EL 30137 North Batten Project Partial Relinquishment Report 9 June 2009 to 9 June 2019

Abstract

EL 30137 forms parts of Sandfire's Borroloola project which is located in the McArthur Basin. The McArthur Basin contains volcanic rocks and related intrusive igneous rocks and is a prime target for SEDEX type economic sulphide deposits. The Borroloola project is also prospective for sedimentary manganese mineralisation, similar to the nearby world-class Groote Eyelandt manganese deposit in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Sandfire submitted a partial surrender on 22 May 2019 to relinquish 68 blocks from EL 30137. Approval of the partial surrender was received from DPIR on 15 July 2019. Under the provisions of section 94(2)(e) of the MTA and regulation 86(4) and (5) of the Mineral Titles Regulations 2011 this is a final report relating to the reduced area of 68 Blocks from EL 30137. Within the period 2009 to 2013, prior to the term of the Joint Venture with MMG, Sandfire dominantly focussed on the retained portion of EL 30137 where drilling was undertaken. Subsequently, within the term of the Joint Venture with Sandfire, MMG collected 196 stream sediment samples across the relinquished portion of EL 30137. These samples were collected as a part of a larger survey conducted in 2014 and 2015 across MMG's North Batten project that collected 1,488 stream sediment samples and aimed to establish a 3.5 km catchment. The samples were analysed at both coarse and fine fractions to assess for proximity and homogeneity indicators. The relinquished portion of EL 30137 was noted to host zinc-lead anomalism and non-coincident thallium when considered on absolute values. However, when normalised against iron and manganese the anomalies were not as compelling and were lead dominant. The activities provided information as to bedrock and structure within the project area and ultimately it was interpreted that the areas of main interest for the tenement lie within the retained portion of EL 30137.