Evaluation of possible commercial, buried stratiform copper deposits in the Willouran Ranges south of Marree was the objective of geological mapping, geochemical sampling and shallow drilling undertaken by Noranda. Their interest in the region was prompted by earlier reported intersections of significant copper values during shallow wagon drilling at the historic, abandoned Breaden Hill mine and surface workings. Initial work consisted of reconnaissance geological mapping around previously identified geochemical anomalies, at several old mineralised copper showings located throughout the licence. Known mined occurrences of secondary copper ores, particularly the Breaden Hill and Boorloo prospects, were then addressed by surface and underground geochemical sampling and by assessing, from inspection and further drilling, the ore grade, likely tonnage and its depth of oxidation. During November-December 1968, percussion drilling of the unmined, concealed portion of the oxide zone at Breaden Hill (53 vertical holes, total 3479 feet) was undertaken, and interpretive drill cross-sections were prepared. The tonnage and grade of oxide copper ore (malachite plus minor cuprite and chalcocite) that was indicated by the drilling is 98,700 long tons averaging 1.39% Cu, confined to a relatively small near-surface zone, approximately 250 feet long by 150 feet wide, at the southern end of the prospect. Although the scope for open cut mining of this resource was seen as untenable by Noranda, they recognised that it would have some value to a small syndicate for mining in small parcels with minimal site facilities, except for local concentrating of the raised ore. Accordingly, three Mineral Claims (nos 5434 - 5436) were pegged on 29/4/1969, to cover all of this prospective ground.