for the responsible extraction of existing reserves. A comprehensive understanding of the subsurface permeability is paramount in resource stewardship, guiding exploration initiatives while mitigating potential environmental impacts. This paper involved the collection of samples and proceeded prospecting experiments in the Mahuagou gold deposit, Yiling District, Yichang City, and Hubei Province (Figure 1). This work analyzes major elements, trace elements, chemical forms of gold, and heat-released mercury. These deep-penetrating geochemical indicators will be identified to effectively prospect the Mahuagou gold deposit in Hubei Province, China.