ASEG Extended Abstracts

ISSN: 2202-0586 (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/texg19

Geophysical signatures of South Australian

mineral deposits: Miscellaneous and minor
deposits

Mike Dentith

To cite this article: Mike Dentith (2003) Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral
deposits: Miscellaneous and minor deposits, ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2003:3, 257-281, DOI:
10.1071/ASEGSpec12_20

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEGSpec12_20

Published online: 11 Feb 2019.

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 Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral
deposits: Miscellaneous and minor deposits
Mike Dentith1
Keywords: Acropolis, Adelaide SI54-9, Adelaide Geosyncline, aeromagnetics, alluvial gold, Anabama Hill,
Andamooka SH53-12, Armchair, barite, Barker SI54-13, base metals, Cambrian, Carpa, Claude Hills,
Copley SH54-9, Curnamona SH54-14, downhole electromagnetics, downhole induced polarisation,
Ediacara, electromagnetics, graphite, gravity, Hawks Nest, hydrothermal, Gawler Craton, gold, induced
polarisation, iron formation, iron ore, Kanmantoo, Kanmantoo Trough, Kingoonya SH53-11, Koppio, lateritic
nickel, Lincoln SI53-11, magnetics, Mann SG52-11, Mississippi Valley-type, Mount Torrens, Musgrave
Block, opal, Orroroo SI54-1, porphyry-style copper-molybdenum, Olary SI54-2, Proterozoic, radiometrics,
resistivity, seismic refraction, self potential, Streitberg Ridge, Stuart Shelf, Teetulpa, Telephone Dam,
uranium, Whyalla SI53-8, Wirrda Well, Yanyarrie

ABSTRACT Palaeoproterozoic iron formations at Hawks Nest can be

Mississippi Valley-type lead-silver mineralisation at Ediacara is
associated with IP/resistivity anomalies, although there is a strong
possibility the mineralisation itself is not responsible for the
response. There are no anomalous responses on ground magnetic
and frequency-domain electromagnetic data.
At the Telephone Dam lead-zinc sulphide deposit ground
magnetic surveys only poorly defined the host stratigraphy.
Electromagnetic surveys were hindered by the conductive
overburden, and bedrock responses that were obtained were found
to be due to graphite and barren sulphide mineralisation.
Lateritic nickel mineralisation at Claude Hills is associated
with negative gravity anomalies, but variations in the depth of
weathering cause similar responses. Massive pitchblende
mineralisation at Myponga gives rise to anomalous responses in
Geiger counter and airborne radiometric surveys. However,
pegmatites in the region also give rise to anomalous radiometric
responses. Gravity surveys at the Yanyarrie barite deposit
successfully defined positive anomalies associated with
mineralisation.
Hydrothermal copper-molybdenum mineralisation at Anabama
Hill may be of porphyry-type. Airborne and ground magnetic
surveys define a positive anomaly surrounded by an annular
negative anomaly. This may be associated with concentric zones
of alteration. Resistivity surveys detected areas of altered granite
and shear zones, whilst surface and downhole IP measurements
had some success at detecting sulphides.
Electrical and electromagnetic surveys within the Teetulpa
Goldfield were unsuitable for locating sulphides in bedrock.
However, seismic refraction surveys successfully mapped the
geometry, but not the internal stratigraphy, of palaeochannels
prospective for alluvial gold.
At the Acropolis prospect, located in the basement to the Stuart
Shelf, copper, uranium and rare-earth-element mineralisation is
closely associated with large bodies of haematite-magnetite
alteration. At the nearby Wirrda Well prospect copper, and to a
lesser extent uranium and gold, mineralisation occurs within
altered granitic breccias. Both areas are associated with high-
amplitude positive gravity and magnetic anomalies.
1
Centre for Global Metallogeny
School of Earth & Geographical Sciences
The University of Western Australia
Crawley
Western Australia 6009
Australia
mapped using gravity and magnetic surveys, but a ground
electromagnetic survey was unsuccessful. Electrical and
electromagnetic surveys successfully mapped graphite
mineralisation at the Koppio and Carpa deposits in the eastern
Eyre Pensinsula.
Radiometric anomalies associated with uranium mineralisation
in crystalline rocks of the Curnamona Province are, as expected,
easily masked by the cover, and for this reason are unreliable
indicators of mineralisation. However, mineralised structures are
often magnetite-bearing, allowing mapping with ground magnetic
surveys. Also, IP/resistivity surveys have shown potential for
detecting sulphides associated with the uranium minerals, for
example at the Armchair and Streitberg Ridge prospects in the
Mount Painter Inlier.
Copper mineralisation at the Kanmantoo copper deposit is
associated with magnetic, EM and IP/resistivity anomalies.
However, it is physical property contrasts within the host schist
sequence and/or due to weathering effects that are the source of the
anomalies. At the Mount Torrens lead-zinc-silver prospect
magnetic and MIP surveys were completed. The magnetic data
mainly responded to variations in the pyrrhotite content of the
local stratigraphy. MIP was unable to distinguish between
economic and barren sulphides.
INTRODUCTION
This paper is designed to complement the other papers
comprising this volume by documenting the geophysical responses
associated with the remaining deposits, and deposit styles, that
occur in South Australia. In so doing, mainly minor occurrences
of mineralisation are described. However, also included are more
significant deposits where, for a variety of reasons, geophysics has
played only a minor role in their discovery and/or evaluation. The
locations of the various deposits described below are shown in
Figure 1.
EDIACARA MISSISSIPPI VALLEY-TYPE
LEAD-SILVER DEPOSIT
The Ediacara mineral field lies on the western side of the
Flinders Ranges, in the northern Adelaide Geosyncline (Fig.1). It
has produced about 24000 t of silver-lead ore from Mississippi-
Valley-type mineralisation in the Lower Cambrian Ajax Limestone
(Broadhurst, 1947). Production was mainly from two mines:
Ediacara (Greenwood Workings and Morish Adit) and Southern
Workings (Beltana Mine), plus a small contribution from Black
Eagle (Fig.2). All three areas of mineralisation were discovered by
prospectors between 1869 and 1907. Further exploration, mainly
in the 1960s and 1970s, failed to locate economic mineralisation.

Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 257

Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Sub-economic discoveries include an inferred resource of 12 Mt at

0.84% Pb and 17 Mt at 1.23% Pb, delineated in two bodies in the
northern end of the field (Johns, 1972). Also, four small bodies of
secondary copper-lead and barite mineralisation occur near the
Black Eagle Mine.

The geology of the Ediacara mineral field is quite simple, with

Neoproterozoic and Cambrian sediments folded into a gentle north
and south doubly plunging syncline (Drew and Both, 1984). The
Neoproterozoic succession contains the dolomitic Wonaka
Formation and the sandstone and quartzite of the overlying Pound
Quartzite. The Cambrian disconformably overlies the Proterozoic
rocks and consists of the sandstone, shale and dolomite of the
Parachilna Formation, overlain by a thick dolomite sequence
comprising the Ajax Limestone. Mineralisation in the Greenwood
Workings occurs within a conformable breccia horizon, which dips
southeast at about 10°. Ore minerals include cerussite, with minor
galena and malachite. These occur as disseminations, lumps and
nodules in the breccia. Mineralisation at Morish Adit occurs
within a fault zone. Barite is common, but cerussite is less so. The
Southern Workings are in a narrow elongate north-south trending
body, which dips at a low angle to the north, parallel to bedding.
The main ore mineral is cerussite. At the Black Eagle Mine,
malachite occurs with haematite and limonite in a dolomitic
breccia. As noted above, drilling has defined an area of lead-zinc
mineralisation that is best developed in the north of the mineral
field. This mineralisation is stratabound, being confined to a
stratigraphic interval that is 30-40 m in thickness. Within this
Fig.1. Map of the major mineral provinces in South Australia and the
interval there may be two layers about 15 m apart, and each about
locations of the deposits described in this paper.

Fig.2. The Ediacara mineral field. a) ground magnetic data, b) IP/resistivity data. Numbers adjacent to data points on the metal-factor pseudosection
are the observed frequency effect. c) geology map showing the location of the ground geophysical traverse and known mineralisation/old workings.
Re-drawn from Benlow (1965) and Drew and Both (1984).

