Uranium Exploration in Queensland, 1967-71

Home , Francevillite, Mount Isa, Mount Isa Mines, Rolling Downs Group

QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF MINES

URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

by J. H. Brooks

! „ REPORT No. 69 GEOLOGICAL! SURVEY OF QUEENSLAND J. T. Woods Chief Government Geologist QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF MINES

URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

by J. H. Brooks

^..•Vi-.V-.-;.,

REPORT No. 69 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF QUEENSLAND J. T. Woods Chief Government Geologist

WF * Co W2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY 1

INTRODUCTION 1

HISTORY OF EXPLORATION I

AIRBORNE R2VDIOMETRIC SURVEYS 2

DRILLING 2

RESERVES 4

DISTRIBUTION 6

EXPLORATION 6 Westmoreland 6 Caltor. Hills 8 Paroo Creek 8 Gorge Creek 10 Spear Creek 10 Mary Kathi'een 10 Georgina Basin 11 Georgetown 11 Mesozoic Sedimentary Basins 12 FUTURE OUTLOOK 14 REFERENCES 15 TABLES Table 1 Drilling for uranium in Queensland - annual footages 3 Table 2 Queensland uranium reserves 5 Table 3A Uranium exploration under Authority to Prospect, 1965-71 16 Table 3B Uranium exploration by the Bureau of Mineral Resources 19 Table 4 Drilling for uranium in Queensland - individual deposits 20

FIGURES Figure 1 Areas of Queensland covered by airborne radiometric surveys Opposite 1 Figure 2 Drilling for uranium in Queensland, annual totals 4 Figure 3 Locality plan, uranium occurrences, Westmoreland area 7 Figure 4 Locality plan, uranium occurrences, Mount Isa area 9 Figure 5 Post-Triassic sedimentary basins in Queensland 13 QUEENSLAND SHOWING URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND 1967-71 by J, H. Brooks Geolot ical Survey of Queensland SUMMARY Exploration for uranium revived in 1967 after a period of little activity, and a peak was reached in 1970, when drilling for uranium totalled 143, 920 feet, and numerous airborne and gronnd ra-iiometric surveys were carried out. Total Queensland reserves ot TJ3O8, in ore with a grade exceeding 21b/ton, are estimated to be 28, 926 short tons. Increases in reserves in the 1967-71 period resulted largely from further exploration of previously known deposits in the Precambrian of northwestern Queensland. The largest deposits are in the Westmoreland area, but the only firm plans for production of uranium are at the Mary Kathleen deposit, which is to recommence production in 1974. Extensive exploration for sedimentary uranium deposits, mainly in Jurassic and Cretaceous sequences, has not been successful, but there is considerable scope for further exploration.

INTRODUCTION This report reviews the period of intense exploration for uranium from 1967 to 1971 and is, in part, supplementary to the publication "The uranium deposits of North Western Queensland" (Brooks, 1960), which is out of print. Information has been compiled from open file company reports and published reports of exploration companies. Some results of exploration on current Authorities to Prospect and Mineral Leases are held by the companies concerned as confidential. The Mary Kathleen deposit has been described by Hughes and Munro (1965), but no recent geological descriptions have been published on the Westmoreland deposits or the Paroo Creek-Calton Hills deposits.

HISTORY OP EXPLORATION The first period of uranium exploration from 1954 to 1960 was followed by a hiatus to 1966. During this period the only drilling carried out on uranium deposits were short programmes at the Mary Kathleen mine in 1964, following the cessation of production, and the Monakoff copper-uranium prospect near Cloncurry in 1965. With the projected improvement in market prospects for uranium, interest in exploration revived strongly in 19 67. Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd launched an extensive drilling p. ?gramme to augment proved reserves at the Mary Kathleen deposit and searched for uranium over a wide area around Mary Kathleen. In the same year several Authorities to Prospect were taken up in northwestern Queensland by Queensland Mines Ltd, Mount Isa Mines Ltd, and The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd, primarily for uranium exploration, and Kerr McGee Australia Ltd extended the search for uranium to the Mesozoic sandstones of the Surat Basin in southern Queensland.

The most significant discovery was made by Queensland Mines Ltd in the latter part of 1968, when extensive primary uranium mineralization was found adjacent to previously known occurrences of secondary uranium minerals at Redtree in the Westmore- land area. Drilling has since delineated primary and secondary deposits of uranium con- taining the largest known reserves in Queensland. In the following year the same company located substantial tonnages of uranium lore at the Valhalla prospect, north of Mount Isa, and made a new discover} of potential significance, the Warwai, in the Calton Hills area, north of Mount Isa. l! 2. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

The level of exploration activity in terms of radiometric surveys and drilling was far higher in the 19 67-71 period than in the firat uranium "boom" of 1954-60. Whereas the individual prospector was very prominent in the first uranium "boom", exploration in thel967-71 period was almost entirely by mining companies. Although radiometric surveys have become much more sophisticated in regard to instrumentation, very few entirely new uranium occurrences have been discovered and none of the new occurrences has yet been proved to be of major economic importance.

AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC SURVEYS

Prior to 19 67 airborne radiometric surveys were largely carried out by the Bureau of Mineral Resources and by mining companies using scintillometers in light aircraft or helicopters. Since then most of the surveys have been carried out by geophysical service companies using specially fitted aircraft. Companies which have carried out airborne radiometric surveys in Queensland include Geophysical Resources Development Co., Texas Instrument Inc., McPhar Geophysics Pty Ltd, Air Research Pty Ltd, Adastra Hunting Geophysics Pty Ltd, Air Search Exploration Pty Ltd,' and Canadian Aero Services Ltd. j

Other significant developments have been the introduction of multi-crystal gamma ray spectrometers and the use of computer processing to produce automatically plotted isoradiation maps. The ability of the gamma ray spectrometers to discriminate between radiation from different sources has been of distinct advantage in follow up ground work and the spectrometers rapidly received acceptance by exploration companies.

In addition to surveys specifically for uranium, several aerpmagnetic- radiometric surveys have/ been carried out by mining companies as part of general exploration programmes over Authorities to Prospect, and by the Bureau of Mineral Resources in connection with regional geological surveys (Bowen Basin, Herberton, Mossman and Cloncurry areas). A gamma ray spectrometer survey was also carried out by the Bureau of Mineral Resources over part of the Georgina Basin in connection with a study of the occurrence of phosphate. r

The Westmoreland uranium deposits were found as a result of an airborne scintillometer survey (Livingstone, 1957) and more recent detailed airborne surveys have located additional anomalies which are being investigated. Of the other occurrences of uranium found from airborne radi,ometrie surveys, only the Warwai prospect has warranted extensive exploration by drilling.- ,•="..• >

Areas covered- by airborne radiometric surveys are shown on figure 1 and further information is summarized in Table 3. • -

DRILLING , ,

. The total reported footage of diamond core drilling and non-core drilling for uranium in the 1967-1971 period was 405,287 feet. Details are given in Tables 1 and 4. The major programmes were Malry Kathleen (8(4, 438 feet), Westmoreland (Qld Mines 141,599 feet, B. H. P. 20,309 feet), Valhalla (46, 516 feet), Skal (13, 467 feet), and Warwai- Watta (16,032 feet). Annual drilling footage reached a peak of 143, 920 feet in 1970, and showed a marked reduction in 1971, Local factors contributing to this were Queensland Mine* Ltd's tr&nsferral of its major exploration effort to the Northern Territory and the absence of discoveries meriting exploratory drilling. The magnitude of the drilling pro- grammea im elation to the extent of fthe uranium deposits reflects the erratic, distribution of uranium mineralization, necessitating a closely-spaced pattern of drill holes in order to make reliable estimates of ore jreserves. However, the 1967-70 discovery rate of approximately 100 lb U3O8 per foojt drilled (including refractory ores) compares very favourably with ratea in the U.S.A. ((Sherman, 1971). , URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 3.

