Could be signs of life.
Paul Mahaffy is the Principal Investigator (PI) on the Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite on the Curiosity Rover currently operating on the surface of Mars.
Jennifer Eigenbrode is a biogeochemist and geologist with expertise in organic and isotope biogeochemistry and interests in astrobiology. She specializes in the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) in the analysis of lipids and other hydrocarbons in rocks, ice, and biological samples.
Chris Webster
JPL Fellow and Senior Research Scientist
Research Interests
Mars chemistry and habitability, isotope ratio biomarkers
Ashwin Vasavada
MSL Project Scientist
Research Interests
Geologic studies of Mars with regard to surface properties, volatiles, and climate history
I bet that you are on the right track.
Although I think they have found carbon on Mars already, and methane, so perhaps some other type of hydrocarbon.
Although a huge gold discovery would be neat! “GOLD! Thar’s gold in them thar hills!!”
An aside - there are still lots of rich gold deposits in the world. But it takes more money than it is worth to get it out and shipped. I’m guessing the cost of mining on Mars would be....astronomical.