Report on Heavy Mineral Exploration February 1989.

Abstract

Available geological data and prospecting records pertaining to the area were collected, and 1983 black-and-white aerial photographs, scale 1:89,000, were obtained. The crew then travelled to Elliott and completed 9 days of field work.

The program was concentrated on the central section of the main dune, as well as one sampling traverse covering dunes along the access track. Surface sand samples were collected with a hand auger, usually to a depth of 60cm, giving a 4-5 kg sample. In all, 105 samples were taken. The sample locations were plotted on the 1:100,000 prelimary topographic map of Lake Woods (No. 5562). The samples were taken back to Alice Springs, where they were split, and a portion sent to Analabs in Adelaide for XRF assay of Ti, Y, Zr and Th. Another portion of each sample was later panned by hand, to give a rough visual estimate of the quantity and type of heavy mineral present. The remainder of each sample was stored at Macmahon's premises at 52 Smith Street, Alice Springs.