TABLE 1 DRILLING FOR URANIUM IN QUEENSLAND - ANNUAL FOOTAGES

Footage Year Main Programmes Core Non-core Total

1954 8,722 8,7 22 Mary Kathleen, Skal, Pile, Monakoff 1955 35, 640 - 35, 640 Mary Kathleen, Elaine Dorothy, Ander- son's 1956 4,146 - 4,146 Mary Kathleen 1957 6,107 1,473 7,580 Mary Kathleen, Helafells 1958 6,830 1,208 8,038 Mary Kathleen, Milo, Redtree 1959 30, 466 139 30, 605 Mary Kathleen, Anderson's, Skal 1960 9,666 - 9,666 Mary Kathleen, Anderson's, Skal 1961-63 - - - 1964 8,393 - 8,393 Mary Kalhleen 1965 1,511 1,511 Monakoff 1966 250 - 250 1967 26, 186 119 26, 305 Mary Kathleen 1968 39,459 19,595 59, 054 Mary Kathleen, Skal, Bikini, Elaine Mary, Pile, Future, Mighty Glare, Carol, Surat Basin 1969 84, 048 50, 850 134,898 Mary Kathleen, Westmoreland (Redtree, etc), Valhalla, Skal, Queens Gift, Printi, Eromanga Basin

1970 65,866 ; 78,054 143,920 Westmoreland (Redtree, Long Pocket, etc), Valhalla, Watta-Warwai, Tjilpa, Mirrioola, New Batman, Marraroo, Jurraveel, Yvonne Theresa, Eagle, Elizabeth Ann, Eromanga Basin 1971* 15, 810 25, 603 41,413 Westmoreland, Watta, Surat Basin

Totals 343, lffO 177,041 { 520,14 J

.! * Provisional figures f 4. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

FIGURE 2 DRILLING FOR URANIUM IN QUEENSLAND

140 ANNUAL TOTALS

130

120

110 -

100

1954 YEAR Drawn by Drafting Branch Department of Mints Briibint M.O. «-7Mt

/';\;.<-, •• • ,' '"'. RESERVES

„ Prior to 1967; reserve* were 7, 670 short tons U3O8 in the Mary Kathleen deposit and 2, 750 short tons U3O8 in the Slcal and Anderson's lode. Since 1967 extensive drilling-at Mary Kathleen Increased reserves only marginally to 8,726 short tons U3O8 with a further 2,253 short tons U3O8 in low grade ore. On the other hand, Queensland Mines Ltd increased its reserves of refractory ore in the Mount Isa area to 6,200 short tons U3Oa (Skal, Anderson's lode, Valhalla, etc) and established reserves of 14, 000 short tons U3O8 in the Westmoreland d.-tposits (as at April, 1971). Thus total reserves have nearly trebled to 2 8.926 short tons USO8 and this figure will almost certainly be increased; when the assessments of the results of recent drilling programmes are disclosed. The ores at Mary Kathleen and Westmoreland are considered to be mineable at current uranium, price levels (circa $6 per lb UJOB)| but extraction difficulties indicate that a price in the j $8 to $10 range would be required tor the Mount Isa area refractory ores to be profitably mined and treated (Stewart, 196?). Details of Queensland reserves are tabulated in Table 2. ,..-".•' TABLE 2

QUEENSLAND URANIUM RESERVES, December 1970

Non-refrac tory ores Refract ory oreB Reserves before +Sib/toriUjP -21b/to Deposit 8 nU3O8 Ore type Mining Method Stage of exploration 1967 s.tons lb/ s.tons 16/ s.tons lb/ s. tons lb/ »#>8 s.ton U3O8 s.ton r U3O8 s.ton U3O8 s.ton

HAMMAWGI- • Pitchblende, some Partly open Drilling suspended HUARABAOOO brannerite cut Preliminary Join Zone " feasibility studies 14,000 + 3.0 NAMALANGI Meta-torbernite, Open-cut - 3 Indsry l«na*s carnotite S LONG POCKET 2,000 + 1.0 Mainly secondary Open Cut Drilling complete - - RXDTREKM.L. ** As for Namalangi Partly open Drilling suspended - 1 54SS-S440 cut MARY KATHLEEN 8,736 2.43, 1,960 1.91 Uraninite Open cut | Drilling complete 7,670 3.5 a 292 X.22 Stockpiled VU3O8 contracts J negotiated

ANDERSON'S 2,300 3.5 ? Underground Drilling complete 2,100 3.5 LODE

SKAL- BIKINI Drilling complete 650 3.0 1,690 3.0 ? Brannerite 1 Partly open J cut to VALHALLA 1,910 3.0 ? Drilling suspended - o WARWAI-WATTA ** Francevillite Open cut Drilling complete -

Totals 22,726 4,252 6,200* 10,420

* Total reserve figure given by Queensland Mines Ltd for its Mount Isa area deposits. •• Reserves not disclosed. 6. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

DISTRIBUTION Known deposits of economic significance are still confined to the Precam- brian of northwestern Queensland. The Eastern Creek Volcanics and Corella Formation have been confirmed as the most important formations for uranium occurrence in the Mount Isa area, but the importance of the Westmoreland Conglomerate is now more fully realised. Mary Kathleen is the only large deposit in the Corella Formation, whereas the Eastern Creek Volcanics contain three deposits of moderate size (Valhalla, Anderson's, and Skal) and many small deposits. The lack of any further significant discoveries in the Corella Formation despite fairly intensive exploration tencd to support the view that the Mary Kathleen deposit is unique in character. The location of the Warwai-Watta deposit Jn the Leander Quartzite is of some stratigraphic interest as only minor occurrences were previously known in this formation. The tuffaceous nature of the Warwai host rock indicates lithological similarities with some deposits in the Eastern Creek Volcanics. Radiometric anomalies have also been located in the Myally Beds, in the Mount Oxide area, north of Mount Isa, and two of these have been confirmed as uranium occurrences by ground follow up (Company Report: 1959). In the Westmoreland Conglomerate only deposits in the Redtree area have been shown to contain major reserves of uranium, but several other occurrences of uranium mineralization are known and the significance of some of these has yet to be determined.

EXPLORATION WESTMORELAND The Redtree area is situated 253 miles north-northwest of Mount Isa and 7 miles east of the Northern Territory border. The deposits consist of vein-type primary uranium mineralization associated with major joint zones,and stratiform secondary uranium lenses in gritty, ferruginous sandstoneadjacent to the joint zones. The Namslangi north, easterly trending joint zone is approximately 8,000 feet long and contains lenticular veins of primary uranium mineralization in, and adjacent to, vertically-dipping, hydrothermally altered dykes of intermediate composition which fill the joint system.

