CRC LEME
Open File Report 115
ABSTRACT
Preliminary regolith studies at ET, Monsoon, Jumbuck, South Hilga
and Golf Bore Gold Prospects, Gawler Craton, South Australia
Lintern, M.J., Sheard, M.J. and Gouthas, G.
The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the use of
transported overburden for detecting buried Au deposits in the western
Gawler Craton. Five prospects (ET, Monsoon, South Hilga, Golf Bore
and Jumbuck) were investigated to determine the most suitable single
site for a detailed study.
A single traverse, several hundred metres in length, was selected
across each prospect that had mineralisation, transported overburden
and adequate drill spoil. The regolith stratigraphy was described
at each site and a selection of samples from the drill spoil was
collected for multi-element analysis. An existing company geochemical
database for each prospect was also used.
The results showed:
- the ET Prospect as the most suitable site for further study
(see reasons below);
- complex but repeating patterns in the nature of the regolith
stratigraphy;
- the benefits and limitations of using PIMA for exploration;
- an apparent relationship between Au-in-calcrete anomalies and
mineralisation where the transported overburden was thin (<5
m); and
- limited use for pathfinder elements for finding Au mineralisation.
The ET Prospect was selected for further work as it had the following
properties:
- two hundred drillholes spread over the prospect with cuttings
in good condition;
- a large Au-in-calcrete anomaly that had not been linked to
a primary source, leaving potential for additional areas of investigation
and possible drill targets;
- indications that mineralisation might be expressed in the transported
overburden;
- a greater spread and thickness of transported overburden compared
with other sites; and
- sand dunes, typical of the western Gawler Craton, and a hindrance
to exploration in this region; there are few previous studies
in this type of terrain.
Last updated: Friday, January 25, 2002 3:56 PM
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