Report on Eldorado Mine, Tennant Creek

Abstract

Mr C Perry has applied for a loan of $10,000 under Part II of the Mining Assistance Ordinance to carry on Mining Operations on the GML 734E (Eldorado) at Tennant Creek. The Mine is owned by the following: Mr C Perry 24 shares, Mr C P Perry 24 shares, Mrs E M Perry 24 shares, Mrs H M Reed 24 shares. The area consists of 4.8 acres. The mine has been examined and sampled down to the 200 ft level, and a drilling programme totalling 550 ft in 5 holes was instituted from the surface. The sampling and drilling did not show any positive ore reserve in these two levels. There does, however exist the possibility of some low grade ore in pillars and remnants between the 100 and 200 ft level. This possible ore cannot be given a value nor related to this loan application. Sampling in the area of intersection between the east lode and the Pug seam fault on the 100 ft level did indicate a need fro some development driving in this area. It is recommended that, subject to approved security, a sum of 25,000 be granted to pay for - (1) Complete 100 ft of driving northward along the Pug Seam Fault on the 100 ft level at $25 per foot. (2) Payment of $1,000 to cover half the cost of preparing the mine. (3) Payment of $500 as half the cost of stripping the East Drive and completing 200 ft of sample holes in the proposed Drive. (4) Payment of $1,000 as half the cost of preparing the 200 ft level for haulage purposes. A preliminary inspection of the mine plans, surface and underground workings was made on the 22 February 1974. Following this inspection a letter was sent to Mr Perry asking him to stabilise the ladders of entry to the mine and to make safe the Plat at the 100 ft level. Further examination of the old assay plans indicated there were areas of interest in the end of the East Drive and the Western Lense on the 200 ft level. A further letter was sent to Mr Perry asking that entry be made available to the 200 ft level. On the 29 April a team of four Mines Branch officers, together with Mr C P Perry (SON) sampled the 100 ft & 200 ft levels. 34 days were spent on this work; a total of 114 samples were taken, bagged, recorded & taken to the Tennant Creek Battery for assay. Five diamond drill holes were laid out on the surface to test areas that were inaccessible to the underground workings. The diamond drilling programme commenced on the 16 May and was completed on the 5 July. It is regretted that all assays from underground & diamond drilling were not completed until 15 October. This was brought about by a break-down in our furnace at the Battery and pressure of other work at the Water Resources East Point Laboratory. A further complication was added with a total lack of gold in the diamond drill samples. This indicated the possibility that, the target (The Pug Seam Fault) had been missed. It was then thought advisable tocheck the original survey from which the diamond drilling had been laid out. The check survey was commenced on the 1 November 1974 and the results compiled by the middle of November. Absence from Darwin on Southern business, together with leave, accounted for further delays until now.