Annual Report on EL 4856 Tabletop for 1987

Abstract

This report encompasses the exploration activities carried out on

EL 4856 during the 1987 field period. The tenement is being

explored by a joint venture agreement between TOTAL Mining Australia Pty. Ltd. (T.M.A.) and the Power Nuclear Corporation of Japan (PNC). The geological similarities of the region to that of the Alligator Rivers Uranium Field prompted T.W.A. to mount an exploration - programme based on that model. Some response was gained from the surveys, however the results are vague. The anomalies as defined by ground methods could reflect a number of geological situations: structure, contacts (?faulted), less resistive strata in the Lower Proterozoic but not necessarily graphitic facies or contrast been the highly resistive Depot Creek Sandstone and much less resistive Burrell Creek. Modelling of the results is still awaited from the contractors. Further surveys are planned for 1988 using a variety of ground methods. Regular sampling of the Depot creek Sandstone, adjacent to the unconformity, was continued from the 1986 field season. Spacing ws closed down to 500 m which necessitated going back to areas previously covered in 1986. The main aim of the programme is for Mg determination, i.e. to assess whether magnesium metasomatism has taken place reflecting the presence of possible uranium mineralization below the unconformity. Statistical analysis has determined that samples over 125 ppm Mg are anomalous. Only scattered anomalies were located both on the eastern and western contacts. No further thermoluminescence studies have been attempted but duplicate samples are available if required.