A licence consisting of three separate sub-blocks that are centred approximately 60 km WSW of Whyalla is being explored for possible economic primary uranium mineralisation plus precious and base metals, in a structurally complex epithermal and...
A licence consisting of three separate sub-blocks that are centred approximately 60 km WSW of Whyalla is being explored for possible economic primary uranium mineralisation plus precious and base metals, in a structurally complex epithermal and hydrothermal system that occupies a north-south tectonic and metallogenic zone known as the Moonta - Tarcoola Corridor. During licence Year 1, the licensee performed a review of available previous exploration data, and acquired infill gravity data over the central and southern licence sub-blocks, and collected and assayed 7 rock chip samples from the northern sub-block. 256 new gravity stations were read during October 2006 on 1 km x 1 km grids. During licence Year 2, Southern Uranium collected 423 soil geochemical samples from across the entire tenement area, and undertook a gravity survey of the licence northern sub-block during April 2008, when 490 new gravity stations were read on 1 km x 1 km and 500 m x 500 m grids. During licence Year 3, Southern Uranium performed reconnaissance field mapping to ground truth anomalous soil geochemical data; undertook further rock chip sampling (11 samples); and completed the processing and interpretation of soil geochemical and gravity data collected during the prior reporting period, as well as assimilating new data from infill soil sampling (484 samples) carried out on 500 m x 500 m spacings over the Hopcraft Dam prospect, where uranium values peaking at 250 ppb U were recorded over a robust 8 km x 1 km WNW trending uranium anomaly. A field reconnaissance trip was conducted to investigate a radiometric anomaly within Salt Creek that had recorded up to 18000 cps during a previous explorer's Geiger counter examination. Here the radioactivity was found to occur in small fractures, typically 0.5 cm to 5 cm wide. It appears to be associated with limonite/goethite infillings that can only be traced over distances of 50 cm along strike. The fractures appear to be concentrated within a 200 m section along the creek bed, with rare occurrences outside this zone. The anomaly occurs in the wall rock on the eastern side of a granite outcrop, with a similar zone detected on the western flank. The fractures occupy a migmatitic gneiss. There is no discernable alteration of the surrounding rock, although within the zone of the fractures, various pegmatites cross-cut the zone. It was interpreted that the radioactivity detected within the fractures is a result of scavenging of radium from fluids that have recently moved along them, probably emanating from the granite (which has elevated U). The radium has possibly precipitated in these narrow fractures upon reaction with ferro-manganese concretions. During the report period, consultant Matthew Hutchens conducted a geophysical data review for Target 1 (subsequently named the Juniper prospect), an isolated NW-SE magnetic anomaly of approximately 1500 nT amplitude that lies at the southern end of a NNE trending variably coincident magnetic and gravity high, and is situated approximately 30 km NNE of Cowell. No previous drilholes exist in the immediate vicinity of this magnetic anomaly, which appears to be located right on the margin of the Charleston Granite pluton. Inversion modelling of the airborne magnetic data suggests that Mesoproterozoic basement may lie at a relatively shallow depth (<150 m). K/Th/U radiometric data show scattered anomalies which correspond to granite outcrops and the exposed bedrock of Salt Creek, but their use is limited due to a significant depth of cover in the Target 1 area. Hutchens recommended that a ground magnetic survey be conducted along 100 m spaced traverses to acquire detailed magnetic data that will enable the further assessment of the structural setting and mineralisation potential of Target 1. At Salt Creek, immediately north of the newly identified Juniper prospect, a creek section of exposed bedrock was mapped and sampled. Mapping identified an haematite altered gneiss comprising 10-20% specular haematite in contact with a broad (~200 m wide) mylonite (kaolinised) zone. This mylonite zone was interpreted to mark the boundary between the Cleve and Spencer domains of the Gawler Craton. Interpretation of regional magnetic data suggested that this mylonite zone represents part of a major arcuate crustal structure (mapped as the Kalinjala Mylonite Zone) that separates the Charleston Granite (magnetic low) in the west from the Minbrie Gneiss (magnetic high) in the east. During licence Year 4, Southern Uranium continued to do reconnaissance field geological mapping to ground truth anomalous soil geochemical data; acquired detailed ground magnetic and ground gravity (117 stations) data at Juniper prospect in May 2009; and collected infill soil samples (totalling 1395 samples) at 250 m x 250 m spacing over the Hopcroft Dam prospect and at 100 m x 100 m spacing over the Juniper prospect. The ground magnetic data from Juniper significantly improved the resolution of the magnetic anomaly, both improving the shape of the anomaly from a bullseye to a complex N to NNW feature, and increasing its measured magnitude from ~2000 nT to 5000 nT. The gravity data acquired at Juniper on a 250 m x 250 m grid showed that the residual gravity response associated with the magnetic target is in the order of 0.3 mGal. It is thought that a gravity response of this size is probably caused by the magnetite content in the rocks which is also producing the large magnetic anomaly. The magnetic susceptibilities that were used to create best fit source bodies for the 2.5D inversion model of the main Juniper magnetic high achieved an approximate range of 0.4-0.5 SI, which equates to a magnetite concentration of 15-20%. Further ground geophysical work is required at both the Juniper and Hopcroft Dam prospects to define sites for exploratory drilling. The latest surface geochemical results obtained at the latter prospect have increased the tenor of IOCG prime pathfinder anomalism, making this the likely priority target for initial RC drilling. During licence Year 5, Investigator Resources ('Investigator' - formerly Southern Uranium)performed field mapping of the Hopcroft Dam prospect area to ground truth its interpreted anomalous soil geochemical data, which activity was accompanied by some limited outcrop/float rock chip geochemical sampling, and it also undertook the processing and interpretation of infill soil geochemical and new gravity data collected the previous year. Some minor soil anomalies were discerned in Ag, Cu, As and combined La, Ce, Th, Ga over regional north-west structural trends evident on the RTP derivative magnetic images. No field work was conducted on the subject renewed EL 4841 during licence Year 6. During licence Year 7, in May 2013, Investigator performed exploratory aircore drilling (25 vertical holes for 1399 m) of a number of geochemical targets within the northern part of the tenement. The results were highly discouraging. No further field work was conducted on EL 4841 during licence Years 8-10, before the decision was made to allow tenure to lapse.
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