Possible economic gold and stratiform / stratabound base metal sulphide deposits, that had been surmised to have formed within certain reactive metasedimentary units in folded and faulted Cambrian strata lying between Mount Pleasant and Strathalbyn in the Mount Lofty Ranges, were the targets of exploration activity conducted by Esso in response to the recent discovery by SADME workers of the Mount Torrens Pb-Zn deposit utilising geochemical methods. After reviewing the past exploration results, Esso chose initially to undertake an aerial multispectral scanning survey, detailed geological mapping and rock chip sampling of ironstone and gossanous outcrops, and grid-based soil sampling in five areas to identify such mineralised strata and to assess many previously reported but untested geochemical anomalies. The latter sampling produced some significant geochemical anomalies, generally of Pb, Cu and As, associated with known gossans in the vicinity of Fendlers Hill. Image processing of the available aerial geophysical data was also performed, which gave some new insights into regional structures and tectonics. To evaluate the untested soil base metal anomalies, a programme of percussion drilling comprised of between 8 and 15 inclined holes, each to be put down to ~150 m depth to penetrate strata below the Nairne Pyrite Member, was planned for November 1986, but ultimately this was not carried out, owing to problems of gaining access onto private land that is exempted from the provisions of the SA Mining Act. After work progress had become stalled for more than a year, Esso decided to transfer ownership of the licences to another company. The new licensee, City Resources, commissioned a study of the gold potential of the acreage since, formerly, systematic regional exploration for this commodity appeared not to have been done. Three priority areas near the Bremer Fault zone, and in the broader Kanmantoo - Wheal Ellen and Woodside - Birdwood localities were then identified as having potential for economic Au mineralisation in structural and/or stratigraphically - controlled settings. Gold in epithermal quartz veins related to the Bremer Fault, which exist near the historic Duke Of Cornwall workings, plus a likely alteration / stockwork system associated with the Palmer Granite western margin, and also, any country rock replacement / skarn type mineralisation associated with igneous intrusions into the Strangway Hill Formation / Milendella Limestone Member, were mooted as the most attractive targets to pursue. In addition, a lineament - aligned breccia body with related doleritic dykes lying north-west of Woodside was seen as having a diamondiferous kimberlite interest due to its proximity to the Echunga diamond occurrence. However, for undisclosed reasons no further field work took place on the licences before they were largely reduced in area in early 1988, and then finally surrendered in late 1988.