Gascoyne Base Metal Project

Soil Geochemistry

A systematic auger drilling geochemistry program was completed for a total of 397 holes/samples at GBMP by Snap Geochem.

 The systematic soil geochemical auger drilling program comprising 397 drill holes/samples targeted two areas where previous reconnaissance geochemistry  had returned anomalous Pb and Zn  values (953 ppm Pb and 487 ppm Zn in rock chip samples and 408 ppm Pb and 156 ppm Zn in soil samples) coincident with “thumbprint” magnetic anomalies.

Soil geochemistry was effected by taking samples from 0.5 – 1.5m deep, vertical auger-drill holes (thus eliminating any surface contamination).  The auger holes were on 50m X 200m and 50m X 400m spacing across two areas in the NW and SE part of the project.  No hardpan was reported from the drilling.  The progenitors of the regolith samples were identified in about 60% of the samples, with “mica schist” and “amphibolite” being dominant.  No granitoids were sampled.

 Samples were analysed for Pb-Cu-Zn-As-Ba-Cr-Ni by mixed acid digest and determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Mass Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Optical Emission.  Only Pb-Zn-Cu-Ba were considered to be relevant.  Anomalous Zn and Pb values of up to 566 ppm and 1150 ppm respectively were received and the results highlighted that at least five zones/targets of the geochemical program were worthy of follow-up RC drill testing.  

RC Drilling Program

 An RC drilling program to follow up the auger soil geochemistry completed in January 2008 which identified coincident Pb-Zn anomalism in several discrete zones, was carried out on five sites during the last half of March. A total of 30 drill holes for 2136m were completed.

 Four anomalies within 300m of each other in the northwest of the project area (Area 1) were tested by 16 inclined RC holes for a total of 1128m with most holes extended to approximately 60m vertical depth. The host lithologies in this area are predominantly high grade metamorphics (quartz-biotite-garnet gneiss) probably derived from greywacke-type sediments. Amphibolites present may have been derived from intercalated mafic volcanic or possibly from late stage doleritic intrusions. The area has been complexly folded by more than one phase of deformation and subsequently intruded by granitoid phases.

 Significant base metal values intersected in three holes (GRC004, 014 and 016) at Area 1 which were drilled on three traverses (nominally) 50m apart. Lead sulphide (galena) was identified in RC drill chips from GRC004 and copper sulphides (chalcopyrite) from GRC016. In each hole these sulphides are associated with evidence of hydrothermal alteration including hematite-silica-magnetite (i.e iron and silicon addition) together with quartz and carbonate veining. Anomalous gold, silver and zinc values are also present.

 These intersections at Area 1 strike NE-SW and are parallel to the palaeo-stratigraphy (see attached plan and drill cross section). The alteration and sulphide mineralisation outlined at Area 1 may be peripheral to more significant metal deposition. Table below lists significant base metal values intersected in Area 1.

Area 2 about 9km to the southeast of Area 1, is a 1200m long stratiform lead-zinc in soil anomaly that is in part, coincident with an airborne-magnetic “thumbprint” anomaly. Fourteen inclined RC holes for 1008m were drilled on four traverses 200m apart into this zone. Anomalous zinc values were returned (max. 1m value of 0.17% Zn) associated with anomalous lead and gold values (see table below). Further sampling will be carried out to determine continuity or trend of mineralisation. The host rocks are similar to those encountered at Area 1 to the northwest.