A small, 61 square km area centred ~40 km east-southeast of Hawker and ~60 km north-west of Yunta has been explored for possible buried primary and secondary process formed, structurally controlled gold occurrences, as well as for diapir-related...
A small, 61 square km area centred ~40 km east-southeast of Hawker and ~60 km north-west of Yunta has been explored for possible buried primary and secondary process formed, structurally controlled gold occurrences, as well as for diapir-related hydrothermal base metal mineralisation. The eastern edge of the tenement is bounded by a significant NNE trending fault line that passes through mineralised areas to the north such as Orama Hill. During the first licence year, David Miller performed the following work: - a review of all available geophysical data. This did not reveal any significant targets. The 400 m airborne magnetic survey data line spacing was considered to be too broad to show any response from the narrow gold bearing structures known to exist from evidence gained by historic mining activity in the tenement region; - 8 samples comprising 2 kg of minus 3 mm sieved stream sediment were collected and panned to obtain heavy mineral concentrates, following which the concentrate grainsize fractions between 2 mm and 1mm were examined microscopically to look for fine detrital gold. All samples gave negative results. To further investigate the eroded material, only one x <1 mm concentrate fraction was examined at this time, and in that a single micro-nugget (<1 mm) of gold was observed; - 7 rock chip geochemical samples were collected from the walls of shallow historic miners' pits dug into a thin mineralised horizon, for later assaying. A single sample from here previously submitted for assaying had returned 3 g/t Au. The workings, located along a narrow ridge line, contain copper and manganese mineralisation within narrow fractures and bands; - the previously recorded geology of the licence area was compared to the settings for gold mineralisation seen in the Cox Sandstone and Brighton Limestone units present within the Nackara Arc to the east, e.g. at Waukaringa, and also more distantly southwards within the Adelaide Hills. During licence Year 2, assay results for the early 2011 rock chip sampling were obtained. A maximum value of 135 ppb Au was reported from a single sample, but the other six contained <10 ppb Au. During licence Year 3, 21 additional 2 kg stream sediment samples, including several taken from sites upstream of the micronugget occurrence, were panned and their heavy mineral concentrates were examined microscopically. No free detrital gold was evident within the minus 3 mm to plus 1 mm grainsize fractions. On 26/4/2013, two portions of the tenement totalling 26 square km which on the surface had shown no signs of gold potential in the manner described were relinquished. The ridge line area having gold bearing rocks was retained. During licence Year 4, no field work was done. Another three portions of the tenement totalling 18 square km were relinquished on 27/3/2014. Plans were made to drill two RAB holes on the retained ground to test the ridge line lode at depth in a search for higher gold grades than the licencees' earlier rock chip sampling had revealed. However, due to becoming aware of the need to engage in costly negotiations for obtaining clearance to conduct ground-disturbing operations, it was soon realised that risk-wise, pursuing the proposed work would be financially unviable. A decision to fully surrender the remaining licence ground was made on 20/6/2014.
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