Third annual report EL 8434 Nicker for the year ending 17 April 2003

Abstract

Tanami Gold NL (TGNL) commenced exploration on EL 8434 during the 2002 field season. In addition to compilation of previous district exploration data and a regional scale bedrock interpretation, TGNL conducted rockchip and lag surface geochemistry, and vacuum and RAB drilling. Elevated gold and arsenic values were identified from reconnaissance geochemical exploration providing encouragement to continue systematic geochemistry over the tenement. Substantial areas of prospective host lithology remain untested by first-pass geochemical exploration. Geological compilation of the Arunta Proterozoic basement in the Mt Doreen region has highlighted the existence of prospective hosting lithologies and deformation history. Thick successions of complexly deformed metasedimentary Lander Rock beds comprise similar lithologies and are believed to be stratigraphic equivalents of the Tanami Group which hosts mineralisation in the Tanami region. Phases of deformation are also believed to correlate with major orogenic deformation events in the Tanami and Central Australia. Metallogenic data compiled from previous exploration and known base metal occurrences within the Mt Doreen district provides additional encouragement. This report compiles background geology and previous exploration, and documents first-pass systematic geochemical exploration conducted by TGNL on EL 8434 during the 2002 field season. EL 8434 was explored jointly with TGNL's 100% owned Mt Doreen Project which lies immediately east of EL 8434. The exploration strategy in the first year was to assess the controls on existing anomalism and mineral occurrences on the neighbouring Mt Doreen Project, and to commence reconnaissance and systematic geochemical exploration over areas of residual regolith terrain and shallow transported cover on EL 8434.