Progress report on AP 2893, Finke Quadrangle

Abstract

An application for authority to prospect on lands situated in the southwestern portion of the Northern Territory, was lodged with the Department of Mines ar Darwin on 17 June 1970. Originally encompassing some 1948 sq miles, the area of interest was selected on merits established be a regional basic geologic data compliation and subsequent land status review. The Prospecting Authority number 2893, was subsequently granted by the Administrator on 19 July 1971 for a period of six months. However, because of a prior application covering a portion of the same ground, namely that covered by Flavelle Mining NL of Perth, WA, only 556 sq miles were allowed. primary objectives in this work were concerned chiefly with orientation studies, that is establishing geochemical and various geophysical background level characteristics with reference to the geologic setting, particularly those areas incorporating Precambrian rocks. Results of geochemical sampling of outcrops and stream sediments are shown in the company report in table form. An airborne magnetic and scintillometer survey, involving at least 500 line-miles at 1 mile line spacing, was conducted. Equipment used included a McPhar TV-5 scintillometer equipped with two 1 3/4' sodium iodide crystal probe units and a McPhar M700 magnetometer. Each unit was continously monitored by a Rustrac strip-chart recorder. Aircraft used was a Cessna 172. Line control was maintained by visual procedures. Results of the airborne work were not as helpful as originally intended due mainly to break-in problems. However, good results were achieved in indentifying Precambrian crystalline rocks and their boundaries with younger sediments where such were concealed by a shallow alluvial cover. Several anomalies (i.e. cpm values three times background) were identified but are not considered important.