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NRE – Calvert River (EL27882) – Combined Report: Year 2 Annual & Final 1

NATURAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION PTY. LTD.

PO Box 9235, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD 9726

Level 8 Corporate Centre, 2 Corporate Ct, Bundall QLD

Tel: (07) 5644 5500 Fax: (07) 5528 4558

Email: [email protected]

‘Title Holder: NATURAL RESOURCES EXPLORATION PTY. LTD.

Operator: Natural Resources Exploration Pty. Ltd.

Tenement Manager: Nicole Munro, Natural Resources Exploration Pty. Ltd.

Titles / Tenements: EL(s): 27882

Project Names: Calvert River

Report Title: Combined Report: Year 2 & Final Calvert River (EL27882)

Type of Report: Combined Report: Year 2 Annual & Final

Author(s): Munro, N.

Company Ref: NRE_NT2012: Calvert River - Combined Report: Year 2 Annual & Final

Target Commodity /

Commodities: Mineral Sands & Manganese

Date of Report: 15 October 2012

Contact Details:

. COMBINED REPORT:

YEAR 2 ANNUAL & FINAL

CALVERT RIVER

(EL 27882)

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Contents

Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2. Tenure .................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Location and Access ........................................................................................................................ 7

2.2 Topography and Drainage ............................................................................................................... 9

3. Geology ............................................................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Regional Geology ............................................................................................................................ 9

3.2 Permit Geology ............................................................................................................................. 11

4. NRE’s Exploration Activities during the Reporting Period .............................................................. 12

4.1 Previous Exploration Studies ........................................................................................................ 13

4.3 Rock Chip Sampling ...................................................................................................................... 18

4.4 Water Bore Cuttings Analysis ....................................................................................................... 19

5. Reports lodged during the reporting period ...................................................................................... 21

6. Conclusions ......................................................................................................................................... 21

7. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................ 23

Figures

Figure 1. Cadastral Map .......................................................................................................................... 6

Figure 2. Location Map ........................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 3. Access Map .............................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 4. Topographical Map .................................................................................................................. 9

Figure 5. Regional Geology Map ........................................................................................................... 10

Figure 6. Permit Geology Map .............................................................................................................. 12

Figure 7. Historic tenements over Calvert River Prospect .................................................................... 14

Figure 8. Field Targets Map ................................................................................................................... 16

Figure 9. MC27882A – Sandy soil sampled ........................................................................................... 18

Figure 10. Rock Chip Sample Location Map ............................................................................................ 19

Figure 11. Water Bore Location Map ...................................................................................................... 20


Tables

Table 1. Tenement Details ..................................................................................................................... 5

Table 2. Historic Tenures and Previous Companies’ Exploration Reports ........................................... 13

Table 3. Historical Reports Reviewed by NRE ...................................................................................... 14

Table 4. Water Bores without cuttings ................................................................................................ 20

Table 5. Water Bores tested using the XRF Device .............................................................................. 20

Annexures

Annexure 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 24

Annexure 2 ................................................................................................................................................. 25


Summary

Section 94 of the Mineral Titles Act requires the submission of reports prepared by the

titleholder for each Exploration Licence about the authorised activities conducted under the

title and other matters relating to the title. The following report is a combined Annual and Final

Report for EL27882, known to NRE as the ‘Calvert River Prospect’, prepared by Natural

Resources Exploration (‘NRE’).

NRE’s exploration rationale and objectives for its Calvert River Prospect considered the

evaluation of potential mineral sands and manganese mineralisation. Investigations were

intended to locate any outcropping of mineralisation and any indicators of any sub - surface

mineralisation within the tenement. NRE carried out a detailed geological assessment of its

Calvert River Prospect, Exploration Licence (EL) 27882. NRE’s exploration activities included a

helicopter reconnaissance program, geological mapping and associated rock chip sampling, as

well as a water bore XRF analysis program involving analysis of water bores held at the Darwin

Core Library surrounding the tenement.

Based on the exploration activities conducted on EL27882, NRE made application to the

Department to completely surrender the entire title for EL27882 under section 103 of the

Mineral Titles Act. EL27882 was surrendered on 13 August 2012.

This combined Annual and Final Report for EL27721 offers a summary of the activities carried

out over all of the title area up to the time when the title ceased to be in force, including any

results produced by those activities.


1. Introduction

Natural Resources Exploration (‘NRE’) was granted EL 27882 on 7 July 2010, consisting of a total

of 260 sub - blocks. EL27882 is located in the McArthur Basin on the Gulf of Carpentaria along

the Queensland – Northern Territory state border.

