The history of previous gold mining and exploration at Mongolata, and of copper exploration in the greater Burra area, was briefly reviewed. A field reconnaissance and the assaying of 14 rock chip samples collected in the Mongolata area gave inconclusive results (trace to 0.67 g/t Au). The Mongolata Goldfield is situated on the fault-bounded eastern margin of a northerly-plunging syncline formed in Umberatana Group shales and slates. Feldspathic quartzite and sandstone units lying on the eastern margin of the Mongolata Hills are hosts to metalliferous ironstone and lesser quartz veins that are developed within a 15 m wide fracture zone. The veins strike parallel to the country rocks (@ 160 degrees True) but generally dip steeply to the east (cf. the 35 degrees west dip of the enclosing strata). Mining for gold has taken place in the oxidised zone, and also to a limited extent from ferruginous quartz veins within the underlying slate. A notable feature of the area is the patchy mineralisation: commonly, quite extremely gold-rich pods are separately by virtually barren areas. This has created sampling problems throughout the history of the goldfield.