258 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith
Fig.3. Downhole TEM data from drill hole TD9, Telephone Dam prospect.
10 m thick. Outside these two layers visible sulphides are either
absent, or only present in trace amounts (Drew and Both, 1984).
According to Nixon (1963), in the 1940s the Commonwealth
Mineral Resources Survey carried out EM, potential-ratio, SP,
magnetic and resistivity surveys in the Ediacara area. No
anomalies were obtained over the Greenwood or Southern
Workings. Drilling of weak anomalies elsewhere found only low
levels of pyrite. In the early 1960s, the South Australian Mines
Department carried out further geophysical surveys, specifically
IP/resistivity, EM and magnetics (Benlow, 1965). Details of the
EM system are rather vague, although it seems a slingram
configuration was used. Plots of variations in phase and amplitude
ratio are presented, but it is difficult to determine their exact
locations. The main conductor detected was near the eastern
margin of the Cambrian outcrop, where there is no known
significant mineralisation. However, an anomaly is also shown
along strike from the Morish-Adit workings. The IP/resistivity
data were mainly collected using a dipole-dipole array, frequencies
of 3 and 0.3 Hz, and an electrode separation of 61 m (200 ft),
although separations of 15 m (50 ft) and 122 m (400 ft) were used
in some instances. Magnetic data were collected along the same
lines, with readings described as only accurate to within 25 nT.
Unfortunately, this is a region where variations of only a few
hundred nanoTesla are observed (Fig.2a). The interpretation of the
IP data is controversial, with Benlow's interpretations criticised by
Fairburn (1965). Following drilling of anomalies, Benlow (1965)
concluded that there was little or no correlation between IP
anomalies and mineralisation. However, after his re-interpretation
of the data, Fairburn argues that in several instances mineralisation
may be related to IP anomalies. Subsequently, Fairburn (1967)
applied frequency-effect vectorial analysis to the data, but without
success. A submission to the South Australian Mines Department,
by Trans Australia Exploration Pty Ltd, includes a re-evaluation of
the same IP data. Here too the choice of drilling locations is
criticised. Several areas were re-surveyed, and in the majority of
cases the existence of the IP anomalies confirmed, albeit of lesser
magnitude. It was concluded that areas of higher-grade
mineralisation might give rise to weak IP anomalies, although no
drilling was undertaken. In support of this conclusion anomalies
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
along strike from the locations of the Greenwood and Morish Adit
workings were noted (Fig.2). Finally, in a 1970 report to the
Mines Department, Carpentaria Exploration Pty Ltd reviewed the
IP data once again. This time it was concluded that the IP
responses were not due to mineralisation, but rather manganiferous
material and perhaps also clays within the Parachilna Formation.
The EM anomalies were considered to come from the same source.
TELEPHONE DAM LEAD-ZINC DEPOSIT
The Telephone Dam prospect lies about 10 km to the east of the
Menninnie Dam prospect (Hungerford et al., this volume) in the
northern Eyre Pensinsula (Fig.1). Aspects of exploration at the
prospect are described in submissions to the South Australian
Mines Department by Aberfoyle Resources Ltd. The area was
selected for exploration partly due to the presence of a Thematic
Mapper anomaly with spectral characteristics similar to those at
Menninnie Dam, but mainly due to anomalous bedrock
geochemistry.
Base-metal mineralisation occurs within a variable sequence of
impure calcitic and anheritic carbonates, graphitic and non-
graphitic metasediments and calc-silicate rocks, informally named
the Telephone host sequence. Breccia, mylonite and shear zones
are common in the area. The Telephone host sequence is overlain
and underlain by acid gneisses. Massive-sulphide mineralisation
occurs in two west-dipping gossanous horizons, at the top and base
of the Telephone host sequence. There are also vein systems
within the sequence. In general, mineralisation is restricted to
ankeritic carbonates. Pyrrhotite is the dominant iron sulphide,
although some intersections consist mainly of base-metal
sulphides.
Ground magnetic data were acquired across the prospect using
Geometrics G856 magnetometers, a 200 m line spacing and 10 m
station spacing. These data defined three northwest-southeast
trending features that corresponded with known basic dykes.
However, the prospective stratigraphy was poorly defined,
probably due to high noise levels in the area. Initial attempts to
detect bedrock conductors involved traverses of in-loop SIROTEM
measurements (200 m loop), but were unsuccessful due to the high
conductivity of the overburden. A later phase of surface EM
surveying used a Zonge GDP16 system, with vertical and
horizontal component readings taken at 25 m intervals along 200
m-spaced lines. These data were processed to try and separate
bedrock and weathered-layer effects, based on an analysis of the
derivatives of the vertical and horizontal field components. Most
responses were due to the conductive overburden, although one
bedrock response was obtained. However, drilling and DHEM
showed this to be a graphitic horizon. No geophysical response
was obtained where the mineralised horizon was projected to
intersect the drill hole. In contrast, where drill hole TD9
intersected pyrrhotite mineralisation (280 m) a strong in-hole
response was seen on DHEM data (Fig.3), as well as other lesser
responses, one of which might be graphite related.
CLAUDE HILLS NICKEL DEPOSIT
Deposits of lateritic nickel occur within the Mesoproterozoic
Giles Complex in the extreme northwest of South Australia
(Fig.1). The Giles Complex consists of a series of layered basic
and ultrabasic intrusives that intrude Proterozoic granulites (Major
and Conor, 1993). The intrusions consist mainly of norites and
gabbros, but with significant bodies of olivine- and pyroxene-rich
ultrabasic rocks. Intruding both the Giles Complex and the
granulites are a series of dolerite-dyke swarms. Weathering in the
Tertiary led to the formation of laterites and deep weathering
profiles. Much of the laterite has been silicified.
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 259
Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.4. Gravity and drill hole data from the Claude Hills nickel deposit. Re-drawn from Hall (1966a) and Miller and Rowan (1968).

The Claude Hills deposit is a resource of 4.6 Mt containing

1.5% Ni (Newton, 1996), discovered by Mines Department
geologists in the 1950s. The Claude Hills consist of a series of
discontinuous outcrops of mainly norite and pyroxenite. The
laterite surface has been uplifted and extensively eroded.
Quaternary deposits, mainly dune-sands and alluvium, cause
outcrop to be generally poor in the area. Mineralisation takes the
form of ferruginous unsilicified laterites rich in goethite, described
as "ochres" by Pegum (1961).

The removal of silica and magnesium from the ultrabasic rocks

during the formation of ochre leads to a significant reduction in
density (Miller and Rowan, 1968). The unaltered ultrabasic rocks
have a density of about 3.0-3.2 g/cm3, whilst the ochres' density is
only about 1.6-1.7 g/cm3. The barren silicified laterites have a
density of around 2.7 g/cm3 (Pegum, 1961). This reduction in
density suggests the use of gravity surveys as an exploration tool,
and their ability to detect outcropping ferruginous laterites was Fig.5. Radiometric data and simplified geology of the Wild Dog Mine,
demonstrated by Pegum (1961). This survey consisted of a series near Myponga. Contours are in cps. Re-drawn from Parkin (1957).
of traverses with a station spacing of 30 m (100 ft). Reduction to
Bouguer anomaly used a density of 3.2 g/cm3. The rocks of the made with a station spacing of mainly 61 m (200 ft). Data were
Giles Complex gave rise to a positive anomaly, but superimposed reduced to Bouguer anomaly using a reduction density of 3.0
on this was a negative anomaly of about 2 mGal associated with g/cm3 in areas of predominantly Giles Complex, and 2.8 g/cm3
the mineralisation (zone A in Figure 4). where country rocks occur. The gravity data defined a steep
regional gradient, with gravity decreasing to the north (Fig.4).
Subsequently, additional gravity surveys were carried out in This gradient was approximated by a linear trend of about 5
areas of no outcrop, to test whether nickel mineralisation could be mGal/km. After subtraction of the regional, a gravity trough, 'zone
detected under cover (Hall, 1966b). A series of traverses were C' of Miller (1966) and Miller and Rowan (1968), was defined to