The joint zone ranges up to more than 250 feet in width and there may be several paralleluraniferous lenses within this zone. The width of uranium mineralization ranges from 13 to 45 feet. Adjacent to the primary joint zone are flatly-dipping lenses of secondary uranium mineralization of substantial areal extent and extending to depths of 30 to 100 feet. The Langi and Jack lenses occur to the northwest of the joint zone. Some secondary ore extends southeast of the joint zone, but the main development of uranium mineralization here is the Garee lens which is essentially a primary deposit. The Huara- Jbagoo mineralized joint zone extends northeast of Namalangi along the trend for a distance of some 5, 500 feet and a seismic survey indicates that it continues a further 8,000 feet beneath alluvium. Carnotite, meta-torbernite, and fine-grained disseminated pitchblende are the main ore minerals, and some brannerite is also present. Queensland Mines jLtd held Authority to Prospect 444M over most of the outcrop area of the Westmoreland Conglomerate from 1967 to 1971. Mineral Leases have been applied for over the known deposits. The company drilled the Namalangi and Huara- bagoo Joint zone* at 100 feet interval* to intersect the uraniferoua veins and lenses at depths Of up to 400 feet. However, even at thia spacing the estimation of reserves has been difficult due to the erratic distribution of primary mineralization. Diamond drilling has been used to teat the primary deposits and percussion drilling for testing the secondary deposit* and tha Garee lena of vhe Namalangi primary deposit. Approximately 95,000 feet ot drilling was carried out at the Ntmalangi and Huarabagoo deposits up to the end of 1970. In 1971 a further 23 diamond drill hole*, totalling 11, 319 feet and 121 percussion holes, totalling 17,313 feet wens completed before drilling was suspended in August. Drilling has located deposit snot related to surf ace anomalies and there is scope for fincing additional concealed deposits. The annual report of Queensland Mines Ltd for 1970 stated that proved reserves at Westmoreland totalled 14,000 short tons U3O8 of a +31b/ton grade. This com- pared with 1969 estimates of 8,700 short tons U3O3 in primary ore with an average grade of 41b/ton, and 1, 500 short tons U3O8 in secondary ore with an average grade of 31b/ton. Shafts have been sunk and levels driven to study the ore occurrence and obtain bulk samples. Tests on primary and secondary ores have not indicated any extractive metallurgical problems. Mount Isa Mines Ltd holds three leases, Redtree 1 (M. L. 5438), Redtree 2 (M. L. 5439), and Redtree 3 (M. L. 5440), which were taken up several years prior to the granting of Authority to Prospect 444M ko Queensland Mines Ltd. Redtree 2 and Redtree 3 include 1,800 feet of the Namalangi joint zone and part of the Garee lens. Redtree 1 takes in part of the Jack lens. Conzinc Ribtinto of Australia Ltd have a half interest in Mount Isa Mines Ltd's Redtree exploration In 1969-70, a programme of 5,949 feet of drilling was carried out on the leases, but TO results have been disclosed. By extrapolation of information from the Queensland Mines Ltd drilling programme, it is likely that ore reserves on the Redtree lesJes are substantial, though probably much less than those of Queensland Mines Ltd. A*y large scale development of the Namalangi deposit would pre- sumably require the cc-operation 01 the two companies. The secondary ore lenses and the upper part of the Namalangi pri nary deposit would be amenable to open cut mining. 8. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 The Long Pocket prospect, situated 8 miles east-northeast of Redtree, has been tested by Queensland Mines Ltd with over 17,000 feet of diamond and percussion drilling. This indicated that extensive near-surface secondary mineralization did not persist at depth, although some primary mineralization was found. Reserves were estimated at 2,000 short tons U3O3 with an average grade of +llb/ton. Secondary uranium mineralization has also been found at the Moogooma prospect, about 4 miles southwest of Redtree. Some 254 feet of driving and crosscutting were carried out to test a uranium occurrence along the northeast trending Tjuambi joint zone, 8| miles easterly from Redtree. Exploration of several other radiometric anomalies was carried out in 1971. Authority to Prospect 445M held by The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. which adjoined 444M on the northern and eastern sides, includes a substantial area of Westmoreland Conglomerate. Some 18,382 feet of diamond and percussion drilling were completed in the 1969-70 period and a further seven diamond drill holes totalling 1,927 feet were sunk in 1971, but no discoveries of deposits of economic significance have been disclosed.

CALTON HILLS A large number of relatively small deposits occur in the Eastern Creek Volcanics in the Calton Hills area, 40 to 60 miles north of Mount Isa. They have been investigated by Queensland Mines Ltd and to a lesser extent by Mineral Deposits Ltd and Ausminda Pty Ltd. The Calton, Elaine Mary, New Batman, Queen's Gift and other un- named prospects have been tested by limited drilling programmes.

The Warwai and Watta prospects, 2| miles southeast of Calton Hills homestead, are in kaolinitic tuff and fine-grained magnetite quartzite of the Leander Quartzite. The yellow secondary uranium mineral francevillite has been identified. Queens1 dnd Mines Ltd have explored the prospects by extensive costeaning, 50 percussion drill holes totalling 11,812 feet, andtwelve diamond drill holes totalling 4,220 feet. Early in the drilling programme two percussion holes obtained 30 feet intersections with a grade of 4. 8 Ib/ton U3O8, but the result of further drilling indicated that mineralization of potential economic significance was confined to the secondary zone and percussion drilling was carried out to define near-surface reserves.

The Black Mountain uranium prospect in the Myally Creek area, 58 miles north of Calton Hills homestead, occurs in ferruginous and carbonaceous sandstone of the MyaUyBeds. Mineral Leases 5820 and 5821 (Cloncurry) were taken up over the prospect by Hydro Minerals Development Pty Ltd in 1966. The area of the uranium anomaly is large, but surface exploration by pits and shallow drill holes apparently failed to locate mineralization of economic significance. Western Nuclear Australia Ltd drilled two holes attheWeberra proapect (M. L. 5900) also in the Myally Beds. Results were inconclusive.

PAROO CREEK Thia area, 15 to 25 mile* north of Mount Isa, includes the Valhalla, Skal and numerous other smaller deposits in the Eastern Creek Volcanics.

The most significant development has been at the Valhalla prospect. Follow- ing discovery in 1954, this prospect was explored initially by United Uranium N. L. In 1968, it was taken up by Queensland Mines Ltd and, as a result of an extensive programme of costeaning and drilling, uranium mineralization was found to extend over a length of 2,400 feet and a width of more than fiO feet. Mineralization of potential economic significance is confined to lenses within a 200 feet wide, near vertically-dipping, ferruginous tuff horizon, which is interbedded with meta-basalt. Weak uranium mineralization occurs between the higher grade lenses. The area Including the Valhalla deposit is shown as O FIGURE 4

LOCALITY PLAN URANIUM OCCURRENCES MOUNT ISA AREA

Drawn by the Drafting Branch. Department of Mines. Queensland. M.O, 42-71-10 10. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 t Judenan Beds on the Mount Isa four mile series geological map, but is now recognised as being Eastern Creek Volcanica.