Based on the exploration activities conducted on EL27882, NRE made application to the

Department to completely surrender the entire title for EL27882 under section 103 of the

Mineral Titles Act. EL27882 was surrendered on 13 August 2012. During the entire term of its

licence period, NRE was the sole titleholder and operator of EL27882.

NRE conducted extensive office - based studies and field work on EL27882 up until the title

ceased to be in force over all of the title area. NRE conducted an extensive review of all

previous exploration across the tenement, completed a reconnaissance helicopter assisted

field trip and carried out rock chip sampling based on processed ASTER Imagery over the

tenure. Furthermore, NRE went on to conduct a XRF analysis program in relation to water

bores previously drilled around the tenure and tested same at the Darwin Core Library.

2. Tenure

Exploration licence (EL) 27882, is more commonly known by NRE as its ‘Calvert River Prospect’.

The Calvert River Prospect consists of 260 sub-blocks across the Calvert River and was granted

to NRE on 7 July 2010. Table 1 lists the pertinent tenement details.

Table 1. Tenement Details

Project Name Tenement Name Title No.

(EL)

Sub-

blocks

Sq.

Km

Status

Grant Date Term

(Yrs)

Surrender

Date

McArthur

Calvert River

27882

260

793

Granted

07-Jul-10

6

13-Aug-12

Pastoral Leases

EL27882 overlies one (1) Perpetual Pastoral Lease, namely, the Seven Emus Station (NT Portion

1351 PPL 773 and NT Portion 674 PPL 1113). The location of this lease in relation to the EL is

shown in Figure 1 below.


Figure 1. Cadastral Map

Native Title There is currently one (1) Native Title Claim over the area, namely the Borroloola Region #2

(Coastal) Native Title Claim (Tribunal Number DC09/1).


Recorded Sites

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority has identified fifteen (15) Recorded Sites within the

Calvert River Prospect.

2.1 Location and Access

Exploration Licence EL27882 is located on the Gulf of Carpentaria at Calvert River, along the

Northern Territory – Queensland state border. EL27882 is located in the east of the McArthur

Basin and is primarily comprised of course, poorly sorted quartz rich sands across wetlands and

dense bush land. The location of the tenure is shown in Figure 2 below.

Seven Emu Station can be accessed via helicopter however road access to the tenure is

identified in Figure 3.

Figure 2. Location Map


Figure 3. Access Map


2.2 Topography and Drainage

The Calvert River Prospect is quite difficult to access on the ground, with extensive wetlands

and dense coastal vegetation with probable high conservation value. Furthermore, the area to

the south is topographically rugged and not conductive to facilitating access to the tenement.

The west of the tenement overlaps with the mouth of the Calvert River on the Gulf of the

Carpentaria. The topography across the tenement is identified in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Topographical Map

3. Geology

3.1 Regional Geology

The Exploration Licence is located within the extensive and complex Mesoproterozoic-

Palaeoproterozoic McArthur Basin which lies within the northeastern portion of the


Northern Territory extending into Queensland. This sedimentary basin forms the western

extension of the Carpentaria Zinc Belt, which includes the Mount Isa region. The basin

contains think marine and non-marine sedimentary rocks but also in parts contains volcanic and

associated intrusive rocks.

The basin unconformably overlies the Palaeoproterozoic Pine Creek Orogen to the northwest,

Murphy Inlier to the southeast and Arnhem Inlier to the northeast. It is also unconformably

overlain by the Arafura, Georgina and Carpentaria Basins (Figure 5).

The rocks appear to have been deposited in mostly shallow water environments in an

intracratonic basin which was dominated at times by a prominent north trending half graben,

the Batten Trough. It is interpreted to be contiguous under cover with the Birrindudu Basin and

Tomkinson Province and is said to be up to 12 kilometres thick.

Figure 5. Regional Geology Map

South of the McArthur Basin is the Murphy Province which consists of the Tawallah Group of

sediments, volcanic and the McArthur Group. The Murphy Province is made up of the

Palaeoproterozoic Murphy Metamorphics and the comagmatic Cliffdale Volcanics and


Nicholson Granite Complex. The Murphy Meta morphics consist of shale, siltstone, sandstone

and felsic volcanic rocks converted to schist and gneiss by greenschist facies metamorphism.

These rocks are isoclinally folded along east-west axes and are unconformably overlain by the

Cliffdale Volcanics. Their upper age limit is constrained by the older phase of the Nicholson

Granite Complex at 1820±103Ma.