260 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith
Fig.6. Profiles of Bouguer gravity across the Yanyarrie barite deposit
showing the correlation between outcropping mineralisation and
positive anomalies. Re-drawn from Cockshell (1974).
the northeast of the anomaly defined by Pegum (1961), (Fig.4).
Drilling intersected mineralisation of variable, but generally low
grade and thickness, beneath between 7 and 20 m of cover.
However, drilling of other anomalies showed these to be the result
of variations in the thickness of the cover. In an attempt to
distinguish between these two scenarios, magnetic surveys were
undertaken. Results were, however, inconclusive (Miller and
Rowan, 1968).
Miller (1966) lists a series of factors thought to control the
shape and depth of the ochre bodies in the Claude Hills and
adjacent areas. These include the distribution and shape of the
ultramafic rocks, particularly the olivine-rich varieties and
serpentinites, and proximity to shears. This suggests that modern
magnetic surveys might be useful in exploration for these deposits
and of airborne geophysical data have now been acquired in the
region as part of the Targeted Exploration Initiative South
Australia (TEISA) programme.
MYPONGA/WILD DOG URANIUM DEPOSIT
The Myponga Inlier is one of five basement inliers in the
southern Adelaide Geosyncline where basement to the Adelaidean
sequence is exposed (Fig.1). These rocks are Palaeoproterozoic in
age and are collectively known as the Barossa Complex (Preiss,
1993). In 1953, a deposit of massive pitchblende was discovered
within the Myponga Inlier by a prospector (Parkin, 1957). The
area is one of poor outcrop and the discovery was made using a
Geiger counter. A second lode a few hundred metres to the
northwest was similarly discovered a few days later. The deposit
was explored and developed by the South Australian Mines
Department, who discovered that mineralisation was restricted to a
rich near-surface pod. This was worked in the Wild Dog Mine, for
a total production of about 0.9 t of uranium (Newton, 1996).
The uranium mineralisation is hosted by gneissic
metasediments intruded by pegmatites and folded into an
antiformal structure. At No.1 lode, exploration revealed that the
uranium was concentrated in a northerly plunging metre-scale fold
structure, passing into a shear at depth. The approximate surface
projection of the lode is evident from the plan of the underground
workings shown in Figure 5. In contrast, at No.2 lode the
mineralisation occurs within a west-dipping, northwest-trending,
shear zone. There is less mineralisation at this locality and the
deposit dies out a few metres below the surface.
Figure 5 shows a radiometric map of the area. No details of the
survey specifications are known, but the shallow parts of both
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
lodes are clearly defined. Subsequently, an airborne radiometric
survey was carried out by the Mines Department to try and locate
other occurrences of mineralisation. The survey used a Brownell
Mk IV aerial scintillometer, traverses spaced at 40 m and a flight
height between 15 and 30 m. Both lodes gave rise to anomalies.
Tests showed that the No.1 lode was easily seen at heights up to 30
m, but did not give rise to a significant anomaly above 46 m. The
survey detected some other anomalies in the area, but these were
found to be related to pegmatites and rocks with anomalous
thorium content.
YANYARRIE BARITE DEPOSIT
Cockshell (1974) describes gravity and magnetic surveys over
the Yanyarrie barite deposit, located in the west-central Adelaide
Geosyncline (Fig.1). Mineralisation occurs within a diapiric
structure containing rafts of deformed siltstone, dolomite and
limestone in a carbonate matrix. These rocks are thought to be part
of the Neoproterozoic Callanna Group. The diapir intrudes
sediments of the Umberatana Group (also Neoproterozoic in age),
which include sandstone, siltstone, carbonate and tillite. The
mineralisation itself occurs as veins and replacements in deformed
ferruginous and manganiferous purple shale. An elongate outcrop
of barite mineralisation, close to the western margin of the diapir,
trends north-south to northwest-southeast. There may be some
fault control on its location.
Gravity measurements were made along eight east-west
traverses, 61 m (200 ft) apart. Station spacing varied from 8 to 30
m (25 to 100 ft), with the smaller interval used in the areas of
outcropping mineralisation. Reduction to Bouguer anomaly used
a density of 2.4 g/cm3 and readings were considered accurate to
0.04 mGal. To establish density contrasts, measurements were
made on mineralisation, diapiric material and the undeformed host
sediments. Siltstone within the host rocks was found to have a
density of 2.60 g/cm3, and carbonates 2.75 g/cm3. Establishing an
average in-situ density for the diapiric material was difficult due to
the different material forming rafts, and also variations in the
proportions of matrix material. Raft material typically had a
density of around 2.62 g/cm3, and the carbonate-shale matrix about
2.29 g/cm3. Establishing an average density for the mineralisation
was also difficult, this time due to variations in grade. Densities
were determined based on 39 samples from the diapir and 29 from
the mineralised zone. These data, and an estimate of 40% raft
material to 60% matrix in the diapir, suggested a density contrast
between the mineralisation and diapiric material of about 1.5
g/cm3. This corresponds to densities of 3.90 and 2.40 g/cm3
respectively. However, the obvious difficulties in determining this
figure, plus the fact that the samples were probably weathered,
means it should be treated with caution. Note that this density for
the mineralisation is significantly less than that at the Oraparinna
barite deposit, where a density of between 4.20 and 4.47 g/cm3 is
quoted by McCallum (1990).
Stacked profiles of the Bouguer anomalies at Yanyarrie are
shown in Figure 6. Each profile has been smoothed using a 1:2:1
weighted three-point moving average. There is a marked decrease
from west to east associated with the margin of the diapir.
However, superimposed upon this is a positive anomaly of up to
about 0.7 mGal, closely corresponding with outcropping
mineralisation.
Contemporary regional aeromagnetic data showed a small
negative anomaly in the vicinity of the diapir and ground surveys
were undertaken to establish if any anomalies were associated with
the mineralisation itself. Measurements of VMI were made with a
McPhar M-700 magnetometer at the same stations used for the
gravity survey. Individual readings were considered accurate to
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 261
Dentith
Fig.7. Airborne geophysical data from the Yanyarrie area. a) TMI,
b)TMI with standard seperation filter, c) TMI with extended
separation filter, d), ternary image of radiometric data. Co-ordinates
are AMG zone 54. Data aquired by Geoscience Australia. Imaging by
Cowan Geodata Services, see Appendix for details.
5 nT. No anomalies were defined that correlated with the
mineralisation, although many cultural effects were detected. A
more detailed, higher precision, survey might have defined
anomalies associated with gossanous material within the
262 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.8. Anabama Hill prospect, a) geology, b) soil geochemistry. Re-
drawn from Morris (1981).
mineralisation, but this was not considered likely given the
magnetically noisy environment (Cockshell, 1974). Figure 7
shows modern airborne magnetic and radiometric data from the
Yanyarrie area. Although no response from mineralisation is seen,
as expected, the data highlight drainage features and bedrock
structure and stratigraphy in the area very well. There is some
evidence for fault control of drainage adjacent to the Yanyarrie
deposit, but specific structural control of mineralisation is not
obvious. The ternary image of the radiometric data clearly maps
the local geology, with different stratigraphic units having
distinctive responses (Fig.7d).
ANABAMA HILL PORPHYRY-STYLE COPPER-
MOLYBDENUM MINERALISATION
Morris (1981) summarises exploration carried out to assess the
extent of porphyry-style copper-molybdenum mineralisation
associated with the Anabama Granite (Fig.1). The Anabama
Granite is an elliptically-shaped body about 65 km in length,
trending northeast-southwest and intruding Adelaidean sediments
Dentith
Fig.9. Geophysical data from the Anabama Hill prospect, a) apparent
resistivity at n=2, contours in Ω.m, b) PFE at n=3, c) TMI, ground
survey, contours in nT.
of the Umberatana Group. The granite itself has been dated by Rb-
Sr isochron at 468±62 Ma, i.e. Ordovician (Steveson and Webb,
cited in Morris, (1981)), although this is not necessarily the age of
intrusion. The surrounding sediments are generally at greenschist
facies, but contact metamorphism around the pluton has produced
a zone, about 200 m in width, at amphibolite facies. The granite
has been deeply weathered and is largely concealed by Quaternary
sediments. The exceptions are the greisen-capped Anabama and
Netley Hills. At Anabama Hill, the unaltered granite consists
mainly of biotite-granodiorite with associated adamellite and
microgranodiorite, and is intruded by porphyry dykes and sill-like
intrusions. Pods and veins of quartz are common throughout the
hill. At the top of Anabama Hill, hydrothermal alteration has
completely altered the granitic rocks to greisen, comprising mainly
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
quartz and muscovite. Both coarse- and fine-grained greisen
occurs, with the former being both porous and highly iron-stained,
probably due to the oxidation of primary pyrite. Brecciated
greisen, with abundant veins, pods and bands of quartz, caps the
hill. Hydrothermal alteration is progressively less intense lower
down the hill; with patches of greisen occurring within partly
altered granitic rocks. At the base, much of the granitic rock is
relatively unaltered, with greisen restricted to envelopes
surrounding quartz veins. Mapping shows well-developed greisen
forms a semi-circular outcrop, which is the result of erosion of a
dome-shaped shell surrounding a central core of less-altered
material (Fig.8a).
Indications of sulphides are common at Anabama Hill,
particularly in the greisen, but primary sulphides are rare. Pyrite
is predominant, with lesser chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and
molybdenite. These occur as disseminations, veins and veinlets.
Quartz veins contain up to 40% sulphides. Copper mineralisation
is concentrated on the inner margin of the pyritic greisen zone.
The most prominent structures at Anabama Hill are joints, with
two main sets recognised. The first set trends between
northnorthwest and northnortheast, and the second set east-west.
These joints appear to have acted as conduits for hydrothermal
fluids, since most of the greisen, quartz veining, and porphyry and
microgranite intrusions are joint-controlled. Jointing may have
also contributed to the formation of breccia. Parallel to the joints
are steeply dipping shear zones a few centimetres in width.
Blissett and Reed (1973) analysed geological, geochemical and
geophysical data in the Anabama Hill area and concluded that
copper and molybdenum mineralisation was related to the
greisened areas of the Anabama Granite. Mineralisation was
interpreted as being hydrothermal in origin and localised by shear
and breccia zones. Similarities between the mineralisation and
porphyry-copper deposits were noted.
Geophysical data from the Anabama Hill prospect includes
both IP/resistivity (surface and downhole) and magnetic data.
Reconnaissance IP/resistivity surveys delineated two anomalous
zones, on the eastern and western slopes of Anabama Hill (Fig.9).
The surveys were frequency domain (3 and 0.33 Hz) using dipole-
dipole arrays. Electrode spacing was 122 m (400 ft) with n from
2 to 5 (Pilkington, 1971). A Geoscience IP transmitter was used
with a MESA-built receiver. Line spacing was 488 m (1600 ft). A
second phase of data acquisition used similar parameters, except
that a McPhar IP receiver was used (Pilkington, 1972). The
change in receiver created problems in matching frequency-effect
data, with the second set of data having values up to twice those of
the first. Pseudosections and maps were constructed of apparent
resistivity and frequency effect (Fig.9). High-resistivity areas were
found to correlate with less-altered granitoids and quartzites in the
Adelaidean sequence. Altered granite had a lower resistivity, and
still lower resistivity areas were interpreted as shear zones.
Shallow resistivity data reflected depths to weathered granitic
basement, lower resistivity being associated with deeper basement.
Frequency-effect anomalies correlated moderately well with
geochemical anomalies, but most anomalies were associated with
outcrops.
More detailed IP surveys were carried out within the anomalous
areas and generated several targets, interpreted to be sub-vertical
vein structures (Wightman, 1972). Data acquisition was similar to
the second phase of reconnaissance data, except for the use of 61
m (200 ft) dipoles and a 122 m (400 ft) line spacing (Figs.10 and
11). Drill holes DDH4 and DDH5 (Fig.8) were both located to test
IP anomalies. Geological and geophysical logs of these holes are
shown in Figures 12 and 13 respectively. In DDH4, sulphides
were intersected, but pyrite was the dominant species, with minor
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 263
Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.10. Detailed IP data from the Anabama Hill prospect (122 m Fig.11. Detailed IP data from the Anabama Hill prospect (122 m
dipoles). See Fig.8a for location. dipoles). See Fig.8a for location.

chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Between 30 and 55 m, the

sulphides occur as disseminations within granodiorite, altered to
varying degrees, and within greisen. Below 55 m, disseminated
sulphides die out, with sulphides occurring in small quartz veins
within greisen envelopes and veinlets. Veins may contain up to
40% sulphides and veinlets 20%. There are also minor amounts of
magnetite, molybdenite and chalcopyrite. Downhole IP/resistivity
data and gamma logs from the drill hole show some correlation
with sulphide content. IP and resistivity data were recorded at 1.5
m intervals. Vein and veinlet mineralisation give the strongest PFE
responses. The high gamma counts are associated with altered
granite, especially the margins of greisen zones. In drill hole
DDH5, alteration and mineralisation resembles the deeper parts of
DDH4, with greisen occurring adjacent to quartz veins and joints.
Sulphides occur in veinlets, rather than as disseminations, which
may contain up to 20% pyrite with minor magnetite and
chalcopyrite. As a consequence, IP response is generally greater
than in DDH4, although correlation with sulphide content is less
good. Again high gamma log responses are related to alteration of
the granitic host rocks.

A ground magnetic survey was carried out at Anabama Hill

(Fig.9c), to test the empirical observation that magnetite and Fig.12. Geological and geophysical data from drill hole DDH4. See
sulphides were associated in diamond drill core. Readings were Figure 8a for key to geological log. Modified from Morris (1981).
taken at 15 m intervals, along north-south trending lines spaced at
120 m (Pilkington and Dunstan, 1976). The data were interpreted
by Morris (1981) in terms of a central magnetic high, cut by
approximately north-south and east-west trending linear features,
taken to be shear zones. Magnetic-susceptibility measurements
were made on core from drill holes DDH4 and DDH5 (Figs.12 and
13). Morris (1981) suggests the data reflect the different styles of
mineralisation. There does seem to be an increase in overall
susceptibility at about 60 m in DDH4, corresponding with the
change from disseminated to vein mineralisation. This is due to
the presence of magnetite in the veins. The comparatively uniform
style of mineralisation in DDH5 is reflected by the relative
consistency of the susceptibility data.

TEISA aeromagnetic data across the Anabama Granite are

shown in Figure 14. These data highlight a number of features of
interest, and allow the importance of some of the features
recognised on the ground to be assessed. The Anabama Granite
itself is an obvious feature within the data. The pluton is
characterised by shorter wavelength anomalies than the
surrounding metasedimentary rocks, and its margins are clearly
defined by areas of increased magnetisation that may be due to its
contact aureole. The pluton itself can be divided into regions with
different magnetic characteristics, which form a series of arcuate
zones convex towards the northeast. This may be due to zoning Fig.13. Geological and geophysical data from drill hole DDH5. See
within the pluton, but it is probably due to the pluton being a Figure 8a for key to geological log. Modified from Morris (1981).

