Fourth annual report for EL 8164 (Rankins) for the year to 14 December 1997

Abstract

Reconnaissance exploration continued during the year but detailed follow up work was conducted on the previously identified anomalous gold targets at Bee-eater, Raven and Ringneck. Surface evaluation at the Bee-eater prospect include rock chip and soil sampling and costeaning; the rock chip sampling returned assay values to 2.83g/t Au within thin iron stained quartz stringers, whilst low order anomalism was obtained in some of the costeans; ie. BEC 002, 12m at 126ppb Au. The Raven prospect was further evaluated by rock chip sampling, soil sampling, costeaning and RAB drilling. The rock chip sampling returned some high values ie. 30.5g/t Au and 10.2g/t Au, whilst the costean sample results were disappointing, the best result being 2m at 2.88 g/t Au from RAC1, RAB drilling was disappointing with no extensions of surface mineralisation obtained at depth. The Ring neck prospect was further tested by soil sampling, costeaning and RAB drilling. Results of the costeaning were low, the best intercept being 17m at 119ppb Au from RIC 001; RAB results were low with only one hole obtaining a significant result ie. WDRB072 1m at 14.2 g/t Au and corresponds to thin quartz veinlets observed at surface. The following old workings were tested with RAB drill holes Atlas, Golden Eagle, Coronation shear zone and Golden Goose South. Results were low, the highest result being 2m at 0.907 g/t at the Golden Eagle area. 22.8 line km gridding