Final report for SEL 8032 21 January 1993 to 12 June 1998

Abstract

SEL 8032 is located approximately 180 kilometres south - east of Darwin and 30 kilometres north - east of Pine Creek on the Mount Masson 1:50,000 scale map sheet and the Union Reef 1:50,000 scale map sheet. The licence, originally comprised of 44 graticular blocks, 142 square kilometres in area, was granted to Dominion Gold Operations Pty Ltd on the 21 January 1993, for a period of 4 years. SEL 8032 replaced EL 7551, EL 7602, EL 7705, EL 7513, EL 7486 and EL 7487. Aztec Mining Company entered into a farm-in with Dominion Gold Operations Pty Ltd, over the Frances Creek tenements, on the 21 December 1993. The agreement was registered with the Northern Territory Department of Mines and Energy on the 6 April 1994. Aztec Mining Company Ltd were the managers of the Joint Venture. Due to compulsory relinquishment, SEL 8032 was reduced to 22 blocks, 71 square kilometres in area, on the 21 January 1994. The tenement was further reduced to 11 blocks 35 square kilometres in area, on the 21 January 1995, at which time Aztec Mining Company Ltd withdrew from the Joint Venture. Territory Goldfields NL, which is managed by Northern Gold NL, acquired the tenement in May, 1995. SEL 8032 was renewed on the 7 November 1996, for a period of 2 years, expiring on the 20 January 1999. A waiver of reduction was granted on the 20 January 1997, allowing 11 blocks to be retained until the 21 January 1998. The licence was surrendered on the 12 June 1998. During the life of the licence, work has been completed by Dominion Gold Operations Pty Ltd, Aztec Mining Company Ltd and Northern Gold NL. Aztec Mining Company Ltd completed stream sediment sampling, geological mapping, rock chip sampling, soil sampling and RC drilling, during the 1993/94 exploration season. A total of 38 stream sediment samples were collected at 300 to 400 metre intervals along all active streams. The samples were analysed at Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and As using AAS/MA-3 method. Only 1 sample was submitted for Au analysis using BLEG method. The peak result was 123 ppm Cu, from Sample No. 586203, with corresponding values of 69 ppm Pb, 43 ppm Ni, 200 ppm Zn and 504 ppm Mn. Two rock chip samples were collected from outcrop encountered during the geological mapping program. These were analysed for Au, using fire assay technique, and Cu, Pb, Zn and As by AAS/MA-3 method. The samples returned results of 1,090 ppm and 1,240 ppm Cu. The soil sampling program was carried out to close off existing anomalies on a 100 metre by 25 metre pattern, and to extend the coverage over a 200 metre by 25 metre pattern between the existing anomalies. A total of 148 samples were collected and submitted to Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for analysis of Cu, Pb and Zn using AAS/MA-3 method. The work defined a stratabound cupriferous horizon in carbonaceous mudstone that is close to the granite contact. One RC drill hole, ASRC26, 58 metres in depth, and a water bore, 30 metres in depth, were completed. Samples were collected over 2 metre intervals and analysed at the Woodcutters Laboratory for Cu, Pb and Zn by AAS method. During the 1994/95 field season, Aztec Mining Company Ltd. completed stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, rock chip sampling and RC drilling. A total of 149 stream sediment samples were collected at intervals of 300 metres to 400 metres along all active streams with previously anomalous base metal geochemistry. Samples were submitted to Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for analysis of Cu, Pb, Zn and As, using AAS/MA-3 method, and Au using fire assay technique. The peak gold result returned was 6 ppb (Sample No. 697956). A total of 124 soil samples were collected at 25 metre intervals over widely spaced traverses. The samples were submitted to Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for analysis of Cu, Zn and Pb using AAS/MA-3 technique. The highest copper result returned was 95 ppm, with a corresponding Zn value of 269 ppm, from Sample No. 682765. A total of 4 rock chip samples were sUbmitted to Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for analysis of Cu, Pb and Zn, by AAS/MA-3 method, and Au by fire assay. The peak results returned were 0.21 ppm Au, 393 ppm Cu and 447 ppm Zn. Three RC drill holes were completed for a total of 151 metres. Samples, collected at 2 metre intervals, were riffle split to 3 - 5 kilograms and submitted to Assaycorp, in Pine Creek, for analysis of Au, by fire assay method, and Cu, Pb and Zn by AAS/MA-3 method. Northern Gold NL completed work programs based on digital and magnetic data acquisition and manipulation, and digital terrain modelling, from 1996 to 1998. This data aided in the determination of the best method of exploration to be used on the licence. A comprehensive literature review, aimed at evaluating the uranium mineralisation potential within project areas held and managed by Northern Gold NL, was completed at the Northern Territory Department of Mines and Energy, in April 1998. On completion of the literature review, the decision was made to surrender the tenement and rationalise the licences held and managed by Northern Gold NL.