Within an area of the Wilgena and Christie Domains centred 40 km north of Tarcoola, exploration is continuing for Archaean to Proterozoic basement-hosted epithermal, hydrothermal and metamorphic type gold and base metal occurrences. Here an 841 square km residuum of the ground which it had previously held for five years was regranted to Dominion Gold Operations on 19/11/1997 as EL 2460. During the first licence year, Dominion continued to explore geophysical targets that had been identified by MIM Exploration in 1997. Ground magnetic surveys totalling 90.1 line km were read at three prospects, and limited rock chip sampling (13 samples) of selected basement outcrops near the Quarry West prospect was conducted in March 1998 for laboratory assaying. The assay results were of low tenor, giving at best a peak value for lead of 355 ppm Pb. In September 1998, RC drilling of 4 inclined holes for a total penetration of 693 m was performed at the Quarry West, Trough North and Lewis Bore 1 prospects, to test IP and magnetic anomalies and provide 4-metre composite bedrock drill cuttings for laboratory assaying (74 samples). A zone of weak zinc + lead mineralisation was recorded over 16 m in altered rhyodacite at Quarry West, and scavenged, similar tenor base metal values were seen in the basal 50+ m thick carbonaceous black shale part of a 140-160 m thick unconsolidated sandstone and shale trough fill sediment sequence overlying rhyodacite at the Trough North prospect. No gold assay values of more than 4 ppb Au were returned from any drillhole. Rare to trace disseminated fine microscopic sphalerite > galena + pyrite were described from seven drill chip samples of some basement Gawler Range Volcanics lithologies examined in thin section. Hole 98TRDH001, drilled into the southern magnetic anomaly target at Trough North, failed to reach its designed depth of 200 m, and because the anomaly had not been explained by magnetic susceptibility readings taken of the drill chips, an additional 120 m long NQ2 diamond cored tail was drilled to a new total depth of 294 m. This tail intersected silica veined granite, which had been entered in the precollar hole section. No visible mineralisation was noted in this rock, and no anomalous results were returned from the 30 drill core samples assayed. During licence Years 2 through 5, no work was done. During licence Year 6, Dominion performed a detailed review of existing gravity, magnetic and historic drillhole data, before undertaking an infill gravity survey over the Lewis Bore – Birdsfoot area located 10 km south-southwest of Bulgunnia Homestead, where in June 2003, 450 new gravity stations were read at 250 m intervals along 18 north-south lines spaced mostly 1 km apart. Four selected samples of stored drill core from the SADME Bulgunnia 1 stratigraphic diamond drillhole that had been drilled in February 1986 were examined petrographically, seeking to find evidence of IOCG type alteration and mineralisation in fractured granitoid rock and likely felsic volcanic breccia. During licence Year 7, in January-February 2004, regional infill gravity survey readings (341 stations at 1 x 1 km spacing on 26 north-south lines) were acquired by new farminee Minotaur Exploration in the same central part of EL 3045 as surveyed previously. In a follow-up second survey acquired in May 2004, a further 308 stations of detailed coverage at 250 m station spacing were read along 15 variably offset groupings of north-south lines each with 1 km line separation, which outlined six new modest amplitude gravity anomalies which were given detailed geophysical modelling by the joint venture partners, that now included BHP Billiton. After reviewing the gravity data and modelling, the JV partners decided to drill four of the six targeted gravity anomalies in order to ascertain the nature of basement lithologies and alteration styles present in the vicinity of the Bulgunnia Shear Zone. During September-October 2004, 4 vertical or inclined RC holes totalling 1203 m were drilled by Minotaur, and gave the company mixed success. No Mesoproterozoic iron-oxide breccia systems were intersected: instead, the holes penetrated andesite – basalt lavas of the Gawler Range Volcanics, and Palaeoproterozoic marble and calc-silicate, that adequately explain the targeted gravity anomalies. 