Frances Maud Project EL 10043 and EL 10167 Third annual report 5 September 2004 to 4 September 2005

Abstract

This document is the Third Annual Report for the Frances Creek Project (FMP) comprising ELs 10043 and 10167. It covers the period 5 September 2004 to 4 September 2005. The primary target mineralisation is base metals within the carbonate/black shale sequence. This target has been formulated by the recognition of several similarities between the setting of the base metal mineralisation at the Rum Jungle Mineral Field and the Frances Maude project area. This correlation is based mainly on the recognition of the stratigraphic succession being almost identical in both areas - including two carbonate units. The mapped ages of the Rum Jungle Granite (Archean) and the Cullen Granite (Mid Proterozoic) is a problem but this is explained by the Cullen Granites precursor Archean age being obliterated by diapiric action. A GEMCO 210B auger rig was taken on site and existing tracks allowed access to within 10 metres of the peak of the Flying Fox Grid ground magnetic anomaly at 8503460N, 819100E (WGS 84). With 41/2 inch continuos flight augers drilling was possible only to 9 metres until ground conditions prevented further penetration. The only drill bit on site was a rock bit but this did not cut well into the increasingly hard quartz hematite schist, probably mainly due to the unweathered quartz content. Surface weathering had suggested that a deep profile of soft saprolite could be expected. This was not to be. The drilling had to be terminated. The hole was backfilled , the site rehabilitated and the rig returned to Batchelor. Some additional reconnaissance was carried out in the vicinity of the poorly outcropping ultramafic rocks north of Brumby Gap on EL 10043. This was done to try to establish whether those units belonged to the Zamu Dolerite suite or some other as yet unrecorded member of the Cullen Batholith. The hypothesis that the poorly outcropping target stratigraphy within the FMP area is composed entirely of Early Proterozoic carbonates and black shales with dolorite intrusions correlatable to the Rum Jungle Mineral Field remains in tact. The well-defined strong but small magnetic anomaly is definitely due to a concealed magnetic body. The coordinates of the stronger, shallower body are GPS WGS 84 8503460N, 819100E. The attempt at auger drilling this magnetic anomaly, although unsuccessful, has not downgraded it.