VIMP Report 10

The geology and prospectivity of the 1:250 000 sheet

I.D. Oppy, R.A. Cayley & J. Caluzzi

November 1995 Bibliographic reference: OPPY, I.D., CAYLEY R.A. & CALUZZI, J., 1995. The Geology and prospectivity of the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 10. Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals.

© Crown (State of ) Copyright 1995 Geological Survey of Victoria

ISSN 1323 4536 ISBN 0 7306 7980 2

This report may be purchased from: Business Centre, Department of Agriculture, Energy & Minerals, Ground Floor, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

For further technical information contact: General Manager, Geological Survey of Victoria, Department of Agriculture, Energy & Minerals, P O Box 2145, MDC Fitzroy, Victoria 3065

Acknowledgments: The authors wish to acknowledge G. Ellis for formatting the document, R. Buckley, P.J. O'Shea and D.H. Taylor for editing and S. Heeps for cartography

I. Oppy wrote chapters 3 and 5, R. Cayley wrote chapter 2 and J. Caluzzi wrote chapter 4. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 1

Contents Abstract 4 1 Introduction 5 2 Geology 7 2.1 Geological history 7 Pre-Ordovician to Early Silurian 7 Early Silurian Benambran deformation and widespread granite intrusion 8 Middle to Late Silurian 9 Late Silurian Bindian deformation 9 Early Devonian rifting and volcanism 10 Middle Devonian Tabberabberan deformation 11 Late Devonian sedimentation and volcanism 11 Early Carboniferous Kanimblan deformation to Present day 11 2.2 Stratigraphy - sedimentary and volcanic rocks 11 Ordovician 11 Silurian 13 Devonian 15 Triassic 17 Tertiary 17 Quaternary 17 2.3 Intrusive rocks 17 Dyke rocks 17 Cambrian? 18 Silurian 18 Devonian 20 3 Economic Geology 22 3.1 Gold 22 Alluvial goldfields 25 Primary gold 35 3.2 Base Metals 79 Base metal mineralisation 80 3.3 Tin 87 Alluvial Tinfields 88 Primary Tinfields 89 3.4 Other Metals 92 3.5 Non-metallic minerals 94 4 Summary of Exploration 97 4.1 History of exploration 97 Gold 97 Base metals 97 Tin 97 Other minerals 97 4.2 Major exploration programmes 98 5 Economic potential and prospectivity 109 Gold 109 Base metals 109 Tin 110 Other Metals 110 Non Metallic minerals 110 References 111 Appendix 1 128 Location of expired Exploration Licences TALLANGATTA 1:250 000 Mapsheet Appendix 2 138 2 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Summary of exploration targets within the Tallangatta 1:250 000 Mapsheet. Appendix 3 148 Exploration Licence Summary - Tallangatta 1:250 000 mapsheet Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum (VIMP) report series 156

List of Figures 1 Tallangatta locality map 6 2 Tallangatta main structural features (back pocket) 3 Geology, mineral prospects and tenure, Tallangatta 1:250 000 mapsheet (back pocket) 4 Major mineralised areas within TALLANGATTA 23 5 Victorian gold production 25 6 Tabberabbera and Benambra Zone gold production 25 7 Primary gold production for the major goldfields, TALLANGATTA. 36 8 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Harrietville goldfield 42 9 Longitudinal cross section of the Sambas mine, Harrietville. 45 10 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Bright-Wandiligong goldfield 46 11 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Freeburgh goldfield 47 12 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Bethanga goldfield 59 13 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the goldfield 60 14 Orientation of gold bearing reefs for the goldfield 64 15 Orientation of gold and copper bearing reefs from the Granite Flat goldfield 67 16 Orientation of gold and copper bearing reefs from the goldfield 68 17 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Mitta Mitta goldfield 71 18 Orientation of tin bearing reefs and dykes from the Mitta Mitta goldfield and tinfield 71 19 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Mt. Wills goldfield 74 20 Orientation of tin bearing reefs and dykes from the Mt. Wills goldfield 75 21 Orientation of gold bearing reefs and dykes from the Sandy Creek goldfield 76 List of Tables 1 TALLANGATTA gold production 25 2 Gold production estimates for various TALLANGATTA goldfields 26 3 Major alluvial gold production - Tabberabbera Zone 27 4 Major alluvial gold production - Benambra Zone 31 5 Major primary gold production - Tabberabbera Zone 40 6 Major gold mines - Tabberabbera Zone 41 7 Major primary gold production - Benambra Zone 54 8 Major gold mines - Benambra Zone 56 9 Major mines on the Bethanga lodes 59 10 Limestone Creek Graben base metal occurrences 81 11 Wombat Creek Graben base metal occurrences 82 12 Benambra Zone base metal occurrences 84 13 Copper production for the major gold mines - Bethanga goldfield 87 14 Alluvial tin production - TALLANGATTA 88 15 Primary tin production - TALLANGATTA 89 16 Major primary tinfields - TALLANGATTA 90 17 Summary of drilling at Wilga and Currawong prospects 100 18 Preliminary exploration results from EL 653 103 19 Pan concentrate results for EL 653 103 20 Summary of drilling at Reedy Creek 104 21 Summary of exploration results in EL 656 105 22 Summary of drilling in ELs 1223 and 1462 108 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 3

Digital Data Sets

TALMINE.xls Mines databasae, Excel version TALMINE.txt Mines database, ASCII version TALCODES.doc Legend of codes used in mines database, Word version TALCODES.txt Legend of codes used in mines database, ASCII version TALREFS.doc References cited in mines database, Word version TALREFS.txt References cited in mines database, ASCII version 4 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Abstract

This report is a summary of geology and prospectivity of the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet and is intended to provide information to explorers making application for exploration licences in parts of the Eastern Highlands Initiative area where the exemption from mining and exploration licences will be lifted in the near future.

Broad areas with potential to host a variety of styles of mineralisation have been outlined as a result of this study. These areas have been identified based on the results of prior exploration, known geology and an appraisal of the new geophysical data.

Disseminated copper-gold and tin deposits, together with vein gold, tin and tungsten and volcanic hosted base metal mineralisation all represent potential exploration targets within the area. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 5

1 Introduction

This report represents part of a data package that has been prepared to provide information to explorers in the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet areas, which is located in northeast Victoria (Fig. 1).

The data package has been prepared to provide information to explorers in a part of the Eastern Highlands Initiative area where the exemption from mining and exploration licences will be lifted in the near future. This package includes the results of airborne magnetic/ radiometric surveys flown over this area, between November 1994 and March 1995, as a component of the VIMP Eastern Highlands Initiative program.

A summary of the geology, mineralisation and exploration history are presented in this report, together with recommendations for areas worthy of further exploration for a variety of commodities. It details for the first time the range and styles of primary gold, tin, tungsten and base metal mineralisation in the sheet area, together with comments on their mode of formation.

A comprehensive reference list directs the reader to more detailed descriptions of the geology and mineralisation of the area.

The digital data set accompanying this report details the location, geology and production from over 1500 individual mines and prospects on the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet area.

A digital data set covering the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet area in MapInfo and Arcview format is available for purchase from the Business Centre, Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals, Ground Floor, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy. Themes in the data package include topographic data, geological boundaries, geophysical surveys and images, mines and prospects, geochemical samples, drill holes, and historical and current exploration tenements.

GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 7

2 Geology conjugate faulting across eastern Victoria also occurred during the Early Carboniferous Kanimblan deformation (Morand & Gray, The geological history of north eastern Victoria, 1991). During the Triassic, a suite of alkaline covered by the Tallangatta 1:250 000 map igneous and volcanic rocks intruded in the (TALLANGATTA) spans Cambrian to Recent Benambra region. times. This geological summary includes an overview and literature review of the current The geological history of TALLANGATTA since understanding of the geological evolution of the the Early Mesozoic has been one of uplift and Tallangatta region, and a brief summary of the erosion, with sporadic minor outpourings of main rock types occurring in TALLANGATTA. alkali basalt lavas in the Tertiary and Quaternary. TALLANGATTA covers much of the Zone (Gray et al., 1988) of Victoria, and also parts of the Kosciusko Batholith and Kiandra Group of 2.1 Geological history (NSW). The Palaeozoic history of the Omeo Zone is complex. A poorly Pre-Ordovician to Early Silurian understood episode of sedimentation, volcanism and intrusion may have occurred as early as the The known rock record in TALLANGATTA Cambrian (The Bethanga Granite Gneiss, and probably starts in the Cambrian. A series of other polydeformed gneisses of the high grade gneisses and migmatites displaying Terrane). Submarine sedimentation (the a complex history of polydeformation occurs in Hotham Group) and minor volcanism (the the northwest of TALLANGATTA, around Lake Kiandra Group and Blueys Creek Formation) in Hume. The Bethanga and Bellbridge Gneisses the Ordovician, was followed by regional are considered to be melted S-type granite metamorphism ranging from low to very high migmatite (P. Fleming, pers comm.). These grades (involving partial melting in places) and rocks are separated from the Bethgarno Gneiss regional folding and faulting during the Early and the Rubyview Gneiss by the Talgarno Fault Silurian Benambran deformation. (O'Shea, 1979), but they share the same structural and metamorphic history. Similar Numerous granitic intrusions in the Silurian gneissic rocks extend to the south, along the are associated with dyke swarms, and have east side of the valley. The most caused widespread metamorphism of the distinctive feature of all these rocks is their adjacent rocks up to sillimanite-K-feldspar high grade metamorphism, which includes grade. The metamorphic rocks in widespread partial melting. TALLANGATTA are collectively known as the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OMC) (Crohn, At least five recognisable generations of 1950). In different parts of the map area, deformation have been noted in the Bethanga graben structures have been active sites for Gneiss complex (P. Fleming, pers comm). The sedimentation and volcanism spanning Early earliest three have all been generally Silurian to Late Devonian times (Orth et al., transposed, and are only distinguishable in 1995; Allen, 1987; Bolger et al., 1983). some areas. This structural complexity is significant, because the earliest three Regional deformation during the Late Silurian deformations in the gneisses predate to Early Devonian Bindian (Bowning) deformation seen in any of the metamorphosed deformation affected the granites and the Hotham Group rocks, which occur to the south surrounding country rocks of the OMC, and is and east of the large Yabba/Lockhart pluton, expressed along major fault zones that segment and as an isolated fault bounded block to the the metamorphic belt (Morand & Gray, 1991), north. The Yabba pluton itself contains and deform the rocks within the Limestone structures consistent with formation during the Creek and Wombat Creek Grabens. In the early regional deformation of the Hotham Devonian, granites intruded as high level Group (Finlay, 1985), yet the northern margin caldera-type complexes. The Middle Devonian of the Yabba Adamellite contains large rafts of Tabberabberan deformation caused widespread already polydeformed Bethgarno and Rubyview open folding of the volcanics and sediments of Gneiss. the Buchan Rift (Orth et al., 1995), and imposed a further generation of open folds on many of For this reason, and geochemical differences the older rocks. Limited regional scale (higher Ca and Sr content; Robinson, 1992), the 8 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

gneissic rocks of the Bethanga region have been sedimentation continued unbroken into the included in a separate terrane, the Gundowring Early Silurian. Terrane, to distinguish them from the less complex and generally lower grade rocks which Early Silurian Benambran deformation occur to the south and east. These have been and widespread granite intrusion named the Lockhart Terrane (P. Fleming pers comm.). The fault bounded block of In the Early Silurian, around 420 million years metamorphosed Hotham Group to the north of ago, the Hotham Group was shortened in an the Yabba Adamellite has been termed the approximately northeast-southwest direction, Talgarno Terrane. and metamorphosed under high temperature and pressure conditions to grades reaching The narrow belt of migmatitic sillimanite-K- upper amphibolite facies (Vallance, 1967; feldspar gneiss around Mt Beauty and Falls Morand, 1990). Much of this metamorphosed Creek (Morand & Gray, 1991) may also be part sequence occurs in NSW, where it is known as of the Gundowring Terrane; the precise the Wagga Metamorphic Belt. The relationship of these rocks to the undoubted southernmost part which extends into metamorphosed Hotham Group rocks further TALLANGATTA is known as the Omeo east is not yet known. Metamorphic Complex (OMC). The OMC, along with the Hotham Group has been included into The age of the gneissic rocks and of their the Lockhart Terrane (P. Fleming, pers comm.). deformation and metamorphism is poorly constrained. However, unless they were The metamorphism in the OMC ranges from transported a considerable distance during the chlorite grade (characterised by slate, phyllite Ordovician-Silurian Benambran Deformation, it and psammite) to biotite and cordierite is probable that these rocks may represent an (characterised by spotted schists), and inlier of pre-Ordovician continental basement, andalusite-K-feldspar and sillimanite-K- deformed and metamorphosed prior to the feldspar grade (characterised by coarse-grained deposition of the Early to Late Ordovician gneissic rocks), in order of increasing Hotham Group (Fleming et al., 1985). temperature and proximity to granites (Finlay, 1985; Robinson, 1992; Morand, 1990). The The most volumetrically significant rocks in OMC rocks of the Lockhart Terrane appear to TALLANGATTA are monotonous turbiditic have a completely different metamorphic sediments of the Hotham Group, which were history to the gneissic rocks of the Gundowring deposited in a deep marine back-arc basin west Terrane because partial melting is never of a volcanic arc (Cas et al., 1980; Packham, observed in those OMC rocks which are clearly 1987) in the Ordovician. The Hotham Group derived from the Hotham Group (P. Fleming, extends across much of TALLANGATTA, and pers comm.). Also, the structural features of forms the basement and host to most of the Silurian granites intruding the Hotham Group post-Ordovician igneous and volcanic (eg. the Yabba Adamellite, and the Mount Wills complexes, and graben structures. Volcanic arc Adamellite) suggests that they intruded during rocks of the same Ordovician age are well the Benambran deformation (Finlay, 1985) and documented in central NSW and consist of are responsible for much of the widespread interbedded marine volcaniclastic sediments metamorphism. and mafic to intermediate volcanics. They extend down into the eastern parts of Strong deformation accompanied TALLANGATTA as the Kiandra Group, which metamorphism during the Benambran event in occurs as metamorphosed fault slices bounded the Lockhart Terrane, and is characterised by a by granitoids of the Kosciusko Batholith, and regional slaty cleavage to high grade the Late Ordovician Blueys Creek Formation, metamorphic layering S1, accompanying which occurs in the Limestone Creek area isoclinal, bedding parallel F1 folds (Kilpatrick, (Allen, 1987). These formations are separated 1979), and several generations of overprinting from the Hotham Group by the Indi Fault. structures, including S2 crenulation cleavages (Elze, 1978) and upright to inclined, tight to In the Limestone Creek area, the transition isoclinal F2 folds, which generally plunge from the Ordovician Blueys Creek Formation to moderately to the southeast (Morand, 1988), the Early-Silurian Towanga Sandstone appears and verge towards the east, with longer to be mostly conformable to slightly western limbs (P. Fleming pers comm.). disconformable (Allen, 1987), and suggests that GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 9

Thickening of the crust during the Benambran during later episodes of deformation, such as Deformation probably caused partial melting of the Tabberabberan and Kanimblan events. In the metasedimentary rocks at depth, and their most cases, the reactivation of Bindian faults basement, giving rise to numerous S-type during the later deformation events was in granites which intruded into the map area response to different regional stresses than during the Silurian (Price, 1983). The outcrop those prevailing during the Bindian patterns of some of these intrusions indicate deformation. As a result, many of the faults that they probably underlie parts of the have a complex history involving several Lockhart Terrane. The Silurian granites different movement directions. The movement generally contain a well developed tectonic sense attributed to the Bindian deformation is cleavage which has similar orientations to S1-S2 discussed here, while reactivation effects are in the surrounding OMC rocks (Finlay, 1985; discussed later. The major faults are described Camacho, 1982), indicating that their intrusion briefly below: coincided with the Benambran deformation. The Kiewa Fault is a steeply west dipping Middle to Late Silurian strike-slip fault (Fagan, 1979; Scott, 1985; Morand & Gray, 1991). It is a major structure Following the Benambran deformation, graben in eastern Victoria, and has one of the widest structures developed at Limestone Creek (the mylonite to ultra-mylonite zones associated Cowombat Rift; Allen, 1988), and Wombat with it, up to 2 km wide. It is over 200 km long Creek (Bolger et al., 1983). These grabens were (Morand & Gray, 1991). In the vicinity of filled with interbedded successions of felsic Mount Beauty, the Kiewa Fault marks the volcanics and marine sediments including western boundary of the Omeo Metamorphic limestone. The discordant contact between the Complex, juxtaposing migmatite on the east folded Ordovician rocks of the OMC and the against low-grade slate in the west. The fault Mitta Mitta Volcanics at Wombat Creek is the cuts across the Benambran age metamorphic type locality for the Benambran deformation, variations of the OMC and the Gundowring but is unsuitable for resolving the precise Terrane, producing a range of schistose to timing of this event (see VandenBerg, 1988). gneissic mylonites. Well developed S-C fabrics within metamorphic and granitic mylonites in Late Silurian Bindian deformation the fault zone generally show a dextral movement sense (Morand & Gray, 1991), and A second regional deformation event, the north of Mount Beauty, a stretching lineation is Bindian deformation affected the entire region oriented approximately horizontally, indicating at the end of the Silurian, and coincided with strike-slip motion (Morand & Gray, 1991). The low grade retrogressive regional metamorphism fault affects the Granite north of Mt (Morand, 1990). Silurian volcanics and Beauty, but Bindian movement on the fault has sediments of the Limestone Creek and Wombat been stitched by the Early Devonian Big Hill Creek grabens were tightly folded during the Quartz Diorite at Mt Beauty, and the Bindian deformation. Silurian granites were Granite, to the northwest. The also affected by this deformation, and many of Kancoona Fault is probably a younger splay off the mineralised dyke swarms of the Bethanga the Kiewa Fault, and is discussed later. (O'Shea, 1979), Mitta Mitta, Walwa, and -Cudgewa areas (Bolger, 1984) The Talgarno Fault (O'Shea, 1979) contains appear to have intruded parallel to Bindian age mylonite (Steele, 1979), and is probably a splay faults and fractures. The Bindian deformation off the Kiewa Fault. It cuts through the middle also superimposed another generation of of the Gundowring Terrane, and juxtaposes blocks of the OMC into the middle of the gneiss structures onto the OMC, including S3 complex, such as the fault bounded Talgarno crenulation cleavages and upright F3 folds with wavelengths up to several hundred metres, Terrane (P. Fleming, pers comm.). Other faults plunging shallowly towards the northnorthwest bounding the Talgarno Terrane are the or southeast (Kilpatrick, 1979). The most Tallangatta Creek Fault, a strike slip fault significant expression of the Bindian which juxtaposes the Talgarno Terrane against deformation however, is the major faults which the Granya and plutons, and segment the OMC, and deform the volcanic and mylonitises parts of all these units, and the sediment fill in the graben structures. In most Jarvis Creek Fault, a sinistral strike slip fault cases, faults developed during the Bindian transitional to thrust (P. Fleming, pers comm.). deformation were periodically reactivated Other splays off the Tallangatta Creek Fault 10 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

include the Firebrace Shear Zone, a mylonite continues into Victoria and TALLANGATTA as zone which separates the Granya and Koetong the Blueys Creek Formation (Allen, 1987), and Adamellites. This fault is stitched by the much of this formation presumably structurally younger Thologolong batholith. underlies parts of the OMC. These rocks may have been a source for the Early Devonian The Ensay Fault occurs south of Boggy Plain Supersuite of mixed S and I-type TALLANGATTA, but may extend into the map intrusions which intruded the OMC after the area in the region southeast of the Niggerheads Bindian deformation. Wyborn et al. (1987) Granodiorite. It strikes northwest, dips steeply consider these to have been derived from southwest, and is a dextral strike slip fault, equivalents of the Ordovician volcanic rocks. indicated by structures in related mylonites and Many of these granites intruded to subvolcanic cataclasites (Morand & Gray, 1991). levels, and are associated with caldera structures and silicic volcanics such as the The Indi Fault forms the northern boundary of Jemba Rhyolite. the Limestone Creek Graben, and separates the Hotham Group from the Kiandra Group to the Displacement across some of the faults has been east. It extends from Bindi, south of estimated by trying to reassemble the TALLANGATTA into New South Wales, where segmented metamorphic belt across the faults it is continuous with the sinistral Gilmore (Morand and Gray, 1991). This technique gives Fault. It may have been a bounding fault to the probable displacements across the Kiewa Fault Ordovician arc system during its formation, but of around 50 km, and therefore it cannot be a there is little evidence for its existence in major terrane boundary. This boundary TALLANGATTA prior to the late Silurian. The probably occurs in the Mt Wellington Fault fault is marked by mylonitised Silurian Zone further to the west, outside volcanics, and mylonitised gneiss and granite TALLANGATTA. from the OMC (Allen, 1987). It dips westnorthwest at 45°, and S-C fabrics and Early Devonian rifting and volcanism lineations indicate thrust faulting. Therefore it probably underlies the Omeo Metamorphic Following the Bindian deformation, a major Complex as a low angle thrust. Younger graben structure began to develop in eastern parallel faults bound the east side of the Indi Victoria, when crustal thinning associated with Fault zone, separating terrestrial sediments of dextral transtension (Powell, 1984) gave rise to the Mount Tambo Group from the a deep and broad basin known as the Buchan Volcanics. The fault becomes more northerly in Rift (Orth et al., 1995). The original margins of strike where it passes into granites and the this rift are in part coincident with the present fault bounded Kiandra Group in NSW. The day outcrop margins of the Snowy River Limestone Creek Fault (Allen, 1991) is a major Volcanics. The northern part of this rift parallel splay off the Indi Fault, within the extends into TALLANGATTA. After the initial Limestone Creek Graben. deposition of conglomerates, a minor phase of intermediate volcanism, followed by voluminous The structural implications of all these faults subaerial silicic volcanism formed the Snowy has been discussed in detail by Morand and River Volcanics. The cessation of volcanism is Gray, (1991). They demonstrated that the marked by the deposition of the Buchan Group, regional distribution of rock types probably dominated by marine limestones (Orth et al., resulted from thrusting of the Wagga 1995). The whole rift fill sequence is considered Metamorphic Belt (and the OMC) to be Early Devonian in age (VandenBerg & southeastwards onto the Silurian Limestone O'Shea, 1981; Orth et al., 1995). Creek succession, which underwent eastward thrusting and folding at the same time (VandenBerg & Allen, 1988), and across the Ordovician Kiandra Group. The Kiewa/Kancoona and Mount Wellington faults bounded the metamorphic succession on the west, and the Gilmore/Indi faults bounded the succession on the east, and along the southern, leading edge. The Ordovician island arc of central NSW which occurs east of the Gilmore Fault (Morand & Gray, 1991) probably GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 11

Middle Devonian Tabberabberan Early Carboniferous Kanimblan deformation deformation to Present day