In 1969 reserves were estimated to be 1, 910 short tons of V^OQ,- in ore with an average grade of 3.0 lb/ton. No revised estimate was made after further drilling in 1970 and the deposit has not been fully explored at depth, to the end of 1970 some 23,507 feet of diamond drilling and 23,009 feet of percussion drilling had been completed.

The Valhalla is well situated in regard to access, being adjacent to the Barkly Highway, but apparently the ore is somewhat refractory, in common with other deposits in the Eastern Creek Volcanics. Metallurgical research is being carried out.

The Skal, situated 21 miles north of Mount Isa, was the first significant deposit of uranium found in Queensland. Initial exploration in 1954 was carried out by Mount Isa Mines Ltd and the leases were purchased by Queensland Mines Ltd in 1959. A short drilling programme was carried out in 1959-60 and a more extensive programme in 1968-69. The second programme enabled reserves to be increased from 650 short tons to 1, 660 short tons of U3O8, in ore with a grade of 3 lb/ton. Drilling has been mainly to a depth of 500 feet, with a few deeper holes.

Queensland Mines Ltd have also drilled the Bikini, Drum. Future, Jurraveel, Left Over, Marraroo, Minga, Mirrioola, Pile, Printi, and Tjilpa prospects in the Paroo Creek area (see table 4). Of these, the Bikini and Mirrioola, situated 2 miles north- northwest and li miles northwest of the Skal respectively, appear to be the more promising, but all are of relatively small size. The best intersection at the Mirrioola was 50 feet averaging 2. 9 lb/ton. In addition to the above, the Eagle prospect, south of the Skal, was percussion drilled by Mount Isa Mines Ltd.

GORGE CREEK

Anderson's lode (Counter), 9 miles northeast of Mount Isa, was drilled to a depth of 1,000 feet in the 1958-60 period. Although no further drilling has been carried out, reserves have been revised from 2,100 short tons to 2, 300 short tons of U3O8, in ore with a grade of 3. 5 lb/ton.

The Big Dip, Father's Day, Geiger, and Yvonne Theresa prospects were drilled by Queensland Mines Ltd. These are all small deposits and the most promising with respect to grade is the Big Dip, situated 4^ miles north of Anderson's lode. Mount lea Mines Ltd carried out percussion drilling programmes at the Carol prospect and at several other uranium anomalies in the Gorge Creek area.

SPEAR CREEK .

Numerous small uranium deposits occur in a north-south belt of Eastern Creek Volcanica a few miles westerly from Mount Isa. Surface investigations were carried out by Queensland Mines Ltd on the Anniversary, Bambino, Cloudy Day, Eldorado, Folderol. Mighty Glare, Mother* Day No 2, Never- CanT Tell, Turpentine, and Thankagiving prospects, and short drilling programmes tested the Bambino, Mighty Glare, Mother's Day No 2 and Turpentine prospects at depth.

MARY KATHLEEN 'I;

Previous mining operationsii . During the period 1958-1963, Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd produced IOIDI 9,000,000 lb oluranium oxide with a value of nearly $80,000,000. On completion of a contract to supply uranium oxide to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Commission, the mine and treatment plant wer«bdc«ed and placed on a care and maintenance basis. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 11. Ore was mined by the open cut method. Benches 25 feet high were set into the original hill slope to a total height above the valley floor of 350 feet. Below the valley floor a spiral entry open cut was developed. Planned ultimate depth was 200 feet. The ore to waste ratio was approximately 2:1 and the rate of mining 1,000 tons of ore per day. The grade of ore was 2.0-2. 51b/ton U3O8. After passing through an electronic sorter to eliminate waste rock, the ore was subjected to acid leaching, ion exchange, and magnesia precipitation to produce uranium oxide (yellow cake). Recent Exploration. In the 1967 - 1969 period, 67,259 feet of core drilling and 17,179 feet of non-core drilling were completed. This enabled an increased estimate of ore reserves to be made, but no substantial extensions or new orebodies were found. The company expressed the reserves as follows:- 1. Indicated ore above R. L. 550 and within the boundaries of the extended open cut design - 7, 037, 000 short tons of ore at an average grade of 2. 48 lb/ton U3Og. 2. Possible ore above R.L. 200 and outside the boundaries of the extended open cut design - 2,052, 000 short tons of ore at an average grade of 1. 91 lb/ton U3O8. 3. Stockpiled low grade ore amounting to 480,000 tons at an average grade of 1.22 lb/ton U3O8. Diamond drilling indicated that the orebody continued below R.L. 200 as narrow mineralized layers. Exploration outside the mine area did not locate any significant new deposits. Future Production. In 1968 the company was granted permission by the AustralianAtomic Energy Commission to export 5,000 tons of uranium oxide. In 1970-71 contracts were negotiated for the supply of 3,800 tons., of uranium oxide with deliveries to commence late in 1974. Reconditioning of the treatment plant and associated facilities is expected to begin early in 1973. With the major uranium discoveries in the Northern Territory the Commonwealth Government's export policy on uranium oxide has been re- viewed and this will enable Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd to export the whole of its known reserves when contracts can be arranged. Large amounts of the rare earth minerals allanite and stillwellite are present in Mary Kathleen uranium ore. Laboratory scale experiments have shown that a satisfactory rare earth concentrate can be produced using a solvent extraction process, which recovers the rare earths from barren liquor after uranium extraction. The demand for rare earth minerals is growing and they may provide a significant by-product during the second period of uranium production.

GEORGINA BASIN • -Uranium is present in the extensive Middle Cambrian phosphate deposits in the Burke River (Duchess) area, south-southeast of Mount Isa, and in the Thorntonia (Lady Annie) area, north-northwest of Mount Isa, in amounts averaging less than 100 ppm (A. A. E. C., 1970). As reserves of phosphate within Authorities to Prospect held by Broken Hill South Ltd are estimated to exceed 2,000 million tons, this constitutes a large potential source of uranium should its extraction be economically feasible.

GEORGETOWN \ Airborne radiometric surveys indicated several, anomalies in this area of Precambrian rocks and one uranium occurrence, Limkin'a Progpect, 35 miles southwest of Einaaleigh, wai previously investigated (Wyatt, 1957), Attention has also been given to the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks )f the Gregory Range. No significant results have bien obtained. 12. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 MESOZOIC SEDIMENTARY BASINS Several companies have investigated parts of the Eromanga, Sur-at, and Laura Basins with a view to locating sandstone type uranium deposits - either the roll, '" solution front (Wyoming) subtype or the buried stream channel (Colorado) subtype. The search has been directed mainly to the Longs ight Sandstone and Toolebuc Limestone in the area east of thePrecambrianofsiorthwesternQueensland, and the Precipice and other sandstones along the eastern margin of the Eromanga Basin and in the Surat Basin in southern Queensland. North Eromanga Basin. C. R. A. Exploration Pty Ltd carried out an extensive investigation of the Longsight Sandstone, a basal Cretaceous aquifer which onlaps the Precambrian in the Dobbyn, Cloncurry, and Duchess 1:250,000 sheet areas. It was considered that in view of the widespread occurrence of uranium, the Precambrian of northwestern Queensland provided a suitable provenance, and a search was made for situations favouring the accumulation of uranium. These were principally channels in the basement, and places where the sandstone might occur between impermeable baserr ent and overlying strata. Also favourable mineralogical features such as the presence of disseminated pyrite and carbonaceous material were sought.

