Epenarra Project, Final surrender report for the period 4 December 2008 to 3 December 2012, EL 26776

Abstract

The Epenarra exploration license EL 26776 lies approximately 130km to the south-east of the township of Tennant Creek. The license was granted to Northern Minerals on the 4 December 2008 for a period of 6 years. The tenement originally consisted of 39 blocks and covered an area of 126km(2). EL 26776 was reduced from 39 blocks to 33 in February 2011, and at the time of final surrender on the 3 December 2012, covered 107km(2). Northern Minerals Limited targeted Cambrian phosphorite deposits within the Georgina Basin. The data review and compilation suggest that EL 26776 is in an area considered prospective for phosphate due to the Cambrian Gum Ridge Formation being interpreted to underlie parts of the license areas and is considered to be a potential host for phosphate mineralisation. Regional bushfires burnt throughout August 2011 which delayed on-ground activities scheduled for that time. In addition, mustering activities (aerial and on-ground) surrounding the Epenarra Homestead nearby, further postponed exploration. A second attempt in mid-November also had to be abandoned due to heavy rains in the region. As a result, it was not possible to complete the proposed mapping, sampling and drilling activities that were scheduled for 2011. It was anticipated that the proposed exploration activities would be undertaken in 2012, however due to Northern Minerals focus on other commodities, the tenement has been surrendered despite the prospectivety of the tenement for economic phosphate mineralisation as indicated by the data review and compilation, the area covered by tenement EL 26776 effectively remains untested.