Final report for EL 23686 Baines Project, 13 February 2004 to 12 February 2008

Abstract

The Baines project (EL23686) is located 60km south of the Victoria Highway, about half way between Amanbidji and Humbert River, in the Gregory National Park in the Victoria River District. The area is considered to be prospective primarily for diamond deposits, though other targets are also of interest. The Baines Project is situated in the Victoria-Birrindudu Basin, a weakly deformed, Palaeo to Mesoproterozoic (1800-1430 Ma) sequence of carbonate, sandstone and shale units. These sediments are capped by areas of lower Cambrian Antrim Plateau Volcanics and laterite. The Victoria Basin unconformably overlies Palaeoproterozoic Rocks. During the first three years of tenure work conducted on EL23686, consisted of: Literature research of previous exploration, geological survey and geophysical survey over the EL and surrounding district. Data compilation. Acquisition and interpretation of departmental geological and airborne geophysical data sets. Research on the geology and exploration signatures encountered in the district, including discussions with former Ashton Mining personnel. Field geological reconnaissance. Reconnaissance stream sediment sampling. Analysis by low level scans for 53 elements including precious metals and platinoids. Reconnaissance heavy mineral sampling, particularly for diamonds. Processing and examination of heavy mineral samples. Interpretation of results. Planning and budgeting. Liaison with other stakeholders in the area continued particularly with the National Parks authority and the adjacent landholder at Humbert River Station. The review of previous work revealed that the sampling density for diamonds in the area was lower than that in many surrounding districts, where some encouragement has been encountered, some draining ultimately from the highlands within the EL. There is little if any recorded sampling in the south eastern sector of the EL. This is probably because of the relative inaccessibility of the area, relatively poor drainage development on the Sturt Plateau area, and the presence of widespread scrubby vegetation cover on the plateau.