Definition of Ag/Pb/Zn Targets in Difficult Terrain using the Loupe TEM System

The Webbs Consol Ag/Pb/Zn project area in the New England Region of NSW, Australia is characterised by very high-grade mineralised pipes intruded into a leucogranite and along the contact of the leucogranite with Permian sediments. Known mineralisation was discovered in the late 19th century but there is extensive areas of cover which the exploration company suspected concealed other pipes. Thick scrub and extensive granite outcrop precluded the use of IP and the pipe like nature of the targets with small surface expression ruled out large loop TEM. The Loupe TEM system was chosen for its high resolution and speed of survey acquisition. Despite the difficult conditions survey rates of over 6.5 km per day were maintained. Six area of possible new mineralisation were discovered and one of these showed good geochemical signatures from soil and rock samples. Four diamond drillholes into this target all showed mineralisation and one hole was mineralised from almost surface to EOH at 61m. This was the first time that the Loupe TEM system has been involved in the discovery of new mineralisation and while many graphite targets have since been discovered this is to our knowledge the only base metal discovery.