Copper mineralisation in the vicinity of Parabarana Hill located at the extreme north-eastern end of the Flinders Ranges was worked intermittently between 1899 and 1917 for the return of small tonnages of high grade secondary ore. In the past decade exploration in the area was carried out by Anaconda (Australia) Inc. in 1966, and subsequently by North Flinders Mines Ltd, who secured tenure to the area in 1969 in the form of Special Mining Leases 704 and 705. Exploration methods used included stream sediment and rock chip geochemistry, aerial (helicopter) radiometric and ground magnetic surveys, semi-detailed geological mapping and petrological studies, and an IP survey followed by the drilling of 32 rotary percussion and 7 diamond drillholes for a total of 5495.6 m. In 1971 NFM approached the South Australian Department of Mines for assistance in proving the deposit. The SADM drilled 2 diamond holes totalling 1022.4 m during 1972-73, which encountered copper mineralisation in a zone approximately 30 m thick, with localised enrichments up to 12.0% Cu, but generally assaying less than 1% Cu. Arsenic in the form of arsenopyrite showed significant concentrations throughout the copper zone, as did U, Th, Zr, several rare earth elements and Co. Mo was also enriched in a few narrow (0.5-3 m) intervals, with assays ranging from 130-1500 ppm. No statement of proven or probable reserves has yet been given for Parabarana, despite the encouraging outcome of NFM's extensive drilling programme. In 1972, as part of its appraisal of the prospect's potential and assessment of the possible degree of government involvement in target drillig, the SADM quoted inferred reserves of 6.1 million tonnes at 0.9% Cu. Related government records give the known dimensions of the mineralised zone as: - 10 to 30 m thick - 500 m maximum strike length - 900 m proven downdip extent.