264 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith
Fig.14. TEISA aeromagnetic data across the Anabama Granite. a)
TMI, b) TMI with extended separation filter, c) TMI with terracing
operator. Co-ordinates are AMG zone 54. Imaging by Cowan
Geodata Services, see Appendix for details.
composite of multiple intrusions. In the northeast of the image, the
Anabama Granite is clearly cut by a major northwest-trending
fault. There are also linear zones of lower magnetic intensity
within the pluton, which trend in roughly northeasterly directions
and may be dykes or faults. Recall northnorthwest, northnortheast
and east-west trending joints and shear zones were thought to have
controlled mineralisation, based on field studies. Features with
these trends are evident in the magnetic data in the vicinity of
Anabama Hill, with the most obvious being the east-west trending
zone of reduced magnetisation that forms part of an arcuate
feature. This particular feature is magnetically the most
pronounced in the pluton.
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Anabama Hill itself lies inside a roughly annular zone of lower
magnetisation. A sub-circular area with a 'normal' level of
magnetisation in the centre of this area is also seen on the ground
magnetic data (Fig.9c). Other areas of reduced magnetisation
occur elsewhere within the pluton, notably about 7 km
eastnortheast of Anabama Hill.
The nature of the magnetic anomalies at Anabama Hill is
interesting in the context of the analogy drawn with porphyry
copper deposits, and the 'model' of such mineralisation described
by Lowell and Guilbert (1970), which comprises a series of
concentric alteration zones. Morris (1981) suggests the greisen at
Anabama Hill represents the phyllic zone of Lowell and Guilbert
(1970). The central less-altered zone is compared to the potassic
zone, and the alteration in the granite away from the Anabama Hill
is compared to the propylitic zone. Clark et al. (1992) describe the
magnetic signature of an idealised porphyry copper system.
Destruction of magnetite in the propylitic and phyllic alteration
zones causes magnetic lows that surround a positive magnetic
anomaly due to the porphyry itself. However, Gunn and Dentith
(1997) note that the signature is also a function of depth of erosion,
due to the concentric nature of the alteration. Also, the idealised
magnetic signature pertains to the type of deposit where the
mineralisation is related to an isolated stock intruding volcanics.
However, this is not always the case with porphyry copper deposits
(Evans, 1993), and Anabama Hill seems to belong to the class
where "... the host unit is a late stage unit of a composite, co-
magmatic intrusion ...". In such a scenario, the magnetic response
will depend on the magnetic properties of the various phases of the
intrusion. Nevertheless, destruction of magnetite by hydrothermal
alteration is likely, and the annular magnetic low at Anabama Hill
could well have formed by such a mechanism. Thus, the
aeromagnetic data are not inconsistent with the porphyry-style of
mineralisation proposed on geological grounds.
TEETULPA GOLDFIELD
In the Teetulpa Goldfield, located within the eastern Adelaide
Geosyncline (Fig.1), mineralisation occurs in veins in the
Neoproterozoic Tapley Hill Formation, and as alluvial gold (the
majority of production) in Quaternary sediments (Robertson,
1991). Total production from the area is estimated at 2400 kg
(Newton, 1996). Vein mineralisation occurs in quartz-carbonate-
sulphide veins within siltstone and graphitic and pyritic shale. A
dominant set of veins strikes 340° and dips steeply to the east.
These veins reach 1 m in width, although 0.3 m is more normal.
The majority of the veins are quartz-calcite-siderite-haematite-
pyrite with gossanous ironstone. A set of mainly east-west
trending quartz veins is essentially devoid of sulphides and gold.
Another set of sulphide-bearing quartz veins strikes at about 75°,
and is often concordant with bedding. The auriferous veins are
late, and cut and displace the east-west trending vein set. The
Quaternary sediments are alluvial deposits occurring within
palaeochannels, which are cut by the meandering modern drainage
channels. Isolated remanents of the older channel sediments may
occur on the sides of present-day valleys.
Western Mining Corporation, in submissions to the South
Australian Mines Department in the mid 1980s, describe
geophysical exploration in the Teetulpa Goldfield. Surveys were
directed at bedrock mineralisation, and included dipole-dipole (50
m dipoles) and gradient array (10 m dipoles) IP/resistivity surveys.
Phase magnetometric resistivity and RVR TEM surveys were also
completed. The TEM surveys proved ineffective, but the various
types of IP survey defined distinct anomalies. However, drilling
found uniformly low gold assays and the cause of the anomalies
was thought to be zones of deeper weathering, possibly associated
with post-mineralisation faults. An earlier RRMIP survey, which
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 265
Dentith
Fig.15. Interpretation of seismic refraction profiles across Salt Creek,
Teetulpa Goldfields area. Numbers are seismic velocities in m/s. Re-
drawn from Hough (1988).
used 1.2 km and 800 m arrays, is also described. Anomalies were
defined in areas of gossanous quartz outcrops, but based on the
results of the later surveys these are unlikely to be due to sulphides
associated with gold.
Hough (1988) describes seismic refraction surveys designed to
map palaeochannels in the Teetulpa Goldfield area. Two east-west
trending seismic profiles were recorded over Salt Creek, a major
stream lying to the east of the main area of workings. Spreads
consisted of 24 geophones spaced at 5 m, with seven shots
recorded for each spread. The shots were located at the centre,
midway between the centre and ends, at the ends and off end of the
spreads. Maximum shot-hole depth was 1.5 m. Interpretation
used the generalised-reciprocal method based on first-arrival data.
Time-depth terms were calculated and drill hole data used in the
conversion of these to depths. The interpretation of one of the
refraction profiles is shown in Figure 15. Two layers were
interpreted, with velocities of 270-460 m/s and 4440-5350 m/s,
respectively. The upper layer was interpreted as alluvium, the
lower as fresh slate and siltstone of the Tapley Hill Formation. The
time-depth values suggest the greatest thickness of alluvium
occurs beneath spreads 3 and 4. Initial estimates placed bedrock
at 5-7 m depth here, and it was suggested that a thin layer of
weathered bedrock, with a velocity of 3170-3390 m/s, might be
present. Drilling confirmed this interpretation, with a maximum
thickness of alluvium (9 m) being intersected below spread 3.
Similar results were obtained from the other profile, the only
significant difference being a high-velocity calcrete layer at the top
of the weathered bedrock layer that caused errors in the estimate of
bedrock velocity. Thus, the surveys were successful at mapping
bedrock topography, although the internal structure of the channel
fill, for example the presence of more prospective gravels, could
not be defined.
HYDROTHERMAL MINERALISATION IN THE BASEMENT
TO THE STUART SHELF
The metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks forming
the basement to the Stuart Shelf underwent a major period of
Mesoproterozoic iron-metasomatism, the best-known product of
which is the giant Olympic Dam copper-uranium-gold deposit
(Williams et al., this volume). Anomalies due to the high magnetic
susceptibilities and densities of the resulting iron oxides dominate
the geophysical response in the area, giving rise to magnetic
anomalies with amplitudes of up to 3000 nT and gravity anomalies
of up to 20 mGal (Gow et al., 1993). Gravity and magnetic
266 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.16. TMI data from part of the Stuart Shelf. Note the anomalies
associated with the mineralisation at Olympic Dam, Acropolis and
Wirrda Well. Imaging by Cowan Geodata Services, see Appendix for
details. Co-ordinates are AMG zone 53.
anomalies are associated with the haematite-breccia hosted
Olympic Dam deposit and were a key element in its discovery.
The iron oxides occur in extensive alteration zones and drilling has
intersected skarn-like assemblages. There is a spatial association
between the iron-oxide bodies and granitic intrusions, with the iron
mineralisation either surrounding the intrusions, or occurring
within structures associated with their emplacement (Gow et al.,
1993). Figure 16 is an image of magnetic data from the area. As
well as Olympic Dam, prominent magnetic anomalies associated
with the Acropolis and Wirrda Well prospects (see below) are
evident.
Acropolis
The Acropolis prospect (Paterson, 1986) lies about 25 km to the
southwest of Olympic Dam (Figs.1 and 16). Mineralisation occurs
in a felsic to intermediate volcanic pile (Fig.17). As at Olympic
Dam, copper, uranium and rare-earth-element mineralisation is
closely associated with large bodies of haematite-magnetite
alteration. However, in detail the style of mineralisation is not the
same. For example, at Acropolis mineralisation occurs in vein
networks and alteration zones rather than breccias, and the
presence of massive magnetite lenses is another important
difference (Cross, 1993; Parker, 1990). Intersections of up to 200
m averaging 60% Fe have been found. Surrounding the massive
iron-oxide lenses are smaller veins of similar material, with a halo
of haematite alteration with associated pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Gravity and aeromagnetic data from the Acropolis prospect are
shown in Figure 18. The near coincident gravity (about 8 mGal) and
magnetic (about 6000 nT) anomalies in the area are both greater than
those at Olympic Dam. These anomalies have been defined on the
ground by surveys with a 1 km line spacing. According to Paterson
(1986), complex resistivity measurements were also made in the
area, using 600 m dipoles, but the results are not discussed.
Wirrda Well
The Wirrda Well prospect lies about 20 km southsoutheast of
Olympic Dam (Figs.1 and 16), and mineralisation at the two
Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

chalcocite. These occur as veins, smears on fractures, or as

disseminations within the granitic breccia. The sulphides are
associated with haematite and magnetite, and pyrite may also be
present.

The potential field anomalies at Wirrda Well, and petrophysical

measurements on the local lithologies, are described by Vella
(1997). Petrophysical measurements were made on 50 drill-hole
samples (Table 1). Magnetic susceptibility measurements show
most lithologies to lie in the range 0 to 6.3 x 10-3 SI. In fact, the
entire cover sequence and the majority of the altered basement
rocks are of low susceptibility. Granitoids with higher
susceptibilities were found to contain magnetite veins. Anisotropy
of magnetic susceptibility was shown to be insignificant, and
measurements of remanent magnetism established most samples
had Koenigsberger ratios of less than 5. However, in some cases,
e.g. mineralised granitoids, the ratio was more than forty. Analysis
of the directions of remanent magnetisation suggested drilling-
induced magnetisations were present. Alternating-field
demagnetisation was successful in removing this, isolating a sub-
horizontal magnetisation of unknown orientation.

Density measurements showed most samples to lie in the range

Fig.17. Fence diagram across the Acropolis prospect. Based on Parker
(1990).
localities is similar. At Wirrda Well, the mineralisation occurs at
500 to 600 m depth beneath a cover of mainly Adelaidean
sediments, which range in thickness from 350 to 600 m. Basement
is composed of variably altered felsic igneous rocks, schist,
breccia, conglomerate and dolerite. As at Olympic Dam, both
gravity and magnetic anomalies are associated with the prospect.
2.6-3.2 g/cm3. (Table 1). Samples in this range are typically dolerite
and granitoid that have undergone only limited alteration, or if more
altered, are chloritised and sericitised rather than haematised.
Samples with lower densities are restricted to the cover sequence.
Densities of greater than 3.2 g/cm3 were measured from mafic
dykes and altered and brecciated granitoids. Haematite, magnetite
and chalcopyrite content were found to contribute significantly to
the densities of the samples. The only likely contributors to the
observed gravity anomaly are thought to be the brecciated and
altered granitoids, with the density depending on the extent of
haematite alteration and sulphide content.

Parker (1990) describes Wirrda Well as a massive granitic breccia
body several hundred metres across. Copper, and to a lesser extent
uranium and gold, mineralisation occurs within altered granitic
breccias. Alteration is predominantly haematitic, sericitic and
chloritic, with minor silica and carbonate alteration (Vella, 1997).
The principal copper sulphides are chalcopyrite, bornite and
Spectral radioactivity measurements found only seven of 31
samples to have anomalous gamma counts, and of these only three
were significantly radioactive (Table 1). Two of these were
mineralised granitoids, and the third an altered and brecciated
granitoid. Compressional wave velocities are also included in
Table 1. Various granitoids, in addition to those in the table, have

Rock Type Density K Count U Count Th Count Electrical Thermal Velocity

Conductivity Conductivity
(g/cm3) (cps) (cps) (cps) (S/m) (W/m.ºC) (km/s)
Cover
Arcoona 2.27-2.56 2.60-2.69 1.16-1.26 1.07-1.15 0 2.14-3.23 3.95-5.27
Quartzite
Corraberra 2.12-2.31 1.68-2.91 1.08-1.40 1.01-1.12 0 1.42-1.93 3.50-3.97
Sandstone
Tregolana Shale 2.66-2.69 2.16-2.96 1.27-1.31 0.83-1.02 0 1.56-2.48 5.25
Nuccaleena
Dolomite 2.84 2.41 1.27 0.77 0 2.14 5.38
Pandurra 2.52 2.10 0.99 0.73 0 1.90 4.06
Formation

Basement
Brecciated 2.65-4.98 1.99-6.11 1.12-4.08 0.64-1.42 0-3 1.35-3.75
granitoid (altered)
Potassic granite 2.78 2.28 1.49 0.62 1.40 6.23-6.58
Mineralised 3.86-4.60 3.18-5.63 1.53-4.07 1.17-1.34 10-1000 4.33-7.24
granite
Meta-dolerite 3.06-3.48 1.83-3.12 1.21-1.54 0.51-1.13 0 3.07-4.08 5.02-5.69
Conglomerate 2.89-4.33 2.08-3.30 1.17-1.39 0.99-1.13 2.18 4.77-5.13
Felsic intrusion 2.83-2.96 2.13-2.66 1.22-1.27 0.62-0.86 2.73

Table 1. Petrophysical data from samples from Wirrda Well. Background counts for K, U, Th and total counts were measured at 2.30, 1.40, 1.20
and 30.10 cps, respectively. Modified from Vella (1997).

Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 267

Dentith
Fig.18. Gravity and TMI data across the Acropolis prospect. Re-
drawn from Paterson (1986). Data have been partly re-contoured.
velocities between 4.44 and 6.58 km/s. Overall, velocities range
from 3.5 to 6.5 km/s, with each lithology having a range normally
associated with the rock type, although the Tregolana Shale has a
comparatively high velocity. Measurements of thermal diffusivity
were used to calculate thermal conductivities (Table 1). Again
values were as expected for the sampled lithologies. Higher values
measured in mineralised granites were interpreted as due to the
effects of sulphides. Measurements of resistivities were made at
frequencies from 0.1 to 10,000 Hz. The cover sequence was found
to have a resistivity of around 1000 Ω.m. The samples of
mineralised granitoid were conductive (up to 1000 S/m), and also
had high frequency effects and polarisations.
Gravity and ground magnetic surveys at Wirrda Well used a line
spacing of 400 m, with stations at 100 m intervals. These defined
near-coincident sub-circular positive anomalies. The gravity
anomaly has an amplitude of 6 mGal and is slightly elongated in a
northwest-southeast direction, with a lobe in the southwest. The
magnetic anomaly has an amplitude of 1800 nT, and radiating
from its centre are positive anomalies trending towards the
southeast and southwest. Modelling of the observed gravity and
magnetic anomalies was constrained by drilling, petrophysical and
wireline logging data. These reach a maximum depth of 1 km.
Calculating the gravity and magnetic effects of the known geology
showed this to be insufficient to explain the observed anomalies,
with deeper sources required to model the data. The favoured
model was a vertical pipe-like body with radiating vertical tabular
bodies.
IRON ORES OF THE NORTHERN GAWLER CRATON
Iron formations of Palaeoproterozoic age occur in the eastern
and northern parts of the Gawler Craton and give rise to high-
amplitude anomalies in South Australian Exploration Initiative
(SAEI) aeromagnetic data. The iron formation units are up to 700
m thick and can be traced along strike for up to 25 km.
Geophysical data from the Hawks Nest prospect (Fig.1) are used
to illustrate their geophysical characteristics
Exposure at Hawks Nest is limited to a just few outcrops, with
the iron formation occurring beneath a cover of up to 20 m of
Quaternary sands and clays and Cretaceous claystone and shale.
Several iron formation units are present, although this is may be
268 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.19. Geophysical data and drill hole locations from the Hawks Nest
prospect. a) contours of TMI, b) profiles of TMI and Bouguer gravity
in relation to a simplified geological cross section. Re-drawn from
Morris et al. (1998). Co-ordinates are AMG zone 53.
due to structural repetition. Dips are steep and strike is to the
northeast. Non-iron formation basement lithologies include
metasiltstone, conglomerate, calc-silicate, basalt and carbonate
layers. Cross-cutting the area are northwest-trending faults and
basic dykes. Iron formation is oxidised to varying degrees in the
vicinity of faults. Surface oxidation extends to about 30 m depth,
with magnetite being changed to haematite, goethite and limonite.
Three types of iron ore are recognised at Hawks Nest (Davies
et al., 1997; Morris et al., 1998). The first type comprises bodies
of low-grade magnetite iron formation that occur as unoxidised
sections of iron-formation horizons. These bodies contain 35-40%
Fe, and represent an inferred resource of about 600 Mt. The
largest body, Kestrel, has a resource of 220 Mt at 36% Fe, with a
cutoff depth of 135 m. The second type of ore is represented by
the high-grade magnetite Kite orebody. Iron content is 34-69%
and the inferred resource is about 30 Mt. The third style of
mineralisation is represented by the high-grade haematite Buzzard
orebody. This is a tectonically brecciated iron formation,
associated with a northeasterly trending fault. The iron formation
has been oxidised to haematite and there has been leeching of
silica. The average iron content is 60% and there is an inferred
resource of 6.7 Mt to a cutoff depth of 125 m.
Both magnetic and gravity data were acquired across the
Hawks Nest prospect. The magnetic data were collected at a range
of survey specifications, ranging from a 200 x 200 m grid, through
to lines spaced at 100s of metres with stations spaced at 1.5 m.
These surveys used Overhauser GSM 19 magnetometers. Gravity
data were collected using a Scintrex CG3 Autograv gravity meter,
on grids ranging from 200 x 100 m to 50 x 20 m. Unoxidised iron
formation gives rise to positive magnetic anomalies with
amplitudes of tens of thousands of nanoTesla, and gravity
anomalies of several milliGals (Fig.19). Oxidised iron formation,
such as at Buzzard, gives a much more subdued magnetic
response, although the magnitude of the gravity anomaly is
similar. A trial TEM survey was also undertaken over the Buzzard
deposit. The mineralised body was found to be a weak conductor
and responses were inconsistent (Davies et al., 1997).
Dentith
Fig.20. Geological map and cross-section of the Koppio Mine. Re-
drawn from Broadhurst and Armstrong (1944).
KOPPIO GRAPHITE DEPOSIT
Jack (1917) reported outcropping graphite mineralisation within
ferruginous and magnesitic schist at what would later become the
Koppio Mine (Fig.1). The outcrop is more than 500 m in strike
length and 70 m wide. This is one of several occurrences of graphite
in a distinctive graphitic stratigraphic unit in the southern and eastern
Eyre Pensinsula. A small shaft was sunk and grade found to increase
with depth. Further exploration in the 1940s involved sinking a
second shaft and various underground developments, including an
adit linking with the shaft. Valentine (1994) quotes a total graphite
production from the Koppio Mine of 98.6 t, all during the 1940s.
Geophysical work in the 1950s suggested further mineralisation in
the vicinity of the mine, and in 1983-1984 Pancontinental Mining
further explored the area using geophysical methods.
Broadhurst and Armstrong (1946) describe the geology and
history of the Koppio Mine. A geological map and cross-section
of the mine are shown in Figure 20. Mineralisation is in the form
of a 13 m-thick bed of graphitic schist, which dips to the east at
between 35° and 85° (Johns, 1976). Other small irregular
occurrences of mineralisation also occur in the vicinity of the main
lode. The main mineralisation occurs at the margin of an aplite
body that has intruded a succession of schist and quartzite
(Broadhurst and Armstrong, 1946). Outcrop in the area is poor,
but Broadhurst and Armstrong (1946) describe the rocks near the
contact as indicating "the occurrence of great chemical activity,
and many of the rocks seem to have undergone aplitization".
Graphite occurs as flakes and the margins of the mineralised body
are gradational. Although high-grade graphite ore outcrops in
some places, it is common for surface exposures to be iron-rich,
containing limonite, or less commonly, specular haematite.
Early geophysical work carried out around the Koppio Mine is
described by Garwoli (1952). SP and resistivity data were
collected. The SP data were collected at 23 m (75 ft) intervals
along lines 46 m (150 ft) apart. The contoured data are shown in
Figure 21a. A negative anomaly of more than 100 mV coincides
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.21. a) SP (contours in mV), b) resistivity data (contours in Ω.m)
from around the Koppio Mine. Re-drawn from Garwoli (1952).
with the along-strike projection of the mineralisation worked in the
mine. Resistivity data were also collected, along east-west
traverses again with a station spacing of 23 m (75 ft). Figure 21b
shows contours of data obtained with current electrodes spaced at
14 m (45 ft) and potential electrodes 5 m (15 ft) apart. There is
reasonable correlation between SP and resistivity lows and the
expected position of mineralisation. The resistivities of local
lithologies, based on measurements on outcrop and in the mine,
are given in Table 2. As expected the graphite mineralisation is
significantly more conductive than other rocks in the area.
Lithology Resistivity
Ω.m)
(Ω
Black soil 200-300
Hard clay-rich top soil 200-800
Alluvium 120-150
Graphite lode (high grade) 0.1
Graphite lode (low grade) 40-70
Aplite 100-150
Ferruginous quartzite 1000
Table 2. Resistivities of various lithologies in the Koppio Mine area
(Garwoli, 1952).
McPharlin (1952) describes magnetic data from the area
immediately to the north of the Koppio Mine. VMI was measured
along five traverses, spaced at 91 m (300 ft), with a station spacing
of 22 m (75 ft). McPharlin (1952) suggested that aplite was the
source of an anomaly with an amplitude of hundreds of nanoTesla.
Although few data are available, the evidence suggests the method
could be useful for geological mapping in the Koppio area.
Regional aeromagnetic data from the area (see Barrett and Dentith,
this volume) certainly appear to be a very effective mapping tool.
In submissions to the South Australian Mines Department by
Pancontinental Mining Ltd, the results of EM surveys at the
Koppio Mine and the nearby Kookaburra prospect, are described.
An earlier AEM survey apparently did not detect the occurrences
of graphite, but this may be a function of flight-line locations. A
ground EM survey was carried out over both prospects to define
the response over known mineralisation, and to test for extensions
along strike and below up to 50 m of lateritic soil cover. An Apex
Parametrics Max-Min II system was operated in the horizontal
mode, and measured in-phase and quadrature components of the
anomalous field. Frequencies of 222, 444, 888, 1777 and 3555 Hz
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 269
Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.22. Max-Min ground EM data from the Koppio prospect. The line
passes close to Koppio Mine (Fig.21). Note the low in the in-phase data
associated with the graphitic horizon, which is about 4 m wide at this
locality.

were used, with trials made with transmitter-receiver separations

of 50, 100 and 200 m. A separation of 100 m was found to be most
effective. Eight traverses, separated by 100 m, were recorded
across strike in the mine area. Station spacing was 25 m. In both
areas, anomalies associated with the graphitic horizon were
defined. However, in some places surface conductors affected the
higher frequency measurements, although the lower frequencies
still gave good responses. Graphite schist was detected to a depth
of 60 m. Data from one of the traverses in the Koppio Mine area
are shown in Figure 22.