The lower part of the Cliffdale Volcanics is dominated by ignimbrite whilst the upper part

consists essentially of flow-banded alkali rhyolite and minor tuff dated at 1730±2 0Ma. The

Nicholson Granite Complex intrudes both the Murphy Metamorphics and Cliffdale Volcanics

and consists of granodiorite and granite.

3.2 Permit Geology

The geology within the Calvert River Prospect consists of units which have been mapped and

interpreted across the Robinson River 1:250,000 Geological Map Sheet by government

geologists. The permit geology is illustrated in Figure 6.

Rock types in this area of the McArthur Basin along this section of the coast are largely

undivided cenozoic, undifferentiated alluvial, colluvial and eluvial deposits with quarternary

coastal alluvium and sand ridges to the north east of the tenement along the coast line.


Figure 6. Permit Geology Map

A basal shallow marine to fluvial pre dominantly sandstone and basic volcanic sequence, the

Tawallah Group, is overlain by a shallow water to intratidal succession of carbonates and

evaporates, dolomitic siltstones and shales, the McArthur and Nathan Groups. The lithology is

sedimentary and minor volcanic, dolostone, sandstone, shale, felsic and mafic volcanic rocks

and minor mircogranite.

4. NRE’s Exploration Activities during the Reporting Period

NRE’s exploration program for the second term of EL27882 consisted of an extensive review in

relation to the tenement and believes that no further exploration is warranted at this time.

During the reporting period, NRE made application to the Department to completely surrender

the entire title for EL27882 under section 103 of the Mineral Titles Act. EL27882 was

surrendered on 13 August 2012.


4.1 Previous Exploration Studies

NRE has conducted an extensive review of historic exploration over its Calvert River

Prospect. Historic exploration over Calvert River has largely been for base metals with some

diamond and uranium exploration. Little exploration has been conducted over this tenement in

respect of mineral sands which is quite surprising. Earliest exploration over this area was as late

as 1991 by CRA Exploration Pty. Ltd.

Previous exploration has been summarised in Table 2 and location of historic tenements is

shown in Figure 7.

Table 2. Historic Tenures and Previous Companies’ Exploration Reports

Tenure Period Reports Company Target

EL7314 1991 CR1992-0057 CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Copper - Gold

EL8533 1995- 1998 CR1996-0614,CR1997- 0550,CR1997-0629,CR1998-0666

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Copper - Gold

EL8534 1995- 1998 CR1996-0561,CR1997- 0519,CR1997-0520,CR1998-0666

Carnegie Minerals NL Diamonds

EL8856 1994- 1997 CR1995-0874,CR1996- 0880,CR1997-0080,CR1998-0003

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Copper - Gold

EL26533 2008- 2009 CR2009-0639 Sinosteel Australia Pty Ltd

Manganese, Iron, Copper

EL4077 1982- 1986 CR1984-0025,CR1985- 0055,CR1986-0031

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Diamonds

AP3385 1971-1972 CR1971-0125,CR1971-0145 Geotechnics (Aust.) Pty Ltd

Heavy Metals

EL1613 1977-1981 CR1979-0011,CR1980- 0075,CR1980-0129,CR1982-0171

Dampier Mining Company Limited

Copper-lead- zinc-silver

EL1612 1977-1982 CR1979-0011,CR1980- 0129,CR1981-0075

Dampier Mining Company Limited

Copper-lead- zinc-silver

EL2564 1980- 1986 CR1982-0041,CR1982- 0371,CR1983-0171

Arnhem Land Mining Limited

Uranium - Base Metals

AP2167 1969-1971 CR1970-0075 U.S. Steel International (N.V) Inc.

Manganese - Copper


Figure 7. Historic tenements over Calvert River Prospect

NRE has reviewed a number of previous companies’ exploration reports overlapping EL27882,

including those listed in Table 3 below.

Table 3. Historical Reports Reviewed by NRE

Tenement Company Reports

EL7314 CR1992-0057

EL8533 CR1996-0614,CR1997-0550,CR1997-0629,CR1998-0666

EL8534 CR1996-0561,CR1997-0519,CR1997-0520,CR1998-0666

EL8856 CR1995-0874,CR1996-0880,CR1997-0080,CR1998-0003

EL26533 CR2009-0639

EL4077 CR1984-0025,CR1985-0055,CR1986-0031

AP3385 CR1971-0125,CR1971-0145

EL1613 CR1979-0011,CR1980-0075,CR1980-0129,CR1982-0171

EL1612 CR1979-0011,CR1980-0129,CR1981-0075

EL2564 CR1982-0041,CR1982-0371,CR1983-0171

AP2167 CR1970-0075


4.2 Helicopter Reconnaissance

NRE completed a reconnaissance helicopter assisted field trip of the Calvert River Prospect in

late July 2010. NRE introduced themselves to local landholders, assessed a number of field

targets across the tenement and carried out geological mapping of the project area. The field

trip prove d successful in evaluating the tenement in the most effective and timely manner

possible.