The amalgamation of the Benambra and Further east west compression during the Early Terranes in the Middle Devonian is Carboniferous Kanimblan deformation caused represented by the Tabbarabberan deformation another episode of fault reactivation, and the in eastern Victoria. In TALLANGATTA, this development of late, northeast trending faults, deformation caused the formation of broad such as the Tawonga Fault. This fault strikes northnortheasterly trending folds, including the northeast, and forms the northern edge of Gelantipy Syncline, which deforms the Snowy (Beavis, 1960). It offsets River Volcanics (Orth et al., 1995), and open the Keiwa and Kancoona faults dextrally by folds in the Dartella Volcanic Group (Bolger et about 3 km. A later period of reverse dip slip al., 1983). The marginal faults of the Buchan movement is indicated by Beavis (1960), Rift, such as the Emu Egg Fault, were possibly begun during Mesozoic uplift of the reactivated and inverted in places. In the eastern highlands. OMC, the Tabberabberan deformation is responsible for sinistral kinks folds (Finlay, The geological history of TALLANGATTA since 1985) and crenulation cleavages. the Palaeozoic is dominated by the intrusion and eruption of the Mount Leinster Igneous Many of the large faults active during the Complex in the Triassic. This suite of alkaline Bindian deformation were reactivated, but igneous rocks intruded to subvolcanic levels, often with an opposite sense of displacement. with associated voluminous volcanic The reactivation forms a conjugate set outpourings. Since that time, the entire region indicating east-west shortening, with northwest has been uplifted and eroded, with periods of striking sinistral and northeast striking dextral tholeiitic basalt eruption. faults. For example, the Early Devonian Niggerheads Granodiorite has been locally 2.2 Stratigraphy - sedimentary deformed by sinistral fault movement along the Kiewa Fault (Scott, 1985). The Kancoona and volcanic rocks Fault, previously thought to be the extension of the Kiewa Fault (King, 1982; Sandiford et al., Ordovician 1988), cuts across the Middle Devonian Yackandandah Granite, which is sinistrally The gneisses which occur in the northwest and offset by 7 km. It is probably a late splay off the west of TALLANGATTA may be part of the Kiewa Fault, initiated during sinistral poorly understood Gundowring Terrane reactivation during the Tabberabberan (P. Fleming, pers. comm). The Rubyview deformation. A narrow zone of mylonite also Gneiss of O'Shea, (1979) occurs to the east of occurs within this fault, which separates the Talgarno Fault, and consists of variably cordierite zone rocks in the east, from low grade foliated gneiss, ranging from poorly foliated slates in the west. gneiss containing feldspar porphyroblasts to medium and coarse grained foliated gneiss, Late Devonian sedimentation and with alternating biotite and sillimanite rich volcanism layers, and numerous felspar porphyroblasts. Parts of the Rubyview Gneiss contain rare calc silicate lenses (Camacho, 1982, Robinson, 1992). Following the Tabberabberan deformation a Some amphibole bearing gneisses outcropping 3000m thick sequence of red sandstone, within the Rubyview Gneiss are termed the conglomerate and volcanics of the Mount Bethgarno Gneiss (O'Shea, 1979) or Spring Tambo Group were deposited in a graben Creek Gneiss (Steele, 1979), and are massive to structure near Benambra. Other red fluvial banded and lineated. These gneisses are sediments have been mapped in the Hume probably all related to the Bethanga Granite region in the northwest of TALLANGATTA Gneiss summarised below, under INTRUSIVE (O'Shea, 1979), and these are presumably ROCKS. preserved in small graben structures developed along the Talgarno Fault. The large area of high grade metamorphic rocks in the Bogong High Plains region consists of banded gneiss called the High Plains Gneiss (Crohn, 1950; Beavis, 1962). These rocks 12 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

consist of alternating bands of foliated schist, Pinnak Sandstone (Op) and coarse granular quartz-feldspar-biotite gneiss with sillimanite, cordierite and garnet. The Pinnak Sandstone (VandenBerg et al., Higher grade rocks with migmatitic textures 1991; Group of Glen et al., 1990) surround many of the granite intrusions and consists of marine turbiditic thick bedded extend to the south of the Falls Creek region. litharenite and minor thin bedded These rocks have been referred to as the High quartz arenite, with interbedded green slaty Plains Gneissic Adamellite (Fagan, 1979). mudstone, siltstone, and minor chert. An Some of the intrusions around Falls Creek are unknown thickness occurs in TALLANGATTA, thought to be the products of anatexis of the where it is included in the Hotham Group, but country rock (eg. Timms Spur; Carlyle, 1975), its distribution has been mapped in detail on but if so, this event is likely to be related to the the adjacent Murrindal and Bendoc 1:100 000 Benambran deformation and formation of the maps. At its type locality on BENDOC, the OMC, rather than processes associated with the formation consists of thick bedded litharenites poorly understood Gundowring Terrane. and minor thin bedded quartzarenites with interbedded green slaty mudstone. There are Hotham Group (Oh) sporadic thin bands of chert. Conodonts from cherts within the Pinnak Sandstone indicate The Hotham Group (Beavis, 1962; VandenBerg that the formation spans almost the whole of & O'Shea, 1981; Fergusson et al., 1987) is the the Lower Ordovician (Orth et al., 1995). informal name given to the undifferentiated Ordovician sediments that outcrop over much of Kiandra Group (Ovk) TALLANGATTA. It includes parts of the Adaminaby Group and the Bendoc Group, but The Kiandra Group (Moye et al., 1969) is part of these have yet to be mapped in detail in the mafic to intermediate volcanic arc system of TALLANGATTA (A.H.M. VandenBerg, pers central and southern NSW. It occurs as a thin comm.). The Hotham Group comprises an belt in the footwall of the Indi-Gilmore Fault, undetermined thickness of well bedded deep and extends down into the Limestone Creek marine greywacke, quartzite, siltstone, slate area, where it may be represented by the and mudstone (Bolger, 1984), with an Blueys Creek Formation (Allen, 1987). In the abundance of typical sedimentary turbidite Kiandra area, Darriwilian to Gisbornian structures (Kilpatrick, 1979). Minor chert basaltic tuff, marine agglomerate, chert and lenses have been noted (Finlay, 1985), but no volcaniclastic sandstone pass upward into conglomerates have been recorded, or volcanic Gisbornian high-K porphyritic basalt of rocks which might be equivalent to those shoshonitic affinity (Owen & Wyborn, 1979; described in the Kiandra Beds in southeastern Powell, 1984b). North of Kiandra, it is NSW (Moye et al., 1969). The Hotham Group sandwiched between granites of the Kosciusko turbiditic sediments were deposited in a Batholith, and is metamorphosed to high grade backarc basin west of a volcanic arc (Cas et al., schists and gneiss. The group apparently 1980; Packham, 1987). They are graptolite extends north into NSW towards Molong, where bearing in the Wombat Creek area (Beavis, is consists of basaltic lavas that may date from 1962), and several other localities in the map the Early Ordovician, as they are overlain by area. The graptolites mostly indicate a Late beds containing Bendigonian graptolites near Ordovician age (mostly Eastonian but some Parkes (Sherwin, 1979). Gisbornian and Bolindian; A.H.M. VandenBerg, pers comm.) but Middle Ordovician graptolites Blueys Creek Formation (Ouu) of Darriwilian age have been recorded from the (Harris & Keble, 1932), and The Blueys Creek Formation (Allen, 1987, Bendigonian graptolites have been recorded 1988) consists of deep water marine chert, from Eskdale (Kilpatrick and Fleming, 1980), volcaniclastic turbidites, and mudstone. It is indicating that the Hotham Group spans the the oldest unit in the Limestone Creek Graben, Ordovician. and occurs in three fault bounded lenticular belts. No underlying rocks are exposed. The Blueys Creek Formation is conformably to disconformably overlain by the Towanga Sandstone. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 13

Seven units have been recognised in the Blueys older Blueys Creek Formation. Allen (1987) Creek Formation, consisting of the thin bedded, recognised several destinctive lithologies in the basal Banksia Chert Member, overlain by a Towanga Sandstone, including the 30 m thick black cherty slate, and mafic arenite turbidites Rough Creek Conglomerate Member, and three (the Brumby Mafic Arenite Member) within a major unnamed facies of siltstone, sandstone succession of fine to medium quartz sandstone, and siltstone, and quartz sandstone. Apart siltstone, and grey to black mudstone. from Upper Ordovician conodonts contained Rhyolites and siliceous dacites intercalated within chert pebbles in the conglomerate, with the sediments were considered to be giving a maximum possible age, its age is interbedded by VandenBerg et al. (1984), but clearly post-Ordovician (overlies the Blueys are now regarded as mainly dykes and sills of Creek Formation) and pre-Thorkidaan Thorkidaan Volcanics (Allen, 1987). Dacitic to Volcanics, ie. probably Early Silurian (Orth et andesitic bodies may be either lavas within the al., 1995). It was probably deposited in the Blueys Creek Formation, or shallow intrusives proximal part of an upward and outward fining (Allen, 1988). Conodonts within the Banksia submarine fan derived from erosion of the Chert Member indicate a Late Ordovician age Blueys Creek Formation, and was uplifted and (I.R. Stewart, in Allen, 1987). folded during the Benambran deformation (Allen, 1988). Silurian Enano Group Omeo Metamorphic Complex (Osn) The Enano Group (VandenBerg et al., 1981, The Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OMC; 1984) has been most recently defined to include Beavis, 1960) consists of metamorphosed the Thorkidaan Volcanics, the Cowombat Hotham Group. The metamorphism ranges Siltstone and the Gibsons Folly Formation from chlorite grade (characterised by slate, (Allen, 1988, Orth et al., 1995), and all occur phyllite and psammite) to biotite and cordierite within the Limestone Creek Graben east of (characterised by spotted schists), and Benambra. The disconformity at the base of the andalusite-K-feldspar and sillimanite-K- Enano Group over the Towanga Sandstone is feldspar grade (characterised by coarse-grained attributed to the Middle Silurian Quidongan gneissic rocks, with porphyroblasts of deformation (Allen, 1987), associated with the andalusite and cordierite up to 1.5 cm long). onset of rhyolitic volcanism and the beginnings Around Eskdale the metamorphism strongly of the Cowombat Rift. The Thorkidaan parallels granite margins (Kilpatrick, 1979; Volcanics probably formed in a mixture of Finlay, 1985; Robinson, 1992). The shallow water, deep water and sub aerial metamorphic rocks are truncated to the east by conditions, while the Cowombat Siltsone is a the Indi Fault, and to the west by the Keiwa shallow marine shelf to deeper marine basin Fault and others (Beavis, 1960). The original slope facies association. The Gibsons Folly bedding of the turbidites is often still preserved, Formation represents deeper marine especially at lower grades. The Hotham Group sedimentation, perhaps towards the central, has been metamorphosed to low grade phyllites deeper parts of the rift (Allen, 1987). These and slates west of the Kiewa Fault, and to units have been folded and cleaved parallel to knotted schist in the Talgarno region, where it the Indi Fault and metamorphosed to has been named the Tarrangatta Schist greenschist facies during the Bindian (O'Shea, 1979). deformation (Allen, 1987).

Towanga Sandstone (Slw) Thorkidaan Volcanics (Smvt)

The Towanga Sandstone (Talent, 1964) consists The Thorkidaan Volcanics (VandenBerg et al., of marine thick to thin bedded quartz 1981) consist of intrusive felsic ignimbrite sandstone, planar laminated siltstone, and porphyry and minor marine sediments. It has minor conglomerate, and occurs south east of been looked at in detail in the Limestone Creek the Indi Fault, and north of the Reedy Creek area by VandenBerg et al., 1981/1984 and Allen Fault (Allen, 1991), where its type locality was (1987). A detailed description is given in Allen designated by VandenBerg et al. (1984). Allen (1988). The thickness of the unit is difficult to (1987) concluded that the Towanga Sandstone estimate because of faulting, but Allen (1988) underlies the Thorkidaan Volcanics, but it is suggests that the total thickness in Limestone generally faulted against them, and the much Creek could be as much as 2-3 km. The 14 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

volcanics are essentially rhyolitic to dacitic in composition, and include a varied sequence of The mylonite from all these faults is very varied lavas, pyroclastics and volcanic derived in composition, reflecting the wide variety of sediments. The Thorkidaan Volcanics are metamorphic and intrusive rocks from which it overlain by the Snowy River Volcanics, and is derived. Often mylonite is transitional with reappear as a much narrower belt along the protomylonite and undeformed rocks, for west of Cowombat Plain (Allen, example at Tawonga Gap, Mt Beauty (Morand 1988). & Gray, 1991). South of Mt Beauty in the Kiewa Fault Zone and in the Kancoona Fault, Cowombat Siltstone (Suq) the mylonite consists of gneissic mylonite containing coarse feldspar relicts, and a well The Cowombat Siltstone (Talent, 1964) consists developed S-C foliation, defined by elongate of marine siltstone, and minor laminated quartz grains, and folded kinked biotite, often sandstone with occasional limestone lenses. It replacing sillimanite. West of this rock is a conformably overlies the Thorkidaan Volcanics zone of fine grained mica-rich schistose and underlies the Gibsons Folly Formation mylonite with no feldspar porphyroclasts, and (Allen, 1987). It has been subdivided into five this grades west into a zone of interlayered main lithological types by Allen (1987), with a phyllonite and biotite schist, slate and phyllite. basal conglomerate, overlain by limestone, Some of the lower grade mylonites contain felsic volcanic sandstone and calcareous relicts of the prefaulting structure, including siltstone. Coral and conodont faunas have been S1-2 cleavages and F2 folds. North of Mount noted in limestone lenses within the formation Beauty, the Kiewa Fault mylonite consists of (Talent et al., 1975), which are regarded as Late foliated mylonitised granite, with gradational Silurian in age. The formation contains several boundaries to less deformed granite. A similar Cu-Pb-Zn prospects (Allen, 1991). mylonitized granite with well developed stretching lineations is seen where the Gibsons Folly Formation (Sug) Kancoona fault cuts the Yackandandah granite (King, 1982; Sandiford et al., 1988; Morand & The Gibsons Folly Formation (VandenBerg et Gray, 1991). In the Indi Fault, mylonites are al., 1981) consists of strongly foliated developed from the OMC gneiss and granite, rhyodacite and interbedded siltstone at least and this mylonite is medium grained with a 300 m thick. It contains numerous stratiform biotite and muscovite rich foliation wrapping lenses of variably altered andesitic to dacitic around feldspar porphyroclasts. South of the lavas intercalated with fine grained turbidites, fault, mylonite is formed from the Silurian and two Zn-Cu-Pb massive sulphide deposits volcanics of the Gibsons Folly Formation. Here, (Wilga and Currawong). The Bumble Creek the volcanics are fine grained, and strongly Formation of VandenBerg, Bolger et al. (1981, layered and lineated (Allen, 1987) 1984) is probably better regarded as a member of the Gibsons Folly Formation. Bedding in the Mitta Mitta Volcanics (Smvm) Gibsons Folly Formation dips moderately towards the westnorthwest (Allen, 1987) The Mitta Mitta Volcanics (Talent, 1959) are preserved in the Wombat Creek Graben, and Mylonite (Sy) extend along a belt from the junction of the Gibbo and Mitta Mitta rivers, northwards to Mylonite fault rocks are widespread within and Cravensville. They comprise at least a 500 m adjacent to many of the large thrust faults thick sequence of altered dacite, rhyodacite and which were active during the Bindian rhyolite lavas with thin intercalated tuff bands deformation. They have been documented in the with pyroclastic textures, and rhyolite, Keiwa Fault (Scott, 1985), the Kancoona Fault, rhyodacite and other volcanic breccias. They the Ensay Fault, the Nelse Fault (Senini, 1976), have been subdivided into three major the Indi Fault (Allen, 1987), the Jarvis or petrographic suites, and a basal unit of Spring Creek Fault (Kerber, 1978), along the interbedded volcanics and slate has been named Tallangatta Creek Fault, the Firebrace Shear the Cravensville Beds (Bolger et al., 1983). The Zone, which has mylonitised the Granya southern belt of volcanics is disconformably Adamellite (P. Fleming, pers comm.), and many overlain by the Late Silurian Wombat Creek others. The Kiewa Fault has one of the widest Group, implying a mid to late Silurian age. mylonite zones in the Lachlan Fold Belt, up to 2 Other suites may be equivalent to the Jemba km wide in places (Morand & Gray, 1991). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 15

Rhyolite or the Snowy River Volcanics (Bolger Murtagh Creek Rhyolite (Dldm) et al., 1983). The Murtagh Creek Rhyolite (Bolger et al., Wombat Creek Group (Suw) 1983) consists of felsic ignimbrite, and fluvial units including agglomerate, and minor The Wombat Creek Group (Crohn, 1950) lies to siltstone. The ignimbrite is strongly welded, the west of the Mitta Mitta Volcanics, and dense, grey to grey black, with quartz and consists of up to 2300 m thickness of massive feldspar phenocrysts, flattened pumice marine basal conglomerate (the Toaks Creek fragments and slate clasts. At the southern end Conglomerate) overlain by 700 m of thin of the Dartella Volcanic Group, there appears to bioclastic limestone lenses, fossiliferous be a gradation from the Sheevers Spur mudstone, and quartzitic sandstone and Rhyodacite into the Murtagh Creek Rhyolite. siltstone,with thin limestone interbeds (the In the northern parts, Murtagh Creek Rhyolite Gibbo River Siltstone; Bolger et al., 1983). The unconformably overlies Ordovician slate and Tongaro Sandstone conformably overlies the OMC rocks with a flat lying contact, and is Gibbo River Siltstone, and consists of 1200 to petrographically similar to the Snowy River 2000 m of sandstone, siltstone, conglomerate Volcanics (Bolger, 1984). and limestone (VandenBerg, 1988). Fossils within the limestone and the mudstone suggest Sheevers Spur Rhyodacite (Dlds) a Mid to Late Silurian age, while Conodonts suggest a Late Silurian or younger age (Bolger The Sheevers Spur Rhyodacite (Bolger et al., et al., 1983). The Wombat Creek Graben 1983) consists of felsic ignimbrite, with probably represents an extensional rift, and subordinate andesite and rhyolite. Welded appears to have been filled in a marine volcaniclastics have eutaxitic textures, and an environment. The Toaks Creek Conglomerate abundance of pyroxene phenocrysts and suggests an initial period of sustained rapid igneous rock fragments. deposition from a fan delta, passing into the marine basin from steep basin margins Cravensville Formation (Dldc) (VandenBerg, 1988). The Wombat Creek Group has been gently folded by the end-Silurian The Cravensville Formation (Bolger et al., Bindian deformation (Bolger et al., 1983) 1983) is a fluvial to lacustrine unit, consisting of interbedded black siltstone, volcanogenic Devonian sandstone, slate breccia, and thin ignimbritic units. Sedimentary breccias are characteristic, Dartella Volcanic Group with angular slate clasts. Black siltstones and volcanogenic sandstones often have a poorly The Dartella Volcanic Group occurs in the developed cleavage. This formation is northern part of the Wombat Creek Graben, considered to represent material accumulated (Bolger et al., 1983), and includes an at the margins of the Wombat Creek Graben intermediate to acid volcanic suite which prior to or during major volcanic episodes. It is extends from Yankee Point to the Lightwood a diachronous unit, associated with volcanic area, northeast of Cravensville. The Group units from the top to the bottom of the Dartella comprises the Cravensville Formation, the Volcanic Group. Sheevers Spur Rhyodacite, and the Murtagh Creek Rhyolite. They are petrographically and Jemba Rhyolite (Dlvj) structurally distinct from the older Mitta Mitta Volcanics in the same graben structure. The The Jemba Rhyolite occurs in the Burrowa Dartella Group is interpreted to be the intra- Caldera. It comprises extrusive rhyolite lava, caldera fill and outflow sheets of a small caldera rhyodacite ignimbrite, and lava flows and plugs (Bolger et al., 1983). Mild tilting of this at Mount Burrowa (Ellis, 1975). The ignimbrite formation occurred in the Tabberabberan is densely welded, and is composed of deformation. phenocrysts of feldspar and quartz in a welded glass shard ground mass. It overlies the Corryong Granite. Oates (1980) recognised a number of thin rhyolite lava flows, air fall tuffs and ash flow tuffs, overlain by a main collapse unit of more than 600 m of rhyolite. Their chemistry indicates that they were derived from 16 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

an A-type magma. They have been (VandenBerg & O'Shea, 1981). They are radiometrically dated by Brooks & Leggo (1972) conformably to unconformably overlain by the at 400±8 Ma, which is Early Devonian in age. Buchan Group Limestone. The contacts with other units are often faulted, and along Snowy River Volcanics (Dls) Limestone Creek the Snowy River Volcanics occupy narrow fault slices (Bolger, 1984). The The Snowy River Volcanics (Ringwood, 1955) Snowy River Volcanics are considered to be outcrop in the south eastern corner of the map Early Devonian in age, based on fauna from near Mount Cobberas. They form a broad The Basin (VandenBerg & O'Shea, 1978). The north-south trending belt which extends from whole sequence was broadly folded and faulted the Cowombat Plain to the south, into during the Tabberabberan deformation. Murrindal. The largest thickness of the volcanics occurs on the Murrindal 1:100 000 Buchan Caves Limestone (Dla) sheet, as a complex sequence of silicic to mafic volcanics, non-volcanic and volcanic-derived The Buchan Caves Limestone (Talent, 1956) is sediments and high level intrusives (Orth et al., a marine, dark grey, fine grained limestone and 1995). Various formations within the Snowy dolomite. It is well bedded and extensively River Volcanics have received detailed recrystallized, and grades up into muddy examination from several Bsc (Honours) limestone and mudstone. Tiny deposits of projects from Monash University (see Orth et Buchan Caves Limestone occur along the al., 1995) and Melbourne University (Mandile, western margin of the Snowy River Volcanics 1991). The volcanics are mostly glassy rhyolites adjacent to the Limestone Creek and Stoney and rhyodacites containing abundant xenoliths Creek Faults (Allen, 1991). The age of this of igneous and sedimentary rocks. On marine limestone is given as the Emsian stage Murrindal, the Snowy River Volcanics have of the Lower Devonian, based on numerous been divided into seven major subgroups, in palyantological studies (see Orth et al., 1995), turn subdivided into 50 formations. Of these and it conformably overlies the Snowy River units, the Wombargo Subgroup, Berrmarr Volcanics. It was deposited in a shallow marine Subgroup, and parts of the Little River environment, during the final phases of the Subgroup occur in TALLANGATTA. filling of the Buchan Rift, and was broadly folded during the Tabberabberan deformation. The Ballantyne Gap Megabreccia (Berrmarr Sub Group; Orth et al., 1995) consists of Mount Tambo Group (Dut) approximately 300 m thickness of breccia, containing variously sized clasts ranging up to The Mount Tambo Group (Howitt, 1876) house size, composed of ignimbrite, rhyolite, occupies a broad syncline near Benambra. The and smaller blocks of granite, hornfels, and sequence comprises a thick basal conglomerate, bedrock. This unit occurs on the east side of the sandstone and siltstone with abundant acid belt, and represents a subaerial scree and mass volcanic detritus, mudstone and reddish shales flow apron along the active fault scarp forming (Willocks, 1975), and a thin rhyodacite the northeastern margin of the Buchan Rift. It ignimbrite unit (VandenBerg, et al., 1979; grades up into the Black Mountain Ignimbrite Bolger, 1984). It overlies the OMC with an (Ringwood, 1955; Orth et al., 1995), a 600 m angular unconformity (Willocks, 1975), however thick sequence of quartz feldspar lithic no well constrained age for these beds has been ignimbrite, with abundant lithic clasts. determined. A Late Devonian age has been given on the basis of its red colouration, and its Small patches of Wulgulmerang Ashstone similarity to the Avon River Group. However, (Little River Subgroup; Orth et al., 1995; an age of Silurian is possible, based on Ringwood, 1955) occur as hill cappings. This comparisons with the Wombat Creek Group unit ranges from basal ignimbrite and coarse (Bolger et al., 1983). It was probably deposited grained sandstone to fine grained vitric rich into a marine extensional rift setting. sandstone (Orth et al., 1995), and is probably only tens of metres thick in TALLANGATTA. Beds shown as undifferentiated on the map These units are intruded by vitric lava dykes consist of fluvial conglomerate, sandstone, and high in silica, which extend into mudstone, which outcrop south of Talgarno. TALLANGATTA. The age is based on comparison with beds The Snowy River Volcanics unconformably around Holbrook in NSW (O’Shea, 1979). They overlie the folded Thorkidaan Volcanics are deep red in colour, and unconformably GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 17

overlie Ordovician gneiss. They probably have Quaternary an alluvial origin. Pebbles in the conglomerate consist predominantly of schist and quartzite. Rocks of this age consist of present stream The unit dips moderately to the east, but deposits and basaltic lava flows. appears to have been steepened against the The Coonambidgal Formation and Shepparton Talgarno Fault (O’Shea, 1979). Formation consist of sand, silt and gravel and are summarised in Bolger et al. (1983). The Triassic Newer Volcanics consist of alkali olivine basalts (Morass Creek Basalt; Hills, 1939). They occur Mount Leinster Igneous Complex (Trt) north of Benambra along the valley of Morass Creek and Deep Creek, where they have been The Mount Leinster Igneous Complex is a suite dated at 2.27 and 2.26 Ma (K-Ar; Wellman, of alkaline igneous rocks, comprising 1974, recalc). porphyritic microgranite, alkali granite, trachyte breccia, trachytic pyroclastics, trachyte 2.3 Intrusive rocks aegirine syenite, high K pyroxene syenite, high-K hornblende syenite, and porphyritic Dyke rocks quartz monzonite (Willocks, 1975; Bolger, 1984). The trachytes and surrounding country There are a number of dyke swarms which rocks are intruded by a number of plutons of occur in TALLANGATTA. The Mitta Mitta massive coarse grained, porphyritic syenite dyke swarm consists of a series of (Crohn, 1950; Bolger, 1984). The syenite may northwesterly trending dykes, some up to be gradational into granite porphyry, such as at 1500 m long, which occur in the Tallandoon, Mt Pleasant. The complex has imparted a Eskdale, and Mitta Mitta areas (Whitelaw et narrow hornfels aureole on the surrounding al., 1915). They are mostly granite, muscovite Ordovician rocks in places (Willocks, 1975). A tourmaline-garnet pegmatite, quartz porphyry radiometric age determination at 'The Brothers' and diorite, and are associated with tin of a biotite-hornblende trachyte gives an age of mineralisation (Bolger, 1984). They are 227±5 Ma (Bowen, 1975) or 232 ±5 (McKenzie, slickensided and sheared, indicating et al., 1984). Quartz syenite at Pendergasts deformation (Kilpatrick, 1978). Timing Lookout has been dated at 201±8 Ma relationships indicate that they most likely (McDougall & Wellman, 1976; recalc), and an were intruded along fracture sets developed age of 209±3 Ma has been obtained for quartz sympathetically to the numerous faults active monzonite at Mt Little Tambo, during the Bindian deformation.

Tertiary The Tintaldra-Cudgewa dyke swarm, and the Walwa dyke swarm are associated with the Older Volcanics (Tvo) granitic rocks in the Corryong area. Field relationships show that the dykes are younger Older Volcanics form an extensive plateau than the Corryong Granite, but are intruded by around Mt Jim, and Falls Creek, where they and Mt Mittamatite granites occur at elevations of up to 1500 m. They (Bolger, 1984), so they were most likely consist of tholeiitic and minor alkaline basalt, intruded in fractures during the Bindian with interbedded fluvial gravel and sand. The deformation. The main types are granite, basalt is blue-black, alkali olivine basalt, and is quartz porphyry, quartz-feldspar-hornblende very fine grained, with olivine and augite porphyrite, quartz diorite and basalt (Edwards phenocrysts. It has well developed columnar & Easton, 1937). They trend northeast, and jointing. Numerous lava flows have been some have a strike length of up to 6 km. Small recognised, such as at Mt Jim, where there are stocks at Mount Morgan and Mt Unicorn are 150 m of lava, tuff, and intercalated sediment composed largely of quartz porphyry (Edwards (Beavis, 1962). A possible basalt plug has been and Easton; 1937). The basalt dykes have a mapped at Ropers Lookout (Dripps, 1981). The similar chemistry to the Woods Point-Walhalla basalt has been dated near Hotham Hotel as dyke swarm (Brown, 1978). A younger, 36.3±0.6 and 33.1±0.8 Ma (K-Ar, Wellman, unrelated suite of rhyolites dykes intrude the 1974). The basalt is interbedded with fossil Mt Mittamatite and Pine Mountain granites bearing units, which Beavis (1961) dated as (Ellis, 1975), and the chemistry of these dykes Lower Cainozoic. 18 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

indicates that they are directly related to these Ordovician is the minimum possible, and an age granites. of Cambrian is more likely.

