Interpretation report Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Barringer Input System of the McArthur River Project

Abstract

This report provides an interpretation of the INPUT data obtained in a combined airborne electromagnetic, magnetic and radiometric survey flown on behalf of Amoco Minerals Australia Company over the McArthur River area in the Northern Territory. The survey was conducted during 10 flights between the 22nd November and the 8th December, 1976 from an operational base initially at McArthur River Homestead and then at Tennant Creek. The purpose of the survey was the exploration for metallic sulphide mineralization in conductive pyritic shale basins. Throughout the survey, lines were flown east-west. Initially line spacing was two kilometres for reconnaissance purposes, but lines spaced one kilometre and one half kilometre apart were flown in specifically responsive areas for more detailed mapping. A total of 2704.4 kilometres was surveyed. The project was conducted with a Super Canso PSY-SA under registration VH-EXG which is operated by Executive Air Services for Geoterrex Pty Limited. It was equipped with the Barringer Mark V INPUT system, a Geometrics 803 nuclear precession magnetometer, an Exploranium DiGRS-3001 spectrometer with 906 cubic inches of crystal, a Honeywell visicorder, an APN-l radio altimeter, a 50 Hz monitor and a 35 mm continuous strip tracking camera. Navigation was by visual means using airphoto mosaics at an approximate scale of 1:25000. The aircraft was operated at a mean terrain clearance of 400 feet. The planning and operation of the survey was carried out by R. Pedersen in consultation with W. Matthews representing Amoco Minerals Australia Company. Complete compilation, drafting and interpretation of the data was performed in Sydney, Australia.