URL: https://geoscience.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/cr148381
Exploration Permit for Minerals (EPM) 27845 is located 14 kilometres west of Georgetown, North Queensland and lies within the Etheridge Goldfield. The four sub-block, 13 km squared license was granted for five years on 4th April 2022. The EPM covers the western portion of the east-west striking Big Wonder Fault, a major structure in the Georgetown region that hosts four known gold prospects, three of which have been mined in the past (Comstock, Black Blow and Big Wonder). In addition, the two largest historical producers in the Georgetown district, Cumberland (1581 kg) and Durham (1684 kg) mines lie within six kilometres of EPM27845. One known gold occurrence (Unknown 570716) lies within the EPM.
A study of historical gold mines and mineral occurrences in the Forsayth region was conducted to determine common features that could be used for exploration targeting. Critical features identified were:
- Hosted in brittle Proterozoic age rocks e.g. granite or gneiss
- Localised along first order or 2nd order structures
- Commonly hosted on steeply dipping west or northwest striking structures
- Phyllic (quartz & sericite) alteration haloes common to mineralisation
- Associated anomalous arsenic and lead geochemistry.
Based on government records, since 1974 there have been nine different companies that have held the area under EPM27845 previously. Historical exploration has identified some major structures with anomalous gold mineralisation. Recent re-commissioning of the Georgetown gold mill by Savannah Goldfield Ltd located 7km west of EPM27845 makes the identification of any gold resource within EPM27845 very attractive.
During the term of the EPM, field traverses, detailed mapping and sampling was conducted within EPM27845 focused along the Big Wonder Fault and adjacent structures. Two gold prospects (Orion and Leichardt) were identified that warranted further exploration. The Orion Prospect is situated in the headwaters of Orion Creek on Namuel Station at the far eastern end of the EPM. The prospect lies very close to the Big Wonder Fault and mineralisation consisted of sheared, brecciated and silicified calc-silicate rock with abundant limonite stained vughs after sulphides. Rock chip grab composites samples assayed up to 4.76 g/t gold, 70 g/t silver and 4.98% lead. Outcrop is poor and further exploration is warranted to try and determine the controls and extent of mineralisation at the Orion gold prospect.
The Leichardt Gold Prospect is located at the west end of a northeast trending splay that branches off the Big Wonder Fault. Mapping identified a 1 - 2m wide, 150m long zone of brecciated and silicified granite with abundant limonite stained boxworks after sulphides. Three composite samples from this zone assayed between 1.98 and 6.24 g/t gold. Further exploration at the Leichardt prospect is warranted, aimed at determining the resources present.
Despite gold bearing structures being identified at the Orion and Leichardt Creek prospects, the size potential did not meet the holders objectives and the EPM was surrendered.