A large area of the south-eastern Flinders Ranges piedmont plains lying ~50 km north-west of Manna Hill, and centred on Mount Victor, is being explored for possible economic buried Neoproterozoic stratabound iron ore of low grade but probable high...
A large area of the south-eastern Flinders Ranges piedmont plains lying ~50 km north-west of Manna Hill, and centred on Mount Victor, is being explored for possible economic buried Neoproterozoic stratabound iron ore of low grade but probable high tonnage that may have formed in bedrock metasediments of the Braemar Ironstone member of the Pualco Tillite. During the first licence year, the joint venture partners started their work in September 2012 by acquiring a 2462.4 line km helicopter-borne detailed magnetic survey that was designed to more accurately define inferred extensive shallow subcrop of the Braemar Ironstone. This survey's coverage partially overlapped onto adjacent tenements. 221 north-south lines 100 m apart were flown with a towed sensor bird maintained at a 30 m mean terrain clearance height. The new helimag data gave much improved resolution of the magnetic stratigraphy over previously available magnetic data. Subsequent ground inspection of magnetic anomalies revealed a degree of structural complexity within the target Braemar unit as seen in outcrops. 23 rock chip samples were collected from selected outcrops and submitted for laboratory XRF assaying of an iron ore characterisation element suite. The resulting assay data showed little correlation between laboratory measured magnetic susceptibility and Fe grade, indicating the presence of significant haematite and/or martite in the surface environment. An initial exploratory RC drilling campaign was conducted in April-May 2013, when 17 inclined holes with a total penetration of 2978 m were completed. These holes were located in two places, to test the Braemar strata over strike lengths of approximately 2 km. The site selections for these preliminary drill traverses were based on ease of access combined with magnetic intensity and continuity, and also outcrop-derived grade information. All 17 holes encountered significant thicknesses of potentially economic iron-rich metasediments that it was decided required further assessment via DTR assaying and petrological examination. During licence Year 2, SPCM submitted 16 x 5-metre composite drill samples for DTR testing of their ore beneficiation potential, and prior to sending them away, detailed thin section petrographic examinations were conducted on these samples. The DTR test results showed that magnetite concentrate grades and recoveries are as good as, if not better than, those reported by most competitor companies with operations in Braemar Ironstone lithologies. A mixture of magnetite and haematite was noted by the petrologist as being present in all of the DTR samples. A further 359 selected 1-metre drill cuttings samples were sent out for laboratory assaying, to add to the data obtained from the 2581 samples assayed previously. The latest sampling aimed to evaluate iron mineralised intervals that were presumed to be richer in haematite than magnetite and hence generally showed weaker magnetic susceptibility. 4 grab samples of gossanous material obtained from the old Sullivans mine workings were also assayed. At the end of the year, PepiNini Resources gave notice that it wished to leave the joint venture. During licence Year 3, licensee Sinosteel Uranium did no new work. The existing drillholes were spatially surveyed with DGPS and downhole gyroscopic logging equipment before being rehabilitated. During licence Year 4, no work was done. During licence Year 5, no field wok was undertaken. Pre-existing data were collated for future further assessment. During licence Year 6 no exploration activity was undertaken. Some pre-existing data was collated and prepared for further assessment.
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