An almost wholly sand dune - covered area of the west-central Stuart Shelf, centred about 15 km north-northeast of Woomera township, is being explored for possible economic buried IOCGU mineralisation that may be hosted by Mesoproterozoic basement rocks. The primary exploration target within EL 3432 is copper-uranium-gold-silver-rare earth element (Cu-Au-U-REE+/-Ag) mineralisation of the style typified at Olympic Dam and lately being developed at Prominent Hill. This mineralisation style commonly occurs within Mesoproterozoic age intrusive, volcanic extrusive, metamorphic and brecciated units of the eastern Gawler Craton, which are overlain by the generally flat-lying Mesoproterozoic to Phanerozoic sediments of the Stuart Shelf. Deep drilling from the surface is the only technique capable of proving the existence of mineralisation in areas of extensive cover. During 2003, the Australian National Seismic Imaging Resource (ANSIR) had acquired two deep 2D seismic survey lines (cf. Lyons et al., 2005) which were designed to transect the Olympic Dam deposit in north-south and east-west directions: these lines were referred to as 03GA-OD1 and 03GA-OD2 respectively. This seismic survey was of particular interest to licensee Uranium Exploration Australia (UXA) because a portion of line 03GA-OD1 lies within EL 3432. The seismic profile highlighted several structures and shallow intrusive units which are believed to be prospective for mineralisation. At the outset of its exploration effort, UXA integrated the existing geophysical, geochemical and geological data to highlight localities to evaluate for mineralisation. A surface radiometric and geochemical surveying programme was next used to select possible drill targets at such localities. Above 2x background radiometric anomalies detected by hand-held scintillometer scans were sampled and assayed for IOCG indicator elements (41 soil, weathered sedimentary rock and volcanic rock samples were collected). Several samples were marginally anomalous, having above 2 ppm U, with weakly elevated copper >30 ppm, cobalt > 10 ppm,silver >0.01 ppm, zinc > 50 ppm, lead > 20 ppm, iron >25% and manganese >500 ppm. Three vertical reconnaissance drillholes were put in on EL 3432 during May 2006 and November-December 2006. In the first campaign RS1 (Roadside 1) was RC drilled to 118 m depth, and PL1 (Powerline 1) was RC drilled to 106 m depth. Two-metre cuttings samples were analysed by scintillometer and spectrometer and were then sent to Genalysis Laboratories in Perth for analysis for gold, silver, copper, manganese, iron, lead, uranium and zinc. Results were generally low. Diamond drillhole BG1 (Broken Ground 1) was cored as HQ to 54.7 m and as NQ to 371.5 m depth. This hole initially intersected inclined (faulted) sediments. From about 50 m depth the sediments were approximately horizontal. The first 153.7 m included shales, sandstone and greywacke, and the hole ended in dolomite showing sulphide veins. However, no significant trace metal values were returned from drill core sample assays. Field work undertaken by UXA during the second licence year comprised the conduct of a detailed ground gravity survey across three geophysical anomalies during July-September 2007. A total of 776 stations were read on irregular grids at line spacings of 1 km infilled down to 250 m and station intervals ranging from 400 m down to 100 m. The new gravity data revealed the existence of adjacent magnetic and gravity anomalies near the Elizabeth Creek Fault, 1 km away from where previous drillholes SAE11 and WJD1 had intersected low grade copper mineralisation, as well as another gravity high lying further to the west and associated with large magnetic anomalies in a previously undrilled area. The former area, designated Tombstone Dam prospect, was chosen for drilling first. Vertical HQ/NQ diamond drillhole 07WJ01 was sited approximately 2 km west-northwest of WJD-1 (drilled by WMC in 1980) and 1 km north-east of SAE-11 (drilled by MIM in 1990). It was initially drilled during October-November 2007 to a depth of 865.5 m, at which point it was within Pandurra Formation redbeds, but was later re-entered during February 2008 and drilled to a final depth of 1205.5 m, terminating in an arkosic conglomeratic metasediment interpreted as being part of the basement Palaeoproterozoic Wandearah Formation. Drill core sample assay results failed to reveal any significant uranium mineralisation, although visible chalcopyrite and chalcocite confirmed an occurrence of stratabound copper mineralisation at a shallower depth than had been observed in holes SAE-11 and WJD-1. The assays indicated a 42 m wide interval with an average copper grade of 0.34% Cu, including 9 m @ 0.8% Cu, with the highest recorded value of 3.5% Cu coming from a single one-metre sample interval at 826-827 m depth. Vertical HQ/NQ diamond drillhole 08WJ02 was sited approximately 3km north-west of SAE-11, and relative to the location of hole 07WJ01, lies closer to, but on the opposite side of, the Elizabeth Creek Fault. This hole was initially cored during December 2007 and January 2008 to a depth of 1021.5 m, where the operating capacity of the drill rig became insufficient to safely continue drilling. After the rig equipment was upgraded, the hole was subsequently re-entered and taken further down to a depth of 1093.5 m, whereupon rig capacity was again exceeded. The hole was re-entered for a third time and was cored down to a final total depth of 1375 m, being terminated within what has been interpreted as a Pandurra Formation sandstone. During June-July 2008, Daishsat Geodectic Surveyors was contracted by UXA to conduct part of a large, multi-prospect ground gravity survey, which on EL 3432 was designed to infill existing coverage and extend the regional dataset. This survey subset comprised 579 gravity stations variously read at 800 m x 800 m, 400 m x 400 m and 200 m x 200 m grid spacings. A re-evaluation of all exploration data gathered to date is now being conducted by UXA prior to further drilling being undertaken. During licence Year 4, no work took place on EL 3432. During licence Year 5, after Straits Exploration Australia ('Straits') had farmed-into the subject licence, the following activities occurred: - Straits compiled and reviewed the existing mineral exploration data which was available from UXA and Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA); - UXA's previously acquired processed gravity data was compiled into Straits' South Australian exploration database; - 1:250,000 scale magnetic & gravity images relating to the EL 3432 area were produced by contractor Southern Geoscience; - inversion modelling of the gravity and magnetic data was completed over those areas where there was sufficient historic data coverage; - preliminary drill targets were identified from the geophysical models. Because they are situated in the WPA Core Area of Operations, discussions were initiated with the Commonwealth Department of Defence to gain access to drill there; - Straits began preparing to undertake aboriginal heritage clearance surveys of the proposed drill sites, if access became granted by the Department of Defence; - a paper was submitted to joint parliamentary - industry enquiry commissioner Dr Hawke regarding the ongoing need for mineral exploration access to the WPA [this enquiry being entitled: 'Opportunities for co-existence between the Department of Defence and the South Australian Mining Industry']; and - an application was made for the grant of a Subsequent Licence to EL 3432.