CARPA GRAPHITE DEPOSIT

A small graphite deposit occurs at Carpa, in the Cleve Uplands in
the eastern Eyre Peninsula (Fig.1). Scott (1978) describes the
geology of the deposit, and Figure 23a is based on this work.
Graphite occurs in a quartz-graphite schist unit within a sequence of
acid gneisses metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. Immediately
underlying the mineralised horizon is a quartzite unit a few metres
thick. The quartzite is well laminated, with narrow graphitic
interbands near the contact with the schist. The hangingwall gneiss
is weakly foliated to massive (Scott, 1978), and Valentine (1994)
describes this as syntectonic Carpa Granite, which intrudes the
quartzites and graphitic schists comprising the Hutchison Group in
this region. The succession is folded into a series of steeply
plunging, tight, isoclinal folds whose axial planes dip to the north
(Fig.24). The graphitic unit reaches 10 m in thickness, but pinches
and swells, with the maximum thicknesses occurring in the crests
and troughs of the folds. Total strike length is about 350 m.
Geophysical surveys at Carpa, designed to delineate
mineralisation where outcrop is poor, are described by McInerney
(1976, 1977). A time-domain IP survey was successful at mapping
the mineralisation. The survey used a gradient array, with an
Austral transmitter and a Huntec Mk 3 receiver. Current electrodes
were separated by 350 m, with two set ups being required.
Potential electrodes were spaced at 10 m, and a total of 13
traverses were recorded using a station interval of 10 m.
Fig.23. Carpa graphite deposit, a) geology and VLF data, b) apparent
resistivity, c) apparent chargeability. Geophysics from McInerney
(1977), geology from Scott (1978). Note the chargeability values (M)
were calculated from the expression M=0.01(M1+2M2+4M3+8M4).tp
(ms). tp=70 ms and M1 etc. are transient voltages, as a percentage of
the peak voltage, at 155, 260, 470 and 890 ms after shut off,
respectively.
Contours of apparent resistivity define a central low zone over
the graphitic schist, with higher values over the surrounding
gneisses (Fig.23b). Steep gradients separate the two areas, and
inflection points correlate with geological boundaries where these
are exposed. Higher resistivities over the central zone to the east
are due to either a decrease in graphite content of the schist, or an
increase in its depth.
Variations in apparent chargeability data also reflect the
presence of graphite schist, however, the anomaly is less broad
than in the resistivity data (Fig.23c). The schist is a zone of higher
chargeability, with the surrounding areas having background
values. Once again there is a good correspondence with the
geological boundaries. A lack of correspondence with the
resistivity data on line 25E is attributed to schist with a low volume
of chargeable material. Comparison of the chargeability data with
model responses suggests the anomalies originate from a single

