EL 1636 Fountain Head, Annual report for fifth year of tenure 20 September 1981 to 19 September 1982

Abstract

EL 1636 covering 8.99 square miles was granted on the 20 September, 1977. This is the Annual Report for the fifth year of tenure. The area of the Licence is now 1.28 square miles. Stephens (1978) described Geopeko's regional geological mapping in the Hayes Creek area, including EL 1636. Aerial magnetic and radiometric survey data, and ground follow up results were subsequently produced in 1980. During the 1977 to early 1980 period, Geopeko's exploration in the area was mainly targeted at the Iron Blow-Mt Bonnie mixed sulphide type deposits within the Kapalga Formation. However, exploration in the nearby Golden Dyke area in 1980 showed that lower portions of the South Alligator Group are also prospective for stratiform base metal/gold deposits. Orientation surveys in the Golden Dyke area indicate that these deposits can be successfully explored for using an initial programme of detailed geological mapping, rock chip sampling and stream sediment sampling. Work on EL 1636 since 1980 has been within the framework of a regional programme to assess the South Alligator Group metasediments for stratiform gold base metal deposits. The overall exploration strategy is broadly as follows 1) Regional stream sediment sampling and geological mapping. 2) Cross-strike soil sampling, detailed geological mapping and rock chip sampling. 3) Costeaning and drilling where warranted. During the 1981 field season Stage 1 was completed. During the 1981 82 wet season analytical work on both rock and stream sediment samples was completed, and the data assessed. Areas of apparent interest were ranked on the basis of this assessment, and the most interesting areas were subjected to stage 2 and in some cases Stage 3 follow-up during the 1982 field season. Areas of lesser priority may undergo Stage 2 and possibly Stage 3 follow-up in the 1983 field season. The regional geological context and the results of reconnaissance geological mapping within EL 1636 were described in some detail in the 1980 81 Annual Report (Nicholson and Radford 1981) and will not be repeated here. No analytical results had been received for stream sediments or rock chip samples atthe time of compiling the 1980-81 Annual Report and the assessment of this data comprises the bulk Of the 1981 82 work programme. The elements of stratigraphy recognised within the South Alligator Group, and the detailed sub-divisions adopted for the Middle Member of the Koolpin Formation are shown in the company report.