The Longsight Sandstone consists of fine to coarse quartzose sandstone, conglomeratic in part, with some siltstone and mudstone (Casey, 1959). Deposition was lacustrine near the base and marine in the upper part. Near the western margin of the Eromanga Basin the thickness is up to 200 feet. It is overlain by the Rolling Downs Group and rests unconformably either on Precambrian granite and metasediments, or on Palaeo- zoic limestone. No anomalous characteristics have been observed in gamma ray logs of water bores and petroleum exploration wells passing through the formation.

Exploration by C. R. A. Exploration Pty Ltd extended from the Coolullah area, north of Cloncurry, to the Boulia area in the south and included water bore sampling, an airborne scintmometer survey with ground follow up, and scout drilling across selected profiles. No encouraging results were obtained (Company Reports 3432, 3256, 3475). Some negative features were the permeable limestone basement in the Boulia area and the extensively leached nature of the sandstone. : Exploration interest was attracted to the Toolebuc Limestone because of its known radioactivity. In water bores and petroleum exploration wells, the formation has been correlated with a pronounced high in the gamma ray logs, However, Casey (1989) found evidence of a radioactive horizon belowthe Toolebuc Limestone in some areas. The Toolebuc consists of limestone and calcareous mudstone and is 50 feet thick. It forms part of the Cretaceous Rolling Downs Group and is overlain and underlain by predominantly mudstone formations. •

The association of radioactivity with phosphatic horizons prompted exploration of the Toolebuc Limestone for both uranium and phosphate (Company Reports 2216, 2218, 3085). Mount Isa Mines Ltd drilled two holes, one south of McKinlay and the other northwest of Hughenden, to test the Rolling Downs succession, but no significant radioactivity was detected. Australian Aquitaine Petroleum Pty Ltd are currently in- vestigating the name succession primarily for oil shale and vanadium. Union Miniere Development and Mining Corporation Ltd explored the Toolebuc Limestone in the Hamilton River area (Company Report 3736).

On the eastern flank of the Eromanga Basin an extensive airborne scintillometer survey, covering the outcrop areas of the Jurassic - Cretaceous sedimentary succession, was carried out by Mines Administration Pty Ltd in a joint venture with Teton Explor- ation Drilling Co. Inc. The surveyjj also covered the Tertiary sandstone of the Campaspe Beds in th« area southeast of Hughonden. „ h POST-TRIASSIC BASINS 14. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND. 1967-71

Surat Basin. Airborne scintillometer surveys were carried out by Kerr McGee Australia Ltd, Pechiney Queensland Pty Ltd, Mines Administration - Teton, and Sedimentary Uranium N.L., but no significant anomalies were obtained (Company Reports 2459-61, 2534, 2976-78, 2999), Pechiney extended their survey to the Mulgildie Basin, and Mines Administration-Teton included the Moreton Basin in their survey.

Kerr McGee drilled six scout holes to test the Precipice Sandstone in the Cockatoo Creek area east of Taroom. The Precipice Sandstone is a fluviatile permeable pebbly quartz sandstone of basal Lower Jurassic age, ranging from 150 to 300 feet thick. It is overlain by the Evergreen Formation, which consists offeldspathic to sublabile sandstone, siltstone, and'mudstone in the eaetern marginal facies.'

In 1971, Sedimentary Uranium N. L. drilled nineteen holes, totalling 8,290 feet, to test the Hutton Sandstone, Birkhead Formation, and Precipice Sandstone along the eastern flank of the Surat Basin in the Taroom area. The Hutton Sandstone, which over- lies the Evergreen Formation, is a quartzose sandstone, feldspathic in places, deposited under fluviatile and lacustrine conditions, and 400 to 500 feet thick. It is of Lower-Middle Jurassic age and is overlain by the Birkhead Formation. This formation consists of calcareous, labile and sublabile lithic sandstone, siltstone, shale, carbonaceous shale, and coal, deposited in a swampy environment (Forbes, 1968). '

Laura Basin. This Jurassic-Cretaceous sedimentary basin, situated west of Cooktown in North Queensland, provided another possibility for the occurrence of a sandstone type uranium deposit. Airborne scintillometer surveys by Kerr McGee Aust- ralia Pty Ltd and Mines Administration-Teton did not locate any significant anomalies (Company Report 2872).

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The economic limits of the Mary Kathleen deposit appear to have been de- fined, but deposits in the Westmoreland and Paroo Creek-Calton Hills areas have not yet been fully explored. Further drilling may enable an upward revision of current estimates of total uranium reserves.

Apart from continuing drilling programmes on known deposits, the tempo of exploration for uranium in 1971 declined sharply. This resulted partly from exploration effort being concentrated in the Northern Territory and also from the fact that the demand for uranium has not picked up as quickly as anticipated in 1967. Airborne radiometric surveys of the Mesozoic sedimentary basins have indicated that this approach is unlikely toproduce positive results. Studies of conditions of sedimentation and features favouring the accumulation of uranium have been made in some areas of the North Eromanga Basin and the Surat Basin, followed by a limited number of scout drill holes. However, considerable scope still exists for this type of exploration programme. > ,

The Mary Kathleen mine is expected to commence its second period of production in 1974, after more than a decade of inactivity. Contracts for the supply of uranium oxide obtained so far have been relatively small and negotiations still appear to be in the buyer's favour. •*•; ..>, , - ' o _, •

Protpects for production from other uranium deposits are rather indefinite. Major expenditure on transport and port facilities would be required to develop the West- moreland deposits." They are approximately 50 mile» from a possible port site near Tully Inlet on th« Gulf of Carpentaria, and fit preliminary feasibility study has been made, in regard to transport to the coaat and the; establishment of a port.

• In the Mount Iaa area it it probable that sufficient reserves will be proved to juntify consideration of the erection of a central' treatment plant for ores from the Val- halla, Skal, Anderson's lode and oth >r umaUer deposits. Theae deposits are favourably situated with respect to transport, but n view of the refractory nature of the ores, development ia unlikely unleaa the price for uranium oxide, riaee aubatantially. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 15. REFERENCES A. A. E. C., 1970 : Eighteenth annual report for year ended 30th June 1970. Aust. Atom. Energy Commission, 34-52. ALLEN, R. J., and HOGETOORN, D. J., 1970 : Petroleum resources of Queensland. Rep. Geol. Surv. Qd, 43, 1-42.

BROOKS, J.H., 1960 : The uranium deposits of north-western Queensland. Publs Geol. Surv. Qd, 297, 1-50. CASEY, J. N., 1959 : New names in Queensland stratigraphy, north-west Queensland. Australas. Oil Gas J., j) (12_), 31-36. , REYNOLDS, M.A., DOW, D. B., PRITCHARD, P. W., VINE, R. R. and PATEN, R. J., 1960. The geology of the Boulia area, western Queensland. Rec. Bur. Min. Resour. Geol. Geophys. Aust. 1960/12 (unpub.). CASEY, D. J., 1970 : Northern Eromanga Basin. Rep. Geol. Surv. Qd, 4±, 1 - 76. FORBES, V. R., 1968 : Taroom, Queensland, 1:250,000 geological series. Explan. Notes Bur. Miner. Resour. Geol. Geophys. Aust. SG/55-8. HUGHES, F. E., and MUNRO, D. L., 1965 : Uranium ore deposit at Mary Kathleen. In Geology of Australian ore deposits. 2nd ed., 8thComm. Min. Metall. Congr., j., 256-263.

