An evaluation of the base metal potential of the greater Beltana 'diapiric' complex was undertaken by MIM via field mapping, soil geochemical surveys and limited shallow rotary percussion drilling at historic surface workings on small showings of copper mineralisation. Folded Neoproterozoic and Palaeozoic sediments of the Wilpena and Hawker groups, which rim the more disturbed Willouran and Sturtian rocks at the centre of the complex, were studied, along with the central piercement feature, previously interpreted as a diapir, across which there is a fault repetition of about 5000 feet of Wilpena Group sediments. Examination of the latter has led to a revised interpretation for its formation, which is now attributed to a composite block faulting process that extended over a very long time interval, through three main stages and through two dissimilar submarine tectonic environments. Only the third growth stage is regarded as being probably diapiric, whereas the first and second stages are not. The effect on the distribution of soil base metal values of 210 small basic to intermediate igneous intrusive bodies mapped within the Beltana complex appears only to be minor and rather erratic. The rim rocks are likewise poorly mineralised, but tend to be richer in all metals than does the core of the complex. This observation is taken to indicate that the piercement zone acted as a fluid conduit due to its porosity and permeability, such that most of the hypogene precipitation of metals has taken place in the wall and roof rocks to the complex. 13 rotary percussion holes totalling 1458 feet were drilled at the Iron Blow, Red Range and Black Feather prospect localities to follow up the better soil geochemical anomalies. Assaying of drill cuttings returned elevated but non-anomalous copper (best result up to 1.1% Cu over a 10 foot thick interval in hole IBCW1, from within leached limonitic shales).