1972 Jim Jim Project, EL 94, 95 and 249 phase I-II

Abstract

During the last two years, geophysics and drilling in four successive phases on the TC8 magnetic anomaly have led to the discovery of a mineralised ore deposit. It is clear that only the close spaced pattern of diamond drilling has allowed the present delineation of an orebody of limited size, rather similar in shape and tonnage to several others already being mined in the Tennant Creek district. Present calculations with a moderate grade of around 2.5% Cu equivalent indicate that this ore body could have a size approaching 1/2 million metric tons. Apart from deep drilling, efforts have been made in the last months to use concurrently other techniques such as the petrology of alteration and structural analysis to investigate thoroughly the possibility of additional drilling targets either in depth or an offshoot. It must be pointed out that deep holes to the 340 and 360 levels have not encountered significant mineralisation and consequently diminish chances of substantially increasing the tonnage in depth. Detailed structural studies on all the cores have ruled out the eventuality of offshoot bodies which were inferred in earlier studies. A possibility of extension is suggested by a slight modification of the plunge of the ore body from east to vertical then west. There are also some areas within the suggested mineralised zone which have not adequately been tested by drilling. Intersection of substantial shoots of high grade ore could alter the present economic picture.