I. A. E.A., 1970 : Uranium resources, production and demand. Int. Atom. Energy Com- mission, Vienna, September 1970. LIVINGSTONE, D. F., 1957 : Airborne scintillograph survey of the Nicholson River region, Northern Territory and Queensland. Rec. Bur. Min. Resour. Geol. Geo- phys. Aust. ,1957/51 (unpub.). ,. MELIN, R. E., 1984 : Description and origin of uranium deposits in the Shirley Basin, Wyoming. Econ. Geol., £9, 835-849. SHERMAN, J. T., 1971 : Uranium. In 102nd Annual Survey and Outlook.- Eng. Min. J., | 173 {£}, 108-11. i STEWART, J. R., 1966 : The search for uranium in Australia. Atom. Energy in Aust., i 9 (3), 22-32.

\ ,.1968 : Recent advances in instrumentation for uranium search. In i Uranium in Australia. AustraXas. Inst. Min. Metall. Rum Jungle Branch,

WYATT, D.H., 1957 : Limkin's uranium prospjct, Percyville. Qd Govt Min. J. „ 58, ] - • 39-43. "• ,-.•"."- '.•• ' ,r • • is " • ,.. ""•''.- ' - - \ ' For open file company reports on uranium exploration see Table 3A. 16. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967.71

TABLE 3A

URANIUM EXPLORATION UNDBH AUTHORITY TO PROSPECT, 1965-71

1:250,000 sheet Open file Type of A. P. No Holder Region (locality in brackets) reports exploration

CAMOOWEAL (N. Calton Hills)"' (283M) Ausminda P/Lt 2273 D,H " '•'• - MT ISA ,- 315M IMC Development Corp. B,D " (N. Calton Hills) (450M) Queensland Mines Ltd 2819 D " - DOBBYN (477M) II ti II See 450M D ". (Weberra) (599M) Western Nucl. Aust. P/L Lease app. A, C, D, H " (Mt Oxide) -612M Eastern Cu Mines N. L. B.C " (Calton Hills) ••;6'i3M II rr II II B.C II II II 11 -." ( " " ) fl!4M • B.C ' " - LAWN HILL (664M) Carpentaria Expl. Co. P/L B 11 (Lady Annie.); 903M Broken Hill South Ltd — B, D, B

CLONCURRY . MT ISA (204M) Mt Isa Mines Ltd 1620 H _ it - ^ II II (292M) it ii it See 588M A.C.D.H a " (Mary Kathleen) (380M) Mary Kathleen U. Ltd 2789 D.F " (Surprise Ck) 484M Mineral Deposits Ltd -_ D.H.I j 11 (Corolla R. f (533M) Mary Kathleen U. Ltd . 2798 D to " (Mary Kathleen) (S75M) Western Nucl. Aust. P/L 35S1 A.C.D Wa n t II II \ (585M) ' n II it n A.C.D 6) " - MT ISA (582M) Mt Isa Mines Ltd 3516 B.D.H 11 ^9y (Gorge Ck) (68BM) Carpentaria Expl. Co. P/L 3517 B,D,H V " (Cameron R.) 646M Nickel Mines Ltd H_ A4C J5 " (Mary Kathleen) ' 700M Minefields P/L .. A.D OS i ^ n n ^ 701M .II II „ A.D W ' (Quamby) (723M) Placer Frosp. Aust. P/L 3497 B £4 W • (740M) Carpentaria Expl. Co. P/L 3667 B.C (749M) . it II it it 3667 B.C w 1 •s (781M)' ' (• it II it 3667 B.C - 03 | " (Surprise Ck) (84BM) Tipperary Land & 364S B (849M) 3645 B PH Exploration Corp. o - " (Paroo Ck) 866M Naylor t. L. & Edson B. M. — B DOBBYN ' (650M) Valiant Exploration N. L. -- A ' ii (651M) A (652M) ,i i. it A " (Mistake Ck) 865M Naylor J.L. «. Edson B.M. — B DUCHESS (Selwyn) (422M) Mt Isa Mines Ltd 3463 D " (542M) Mary Kathleen U. Ltd 2799 D II (546M) ti . II if tr 2949 B.C n 565M Tezins Development P/L 3270 B.C 56SM 3384 B.C II S«7M ." " " 328S B.C 568M it • ii II 3189" B.C " (Kuridsla) (594M)., Frio Mining & Expl. P/Jj 3314 B.C.H

Explanatory Notes ' . c

Underlined Authority to'Prospect (A. P.) numbers indicate uranium was the principal metal sought. Bracketed numbers indicate the A. P. has been relinquished (as at 30.10.1971), "App" • \. P. application. - . i . Open file reports are available for perusal and copying at the Geological Survey ct Old. library. "Lease app." indicates that the A. P. has t>e*n relinquished but leases have been taken up over uranium prospects. Kuy to Type of exploration: F.sDrainmg* geochemistry A. Airborne sclntillometer >T G. /Sampling, of water bores B. Airborne spectrometer survey/' H, Drilling , C. Ground follow up - . .-.^s=±^ I, Costesning, pit-sinking -,-•->------D. Ground radiometric survey : J. Shaft sinking, driving, crostcutting . E. Oamma ray lofjinf of drill holes ; K. Seismic survey URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAHD, 1967-71 17.

TABLE 3A (cont'd)

1:250,000 sheet Region A. P. No - Bolder Open file Type of (locality in brackets) reportn exploration

DUCHESS (Kuridala) 600M Frio Mining & Expl. P/L 3439 B.C ti ( " ) 711M Mt Arthur Molyb. N.L. D " (Selwyn) (737M) Longreach Metals N. L. 3S9S A.C " (Kuridala) 774M Union Miniere Devel. (r Mining „_ A.C " (McKinlay) (800M) it II tt it II 3678 A.C II ( " ) 35IK u it ti ti n 3678 A.C 903M Broken Hill South Ltd ... B.D.E " . URANDANG1E 932M Naylor, J.L. & Edson, B.M. B

