Annual Report EL 2719 for 16-02-1981 to 16-02-1982.

Abstract

This is the first Annual Report for Exploration Licence 2719 covering the period from 16th February 1981 to 16th February 1982, outlining the exploration activities conducted by Geopeko on behalf of the Licence holders Peko Wailsend Operations Limited (60%) and the Shell Company of Australia Limited (40%). EL2719 covers an area of approximately 1080 square kilometres in the Bonney Well/Tennant Creek locality. No formal access exists to the area, though the Stuart Highway forms the most part of the eastern boundary. A graded dirt track extends westwards from Kelly Creek in the northern part of the licence area (see TF 2300) and this, together with a few minor tracks to gravel pits west of the highway, are the only access tracks in the area. The major part of the licence area is covered by low broad sand dunes, spinifex and shrubs, with scattered outcrop. A number of small but prominent quartz ridges are aligned in a N-S direction in central and eastern parts of EL 2719, and alluvium, minor chalcedonic Limestone and a swamp area (Porcupine Swamp) cross the western limits of the exploration licence. Lower Proteroaoic Warramunqa Group rocks outcrop in the eastern part of EL 2719. These rocks host gold, copper and bismuth mineralization within ironstone bodies at Tennant Creek and at depth below overlying Cambrian lithologies in the Rover area to the west of EL 2719. It is hoped that the remote geophysical methods that have been useful in these areas will also be successful in locating similar mineralized ironstone bodies in EL 2719. Aerial photographs were produced (both colour and black and white) at a scale of 1:50 000 over the whole of the licence area. Outcrop and access tracks were located on the ground as accurately as possible using the photographs. The photographs are being used in regional mapping, currently hampered by recent wet weather. To date lithologies mapped are as predicted (Hatches Creek sandstones and quartzites, and Warramunga siltstones). Outcrop is poor and although broad hills appear on the aerial photographs, outcrops are very small, with few rocks in situ. An aeromagnetic survey has been flown over those parts of EL 2719 not previously covered, between longitudes 134 10' and 134 15' (see TF 2493) . Results have been incorporated on base sheets as total magnetic intensity contours at a scale of 1:50 000 (see Appendices 1,2 & 3). This most recent aeromagnetics coverage shows minor Tennant Creek type anomalism in the southern part of the Licence area. Two electromagnetic (INPUT) lines were flown in a NNE-SSW direction over known magnetic anomalies in the eastern part of the licence area and raw data has been received but not interpreted in detail. One observation is that many anomalies (conductive zones) were picked up which did not correspond to airborne magnetic anomalies. The survey was done to test whether ground conductivity in the area rules out airborne EM geophysical surveys as a means of detecting magnetic ore bodies. Total expenditure on Exploration Licence 2719 for the first twelve month term was $49,321. Although the twelve month period ended on the 16th February 1982, the expenditure figure given is taken from Geopeko monthly financial statements up to the 31st January 1982. The minimum expenditure commitment as prescribed under Section 1 of the Terms and Conditions schedule of the Exploration Licence granting document was $20,000.