First annual report for EL 24520 Lake Woods Project 3 October 2005 to 2 October 2006

Abstract

EL 24520 was granted on the 3 October 2005 for a period of six years. During the first year of tenure work focused on literature search for data relating to EL 24520, report preparation. administrative duties, and planning for upcoming field season. The Target Area is situated within the Ashburton Province (1400-1700Ma), a sequence of unmetamorphosed and weakly deformed predominantly shallow marine sediments. The Ashburton Province overlies the Warramunga Province which is deformed by the Tennant Orogeny (1850Ma) and intruded by granites of the same age. The Ashburton Province is overlain by Palaeozoic sediments of the Georgina and Wiso basins to the east and west respectively. Previous exploration within the district has focused on the potential for diamonds and base metals but has been limited in extent because of the poorly developed drainage system and the extensive, but generally thin, alluvial and aeolian cover. The high proportion of Type 2 microdiamonds underpins the exploration potential of the area. Four of the twelve microdiamonds recovered from within the Project Area are un-resorbed octahedral forms (or parts thereof) and may be indicative of a proximal source. The remainder of the diamonds are irregular to cube shaped, pink-brown to cream in colour (Type 3). Follow-up of the microdiamond anomaly initially recognised by Ashton has been limited and there are probably a number of reasons for this. Follow-up by traditional gravel and loam sampling methods would have been hampered by poorly defined, low-energy, sand-choked drainages and the widespread presence of transported soil cover. Successful follow-up of the diamonds will require the application of geophysical techniques such as airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and gravity surveys. Analysis of these data will allow the identification of discrete targets within the zones of interest defined by the presence of anomalous concentrations of microdiamonds and will also aid in the delineation of old, buried creek beds. Sampling of palaeo-channels by auger drilling techniques can provide better quality samples in areas with poorly developed surface drainage as Crossland Mining has successfully demonstrated at some of its other project areas.