Final report on exploration program, Barrow Creek, Tantalum-Tin prospect Northern Territory

Abstract

All Prospects tested were found to be sub-economic. Potential for the existence of concealed mineralised pegmatites exists. During July - October 1981 prime Ta - Sn targets in the vicinity of ML642F in the northern part of EL 1958 were tested for their lode and eluvial potential. The programme included backhoe-trenching, auger drilling, sampling and geological mapping. Sources of Ta - Sn mineralization were pegmatites which were unexpectedly discordant with the regional trend. Ta - Sn grades, while geochemically anomalous, were clearly sub-economic. There was no significant enrichment in the uniformly-thin eluvial gravels overlying the pegmatites. Testing of blocks covering the pegmatites in the three main prospects showed a potential total of 5430m3 of low grade gravel containing 110kg of Ta2O5 with matching minor quantities of SnO2 Nb205 and WO3 (Average: 31 gm/m3 Ta2 O5).