A new broadband (104 to 0.01 Hz) MT survey array, comprised of four profiles having 1 km site spacing and 5 km line spacing, was used in May-June 2021 for collecting data at 63 sites to build upon two previous models of the electrical resistivity...
A new broadband (104 to 0.01 Hz) MT survey array, comprised of four profiles having 1 km site spacing and 5 km line spacing, was used in May-June 2021 for collecting data at 63 sites to build upon two previous models of the electrical resistivity structure within the crust of the western-central Curnamona Province. This work, all done within South Australia and funded in part by the ADI, has allowed the proponents to develop a better understanding of the dimensionality of a previously identified MT anomaly, as well as increasing the resolution of it for allowing comparison to other associated geophysical signatures. It was shown by the latest work that there is strong evidence for a low-resistivity pathway that extends into the upper crust from a large conductive anomaly, C1, that lies at ~20 km depth within the lower crust. It can be seen that C1 connects to three much shallower, separate conductive features that project towards the surface (C2, C3 and C4). The Jupiter conductive pathway is confined between two highly resistive blocks, and has been pervasively imaged at different scales in 1-D and 2-D inversion models. It may possibly represent a local weakness in the rheology of the crust, as it bears resemblance to the mineral system MT footprints known to exist beneath IOCG style deposits within the Gawler Craton. However, at this stage further investigations involving seismic surveys, drilling and geochemical analysis are required to better constrain the role of such low resistivity pathways in terms of defining a mineral system. Another part of the subject ADI project addressed brownfields exploration targeting at Havilah's Kalkaroo Cu-Au-(Mo-Co-REE) deposit located some distance away to the south-southeast, on EL 6659, again using multidimensional MT surveying methods. Here the University of Adelaide team collected data from 217 sites in total, consisting of 176 audio-MT (AMT; frequency range 10,000 to 0.01 Hz) sites and 40 broadband-MT (BBMT; frequency range 200 to 0.01 Hz) sites occupied from November 2020 to June 2021. An inner group of 120 AMT sites was collected over a 4 km NE-SW x 3 km SE-NW grid orientated towards 45 degrees true, using a site spacing of ~300 m to 330 m over the main Kalkaroo ore body and Kalkaroo Fault. An outer group of 97 sites was also later collected over a 10 km NE-SW x 17 km SE-NW grid aligned to the inner grid, using a site spacing of ~1.3 km over the Kalkaroo domes. It was found that at shallower depths the MT data broadly differentiate the more conductive graphitic pelitic hangingwall rocks from the less conductive footwall rocks. The most conductive areas seen are where more graphite occurs in the immediate hangingwall of the Kalkaroo orebody, as had been earlier identified by MIMDAS deep-looking IP surveys. The Kalkaroo Fault zone appears to be defined by an indistinct linear zone of more resistive rocks, but nowhere does it show up clearly. Between ?August and December 2021, Archimedes Consulting was separately commissioned by Havilah to perform magnetic data 3D modelling for both the Jupiter MT anomaly area and the Kalkaroo prospect, to try to map, via detailed magnetic susceptibility imaging, the subsurface structure and geology likely to be present in places that have not been drilled. The consultants used their proprietary ACM (automatic curve matching) method and specialised interpretation software and procedures to filter through and model most of the high and medium frequency magnetic anomalies present in the top 6 km of crust. The work done for Jupiter identified a deep seated high magnetic susceptibility zone lying partly beneath the Jupiter C2 MT anomaly, which may represent a major crustal structure conducive to forming mineralisation. At Kalkaroo, the modelling was able to define the main Kalkaroo Fault zone and several subsidiary, sub-parallel features. It also showed up some sections of folded strata in the vicinity of the Kalkaroo Fault. Prior to the commencement of the ADI-subsidised work at the Jupiter Project, a ground gravity survey was acquired by Havilah over the MT anomaly as a conventional means of detecting IOCG type drilling targets. 437 stations were read in December 2019 over a regular 500 m x 200 m grid. The results of this survey were unremarkable, with poorly resolved density responses in part arising from the effects of the thick cover, and no clear correlation with the MT features seen in the 2017 PACE Copper MT transect dataset was apparent. It was concluded by Havilah that the results of the subject ADI project had successfully revealed new places in which the company will seek to firm up exploration targets for drilling.
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