Geology
The Blackstone Project comprises of two tenements (E69/2108, E69/2109) which overlies a significant mafic – ultramafic intrusion known as the Saturn Complex. The magnetic feature (Figure 4) shows 15 discernable magnetic rings and is interpreted to be a core – shaped feeder to the Giles Intrusion Complex.
This type of layered intrusion is comparable to mineralised feeders at Jinchuan in China and the Great Dyke of South Africa, both hosting world class Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Platinum Group Elements (PGE) mineralisation.
Recent mapping and surface sampling by RDS has outlined a number of significant geochemical targets including Halleys (Cu-Ni-PGE), Titan (Cu-PGE) and Helena (Ni-Cr).
The Blackstone Saturn Magnetic Anomaly
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Halleys Cu-Ni-PGE
Regional soil sampling has outlined a 1.5km long geochemical trend with highly anomalous Cu, Ni and PGE with peak values of 1900ppm Cu, 940ppm Ni and 72ppb PGE. These values are considerably higher than the reported soil geochemistry (950ppm Cu, 748ppm Ni and 12ppb PGE) over the Nebo and Babel sulhipe Ni deposit, 30km to the west.
Rock chip sampling from an ironstone outcrop returned a peak assay of 0.54% Cu, 0.24%Ni and 249ppb PGE. Geological interpretation of the geochemical results suggest the soil anomaly and ironstones overlie Ni–Cu-PGE sulphide mineralisation.
To confirm this interpretation, 40 line kilometres of ground electromagnetic surveys (EM) were completed over the Halleys area in December. Preliminary EM data show a weak near-surface conductor trending NNW from the main anomalous outcrop. The near-surface weak conductor is an extremely good target, possibly representing a NNW-plunging Cu-Ni-PGE sulphide body. The weak conductor could represent up to 30% sulphide, in matrix-supported, stringer or disseminated type mineralisation.
Titan Cu-PGE
Regional Lag sampling has defined a broad copper anomalous zone at >120ppm Cu over an area of 10 x 4km in the southeastern portion of the Blackstone Range Project, southeast of the Saturn Complex. Two high-order (>200ppm Cu) copper anomalies with sporadic anomalous PGEs are present within this zone: Titan and Titan North.
A peak result of 1064ppm Cu defined the centre of the Titan anomaly. On site analyses using a handheld XRF assays have defined a 1.4km long Cu anomaly up to 800m wide at >200ppm Cu with numerous values greater than 500ppm Cu. This is the largest Cu anomaly thus far defined in the Musgrave Block. The anomaly trends NE and is associated with a poorly exposed gabbro paralleling the aeromagnetic trends.
Helena Ni-Cr Anomaly
A large high-order Ni-Cr anomaly has been defined in the MLag along the southern end of the Blackstone Range Hills. This is likely stratigraphic and of little consequence. Follow-up work has involved Niton geochemical sampling of rock outcrop, comprising several olivine gabbros with peak values of 120 ppm Cu, 570 ppm Ni, 1000ppm V, 280ppm Cr and 11420ppm V. A soil geochemical traverse was completed with the Niton, yielding a peak of 300ppm Ni, 240ppm Cr, and 70ppm Cu.
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