270 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith
Fig.24. Geological cross-sections of the Carpa graphite deposit. See
Figure 23 for locations. Re-drawn from Scott (1978).
zone dipping steeply to the north. This is in agreement with the
gross geological structure, the survey lacking the resolution to
discriminate between the schists on different limbs of the folds.
Drilling showed the large anomaly on line 50E was associated with
higher than normal grade mineralisation.
A VLF survey was carried out along three of the IP traverses.
In-phase and quadrature components of the secondary field were
measured. The latter yielded little useful information. After Fraser
filtering, the in-phase data correlated fairly well with the position
of the schist horizon (Fig.23a). However, other anomalous areas
did not correlate with IP anomalies, and are probably due to near-
surface conductors rather than additional mineralisation.
URANIUM MINERALISATION IN THE
CURNAMONA PROVINCE
The Curnamona Province is located in the east of South
Australia, straddling the border with New South Wales (Figs.1 and
25). It comprises deformed metamorphic and igneous rocks of
Palaeoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic age. Exposure is
sporadic, the largest area in South Australia being the Willyama
Inliers, which occur in the south of the Province. Mineralised
rocks are also exposed in the northwest of the Province, for
example in the Mount Painter Inlier.
The Curnamona Province is probably best know for its copper-
gold and base metal mineralisation (see Busuttil and Law, this
volume; Busuttil and Bargmann, this volume; Dentith et al, this
volume; Godsmark et al., this volume), which includes the world-
class lead-zinc-silver Broken Hill orebody. However, there are
also numerous occurrences of uranium mineralisation, and erosion
of uranium-rich material from the Willyama Inliers is accepted as
the source of the sandstone-type uranium mineralisation within
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.25. Map showing the extent of the Curnamona Province in South
Australia and New South Wales and the locations of deposits and
images discussed in the text. Modified from Robertson et al. (1998).
Tertiary deposits that overlie the Proterozoic basement (see
Dentith and Randell, this volume).
Mount Painter Inlier
The regional geology of the Mount Painter Inlier is described
by Teale (1993a, 1993b). The inlier comprises Palaeo- to
Mesoproterozoic metavolcanics, metasediments, gneisses and
granites, which have been intruded by basic dykes and a "younger"
(probably Mesoproterozoic) granite suite. In the southwest of the
inlier, where uranium mineralisation is located, there are large
bodies of breccia containing clasts derived from both the
"younger" granite suite and the older country rocks (Fig.26).
These breccias, and the associated uranium mineralisation,
probably formed during the Phanerozoic.
The uranium deposits in the Mount Painter Inlier are classified
by Dunn et al. (1990) as of the breccia-hosted type. Their geology
is described by Drexel and Major (1990) and Youles (1975). The
uranium mineralisation occurs within distinct breccia lenses that
form part of the Radium Ridge Breccias (Fig.27). The breccias are
predominantly granitic, however, in places uranium mineralisation
occurs, mainly in the form of uraninite, where infusion or
replacement processes have resulted in haematitic and chloritic
breccias. Minerals associated with the mineralisation include
pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite and specular haematite. The
Hodgkinson prospect (see below) differs from others in the area in
that the host breccia is not haematitic, with mineralisation
occurring within feldspars in the granitic breccias.
The history of uranium exploration in the Mount Painter area is
described by Johns (1990). Uranium was first discovered by a
prospector in 1910, and this occurrence was intermittently worked
until 1932. War-time demand for uranium for munitions led to
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 271
Dentith
Fig.26. a) Aeromagnetic data from the southern Mount Painter Inlier.
b) Simplified geological map of the same area as a). Geology based on
Teale (1993a, 1993b). See Figure 25 for location within the Curnamona
Province.
renewed exploration in the area and several new deposits, notably
East Painter (Fig.27), were discovered by geologists from the
South Australian Mines Department at this time. Geiger-counter
surveys are credited with the discovery of several of these deposits.
Subsequent work proved the mineralisation to be of low-grade and
the project was abandoned in 1950. In the period from 1968-1971,
renewed exploration located widespread, but still sub-economic,
uranium mineralisation. Five main deposits: Radium Ridge,
Mount Gee, Armchair, Streitberg Ridge (Fig.27) and Hodgkinson,
plus over twenty minor prospects, were discovered, all within an
area of about 80 km2 (Drexel and Major, 1990; Youles, 1975).
These comprise a total resource of about 6 Mt at 0.08% U3O8
(Newton, 1996).
In the 1950s, a trial ground magnetic survey was carried out by
the Mines Department over the haematitic breccia mass at East
Painter, to determine its magnetic characteristics. The survey used
a McPhar fluxgate magnetometer, described as being read to an
accuracy of 10 nT. Readings were made at 30 m (100 ft) intervals
along a series of irregular traverses. The survey covered the
breccia body as completely as possible, but did not extend far into
surrounding areas. The results of the survey are shown in Figure
28a. Some parts of the body gave a strong magnetic response, with
anomalies of several hundred nanoTesla in places. Comparison
with the geological map of the East Painter area, published by
Blissett (1981), shows the anomaly pattern to roughly correlate
with known shears in some places. Idnurm and Heinrich (1993)
describe NRMs from haematite breccias from other prospects in
the area as having intensities ranging from 0.6-140 A/m. Thus,
remanent magnetism may be contributing significantly to the
272 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.27. Geological map of part of the Mount Painter Inlier, see Figure
26 for location. Note that the Hodgkinson prospect lies about 4 km to
the northeast. The Mount Gee Sinter is an epithermal quartz-
haematite sequence overlying and intruding the Radium Ridge
Breccias. Basement is composed of granitoids of the "older granite
suite" and metasediments and metavolcanics. Re-drawn from Drexel
and Major (1990).
observed anomalies, although the samples measured may have
been affected by lightning strikes. No association between the
magnetic anomalies and mineralisation was found, and from the
limited data available, it does not seem that the haematitic breccias
are much more magnetic than their granitic precursors. Data from
a scintillometer survey over roughly the same area seems mainly
to reflect topography and old workings (Fig.28b). Where detailed
scintillometer surveys were carried out, surface radioactivity was
found to be a poor indicator of the quantity and distribution of the
uranium mineralisation. However, in some places anomalies were
found to be associated with the outcrop of mineralisation that was
more extensive at depth.
Details of company geophysical exploration for uranium
deposits in the Mount Painter Inlier are given in various
submissions to the South Australian Mines Department by
Fitzpatrick Johnson and Associates and Exoil NL. Exploration
included airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys and ground
scintillometer surveys. However, the airborne surveys were not
successful. The terrain in the Mount Painter area consists of sharp
ridges and valleys with topographic relief of 200-300 m. One
aeromagnetic and scintillometer survey was flown at a nominal
height of 91 m (300 ft) with a line spacing of 201 m (660 ft).
Terrain effects caused ground clearance to be as much as 450 m,
and there were also problems with height differences of up to 250
m between tie lines and flight lines. These effects severely limited
the usefulness of the data. Nevertheless, the radiometric data
delineated broad areas of increased radioactivity, with the
Armchair, Streitberg Ridge, Mount Gee and Hodgkinson deposits
described as correlating with secondary anomalies within larger
anomalous zones. The Radium Ridge prospect also correlated
with a large zone of anomalous radioactivity.
Subsequently, trial IP/resistivity surveys were carried out at the
Armchair, Streitberg Ridge and Radium Ridge deposits. An
Dentith
Fig.28. Geophysical maps the East Painter prospect, a) VMI, contours
in nT, b) radioactivity, contours in Mr/hr. See Figure 27 for location.
electrode spacing of 30 m (100 ft) and frequencies of 3.0 and 0.3
Hz were used. Pseudosections from the first two areas are shown
in Figures 29a and 30a. The survey at Streitberg Ridge is
described as detecting the mineralisation, but not so at Armchair.
For this reason no further use was made of IP/resistivity surveys
during exploration.
The IP/resistivity data from Streitberg Ridge and Armchair
have been modelled using the DCIP2D package (see Appendix),
and the results are shown in Figures 29b and 30b. The results of
drilling are also shown. In the case of Streitberg Ridge, there are
conductive features close to the surface, very likely associated
with the regolith, but the section is otherwise largely featureless.
However, the apparent chargeability section contains a zone of
anomalous IP effect closely associated with drilling intercepts.
The modelling places the anomalous zone slightly deeper than
the know mineralisation. However, this is probably the result of
the enhanced PFE values extending to the minimum n-separation
in the data (n=2), and hence the minimum depth to the top of the
anomalous zone is not well constrained by the data. Modelling
shows it is possible to satisfactorily match the observations using
an anomalous body that coincides exactly with the drilling
results.
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.29. a) IP/resistivity pseudosections (30 m dipoles) from the
Streitberg Ridge prospect. b) Apparent resistivity and chargeability
cross-sections derived from the data in a).
Anomalous responses associated with the mineralisation
encountered in drill holes at Armchair are less obvious in the
pseudosections, which led to the original conclusion that IP data
were not reliable indicators of mineralisation. The resistivity
section shows higher conductivities close to the surface, again
probably associated with weathering, but also a feature extending
to greater depth, centred on station 17. The effects of this zone
dominate the pseudosection in Figure 30a. The apparent
chargeability section in Figure 30b suggests variations in the
resistivity are having a strong influence on the modelled
chargeability distribution, the chargeability responses occurring in
resistive areas adjacent to a central conductive zone. However,
modelling of the data confirm that an anomalous area is required
in the vicinity of the known mineralisation, although its geometry
is poorly constrained. This feature is masked by the effects of a
highly chargeable area beyond the northwestern limit of the data,
which dominates the pseudosection, especially at higher dipole
separations. However, lower amplitude anomalous responses,
correlating with the two prominent sources, are present in the
apparent chargeability section.
Overall, the modelling suggests IP/resistivity data may be a
more reliable indicator of uranium mineralisation, or more
specifically associated sulphides, than concluded at the time of the
original interpretation of the data.
Willyama Inliers
Three areas of uranium mineralisation occur in the Willyama
Inliers; Radium Hill, Crocker Well and Mount Victoria. All are
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 273
Dentith
Fig.30. a) IP/resistivity pseudosections (30 m dipoles) from the
Armchair prospect. b) Apparent resistivity and chargeability cross-
sections derived from the data in a).
assigned by Dunn et al. (1990) to their "disseminated magmatic,
pegmatitic and contact deposits" category, and mineralisation in
the area is described as generally hydrothermal vein-type, and
often pegmatitic and aplitic in character.
Radium Hill
Radium Hill (Fig.25) was a prospecting discovery, made in
1906, and the deposit was worked intermittently until 1962. It is
the only significant producing mine in the Curnamona Province.
Robertson et al. (1998) quote production of 954,000 t uranium ore,
containing 1.2 kg/t U3O8 and a significant rare-earth element
content, between 1954 and 1961. A remaining resource of 890,000 t,
containing 0.09 kg/t U3O8, is estimated.
The uranium is in the form of davidite, and associated
minerals include ilmenite, haematite and magnetite.
Mineralisation occurs as fracture fill, usually about 1 m wide,
but reaching 8 m. The fractures pass into unmineralised shears
that parallel the foliation in the local schist and gneiss. Three
main lodes and five minor lodes are known to occur in the mine
area. These are associated with an east-west trending fault
system. Sub-economic mineralisation also occurs nearby at
Bonython Hill, Taylor Hill and Bristowe Hill (Parkin and
Glasson, 1954).
Immediately following the Second World War, the South
Australian Mines Department carried out exploration in the
Radium Hill area. Ground and aerial radiometric surveys were
part of the exploration strategy. In 1951, an airborne scintillometer
274 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
survey (457 m (1500 ft) line spacing, 76 m (250 ft) flight height)
successfully located anomalies in the Radium Hill area, but the
majority were from known mineralisation, and the remainder were
due to pegmatitic gneiss (Dickinson et al., 1954; Gross, 1953). A
second survey of the Radium Hill region (45-55 m (150-180 ft)
line spacing, up to 30 m (100 ft) flight height) also detected
numerous anomalies, again several in areas of known
mineralisation (Harris, 1958).
The mineralisation at Bristowe Hill was discovered by a Geiger
counter survey and had a response of around 50% above
background (Dickinson et al., 1954). A survey at the Radium Hill
south lode found some associated surface radioactivity, and in
some areas the correspondence with mineralisation was good.
However, ground scintillometer surveys at, for example, Bonython
Hill did not detect much surface radioactivity, with only a few
stations having readings of greater than three times background.
Ground magnetic surveys provided evidence supporting the
view that mineralisation occurred in areas of structural complexity,
and the faults are described as giving rise to very strong anomalies
(Dickinson et al., 1954). A slingram EM survey at the Radium Hill
Mine located an anomaly, but costeaning found no associated
radioactivity.
Crocker Well
The Crocker Well area lies in the western Willyama Inliers.
Uranium mineralisation was discovered here as a result of the early
airborne scintillometer surveys that included the Radium Hill area
(Dickinson et al., 1954). The area has seen several phases of
geophysical exploration. Following discovery, the South
Australian Mines Department carried out an exploration program
that included shaft sinking and extensive costeaning. Over the
period 1968-81 Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australia Ltd, and
then Esso Exploration & Production Australia Inc. explored the
Crocker Well area. Mineralisation was located in a series of
deposits over an area of approximately 4 x 1 km. A low-grade
thorium-uranium resource of at least 10 Mt of 500 ppm U3O8 was
defined (Ashley, 1984). Geophysical data from all phases of
exploration are described in submissions to the Mines Department,
the greatest amount of data being from the "original" Crocker Well
prospect. However, it should be realised that the initial work by
the Mines Department caused a significant amount of ground
disturbance at this prospect.
The geology of the Crocker Well prospects and their surrounds
is described by Ashley (1984), Campana and King (1958) and
Dickinson et al. (1954). The area comprises high-grade
metamorphic rocks and associated anatectic granitoids. The
mineralisation occurs in an area of leucocratic granitoid, migmatite
and gneiss. Ashley (1984) recognises "regional", relatively
potassic, granitoids and associated migmatites, which surround an
elongate complex of sodic granitic rocks and felsic gneiss. These
sodic granitic rocks are referred to by other authors as adamellite
and alaskite, although Ashley (1984) prefers trondhjemite and
alaskite. Gradational contacts between the two rock types occur,
but in places the alaskite is present as a distinct intrusive phase.
The adamellites and alaskites lie within an elongate, east-west
trending zone, and all occurrences of mineralisation in the Crocker
Well area are associated with these rocks. In places, the sodic
granitoids are host to zones of pervasive veining and fracturing that
contain thorian brannerite mineralisation. Disseminated
mineralisation also occurs within breccia bodies. Hydrothermal
alteration of the host rocks is restricted to the vein systems and
breccia masses. The Crocker Well area contains several steeply
dipping shear zones. These zones trend between northeast and
eastsoutheast, and are associated with retrograde metamorphism.
Dentith
Fig.31. Geological and radiometric maps of the Crocker Well prospect.
a) geology, b) total count radiometric data. Data are the mean of the 4
nearest points along the survey line. Re-drawn from King (1954).
They do not contain significant mineralisation, although the main
areas of mineralisation tend to be proximal. The shear zones may
have influenced the development of the zones of fracturing and
veining in the sodic granitoids, and hence the location of
mineralisation (Ashley, 1984).
A suite of radiometric datasets of different types and vintages is
available from the Crocker Well area. These detected strong
anomalies at the original Crocker Well prospect, as well as
identifying new prospects in the surrounding area. The results of
one survey at the original Crocker Well prospect are shown in
Figure 31. However, the value of the radiometric data is reduced
by the disturbance of the site. Even the first dataset, collected by
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.32. Airborne total count radiometric data from the Crocker Well
prospect. Flight height was 107 m. Contours are in cps.
the Mines Department using a Halross scintillometer, was a survey
of "bedrock exposed in the costeans". Readings were taken at 0.75
m (2.5 ft) intervals along the trenches. Typical background of 60-
100 cps increased to 400-600 cps in areas of interest. The data
defined two main areas of greater radiation (Fig.31b). However,
sinking of the shafts shown in Figure 31 revealed the surface
radiation to be representative only of the quantity and distribution
of uranium mineralisation in the topmost 1 m. A second batch of
surface radiometric data were collected with a McPhar TV5
spectrometer. These also defined an anomaly associated with the
mineralisation. A heli-borne radiometric survey used a 11.43 cm
(4.5") diameter, by 5.08 cm (2") thick, NaI crystal, and was flow at
a height of 9.1 m (30 ft). Again, Crocker Well was associated with
a positive anomaly. The results of a high-level airborne
radiometric survey are shown in Figure 32. The data in this figure
were collected during calibration flights and show the anomaly
obtained at a height of 107 m (350 ft) using a Saphymo SPS-1
instrument. A prominent anomaly is evident over Crocker Well.
Reconnaissance ground magnetic data were acquired over the
Crocker prospect by the South Australian Mines Department. This
survey had a line spacing of 305 m (1000 ft), with stations spaced
at 30 m (100 ft). The survey proved useful for mapping the local
geology, with shear zones giving rise to positive anomalies, as at
Radium Hill. More recent aeromagnetic data from the area are
shown in Figure 33. The whole area lies within an area mapped as
granite, adamellite, migmatite and granitic gneiss by Campana
(1956a, 1956b). What appear to be the boundaries of two large
composite plutons are seen in the magnetic data, with the Crocker
Well prospect within the more southern of the two. There is
significant variation in magnetisation of the rocks within the limits
of the pluton, and comparison with the geological map of Ashley
(1984) suggests sodic granitoids are less magnetic than the
regional granitoids. A series of small bodies with weak
magnetisations occurs along the northern margin of the main
pluton. These are interpreted as sodic granitoids, and hence are
potential hosts to further uranium mineralisation. Large
northwesterly trending faults are evident in the data, but do not
seem to have exerted any particular control on the location of
known mineralisation at Crocker Well. Structures of similar trend
were mapped by Campana and King (1958). The northeast-
trending shear zones mapped on the ground in the Crocker Well
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 275
Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.33. BHEI aeromagnetic data (100 m line spacing) from the western Willyama Inliers, see Figure 25 for location. Also shown are the locations of
uranium mineralisation. a) TMI, b) TMI with terracing and gradient maxima operators, c) TMI with extended separation filter, d) TMI with
standard separation filter. Imaging by Cowan Geodata, Services see Appendix for details Data acquired by Geoscience Australia. Co-ordinates are
AMG zone 54.

area are less evident in the data, but this may be a question of scale.
However, the general eastnortheast-westsouthwest elongation of
anomalies here may be due to the effects of such structures, which
appear to form a broad zone within which the Crocker Well
mineralisation is sited. The sodic granitoids, which are an
essential aspect of the mineralisation, appear as areas of subdued
magnetisation.
Mount Victoria
The Mount Victoria prospect lies about 10 km northeast of
Crocker Well (Campana and King, 1958). Davidite mineralisation
occurs in four sub-parallel east-west trending fracture zones, up to
3 m in width, within migmatitic granites and gneiss (Johns, 1990).
Robertson et al. (1998) state there is a resource of 2965 t of U3O8.
As at Crocker Well, the mineralisation was detected by the early
airborne radiometric surveying by the Mines Department,
described above. Radiometric data from the region, acquired as
part of the Broken Hill Exploration Initiative (BHEI), are shown in
Figure 34. The Mount Victoria Mine lies on the southern margin
of a large (2-3 km) region of anomalous radiometric response.
Equivalent aeromagnetic data from the region including Mount
Victoria are shown in Figure 33. The prospect lies close to the
southern margin of an intrusion (different from that containing
Crocker Well). Figure 33c, in particular, highlights the proximity
of northnorthwest- and northeast-trending lineaments, whilst
Figure 33d highlights a northwest-trending linear. These features
are presumed to be faults, but any associated displacements of
magnetic anomalies are apparently less than the resolution of the
dataset.

