Annual Report for EL 3240, period ending 19-11-1986 to 18-11-1987

Abstract

EL 3240 covers an area of 3 square kilometres (1.2 blocks) north of the Finniss River near Mount Finniss, adjacent to the Wagait Aboriginal Reserve to the east. Exploration is targeted at tin-tantalum mineralisation within pegmatites in the area. Any tin and tantalite reserves discovered will augment the mining operation conducted by J.C and D Walton at Mt Finniss. Four percussion drillholes were drilled on the licence using the previous year's costean results to identify useful drillhole sites. All holes intersected the postulated pegmatite at varying degrees and reached depths of 24 to 26 metres where they hit water. Sampling was undertaken on three of the holes at two metre intervals and assayed for Sn, Ta and Nb. The results are encouraging although the concentration of Sn, Ta arid Nb is patchy through the pegmatite. Although the general strike (210 degrees) and depth of the pegmatite has been identified its shape and thickness is stlll difficult to determine. It appears that it consists of a number of smaller offshoots which separate and rejoin along the length of the main pegmatite body. Costean Samp1ing - Four extra costeans were dug during September in the southwest corner of the licence following the strike of the pegmatite zone to the south. Samples were taken for tin, tantalum and niobium. At the time of writing this report the detailed results were not available, Results reported over the phone have indicated average results of 50 ppm Sn, 110 ppm Ta and 78 ppm Nb. Bulk sampling was undertaken over selected sections of the costeans and approximately 520 tonnes were taken for treatment.

250kg of heavy concentrates were recovered.