Roper Project EL 22478, EL 22479 and EL 22480 Group annual report for fourth year 10 August 2004 to 09 August 2005

Abstract

The tenements, after the reductions in Year 4 cover approximately 2231 sq km of Roper Group stratigraphy in the Bauhinia Shelf / Arnhem Shelf tectonic elements of the western McArthur Basin, envelope extensively mapped eroded ilmenite-bearing source rocks with considerable potential for large tonnage 'insitu', eluvial and colluvial heavy mineral accumulations. Titaniferous dolerite sills intrude Adelaidean Roper Group sediments at a number of exposed stratigraphic horizons. The dolerites have been subject to prolonged weathering and erosion during the Tertiary and Recent epochs through to modern day wet season cycles. Completed year one, two and three activities included: orientation soil and lag sampling of a number of these sills followed by a comprehensive auger drilling campaign testing the heavy mineral potential of three selected target areas; geological mapping; flora and fauna surveys; airborne and ground based topographic surveys; macro-sampling at BMC and Buka Prospects and channel sampling of shallow test pit walls on regolithic soils developed on regional dolerite sills. Year 4 activities have concentrated on further studies to beneficiate the resource and in trying to gain further commitment from potential mining partners.