A northeast trending suite of dykes of Silurian microgranite, pegmatite and tourmaline- bearing aplite occur along with mineralised With the exception of the anomalous Pretty quartz veins in the gneissic rocks north of Valley Granodiorite described below, all the Bethanga (O'Shea, 1979). Granitic and grey Silurian intrusives are S-types, and appear to feldspar-hornblende diorite dykes seen at have intruded during the Benambran Bethanga are probably related to the deformation. They are regional aureole Ingeegoodbee Granite, while pegmatite dykes granites, and are often strongly foliated. may have formed during regional metamorphism, and often contain red garnets Dlg 154 Pretty Valley Granodiorite (Beavis, (O'Shea, 1979). Pegmatitic and aplitic dykes 1962): this mixed S and I-type pluton has a intrude all grades of metamorphic rocks in the gneissic texture, and consists of multiple Bogong region. Basic dykes in the Bogong intrusions of hornblende-biotite and biotite region are up to 30 m thick and intrude parallel granodiorite with strong E-W trending and across the country rock foliation. Some of foliations, separated by a screen of refolded the basic dykes may have intruded as late as gneisses up to 120 m wide (Dripps, 1981). The the Cainozoic. biotite granodiorite contains almandine garnet and cordierite, and has a well defined gneissic Trachyte to microgranite dykes around Omeo layering in hand specimen (Carlyle, 1975). It is (Willocks, 1975) may be related to the Mt apparently chemically similar to the Big Hill Leinster Igneous Complex, and probably Quartz Diorite, but the structural setting and intruded during the Triassic. age of this granite indicates that at least parts of it must be much older. The K-Ar date of Cambrian? 411±17 Ma (Richards & Singleton, 1981) may be inaccurate due to subsequent reheating. Bethanga Gneiss (Eb) This granite appears to have been emplaced contemporaneously with the regional This name was first used to describe the metamorphism, because of the strong foliation gneissic rocks in the Bethanga region by paralleling the country rock trends. Although Tattam (1929). The gneissic rocks in this region these bodies appear quite small at the present were mapped and subdivided by O'Shea (1979), level of exposure, they are most probably the who subdivided out another unit; the Bellbridge dominant rock type at depth (Fagan, 1979). Gneiss. The Bethanga Granite Gneiss is predominantly a biotite gneiss which is medium Sg 86 Mount Misery: a foliated S-type biotite- to coarse grained, strongly contorted, and muscovite granodiorite. contains feldspar, quartz and pale hornblende. The gneiss grades into migmatite in places, Sg 87 Buckwong (Mount Murphy) which show partial melting textures, including Granodiorite (Thomas & Crohn, 1951): a the development of leucosomes, with feldspar foliated biotite- muscovite granodiorite, which and quartz separating from a cordeirite- locally contains tourmaline. sillimanite-garnet-biotite-chlorite restite phase (Price & Taylor, 1977). The migmatitic phase Sg 88 Butchers Block: a subdivision of the has intruded the gneiss in places (VandenBerg Grey Mare Granodiorite (Bolger, 1984), occurs & O'Shea, 1978), and the whole complex is as an S-type biotite-muscovite adamellite. considered to be a melted S-type granite migmatite by Steele (1979, and in prep.). Sg 89 Tom Groggin Tonalite: a subdivision of Sedimentary xenoliths metamorphosed to the Gray Mare Granodiorite which consists of cordierite and almandine garnet and sillimanite foliated quartz tonalite. are present (Tattam, 1929). The Bethanga Gneiss has been K/Ar dated at 400 Ma Sg 90 Boebuck (Mount Pinnibar) Evernden and Richards (1962), but this most Adamellite (Bolger, 1984): a mafic I-type likely reflects the age of reheating during the hornblende-biotite tonalite which is locally Benambran deformation. (Bolger, 1984). The foliated (Talent et al., 1967). true age of the Bethanga Gneiss is unknown, but based on its structural complexity an age of GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 19

Sg 91 Bunroy Hut: apparently a hornblende- altered, foliated hornblende-biotite diorite. It biotite tonalite as above. No detailed has been radiometrically dated at 440±9 Ma (K- description is available. Ar; Richards & Singleton, 1981), and 388±4 Ma (McKenzie et al., 1984). It is intruded by, and Sg 92 Corryong Granite (Edwards & Easton, forms inclusions in the Sheevers Spur 1937): this intrusion is a regional aureole S- Rhyodacite (Bolger et al., 1983) type pluton consisting of fine to coarse grained porphyritic muscovite-biotite granite to Sg 109 Dartmouth Granite (Bolger et al., adamellite which is locally foliated (Brooks & 1983): this intrusion is a grey muscovite biotite Leggo, 1972). Muscovite is interleaved with S-type granite. It is heterogeneous in texture, red-brown biotite, cordierite, sillimanite and consisting of medium to coarse grained foliated rare andalusite. The sillimanite and cordierite and non-foliated components. The was apparently derived from partial melting of Banimboola Granite has locally hornfelsed crustal metasedimentary rocks. Ilmenite is an the previously schistose metamorphics accessory opaque mineral. This large granite surrounding the Dartmouth Granite. has been mapped by Arndt (1969), Hammond (1990), Ellis (1975) and Leggo (1968), and has Sg 111 Mount Wills (Crohn, 1950): this been dated at 421±8 Ma (Rb-Sr; Brooks & intrusion is a felsic S-type muscovite-biotite Leggo, 1972, recalc). It has been subdivided granite with accessory tourmaline. It is into several smaller intrusions, including Sg 94; associated with tin mineralisation and Nariel, Sg 95; Wabba Granodiorite, Sg 105; numerous pegmatite bodies. The numerous Beetoomba, Forest Creek and Walwa. outcrops of hornfels within the granite are probably roof pendants (Crohn, 1950), and Sg 93 Glendart: a small stock of granite for indicate the high level of exposure of this which little detailed information is available granite, which may be continuous with the Yabba Adamellite at depth. It is intruded by Sg 101 Koetong Granodiorite (Tattam, 1929): numerous dioritic lamprophyre dykes (Crohn, this large circular intrusion consists of a 1950). It has been radiometrically dated at medium to coarse grained muscovite-biotite 417±17 Ma (Richards & Singleton, 1981). granite, with accessory cordierite, garnet and sillimanite (Price & Taylor, 1977). Contact Sg 113 Knocker: this intrusion is a felsic S- metamorphism by this granite has produced type biotite quartz diorite. schists which are similar in appearance to regional schists of the OMC (O'Shea, 1979). Sg 122 Forlorn Hope Granite (VandenBerg et The margin of the granodiorite is foliated, and al., 1979): this intrusion probably represents it is bounded by the Tallangatta Creek Fault on the southwesterly extension of the Kosciusko its western side, which has mylonitised the Batholith, and may be part of the Bullenbalong granite (Finlay, 1985, Hartley, 1985). It has Suite (Orth et al., 1995). It outcrops near the been radiometrically dated at 424 Ma head of the , where it consists of a (muscovite) and 401 Ma (biotite) (Rb-Sr; Brooks medium grained unfoliated muscovite-biotite & Leggo, 1981) adamellite, with a fine grained porphyritic phase and a coarse grained leucocratic phase. Sg 103 Granya Adamellite (Price, 1969): this It has a narrow contact metamorphic aureole intrusion comprises a biotite-muscovite, imposed on the Late Silurian Towanga andalusite bearing adamellite. It is separated Sandstone. from the Koetong Adamellite by the Firebrace Shear Zone, with granite mylonite developed Sg 172 Yabba Adamellite (Tattam, 1929): this during dextral strike slip fault movement (as intrusion is an S-type biotite-muscovite granite, for all the northeast trending faults in this containing sillimanite and cordierite (Camacho, region). There are roof pendants of hornfelsed 1982; Finlay, 1985; Williams, 1987). It contains country rock preserved above the pluton (Price, a well developed tectonic cleavage, which has 1969; Roadley, 1992). It has been the same orientation as S1 in the surrounding radiometrically dated at 406±5 Ma (K-Ar; rocks (Finlay, 1985). The southern part of the Richards & Singleton, 1981). intrusion has been subdivided into the Mitta Adamellite, which contains garnet as an Sg 108 Eustace Creek Granodiorite (Bolger accessory mineral (Finlay, 1985). Aplite rims et al., 1983): this small multiphase intrusion is the southern margin of this intrusion. The presently being deroofed, and consists of an Yabba Adamellite has been mylonitised by the 20 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Tallangatta Creek Fault. It has been Dmg177 Yackandandah Granite: a composite radiometrically dated at 412±5 Ma (Steele in (King, 1982), massive, I-type, biotite hornblende Robinson, 1992) . granite. It is sinistrally offset by 7 km across the Kancoona fault (King, 1982; Sandiford et Sg 173 Lockhart Adamellite (Mackay, 1969): al., 1988). Radiometric dating indicates a this intrusion forms the eastern part of the Middle Devonian age (K-Ar; 389±15 Ma Yabba pluton, and has a very similar Richards and Singleton, 1981: 385±7Ma; composition. It is a muscovite-biotite Bowen: 392±7 Ma; McKenzie et al., 1984). adamellite with accessory sillimanite (Kerber, 1978). It is foliated and contains abundant Dlg152 Big Hill Quartz Diorite (Beavis, sedimentary xenoliths, 1962): this granite intrudes the Kiewa Fault, and a contact aureole is developed in the Sg175 Hawkesview: this pluton outcrops in mylonite. It is a largely undeformed, even NSW only. It has been dated at 406±5 Ma by textured, coarse grained hornblende-biotite- Evernden and Richards (K-Ar; 1962, recalc). pyroxene I-type granite. Parts of this granite contains up to 20% hornblende (Carlyle, 1975). Various unnamed Silurian intrusions: In the It has been radiometrically dated at 397±16 Ma vicinity of Benambra an unnamed medium (Richards & Singleton, 1981). grained S-type muscovite-biotite granite has been mapped by Willocks (1975). It is Dlg 114 Anglers Rest Granite (McLaughlin & deformed, with a well developed foliation, Tattam, 1976) or Red Granite (Crohn, 1950): which is strongest at the granite margins, and this body is a massive, homogeneous medium appears to grade into high grade metamorphic grained pink biotite leucogranite. It has many rocks. It is possibly related to the Deddick associated pegmatite dykes which parallel the River Granodiorite which outcrops just south boundaries (Crohn, 1950). K-Ar ages of 400±16 of TALLANGATTA, and has been dated at and 390±16 Ma (Richards & Singleton, 1981) 408±8 Ma (Bowen, 1975). A granite body has have been obtained for this pluton. been mapped northeast of Falls Creek, referred to informally as the Timms Spur Dlg151 Spion Kopje Quartz Diorite (East Leucogranite (Beavis, 1962; Carlyle, 1975). Kiewa granodiorite of Beavis (1962): an S-type This pluton is an even textured leucogranite, biotite diorite, with accessory cordierite, with biotite and primary muscovite, and sillimanite and tourmaline(Carlyle, 1975). accessory sillimanite. It may be of anatectic Radiometric K-Ar ages of 403±16 Ma and origin, produced by in-situ partial melting of 398±16 Ma were obtained by Richards and parts of the country rocks (Carlyle, 1975). In Singleton (1981). the easternmost parts of TALLANGATTA, the undifferentiated granite is all part of the Dlg 110 Banimboola Quartz Diorite Kosciusko Batholith, a group of predominantly (Talent, 1965): a massive, greenish grey, S-type granites which extend north into NSW, medium to coarse grained biotite-hornblende and include the small Barrabilly Diorite quartz diorite, with accessory augite and (Talent et al., 1964). East of the Snowy River hypersthene (Bolger et al., 1983). It has a 1 km Volcanics, the granite is known as the Suggan wide contact aureole reaching andalusite and Buggan Granodiorite Sg74 (Owen et al., sillimanite grade, and it also intrudes the 1982) Dartmouth Granite (Bolger et al., 1983). It may be related to the Dartella Volcanic group Devonian (Bolger et al., 1983). A radiometric K-Ar age of 403±6 Ma has been obtained by Richards and Granites intruded during the Devonian are Singleton (1981). A coarse grained, unfoliated, grouped as the Boggy Plain Supersuite. They porphyritic hornblende granodiorite intrudes consist of mixed S-type granites, ranging from the Dartella Volcanic Group (Bolger & deep level muscovite bearing granites (Price, Robertson, 1978) on the eastern side of the 1983) to sub-volcanic intrusions associated with Banimboola Diorite. It is similar to the caldera structures, and I-type granites, Eustace Creek Granodiorite.. probably derived from the Ordovician volcanic terrane presumed to underlie the OMC Dlg99 Pine Mountain Granite (Edwards & (Wyborn et al., 1987). Many of the granites are Easton, 1937): an even grained A-type biotite fractionated (White et al., 1988). leucogranite (Price et al., 1983), with miarolitic cavities (Ellis, 1975). It is highly fractionated, GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 21

and aplitic dykes of this granite intrude the 1978). It appears to be a high level intrusion, Corryong pluton. A radiometric Rb-Sr date of and contains miarolitic cavities (Roadley, 1992). 413±12 Ma has been obtained by Brooks and It intrudes the Granya and Koetong adamellites Leggo (1968; recalc). and stitches the Firebrace Shear Zone which separates these two Silurian intrusions. Dlg 155 Rocky Valley Granodiorite: this is a medium grained hornblende-biotite (secondary Dlg115 Taylors Crossing Tonalite (Bolger et muscovite) granodiorite. A radiometric K-Ar al., 1983): this small elongate intrusion consists age of 417±9 Ma was obtained by Richards and of a medium grained, foliated grey biotite- Singleton (1981). muscovite tonalite. It appears to intrude the Wombat Creek Group on the . Dlg98 Mount Mittamatite Granite (Edwards & Easton, 1937): this A-type pluton is a Dlg 116 Lower Tableland Granite (Bolger, fractionated biotite leucogranite (White & 1984): this poorly exposed S-type intrusion is a Chappel, 1988), and is possibly a high level fine to medium grained muscovite-biotite granite (Hammond, 1990). It is associated with granite, containing pinitised cordierite (Crohn, a fractured ring dyke around the northeast 1950). Dykes associated with this intrusion margin (Brown, 1978), and the western border outcrop along the Mitta Mitta River. of the granite may be fault controlled, in a caldera type setting (Ellis, 1975). It has been Dlg148 Gundowring: a small circular stock for radiometrically dated at 427±32 Ma (Rb-Sr; which no description is available. Brooks & Leggo, 1968, recalc), but this age is probably a little on the old side, as this granite Dlg180 Kergunyah Adamellite: an elongate is petrologically similar to the Jemba Rhyolite S-type muscovite-biotite granite, which is (400±8 Ma), and it intrudes the Walwa and foliated and mylonitized by the Kiewa Fault Tintaldra-Cudgewa dyke swarms (Bolger, (Morand & Gray, 1991). The internal foliation 1984). strikes northwest and dips steeply west and east. Dlg 153 Niggerheads Granodiorite (Beavis, 1962; Bolger, 1984): a grey to massive biotite Ring Dyke (Dlp) and (secondary) muscovite S-type granodiorite. It contains accessory sillimanite (Carlyle, 1975), These dykes are related to caldera type high and is full of xenoliths. It has been locally level intrusions in TALLANGATTA. Some of deformed by sinistral fault movement along the the dykes may also be Silurian in age, for Kiewa Fault (Scott, 1985). This pluton has a example, where they occur adjacent to the similar mineralogy to the nearby Spion Kopje Mount Wills intrusion. The dykes consist of Granodiorite. Migmatite and schist form an ill granite and granodiorite porphyry, and are up defined boundary of the granodiorite. A finer to 200 m wide (Hills, 1958). The dykes have a grained portion of the Niggerheads granodiorite porphyritic coarse texture, and are composed of intrudes the Pretty Valley Gneissic Tonalite on quartz and red felspar in a fine grained its eastern side (Scott, 1985) groundmass, with some accessory biotite (Sandy, 1992). Simmons Gap Granite: a massive medium to fine grained biotite granite, which appears to be cut by the Tawonga Fault (Morand & Gray, 1991).

Dlg120 Marengo Granodiorite (Crohn, 1950): a massive, unfoliated, medium grained to porphyritic biotite-hornblende granodiorite (VandenBerg et al., 1984), which is truncated on its eastern side by the Indi fault (Allen, 1987). Parts of this intrusion are fluorite bearing (Willocks, 1975).

Dlg 102 Thologolong Granite (Price, 1969): a fractionated, homogenous, I-type biotite granite, which is medium grained (Brown, 22 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

3 Economic Geology summarised in Table 1. Detailed production estimates for the major producing mines, within the alluvial goldfields are summarised in Tables TALLANGATTA embraces three major 3 and 4, and for the primary goldfields in structural zones, each of which host Tables 5 and 7. The location, mineralisation characteristic mineralisation assemblages. The style, orientation and host lithologies of the three structural zones are defined by Ramsay major mines from the primary goldfields, are and VandenBerg (1990) as the Tabberabbera summarised in Tables 6 and 8. An additional Zone (west of the Kancoona Fault), the discussion is provided on the major producing Benambra Zone (Omeo Zone of Gray et al., mines, from some of the primary goldfields, 1988) and the Cowombat Rift Remnants which which produced in excess of 1 tonne of gold. include the Limestone Creek Graben and the Wombat Creek Graben (see Fig. 4). Economic Gold production estimates for the primary mineral production and exploration within goldfields of TALLANGATTA have been TALLANGATTA has historically been focused compiled mainly from the original data sources, on gold, although there have been periods of although time constraints have resulted in a significant tin production, and the currently reliance on other sources as well. There is an producing Wilga base-metal deposit is Victoria’s absence of detailed production data during the only significant base metal producer. Details of period 30th Sept 1891-30th Sept 1897, due to the mines and prospects in TALLANGATTA is the Mines Department not publishing records presented in Figure 3 and a brief overview of during the 1890s depression. the major mineralised areas is presented in Figure 4. Although this report concentrates on Data Sources gold, tin and base metals other commodities have been successfully mined or exist as The data sources used to compile production realistic prospective targets, within statistics for TALLANGATTA were: TALLANGATTA. There has been significant recorded production of fluorite and tungsten · Mining Surveyors and Registrars Reports. related minerals. There are localised Quarterly returns from 1st Jan 1875-30th concentrations of minerals such as stibnite and Sept 1891; bismuthite, and occurrences of rare minerals · The Goldfields of Victoria. Quarterly which produce elements such as tantalum and returns from 30th Sept 1897-30th June uranium. In addition to the metallic and non- 1898; metallic minerals there are extensive resources · The Goldfields of Victoria. Monthly returns of industrial minerals. from Oct 1898-Dec 1901; · Annual Reports 1884-1994/95; This chapter has been arranged so that mineral · Special Reports 1877-1946; occurrences and fields are geographically · Records Vol 1(1)-5(3) equivalent to period of grouped and discussed, within the defined time from 1902-1937; and structural zones. Appended to this report is a · Gold Production Records A-Z. detailed digital mine data set which includes AMG locations, production estimates and In addition to these sources individual detailed descriptions of the various mines, references were obtained from the following prospects and mineral occurrences in sources: TALLANGATTA, with genetic interpretations where appropriate, for all the commodities · Memoirs, Mining and Geological Journals, discussed in this report. Geological Survey Reports, Bulletins, EL Reports, Unpublished Reports and books 3.1 Gold (summarising original gold production statistics). Extensive primary and alluvial gold deposits occur within TALLANGATTA. The mining There are four significant data sources which history, gold production and mineralisation for were not examined in detail, due to time the TALLANGATTA alluvial and primary constraints, and these are: goldfields are discussed within the defined structural zones. An estimate of the total alluvial and primary gold production for the goldfields within TALLANGATTA is

24 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 5 Victorian gold production Victorian gold production alluvial 60%

primary 40%

Tabberabberan gold production Benambran gold production Figure 6 alluvial alluvial Tabberabbera and 43% 7% Benambra Zone gold production

primary primary 57% 93%

· Mining Surveyors and Registrars Reports. Primary gold production Quarterly returns from 1st May 1859-1st Dec 1874; The major references used for estimating · Australian Mining Standard; primary gold production for the Tabberabbera · Dickers Mining Record; and Zone were two books, these being Lloyd (1982) : · Local newpapers i.e The Argus. "Gold at Harrietville" and Lloyd and Nunn (1987): "Bright Gold". The Benambra Zone Alluvial gold production primary gold production estimate is based entirely upon original sources. The major references used for estimating alluvial gold production for the Tabberabbera Total gold production Zone were Canavan (1988), Resource Technology (1982), Lloyd (1982) and MacDonald Victoria's total gold production until 1988 was (1985). The alluvial gold production estimate approximately 2450 tonnes of gold (Ramsay and for the Benambra Zone has been based upon Willman, 1988). Ramsay (1995) estimated that the original sources, although references have 60% of production was from alluvial gold and not been examined in detail for a large portion 40% from primary gold (Fig. 5). of the major production period prior to 1875. A cursory examination of the Mining Surveyors The total gold production for TALLANGATTA, and Registrars Reports from 1859-1874 during the period 1860-1992/ 93 was 36 198.2 revealed that alluvial production records for the kg or 36.2 tonnes of gold from in excess of 1 035 Benambra Zone are non-existent prior to 1864 326 tonnes of ore, which is equivalent to ~1.5% and only scanty records exist between 1864- of Victoria's total gold production. The total 1874. gold production for TALLANGATTA from the Tabberabbera Zone was 19 989.5 kg of gold Alluvial production records are considered to be during the period 1860-1992/93 and from the significantly lower than actual production, Benambra Zone 16204.4 kg of gold during the partly due to the limited data sources period 1876-1968, as detailed in Table 1 and examined, but mainly due to the poor quality of summarised in Figure 6. the original records. A major contributing factor for underestimating alluvial gold Production estimates and details of the geology production is the "nugget factor" as nuggets of mines within the Bright-Wandiligong and were invariably not recorded with the total Freeburgh goldfields are restricted to those alluvial gold production. mines which occur in TALLANGATTA. A GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 25

Table 1 TALLANGATTA gold production

ALLUVIAL PRODUCTION PRIMARY PRODUCTION TOTAL

GOLDFIELD PRODUCT YEARS ORE PRODUC YEARS PRODUCT (kg) (tonnes) T (kg) (kg)

TABBERABBERA ZONE Harrietville 2741.7 1883-1954 425088 8606.6 1861-1992/93 11348.3 Bright-Wandiligong - 54158 1690.6 1860-1911 1690.6 Freeburgh 5795.5 1900-1955 47559 1155.1 1861-1925 6950.6

SUB-TOTAL 8537.2 1883-1955 526806 11452.3 1860-1992/93 19989.5 BENAMBRA ZONE Bethanga 6.9 1894-1903 75544+ 2909.8 1876-1910 2916.8 Corryong 103.1 1889-1915 6339 558.5 1884?-1916 661.6 Dart river 48.9 1889-1905 7882 470.0 1881-1904 519.0 Gibbo River 0.5 1904 314 4.2 1889 4.7 Granite Flat 8.4 1887-1888 3072 73.6 1876-1934 81.9 Granya - - 50157+ 1016.0 1878-1948 1016.0 Jarvis Creek - - 418 7.2 1877-1907 7.2 Lightning Creek - - 582 16.5 - 16.5 Lower dart River - - 1592 42.0 1881-1887 42.0 Miscellaneous - - 616 73.5 - 73.5 Mitta Mitta 993.0 1889-1915 33519 1702.6 1876-1950 2695.6 Mt. Fainter ------Mt. Wills 30.0 1900-1950 318445 7840.8 1892-1968 7870.8 Sandy Creek 25.7 1891-1915 3429 153.7 1891-1905 179.4 Tawonga - - 3015 21.1 1884?-1951 21.1 Thowgla Creek - - 77 1.6 1897-1911 1.6 Wombat Creek 2.1 1932 - - - 2.1 Zulu Creek - - 2588 98.7 1881-1890 98.7

SUB-TOTAL 1218.9 1887-1950 507847 14989.8 1876-1968 16208.7

TOTAL 9756.1 1883-1955 1035326+ 26442.1 1861-1992/93 36198.2 major part of these goldfields extends west of the century. Alluvial mining records are TALLANGATTA. There has been no official incomplete (as previously discussed). The total recorded production from the Cowombat Rift alluvial gold production for TALLANGATTA, remnants of the Wombat Creek Graben and the during the period 1883-1955, was a minimum of Limestone Creek Graben. 9756.1 kg of gold from an unknown volume of wash. A summary of gold production from the TALLANGATTA goldfields is presented as Tabberabbera Zone Table 1. Alluvial gold production Current gold production estimates for the TALLANGATTA goldfields are significantly The total alluvial gold production for the greater than previous estimates as highlighted Tabberabbera Zone within TALLANGATTA, by Table 2. during the period 1883-1955, was a minimum of 8 537.2 kg of gold, or 43% of the total Alluvial goldfields production for the Tabberabbera Zone.

Alluvial gold mining methods which have progressed with time from panning of surface wash, to the sinking of shafts on deep leads, to sluicing and finally dredging near the turn of 26 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 2 Gold production estimates for various TALLANGATTA goldfields

CURRENT PREVIOUS ESTIMATES ESTIMATE

GOLDFIELD PRODUCT Source, year PRODUCT (kg) (kg)

Bright-Wandiligong-Freeburgh-Harrietville 6850 Bowen & Whiting, 1976 Bright-Wandiligong-Freeburgh-Harrietville 12300 Whiting & Bowen, 1976 Bright-Wandiligong-Freeburgh-Harrietville 12300 Ramsay & Willman, 1988 Bright-Wandiligong-Freeburgh-Harrietville 16012 Lloyd, 1982 + Lloyd & Nunn, 1987 16549 Bethanga 2430 Whiting & Bowen, 1976 2910 Corryong 157 Gold Production Statistics 559 Granya 775 Easton, 1912 Granya 775 Ramsay & Willman, 1988 1016 Mt. Wills 6202 Ramsay & Willman, 1988 7841

Alluvial gold occurrences suggests replenishment of leads from both primary and secondary sources of the Ovens The major host for alluvial gold in the drainage systems (MacDonald, 1985). Tabberabbera Zone, within TALLANGATTA, is the Pliocene deep lead, with only The Harrietville and Freeburgh goldfields are minor recorded production from the higher not discussed individually as these are the only order tributaries of this sub-catchment. The alluvial goldfields within the TALLANGATTA primary gold source for these alluvial deposits part of the Tabberabbera Zone. is mineralised quartz veins within Hotham Group (Oh) metasediments. Alluvial gold is Tabberabbera Zone alluvial goldfields found in the following settings: Gold production statistics for the major alluvial · shallow alluvial/colluvial scree deposits; gold workings, from the goldfields of the · Recent to Pleistocene low and high level Tabberabbera Zone are summarised in Table 3. terrace deposits (Cuffley, 1984). Terraces represent successive stages in valley erosion, Harrietville now partially filled with poorly sorted sediments; and Alluvial gold was first discovered in the · Pliocene Ovens River deep lead (Cuffley, Harrietville region by John Bromley in 1852 1984). (Lloyd, 1982). In 1860 the first reefs were discovered (Lloyd, 1982). In 1861 deep lead Alluvial gold within the Ovens River deep lead mining from shafts commenced near the is hosted by coarse and fine gravel immediately junction of the two branches of the Ovens River above a succession of clay "false bottoms" and (Canavan, 1988), and continued along the bedrock, which is a distinctive feature of the Ovens Valley until around 1900 when sluicing Tabberabbera alluvial deposits. False bottoms and then dredging replaced shaft mining are considered to be essentially planer features (Lloyd, 1982). In the early 1900s up to 40 which generally occur at depths of 10-15 m, dredging and sluicing plants were operating at 18 m and 33 m (MacDonald, 1985) below shallow depths below pond level along the surface. False bottoms are considered to have Ovens Valley (O'Shea et al., 1994). formed during periodic tectonic inactivity (MacDonald, 1985) and represent alluvial soil During the period 1883-1954, a total of 2 741.7 surfaces (Kenny, 1953). They possibly kg of alluvial gold was obtained from an represent sites ideal for supergene enrichment unknown volume of wash by the six major (ie. an unconformity and a redox boundary). A feature of the Ovens Valley alluvial deposits is their apparent uniform grades, which GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 27

Table 3 Major alluvial gold production - Tabberabbera Zone

LOCATION PRODUCTION

FIELD MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH. ORE PRODUCT YEARS (AMG) (AMG) (m2) (kg)

Harrietville Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co. 505700 5918000 - 406.4 1883-1901 Harrietville Bright Star 166000 224.2 1907-1915 Harrietville Harrietville Star 156000 322.8 1908-1915 Harrietville NZ Hydraulic Sluicing Co. 49000 12.9 1904-1907 Harrietville Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co. 143000 101.7 1906-1911 Harrietville Harrietville (Tronoh) Ltd. 507430 5919900 630000 1673.6 1946-1954

HARRIETVILLE GOLDFIELD TOTAL 1144000+ 2741.7 1883-1954 Freeburgh Gold Dredging Association 501490 5934700 - 1005.9 1900-1921 Freeburgh Bright Valley Gold Estates NL 501490 5932850 - 610.6 1936-1940 Freeburgh Reliance Bucket Dredging Co. 502980 5931000 >3550000* 1163.4 1904-1920 Freeburgh H'ville Star Bucket Dredging Co. 502980 5931000 - 375.9 1908-1915 Freeburgh Freeburgh Dredging Co. 502980 5931000 >2800000* 456.2 1940-1955 Freeburgh Tewksbury Amalg. Freehold Co. 504470 5929150 - 1222.3 1906-1916 Freeburgh Smoko Bucket Dredging Co. 505950 5927300 >3070000* 482.6 1906-1916 Freeburgh Adelong Gold Estates NL 505950 5925450 2470000* 478.6 1932-1942

FREEBURGH GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 5795.5 1900-1955 TABBERABBERA TOTAL 8537.2 1883-1955 ZONE

Legend: * = m3 alluvial gold producers on the Harrietville goldfield. The largest producer was the Oven's River Deep Sinking Co. Harrietville (Tronoh) Ltd dredge which produced 1 673.6 kg of alluvial gold, during the The Oven's River Deep Sinking Co. struck period 1946-1954, from an estimated 630 000 payable wash from a shaft at a depth of 37 m, sq-metres of wash at an average grade of 0.15 in 1863. A later shaft located 97 m east of the gm/m3 for virgin ground, and 0.03 gm/m3 from first shaft, but was worked to a depth of 50 m, tailings (MacDonald, 1985). failed to locate payable wash. These workings were flooded in 1866 and subsequently Harrietville alluvial gold producers: abandoned (Lloyd, 1982).