LAWN HILL (577M) Nickel Mines Ltd D a 918M SedimentaryU. N.L. B.C MOUNT ISA (Paroo Ck) (388M) Queensland Mines Ltd 2 524 D " (Spear Ck) (467M) it II it 2816 A.C 01 " (Paroo Ck) (472M) it ti n 2886 D w 11 (Spear Ck) (473M) n it it Lease app. D.H.I B " (Calton Hills) (485M) Mineral Deposits Ltd D.H.I s " (Paroo Ck) (4SSM) Queensland Mines Ltd See 467M D " (Calton HiUs) (M9M) it it n 2979 D.H.I it t II n % 619M Eastern Cu Mines N. L. .- B.C Kz II i ti it j 616M tt it tt it .. B.C W it j II II j 617M it it II it B.C E* II (S18M) ir it it II .. B.C w (619M) n , tt II it 3758 B.C it (620M) it it it ti 3788 B.C SB " (Calton Hills) (635M) Queensland Mines Ltd 3289 A, C.D IH " (Paroo Ck) 684M Mineral Deposits Ltd D It t II IU 966M Esso Mineral .. w " (Spear Ck) 967M Enterprises Aust. Inc. — !5 URANDANGIE (Dajarra) (483M) Pechiney Old P/L 3141 A WESTMORELAND (Redtree) (444M) Queensland MineB Ltd Lease app. A.C.D.H, I.J.K II 44SM B.H.P. Co. Ltd .. A, C, D, H, I it {591M) Sedimentary U. N.L. 35S2 B.C 11 (6O5M) Mineral Deposits Ltd 3729 D,K " (Gorge Ck) 879M Internat. Ni. Aust. Ltd B 984M Esso Mineral Enterp. Aust. " 996M Queensland Mines Ltd — BOULIA (Hamilton R.) (624M) C.R.A. Exploration P/L 3256 A.C,D,G,H it i it II \ (TJiTB) II ti it 3247, 3432 E,H M i (TiSTiJ) n II n 3216, 347S E, H 8 § " - GLENORMBTON St Mine* Administration P/L — A - DUCHESt • • " •' 11 JJfTTfcST « Ss " (Hamilton R.) (802M) Union Miniere Devel. & Mln. 3736 A.C < a CLONCURRY (Glnburra) (622M) C. R. A. Exploration P/L 3313 A,C,D,G,H (Quamby) it it II 3313 " - DOBBTO (gpg) Mines Administration P/L | £ - LAWN RILL DOBBYN (Coolullah) (639M) C.R.A. Exploration P/L 3326 A, C, D, G, H w 4* " - LAWN HILL Australian is ^ McKINLAY - MACKUNDA (504M Aquitaine „ B.C s- 31' c. - WESTMORELAND j Petroleum P/L McKINLAY - MACKUNDA (S52M) Mt Isa Mints Ltd 3085 B,E,H • RICHMOND

EDMSLEIGH (S35M) Trans Aust. Expl. Ltd 2B31 D w »* " (Kidston) TITO Nickel Mines Ltd „ D II j II j (7S«M) Lamadec Expl. Ltd 3524 B.C P P II (75SM) Longreach Metals N. L. A a ti (8O4M) Tipperary Land it Expl. Corp. .. B GEORGETOWN (PtrcyviUe) (501M) Planet C-old N.L. 3094-95 D

cont'd/

\:J 18. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1867-71

TABLE 3A (cont'd)

1:250,000 sheet Open file Type of Holder Region (locality in brackets) A. P. N reports exploration

GILBERTON Nickel Mines Ltd A.C Murumba Minerals N. L. D,E (Gregory Ra.) WALSH . RED R. App. Mines Adptinistration P/L - GEORGETOWN

COEN . C. WEYMOUTH Consol. Mining Ind. Ltd B.C II . EBAGOOLA 3418 B.C 3634 B.C HANNR. . EBAGOOLA 3428 B.C B.C 3723 B.C s B.C f HANNR. (Kimba) B.C COOKTOWN (Laura) Kerr McGee Aust Ltd 2872 A.C COOKTOWN - HANNR. Mines Administration P/L A EBAGOOLA - C. MELVILLE A MOSS MAN (Palmer R.) Frost Enterprises P/L A JAHDIKE R. Altarama Search P/L A ORFORD BAY A TORRES STRATT A

CHARTERS TOWERS (604M) Comalco'Ltd D.H MACKAY (896M) C. R. A. Exploration P/L A, D; F ROCKHAMFTON (Westwood) 532M B.H.P. Co. Ltd A " (Targinie) 537M Hamilton W. F. J. D " . MONTO (583M) B.H.P. Co. Ltd 3499 A TOWNSVILLE (695M) Minefields P/L 3526 A

HUGHENDEN TANGORIN BUCHANAN GALILEE App. Mines Administration F/L JERICHO TAMBO SPBINGSUHE EDDYSTONE GALILEE BUCHANAN App. Mines Administration P/L EDDYSTONE MITCHELL (672M) Pechiney Qld P/L 2999 SPRINGSURE (669M) 2976

BARALABA - DUAHINGA (6S9M) Pechiney Qld P/L 2976 DALBY - CHINCHILLA 2978 . GOONDIWINDI IPSWICH . WARWICK App. Mines Administration P/L MONTO • MUNDUBBERA (6B5M) Fechiney Qld P/L 2977 SOMA Sedimentary Uranium N. L. 3680 SURAT 3680 TAROOM . MUNDUBBERA (454M) Kerr McGee 2534 A.C Australia Ltd 2459.61 A, C, H (675M) Pechiney Qld P/L 2999 A " . BARALABA App. Mine* Administration P/L A MUNDUBBERA - CHINCHILLA TAROOM • MUNDUBBERA 817M Sedimentary U. N. L. 3761 A.H URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 19.

TABLE 3B

URANIUM EXPLORATION BY BUREAU OP MINERAL RESOURCES

1:250,000 sheet Date of Region Report Type of (locality in brackets) survey exploration

CAMOOWEAL - DOBBYN 1962 Rec. 1963/26 A - LAWN HILL CAMOOWEAL - DOBBYN 1961 Rec. 1962/158 A MTISA - CLONCURRY MT ISA - CLONCURRY 1955 Rec. 1956/109 CAMOOWEAL (Thorntonia) 1969 Rec. 1971/38 B,C CLONCURRY 1970 B DUCHESS (Selwyn) 1956 Rec. 1960/50 D DUCHESS (Burke R.) 1969 Rec. 1971/38 B,C MT ISA - CLONCURRY 1960 Rec. 1961/77 A MT ISA - CLONCURRY 1959 Rec. 1961/74 DUCHESS - URANDANGIE URANDANGIE - DUCHESS 1958 Rec. 1961/21 A WESTMORELAND 1957 Rec. 1957/51 A Rec. 1957/40 C

ATHERTON (Herberton) 1955 Map only A ATHERTON (Herberton) 1967 Rec. 1968/65 A CAIRNS - MOSSMAN 1969 A - WALSH GEORGETOWN 1954 Rec. 1955/107 A Rec. 1956/66 C Rec. 1956/86 C o GILBERTON - CLARKE R. 1957 Map only A EINASLEIGH - ATHERTON 1955 Rec. 1956/63 A CLERMONT - EMERALD 1961-63 Rec. 1966/208 A (Bowen Basin) MARYBOROUGH - MONTO 1961 Rec. 1962/159 A (Burnett)

Explanatory Notes :

A. Airborne scintillometejr survey B. Airborne spectrometer; survey C. Ground follow up ! D. Ground radiometric survey 20. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

TABLE 4 DRILLING FOR URANIUM IN QUEENSLAND-INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS {to 1979

No of holes Company Mineral Lease or Locality Non- Footage Date Other exploratory Authority to Prospect Core Core workings

AUSMINDA ELAINE MARY Calton Hilla, 1 . 250 1966 PTYLTD M. L. 5430, A. P. 283M N. ot Mt Zsa

