Annual report on EL 24312, year ending 24 January 2009

Abstract

During this reporting year, a review of all previous work and investigations was completed with a view to selecting targets for potash exploration, based largely on petroleum data. Radiometric data was purchased and imaged, with a view to identifying Uranium targets. RECOMMENDATIONS - Drilling of one deep RC hole to intersect the top of the Cambrian. The Chandler Formation is the primary target for potash mineralisation. In the eastern part of the Amadeus Basin, the Chandler Formation contains thick sequences of evaporitic rocks. Halite beds range in thickness from less than 50m to over 1,000m and average 470m thick in the Rodinga area. These thickness variations are accentuated in areas of structural thickening due to salt tectonics. Within the Rodinga project area the Mt Charlotte No1 well intersected a 225m thick section of Chandler Formation halite from 710 metres depth to the bottom of the hole and the Bluebush No1 well intersected 690m of halite from 786 metres depth. These intersections occurred between depths of 700 and 1,500m, within the depth range of economic exploitation. The Chandler salt has high bromine levels that suggest precipitation from late stage brines which is a positive indicator for the presence of potash salts. The main Chandler Formation target interpreted from seismic surveys in the Rodinga Project is a basinal depression target at Camel Flats, just north of Bluebush No1. Other targets are areas of thickening of the Formation in diapers and basinal depressions adjacent to salt diapers and salt walls derived from the underlying Bitter Springs Formation. Potential exists for large flat-lying Canadian-type potash deposits as well as diapir related European-style potash deposits. Further analysis will be carried out using existing and new geophysical, geochemical and geological data to better define potash mineralisation targets within the Chandler Formation. Within the Bitter Springs Formation, the evaporitic Gillen Member is the target horizon for potash mineralisation. It was deposited in the Neoproterozoic and comprises interbedded carbonates, sulphates and halite beds typical of a marine evaporitic sequence. It is widely distributed throughout the Amadeus Basin covering an area significantly greater than the Chandler Salt. The thickness of the Gillen member averages 800m but varies from 100m to more than 2,000m with the thickening of the beds mainly due to salt tectonism. Halite units are common within the Gillen Member but have been poorly tested by drilling, with a number of holes terminating in halite units at considerable depths. In the Rodinga project area, two drill holes ended in the Gillen Member, Mt Charlotte No1 after intersecting 556m and Bluebush No1 after intersecting 85m of this formation. Halite beds up to 60m thick were intersected in the Gillen Member in the Mt Charlotte hole. Bromine levels in the Gillen Member vary from 130-190ppm indicating precipitation of salts occurred from late stage brines. Potential exists for both large, flat-lying, Canadian style as well as diapir related potash mineralisation within the Bitter Springs Formation. Further work is required to establish the best target areas for potash mineralisation. Bore hole location and analytical data was purchased from the Conservation and Natural Resources Group to cover the whole of the Rodinga 1:250,000 sheet. A suitable potash target is shown to the north of the area delineated by the purple arrow. This area is associated with diapiric activity, with the salt flowing into the 'expanded' Chandler beds along with possible potassium rich sediments. Radiometric data was purchased in 2006 and reprocessed, producing a RGB image of various elements (K, Th and U). The main target could be tested by drilling a deep hole to approximately 2100 metres to intersect the base of the Arumbera Formation, on the diapiric structure, possibly angled south so as to enable logging of discernable bedding. However, an initial 300 metre vertical hole will be drilled to test for elevated potassium values within the diapir. During the previous years several site visits were made to determine the tracks that would be used by the drilling crew. The local landowner raised concerns about the damage that could be caused by the movement of heavy trucks and several initiatives including heavy watering the track to provide a firm base have been considered. One was marked out in preparation for drilling. A location map showing an area within which the hole has been sited. A revisit was made to confirm the state of the drilling site and liaise with the landowner. Finally, a rig capable of drilling to 2000m has become available. It is currently drilling in Western Australia and hopefully will be mobilized in late May 2009.