A summary of the major alluvial gold producers Phoenix Co. of the Harrietville goldfield is as follows: The Phoenix Co. sank a shaft to a depth of 34 m Alluvial mining by Shaft(s) in 1867 (Lloyd, 1982). Alluvial gold was obtained from a false bottom at 24 m, within a Gravel Pits Lead 12-20 m wide lead, at an estimated grade of ~ 2 gm/m3 (Resource Technology, 1982). Mining The Gravel Pits deep lead, which is an ceased in 1875. extension of the Oven's River Deep Lead, was first worked in 1861 (Canavan, 1988). A shaft Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co. sank by Brown and Party? (Lloyd, 1982) near the junction of the two branches of the Ovens The Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co. pumped River bottomed at 27 m (Canavan, 1988). out the Oven's River Deep Sinking Co. workings Alluvial gold was obtained from 2 m of wash in 1883 and continued mining by winze and above a false bottom at 24 m depth, at an drives. A false bottom at 27.4 m yielded 4.7 kg estimated grade of ~ 15 gm/m3 (Canavan, of alluvial gold. A high grade wash at an 1988). The mine closed in 1863. estimated grade of 200-1,200 gm/m3 was 28 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

obtained from a depth of 50.3-55.2 m depth Tronoh dredge produced 1673.6 kg of alluvial (Resource Technology, 1982). A total of 406.4 gold during the period 1946-1954, from an kg of alluvial gold was produced during the estimated 630000 sq-metres of wash at an period 1883-1911, from an unknown volume of average grade of 0.15 gm/m3 for virgin ground, wash. and 0.03 gm/m3 from tailings (MacDonald, 1985). Alluvial mining by Sluicing: Freeburgh NZ Hydraulic Sluicing Co. The Freeburgh goldfield has a mining history The NZ Hydraulic Sluicing Co. began sluicing similar to that of the adjacent Harrietville the company's 105 acres of leases in 1904 goldfield. (Lloyd, 1982). The performance of the plant was far below expectations with 5 treated acres During the period 1883-1955, a total of 5 795.5 producing only 4.6 kg of gold. The operation kg of alluvial gold was obtained from an closed in 1907. A total of 12.9 kg of alluvial unknown volume of wash by the eight major gold was produced by sluicing, during the alluvial gold producers on the Freeburgh period 1904-1907, from an estimated area of goldfield, within TALLANGATTA. The largest 49 000 sq-metres. producer was the Tewksbury Amalgamated Freehold Co. which produced 1222.3 kg of Alluvial mining by Dredging: alluvial gold from 1906-1916.

Bright Star Dredge Freeburgh alluvial gold producers:

The Bright Star Dredge commenced operations A summary of the major alluvial gold producers in 1907. Dredging ceased in 1915 when the of the Freeburgh goldfield is as follows: valley became too narrow and the presence of large boulders in the wash made dredging Alluvial mining by Shaft(s): impracticable (Lloyd, 1982). A total of 224.2 kg of alluvial gold was produced by dredging Vanguard Co. during the period 1907-1915, from an estimated area of 166 000 sq-metres. The Vanguard Co. sunk two shafts in 1865. The first shaft collapsed due to pumping Harrietville Star difficulties associated with a blue clay struck at 57 m. This prospect was abandoned in 1866 The Harrietville Star Dredge commenced without locating any wash (Lloyd & Nunn, operations in 1906 at a site north of the Deep 1987). Lead Co. leases (Canavan, 1988). The company ceased operations suddenly in 1915 when the Alluvial mining by Dredging: dredge sank. A total of 322.8 kg of alluvial gold was produced by dredging, during the period Gold Dredging Association 1908-1915, from an estimated area of 156 000 sq-metres. The Gold Dredging Association commenced mining in 1900. A total of 1 005.9 kg of alluvial Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co. gold was produced during the period 1900-1921, from an unknown volume of wash. A total of 101.7 kg of alluvial gold was produced from 143 000 sq-metres of dredging during the Reliance Bucket Dredging Co. period 1906-1911, by the Harrietville Estate Deep Lead Co (Lloyd, 1982). The Reliance Bucket Dredging Co. operated from 1904-1920 utilising two dredges, with five Harrietville (Tronoh) Ltd. cubic-foot buckets, operating at 12 buckets a minute (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). The Reliance The Tronoh Finance Company conducted an Bucket Dredging Co. produced 1 163.4 kg of extensive drilling programme on the Oven's alluvial gold during the period 1904-1920, from River Deep Lead in the 1930's. In 1942 they greater than 3 550 000 m3 of wash (BHP, 1981; commissioned the largest dredge in the world Lloyd, 1982). (Kenny, 1953). The electrically operated GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 29

Smoko Bucket Dredging Co. Bright-Wandiligong

The Smoko Bucket Dredging Co. produced No alluvial gold production was recorded in the 482.6 kg of alluvial gold, during the period TALLANGATTA part of the Bright - 1906-1916, from greater than 3 070 000 m3 of Wandiligong goldfield, but immediately to the wash (BHP, 1981; Lloyd, 1982). west in the -Growlers Creek sub- catchment, 86.7 kg of gold was obtained from Tewksbury Amalgamated Freehold Co. deep leads during the period 1860-1889 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). The Tewksbury Amalgamated Freehold Co. produced 1 222.3 kg of alluvial gold, during the period 1906-1916, from an unknown volume of wash (Lloyd, 1982). No alluvial gold production records have been sighted for the TALLANGATTA part of the Harrietville Star Bucket Dredging Co. Cobungra River goldfield.

The Harrietville Star Bucket Dredging Co. The Cobungra River goldfields is considered to produced 375.9 kg of alluvial gold, during the have significant alluvial deposits, whereas the period 1908-1915, from an unknown volume of other goldfields probably have shallow wash (Lloyd, 1982). alluvial/colluvial scree deposits.

Adelong Gold Estates NL Alluvial gold was first discovered in the Cobungra River area by Dr. Hedley in 1852 Between 1933-1942, a small bucket dredge was (Flett, 1979). Alluvial gold was discovered in operated by Adelong Gold Estates NL, on the Brandy Creek and Murphy's Creek, which are Ovens Valley Deep Lead, about 7.5 km upper tributaries of the Cobungra River, in downstream from Harrietville (Canavan, 1988). 1867 (Flett, 1979). Only a portion of the Total production was 478.6 kg of alluvial gold Cobungra River headwater creeks occur within 3 from 2 470 000 m of wash (BHP, 1981) at an TALLANGATTA. Murphy's Creek was 3 average grade of 0.19 gm/m . The average prospected by a number of companies, including grade over the last three years of production the Cobungra Junction Co. and the Cobungra 3 was 0.07 gm/m (Canavan, 1988). Co. (Geological Survey of Victoria - undated/a). The Cobungra River has shallow, presumably Bright Valley Gold Estates Co. NL Recent-Pleistocene alluvial workings in the headwaters at Murphy's Creek and Brandy The Bright Valley Gold Estates Co. NL Creek. commenced operations upstream from Bright , above the Enterprise lease, in 1937, utilising a Benambra Zone modern steel-hulled steam dredge (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). A total of 610.6 kg of alluvial gold Alluvial gold production was produced from an unknown quantity of wash, during the period 1936-1940. The total alluvial gold production for the Benambra Zone within TALLANGATTA, Freeburgh Dredging Co. during the period 1887-1950, was 1218.7 kg of gold, equivalent to only 7% of the total gold The Freeburgh Dredging Co. operated a small production for the Benambra Zone. but profitable dredge slightly upstream from the Adelong workings. The average depth of Alluvial gold occurrences workings was only 8 m, and the grade from 1941-1949 (excluding 1944-1947 when The major source of alluvial gold for the operations ceased) was 0.12 gm/m3 (Canavan, Benambra Zone, within TALLANGATTA, is the 1988). Total production was 456.2 kg of alluvial Pliocene Mitta Mitta River deep lead. gold from greater than 2 800 000 m3 of wash Significant gold has been produced from (BHP, 1981). terraces associated with the Mitta Mitta River and other water courses and alluvial gold has also been produced from restricted shallow alluvial and colluvial deposits. The primary gold source for these alluvial deposits is much 30 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

more diverse than for the Tabberabbera Zone, Alluvial gold was first discovered in the and is from mineralised quartz veins within the Talgarno district, about 8 km north of Hotham Group (Oh) metasediments, Omeo Bethanga, around 1852. The New Years Gift Metamorphic Complex (OSs), Lower-Upper reef was discovered on 1st January 1876 and by Silurian S-type granites (eg. Sg92, Sg101) and June 1876 an estimated 400 miners were on the Lower Devonian I-Type granites (eg. Dlg102, field. In 1877 alluvial gold was worked on Ruby Dlg110). Alluvial gold is found in the following Creek (Bannear & Annear, 1995), which settings: appears to be the major area for alluvial gold on the Bethanga goldfield. · shallow colluvial/ alluvial scree deposits; · Recent-Pleistocene low and high level During the period 1894-1903 a total of 6.9 kg of terrace deposits (Murray, 1895). Alluvial alluvial gold was produced on the Sandy Creek gold has been recorded from high level goldfield. The total alluvial production for the terraces up to 30 m above current river Sandy Creek goldfield is not considered to be levels (Dunn, 1907a) and 90 m in sub- significant due to the mineralisation style of basaltic terraces (Canavan, 1988). The primary gold which is complexed with majority of alluvial gold working of terraces sulphides. on the Granite Flat and Mitta Mitta goldfields was from low level terraces 3-15 m Corryong and Thowgla Creek above the current water level (Bates, 1986); and Alluvial gold was first discovered in the · Pliocene Mitta Mitta River deep lead Cudgewa (or Tintaldra) Creek in the 1860’s. (Canavan, 1988). Alluvial gold was discovered at Thowgla Creek and Bullocky Creek, south of Corryong in the Alluvial gold within the Mitta Mitta River deep Thowgla goldfield, in 1861; but no rush ensued lead is hosted by medium to coarse grained until 1880, when discoveries at Zulu Creek gravel underlying fine grained, essentially non- renewed interest in the area (Bannear & auriferous sand. The duplex nature of the Annear, 1995). A number of creeks in the Mitta Mitta River deep lead represents Thowgla Creek area have been extensively different weathering rates, deposition worked and these include: Thowgla Creek, conditions, age and primary gold sources. The Bullocky Creek, Fisher’s Creek and Jingairee deeper, auriferous gravel is of a Pliocene age Creek (Dunn, 1907a). and has numerous regional primary gold sources, whereas the overlying sand is probably Gold production records do not distinguish of a Pleistocene-Recent age and has local between the Corryong and Thowgla Creek primary gold sources. The Mitta Mitta River goldfields, although the majority of alluvial gold deep lead has no false bottoms indicating a appears to be from the Thowgla Creek goldfield different depositional history from that of the area. During the period 1889-1905 a total of Ovens River deep lead. 103.1 kg of alluvial gold was produced essentially by unknown individuals and The Benambra Zone has regionally extensive, companies, probably numerous small producers, but locally restricted, Pleistocene-Recent from the Corryong and Thowgla Creek alluvial and colluvial deposits, reflecting a goldfields. young post-Pliocene geomorphic environment intimately associated with the Kosciusko Uplift Corryong alluvial gold producers: (and the present day location of the watershed). Older Pliocene Australian Tin Mining Co. alluvial deposits are restricted to the Mitta Mitta River, Murray River and possibly deeper The Australian Tin Mining Co. produced 2.0 kg alluvium from the and Big River. of alluvial gold from an unknown volume of wash, during the period 1914-1915. Mining Benambra Zone alluvial goldfields was probably by sluicing as the Australian Tin Mining Co. extensively sluiced tin and gold on Gold production for the major alluvial the alluvial flat at Surveyor's Creek (McAuliffe workings, from the Benambra Zone goldfields, et al., 1968; Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). are summarised in Table 4. Bethanga GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 31

Table 4 Major alluvial gold production - Benambra Zone

LOCATION PRODUCTION FIELD MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH. ORE PRODUCT YEARS (AMG) (AMG) (m²) (kg)

Bethanga Unknown Alluvial #1894-1896 - 3.7 1894-1896 Bethanga Unknown Alluvial #1903 - 3.2 1903

BETHANGA GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 6.9 1894-1903 Corryong Aust. Tin Mining Co. - 2.0 1913-1914 Corryong & Thowgla Crk Unknown Alluvials #1889-1915 - 101.1 1889-1915

CORRYONG & GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 103.1 1889-1915 THOWGLA CREEK Dart River Region Unknown Alluvial #1889-1905 - 48.9 1889-1905

DART RIVER GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 48.9 1889-1905 REGION Gibbo River Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co. - 0.5 1904

GIBBO RIVER GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 0.5 1904 Granite Flat Mammoth HG Sluicing 538000 5957300 - 8.4 1887-1888

GRANITE FLAT GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 8.4 1887-1888 Mitta Mitta Union & Pioneer Claims 532000 5955000 - 441.2 1860-1913 Mitta Mitta Unknown Alluvial #1889-1915 - 305.6 1889-1915 Mitta Mitta Buffalo Hydraulic Sluicing - 33.9 ?-1900 Mitta Mitta R. Enever - 17.2 1907-1913 Mitta Mitta T. Enever - 4.4 1909-1910 Mitta Mitta Eskdale Dredging - 2.3 1912-1913 Mitta Mitta Goid Placers - 0.8 1904 Mitta Mitta La Fontaine - 16.5 1906-1916 Mitta Mitta Mitta Mitta Bucket Dredging - 167.2 1907-1913

MITTA MITTA GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 989.3 1889-1915 Mt. Wills Neptune Hydraulic Sluicing - 29.8 1900-1907 Mt. Wills Cooper 202300 0.2 1955

MT. WILLS GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 30.0 1900-1950 Sandy Creek Unknown Alluvial #1891-1915 - 25.7 1891-1915

SANDY CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 25.7 1891-1915 Wombat Creek Wombat Hyd. Sluicing Co. 20000 2.1 1932

WOMBAT CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL - 2.1 1932 BENAMBRA ZONE TOTAL - 1214.6 1887-1950

Lower Dart River, Dart River and Zulu Creek reward in Victoria, for the discovery of a payable goldfield (Bannear & Annear, 1995). Alluvial gold was discovered north east of Zulu Dart River district reefs were discovered at Creek at Thowgla Creek and Bullocky Creek in Zulu Creek in 1880-1881. Minor alluvial 1861 (Bannear & Annear, 1995) and south east mining continued in the early 1880s and by at Saltpetre Creek in 1866-1867 (Fairweather, September 1884, two sluicers remained on the 1983). Alluvial gold was discovered at Dart Dart River goldfield while a further 25 men River in 1877. A small short-lived rush of about worked "the lonely creeks to the south and east, 25 men ensued. In 1879 payable gold was including Zulu Creek, Sassafras Creek, discovered in Zulu Creek by two prospectors Saltpetre Creek and Wheeler’s Creek" (Bannear who were the last to receive a Government & Annear 1995). 32 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Gold production records are incomplete and do Gibbo River alluvial gold producers: not distinguish between the Dart River region and Gibbo River goldfields, making a further Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co. breakdown of statistics impossible. During the period 1889-1905, a total of 48.9 kg of alluvial The Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co. formed in gold was produced from the Dart River region 1899 and by 1901 had seven sluices operating and Gibbo River goldfields. three shifts, but which were not paying expenses (Bannear & Annear 1995). The only Gibbo River recorded production for the Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co., was 0.5 kg of alluvial gold from an Alluvial gold was first discovered in the Gibbo unknown volume of wash, in 1904. River region in 1851-1852. In 1858-1859 water races were cut at Mt. Gibbo although this field Mitta Mitta and Granite Flat was abandoned in 1859 because supplies were expensive and the deposits were difficult to Alluvial gold was discovered in Tallandoon work without machinery (Flett, 1979). Alluvial Creek and Callaghan's Creek in 1852 (Convey, gold was discovered at Beumba Flat in 1865 1980). In 1859 Patrick and party cut a 9.6 km and mining was in progress on Saltpetre Creek race from Scrubby Creek to work the terraces by 1866-1867. The upper terraces of the Gibbo opposite the junction of Snowy Creek and Mitta River were worked by various parties Mitta River. This race was completed in 1860; throughout the 1870's and alluvial gold was at that time four claims were allowed for every discovered at Exhibition Creek and Hatters 100 pounds spent in constructing races and so Creek (Flett, 1979). In 1899 a number of some 16 claims were taken up (Stirling, 1888a). companies formed to sluice the Gibbo River, The water for the Pioneer and Union claims including the Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co. was supplied by this race (Bannear & Annear, and the Chatswoth Gold Sluicing Co. By 1905 1995). only a few individuals and small parties remained on the Gibbo River goldfield (Bannear Alluvial gold from the Granite Flat and Mitta & Annear, 1995). Mitta goldfields has been separated geographically on the basis of the underlying The Agamemnon Gold Sluicing Co. operated bedrock and not by potential primary sources. from 1899-1905? on the Gibbo River (Bannear On this basis auriferous gravels overlying the & Annear, 1995) although the only recorded Banimboola Quartz Diorite (Dlg110) bedrock production for the Agamemnon Gold Sluicing are attributed to the Granite Flat goldfield. Co. was 0.5 kg of alluvial gold from an unknown The majority of alluvial gold production from volume of wash in 1904. the Mitta Mitta - Granite Flat goldfields has been from the Mitta Mitta Deep Lead Gibbo River auriferous gravels extend for (Canavan, 1988). Alluvial gold was recorded in approximately 16 km upstream from the Mitta high level river terraces up to 30 m above the Mitta junction, within up to 4 terrace steps, of a current river levels (Dunn, 1907a), with the width up to 6 m, at an elevation up to 30 m major workings at terraces 3-15 m above the above the current river level. These terraces current river levels (Bates, 1986). Canavan occur predominantly on the eastern side of the (1988) recorded auriferous terraces at 90 m Gibbo River (Murray, 1895). Easton (1938a) above the present Mitta Mitta river level in described sub-basaltic terrace deposits from the areas were gold had been shed from very high Mitta Mitta River-Gibbo River junction. level terraces covered by basalts. Coarse gold and nuggets were commonly reported for this Gold production records are incomplete and it is region and a 25 oz nugget was recorded from impossible to determine the amount of alluvial Banimboola Creek in workings on the northern gold produced from the Gibbo River goldfield lobe of the Banimboola pluton (Dunn, 1912). because early production records were included with the Lower Dart River, Dart River and Zulu During the period 1860-1916, in excess of 997.7 Creek goldfields. kg of alluvial gold was produced from the Mitta Mitta and Granite Flat goldfields. The largest producer on the Mitta Mitta goldfield was the Pioneer and Union claims, where 441.2 kg of alluvial gold was produced from an unknown volume of wash, during the period 1860-1913. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 33

The Mammoth Hydraulic Sluicing Co. was the Alluvial mining by Dredging: largest producer on the Granite Flat goldfield and operated from 1885-1894 (Bannear & A number of companies dredged the Mitta Annear, 1995) although the only recorded Mitta River, including Eskdale Dredging Co. production was 8.4 kg of gold from a quarterly and Mitta Mitta Bucket Dredging Co. return in 1887-1888 (Bates, 1986). Mitta Mitta Bucket Dredging Co. Mitta Mitta alluvial gold producers: The Mitta Mitta Bucket Dredging Co. produced Numerous companies sluiced (1860-1916?) and 167.2 kg of gold from an unknown quantity of dredged (1907-1913) the Mitta Mitta River from wash, during the period 1907-1913. near the to downstream of Mitta Mitta township (Convey, 1980) and along Granite Flat alluvial gold producers: the Snowy Creek. Dredging of the Mitta Mitta River was conducted from 1907-1913 (Convey, Numerous companies sluiced and dredged the 1980). Mitta Mitta River, north of the junction with Snowy Creek. Some of the companies were the Alluvial mining by Sluicing: Pride of Mitta Mitta, Montana Placers, Golden Placers, Long Point Claim (which operated from A number of companies sluiced the Mitta Mitta 1885-1892) and the Mammoth Hydraulic River and Snowy Creek including the Buffalo Sluicing Co. Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Goid Placers and the Pioneer Hydraulic Sluicing Co. (Herman, Mammoth Hydraulic Sluicing Co. 1898). The Mammoth Hydraulic Sluicing Co. operated Pioneer and Union Claim from 1885-1894 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). In 1886 a 21.6 km flume was constructed from its The Pioneer Hydraulic Sluicing Co. commenced intake on Snowy Creek to Yankee Point at operations in 1860 and continued sluicing until Granite Flat. This flume was reputed to be the 1913 when the mine and bucket dredge largest in the southern hemisphere at that time workings were forced to close due to the (Bannear & Annear, 1995). A total of 8.4 kg of "disastrous effect on the rivers ecology" gold was recorded in a quarterly return of 1887- (Convey, 1980). In 1884 the Pioneer Hydraulic 1888 (Bates, 1986). The total quantity Sluicing Co. took over the Union claim and at produced by the Mammoth Hydraulic Sluicing one time the Pioneer and Union claims were Co. is unknown. reputed to be the largest open cut gold mine in the southern hemisphere (Convey, 1980). The Mt. Wills and Wombat Creek Pioneer claim was worked to an average depth of 30 m and the Union claim to nearly 40 m Alluvial gold had been discovered on Big River (Bannear & Annear, 1995). Stirling (1904) by 1860 and in 1861 it was discovered on lower described a cross-section of wash from the Wombat Creek (Flett, 1979). Tributaries of the Pioneer and Union claims, at the junction of the Wombat Creek , including Peg-leg Gully, Gill's, Mitta Mitta River and Snowy Creek, as greater Mopoke and Christmas Creek (Dunn 1906, than 8 m of auriferous gravel containing 1907e), were opened up in 1866 and during numerous porphyritic boulders whose source 1866-1867 the mining population of Wombat was attributed to the Granite Flat and/or Lower Creek area was 150-200 people (Bannear & Dart River goldfields. This auriferous wash Annear, 1995). Extensive sluicing occurred was overlain by approximately 23 m of finer along Wombat Creek and Big River during the sand and gravel which contained minor gold, 1860's-1890's (Bannear & Annear, 1995). In whose source was considered to be the Snowy 1887 tin lodes were discovered at Wombat Creek. At the top of the section was recent Creek and in 1891 auriferous quartz reefs were material due to soilcreep. discovered at Mt. Wills (Flett, 1979).