The field targets within the Calvert River Prospect that required g round truthing or

evaluation, were identified based on desk top research of regional geological and

geophysical data, augmented with compilation and assessment of all previous exploration

reports. Material used to carry out the aim of delineating prospective areas prior to

conducting the helicopter reconnaissance program included:

Data from all previous exploration as documented in open file reports retrieved from the Northern Territory Government including :

o Surface geochemical sampling

o Geochemical anomalism mapping

o Geological mapping

o Detailed geophysical survey data

o Geophysical anomalism mapping

o Drilling results (if any) and

o Local and regional geological assessments and conclusions derived from

previous exploration programmes.

Utilisation of aeromagnetics, aerora diometrics and gravity surveys provide d by the

Northern Territory Government;

Utilisation of Satellite imagery, ASTER and Google Earth imagery; and

Use of data supplied by landowners in regard to interesting land forms on their

properties.

All targets identified prior to the helicopter program were evaluated during the field trip.


Field assessment of the field targets involved an initial fly over to obtain a regional

perspective of the geological, physiographic and botanical setting, followed by a ground

assessment where appropriate. At each of the sites which we regarded as having mineral

potential, NRE through its geologists, Terra Search, collected rock chip samples and took

magnetic susceptibility, radiometric and structural measurements. Detailed geological

characteristics were also recorded at each site. Field targets are identified in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Field Targets Map

Assessment of mineral potential was primarily for mineral sands and manganese. Modern

ASTER imagery was purchased and processed to further delineate possible sites of mineral

concentration. This work assisted in defining two (2) field targets characterized by possible iron

enrichment, MC27882A and MC27882B. A regional assessment of the geology, topography and

vegetation across the Calvert River Prospect was also made with a low fly over of all different

environs identifiable within the tenement area, as illustrated in the summarized in the photo

gallery in Annexure 1.


Samples, geophysical measurements and geological notes were taken at accessible sites of

interest. Landing spots were difficult to find inland due to dense vegetation and wetlands.

MC27882A and MC2788 2B Observations

ASTER satellite imagery was processed by a GIS specialist and sites of iron enrichment were

identified at MC27882A and MC27882B. It was decided that the areas of anomalism should be

followed up on the ground during the helicopter reconnaissance program.

However, field observations during the program indicated that the imagery only represents

relative anomalism in relation to the surrounds, and no areas of potential mineralisation were

identified.

At MC27882A, a low fly over followed by an attempted landing indicated that the surface is

composed of sands, with no evidence of abundant iron. Due to safety reasons (wild bulls) it

was not possible to have an extended stop at this site.

A safe landing site at MC27882B was difficult to find, but a thorough fly over of the target

led to identification of a small clearing. This site has been mapped accurately by

government geologists, being characterised by coarse, poorly sorted quartz rich sands.

Samples were taken from this site.

EL27882 Regional

In addition to MC27882A and B, a further landing was made at the coast in the north of

EL27882. Quartz rich sands with minor shells were identified. A sample was collected for

laboratory analysis.

Overall, our ground observations indicated the area is largely sand covered with extensive

wetlands. While cursory observations of the shoreline indicate shallow water, the second term

will follow up on these observations through more in-depth bathymetry studies.

NRE was also able to get a good feel for the physiography and potential accessibility of the

region through this helicopter reconnaissance program. This is well documented in our

photographic record of the over-fly of the area.


4.3 Rock Chip Sampling

A total of three (3) Rock Chip samples were taken across the tenure. NRE was unable to take

additional samples due to unsafe conditions to land the helicopter. All three (3) samples were

analysed with a portable XRF analysis device for a suite of elements (Figure 9). The locations of

rock chip samples are plotted in Figure 10.

A safe landing site at MC27882B was difficult to find, but a thorough fly over of the target led to

identification of a small clearing. This site has been mapped accurately by government

geologists, being characterised by coarse, poorly sorted quartz rich sands. Sample 3007134

and 3007135 were taken at this site for laboratory analysis. No evidence of anomalism was

identified (Annexure 2).

