Combined annual report for MLCs 176 and 177 'Chardonnay' (formerly known as 'Explorer 11'), to June 1992

Abstract

The ground magnetic survey confirmed the ENE trending anomaly indicated by earlyer surveys. A detailed gravity survey indicated that the Explorer 11 magnetic anomaly is centred at the intersection of a gravity ridge trending slightly north of east and a NE trending break in gravity slope (possibly a fault). Orientation drilling was undertaken over the centre of the magnetic anomaly, which was followed by detailed vacuum drilling over the gravity ridge. Cu, Au and Bi anomalies confirm the slighly north of east trend established by the gravity survey. Several higher gold values on the westernmost line are not associated with Cu or Bi anomalies (eg. 210ppb Au, 2ppm Bi, 10ppm Cu). In order to test the possibility that the gold values may not have been related to underlying bedrock, a single RAB hole was drilled. This work confirmed a Au-Bi anomaly in colluvial gravel (average values of 0.046g/t Au, 18ppm Cu and 9ppm Bi), however the underlying weathered bedrock was not anomalous. Therefore it was concluded that the anomalous values of vacuum drilling did not come from the bedrock as the drill holes did not reach bedrock.