Final report for EL 7034 Darwin River project 21 February 1991 to 15 May 1996

Abstract

EL 7034 lies on the northern margin of the Archaean - early Lower Proterozoic Rum Jungle and Waterhouse basement complexes. The southern margin of the licence is bound by a prominent E-W trending ridge of Acacia Gap Quartzite and minor outcrops of Wildman Siltstone and Koolpin Formation. In the north, subcropping Mount Bonnie and Burrell Creek Formation sediments form low hills. The majority of the licence is covered by a regolith comprised of alluvial sands, clays and laterite. Previous exploration efforts by the BMR, Uranerz and CEGBEA were directed towards uranium. Two prospects were identified, Brodribb and Lugg's, but radiometric anomalies were attributed to thorium rather than uranium. Work carried out by Aztec Mining Company Limited during the first year of tenure consisted of a literature search, rock chip sampling, -40# and BLEG stream sediment sampling and laterite sampling. Several base metal and gold anomalies were identified. Follow-up work on the two gold anomalies failed to duplicate previous results. During the second year of tenure RAB drilling over the base metal anomalies delineated a large (1700 x 3COm) Pb and Zn anomaly in the south of the licence. Geological mapping and ground magnetics were conducted. The peak geochemical high was tested with diamond drilling. Diamond drilling identified minor stratiform base metal mineralisation in a biotite schist of the Koolpin Formation stratigraphically above a limestone rich sequence. Follow-up stream sediment sampling failed to confirm earlier stream gold anomalies. No further work was carried out over EL 7034 and the licence was surrendered in early 1996.