1064 magnetic susceptibility measurements were collected from the drillholes' cuttings for every metre downhole, and were then plotted and studied. Below the cover, the first-drilled hole TA04R001 passed vertically for 115 m through what is an unusual succession for the Mesoproterozoic Gawler Range Volcanics, and then entered unexpected mineralised Palaeoproterozoic rocks of unknown affinity. The sequence of buried Gawler Range Volcanics that was intersected comprises not only interlayered porphyritic rhyolite and andesite, but also four sedimentary rock intervals, notably sandstone (55–56 m) and pale green calcitic limestone (109–111 m, 113–115 m and 121–124 m). The lowest two of the limestone intervals, in samples taken at 112–116 m and 120–124 m, contain a highly anomalous molybdenum content, of 368 ppm and 479 ppm Mo respectively. More significantly, in this one hole the underlying Palaeoproterozoic marble and calc-silicate rocks are highly anomalous in silver, lead and zinc, except for their weathered upper ~8 m, with the remaining 102 m interval to EOH (148–252 m) averaging ~5 ppm Ag, 835 ppm Pb and 0.44 % Zn. Uranium is also locally anomalous, with a maximum value of 17.2 ppm U. The most anomalous part of the drilled section is from 164–168 m, where the peak assay values obtained are ~10 ppm Ag, 0.26 % Pb and 5.2 % Zn. When the drill cuttings from here were re-assayed at 1 m sampling intervals rather than the 4 m composite intervals, this returned higher peak values of 0.49 % Pb (164-165 m) and 9.36 % Zn (167-168 m). Petrological descriptions and petrogenetic interpretations were obtained for 14 samples of the differing bedrock lithologies found in the four RC holes, plus for another 2 RC drill cuttings samples of the most mineralised rock type, identified as a massive microcrystalline clinopyroxene skarn facies. A lead isotopic analysis performed on the above most Pb-rich interval in TA04R001 (164–165 m) yielded relatively low Pb206/Pb204 and Pb207/Pb204 ratios, which plot close to the evolutionary growth curve for lead at approximately 1650–1600 Ma. Further studies are underway to assess whether the primary lead-zinc mineralisation is of Palaeoproterozoic or Mesoproterozoic age. This is important to establish because, even though the host marble and calc-silicate rocks are Palaeoproterozoic in age, the forming of mineralisation within them may be Mesoproterozoic and related to hydrothermal activity associated with volcanism (Gawler Range Volcanics). Such mineralisation would then be identical to the lead-zinc mineralisation occurring at Menninnie Dam on Eyre Peninsula, which is hosted by the Palaeoproterozoic Hutchison Group, but apparently is genetically related to Mesoproterozoic rhyolite dykes. During licence Year 8, after BHPB exited the JV, the following activities occurred: • in April 2005, new infill regional gravity data (341 stations read at 1 km x 1 km regular grid spacing) were acquired at the A1 and Quarry East prospects located on Bulgunnia Station, to the south-west of the homestead, along with 123 additional observations made at the #17 Bore prospect along two peripheral north-south lines with a station spacing of 250 m. • five 2 km long N-S lines of dipole–dipole IP surveying totalling 1080 data points were acquired within EL 3045 at the #17 Bore prospect, using a 100 m transmitter - receiver separation and a 100 m station spacing, and delineated a series of modest to high-amplitude chargeability anomalies; • 3551 ground magnetic readings were taken at 10 m intervals along eight N-S traverses at the #17 Bore prospect. Interpretation of the data suggested a steep northwards dip for buried magnetic strata; • Over the period September to December 2005, one inclined diamond hole 255.6 m deep and seven more inclined or vertical RC holes for 1549 m were drilled at the #17 Bore prospect, finding anomalous molybdenum and zinc mineralisation within cored hole TA05D004, which was designed to intersect the lead-zinc mineralisation found by the initial RC hole on this prospect (TA04R001). The best mineralised intercepts made in the cored hole were 6 m @ 236 ppm Mo from the depth interval 186–192 m, with a peak value of 737 ppm Mo from the single sample taken at 191–192 m; plus shallower, 1 m wide hits of 3.33% Zn and 1.92% Zn from the intervals 168–169 m and 172–173 m. From examinations made of 10 drill core samples, it was interpreted that the now proven mineralisation occurrence is probably strictly skarn style, and of Mesoproterozoic age. It was inferred by Minotaur Exploration that a monzonite magma had intruded possibly into a subvolcanic sedimentary complex, with an associated release of metasomatising fluids then causing replacement of metamorphosed carbonate lithologies adjacent to faults. The three RC drillholes sited on positive IP anomalies (TA05R010, TA05R011, TA05R014) all intersected pyrite, either disseminated or concentrated within pyrite-only and pyrite+quartz veins. In zones, pyrite often comprises 2% to 5% of the lithology and very locally up to 15%. Seven selected RC drill cuttings from three holes (nos 10, 11 and 12) were examined in both normal and polished thin sections, and revealed a variety of metasedimentary and igneous lithologies having a complicated later metamorphic history as reflected by replacement recrystallised mineral assemblages. 