An area of approximately 1791 square km located to the north and north-west of the Leigh Creek Coalfield was taken out under licence by ETSA for one year, to enable the conduct of a joint ETSA/SADME coal exploration programme over alluvium-covered areas that might be concealing possible Triassic coal basins. Investigations included a 1000 station ground gravity survey in the Tom Hill area, the reprocessing and interpretation of data from previous gravity surveys conducted between 1946 and 1961, a photogeology and lineament study of the EL and surrounding areas, an interpretation of the subsurface geology from existing water bore and exploration drillhole data, and the drilling and geophysical logging of 11 new exploratory rotary open holes. 4 holes tested subtle gravity anomalies near Farina and one tested a similar, 3 mGal anomaly at Lake Watherstone (combined total drilled depth 191 m), and 6 addressed coal exploration targets within or adjacent to the Leigh Creek mining lease (total 94 m). None of the drillholes disclosed coal or Triassic sediments.