First annual report on EL 9431 (Colt) for the period 13-06-1996 to 12-06-1997

Abstract

The exploration programme in the first year of tenure included reprocessing and interpretation of available aeromagnetic data, regolith mapping geological mapping, rock chip sampling, petrological analysis and RAB drilling. Geological mapping was restricted due to limited outcrop and prohibited access to sacred site sreas. As part of the geological mapping, 78 rock chip samples were collected mainly from laterite and rock exposures along the gas pipeline. Results were generally low although there were some elevated Fe, Mn, Cr values. Two samples showed the highest Au values at 5ppb. Thin section analysis was completed for ten hand specimen samples. This analysis indicated that the majority of specimens were greywackes with constituent grains derived from acid volcanic lithologies. The local aeromagnetic interpretation on EL 9431 suggested that the magnetic units are Warramunga Formation. A regolith map was made for the licence using aerial photography and field inspection. The large areas of depositional regolith present would make soil sampling results unreliable and vacuum drilling would therefore be required. 12 RAB holes were drilled and 3 geochemical samples were taken from each hole. Nine of the 12 holes intersected tuffs with a shallow aeolian/colluvial cover.