Total production for the Pioneer and Union The major source of the Wombat Creek alluvial claims during the period 1860-1913 was 441.2 goldfield was the Sunnyside primary goldfield, kg of alluvial gold from an unknown volume of whereas the Glen Wills Creek was sourced by wash. the Glen Wills primary goldfield. Lidgey (1894) mentioned that alluvial gold from the Wombat 34 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Creek goldfield, occurred in several terraces The Big River and Running Creek goldfields are above the current height of the creeks. The considered to have significant alluvial deposits, major source of the Wombat Creek alluvial whereas the other goldfields probably have goldfield was the Sunnyside primary goldfield, shallow alluvial/colluvial scree deposits. whereas the Glen Wills creek was sourced by the Glen Wills primary goldfield Big River

During the period 1900-1955 a combined total Alluvial gold had been discovered on Big River from Mt. Wills and Wombat Creek goldfields of by 1860 (Flett, 1979). The banks and terraces 32.1 kg of gold was produced from an unknown of the Big River were worked consistently from volume of wash. The largest producer from the the 1860s into the 1890s (Bannear & Annear, Mt. Wills goldfield was the Neptune Hydraulic 1995). The extensive nature of the alluvial Sluicing Co. which produced 29.8 kg of alluvial workings is highlighted by geological sketch gold from an unknown volume of wash, during maps drawn by Von Lendenfeld (1886) and the period 1900-1907. The only recorded Stirling (1887a). Significant alluvial production production from the Wombat Creek goldfield has occurred on the Big River upstream from its was the Wombat Hydraulic Sluicing Co. which junction with Glen Wills Creek (sourced by Mt. produced 2.1 kg of alluvial gold from an Wills goldfield) which indicates the possibility unknown volume of wash, in 1932. of significant undiscovered auriferous reefs in the Big River upper catchment or alternatively Sandy Creek that the Big River was a northerly flowing ancestral branch of the Mitta Mitta River Alluvial gold mining commenced on the flats and/or Kiewa River? adjacent to Sandy Creek and Lockhart's Creek in 1854, making it one of the earliest diggings Dead Horse Creek on the Ovens goldfield (Convey, 1980). At least 300 Chinese worked the Sandy Creek region Alluvial gold was discovered in Dead Horse during the peak of alluvial mining in 1860. In Creek (a tributary of Limestone Creek) in 1887 1865 the Sandy Creek was dammed and (Flett, 1979) and within an upstream tributary sluicing commenced. In 1877 reefs were at Middle Creek (Stirling, 1887b; Whitelaw, discovered, but by 1888 only a few miners 1898). remained (Convey, 1980). Dunn (1888) outlined in a geological map of the Sandy Creek Granya goldfield, extensive alluvial workings (presumably predominantly sluicing) from the Alluvial gold was discovered at Cottontree junction of Sandy Creek and Lockhart's Creek Creek c. 1868 but attempts to sink shafts were upstream on Sandy Creek in excess of 10 km thwarted due to excessive water. In 1878 a and upstream on Lockhart's Creek in excess of party of sluicers obtained an ounce per day 5 km. Shallow alluvial/colluvial workings are from Cottontree Creek and the goldfield was recorded in the vicinity of the major reef rushed. Reefs were discovered in 1878 workings. (Bannear & Annear, 1995). Alluvial gold has been obtained from a number of creeks and A total of 25.7 kg of alluvial gold was produced gullies around Granya, including Cottontree from the Sandy Creek goldfield during the Creek, the All Nations gully, Firebrace Creek period 1891-1915. Total alluvial gold and on the alluvial flat (Geological Survey of production for the Sandy Creek goldfield is Victoria - undated/b). unknown. Jarvis Creek Alluvial goldfields without production records: The discovery date of alluvial gold at the Jarvis No alluvial gold production records have been Creek goldfield is unknown although alluvial sighted for the following goldfields: Big River, gold mining commenced south of Jarvis Creek, Dead Horse Creek, Granya, Jarvis Creek, on the flats adjacent to the flats of Sandy Creek Lightning Creek, Mt. Fainter, Running Creek, and Lockhart's Creek, in 1854 (Convey, 1980). Surveyor's Creek, Tallangatta Valley and There has been no recorded alluvial gold and Tawonga goldfields. very minor primary gold from this goldfield. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 35

Lightning Creek Bridge Creek-Cudgewa Creek (Flett, 1979) and Running Creek : Bungil (Mining Surveyor's Alluvial gold was discovered on Lightning Quarterly Report, Sept. 1888). Creek by Bobbie Burns in 1858 and by 1865 at least 300 men were sluicing the auriferous Fergusson (1899) recorded extensive auriferous gravels of this creek (Convey, 1980). Lightning terraces along the banks of the Murray at Creek was extensively sluiced (Dunn, 1907b) Talgarno, Bungil, Thologolong, Burrowye, and alluvial gold was also obtained from Mt. Walwa and on the lower Mitta Mitta River. Wills Creek and the Bogong Branch of the Snowy Creek (Von Lendenfeld, 1886). High level terraces were worked on the northern slopes of Peach Hill, Bungil (Whiting, Mt. Fainter 1960).

Alluvial gold was discovered in the Upper Alluvial gold has been extensively worked in Kiewa River in 1862 (Flett, 1979). Mt. Fainter the Log Bridge Creek-Cudgewa Creek sub- had a minor rush in 1895 (Flett, 1979). Alluvial catchment, which shares the same watershed gold was obtained from a number of of small as the Dart River goldfield, although primary creeks and gullies between Mt. Fainter South gold has not been recorded from this area. and Mt. Niggerhead (Von Lendenfeld, 1886). The Cobungra River Co. obtained an unknown Cowombat Rift Remnants quantity of gold from this area (Geological Survey of Victoria, undated/a). There is no official recorded primary gold production from either the Wombat Creek Surveyor's Creek Graben or the Limestone Creek Graben.

Alluvial tin was discovered at Surveyors Creek Wombat Creek Graben in 1912 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). From 1917- 1921 a lease was worked near Dingo Creek for Alluvial gold has been recorded from Green's both alluvial tin and gold, by means of a Creek and an unnamed creek within the hydraulic jet elevator fed by a race (Bannear & Wombat Creek Graben, whose source was the Annear, 1995). A number of tributaries of Lower Dart River goldfield. The eastern lobe of Surveyors Creek were worked for alluvial tin the Granite Flat pluton abuts the Dartmouth and gold including Dingo Creek, Camp Creek, Dam and provided a source of alluvial gold to Farden's Creek, Tin Creek and Sunday Creek the Mitta Mitta River, within the Wombat (Kenny, 1942). Creek Graben. Primary gold may also be associated with faulted contacts of the Lower Tallangatta Valley Devonian Sheevers Spur Rhyodacite. There are no records on alluvial gold mining within the Tallangatta Valley goldfield. Limestone Creek Graben

Tawonga Alluvial gold was recorded by Whitelaw (1898) as having been discovered in Limestone Creek There are no records on alluvial gold mining although the map of Stirling (1887b) indicates within the Tawonga goldfield. Lidgey (1894) that alluvial gold was restricted to the Dead recorded that minor, unprofitable, sluicing was Horse Creek, which lies immediately to the conducted at the junction of Deep Creek and west of the Limestone Creek Graben. Minor the Kiewa River. primary gold has been recorded from the Limestone Creek Graben associated with base Alluvial gold occurrences: metal mineralisation.

Alluvial gold has been recorded at a number of Primary gold isolated localities including Buckwong Creek (Whitelaw, 1898), Bunroy Creek (Flett, 1979), Primary gold has been produced by a range of Burrowye Creek: Koetong (Dunn, 1907a), Deep mining methods including surface workings, Creek (Whitelaw, 1898), Dinner Creek shallow open pits, shafts, adits, winzes and (Whitelaw, 1898), Flaggy Creek: Thologolong drives. The total primary gold production for (Geological Survey of Victoria, undated/c), Log TALLANGATTA, during the period 1860- 36 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

30000

25000 Mitta Mitta

Bethanga

20000 Granya

Glen Wills

15000 Harrietville

Gold Production (oz) 10000

5000

0 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 Years

Figure 7 Primary gold production for the major goldfields, TALLANGATTA.

1992/93, was 26 479.8 kg of gold from in excess occurring to the east of the Line. of 1 035 326 tonnes of ore. A comparison Primary gold deposits in the Tabberabbera between gold production and time for the Zone, TALLANGATTA have the following Harrietville goldfield and the major (greater diagnostic characteristics: than 1 tonne) Benambra Zone goldfields, reveals that Benambran Zone goldfield · low sulphide content; production was relatively short-lived, except for · minor to rare occurrences of base metal; and the Mt. Wills goldfield; as compared to the · few metallurgical problems in gold Harrietville goldfield. (Fig. 7). Peak production extraction. for the TALLANGATTA goldfields was from 1890-1910. Primary gold production

Data from Department quarterly and annual Primary gold production for the Tabberabbera reports. Zone, within TALLANGATTA, during the period 1860-1992/93, was 11 452.3 kg of gold The primary gold deposits of TALLANGATTA from 526 806 tonnes of ore. are discussed in detail, within the defined structural zones, as follows: Host Lithology

Tabberabbera Zone Primary gold mineralisation within the Tabberabbera Zone is hosted by quartz veins The Tabberabbera Zone lies within the within lower greenschist facies, Middle to Harrietville-Dargo gold province, with the Upper Ordovician metasediments, consisting of majority of primary gold mineralisation greywacke, silty quartz sandstone, siltstone and GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 37

shale (VandenBerg, 1976), referred to within Lower Devonian-Middle Devonian: TALLANGATTA as the Hotham Group (Oh). Bradford (1903) described the ideal host for · extensive NE trending brittle fracturing; gold mineralisation as a greasy, carbonaceous, and pyritic slate. Carbon in these beds may have · reactivation of NW-NNW trending brittle been important in the production of methane fracturing. leading to gold precipitation (Yardley, 1991). Kenny (1925) observed that the plunge of the Mineralisation ore shoots follows the intersection of particular beds (often carbonaceous) with the reef; The style of mineralisation within the suggesting a similarity to the Ballarat East Tabberabbera Zone is essentially fissure goldfield where mineralisation is often localised controlled, low sulphide, auriferous quartz by the presence of "indicator beds" (O’Shea et veining hosted by Ordovician sediments, with al., 1994). minor gold-quartz veining in granite (Kenny, 1925). Gold mineralisation within the Structural Setting TALLANGATTA area of the Tabberabbera Zone, is hosted by fissure quartz veins The Ordovician host metasediments have exclusively within Ordovician metasediments. undergone at least three major periods of The quartz reef hosts are generally 0.1-2.0 m deformation (Beavis, 1967). The regional wide and less than 200 m long (relatively tectonic history of the Tabberabbera Zone is short). Mineralised shoots are generally 20- summarised as follows: 60 m long and either pitch moderately south west to shallowly north east. Quartz reefs are Lower-Upper Silurian: formed by the tectonic mobilisation of silica into receptive structural traps (Cuffley, 1984), which · bedding parallel F1 folding and tight to may be divided into four groups: fissure, isoclinal NW-NNW trending axial plane F2 bedded, dyke associated and spurry formations folds; (Kenny, 1953). · intrusion of S-type granitoids accompanying regional prograde metamorphism; and · Fissure reefs are generally lenticular and · extensive NW-NNW trending brittle discordant to bedding and occur along fracturing, hosting quartz veining and clearly defined fissure planes (Kenny, 1953). arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold and minor base Fissure and fault-associated reefs are metal mineralisation, within a NE-SW considered to be the dominant type of compressional regime, accompanying the quartz reef (Kenny, 1925; Ramsay & onset of regional retrograde metamorphism. Willman 1988); · Bedded reefs are generally laminated and Lower Devonian: parallel to bedding planes, with laminations separated by thin films of slate (Kenny, · extensive E trending brittle fracturing 1953); hosting quartz veining and gold-base metal · Reefs associated with dykes from the mineralisation, accompanying retrograde Harrietville goldfield generally either metamorphism; truncate the dyke or occur sub-parallel to · extensive N trending brittle fracturing one wall of the dyke (Kenny, 1925). Dugdale hosting quartz veining and gold-base metal (1986) noted that veins in the Red Robin reef mineralisation within an east-west appeared to have been emplaced along high compressional regime, accompanying angle reverse faults which post date retrograde metamorphism; lamprophyres, which were inferred to be of a · dextral movement on the N trending Kiewa Mid-Devonian age; and Fault; · Spurry reef formations are tension gashes, · sinistral movement on the N-trending Kiewa irregular quartz fissures (Bradford, 1903) Fault; and and stockworks (Gibson, 1988). · open N axial plane F3 folding. The principle metallic minerals associated with gold are minor, less than 1% combined sulphides of pyrite and arsenopyrite; with localised chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. The gangue is predominantly quartz and may 38 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

include sericite, chlorite, ankerite, calcite and Middle Silurian-Upper Silurian albite (Ramsay & Willman, 1988). · a phase of arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold and The paragenesis of mineralisation is minor base metal mineralisation hosted by arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold (Dugdale, 1986). quartz veins within NW-NNW trending Mineralisation assemblages throughout the dominantly dextral, high angle reverse Tabberabbera Zone are indicative of higher faults. temperature mineralisation than in large parts of the Melbourne Zone to the west and, together Lower Devonian: with the structural setting, suggest a similar depositional environment for mineralisation to · a phase of gold mineralisation/remobilisation that found in the Bendigo-Ballarat zone hosted by quartz veins and associated diorite (O'Shea et al., 1994). dykes within E trending high angle, dominantly dextral reverse faults; and Timing of mineralisation · a phase of gold mineralisation/remobilisation hosted by quartz veins and associated quartz Gold mineralisation throughout the porphyry within N trending high angle, Tabberabbera Zone is predominantly hosted by dominantly sinistral reverse faults. Middle-Upper Ordovician sediments with the gold traditionally considered to have been A summary of other periods of tectonic activity emplaced along "fluid pathways" during the which may host gold mineralisation is as Middle-Upper Devonian Tabberabbera follows: deformation. A synthesis of the recent regional structural interpretation in NE Victoria by Lower Devonian-Middle Devonian Morand and Gray (1991) coupled with reinterpretations of older localised studies · There is no recorded mineralisation within indicate that gold mineralisation in the NE dextral wrench faults and NW-NNW Tabberabbera Zone is Middle Silurian-Lower sinistral wrench faults in the Devonian (late Benambra-Bindian) and not TALLANGATTA part of the Tabberabbera Middle Devonian (Tabberabbera). The timing Zone. This period of deformation hosted of gold mineralisation within the Tabberabbera mineralisation in the Benambra Zone. Zone is intrinsically linked to the timing of brittle fracturing, which act as conduits for Middle-Upper Devonian: introducing and remobilising gold mineralisation. There is no evidence of gold mineralisation of this age in the Tabberabbera Zone. O'Shea The timing of gold mineralisation has been (1981) traced auriferous reefs into the currently constrained to post-date NW trending axial undated (probably Lower Devonian) I-type plane F2 folds and to pre-date final movement Adamellite at the Beechworth on the Kiewa Fault and F3 folding (Dugdale, Goldfield. Gold mineralisation is probably 1986). Gold is localised within mineralised Lower-Devonian. faults. Dugdale (1986) demonstrated by quartz veining relationships that mineralised faults Upper Devonian: are post dated by the final movement on the Kiewa Fault and that both these structural · Herman (1899) discovered auriferous features are overprinted by N axial plane F3 quartz reefs in the Upper Devonian Avon folds. This tectonic history is consistent with River Group sedimentary sequence at the the structural model of Morand and Gray Freestone Creek Goldfield. O'Shea et al. (1991) who demonstrated that the dextral (1994) considered that the absence of gold movement on the Kiewa Fault is pre-Lower mineralisation in overlying Carboniferous Devonian, as it is intruded by the Big Hill sediments to the immediate west of the Diorite, which has been dated at 397+/-16 Ma Tabberabbera Zone suggests that this phase (Richards & Singleton, 1981). of gold mineralisation was pre-Kanimblan. Source and mechanism of gold deposition A summary of the three phases of gold mineralisation recognised in the Tabberabbera The majority of recorded gold mineralisation in Zone is as follows: the Tabberabbera Zone has typical characteristics of "slate belt gold GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 39

mineralisation". The mechanism of gold Tabberabbera Zone goldfields deposition in slate belt, or turbidite hosted gold deposits is generally accepted as due to Primary gold production for the major mines deposition in appropriate structural/ from the Tabberabbera Zone goldfields, within stratigraphic sites from hydrothermal gold- TALLANGATTA, is summarised in Table 5. bearing fluids (O'Shea et al., 1994). Phillips and Powell (1992) proposed that low salinity A summary of the geology of the major primary auriferous fluids are due to the metamorphic gold producers from the Tabberabbera Zone devolatilization of mafic and/or greywacke goldfields, within TALLANGATTA, is presented successions. Deposition of gold in the as Table 6. temperature range 250-400°C can be facilitated by lower T, lower oxygen and particularly lower NB: Refer to Figure 3 for host lithology legend. sulphur activity (Phillips & Powell, 1992). References for each site are listed in the attached digital Mine Database. Proposed sources of gold in the Tabberabbera Zone and elsewhere in Victoria, include Harrietville greenstones, Ordovician sediments, granites and dykes (particularly basic dykes or Alluvial gold was discovered in the Harrietville lamprophyres). Currently there are no region in 1852 and the first reefs were greenstones recorded east of the Mt. discovered in 1860 (Lloyd, 1982). Wellington axis and the Kiewa Fault has been discounted as a structural boundary terrane Primary gold production and mining history fault by Morand and Gray (1991). If the Kiewa Fault is found to host greenstones then these The Rose of reef was the first reef are still not the major source of gold as the recorded in the Mining Surveyor's Reports of Kiewa Fault post-dates the major phase of gold May 1860 (Lloyd, 1982). In September 1860 the mineralisation and/or high angle reverse faults Rose, Thistle and Shamrock and Hit or Miss which host auriferous quartz veins (Dugdale, reefs were discovered. The Harrietville 1986). Dykes generally pre-date gold goldfield prospered from 1866, with the mineralisation and appear to act as structural discovery of numerous reefs; peaked in the traps as opposed to a potential gold source, 1890s and declined rapidly in 1932 with the although they are probably associated with imminent closure of the Rose, Thistle and minor base metal mineralisation. Syngenetic Shamrock mine. gold hosted by Ordovician sediments have been recorded in the Chiltern and Rutherglen area The primary gold production for the (Hunter, 1903; Henley, 1974) although this is Harrietville goldfield, within TALLANGATTA, contentious as Dunn (1929) considered this during the period 1861-1992/93, was 8 606 6 kg mineralisation to be epigenetic. from 425 088 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 20.2 g/t. The largest producer was the Rose, The most likely sources of the gold Thistle and Shamrock mine which produced mineralisation in the Tabberabbera Zone is 2 422.1 kg of gold from 1861-1933. Ordovician metasediments and S-type granites (to explain the presence of minor base metal There are currently two mines operating within assemblages). The transport mechanism is the Harrietville goldfield. These are the Red probably metamorphic fluids, as described by Robin mine, ML 960 and the Sambas mine, ML Phillips and Powell (1992), and magmatic 46. The Red Robin mine had a total production fluids associated with S-type granites. of 210.3 kg from 4 009 tonnes of ore, during the period 1940-1992/93 at a head grade of 52.5 g/t. The Sambas mine has been an intermittent producer from 1910-1991/92, with a total production of 1 377.1 kg from 41 781 tonnes of ore at a head grade of 33.0 g/t.

Host Lithology

Primary gold mineralisation within the Harrietville goldfield is hosted by quartz veins 40 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 5 Major primary gold production - Tabberabbera Zone

PRODUCTION FIELD MINE/PROSPECT ORE PRODUCTGRADE YEARS (tonnes) (kg) (g/t)

Harrietville Biplane Reef/Mine 6924 117.0 16.9 1920-1925 Harrietville Crescent Reef/Mine 8128 186.6 23.0 1890-1899 Harrietville Jackass Reef/Mine 1826 188.5 103.2 1878-1889 Harrietville Johnson Reef/Mine 18537 207.3 11.2 1867-1914 Harrietville Monarch Reef/Mine 3300 129.5 39.3 ?1901-1916 Harrietville Mons Meg Reef/Mine 4349 266.7 61.3 1880-1926 Harrietville Red Robin Mine 4009 210.3 52.5 1940-92/93 Harrietville Rose, Thistle & Shamrock Mine 119175 2422.1 20.3 1861-1933 Harrietville Sambas Reef/Mine 41781 1377.1 33.0 1910-91/92 Harrietville United Miners Reef 33908 611.9 18.0 1867-1884 HARRIETVILLE TOP 10 PRODUCERS TOTAL 222234 5414.2 24.4 1867-92/93 HARRIETVILLE GOLDFIELD TOTAL 425088 8606.6 20.2 1861-92/93 Bright-Wandiligong Birthday Reef/Mine 2976 58.9 19.8 1876-1881 Bright-Wandiligong Blowfly Reef 687 51.7 75.2 1879-1891 Bright-Wandiligong Ebenezer Reef/Mine 2069 87.3 42.2 1861-1877 Bright-Wandiligong Elgin Reef/Mine 487 153.6 315.7 1860-1865 Bright-Wandiligong English & Welsh Reef 4135 106.0 25.6 1872-1881 Bright-Wandiligong Hillsborough Reef/Mine 12987 309.6 23.8 1873-1904 Bright-Wandiligong New Moon Reef 1382 52.0 37.6 1869-1871 Bright-Wandiligong Richardson Reef/Mine 3117 217.7 69.8 1860-1872 Bright-Wandiligong Try Again Reef/Mine 8288 192.7 23.3 1870-1911 Bright-Wandiligong Wallaby Reef/Mine 7186 198.4 27.6 1868-1872 BRIGHT-WANDILIGONG TOP 10 PRODUCERS TOTAL 43313 1427.8 33.0 1860-1911 BRIGHT-WANDILIGONG GOLDFIELD TOTAL 54158 1690.6 31.2 1860-1911 Freeburgh Cornish Reef/Mine 1485 52.2 35.1 1860-1884 Freeburgh Hibernian Reef/Mine 377 18.7 49.7 1860-1876 Freeburgh Homeward Bound Reef 12802 183.7 14.4 1870-1877 Freeburgh Magpie Reef/Mine 5966 184.6 30.9 1871-1906 Freeburgh Mt. Orient Reef/Mine 9605 203.1 21.1 1879-1925 Freeburgh Reliance Reef/Mine 6661 144.2 21.6 1860-1879 Freeburgh Smoko Reef/Dyke 445 18.2 40.9 1870-1900 Freeburgh Sultana Reef 660 13.6 20.6 1867-1877 Freeburgh Victoria Reef 1512 73.0 48.3 1861-1885 Freeburgh Woolshed Reef/Mine 2378 97.8 41.1 1861-1916 FREEBURGH TOP 10 PRODUCERS TOTAL 47648 1111.6 23.3 1861-1925 FREEBURGH GOLDFIELD TOTAL 49388 1155.1 23.4 1861-1925 TABBERABBERA ZONE TOTAL 526806 11452.3 21.7 1860-92/93

within the Hotham Group metasediments. The · N trending mineralised quartz veining general strike of bedding planes is 280-330° within high angle reverse faults eg. Biplane; (Kenny, 1953). · NW-NNW trending non-mineralised sinistral faults, sub-parallel to initial mineralised Structural Setting dextral faults; and · NE trending, non-mineralised dextral faults The regional tectonic history is as discussed in the Tabberabbera Zone overview, while a local Mineralisation tectonic history is summarised (from oldest to youngest) as follows: Gold mineralisation in the Harrietville goldfield is predominantly hosted by quartz reefs within · NW-NNW trending mineralised fissure NW trending reverse faults (Fig. 8). quartz veining and bedded reefs within high angle, dominantly dextral reverse faults; · E trending mineralised quartz veining within high angle reverse faults, eg. Red Robin; GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 41

Table 6 Major gold mines - Tabberabbera Zone

FIELD LOCATION MINERALISATION MIN HOST HOST

MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH. MAJOR MINOR ORIENT. LITH.

