Annual report for EL 26813 Newcastle Waters for the period ending 26 April 2011

Abstract

This report describes exploration activities during the second year of tenure for EL 26813. The Newcastle Waters project is a joint venture between Minemakers Australia Pty Ltd (MAP) and Geotech International Pty Ltd. Exploration is aimed at the discovery of economic phosphate deposits proximal to the Alice Springs-Darwin railway. Preliminary research involved a study of the airborne magnetic and radiometric data and assays of water bore cuttings for phosphorus content. The magnetics indicate the presence of basement highs and embayments, features considered to favour phosphorite accumulation. The target stratigraphy is known to be flat-lying to gently dipping and it was considered that any near-surface phosphorite would display a geochemical signature that could be identified by coarse-spaced sampling. Seven reconnaissance traverses were planned and five were completed in the field by the writer and a field assistant. Seventy-one soil samples up to 2kg were collected 15-30cm below surface. Fourteen rock chip and/or grab samples consisting of subcropping sediments (7 samples) and various carbonated or dolomitic travertine (5) and silicified (2) scattered lags were collected from various localities. Scintillometer and magnetic susceptibility readings were recorded at each soil sample site. This work was undertaken in August 2010.