Mount Masson Tin-Gold Project, Northern Territory, Annual Report for 1983 Exploration

Abstract

The Jessops-Mount Masson mining area lies approx 145 kms south east of Darwin and 55 kms north of Pine Creek. Access from Darwin is by the Stuart Highway to the Fountain Head turn off approximately 160 kms south of Darwin. Thence 13 kms north to the old Fountain Head siding, thence east via Grove Hill to the Mount Wells battery (32 kms), thence approximately 35 kms north east along the Mount Wells Mary River road. The road to Fountain Head is sealed, from Fountain Head to the project area the road is a good quality gravel road. The old Jessops Mine lies approximately north of the Mount Wells Mary River road and the old Mount Masson workings lie approximately 1 km south of the road. Numerous mine and exploration tracks provide good access around the project area. The area is generally of strong relief, particularly towards the south where slopes of 300 have been measured. Outcrops tend to be blocky and rubbly and hinder vehicle access. However, many of the stream beds are soil filled and further assist access, Vegetation is generally light and does not impede access. Most of the streams draining the area originate in hills around the Mount Masson mines and drain northwards around the Jessops area. Stream bed gradients are sufficiently steep to ensure rapid run off of the December-April wet season rains, although black soil development in some drainage systems can retain water for considerable periods and be hazardous to vehicle movement early in the field season. The McKinley River, between Mount Wells and the project area, is the most serious limitation to access. The river is crossed approximately 15 kms south of the project area. The river drains a large catchment area and responds rapidly to heavy rains and may cut the road for several days. In extended wet seasons the crossing has been impassable for several months.