Figure 9. MC27882A – Sandy soil sampled

Multi-element analysis in process.

In addition to MC27882A and B, a further landing was made at the coast in the north of

EL27882. Quartz rich sands with minor shells were identified. Sample 3007136 was collected

for laboratory analysis; no elevated results were returned (Annexure 2).


Figure 10. Rock Chip Sample Location Map

4.4 Water Bore Cuttings Analysis

NRE engaged Terra Search Pty. Ltd. to attend the Northern Territory’s Darwin Core Facility to

analyse a number of cuttings available from historically drilled water bores around the Calvert

River Prospect (Figure 11). There was no water bores located in the permit area therefore

leading NRE to analyse water bores surrounding the permit area.


Figure 11. Water Bore Location Map

The Department kindly allowed NRE to set-up in the Darwin Core Facility where NRE’s

geologists undertook analysis of the water bore cuttings using a hand-held XRF device. Not all

water bores had cuttings available for testing (Table 4) however, NRE was able to test a number

of water bore cuttings in the region (Table 5).

Table 4. Water Bores without cuttings

Drill Hole ID East_MGA94 North_MGA94

RN021472 651925.1 8235866.7

RN022536 630572.2 8240739.6

RN022537 629015.2 8248826.5

RN022538 633405.2 8257106.5

RN024054 647125.1 8256166.5

RN024407 648225.1 8258966.5

RN029522 642525.1 8260766.5

RN033257 657024.1 8241550.7

RN035924 689236 8210424

Table 5. Water Bores tested using the XRF Device

Drill Hole ID East_MGA94 North_MGA94

RN009852 662825 8240016.7

RN009905 643625.2 8238466.6


RN009906 648625.1 8240666.6

RN009907 653625.1 8243466.6

RN009908 660325.1 8241466.7

RN020201 651925.1 8235866.7

RN021471 651925.1 8235866.7

RN022802 635025.2 8259266.5

RN025318 651765.1 8234566.7

RN025711 645905.1 8268366.5

RN025712 645425.1 8258366.5

RN025713 644425.1 8253266.5

RN028349 699324.8 8224466.9

RN028677 658025.1 8237716.7

RN035922 727947 8220018

RN027842 722880 8206421

The results of these water bore chips in relation to NRE’s Calvert River Prospect will be

reviewed in the second term of the permit.

NRE lodged an Exploration Report with the Northern Territory Department of Resources’

Geoscience Division on 7 June, 2011. This report was required in respect of the XRF and ALS

Assaying of Water Bore Chips at the Darwin Core Facility. The Exploration Report was titled

‘XRF & ALS Assaying of Water Bore Chips – Core Facility: Darwin’.

5. Reports lodged during the reporting period

NRE believes that no other reports were required to be lodged during this reporting period.

6. Conclusions Natural Resources Exploration’s exploration activities of its Calvert River Prospect

(EL27882), have been focused on delineating targets within the tenement based on office-

based studies and two field programs.

NRE conducted extensive reviews in relation to the tenement and believes that no further

exploration is warranted at this time. NRE made application to the Department to completely

surrender the entire title for EL27882 under section 103 of the Mineral Titles Act. EL27882 was

surrendered on 13 August 2012.


NRE has conducted a helicopter assisted field mapping and limited soil and rock chip sampling

program over EL27822. There was very limited (if any) disturbance in relation to these

activities. NRE did not conduct any works involving land disturbance during the term of the

licence. NRE believes that no rehabilitation is required in respect of EL27882.


7. Bibliography

Rawlings DJ (1999). Stratigraphic resolution of a multi phase intracratonic basin system: the McArthur Basin, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 46, 703 -723. Scott DL, Rawlings DJ, Page RW, Tarlowski CZ, Idnum M, Jackson MJ, Southgate PN (2000). Basement frame work and geodynamic evolution of the Palaeoproterozoic superbasins of north-central Australia: an integrated re view of geochemical, geochronological and geophysical data. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 47, 341 -380. Various authors, 2000. Thematic issue: Carpentaria -Mt Isa Zinc Belt: basement framework, chronostratigraphy and geodynamic evolution of Proterozoic successions. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences 47(3).

Coastal Plains in the south of

Vegetation and wetlands inland from the coast of

Calvert River, the largest watercourse within

Annexure 1

Calvert River Environs Photo Gallery

NRE – Monmoona (EL27721) – Partial Relinquishment Report 25

Annexure 2

Geochemical Results of Rock Chip

Sampling Program

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