Uranium exploration program, Pandanus Creek EL 1016.

Abstract

During 1980, a total of 1,634 m of percussion drilling was undertaken in 24 vertical holes. These holes were all located within the N.E. Westmoreland prospect JN Grid area. Planned drilling of the Ridge Top prospects was deferred pending the availability of a suitable drill rig. Analysis of the results obtained during the 1978 drilling programme emphasised the potential of the N.E. West- moreland prospect area compared with the other prospects tested. The importance of faults in localising uranium mineralization was also highlighted. Of the ten holes showing uranium concentrations in excess of 150 ppm U, seven were located in the JN Grid area. Of the remaining three, two were diamond holes with assay intervals varying from the usual 1 metre interval used in percussion holes, and the other hole encountered increased uranium concentrations through a faulted zone near the Main Range Fault. It was apparent that the spacing adopted during the 1978 programme was too broad to adequately test for an economic size orebody of the type which might be encountered in the region. Thus further testing at N.E. Westmoreland was planned, initially by a three stage drilling programme along the JN Grid. All holes were planned to test the top 25 m of Westmoreland Formation sandstone, some after intersecting the N.E. Westmoreland Fault (JN Fault) at depth in the sandstone. Results obtained during the 1980 drilling programme emphasised that the JN Grid holds the potential to host a significant uranium resource. Further, the grade of gold mineralization associated with some of the zones of higher grade uranium mineralization indicates that the area may also host a significant gold resource. On present knowledge, most emphasis should be placed on the western (upthrow) side of the JN Fault. A number of the mineralized intersections recorded to date lie close to track etch anomalies of varying subtlety, suggesting the usefulness of radon detection methods in areas of Seigal Volcanics cover provided care is exercised in interpretation of the anomalies recorded. The high grades encountered in WPD-60 may well not be representative of any large volume of mineralized ground. They do, however, provide encouragement for continued testing of the JN Fault Zone under Seigal Volcanics cover. As discussed in the text, the Ridge Top group of prospects also require testing by drilling.