Quantitative 3D shape descriptors of gold grains from Quaternary sediments: application to mineral exploration in glaciated terrain, Amaruq orogenic gold deposit (Nunavut, Canada)

•3D shape descriptors are computed to estimate the morphology of gold grains from Quaternary sediments.•New 3D shape descriptors for ellipticity and sphericity of gold particles are introduced.•The morphology of gold grains collected along a transect of the Amaruq gold deposit shows changes according to glacial processes.