Base metal mineralisation in the Southern Georgina Basin, Central Australia: an assessment of drill core samples. Baldwin 1, Hacking 1, Hunt 1 and DD92EC1

Abstract

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), Mincor Zinc Pty Ltd. and Mincor Resources NL, an affiliate of and the sole shareholder in Mincor Zinc Pty Ltd., entered into a joint venture agreement to carry out lead-zinc exploration in the southern part of the Georgina Basin, Northern Territory on 6 June 2008. Prior to entering into the joint venture agreement, JOGMEC investigated some core samples from previous drill holes located in and around the project area to understand characteristics of base metal mineralisation and assess its resources potential. The results of geological assessment of drill core samples are outlined in this report. Four drill holes located in the southern part of the Georgina Basin were sampled from the Core Facility Alice Springs of Northern Territory Geological Survey for geological assessment to be undertaken by JOGMEC. With sampling of the drill cores, lithology and mineralisation of the drill holes were examined. Polished thin sections were also created and examined under a microscope. The results of drill core examination show that base-metal mineralisation in these holes seems to be associated with pelitic rocks such as black mudstone and bitumen. This indicates that base-metals were deposited from ore fluid under reductive environment after sedimentation of host rocks in the Georgina Basin. Especially, it would appear that impermeable mudstone layers intersected by Baldwin 1 and Hunt 1 acted as 'cap rocks' of ore fluid.