Third annual and final report for the period ending 26 October 2009 to 2 November 2012

Abstract

The Rockhampton Downs Project, located approximately 90 to 235 km NE of Tennant Creek, is a sub-project of Vale's Georgina Phosphate Exploration Project and covers Cambrian sediments of the Georgina Basin. The sediments of the Georgina Basin range in age from late Proterozoic to early Paleozoic. Outcrop within the project is limited with basement largely concealed beneath Cenozoic sediments. Phosphate exploration work on Rockhampton Downs has consisted of a AAPA Certificate, rock chip sampling, XRF analysis of 12 historic water bore holes, geophysical interpretive targeting, line clearing and reconnaissance reverse circulation (RC) drilling and rehabilitation. Modelling and interpretation from the geophysical study commissioned over Vale's Georgina Phosphate Exploration Project, previous drill hole data, distance from the Adelaide-Darwin railway, shelf morphology and 'Vale size' phosphate ore body geometries were all used when considering the exploration potential for Rockhampton Downs. The distance from the Adelaide-Darwin railway is a crucial factor when considering the advancement of phosphate potential on these tenements. As a result, the decision was made to surrender the Rockhampton Downs tenements.