An occurrence of massive to gossanous secondary manganese and iron oxides, which is apparently stratabound within Lower Proterozoic graphitic schists and gneiss in an area 8 miles east-northeast of Darke Peake railway siding on Eyre Peninsula, was investigated by the holders of nearby surface copper mining claims to test its potential as a possible pointer to deeper, economic primary copper or other base metal mineralisation. Limited rock chip sampling of mineralised outcrops, trenching and shallow ?percussion drilling (9 holes, total 670 feet) was undertaken for assay purposes, but no significant base metal values were returned, and the indicated size and continuity of the secondary ore pods found within local shear zones was deemed uneconomic.