Combined annual report (Keats Project) for the period 23 September 2006 to 22 September 2007 EL 1640 Keats and EL1923 Keats 2 Northen Territory

Abstract

This report describes exploration by Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Limited (RTX) within the Keats Project between the period 23 September 2006 to 22 September 2007. The Keats Project is comprised of two contiguous exploration licences, EL1640 Keats and EL1923 Keats 2. These tenements were previously reported under the Yambarra Combined Project but have now been split out into their own project (Keats) due to the farm-out of the Yambarra tenements to a third party. The tenements are owned by Ashton Mining Limited ('Ashton'), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Ltd. Work programmes on the project area are managed and operated by RTX. The Keats Project is located approximately 250km south west of Darwin on the Daly River/Port Keats Aboriginal Land Trust. The area covers portions of the Palaeozoic Bonaparte Basin. Field activities involved consultation meetings with the Traditional Owners and rock sampling along existing access tracks. A total of 39 rock samples were collected and analysed for whole rock elements aimed at assessing the area for bauxite potential.