HARRIETVILLE Biplane Reef/Mine 505800 5908600 Au ?/353 Oh Crescent Reef/Mine 504050 5909300 Au 62NE/340 Oh Jackass Reef/Mine 504600 5914200 Au 60-70E/330 Oh Johnson Reef/Mine 505100 5914600 Au ?/330 Oh Monarch Reef/Mine 505050 5910100 Au 40E/351 Oh Mons Meg Reef/Mine 504900 5913400 Au 52E/336 Oh Red Robin Mine 513800 5911650 Au py, aspy, ga 290, 337 Oh Rose, Thistle & Shamrock 502700 5917700 Au 30-40E/310 Oh Mine Sambas Reef/Mine 504500 5913850 Au ?/310-350 Oh United Miners Reef 505700 5912800 Au 80E/315-320 Oh SUMMARY Au py, aspy, cpy, ga, sp Oh BRIGHT-WANDILIGONG Birthday Reef/Mine 501200 5924700 Au 85E/330 Oh Blowfly Reef 500900 5924800 Au 60E/347 Oh Ebenezer Reef/Mine 502900 5924800 Au 75E/330 Oh Elgin Reef/Mine 500500 5928900 Au 60-70W/350 Oh English & Welsh Reef 501100 5924400 Au 60E/336 Oh Hillsborough Reef/Mine 500800 5928800 Au ?/355 Oh New Moon Reef 502000 5927800 Au ?/346 Oh Richardson Reef/Mine 501900 5927000 Au ?/320 Oh Try Again Reef/Mine 501000 5924800 Au 60E/336 Oh Wallaby Reef/Mine 500200 5924600 Au 85E/330 Oh SUMMARY Au py,aspy,cpy,sp Oh FREEBURGH Cornishman Reef/Mine 502900 5927400 Au ?/322 Oh Hibernian Reef/Mine 501700 5928700 Au 55W/330 Oh Homeward Bound Reef 504500 5923200 Au 90/315 Oh Magpie Reef/Mine 502400 5928300 Au 65E/338 Oh Mt. Orient Reef/Mine 500300 5930900 Au 75E/330-340 Oh Reliance Reef/Mine 500500 5929800 Au 30W/342 Oh Smoko Reef/Dyke 506100 5921800 Au 50W/315 Oh Sultana Reef 500500 5930000 Au ?/341 Oh Victoria Reef 500300 5931400 Au ?/343 Oh Woolshed Reef/Mine 502400 5928400 Au ?/340 Oh SUMMARY Au Oh

Quartz reefs of the Harrietville goldfield are the largest primary gold producing mine in formed by the tectonic mobilisation of silica and the Harrietville goldfield; associated gold and sulphides into receptive · dyke associated reefs: Red Robin (Dugdale, structural traps (Cuffley, 1984), and may be 1986), Sambas (Geological Survey of divided into four groups: fissure, bedded, dyke Victoria, undated/d).; and associated and spurry formations (Kenny, · spurry reefs: Crescent reef (Kenny, 1953). 1953). Some examples of these four classes of quartz reefs within the Harrietville goldfield Bradford (1903) observed that a substantial are as follows. amount of slate is mixed with the quartz veins

· fissure reefs: Mons Meg, Monarch, Sambas, The principle metallic minerals associated with Red Robin and Williams United, which are gold are less than 1% combined sulphides of the dominant type of reef within the pyrite, arsenopyrite and very minor Harrietville goldfield (Ramsay & Willman, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. The 1988); · bedded reef: Rose, Thistle and Shamrock reef (Ramsay and Willman, 1988); which was 42 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 8 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Harrietville 0 goldfield

270 90

180 Sampled from 61 reefs

gangue is predominantly quartz and may dykes within E trending high angle, include sericite, chlorite, ankerite, calcite and dominantly dextral reverse faults; and albite (Ramsay & Willman, 1988). Gibson · a phase of gold mineralisation/remobilisation (1988) noted that sulphides are found hosted by quartz veins and associated quartz disseminated in carbonaceous shales and porphyry within N trending high angle, sandstones, as well as being concentrated in dominantly dextral reverse faults. quartz veins, faults and along cleavage planes. Bowen (1967) demonstrated that there was a Dugdale (1986) proposed a tectonic history for significant difference between the arsenic the Red Robin mine to be NW trending F1, F2 content of faults associated with ore (1 130 folds; high angle gold-bearing reverse faults; ppm) and those not (238 ppm) at the Sambas dextral movement on the Kiewa Fault , N mine, although no correlation could be made trending F3 folds and lastly NE dextral and between the arsenic content of fault pug in minor sinistral faults.The evidence for the steeply bedded faults and distance from the ore. timing of gold mineralisation was the absence of S2 cleavage in the Kiewa Fault, whereas S3 Timing of mineralisation cleavage overprints the Kiewa Fault (Dugdale, 1986). The tectonic history of Dugdale (1986) is There have been three phases of gold consistent with the structural model of Morand mineralisation/remobilisation in the and Gray (1991) except that the dextral Kiewa Harrietville goldfield during the Middle Fault movement is Upper Silurian-Lower Silurian-Lower Devonian and these are: Devonian (Morand & Gray 1991) and so Au - bearing reverse faults must be pre Lower - · a phase of arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold and Devonian and not Mid-Devonian. The evidence minor base metal mineralisation hosted by of Morand and Gray (1991) for the timing of quartz veins within NW-NNW trending high dextral movement on the Kiewa Fault was that angle, dominantly dextral reverse faults; the Big Hill Diorite (~400 Ma by Richards & · a phase of gold mineralisation/remobilisation Singleton, 1981) intrudes dextrally deformed hosted by quartz veins and associated diorite mylonite in the Kiewa Fault Zone. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 43

dipping reverse faults. The reef pitched 10° The timing of gold mineralisation in the north and trended towards 330°, traversing Harrietville goldfield is well illustrated by a both dyke and metasediments (Kenny, 1925). case study of Lindsay’s mine. At Lindsay’s Total production was 207.3 kg from 18 537 mine the Never Can tell reef orientated at tonnes, during the period 1867-1914 at a head 70°S/270°, is truncated by the Merry Widow grade of 11.2 g/t. reef striking 355° and both these reefs have been sinistrally displaced by a fault orientated Monarch at 60°SW/330° (Kenny, 1925). The Monarch reef was discovered by Smith and Top 10 Harrietville primary gold mines: McKenzie in 1896 (Lloyd, 1982) Mine workings consisted of a shaft, a series of adits and a Biplane winze. The Monarch reef is orientated at 40E/350°. At 91.3 m depth the reef was The Biplane mine was discovered by Howard truncated by a fault orientated at 61°NE/330°, and Hall in 1919 (Lloyd, 1982). Mine workings which did not affect the main shoot which consisted of shafts and adits. The Biplane reef pitched 30o south (Kenny, 1924). Total strikes at 353°. Shoots throughout the mine production was 129.5 kg from 3300 tonnes, ranged up to 40 m in length (Kenny, 1924). during the period 1896?-1916, at a head grade Total production was 117.0 kg from 6 924 of 39.3 g/t. tonnes, during the period 1920-1925, at a head grade of 16.9 g/t. Mons Meg

Crescent The Mons Meg reef was discovered by Bruce, McIntosh and Williamson in 1880 (Lloyd, 1982). The Crescent reef was discovered by Mine workings consisted of a series of adits to a Richardson and party in 1893 (Lloyd, 1982). depth of 200 m. The Mons Meg reef was a Mine workings consisted of shallow pits, a large fissure reef, orientated at 52°E/330°, which was open cut and three adits worked to a depth of associated with a diorite dyke (Kenny, 1909). 33 m. The Crescent reef is 0.6-2.0 m wide and The ore shoot was 2-6 m wide, 60 m long and is orientated at 60-70°E/330° (Gibson, 1988). pitched south at 65°. Total production is The ore body is elliptical, 20 m long and 13.3 m estimated at 266.7 kg from 4 349 tonnes of ore, wide (Kenny, 1953), with mineralisation during the period 1880-1926, at a head grade of confined to narrow quartz veinlets or spurry 61.3 g/t. Kenny (1953) estimated production at veins (Brady, 1984). Total production was 714.8 kg of gold from 42596 tonnes of ore, 186.6 kg from 8 128 tonnes, during the period although this estimate apparently incorporates 1890-1899, at a head grade of 23.0 g/t. other reefs.

Jackass Red Robin

The Jackass reef was discovered by Breen in The Red Robin was discovered by Bill Spargo, 1878 (Lloyd, 1982). Mine workings consisted of in 1941, while searching for the source of adits to a depth of 150 m. The Jackass reef is a auriferous gravels of Brandy Creek at the head fissure reef orientated at 60-70°E/330°, of the Cobungra River (Lloyd, 1982). The Red associated with the Sambas reef (Kenny, Robin reef was the first reef discovered in the 1937a). Gold mineralisation occurred as short Hotham Heights area (which has been rich shoots (Kenny, 1953). Total production incorporated into the Harrietville goldfield). was 188.5 kg from 1 826 tonnes, during the The Hotham Height reefs can be traced for period 1878-1889, at a head grade of 103.2 g/t. several kilometres, which differs from the short lines of reef present in the Harrietville Johnson goldfield. Mine workings at the Red Robin mine consist of two adits following the two The Johnson reef was discovered by 1866, and shoots. the owners at that time were McLean, Johnson and Co. (Lloyd, 1982). Mine workings consisted The Red Robin mine works a fissure reef with of a shaft and a series of adits. The Johnson veins emplaced along high angle reverse faults, reef is a sub-horizontal, arcuate quartz reef these postdate lamprophyre dykes are inferred which has been faulted by a number of steeply to be of a Mid Devonian age (Dugdale, 1986). 44 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Two shoots have been opened along the line of Survey of Victoria, undated/d). Gold is found in reef at the Red Robin mine. The north shoot is quartz fissure reefs associated with a branching 40 m long, within a 0.15-0.22 m wide reef system of steeply east dipping reverse faults orientated at 60-70°SW/290° (Kenny, 1941a). striking 310-350°. The main walls or faults The south shoot was 43.3 m long, within a 0.5- form a consistent fracture pattern at lower adit 1.0 m wide reef with spurry formation striking levels with most of the ore shoots branching off 337° (Kenny, 1941a). the Sambas wall; the shoots and faults are intersected and displaced by two transverse Dugdale (1986) recognised three generations of faults. The ore shoots are of limited length and quartz development in the Red Robin mine: generally pitch steeply to the north (Bowen, · Ptygmatically folded veins that cross-cut S0 1967). A diorite dyke orientated at 60°E/313° is bedding and S1 cleavage associated with or intersects many of the shoots · Laminated veins parallel to bedding and (Kenny, 1937). Two phonolite (lamprophyre?) cross-cutting bedding. Tension gash veins dykes have been observed throughout the mine. cross-cutting bedding. These dykes predate the reefs (Geological · Quartz veining sub-parallel to F3 folds. Survey of Victoria, undated/d). Eleven shoots have been identified in recent workings, these Dugdale (1986) observed that gold was hosted being Ashton's, Bells, Indicator, Lawson's, by laminated quartz veins and considered that Marshalls, Ballroom, Proctors, Roadman's, gold was introduced within a paragenetic Staffs, Unknown and Wolff (Kenny, 1937a). sequence of arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold. The Sambas mine is currently operating (ML The Red Robin mine is currently operating (ML 46) and had a total production of 1377.1 kg from 960) and had a total production of 210.3 kg from 41 781 tonnes of ore, during the period 1910- 4 000 tonnes of ore, during the period 1941- 1991/92, at a head grade of 33.0 g/t. 1992/93, at a head grade of 52.5 g/t. United Miners Rose, Thistle and Shamrock The United Miners mine had been discovered The Rose, Thistle and Shamrock was discovered by 1866 (Lloyd, 1982). Mine workings consisted by Bow, Bow and Sutcliffe in 1860 (Lloyd, of a series of shafts, adits and winzes. The 1982). Mine workings consisted of a series of United Miners reef is orientated at 80°E/315- shafts, adits and winzes. The Rose, Thistle and 320° and has been traced in outcrop and Shamrock mine worked two major shoots, underground workings for over 230 m (Kenny, hosted by bedded quartz reefs. The Shamrock 1909). The bulk of production has been from reef was worked to a depth of 333 m and the two shoots. The main shoot was 1 m wide, Lantax reef, which was discovered in 1877, was 100 m long, and was found at the intersection of worked to a depth of 400 m (Kenny, 1936). The the reef and a dyke (Kenny, 1953). This shoot Shamrock reef pitched 30-40° SE, outcropped was worked to a depth of 133 m (Kenny, 1909). on the western limb of the Lantax anticline and A smaller southern shoot was 20 m long continued as an inverted saddle reef after (Kenny, 1909). Total production was 611.9 kg reaching the Shamrock syncline. The Lantax from 33 908 tonnes of ore, during the period shoot was a saddle reef outcropping on the 1867-1884, at a head grade of 18.0 g/t. Lantax anticline (Kenny, 1936). Total production was 2422.1 kg of gold from 119 175 Bright-Wandiligong and Freeburgh tonnes of ore, during the period 1861-1933, at a head grade of 20.3 g/t. Alluvial gold was first discovered in the Bright - Wandiligong and Freeburgh goldfields Sambas sometime between 1853 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) and 1856 (Flett, 1979). The Sambas reef was discovered by Power in 1910 (Kenny, 1937a). Mine workings consisted of 10 adits worked to a depth of 233 m (Kenny, 1937a) as illustrated in Figure 9.

The Sambas workings are located on a portion of a larger reef system including the Mons Meg, Tiddledee and United Miners mines (Geological

46 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 10 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Bright-Wandiligong goldfield

Geological descriptions of the Bright - Hillsborough Mine which produced 309.6 kg of Wandiligong and Freeburgh goldfields are gold from 1873-1904. discussed collectively throughout this subsection, whereas production statistics for There are currently four mining tenements these goldfields have been discussed separately. within the Bright-Wandiligong goldfield. These The basis for this separation is that the alluvial are ML 656 (Peabody mine: which is currently gold in the Upper Ovens valley is sourced by not operating), MIN 4832 (Lindsay's Reef), MIN the Freeburgh and particularly the Harrietville 4910 (includes the Myrtle mine), and MIN 4944 goldfields, whereas alluvial gold in Morses (Liffey mine). Creek and Growlers Creek are essentially sourced by the Bright-Wandiligong goldfield Freeburgh primary gold production and mining history Bright-Wandiligong primary gold production and mining history The Freeburgh goldfield has a mining history similar to that of the adjacent Bright - The Pioneer and Oriental reefs were the first Wandiligong goldfield. reefs discovered in 1858 (Flett, 1979) and eventually over 300 reefs were worked in the The primary gold production for the Freeburgh ranges between the Ovens River and goldfield, within TALLANGATTA, during the Wandiligong (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Primary period 1861-1925, was 1 155.0 kg of gold from gold production peaked in the 1860s and 49 388 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 23.4 declined in the 1890s. g/t. The largest producer was the Mt. Orient Mine which produced 203.1 kg of gold from The primary gold production for the Bright - 1879-1925. Wandiligong goldfield, within TALLANGATTA, during the period 1860-1911, was 1 690.6 kg of There are currently two mining tenements gold from 54 158 tonnes of ore at an average within the Freeburgh Goldfield. These are MIN grade of 31.2 g/t. The largest producer was the GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 47

Figure 11 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Freeburgh goldfield

4735 (Mt. Orient mine) and MIN 4758 (Three groups: fissure, bedded, dyke associated and Star mine). spurry formations (Kenny, 1953). Some examples of these four classes of quartz reefs Host lithology within the Bright-Wandiligong and Freeburgh goldfields are as follows: Primary gold mineralisation within the Bright - Wandiligong-Freeburgh goldfield is hosted by · fissure reefs: Elgin, Hibernian (Kenny, quartz veins within low grade metamorphic 1925). Fissure and fault-associated reefs are Ordovician metasediments typical of the the dominant type of quartz reefs in the Tabberabbera Zone. The general strike of the Bright-Wandiligong-Freeburgh goldfield bedding planes is 320-340° (Kenny, 1925). (Kenny, 1925). The majority of fissure reefs dip 60-80E, often associated with west Structural Setting dipping host metasediments, although the gold is not confined to the intersection The regional and local structural setting is the planes (Kenny, 1925); same as the adjacent Harrietville goldfield. · bedded reefs: Wallaby (Kenny, 1925); · dyke associated reef: Smoko (Kenny, 1925); Mineralisation and · spurry formation: Reliance (Kenny, 1925). Gold mineralisation in the Bright-Wandiligong goldfield is predominantly hosted by quartz The principle metallic minerals associated with reefs within NNW trending revese faults gold are less than 1% combined sulphides of (Fig. 10), whereas in the Freeburgh goldfield pyrite, arsenopyrite and very minor gold mineralisation is by NW-NNW trending chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite. The quartz reefs (Fig. 11). gangue is predominantly quartz and may include sericite, chlorite, ankerite, calcite and Quartz reefs of the Bright-Wandiligong- albite (Ramsay & Willman, 1988). Freeburgh goldfield may be divided into four Timing of mineralisation 48 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

workings over 73 m in length (Kenny, 1925). Primary gold is generally hosted by quartz reefs The Elgin reef is orientated at 60-70°W/350°. within reverse faults. At the Hillsborough and Total production was 153.6 kg of gold from 487 English and Welsh mines the reefs (trending N tonnes of ore, during the period 1860-1865, at a and NW-NNW respectively) are truncated by head grade of 315.7 g/t. NW-NNW trending high angle reverse faults, indicating brittle fracturing reactivation sub- English and Welsh parallel to the main phase of mineralised NW- NNW trending quartz reefs. The English and Welsh reef was discovered by Lloyd and party (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) in 1872? The timing of gold mineralisation is considered Mine workings consisted of two adits. The to be the same as that of the adjacent Elgin reef is orientated at 60°E/336° and is Harrietville goldfield. probably an extension of the Try Again reef. This reef was truncated by a fault striking at Top 10 Bright-Wandiligong gold mines: 330° (Kenny, 1925). Total production was 106.0 kg of gold from 4 135 tonnes of ore, during the Birthday period 1872-1881, at a head grade of 25.6 g/t.

The Birthday reef was discovered in 1876 Hillsborough (Kenny, 1948). Details of mine workings are unknown, although mining was recorded to a The Hillsborough reef was discovered by depth of 57 m (Kenny, 1925). The Birthday reef Whittaker (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) in 1873? Mine was 1 m wide orientated at 85°E/330°. Total workings consisted of three adits and an open production was 58.9 kg of gold from 2 976 cut to a depth of 80 m (Kenny, 1925). The open tonnes of ore, during the period 1876-1881, at a cut was 10 m wide and 30 m long and was head grade of 19.8 g/t. evidently in the stockwork zone on the hanging wall of the quartz reef (O'Shea et al., 1994). Blowfly The Hillsborough reef strikes at 355° and is dislocated by a west dipping reverse fault, The Blowfly reef was discovered by Parkhill orientated at 50°W/333°, known as the Old Man and party (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) in 1875? Mine Slide (Kenny, 1925). Total production was workings consisted of adits and winzes (Kenny, 309.6 kg of gold from 12 987 tonnes of ore, 1925). The Blowfly reef is orientated at during the period 1873-1904, at a head grade of 60°E/347° (80E/330°?) and is probably an 23.8 g/t. extension of the Bulgarian reef, which pitches 50° south (Kenny, 1925). Total production was New Moon 51.7 kg of gold from 687 tonnes of ore, during the period 1879-1891, at a head grade of 75.2 The New Moon reef was discovered by Jones in g/t. 1869 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Details of mine workings are unknown. The New Moon reef Ebenezer strikes at 346° (Kenny, 1925). Total production was 52.0 kg of gold from 1 382 tonnes of ore, The Ebenezer reef was discovered by Perry in during the period 1869-1871, at a head grade of 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Details of mine 37.6 g/t. workings are unknown, although mining was recorded to a depth of 66 m. The Ebenezer Richardson reef was 0.6-2.0 m wide and was orientated at 75°E/330° (Kenny, 1925). Total production was Richardson's reef was discovered by the 87.3 kg of gold from 2 069 tonnes of ore, during Richardson brothers in 1866 (Lloyd & Nunn, the period 1861-1877, at a head grade of 42.2 1987). Mine workings consisted of two shafts g/t. and an adits (Kenny, 1925). Richardson's reef was 1 m wide and was orientated at ?°E/320°. Elgin Total production was 217.7 kg of gold from 3 117 tonnes of ore, during the period 1860- The Elgin reef was worked and discovered? by 1872, at a head grade of 69.8 g/t. Stephens in 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Mine workings consisted of shafts, adits and winzes to a depth of 133 m and included surface GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 49

Try Again approximately 1 m apart. An antiform occurs to the east of the middle reef. The reefs are The Try Again reef was discovered by Hood and orientated at 90°/315°. Total production for the Couts (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) in 1866 (Kenny, Homeward Bound mine was 183.7 kg of gold 1925). Mine workings consisted of five adits from 12 802 tonnes of ore, during the period (Kenny, 1925). The Try Again reef lies on the 1870-1877, at a head grade of 14.4 g/t. Hope Line (which includes the English and Welsh reef) is orientated at 60°E/336° (Kenny, Magpie 1925). Total production was 192.7 kg of gold from 8 288 tonnes of ore, during the period The Magpie reef had been discovered by 1870. 1870-1911, at a head grade of 23.3 g/t. Mine workings consisted of an adit and surface workings that extend over 75 m in length Wallaby (Kenny, 1925). The Magpie reef is orientated at 65°E/338° and was dextrally faulted 100 m by a The Wallaby reef was discovered by Shaw and fault striking 015° (Kenny, 1925). Total party (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987) in 1868? Mine production for the Magpie mine was 184.6 kg of workings consisted of two adits and surface gold from 5 966 tonnes of ore, during the period workings to a length of 100 m (Kenny, 1925). 1871-1906, at a head grade of 30.9 g/t. The Wallaby reef is 1 m wide of laminated quartz (probably a bedded lode) which is Mt. Orient orientated at 85°E/330° (Kenny, 1925). Total production was 198.4 kg of gold from 7 186 The Mt. Orient reef had been discovered by tonnes of ore, during the period 1868-1872, at a 1879. Mine workings consisted of five adits and head grade of 27.6 g/t. three intermediate levels. The Mt. Orient reef is located on a well defined reef that can be Top10 Freeburgh gold mines: traced over 2 km, with four mines located along this line. These mines are from north to south, Cornishman the Victoria, Britannia, Mt. Orient (originally known as the Shouldn't Wonder) and finally the The Cornishman's reef was discovered by Sultana mine. The Mt. Orient reef is orientated Wilcox and Worchester in 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, at 75°E/330-340° (Kenny, 1925). Total 1987). Details of the mine workings are production for the Mt. Orient mine was 203.1 unknown. The Cornishman's reef strikes at kg of gold from 9 605 tonnes of ore, during the 322° (Kenny, 1925). Total production was 52.2 period 1879-1925, at a head grade of 21.6 g/t. kg of gold from 1 485 tonnes of ore, during the period 1860-1884, at a head grade of 35.1 g/t. Reliance

Hibernian The Reliance reef was discovered by Bailey and Teed in 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Mine The Hibernian reef was discovered by Shaw in workings extend over 200 m in a north- 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Mine workings northwesterly direction with most work centred consisted of an underlay shaft to a depth of on a shallow opencut. Several southwest 18 m (Kenny, 1925). The Hibernian reef is dipping breccia-stockwork zones are present up orientated at 55°W/330° and is hosted by to 4 m in width (Swensson & Patterson, 1989). metasediments orientated at 69°W/320° The Reliance reef consists of short quartz spurs (Kenny, 1925). Kenny (1925) noted that a layer orientated at 30°W/342° interbedded with of broken, barren quartz lay between the bedding (Kenny, 1925). Total production for the auriferous solid surface quartz and quartz at Reliance mine was 144.2 kg of gold from 6 661 depth. Total production was 18.7 kg of gold tonnes of ore, during the period 1860-1879, at a from 377 tonnes of ore, during the period 1860- head grade of 21.6 g/t. 1876, at a head grade of 49.7 g/t. Smoko Homeward Bound The Smoko reef had been discovered by 1870. The Homeward Bound reef had been discovered Mine workings consisted of three adits (Kenny, by 1870. Mine workings consisted of a series of 1925). The Smoko reef is orientated at adits (Kenny, 1925). The Homeward Bound 50°W/315° and is associated with a diorite dyke reef consist of three parallel reefs (Kenny, 1925). Total production for the Smoko 50 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

mine was 18.2 kg of gold from 445 tonnes of ore, during the period 1870-1900, at a head grade of The primary gold production for the Benambra 40.9 g/t. Zone, within TALLANGATTA, during the period 1876-1968, was 14 989.8 kg of gold from Sultana in excess of 507 847 tonnes of ore.

The Sultana reef had been discovered by 1867. Host Lithology Details of the mine workings are unknown. The Sultana strikes at 341° (Kenny, 1925). The bulk of gold production in the Benambra Total production for the Sultana mine was 13.6 Zone is from quartz reefs within faults hosted kg of gold from 660 tonnes of ore, during the by the Omeo Metamorphic Complex period 1867-1877, at a head grade of 20.6 g/t. metasediments, spatially and/or temporally related to intrusive rocks. Victoria Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by quartz The Victoria reef had been discovered by 1861. veins, quartz veins truncating acid dykes, Details of mine workings are unknown. The quartz vein stockworks on the footwall and Victoria reef strikes at 343° (Kenny, 1925). hanging wall of dykes, and dykes in the absence Total production for the Victoria mine was 73.0 of quartz veins. Lithological hosts include the kg of gold from 1 512 tonnes of ore, during the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OSs), Hotham period 1861-1885, at a head grade of 48.3 g/t. Group (Oh), Bethanga Gneiss (Eh), Boebuck Adamellite (Sg90), Bunroy Hut Granite (Sg91), Woolshed Corryong Granite (Sg92), Koetong Granodiorite (Sg101), Granya Adamellite (Sg103), Mt. Wills The Woolshed reef was discovered by Wood in Granite (Sg111), Banimboola Granodiorite (Dlg 1860 (Lloyd & Nunn, 1987). Mine workings 110) and the Anglers Rest Granite (Dlg114). consisted of a shaft, winzes and a shallow open These lithological hosts are described in detail cut (Kenny, 1925). The Woolshed reef outcrops in Chapter 2. as spurry formations striking 340°. There are two shoots mined from the Woolshed reef(s) and Structural Setting a north pitching, 16.6 m long shoot , was mined to a depth of 41.6 m (Kenny 1925). Total The regional tectonic history of the Benambra production for the Woolshed mine was 97.8 kg Zone is summarised as follows: of gold from 2 378 tonnes of ore at a head grade of 41.1 g/t. Lower-Upper Silurian:

Primary goldfield without production records: · bedding parallel F1 folding trending and tight to isoclinal NW-NNW axial plane F2 No primary gold production or geological folds; descriptions have been sighted (from the · intrusion of S-type granitoids accompanying examined data sources) for the TALLANGATTA regional prograde metamorphism; part of the Cobungra River goldfield. · intrusion of the NW trending Mitta Mitta dyke swarm; and Benambra Zone · extensive NW-NNW trending brittle fracturing, hosting quartz veining and The Benambra Zone within Victoria is bounded arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold and minor base by the Kancoona and Kiewa Faults to the west metal mineralisation, within a NE-SW and the Yalmy and Woodglen Faults to the compressional regime; accompanying the south. Primary gold deposits in the Benambra onset of regional retrograde metamorphism. Zone, TALLANGATTA, have the following diagnostic characteristics: Lower Devonian: · moderate to high sulphide gangue; · association with base-metals; · intrusion of I-type granitoids eg. Banimboola · elevated silver values; and Quartz Diorite (Dlg110); · metallurgical problems in gold extraction. · extensive E trending brittle fracturing and the intrusion of diorite dykes followed by quartz veining and gold-base metal Primary gold production GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 51

mineralisation, accompanying retrograde with dykes, which is partly due to the metamorphism; abundance of dykes within this structural zone. · extensive N trending brittle fracturing and The dominant types of quartz reef deposit the intrusion of porphyry dykes followed by within the Benambra Zone are fissure and fault quartz veining and gold-base metal associated reefs although significant gold mineralisation within an east-west production has been obtained from dyke compressional regime, accompanying associated reefs, which are generally smaller retrograde metamorphism; but richer. · dextral movement on the N trending Kiewa Fault; The principle metallic minerals associated with · sinistral movement on the N-trending Kiewa gold in the Benambra Zone are arsenopyrite, Fault; pyrite, pyrrhotite (at Bethanga) with local · open N axial plane F3 folding; and significant abundances of chalcopyrite, galena · Intrusion of I-type granitoids eg. Pine and minor sphalerite. In addition to these Mountain Granite (Dlg99). minerals stibnite, tin, tungsten, bismuth and uranium have been recorded in the Benambra Lower Devonian-Middle Devonian: Zone. The gangue is predominantly quartz and may include minerals such as sericite, chlorite, · extensive NE trending brittle fracturing, ankerite, calcite, albite and siderite. hosting mineralised quartz veining; · reactivation of NW-NNW trending brittle Mineral assemblages indicate high fracturing, hosting mineralised quartz temperatures for the major phase of pyrite - veining; and arsenopyrite-gold mineralisation while the · Intrusion of I-type granitoids eg. introduction of significant base-metals and Thologolong Granite (Dlg102). other exotic minerals has occurred over a wide temperature range. Plunge reversals of quartz reefs may be related to the later generation of open arcuate F3 folds Timing of mineralisation with northerly axial planes. F3 fold have previously been interpreted as Tabberabbera Gold mineralisation in the Benambra Zone has (Middle Devonian) although the evidence a range of lithological hosts from the Cambrian? presented throughout this report indicates that Bethanga Gneiss to Lower Devonian I-type these folds are of a Lower Devonian age. The granitoids as discussed previously. The timing structural setting of TALLANGATTA is of gold mineralisation within the Benambra explained in detail in Chapter 2. Zone is intrinsically linked to the timing of brittle fracturing, which act as conduits for Mineralisation introducing and remobilising gold mineralisation. The style of mineralisation within the Benambra Zone is essentially fissure controlled, A summary of the five phases of gold moderate to high sulphide, auriferous quartz mineralisation recognised in the Benambra veining hosted by the previously discussed Zone is as follows: diverse range of lithologies. The quartz reef hosts are also diverse ranging from short Middle Silurian-Upper Silurian variable strike "squibs" (eg. Mitta Mitta goldfield) to narrow laterally extensive lines of · a phase of arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold and lode, which are traceable for distances up to 10 minor base metal mineralisation hosted by km (eg. Bethanga goldfield). Mineralised quartz veins within NW-NNW trending high shoots generally pitch south in northerly angle, dominantly dextral reverse faults. trending veins and east in westerly trending veins. Quartz reefs may be divided into four Lower Devonian: groups: fissure, bedded, dyke associated and spurry formations (Kenny, 1953) as discussed in · a phase of gold-base metal the Tabberabbera Zone. mineralisation/remobilisation hosted by quartz veins and associated diorite dykes The Benambra Zone primary gold deposits within E trending high angle, dominantly differ from the Tabberabbera Zone deposits in dextral reverse faults; and that there are numerous deposits associated 52 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

· a phase of gold-base metal Bethanga mineralisation/remobilisation hosted by quartz veins and associated quartz porphyry Alluvial gold was first discovered in the within N trending high angle, dominantly Bethanga region around 1852 (Bannear & sinistral reverse faults. Annear, 1995).