1147 magnetic susceptibility and 18 specific gravity measurements were collected from the 8 drillholes' cuttings and core samples respectively. During licence Year 9, the following work was done: • part of a multi-licence ground gravity survey was acquired across the very southern part of EL 3045 in May-June 2006, in order to complete the regional gravity coverage of that entire tenement. It involved making readings at 63 stations, mostly on a 1 km x 1 km grid spacing. The gravity data defined a broad very low-amplitude anomaly, consistent with coincident exposures of Hiltaba Suite granite, and implied no potential for IOCG-style mineralisation; • an attempt was made in October 2006 to drill test the horseshoe-shaped gravity anomaly at the A2 prospect. However, the drill rig and associated support trucks could not negotiate the sandy access track, and the attempt was abandoned. Enquiries are underway with the aim of contracting another, more appropriate drill rig; • two southwards inclined RC holes for 466 m were drilled at the #17 Bore prospect during October 2006 to test a curvilinear magnetic anomaly and coincident positive dipole–dipole IP anomaly. Very high iron abundances (to <34.4 % Fe), anomalous Cu (to <0.4 %), anomalous Zn (to <0.9 %) and elevated U (to <27 ppm) were recorded in drillhole TA06R020, notably 44 m @ 22.6% Fe, 0.21% Cu, 0.53% Zn (16–60 m). The anomalous assay values derive from buried magnetite-rich metasediments (calc-silicate iron formation and cherty banded iron formation) grading upwards to clay-rich, very weathered saprock containing mainly limonite, goethite and haematite; the rest of the bedrock metasedimentary sequence penetrated consists of pyritic black shales and siltstones plus light grey pyritic quartzite and sandstone, along with minor andesite dykes. Rock unit magnetic susceptibilities commonly are in the range 15–40 x 10-3 SI, with rare values exceeding 100 x 10-3 SI. It was proposed, following the conduct of a ground magnetic survey, to drill another two RC holes (total 500 m) at the interpreted centre of the magnetic anomaly 500 m to the west, to further evaluate this mineralised horizon; • part of a multi-licence airborne EM survey was flown by farminee Toro Energy during July-August 2006, over ground lying west of Ealbara Outstation, to acquire 868 line km of data along N–S flight lines 400 m apart. Three discrete meandering palaeochannels were discerned within the AEM data which appear to originate close to a palaeo-topographic high located near the site of earlier drill TA04R002, and their potential to host roll front sedimentary uranium mineralisation in favourable channel positions will be assessed; and • an additional 13 selected samples of RC drill cuttings from 4 holes (nos 18 to 21) were examined petrographically in thin section during the year. Four samples were of Archaean differentiated igneous rocks of the Muckanippie Anorthosite. During licence Year 10, uranium exploration farminee Toro Energy drilled 12 open vertical aircore holes for 740.5 m on EL 3045 to investigate interpreted buried palaeochannel fill sediments. Assaying of drill cuttings samples from some of the holes by X ray fluorescence spectroscopy returned maximum values of 53 ppm U3O8, 52 ppm Th and 2000 ppm Zr, but generally the assay results were of much lower tenor. It was concluded that the known palaeochannel sediments present within the licence area are not likely to be prospective for economic grades of secondary uranium mineralisation. In other work conducted during the year, Minotaur Exploration in April 2007 drilled 5 extra vertical or inclined RC holes for 232 m at the #17 Bore prospect to test further buried parts of a large curvilinear airborne magnetic anomaly that was thought to reflect rocks wherein the JV's previous drillholes, further to the east, had recorded highly anomalous Fe, Cu and Zn. However, the contractor and the rig used could not cope with the ground conditions they encountered, and consequently, none of the latest holes reached its target depth. In the limited section of quartzitic basement intersected, no anomalous gold or base metal assay values were recorded, and so the nature and mineral potential of buried bedrock units causing the magnetic anomaly there remained enigmatic. 