An area located approximately 100 km north-west of Marla was targeted for possible Ni/Cu/PGE magmatic massive sulphide mineralisation contained within buried outliers of the Giles Complex mafic intrusive complex, perhaps present in a setting...
An area located approximately 100 km north-west of Marla was targeted for possible Ni/Cu/PGE magmatic massive sulphide mineralisation contained within buried outliers of the Giles Complex mafic intrusive complex, perhaps present in a setting similar to that of the Babel and Nemo nickel occurrences previously found by Western Mining Corp. in Western Australia. After conducting a literature review and interpretation of available geophysical data, soil sampling was tried over selected bedrock geophysical anomalies, but this method failed to yield satisfactory results. Bulk sampling followed by separation and analysis of the magnetic fraction of the soils did indicate that pathfinder metal concentrations were present at levels below threshold, so it was decided to perform magnetic lag sampling to optimise their recovery in the field. A regional lag sampling programme across the licence area (274 samples taken on 1 km x 1 km centres) proved more satisfactory, returning some nickel values > 100 ppm, but no coincident copper. Follow-up infill lag sampling across priority geophysical anomalies (552 samples on 500 m x 200 m centres) gave better results, yielding coherent Cu anomalism with lesser Ni highs along an E-W trending, probable mafic dyke structure in the south of the licence. Field checking and rock chip sampling of this feature returned up to 1255 ppm Cu. During 2005 ground EM surveys (13 N-S lines of moving loop coverage) were carried out over the dyke target in an attempt to directly detect any massive sulphide mineralisation. Although the ground conditions were practically perfect for using this technique, no late time EM responses were detected, so it was concluded that no significant metallic mineralisation is present. Due to the perceived reduced prospectivity of this area, it was then decided to surrender the licence.
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