TARGET: Possible sedex or Olympic Dam - type base metal deposits, and also any Permian coal seams, respectively developed in the Proterozoic basement of, and in younger cover sediments deposited over, the Mabel Creek regional gravity high. EXPLORATION: To generate suitable targets, available regional aeromagnetic and gravity data was processed and interpreted, and in the north of the licence where data coverage was sparse it was augmented a 430 line km aeromagnetic survey (flight altitude 90 m, N-S line spacing 1 km) flown by Aerodata in June 1981. This work was followed up by 83 line km of ground magnetic and gravity surveys over 5 selected semi-coincident anomalies. 334 m of open hole rotary precollar drilling was next carried out as part of testing two geophysical targets. Drillhole TW1, sited on a subdued gravity / magnetic high anomaly, penetrated basement of gabbroic composition at 160 m depth. It was decided not to continue drilling this hole further into basement, via a diamond tail, because of the poor results from recent similar drilling of Olympic Dam - type targets in the joint venture's adjoining EL 633. Hole TW2, sited over a gravity low within the Tallaringa Trough, did not intersect the anticipated coal-prone Upper Permian Mount Toondina Formation, which it was concluded has been eroded away at this location. RESULTS: No base metal or coal occurrences were encountered. The licence was surrendered due to the perceived presence of geological and geophysical settings unfavourable for the commodities sought.