157 magnetic susceptibility readings were made on 1-metre hole interval drill cuttings collected from the two holes located at either end of the anomaly portion drilled. Minotaur's 2D modelling of detailed ground magnetic survey data (1446 stations on 7 lines, total 14 line km) that were subsequently read at this magnetic anomaly has suggested that just one thin magnetic horizon is likely to have been laterally repeated several times by folding to generate the observed feature, rather than it representing one lenticular and thick distinctly magnetic horizon. During October 2007, Minotaur also successfully drilled on the subject licence 1 of two RC precollared vertical diamond cored holes (TA07RD027 to 234.9 m) to test the western, 2-3 mGal highest amplitude sub-culmination of the A2 gravity anomaly (the other hole, TA07RD028 to 228.3 m, was located on the gravity anomaly's northern sub-culmination lying within the JV's northwards adjoining EL 3134 Mentor Outstation). Each hole penetrated coarse grained massive granite and medium grained grey granodiorite which were assumed to be compositionally layered co-magmatic Hiltaba Suite phases near the margin of a small pluton. No evidence of any IOCG haematite alteration or mineralisation is present. During licence Year 11, no work was done by any of the joint venture partners. Toro Energy withdrew from its agreement with Dominion on 5/12/2008, and ceased involvement with the renewed EL 4015. Minotaur began assessing the area's untested base metal potential, using existing data. No field work was able to be performed on the tenement because doing mineral exploration there, on ground located within the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA), had now become temporarily banned to all third parties by the Commonwealth Government's Department of Defence. During licence Year 12, no work was done by Minotaur. The discouraging results of its review of the tenement's IOCG and other base metal prospectivity led the company to withdraw from the Bulgunnia Joint Venture in December 2009. After this Dominion resumed managing the exploration commitment. To allow this liability to be met, Dominion prepared a submission to the Justice Hawke review of the protocols surrounding how third party access to the WPA is administered, and then made further application for issue of a new Deed of Access that would give the Commonwealth's future permission for entry onto its Mentor Project licences. During licence Year 13, following the granting of a Deed of Access to the WPA, Dominion made plans to drill test the "A1" gravity/magnetic anomaly, a major gravity anomaly sited close to the Bulgunnia Shear Zone. It was felt that previous drilling in this area by CRA (hole PD84GD1) and Resolute Resources (hole 97A1RC001) had not adequately tested the target. Dominion successfully applied to PIRSA for a grant of PACE Initiative collaborative drilling Round 6 subsidy funding to assist it with the drilling of this hole (as approved PACE Project DPY6-24). A field check of the site of the proposed hole and landholder liaison was carried out in June 2010. But at this stage it was discovered that the Resolute drillhole had been incorrectly located in both the PIRSA and Minotaur databases, and in fact, together with older CRA drilling, it had effectively tested the A1 target [the correct coordinates for Resolute hole 97AIRC001 are (GDA94) 481028E, 6654171N]. A detailed review of geophysical and drillhole data was then carried out with the objective to identify any remaining untested IOCG targets, but no priority targets were defined, and therefore Dominion was unable to proceed with DPY6-24. No other field work was done. A separate strategy to evaluate the licence's potential for economic iron ore mineralisation resulted in the production of an Information Memorandum in January 2011 entitled “Iron ore Potential, Gawler Craton, South Australia - Bulgunnia and Labyrinth Projects”. Several specialist iron ore companies were attracted to consider whether any of them would be submitting joint venture proposals. During licence Year 14, no work was done. Joint venture negotiations held by Dominion with Australian Metals Group Limited (AMG) were still in progress. AMG was planning an exploration programme to evaluate the iron ore potential of EL 4015 and 3 other Dominion tenements (EL 4237, EL 4238 and EL 4402). Completion of the JV agreement became delayed pending AMG obtaining a grant of access to the Woomera Prohibited Area. During licence Year 15, the access situation still had not been resolved by AMG, so no work occurred.