Woolwonga Project 1988 Annual report.

Abstract

The Woolwonga Gold Prospect Is located on the McKinlay River 1:100,000 topographic sheet approximately 175 kilometres south of Darwin. The Wooiwonga gold mine was actively worked between 1889 and 1900, with recorded production amounting to 6604 ounces of gold from 7457 tons of ore. The mine was abandoned In 1901 owing to the refractory, low grade nature of the gold mineralization at depth. Water in the deeper levels of the mine also presented a major obstacle to mining. In 1907-4908, a further 833 ounces of gold were recovered by cyaniding 4600 tons of tailings. In 1983, a preliminary investigation into the hardrock potential of the Woolwonga gold mine was initiated by the Golden Dyke .JV partners following an approach from AC & G. Results of the appraisals were encouraging and an agreement was subsequently reached between AC & G and the GDJV partners. Anaconda, as managers of the GDJV, initiated an exploration program into the hardrock gold potential of the Woolwonga prospect in August 1984. A program of gridding, mapping, costeaning and diamond drilling was successful in delineating a major zone of auriferous quartz vein stockworlc/saddle reefs centred on the abandoned Wooiwonga mine. In 1985 Dominion Mining Limited bcame managers of the GDJV and completed a 13 hole diamond drill program on the property. The 1986 exploration program encompasssed detailed geological mapping at 1:250 scale and rock chip sampling over a surveyed grid covering the northern extension of the old workings. Costeans excavated in 1984 were also mapped in detail and resampled over anomalous zones previously defined. The 1987 exploration program consisted of detailed mapping and rock chip sampling on the northern ridge at Woolwonga, north of grid l2300N. Twelve costeans were completed for a total of 1380 metres. Mapping and sampling of these costeans plus selected portions of previous 1984 costeans was carried out. Two phases of reverse circulation drilling were completed during 1987, for a total of 134 holes for 8497 metres. An in situ ore resource estimation, as of 31 December 1987, was calculated at 2480000 tonnes at 3.34 g/t Au. Metallurgical testing indicated that ore was not ameniabie to heap leach processing. Further testwork on the four basic ore types was completed, Indicating the gold was recoverable by standard cyanidation techniques.