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Exploration in the region around Hidden Valley aims to add value through the discovery of major satellite resources, or to provide a high-grade sweetener to supplement the ore feed for the Hidden Valley plant.
Work during FY09 focussed on the integration of geological and geochemical datasets together with detailed helimagnetics in order to provide a new solid geological interpretation and 3D framework. This framework will form the basis for targeting and prioritisation of the mining lease exploration programme for FY10.
Exploration diamond drilling in the mining lease area comprised some 3 910 metres predominately on targets at Yafo and Apu Creek.
The Yafo prospect lies on the Hidden Valley mining lease approximately 1 kilometre to the east of the Hamata Pit and processing plant. Drilling at this prospect is being undertaken to target high-grade gold mineralisation to supplement the ore feed stock.
Four holes totalling 1 009 metres were drilled at Yafo during FY09, targeting both extensions to historic drill intersections and new zones of mineralisation identified through surface mapping and trenching. Results to date have been mixed, with the best intersections being:
These intercepts are similar to the nearby Hamata deposit with magnetite, specular hematite and pyrite accompanying mineralisation, and hosted entirely within granodiorite. Several planned holes remain for the prospect and a full review will be undertaken in the first quarter of FY10 once results have been received.
Drilling at the Apu Creek prospect, located immediately east of the Hidden Valley-Kaveroi orebodies, targeted a fault offset of the ore system.
One hole of 666 metres was drilled during FY09. APDH001 encountered a thick sequence of cover metasediments, overlying granodiorite. The granodiorite exhibit extensive epidote alteration with significant quartz-carbonate veining and base-metal sulphide mineralisation. This geology and style of mineralisation is similar to that of the nearby Kaveroi deposit.
Results indicate wide zones of silver mineralisation, with associated elevated lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn):
Compilation work and follow-up drilling is currently being planned to understand metal zonation and structural setting in relation to the Hidden Valley-Kaveroi system.
In all, 12 000 line kilometres of detailed airborne magnetics were undertaken to complete the magnetic coverage over the core tenement area of the Morobe Mining Joint Venture. The base dataset highlighted several previously unknown anomalies for prioritisation and follow-up in FY10. These include intrusive complexes at Bakau located approximately 10 kilometre south-east of Biamena on EL1316, and at Garaina on EL1629.
Reconnaissance mapping stream sediment sampling and soil sampling resulted in 3 460 samples being collected. Results highlighted the Wiwo prospect on the Morobe coast with the potential for major porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold mineralisation. Follow up work will be carried out in FY10.
The Morobe Coast exploration licence EL1403 encompasses 1 041 square kilometres of tenure. While the area presents excellent grassroots exploration potential for porphyry copper-gold and high-grade low sulphidation epithermal mineralisation, there has been no drill testing as yet.
A helimagnetic survey is planned for the prospect area during FY10. This base dataset will provide context in order to assess and prioritise surface soil anomalies for follow-up.
Wiwo prospect is located approximately 15 kilometres south-south-west of the Morobe townsite on the east coast of PNG. Results from reconnaissance sampling have been highly encouraging with visible gold evident in a large number of pan concentrate samples.
Rock chip sample assays undertaken in conjunction with the stream sediment sampling exercise returned assays to 18.2 g/t Au, 5.25 % Cu, 0.35 % Pb, and 1% Zn. Mineralisation was observed in veins and shears, and together with the base metal association suggests potential for a buried porphyry copper system.
Ridge and spur soil sampling is currently in progress. A detailed helicopter-borne magnetic survey to provide additional data for prospect development is planned for FY10.
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