Combined Partial Relinquishment Report for EL 9521, EL 9523 and EL 9524 Part of the Andrew Young JV

Abstract

This partial relinquishment report summarises the exploration work carried out on the surrendered portions of EL 9521, EL 9523, and EL 9524, Andrew Young JV Project Northern Territory from the grant date (18 July 2003) to the partial surrender date (15 July 2005). The Project forms part of a joint venture between BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd (BHPB) and Southern Tanami Exploration Pty Ltd (STE). The Andrew Young JV Project is located approximately 400 km west of Alice Springs in the south-western part of the Northern Territory. The tenement holding of 3 contiguous ELs straddles the boundary between the Mt Liebig and Mt Rennie 1:250,000 sheets. Through regional assessment in 1996, BHPB identified the poorly exposed Andrew Young Igneous Complex (AYIC) as having potential for Cu-Ni mineralisation. Exploration work on the Andrew Young JV Project area is aimed at discovering magmatic Copper-Nickel deposits associated with mafic intrusives. Interpretation of the 'Mackay' aeromagnetic data flown in 1998 by the Northern Territory Geological Survey showed that the AYIC was more extensive than indicated from the outcropping area. BHPB subsequently targeted what it considered to be prospective ground with a GEOTEM 25Hz survey in 1999. Interpretation of the geophysical datasets defined conductive anomalies that were considered to have potential for Cu-Ni mineralisation. This led to a joint venture with Southern Tanami Exploration who held some of the prospective ground. Ground follow-up of the anomalies was not possible until August 2003 as site access depended on a successful conclusion to a Conjunctive Agreement with the Central Land Council (CLC), granting of the tenements and a cultural survey over the target areas. A staged exploration program was undertaken culminating in the drilling of selected targets. All work was carried out on targets on the Mt Rennie 1:250 000 sheet. A search of previous exploration data in the region showed that no previous exploration had been carried out over the joint venture areas, probably due to the cover and the lack of good aeromagnetic data until 1998. The work program involved: Interpretation of previous GEOTEM survey and target selection of highest priority EM targets. Conjunctive Land Access Agreement with various Aboriginal groups comprising the Lake Mackay Aboriginal Land Trust, Yunkanjini Land Trust and Haasts Bluff Land Trust. Site clearances by the CLC with Traditional Owners. Ground TEM (Moving Loop EM). Surface geochemical sampling (magnetic lag sampling) over the priority targets as well as sampling of outcrops. Drilling of 5 holes for a total of 682 m (one hole abandoned-shanked bit). Ground Fixed Loop TEM and down-hole TEM to reconcile some of the targets. Petrological studies on selected drill chips. Rehabilitation of drill sites and access tracks.