Final report EL 23566 Plenty River Project for period 19 December 2005 to 27 July 2011

Abstract

Exploration completed during the term of EL 23566 involved airborne and ground geophysics and diamond drilling. Exploration comprised testing of aeromagnetic targets which were thought to be potentially diamondiferous diatremes in the area, and for the presence of nickel sulphides within interpreted layered mafic rocks. Loam samples were collected over 14 magnetic targets for kimberlitic indicator minerals (KIM), but no KIM were recovered. Airborne VTEM surveys comprised 524 line km at 250 m line spacing within EL 23566. Within EL 23566 the VTEM survey identified five anomalies. Ground follow-up was subsequently undertaken using a moving-loop ground EM system (MLTEM). A total of 29.8 km (25 lines) was completed locating two targets of interest within the White Gums Prospect area. These targets were named Foxes and Monkey Gnomes. Modelling of the MLTEM data prioritised sites for drilling. Drilling was completed in November 2009 and comprised four holes, 3 at Foxes and 1 at Monkey Gnomes, for a total of 1876 metres. Down-hole EM surveys were completed in the four holes drilled. Drilling intersected thick horizons of strongly foliated pyrrhotitic white-mica chlorite schist. Sulphide mineralisation was evident as blebs and disseminated stringer micro-veinlets. The micro-veinlets occur in zones that are semi-coincident with down-hole EM responses, indicating that the pyrrhotite mineralisation is the source of the surface EM anomalies. Slightly elevated base metals were encountered with the higher values reported within narrow veins containing sulphides. Drilling intersected considerable amounts of pyrrhotite in the metamorphic rocks of the area, but base metal values were all very low. The high pyrrhotite content of these rocks appears to be characteristic of this package of rocks. It is thought that these rocks belong to the Irindina Province.