Lower Devonian-Middle Devonian Primary gold production and mining history

· a phase of gold-base metal The New Years Gift reef was discovered by mineralisation/remobilisation hosted by Rhodes and party on 1st January 1876. By the quartz veins within NE trending dextral end of 1876 the four major lines of reef wrench faults; and (Currajong, Hamburgh, Gift & Welcome) had · a phase of gold-base metal been discovered. In about 1877, the Bethanga mineralisation/remobilisation hosted by miners began to reveal a layer of Black Jack quartz veins within NW-NNW trending (heavily pyritic ore) beneath the gossanous sinistral wrench faults. crust. By 1878 most of the mines were worked to the base of the oxidised zone and copper had Source and mechanism of gold deposition been struck on all the major reefs (Bannear & Annear, 1995). From 1879-1894 there was little Proposed sources of primary gold in the gold production due to the high refractory Benambra Zone and elsewhere in Victoria, nature of the sulphidic ore. In 1894 a include greenstones, Ordovician sediments, modification of the Plattner chlorination granites and dykes (particularly basic dykes or process enabled the fine gold to be extracted lamprophyres). The most likely source of the from the sulphidic host and significant gold major Silurian phase of gold mineralisation in production commenced in 1895 with the the Benambra Zone, which is a moderate to formation of Bethanga Goldfields Ltd. The high pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold assemblage, major production period of the Bethanga (within a NE-SW compressional regime) is goldfield was short lived and production probably metamorphic fluids. The source of the declined rapidly from 1905 with the demise of Lower Devonian phases of base-metal enriched Bethanga Goldfields Ltd. Mining recommenced gold assemblages (within an E-W compressional at Talgarno in 1931 on the Golden Ridge lode regime), is considered to be primarily related to but this venture failed in 1934 and in 1939 the remobilisation associated with magmatic fluids Hume Refractory Ore Treatment Syndicate derived from I-type granitoids, possibly in recommenced mining but failed to master the addition to fluid channelways sourcing base- ore and closed down after a few years (Bannear metals from the Upper Silurian Limestone & Annear, 1995). Creek Graben mineralised shears. Further remobilisation has occurred associated with Primary gold production for the Bethanga reactivation of existing NW-NNW and NE goldfield during the period 1876-1910, was trending faults. 2 909.8 kg from in excess of 75 544 tonnes of ore. The largest producer was Bethanga In addition to regional gold mineralisation Goldfields Ltd which produced 2 176.2 kg of there are at least two phases of tin gold from 1895-1905. Morrison (1990) mineralisation (the minor second phase co- considered that most of the gold production hosting gold mineralisation) and localised from Bethanga, during the period 1877-1904, occurrences of epithermal mineralisation as was from the South Gift mine, but with demonstrated by silver-lead sulphosalts at Mt. significant contributions from the North Gift Wills. and Conness mines. These mines all lie on the Gift Line of Lode. Selective mining and sorting Benambra Zone goldfields produced ore which averaged 39 g/t (Morrison, 1990). Primary gold production for the major mines from the Benambra Zone goldfields, within There is currently no production from TALLANGATTA, is summarised in Table 7. Bethanga, although the goldfield is covered by A summary of the geology of the major two mining tenements, these being MIN 4351 producers from the Benambra Zone goldfields is and MIN 4827. presented as Table 8. Host lithology GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 53

30 m wide (Morrison, 1990). The veins cut the Primary gold mineralisation on the Bethanga complex in a 4 km wide fracture zone over a goldfield is hosted by the Bethanga Gneiss. strike length of up to 10 km (Dunn, 1907c). The This is a biotite rich gneiss with common sulphide lodes tend to pinch and swell over garnets (O'Shea, 1979), which is considered to short distances, ranging in width from a few be a melted S-type migmatite (Steele, 1979). mm to 2.4 m, with an average width of 40 cm The Bethanga Gneiss has been cut by a number (Chenoweth, 1973). There is little of north east striking granite, pegmatite and mineralisation where fissure veins cut hard aplite dykes, some of which are rich in granite gneiss (Powers, undated). Wider ore tourmaline (Dunn, 1907c). Small diorite bodies shoots are developed where the ENE trending are recorded west of the South Gift mine shear and fracture systems cut the NNE-NE (Morrison, 1990). The Bethanga Gneiss has trending fissures (Morrison, 1990). The shoots been dated at ~ 400 Ma by Evernden and are sub-vertical and are from 12-180 m long Richards (1962), although this date possibly (Development and Migration Commission, correlates to reheating associated with the 1927). Kiewa Fault during the Bindian Deformation. The Bethanga Gneiss is probably of Cambrian Mining on the Bethanga goldfield was centred to Ordovician age. on four lines of lode (Development and Migration Commission, 1927), as presented in Structural Setting Table 9.

The regional tectonic history is as discussed in The Bethanga lines of lode show zoning, with the Benambra Zone overview, while a local the northern lodes being arsenopyrite rich and tectonic history for the Bethanga goldfield is the southern lodes copper rich (Whiting, 1962) summarised (from oldest to youngest) as The enrichment of copper in the southern follows: portion of the Bethanga goldfield is probably due to the introduction of mineralisation and/or · N-NW trending bedding, layer parallel remobilisation associated with E trending cross- banding and isoclinal folding (Whiting, faulting. Copper concentrate has been 1962); produced from the Currajong and Gift lodes. · ENE trending barren phase of quartz Dunn (1907c) considered that undiscovered veining and intrusion of granitic dykes. auriferous lodes lie east of the Welcome line of Granitic dykes often contain garnet , lode. indicating that they may have formed during regional metamorphism (O'Shea 1979); Gossans may comprise iron-oxides and · NNE trending mineralised fissure quartz secondary copper embedded in crumbly quartz veining within faults; with gold, extending to a depth of 10 m · ENE trending reactivation of earlier (Jenkins, 1903). Partial weathering of primary faulting? ie. Morrison (1990) suggested that sulphides has occurred to depths of at least wide ore shoots developed where shear and 100 m (Morrison, 1990). Mining has penetrated fracture systems trending ENE cut NNE-NE below the oxidised zone only on the Gift line of trending fissures; lode (Whiting and Bowen, 1976). · E trending mineralised quartz veins and dykes within sinistral faults; and NW The principle metallic minerals associated with trending non-mineralised sinistral faults. gold are pyrite (several phases), arsenopyrite, monoclinic and hexagonal pyrrhotite, marcasite Mineralisation and chalcopyrite. Minor to rare galena, sphalerite, cubanite, digenite, covellite, Primary gold mineralisation in the Bethanga magnetite and native bismuth have been goldfield is hosted by quartz reefs with a recorded (Morrison, 1990). The gangue is dominant NNE-NE trend (Fig. 12). predominantly quartz with sericite (alteration Gold mineralisation at Bethanga occurs in halo) and local siderite veins (Morrison, 1990). narrow, massive sulphide and quartz-sulphide fissure veins within subvertical NNE-NE trending zones of intense alteration from 2- 54 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 7 Major primary gold production - Benambra Zone

PRODUCTION FIELD MINE/PROSPECT ORE PRODUCT GRADE YEARS (tonnes) (kg) (g/t)

Bethanga Bethanga Line Reef 580 28.3 48.7 1877-1879 Bethanga Empress of India Line 1580 53.2 33.7 1876-1879 Bethanga Excelsior Line 3184 55.7 17.5 1876-1886 Bethanga Gift Line 1885 60.1 31.9 1877-1890 Bethanga Bethanga Goldfields 47442+ 2176.2 1895-1905 Bethanga New Bethanga GM 8595 143.9 16.7 1907-1911 Bethanga Public Crushing Co. 4623 125.3 27.1 1876-1877 BETHANGA TOP 7 PRODUCERS TOTAL 67889+ 2642.7 1876-1911 BETHANGA GOLDFIELD TOTAL 75544+ 2909.8 1876-1910 Corryong Fenby's Reward Reef 393 18.7 47.5 1897-1911 Corryong Hopeful Corryong View 414 20.3 49.0 1897-1912 Corryong Just in Time Reef 292 19.4 66.7 1897-1909 Corryong Mt. Elliot Mine 2397 64.3 26.8 1903-1910 Corryong New Chum Reef/Dyke 761 123.5 162.3 1892?-1911 CORRYONG TOP 5 PRODUCERS TOTAL 4256 246.2 57.8 1897-1912 CORRYONG GOLDFIELD TOTAL 6339 558.5 88.1 1884?- 1916 Dart River Dark River Reef 814 17.2 21.1 1885-1889 Dart River La Mascotte Mine 954 42.5 44.5 1883-1888 Dart River Mountain View Mine 949 26.1 27.5 1885-1934 Dart River Young Australian Reef 294 11.6 39.6 1884-1904 DART RIVER TOP 4 PRODUCERS TOTAL 3221 108.1 33.6 1883-1904 DART RIVER GOLDFIELD TOTAL 7882 470.0 59.6 1881-1934 Gibbo River Saltpetre United Co. 314 4.2 13.3 1889 GIBBO RIVER TOTAL LODE 314 4.2 13.3 1889 Granite Flat Empress of India Mine 2130 59.0 27.7 1876-1884 GRANITE FLAT TOTAL LODE 3072 73.6 23.9 1876-1934 Granya Border City Reef 2432 52.0 21.4 1882-1911 Granya Bungil Reef 3933 60.4 15.4 1879-1900 Granya Endeavour Reef 685 22.2 32.4 1880-1881 Granya Granya Reef 18377 371.8 20.2 1881-1909 Granya Mt. Firebrace Reef/Dyke 6462 43.8 6.8 1879-1948 GRANYA TOP 5 PRODUCERS TOTAL 31890 550.2 17.3 1879-1948 GRANYA GOLDFIELD TOTAL 50156 1015.9 20.3 1878-1948 Jarvis Creek Golden Ball Reef/Dyke 301 3.3 11.1 1877-1878 JARVIS CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 418 7.2 17.4 1877-1907 Lightning Creek Snowy Creek Mine 574 16.3 28.4 1916-1934 LIGHTNING CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 582 16.5 28.4 ? Lower Dart River Clara Reef 152 3.8 24.7 1884-1887 Lower Dart River Morning Star Reef 410 8.3 20.2 1883-1884 Lower Dart River Pioneer Mine 266 6.7 25.1 1884-1886 LOWER DART RIVER TOP 3 PRODUCERS TOTAL 829 18.7 22.6 1883-1887 LOWER DART RIVER GOLDFIELD TOTAL 1592 42.0 26.4 1881-1887 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 55

Table 7 Major primary gold production - Benambra Zone (Cont'd)

PRODUCTION FIELD MINE/PROSPECT ORE PRODUCT GRADE YEARS (tonnes) (kg) (g/t)

Misc: Angler's Rest Leviathan Reef 505 7.7 15.3 1903 Misc: Gentle Annie Mt. Onslow Reef - 62.2 ?<1907 MISCELLANEOUS TOP 2 PRODUCERS TOTAL 505 69.9 138.4 1903-1907 MISCELLANEOUS GOLDFIELD TOTAL 616 73.5 119.4 N/A Mitta Mitta Double Knock Mine 143 32.7 228.4 1906-1914 Mitta Mitta Dream Reef 1652 108.3 65.5 ?<1898 Mitta Mitta Golden Star Mine 3656 77.0 21.1 1907-1914 Mitta Mitta Highland Chief Reef/Mine 464 36.5 78.6 1897-1903 Mitta Mitta Iona Mine 316 29.2 92.3 1933-1945 Mitta Mitta Premier Mine 1384 70.6 51.0 1899-1912 Mitta Mitta Swan's Reef 1160 72.2 62.2 ?<1898 Mitta Mitta Tallandoon Reef/Mine 1086 58.7 54.1 1897-1900 MITTA MITTA TOP 8 PRODUCERS TOTAL 11379 547.5 48.1 ?1897-1945 MITTA MITTA GOLDFIELD TOTAL 33519 1705.2 50.9 1876-1950 Mt. Wills Antiope workings 6107 284.0 46.5 ?1898-1918 Mt. Wills Democrat Reef 14281 653.7 45.8 1895-1912 Mt. Wills Gentle Annie Mine 1740 245.0 140.8 1896-1915 Mt. Wills Livingstone Reef/Tunnel 4052 203.8 50.3 1893-1924 Mt. Wills Maude & Homeward Bound Mine 27722 847.5 30.6 1899-1911 Mt. Wills Maude and Yellow Girl Mine 179409 2573.8 14.3 1932-1968 Mt. Wills Maude Reef 10794 392.9 36.4 ?1895-1923 Mt. Wills Meerschaum Mine 3555 326.5 91.8 1897-1915 Mt. Wills United Bros. Reef/ mine 52835 1059.4 20.1 1892?-1904 Mt. Wills Yellow Girl Mine 4118 384.7 93.4 1903-1915 MT. WILLS TOP 10 PRODUCERS TOTAL 304613 6971.3 22.9 1892-1968 MT. WILLS GOLDFIELD TOTAL 318445 7840.8 24.6 1892-1968 Sandy Creek A1 Odell's Mine 4 3.7 1005.8 1891-1892 Sandy Creek Conner's Reef 203 15.8 77.6 ?<1888 Sandy Creek Grasshopper Reef/Dyke 2746 83.4 30.4 ?1904-1905 Sandy Creek Honeysuckle Reef/Dyke 459 7.1 15.4 1904 Sandy Creek Morning Star Reef 0 38.9 ?<1898 SANDY CREEK TOP 5 PRODUCERS TOTAL 3413 148.8 43.6 1891-1905 SANDY CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 3429 153.7 44.8 1891-1905 Tawonga Tawonga Gold Mine 2602 18.7 7.2 1949-1952 TAWONGA GOLDFIELD TOTAL 3015 21.1 7.0 1884?-1951 THOWGLA CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 77 1.6 20.3 1897-1911 WOMBAT CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 2.1 1932 Zulu Creek Albion Reef 352 8.0 22.6 1881-1885 Zulu Creek Just-in-Time Lode 144 7.7 53.7 1881-1882 Zulu Creek Native Youth Reef 241 9.7 40.4 1882-1885 Zulu Creek (Prince) Leopold Reef 464 21.9 47.2 1881-1890 Zulu Creek Wild Boar Mine 297 11.1 37.3 1884-1886 ZULU CREEK TOP 5 PRODUCERS TOTAL 1498 58.4 39.0 1881-1890 ZULU CREEK GOLDFIELD TOTAL 2588 98.7 38.1 1881-1890 BENAMBRA ZONE TOTAL 507847 14989.8 29.5 1876-1968 56 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 8 Major gold mines - Benambra Zone

FIELD LOCATION MINERALISATION MIN HOST HOST MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH. MAJOR MINOR ORIENT LITH.

BETHANGA Bethanga Line Reef ? ? Au py Eb Empress of India Line 506750 6004450 Au py ?E/029 Eb Excelsior Line 508200 6002350 Au py ?E/034 Eb Gift Line 507350 6002350 Au, Cu py 80E/023 Eb Hamburgh Line 506850 6002700 Au py, cpy ?/032 Eb Bethanga Goldfields 507350 6002350 Au, Cu py Eb New Bethanga Gold Mine 507350 6002350 Au, Cu py Eb Public Crushing Co. ? ? Au py Eb Currajong Lode 507600 6006200 Au, Cu py 78E/025 Eb Daisy Bell (Alexander) Reef 509900 6009200 Au py, cpy ?E/025 Eb Golden Ridge Reef 510100 6009150 Au py,aspy, cpy 80NW/035-043 Eb Mountain King Lode 509550 6007300 Au py,aspy, cpy ?/050 Eb South Hamburgh Lode 506400 6006300 Au py, cpy ?/032 Eb Wallace-Bethanga Co. 507350 6002350 Au, Cu py Welcome Line 508800 6003500 Au py, cpy 80NW/032 Eb Wombat Reef 508100 6004300 Au py, cpy ?/035 Eb SUMMARY Au, Cu py, po, aspy, cpy, Eb ga, sp CORRYONG Fenby's Reward Reef 586800 5994300 Au 55-90E/350 OSs-Sg92 Hopeful Corryong View 587000 5995900 Au ?E/015 OSs (Sg92) Just in Time Reef 586800 5995500 Au py 75E/355 OSs (Sg92) Mt. Elliot Mine ? ? Au ? New Chum Reef/Dyke 588100 5997100 Au py ?/035 Sg92 SUMMARY Au py, ? . OSs, Sg92 DART RIVER Dark River Reef 569200 5957700 Au py, py, ga 60-70E/350 Oh La Mascotte Mine 569100 5953000 Au py, ga, cpy ?E/349 Oh Mountain View Mine 567700 5960500 Au py, ga, aspy, cpy, 66E/350 Oh sp Star of South Reef Au py Oh Young Australian Reef 569750 5954600 Au py ?E/345 Oh Comstock Mine 569100 5958200 Au py, cpy ?E/337 Oh Golden Crown Mine 569000 5955100 Au py, cpy Oh Great Southern Mine 568300 5960400 Au py, ga, cpy, sp, 62E/345-350 Oh aspy SUMMARY Au py, aspy, cpy, ga, Oh sp GIBBO RIVER Saltpetre United Co. Au Oh Beloka Reef 572400 5932200 Au Oh Mammoth Lode 569600 5939200 Cu, Au py, sp, ga, Sn DY (Oh) Meurant Reef 573700 5948000 Au Au ?/350 Oh Wombat Hole 561800 5929400 Au Ag, Pb, Zn, Sn, Cu Suw SUMMARY Au cpy, py, sp, ga, DY, Oh Sn GRANITE FLAT Bon Esperance Mine 539000 5950500 Au py, cpy Dlg110 Empress of India Mine 539000 5950500 Au py, cpy, sp, ga 90/290 Dlg110 Hodder's Adit (Little Nell Reef) 540650 5949650 Au py, cpy, sp, ga 90/347 Dlg110 SUMMARY Au Au, py, cpy, sp, Dlg110 ga GRANYA Border City Reef 529900 6003200 Au py, cpy, aspy, Bi 85-90NW / 056 Sg103 Bungil Reef 529600 6003200 Au py ?/043 Sg103 Endeavour Reef ? ? Au py Sg103? Granya Reef 528500 6002700 Au py, cpy, aspy, sp ?NW/043 Sg103 Mt. Firebrace Reef/Dyke 530700 6002500 Au py, cpy, aspy, sp 65NW/040 Sg103 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 57

Table 8 Major gold mines - Benambra Zone (Cont'd)

FIELD LOCATION MINERALISATION MIN HOST HOST MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH. MAJOR MINOR ORIENT LITH.

GRANYA (Cont'd) George & George Dyke/Reef 530200 6002800 Au py, aspy, cpy ?/031 Sg103 Good Friday Reef/Dyke 530400 6003200 Au py, aspy, cpy ?/025 Sg103 Maori Chief Reef/Dyke 530400 6003300 Au py, aspy, cpy ?/088 Sg103 Star of East Reef/Dyke 530500 6003800 Au py, cpy, sp 70SE/059 Sg103 SUMMARY Au py, cpy, aspy, sp, Sg103 Bi JARVIS CREEK Golden Ball Reef/Dyke 515600 5994800 Au ? ?/066 Sg SUMMARY Au py, aspy? Sg LIGHTNING CREEK Snowy Creek Mine 538500 5938500 Au py 70-80S/280, OSs ?/315 SUMMARY Au py, ? OSs, Oh LOWER DART RIVER Clara Reef 557300 5950600 Au py 70E/340 Oh Morning Star Reef 558600 5949600 Au py 90/340 Oh Pioneer Mine Au py Oh Daddy of the Dart Mine 566400 5954900 Au py Oh SUMMARY Au py, aspy, cpy Oh MISCELLANEOUS Angler's Rest: Sloans Reef 549700 5920300 Au ?/307 Dlg114 Angler's Rest: Leviathan Reef 549200 5920200 Au ?/318 Dlg114 Bunroy: Adelaide Amelia Reef Au ? Dartmouth: Dartmouth Gold Min. Au Oh? Co. Dartmouth: Dartmouth Extended Au Oh? Dinner Plain: Unknown Reef(s) 520800 5909000 Au OSn Dinner Plain: Unknown Reef(s) 523800 5908500 Au OSn Dinner Plain: Unknown Reef(s) 531300 5905700 Au OSn Gentle Annie: Mt. Onslow Reef 585900 5970600 Au ?/085 OSs Georges Creek: Jumping Moses 521400 6003300 Au 80SW/297 OSs Reef Mitta Mitta Nth: Unknown Reef(s) Au OSs? Mitta Mitta Nth: Unknown Reef(s) Au ? Mountain Creek: Unknown Reef(s) 523200 5937800 Au ? Mt. Cudgewa: Cross Lode 549200 5978600 Sn, Au 90/280 Sg111 (OSs) Mt. Feathertop Nth: Unknown 511850 5920800 Au Oh Reef(s) Strawberry Saddle: Unknown 529000 5911500 Au OSn Reef(s) The Lones: Unknown Reef(s) 534400 5917800 Au OSn The Lones: Unknown Reef(s) 536600 5919300 Au OSn Knocker: Anaconda Prospect 552300 5920300 Au Sg113? Wabba: Unknown Reef(s) Au ? Walwa: Unknown Reef(s) Au ? MITTA MITTA Double Knock Mine Au OSs Dream Reef 520700 5963400 Au py, aspy ?W/323 OSs Golden Star Mine Au OSs Highland Chief Reef/Mine Au OSs Iona Mine Au OSs Premier Mine Au 75E/320 OSs Swan's Reef 520400 5961800 Au py, aspy ?W/335 OSs Tallandoon Reef/Mine 517900 5971350 Au py, aspy 77S/278 OSs Golconda Reef/Dyke 520900 5963100 Au py, aspy ?W/327 OSs Pearson's Reef 525500 5957500 Au py, aspy, cpy 90/? OSs 58 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 8 Major gold mines - Benambra Zone (Cont'd)

FIELD LOCATION MINERALISATION MIN HOST HOST MINE/PROSPECT EAST. NORTH MAJOR MINOR ORIENT LITH.

MITTA MITTA (Cont'd) Sunbeam Reef/Dyke 520750 5962700 Au ?W/336 OSs Warrnambool Reef/Dyke 519000 5963700 Au ?SW/290 OSs SUMMARY Au py, aspy, Sb, cpy, OSs sp MT. WILLS Antiope workings 543300 5923400 Au py, aspy, ga, Sb OSs? Democrat Reef/ mine 543300 5922500 Au py, ga, Sb ?/336-358 OSs (Sg111) Gentle Annie Mine 542800 5923150 Au sp, cpy, ga, Sb 65-70W/360 Sg111 Livingstone Reef/Tunnel 543400 5923200 Au py, aspy ?/022 OSs (Sg111) Maude & Homeward Bound Mine 542200 5920600 Au py, cpy, aspy,ga, sp70- OSs 90E/000,045^ Maude and Yellow Girl Mine 542200 5920600 Au py, cpy, aspy,ga, 70- OSs sp, Sb 90E/000,045^ Maude Reef 542200 5920600 Au py, aspy ?/060 OSs Meerschaum Mine 542700 5923000 Au py, aspy, U 45-60W/360 - Sg111 015 United Bros. Reef/ mine 543200 5923700 Au py, aspy, Sb ?/350, ?/018 OSs Yellow Girl Mine 541300 5919100 Au py, aspy 65-80E/360-045OSs Golconda Mine 542100 5919900 Au py, cpy ? Spearmint Mine 543150 5922200 Au py, aspy, cpy 80-85W/360 OSs SUMMARY Au Au, py, aspy,cpy, OSs, sp, ga, Sb, Bi Sg111 SANDY CREEK A1 Odell's Mine 514200 5974900 Au py, spy, sp 90/290 OSs Conner's Reef 512700 5978700 Au 85-90/285 Sg173 Grasshopper Reef/Dyke 512600 5977000 Au 65E/007 Sg173 Honeysuckle Reef/Dyke 512800 5976800 Au 78W/007 OSs Morning Star Reef 512900 5975900 Au ?/015 OSs SUMMARY Au py, aspy, sp OSs, Sg173 SURVEYOR"S CREEK Au, Sn aspy Sg90, OSs SUMMARY TALLANGATTA VALLEY Macklan's Reef 532300 5985700 Au ? 80SW/315 Oh The Bluff Reef 534300 5981500 Au ? ?SW/318 OSs Will Reeve's Reef 532200 5983300 Au ? ?/318 OSs SUMMARY TAWONGA Tawonga Gold Mine 512300 5937800 Au ? OSs SUMMARY Au ? OSs

THOWGLA CREEK SUMMARY Au ? OSs, Sg92 ZULU CREEK Albion Reef Au py Just-in-Time Lode 572500 5950700 Au py, ga 60-70E/355 Native Youth Reef Au py 15E/333 (Prince) Leopold Reef Au py Wild Boar Mine Au py Umslopogaas Reef Au py, ga, sp 60-70E/355 SUMMARY Au py, ga, cpy, sp * Oh

NB: Refer to Figure 3 for host lithology legend. References for each site are listed in the attached digital Mine Database. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 59

Figure 12 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Bethanga goldfield

Table 9 Major mines on the Bethanga lodes

STRUCTURAL CURRAJONG HAMBURGH GIFT WELCOME DATA SETTING SOURCE

North O'Shea, 1979 Alexander? Mountain King Ext. O'Shea, 1979 Golden Ridge O'Shea, 1979 Kangaroo mine Mt.. Talgarno Nil Desperandum O'Shea, 1979

Fault? - - - - Currajong Morning Star O'Shea, 1979

E Sinistral Fault - - - - O'Shea, 1979 Empress of India Conness North Welcome DMC, 1927

NW Sinistral Fault - - - - DMC, 1927 North Gift Welcome DMC, 1927

E Sinistral Fault - - - - DMC, 1927 South Hamburgh Gift Excelsior DMC, 1927 60 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 13 Orientation of gold bearing quartz reefs from the Corryong goldfield

Alteration has a greisen style in the granitic Three phases of mineralisation are interpreted rocks at the Conness mine (Morrison, 1990). at Bethanga based upon these studies, which are: Mineral assemblages and sphalerite composition indicate that ore formation · a phase of pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold occurred at temperatures from 315-351 °C mineralisation hosted by NNE-NE trending (Williams, 1969). quartz veins within faults, which is post metamorphic (post Middle Silurian) to pre Timing of mineralisation Kiewa Fault (Lower Devonian); · a phase of pyrrhotite-sphalerite-galena - Primary gold mineralisation is post chalcopyrite gold mineralisation; and metamorphic (Ramsay & Willman, 1988). · a phase of base metal-gold Mineragraphic studies by Williams (1969) mineralisation/mineralisation hosted by indicated that there are two stages of quartz veins within E trending sinistral hydrothermal alteration, with early formed faults. These are interpreted to be pyrrhotite being altered to second stage equivalent to similarly orientated dextral colloform pyrite and marcasite. A similar study faults at Mitta Mitta, which are shown to be by Maclennan and Bloom (1984) from the Lower Devonian. Cassilis goldfield, which has a structural setting similar to Bethanga, resulted in the following A later generation of NW trending faults which paragenetic sequences: sinistrally displace the lodes is apparently non- mineralised. · pyrite, arsenopyrite and gold; · pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena; and The Bethanga gold mines are not discussed · chalcopyrite and pyrite. individually in more detail. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 61

· NNE trending acid dykes and mineralised Corryong quartz veins; · E trending porphyritic dyke (remobilisation Alluvial gold was discovered in the Corryong of mineralisation?); and District in the 1860’s (Bannear & Annear, · N trending mineralised quartz veins hosted 1995). by sinistral faulting.

