Partial relinquishment report 2012

Abstract

A number of field trips were made to the area during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Much of this area contains only country rock and deep sandy alluvium, covered by Spinifex and light scrub. Blocks SF53614V and SF5361Z on the Eastern boundary adjoining the Davenport Range National Park were previously covered by MC1218. The area shows some surface grading and there are vague reports of au nuggets being recovered with metal detectors, however, panning of samples from the flats and gullies failed to show any mineralisation, nor did considerable coverage of the area with metal detectors. The minerals recovered as reported appear to have shed from quartz outcrops in nearby hills to the east, which are now incorporated in Davenport Range National Park. Blocks SF53685F and SF53685G on the southern boundary adjoining the Davenport Range National Park previously contained MC1216. Library research failed to show much in records of this lease, however, on site work showed this to be a hard rock deposit with au being shed from quartz outcrops in the near hills on the east in what is now Davenport Range National Park. Some au nuggets may have been recovered on the alluvial flats below the hard rock deposit but reports are vague. During 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 years the other blocks being relinquished were traversed by 4wd and quad bikes with some difficulty with little of interest showing. In November of 2011 a 'controlled' burn-off in the Davenport Range National Park got out of control and burnt out most of the eastern part of the EL up to the Lennie Creek. The area was denuded of all spinifex and most of the light scrub. A further field visit was made with all of this area being systematically traversed by quad bike and 4wd. Most of the blocks now being dropped showed mainly deep sandy alluvium, with the rocky outcrops being mainly of country rock with little or no evidence of mineralisation.