The Olary Domain is considered prospective for Olympic Dam and Ernest Henry style iron oxide copper-gold-uranium mineralisation associated with Mesoproterozoic granitoids, as well as for Broken Hill style stratiform lead-zinc-silver mineralisation in Palaeoproterozoic metasediments and metavolcanics of the Willyama Supergroup. Initial exploration conducted in the Bimbowrie - Telechie area, ~60 km north-west from Olary, entailed modelling of available BHEI aeromagnetic data. Numerous large amplitude magnetic anomalies were identified by Equinox, and subsequent field work comprising regional to detailed soil, calcrete and rock chip sampling generated several Cu-Au-Zn-(Pb) geochemical anomalies. Joint venture partner BHP Minerals targeted the base metal potential of possible Broken Hill Group equivalent metasedimentary rocks, and gravity surveys followed by detailed ground magnetic surveys defined additional high priority targets, several of which were tested by two drilling programmes (nine RC holes, total 2210 m). No significant mineralisation or encouraging alteration was encountered, and BHP Minerals withdrew from the project in March 2000. With the release of TEiSA airborne geophysical data and a shift in exploration focus after January 2001 to seeking buried Cu-Au mineralisation, three further areas with promising magnetic and geochemical anomalies were drill tested by a new joint venture partnership of Equinox - Billiton Exploration Australia during April-May 2002 (217 vertical RAB holes, total 9272 m), but again no significant mineralisation was encountered. A maximum copper assay of 700 ppm Cu was returned from hole ETRH091 (Spring Hill traverse 375400) and a maximum gold assay of 73 ppb Au from hole ETRH197 (Black Hill South traverse). The style of basement rock alteration encountered did not suggest proximity to a large body of Cu-Au mineralisation. The most intense aeromagnetic anomalies drilled were found to coincide with dolerite intrusions. During May 2001, PIRSA had commenced a basement geological mapping programme which included the south-western portion of the subject EL 2258. Both of the JV's Black Hill North-west and Black Hill South targets fell within the mapped area, and the mapping data was obtained from PIRSA as soon as it was available. Other, separate 1:50,000 scale reconnaissance geological mapping of the Spring Hill target area was undertaken by Equinox during May 2001, when 130 site observations were recorded. Some in-field time was spent with PIRSA geologists to exchange ideas and information, and PIRSA terminology was adopted for structural observations and lithological identification. During the sixth licence year, the first of renewed EL 2896, Equinox received the results of a consultant's petrological examinations of bottomhole basement drill cuttings samples recovered from the many RAB drillholes that it had drilled early in 2002. He reported that at Spring Hill, all of the rocks (including dolerite) are highly albite-altered with some sericitic alteration. Some pyrite and rare chalcopyrite were seen in the dolerite sample, and minor limonite after pyrite in some of the granitoids. In the fine-grained units original rock types were hard to discern, but it was believed that they might include volcanics and sediments. No new field work was done. The JV's assessment of available drillhole information led it to conclude that magnetite-dominant styles of IOCG mineralisation such as Ernest Henry type were unlikely to be found. Notwithstanding same, it was thought that potential still existed for haematite-rich IOCG mineral systems to be found in the area (Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill types), though additional datasets would be required to effectively explore for such mineralisation. It was recommended that detailed gravity data or electrical geophysical surveys be acquired to generate new targets. No activities ensued during licence Year 7. It was decided to focus on evaluating the sources beneath cover of magnetic highs located on the northern part of the licence. Discussions were held with AEM survey data acquisition contractor Fugro Airborne Surveys about participating in Geoscience Australia's upcoming regional survey of the southern Curnamona Province / Frome Embayment. A first partial relinquishment of 803 square kms or ~47% of the originally granted licence area was effected in February 2004, and exploration is continuing on the retained northern portion of EL 2896.