Annual report for 1980, EL 1731 Welltree, NT project 821

Abstract

Trace copper detected. Uranium values in bore holes are erratic and further work is recommended to evaluate this result. EL 1731, Welltree, occupies an area of about 189.6km astride the Reynolds River flood plain about 80km south west of Darwin. An area of about 59.96km contiguous with the southern boundary of EL 1731 has recently been granted as EL 2562, Soda Springs. ELs? 1731 and 2562 lie within the area bounded by the southern edge of Wagait Aboriginal Reserve and latitude 13 and longitudes 13030? and 1340?. EL 731, which is in the Litcfield Province, was acquired due to similarities in the - geological environment with that in the Alligator Rivers region. Features which the two areas have in common are: A similar marginal relationship to the main part of- the Pine Creek gecsyncline. Granitic rocks with intrusive/anatectic/migmatitic character. Regional gravity patterns apparently indicative of relatively shallow- basement areas, and hence the possibility of near surface basal Proterozoic- metasediments. Metasediments having a distinctive magnetic EM signature. Work done in 1979 enabled a tentative correlation to be made between the succession of metasediments in the EL and the South Alligator Group of the Pine Creek Geosyncline. The major aim of the 1980 investigations was to test the possibility of mineralization of the Roxby Downs type, associated with the large gravity anomaly in the EL area. This involved a detailed investigation of gravity patterns, followed up by deep diamond drilling. Preparatory work occupied part of March, and April, while field work commenced early in May and continued through to late November.