276 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.34. Ternary image of BHEI radiometric data from the northern

Willyama Inliers. Data acquired by Geoscience Australia. From
Knaak et al. (2002). Co-ordinates are AMG zone 54.

The Mount Victoria area was explored by the Electrolytic Zinc

Company of Australia Ltd, at the same time as they were exploring
at Crocker Well, and the following is largely taken from reports
submitted to the Mines Department by this company. Figure 35
shows ground radiometric and magnetic data from the prospect.
The data were acquired at 15 m (50 ft) spacing on north-south lines
30 m (100 ft) apart. The radiometric data, collected with a McPhar
TV-3 instrument, clearly defined the main area of mineralisation.
There is also an unexplained anomaly to the south. The magnetic
data are dominated by the responses from magnetite-bearing
schist. The reason for the anomaly over the main lode is probably
magnetite, which occurs, in association with pyrite, at the margins
of the lodes, and the overall anomaly pattern may be controlled by
differences in the highly migmatised host rocks, and also the
occurrence of faults. A more detailed magnetic survey would very
probably provide significant information on the geological setting
of the Mount Victoria deposit.

BASE-METAL DEPOSITS IN THE KANMANTOO TROUGH

The Kanmantoo Trough (Fig.1) contains a deformed and

metamorphosed succession of Cambrian metasedimentary rocks,
termed the Kanmantoo Group. Deformation, during the
Delamarian Orogeny, created a series of north-south to northeast-
southwest trending folds and thrust faults (Belperio et al., 1998)
(Fig.36a). These structures are clearly visible in SAEI/TEISA
aeromagnetic data (Fig.36c and d). Within the succession are a
number of exhalative base-metal deposits (Belperio et al., 1998;
Toteff, 1999). Although base-metal mineralisation is widespread,
it is best developed in three stratigraphic units: the Tapanappa
Formation, Talisker Calc-siltstone and the Carrickalinga Head
Formation (Fig.36b).
Mining occurred at numerous locations, mainly during the 19th
Century, but was briefly revived at the Kanmantoo copper deposit
in the 1970s and the Angas/Rankine deposit (not described here)
may be mined in the near future.
Kanmantoo Copper Deposit
The Kanmantoo ore bodies are the main occurrence of copper
mineralisation in the Kanmantoo Group (Verwoerd and Cleghorn,
1975; Both, 1990). The ore bodies have no surface expression,
being covered by laterite about 7 m thick. Mineralisation occurs
within a succession of schists. Overall, the deposit is an elongated
Fig.35. Mount Victoria uranium prospect, a) geology, b) VMI and total
count radioactivity.
pipe-like body measuring about 180 m in strike length, trending
10º and extending to at least 450 m depth. However, in detail it
consists of a series of lenses, which trend parallel to an axial planar
schistosity and the overall trend of the deposit. Mineralisation
occurs as layers and disseminations, but mainly as veinlets. The
main ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and magnetite, with
lesser pyrite. Weathering extends to about 25 m, and in the
weathered zone the ore consists of malachite, azurite and abundant
iron oxides.
Although copper mineralisation was mined at Kanmantoo in
the last century, the main Kanmantoo deposit was discovered in
1962 and lies to the south of previous workings. The deposit was
worked as an open cut from 1970 to 1976 producing 4.05 Mt of ore
at an average grade of 0.89% Cu (Newton, 1996). Geophysics
played a significant role in the discovery of the deposit with

Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 277

Dentith Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits

Fig.36. Geological map and aeromagnetic data from the central part of the Kanmantoo Trough. a) Geological map showing locations of selected
mineral deposits (modified from Toteff, 1999), K - Kanmantoo, MT - Mount Torrens. b) simplified stratigraphic column (modified from Toteff, 1999),
c) TMI, d) TMI with extended separation filter. Processing by Cowan Geodata Services, see Appendix for details. Co-ordinates are AMG zone 54.

AFMAG, Tx-AFMAG, IP/resistivity and ground magnetic surveys
being carried out (Verwoerd and Cleghorn, 1975). The results of
these surveys and a geological cross-section across the ore body
are shown in Figure 37. The ore body is associated with anomalies
on all the datasets. Unfortunately, details of the specifications of
these surveys are not available.
The IP/resistivity data (Fig.37d) have been modelled using
the DCIP2D package (see Appendix). It was assumed these
data were acquired with a dipole-dipole array. The
pseudosections show that 91 m (300 ft) dipoles were used. The
modelling suggests is it physical property variations within the
host schists that are responsible for the observed anomalies,
rather than the mineralisation itself. Weathering-related effects
are also likely.
Mount Torrens Lead-Zinc-Silver Prospect
The Mount Torrens deposit is a sub-economic concentration of
lead-zinc-silver mineralisation discovered in 1976. Newton (1996)
quotes an inferred resource of 0.7 Mt @ 6.4% Pb, 1.6% Zn and
41g/t Ag. The deposit was discovered by stream sediment
sampling, but geophysics was used in its evaluation. The
following description of the geology and geophysics of the
prospect is taken from submissions by CRA Exploration Pty Ltd to
the South Australian Mines Department.

278 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits

Dentith
Fig.37. Geophysical data from the Kanmantoo deposit. a) VMI, b) Tx-
AFMAG, c) AFMAG, d) IP/resistivity, e) modelled conductivity and
chargeability cross-sections, based on data in d), f) geology. Based on
data in Verwoerd and Cleghorn (1975).
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
Fig.38. Geology and geophysical responses along traverse 800S, Mount
Torrens prospect. a) MIP, b) TMI and c) geology. M - mineralisation
intersected by drill hole MT77DD1.
Lead-zinc-silver mineralisation, comprising mainly pyrite,
galena and sphalerite, occurs within a 5-10 m thick pyritic quartz-
calcite-scapolite-garnet horizon, informally termed the Mount
Torrens horizon. The Mount Torrens horizon forms part of the
Talisker Calc-siltstone, and is separated from the overlying Nairne
Pyrite Member by a sequence of quartz-feldspar biotite schist and
hornfels varying in thickness between 12 and 50 m. The Nairne
Pyrite Member consists mainly of pyrite-pyrrhotite-rich
carbonaceous phyllites and argillites. Other pyritic horizons
overlie the horizon at Mount Torrens, although their number
varies. The lithological units in the area vary in thickness along
strike, as does the mineralisation in the Mount Torrens horizon,
which shows significant lateral and vertical variations in both lead-
zinc content and overall mineralogy.
Magnetic and MIP surveys were carried out at Mount Torrens
in order to locate the mineralised horizon, differentiate between
massive and disseminated mineralisation, and try to distinguish the
mineralised pyritic Mount Torrens horizons from the relatively
barren pyrite-pyrrhotite horizons of the Nairne Pyrite Member.
The magnetic survey used a Geometrics Unimag G-836 proton
precession magnetometer with a line spacing of 200 m and a
station spacing of 25 m. The survey defined a series of anomalies,
generally offset to the west, or east, of the Mount Torrens horizon.
These anomalies are probably the result of variations in the
pyrrhotite content of the surrounding rocks, since only trace
quantities of magnetite were seen in drill holes. There is evidence
that a weak negative anomaly of between 10 and 20 nT is
Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits 279
Dentith
associated with the Mount Torrens horizon (Fig.38b). This low is
probably due to the dominance of pyrite over pyrrhotite in the
mineralised horizon.
The MIP survey used IPR-8/MFM-3 sensors with 500 m
current dipoles. The primary and secondary magnetic fields were
read at 25 m intervals, along traverses 200 m apart. The survey
defined numerous anomalies, and data from one traverse are
shown in Figure 38a. Anomalies at 37E and 100E were interpreted
as due to electrically continuous sulphides at these locations. At
50E, massive sulphides were interpreted. Disseminated sulphides,
or graphite, within a resistive host, were interpreted east of 100E
and west of 62W. Anomalies interpreted to originate from massive
sulphides define a continuous band across the entire prospect, with
smaller less continuous sub-parallel anomalies east and west of the
main anomaly. However, subsequent drilling showed the MIP
survey was not particularly successful in delineating or finding
lead-zinc mineralisation. Petrophysical measurements
(conductivity and PFE) on samples from drill hole MT77DD1
(Fig.38c) suggested the Hn peak was probably the result of three
mineralised zones at 42, 60 and 169 m depth. Note that the first
two zones are mainly pyritic with trace sphalerite, galena and
chalcopyrite, whilst the latter contains lead-zinc mineralisation.
Thus, the MIP was unable to distinguish between the responses
from the Mount Torrens horizon and the adjacent Nairne Pyrite
Member.
Better results might have been obtained with higher resolution
magnetic and MIP surveys, but since soil and rock geochemistry
presented a successful and relatively cheap alternative, the only
other geophysical work in the area was downhole logging carried
out by the Mines Department. Gamma, neutron, density, SP and
point-resistivity logs were recorded. The only response of interest
was a slight increase in density associated with the mineralised
zone, and an increase in gamma response just below the Mount
Torrens horizon.
CONCLUSIONS
The diversity of subject matter in this paper prevents a specific
conclusion from being drawn. However, it is clear that
geophysical exploration methods have a long history in South
Australia, and in a State where outcrop is so poor there is no doubt
that they will continue to play an important role in exploration for
all types and styles of mineralisation. The high-quality airborne
geophysical data being acquired through programmes such as the
SAEI and TEISA allow geological structure and stratigraphy in
prospective regions to be mapped with confidence.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Much of this paper was written whilst the author was on
sabbatical leave from The University of Western Australia based at
MESA. Staff at MESA are thanked for their advice and welcome,
in particular Dominic Calandro, Terry Crabb, Nick Dunstan, the
late Robin Gerdes, Grant Koch, Gary Reid and Andrew Shearer.
Special mention should go to Warwick Newton for his expert
advice on all aspects of South Australian mineral deposits. Figures
3-6, 8-13, 15, 17, 18, 21-23, 5, 27-32, 34-35, 37-41 were entirely
or in part drafted by PIRSA. Rachel McInnes drafted Figure 36.
Mike House, Bevan Dockery, Graham Bubner, Alan Willocks,
Mike Webb and Terry Crabb are thanked for their reviews of
various components of the paper.
280 Geophysical Signatures of South Australian Mineral Deposits
Geophysical signatures of South Australian mineral deposits
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