BROKEN HILL A.P. 445M Westmore- 28 6,001 1969-70 7 pits total depth PROP. CO. land 78 12,381 203'; 40' cross- LTD cutting, 20 costeans C.R.A. ALDERLEY, 748M N. ofBoulia 16 3,516 1971/ EXPLORATION COOLULLAH, 639M N. of 2 942 1970 PTY LTD GINBURRA-QUAMBY Cloncurry 4 716 1970 622M, 623M PATHUNGRA, 724M N. E. ofBoulia - 17 3,863 1970 COMALCO GRASSTREE, 604M W. of 3 _ 303 1969 LTD Charters Towers

FRIO MINING ELIZABETH ANN, Farley Ck, 5 1,350 1970 CoBteaning & EXPLOR- M. L. 6656, 6657 S. E. of 6 362 ATION PTYLTD Cloncurry) Kuridala KERR-McGEE COCKATOO CK, 424M E. of 6 917 1968 AUSTRALIA Taroom LTD

MARY MARY KATHLEEN E. of MtIsa 130 _ 60,227 1954-60 Ooen cut mining KATHLEEN vl. L. 4459. 4460 31 8,393 1964 1S56-63 URANIUM LTD Cloncurry) ? 67,259 1967-69 ? 17,178

MINERAL Near IMPASSABLE Calton Hills, 3 475 1969 Costeaning DEPOSITS LTD M.L. 5806), 484M. north of Mt 2j milea S. of Barney's Iaa 3 920 1969 Well, 485M. miles S, W. of Queens 2 605 1969 Gift, 485M

MOUNT ISA A13, 588M Gorge Ck, 13 1,295 1970 MINES LTD A25, DEAD DOG N.E. of 3 335 1 1970 B8A, 580M Mt Isa _ 5 424 1970 322, 588M 30 2,358 2970 CAROL, M.L. 5408 15 706 1970 and 588M 12 1,655 1968

EAGLE (GAMMA RAY) Paroo Ck, 24 3,090 1970 M.L. 6815 N. ofMtlsa 82M - 11 1,869 1970 MONAKOFP, M.F.I5, N, E. of 2 _ 1.511 1965 04M Cloncurry

PINK HILLS 55JM ) S. ofMcKlnlay 2 1,102 1969 YELLOW WOOD ) N.W. of Hughanden

REDTREE, Not. 1-3 Weatmore- ? 5,949 1969-70 M.L. 5438, 5439, 5440 land ? 1,347 1958-59 Pits, total 69 ft. 'j Notes : For drilling prior to ltSQ.see Geol. Surv. Qd Publ. No. 197, Table 1, page 19. Mineral Lease (M, L.) numbers are for the Mount Isa Warden's District unl»*s otherwise specified A. P. • Authority to Prosr«ct. LJsase namea in bracken are those by which the deposits were referred to under previous lease titles. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71 21.

TABLE 4 (cont'd)

No of holes Company Mineral Lease or Locality Hon. Footnge Other exploratory Authority to Prospect Core Date workings Core

QUEENSLAND BULLFROG See WATTA Calton Hills, MINES LTD CALTON M. L. 5445 N. of Mt las 118 1960 875 1970 ELAINE MARY 204 19G0 M. L. 5430 2,111 1968 NEW BATMAN 1,067 1970 M. L. S848

QUEENS GIFT M. L. «?9 1,154 1969

QUEENS GIFT No 2 250 1969 M. L. 4280 WABWAI, M.L.5903, 1.656 1S69 Extensive costean- A. P. 589M 7 1,450 1970 ing over length, WATTA, M.L.SS08 43 10, 362 1970 1,800 ft.

ANDERSON'S LODE 31 20,953 1958-60 Extensive costean- (COUNTER), M.L.4236 ing and pitting BIG DIP, M. L. 5349 Gorge Ck, 2 301 1968 9 cOBteans (DEPRESSION) N. E. of Mt 880 In

FATHERS DAY M. L. 4233 470 1969 GEIGER, M. L. 4235 582 1968 YVONNE THERESA 1,100 1970 BIKINI, M. L. 5483 1 124 1S60 3, 520 ft of 12 4,641 1968 costeaning DRUM (MT INTER) Paroo Ck, 595 1970 M. L. 5890 N. of MtIsa

FUTURE (HOPEFUL) 695 I960 M. L. 5092 1,316 1968 JURRAVEEL (WOOMERA) 400 1968 2760 ft of M. L. 5924, A.P.388M 11 2,200 1970 costeaning LEFT OVER M. L. 5093 72 1960 MARRAHOO (RICH 1,000 1970 JOHN) M.L.5925

MINGA (MONTE BELLO) 293 1969 M. L. 5921 MIRRIOOLA (LUCKY 2.292 1970 1, 320 ft or DOT.SOUTH PILE) 29 5,966 1969-70 costeaning M. L. 5920, A. P. 388M

PILE M. L. 5481 1960 1,252 1968 PRINTI (MONTE BELLO S. ) M. L. S»22 1,313 SKAL, M.L. 4121 10 4.921 1959-60 Extensive 20 18,467 1968-69 costaaning TJILPA, M.L.5MS 550 1969-70 30 S, 887 VALHALLA, M.L.SCOT 20,195 1969-70 23 coataana 72 13,0*9 1969-70

cont'd/ 22. URANIUM EXPLORATION IN QUEENSLAND, 1967-71

TABLE 4 (cont'd)

No of holes Mineral Lease or Other exploratory Company Locality Non- Footage Date Authority to Prospect Core Core workings

QUEENSLAND VALHALLA SOUTH 7 3. 314 1969-70 7 costeans MINES LTD M. L. 5030 SI 9,910 1969-70

BAMBINO, M. L. 6075 Spear Ck 1 145 1969 8 costeans A. P.467M N.W. of MIGHTY GLAKE Mt Isa 3 . 1,202 19S8 8 coateans M.L.6379, A.F.473M MOTHERS DAY No 2 _ 6 6B0 1970 12 costeans M.L. 5384, A.P. 467M TURPENTINE (HIGH- 1 _ 337 1968 8 cofiteans LANDER), M. L. 5068

A. P. 444M 56 85,372 1969-70 Shaft 87 ft with 57 HUARABAGOO 1 144 & 80 ft levels joint zone Crosscuttlng 112 ft. Driving 102 ft HAURABAGOO EAST Westmore- 26 „ 13,601 1969-70 2nd shaft 65 ft with joint zone land. N. N.W. 25 ft crosscut NAMALANGI S. W. of Mt Isa 23 13,225 1969-70 (JACK lens & joint zone) 126 24,640 Shaft 70 ft with 65 ft drive at 47ft NAMALANGI N. E. 20 9,674 1969-70 level; also costean- (GAREE lens & joint 43 6,854 ing zone)

NAMALANGI 39 3,478 1970 (LANGI len«)

MOOGOOMA - 7 1.050 1969

LONG POCKET 19 12,961 1970 (DARLONA & BLACK 54 4,340 HILL)

WESTERN WEBERRA No 1 Mt Oxide. N. 2 . 789 1970 NUCLEAH M. L. S900 of Mt Isa AUST. LTD