Primary gold production and mining history Mineralisation

Alluvial gold was first discovered in the Primary gold mineralisation in the Corryong Cudgewa (or Tintaldra) Creek in the 1860’s. goldfield is hosted by quartz reefs and dykes Reefs had been discovered at Corryong and at with a dominant N-NNE trend (Fig. 13). Towong by 1888 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). In c.1890 the Native Youth and Mary Jane reefs Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by were discovered. During 1894 many reefs were narrow, 24-30 cm wide, quartz veins within discovered including the New Chum, Bread and fissures that either cross-cut bedding or are Sugar, Just-in-time, and the Sheoak. Peak sub-parallel to bedding (Murray, 1895a). production was short-lived and by 1907 only 10 Fergusson (1899) described fissure lodes as mines remained in the district, with the being a dull white colour, amorphous, with dark goldfield closing in 1916. There was a minor blotches and black lines of lamination, and renewal of gold mining in the 1930s. generally well mineralised with pyrite. Fergusson (1899) recognised five lode types and Primary gold production for the Corryong these are: goldfield, during the period prior to 1916, was 558.5 kg of gold from 6 339 tonnes of ore. The · decomposed quartz, mica, pyritic lode; largest producer was the New Chum mine · quartz, kaolinised feldspar, talc, iron-oxide which produced 123.5 kg of gold prior to 1891. lode; · amorphous quartz; There is currently no production or mining · quartz stringers with pyrite and a green tenements on the Corryong goldfield. talcose mineral; and · laminated dull white quartz veins. Host lithology Quartz reefs of the Corryong Goldfield occur at Primary gold mineralisation within the or near the contact of the Corryong Granite and Corryong goldfield is hosted by quartz veins the metasediments (Fergusson, 1901). The within the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OSs) major gold producing mines occur within a 3.6 and the Corryong Granite (Sg92). The Omeo km long line of N striking reefs, hosted within a Metamorphic Complex (OSs) is greenschist sinistral fault, near the granite-metasediment facies, regionally metamorphosed Ordovician contact (Fergusson, 1901). This line of lode is sediments, consisting of mica-schists, slaty known as the Fenby-Walton line (Murray, schists and minor sandstone (Murray, 1894a). 1894a) and includes the Fenby's Reward, Bread The trend of bedding is 320-340 (Towong parish And Sugar (Walton & Party) and the Just in plan geology map, undated).The Corryong time reefs. Gold shoots on the Fenby-Walton Granite (Sg92) is an S-type muscovite-biotite line pitch steeply south (Dunn, 1907a).In granite dated at ~421+/-8 Ma by Brooks and addition to the Fenby-Walton line there are Leggo (1972). There are two generations of numerous NNE trending reefs, including the dykes, trending NNE and E which cut and post- New Chum, Scarlet Pea and Ethel Jane line. date both the Omeo Metamorphic Complex and At the New Chum mine gold mineralisation is the Corryong Granite. hosted by quartz veins within a dyke. Quartz reefs hosted by NNE trending brittle fracturing Structural Setting possibly pre-dates N trending faulting, although these may represent a splay set that The regional tectonic history is as discussed in formed syn-tectonically as indicated by the the Benambra Zone overview, while a local bifurcation of the Evening Star reef (Murray, tectonic history for the Corryong goldfield is 1895a). summarised (from oldest to youngest) as follows: Gold mineralisation occurs with a moderate abundance of pyrite. The gangue is 62 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

predominantly quartz (in various textural Hopeful Corryong View forms) with a variety of other minerals, including: kaolinised feldspar, mica and talc. The Hopeful Corryong View reef was probably discovered in 1894. Details of the mine Timing of mineralisation workings are unknown. The Hopeful Corryong View reef occurs towards the northern end of There has been at least two phase of the Fenby-Walton line and strikes at 355°. mineralisation in the Corryong goldfield, which Total production from the Hopeful Corryong are: View reef was 20.3 kg of gold from 414 tonnes of ore, during the period 1897-1912, at a head · a phase of pyrite-gold mineralisation hosted grade of 49.0 g/t. by quartz veins within acid dykes in a NNE trending brittle fracture zone; and Just in time · a phase of pyrite-gold mineralisation hosted by quartz veins within N trending sinistral The Just in time reef was discovered in 1894 faults. (Bannear & Annear, 1995). Mine workings consist of two adits, winzes and drives (Dunn, Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by quartz 1907a). The Just in time reef is a 12-30 cm fissure veins within the Corryong Granite and wide fissure reef orientated at 75°E/360° hosted the Omeo Metamorphic Complex. by mica-schists orientated at 60°E/340°. The Mineralisation is therefore post Corryong gold shoot pitches steeply south at 70° (Dunn, Granite (~421+/-8 Ma by Brooks & Leggo, 1907a). Parallel lodes occur to the east and 1972), ie. post Middle Silurian. Acid dykes are west of this main lode (Dunn, 1907a). Total either truncated by mineralised faults (eg. production for the Just in time reef was 19.4 kg Fenby-Walton line) or host quartz veins (eg. of gold from 292 tonnes of ore, during the period New Chum reef). Gold mineralisation within 1897-1909, at a head grade of 66.7 g/t. NNE trending brittle fractures (eg. New Chum) are interpreted to be equivalent to a similar Mt. Elliot style mineralisation at Bethanga, which is Middle-Upper Silurian in age. Gold Details of the Mt. Elliot mine are unknown. mineralisation within N trending brittle Total production for the Mt. Elliot mine was fractures (eg. Fenby-Walton line) are 64.3 kg of gold, from 2 397 tonnes of ore, during interpreted to be equivalent to similar the period 1903-1910, at a head grade of 26.8 mineralisation at Mitta Mitta and the Dart g/t. River region, which is of known Lower Devonian age. New Chum

Corryong primary gold mines: The New Chum reef had been discovered by 1892. Details of mine workings are unknown Fenby's Reward although mining was to a depth greater than 91 m (Fergusson, 1899). The New Chum reef is Fenby's Reward reef was discovered in 1894 a fissure reef hosted by gneissic (mylonitic?) (Bannear & Annear, 1995). Mine workings granite striking at 035°. Gold mineralisation is consisted of an underlay shaft to a depth of hosted by quartz veins within an altered dyke 41 m (Murray, 1894a). The Fenby's Reward (Fergusson, 1899). Total production for the Reef is a 10-65 cm wide fissure reef orientated New Chum reef was 123.5 kg of gold from 761 at 55-90°E/355° which is part of the Fenby- tonnes of ore, during the period prior to 1892- Walton line (Murray, 1894a). Total production 1911, at a head grade of 162.3 g/t. for the Fenby's Reward reef was 18.7 kg of gold from 393 tonnes of ore, during the period 1897- Lower Dart River, Dart River and Zulu Creek 1911, at an average grade of 47.5 g/t. Alluvial gold was discovered in the Dart River region in 1861 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 63

Lower Dart River, Dart River and Zulu Creek producer was the (Prince) Leopold reef which mining history produced 21.9 kg of gold from 1881-1890.

The Whitestone reef was discovered on the There is currently no production or mining Lower Dart River goldfield in 1881 (Bannear & tenements on the Zulu Creek goldfield. Annear, 1995). The La Mascotte reef was discovered in 1883 and by 1884 there were ten Host lithology crushing plants in the Dart River Subdivision; although production from the Zulu Creek reefs Primary gold mineralisation within the Dart was retarded due to a lack of proper crushing River and Zulu Creek goldfields is hosted by facilities (Bannear & Annear, 1995). By June quartz veins within lower greenschist facies 1885 many miners had left the field because the Ordovician sediments, consisting of greywacke, deeper ore below the oxidised zone was heavily silty quartz sandstone, siltstone and shale mineralised with pyrite, which was difficult to (VandenBerg, 1976), referred to within treat. Between 1885-1887 Dart River TALLANGATTA as the Hotham Group (Oh). production halved. In mid 1888 a mining Bedding trends at 335-355°, becoming more revival began with production peaking in 1889, northerly in the east (ie. Zulu Creek goldfield). although rapidly declining from 1892 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). In the mid 1930s a minor Structural Setting revival occurred but the field was again abandoned in 1941 due to the complex nature of The regional tectonic history is as discussed in the ore and the absence of a suitable plant the Benambra Zone overview, while a local (Bannear & Annear, 1995). tectonic history for the Dart River region goldfields is summarised (from oldest to Lower Dart River primary gold production youngest) as follows:

Primary gold production for the Lower Dart · N trending dyke swarm, which is a southern River goldfield, during the period 1881-1887, continuation of the Tintaldra dyke swarm; was 42.0 kg of gold from 1 592 tonnes of ore. · N trending mineralised fissure veins and The largest producer was the Morning Star reef bedding parallel faults; which produced 8.3 kg of gold from 1883-1884. · ENE trending non-mineralised faults? (Hamilton, 1967); and There is currently no production or mining · N-NNE non-mineralised dextral fault tenements on the Lower Dart River goldfield. (Hamilton, 1967), which appears to be a southerly continuation of a fault that Dart River primary gold production dextrally displaces the Nariel granite (Sg94).

Primary gold production for the Dart River Mineralisation goldfield, during the period 1881-1934, was 470.0 kg of gold from 7 882 tonnes of ore. The Primary gold mineralisation in the Dart River largest producer was the La Mascotte mine and Zulu Creek goldfields is hosted by quartz which produced 42.5 kg of gold from 1883-1888. veins with a dominant N-NNW trend (Fig. 14).

There is currently a mining tenement on the Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by 0.2- Dart River goldfield which is MRC 3458 5.0 m wide quartz veins within pinching and (Mountain View mine), from which minor gold swelling strike faults (Grieve, 1938) sub- has been produced. The Mountain View mine parallel to bedding (Herman, 1902). The Dart was the second largest producer for the Dart River and Zulu Creek lodes occur within a 5 km River goldfield with 26.1 kg from 934 tonnes wide and 16 km long belt which extends during the period 1885-1934. southwards to the Mammoth Complex.

Zulu Creek primary gold production Gold mineralisation is often associated with dykes. Dykes are apparently confined to Primary gold production for the Zulu Creek narrow laterally extensive zones. The dyke goldfield, during the period 1881-1890, was 98.7 swarm which hosts gold mineralisation in the kg of gold from 2 588 tonnes of ore. The largest south west of the Dart River goldfield extends northwards to Mt. St. John and McNamara 64 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 14 Orientation of gold bearing reefs for the Dart River goldfield

Crossing where it is intruded by the Lower Victoria (major), Homeward Bound-Dark River - Devonian Mt. Mittamatite granite (Dlg98). Spread Eagle (major), Mountain Bell-Young This dyke swarm was referred to by Bolger Australia-Virtue (major), Dark Favourite (1984) as the Tintaldra-Cudgewa dyke swarm. (minor), Glengarry-Wierdale (major) and The These dykes extend southwards to the Crown (minor). Lodes in the NW of the field Mammoth Complex, which is interpreted to be are separated by at least 1 km from the SE of a Lower Devonian age. A dyke swarm to the lodes and occur within a 1 km wide belt. There east of the main swarm strikes through the are one major and two minor lines of lode. upper reaches of Log Bridge Creek and is From east to west these are Golden Bell dextrally displaced 4-6 km by the Cudgewa (minor), New Discovery-Mountain View (major) Creek fault. and Hillcrest (minor). Hamilton (1967) considered these lodes to be separated by a Quartz reefs are relatively narrow, but are fault striking 025° which contained a pale green laterally extensive and lines of lode are felspathoid intrusion on its eastern side. traceable in excess of 5 km (Grieve, 1938). Gold Bedding dips west to the east of this fault, shoots are generally small although a 180 m implying a major drag structure. The long shoot was mined from the Legacy claim movement on this fault is interpreted to be (Grieve, 1938). Quartz reefs belong to one of dextral (at least the major movement) which three groups: implies that the Dart River lodes in the SE of the goldfield are not the same as those in the · lenticular fissure reefs; NW of the goldfield and that extensions of these · bedded reefs; and lodes are currently undiscovered. · dyke associated reefs. Oxidation extends from a depth of 1.3 m to an In the south east of the Dart River goldfield average depth of 18 m (Grieve, 1938). Mining there are four major and two minor lines of lode has generally been restricted to the oxidised within a 2 km wide belt. From east to west zone, except at the La Mascotte, Dart River and these are the La Mascotte-Golden Crown- Glengarry mines (Kenny, 1946). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 65

hosted significant gold-base metal The La Mascotte line has significantly higher mineralisation (Degeling, 1974); copper than the other lines and elevated levels · at Granite Flat (10 km east of the Lower of copper, lead and zinc appear to increase near Dart River goldfield) E-trending brittle faults (Hamilton, 1967). The Umslopogaas fracturing and associated diorite dykes host line of lode also has elevated copper levels. gold-base metal mineralisation; and Herman (1902) reported massive 12-15 cm wide · at Granya a N-trending mineralised galena-pyrite veins cross cutting sulphidic lode porphyry dyke is stitched by the Lower at the Dart River mine. Devonian Thologolong granite (Dlg102).

The principle metallic minerals associated with Lower Dart River primary gold mines: gold is a high percentage of pyrite and localised abundances of galena, chalcopyrite, Clara arsenopyrite and sphalerite. Sulphidic lodes may occur as pockets within a predominantly The Clara reef had been discovered by 1884. quartz gangue and also as remobilised massive Mine workings consisted of an adit, with veins. There is a general absence of workings extending to a depth of 40 m (Kenny, arsenopyrite for the Dart River region lodes 1946). The Clara reef is orientated at 70°E/340° compared with the Bethanga, Granya and Mt. and is sub-parallel to bedding (Dunn, 1906). Wills goldfields. Total production for the Clara reef was 3.8 kg of gold from 152 tonnes of ore, during the period Timing of mineralisation 1884-1887, at a head grade of 24.7 g/t.

The structural setting of the Dart River Morning Star goldfield is similar to the Harrietville goldfield although mineralisation type and abundance The Morning Star reef had been discovered by are distinctly different. There has been two 1883. Mine workings consisted of an adit, two phases of mineralisation in the Dart River winzes and a drive to a depth in excess of 32 m region goldfields, which are: (Dunn, 1907a). The Morning Star reef is orientated at 90°/340°, sub-parallel to bedding · a phase of pyrite-galena-chalcopyrite- (Dunn, 1907a). Total production for the arsenopyrite-sphalerite-gold mineralisation Morning Star reef was 8.3 kg of gold from 410 hosted by quartz veins, within N-NNW tonnes of ore, during the period 1883-1884, at a trending faults; and head grade of 20.2 g/t. · a phase of galena-pyrite remobilisation associated with local and regional faulting. Pioneer

The age of the Dart River region gold-base Details of the Pioneer mine are unknown. Total metal mineralisation is Lower Devonian and production was 6.7 kg of gold from 266 tonnes some of the evidence for this date is as follows: of ore, during the period 1884-1886, at a head grade of 25.1 g/t. · gold mineralisation is hosted by quartz reefs within faults post dating, but of the same Dart River primary gold mines: tectonic event as the N-trending Dart River porphyry dyke swarm; Dark River · the N-trending Dart River dyke swarm has been intruded by the Lower Devonian, I-type The Dark (Dart) River reef had been discovered Mt. Mittamatite granite (Dlg 98); by 1885. Mine workings consisted of an · at Pine Mountain (10-15 km north of Mt. internal shaft and an adit to a depth of 43 m Mittamatite), Woolard (1979) demonstrated (Kenny, 1946). The Dark River reef is that N-trending and E-trending brittle orientated at 60-70°E/350° and was hosted by fracturing were overprinted by the NE - regularly bedded slates and sandstones (Kenny, trending Walwa dyke swarm. The Walwa 1946). The Dark River reef had pockets of dyke swarm has been intruded by the Lower disseminated pyrite, galena and sphalerite Devonian Pine Mountain granite (Dlg99); (Herman, 1902) as well as later remobilised · at Ournie (10 km north of Pine Mountain) N - massive veins of galena up to 20 cm wide trending and E-trending brittle fractures (Kenny, 1946). The total production for the Dark River reef was 17.2 kg of gold from 814 66 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

tonnes of ore, during the period 1897-1911, at a Primary gold mineralisation within the Granite head grade of 21.1 g/t. Flat goldfield is hosted by quartz veins within the Lower Devonian I-type Banimboola Quartz La Mascotte Diorite (Dlg110), which is a massive biotite- hornblende quartz diorite (Bolger, 1984). The The La Mascotte reef had been discovered by Banimboola Quartz Diorite has been cut by acid 1883. Mine workings consisted of a series of and basic dykes. The acid dykes are intimately adits, shafts, drives and winzes to a depth of associated with brittle fracturing and a phase of 9 m (Kenny, 1946). The La Mascotte reef is a gold mineralisation (Bates, 1986). dyke associated fissure reef sub-parallel to bedding. Dykes on the La Mascotte line are Structural Setting syn-post mineralisation (Kenny, 1946). Total production for the La Mascotte mine was 42.5 The Banimboola Quartz Diorite has undergone kg of gold from 954 tonnes of ore, during the brittle fracturing, faulting, quartz veining and period 1883-1888, at a head grade of 44.5 g/t. the intrusion of dykes within five structural trends (Bates, 1986), which are summarised as Mountain View follows:

The Mountain View reef , formerly known as · E trending mineralised quartz veins and the Alpine Star lode, was discovered by Polmear acid-dykes hosted by faults; in 1884 (Kenny, 1946). Mine workings included · ENE trending quartz veins and acid-dykes; a small open pit, small shafts and adit and · N trending quartz veining and faulting; drives. Mining extended to a depth of 32 m · NW-NNW trending mineralised quartz veins (Kenny, 1946). The Mountain View reef is and mafic dykes hosted by faults; and orientated at 66°E/350° and consists of at least · WNW trending non-mineralised quartz three pinching and swelling lodes of 1.5-5.0 m veining and faulting. wide lenticules, composed of quartzite, quartz, pyrite, minor arsenopyrite, traces of copper and The E-trending quartz veins are displaced by N, brecciated fragments of slate (Kenny, 1946). NW-NNW and WNW faulting (Bates, 1986). The Mountain View reef is greater than 1.6 km long and bifurcates at both ends (Kenny, 1946). Mineralisation Total production for the Mountain View mine was 42.5 kg of gold from 954 tonnes of ore, Primary gold mineralisation in the Granite Flat during the period 1883-1888, at a head grade of goldfield is hosted by quartz reefs with a 44.5 g/t. dominant NNW trend (Fig. 15).

Granite Flat Gold mineralisation is hosted by narrow, 0.5- 20 cm wide, quartz veins (Cuffley, 1987) within Alluvial gold was discovered in the Granite Flat 2-3 m wide fault/breccia zones and fissures that region in 1852 (Convey, 1980). are laterally extensive for distances up to 500 m (Cuffley, 1987). Bates (1986) reported that Primary gold production and mining history mineralisation was hosted by fissure veins and breccias, and that the major ore zones are Copper ore was reported from Granite Flat in composed of angular to surrounded breccia 1870 (Cochrane, 1982) and gold-copper lodes fragments of vein quartz. Cuffley (1987) were recorded by the Mining Registrar in 1875. recorded three styles of mineralisation, these The Granite Flat goldfield has been worked being: intermittently from c.1870-1934. · quartz sulphide-carbonate veinlets; The primary gold production for the Granite · quartz stockworks; and Flat goldfield, during the period 1876-1934, was · quartz-ankerite stringers. 73.6 kg of gold from 3 072 tonnes of ore. The largest producer was the Empress of India mine The principle metallic minerals associated with which produced 59.0 kg of gold from 1876-1884. gold mineralisation are abundant pyrite and Host lithology chalcopyrite, with minor sphalerite, galena, GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 67

Figure 15 Orientation of gold and copper bearing reefs from the Granite Flat goldfield

tennantite and bornite (Bates, 1986). The chlorite, sericite and quartz border the major gangue is predominantly quartz with dolomite- veins (Cuffley, 1987). ankerite, chlorite and sericite (Cuffley, 1987). Granya Alteration is estimated to have occurred at temperatures below 300° C since chlorite and Alluvial gold was discovered at Cottontree K-feldspar are in equilibrium (Cuffley, 1987). Creek c.1868 (Bannear & Annear, 1995).

Timing of mineralisation Primary gold production and mining history

Gold mineralisation occurs within NW trending Reefs were discovered on Cottontree Creek in and E trending quartz fissure veins, hosted by 1878 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). By the early the Lower Devonian Banimboola quartz diorite. 1880s the Granya goldfield reefs were mined to There have been at least two pulses of the oxidised zone, revealing heavily pyritic ore mineralisation and two dominant host types of from which gold was difficult to extract. gold mineralisation, which are: O'Malley (1936) noted a 25-50 % reduction in recovered gold from sulphidic ore as compared · an early phase hosted by translucent, vuggy, to ore from the oxidised zone. quartz veins and stringers with pyrite - chalcopyrite mineralisation carrying most of Gold production for the Granya goldfield the gold. An alteration zone of dolomite- gradually declined until 1914, with a minor ankerite, chlorite, sericite and quartz border revival by the Mt. Firebrace Co. from 1937- the major veins (Cuffley, 1987); and 1948. · a later phase of milky white chalcedonic quartz/dolomite-ankerite veins and stringers Primary gold production for the Granya which carried minor gold (Cuffley, 1987). An goldfield, during the period 1878-1948, was 1 alteration zone of dolomite-ankerite, 015.9 kg of gold from 50 156 tonnes of ore. The 68 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 16 Orientation of gold and copper bearing reefs from the Granya goldfield

largest producer was the Granya reef which · NE trending quartz veins hosting an initial produced 371.8 kg of gold from 1881-1909. phase of gold mineralisation and associated There is currently no production or mining acid dykes?; tenements on the Granya goldfield. · E trending mineralised quartz veins; · N trending porphyritic dyke hosting quartz Host lithology veining and gold mineralisation, associated with similiarly orientated faulting; Primary gold mineralisation within the Granya · NE trending Firebrace Shear Zone goldfield is hosted by quartz veins within an S- apparently dextrally rotates the N trending type biotite-muscovite adamellite (Price, 1969), porphyritic dyke; and known as the Granya Adamellite (Sg103). · NE trending quartz veins hosting a phase of There are three generations of dykes which cut gold mineralisation and associated acid the Granya Adamellite and these have NNW, dykes? NE and N trends. The NE and N trending dykes are associated with gold mineralisation. The Mt. Firebrace Shear is stitched by the Lower Devonian Thologolong batholith (Dlg Structural Setting 102).

The Granya Adamellite is separated from the Mineralisation Koetong Adamellite (Sg101) by the Mt. Firebrace Shear, which appears to dextrally Gold mineralisation in the Granya goldfield is rotate a laterally extensive porphyritic dyke to hosted by NE trending quartz veins (Fig. 16). be sub-parallel to the Mt. Firebrace Shear. The timing of brittle fracturing and the The Granya gold deposits occur in 30-90 cm emplacement of acid dykes is unknown. An wide quartz veins which are laterally extensive interpretation is summarised as follows: for distances up to 1.5 km (O’Malley, 1936). Ore shoots within NE trending reefs pitch SW · NW trending dykes; indicating dextral remobilisation of GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 69

mineralisation associated with dextral included gold, pyrite, arsenopyrite, movement on the Mt. Firebrace Shear. chalcopyrite, bismuth and selenium (Easton, 1912). Total production was 52.0 kg of gold The Star of the East reef (which is orientated at from 2 432 tonnes of ore, during the period 70°SE/059°) is truncated by a porphyritic dyke 1882-1911, at a head grade of 21.4 g/t. associated with the Maori Chief claim (Easton, 1912). The Maori Chief reef (and other Bungil northerly reefs) is a network of quartz veins intruding the footwall of the N trending The Bungil reef had been discovered by 1879. porphyritic dyke. Mineralisation at the Star of Mine workings consisted of an interconnecting East reef (and other north easterly reefs) shaft and an adit. The Bungil reef is a 18-45 cm consisted of pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite average width quartz vein striking 043° and sphalerite (Easton, 1912). (Easton, 1912). Total production was 60.4 kg of gold from 3 933 tonnes of ore, during the period The principle metallic minerals associated with 1879-1900, at a head grade of 15.4 g/t. gold mineralisation are abundant, up to 30% sulphides of predominantly pyrite and Endeavour arsenopyrite (O’Malley, 1936), with localised concentrations of chalcopyrite and very minor Details of the mining and the geology of the sphalerite (Kenny, 1937b). Mineralisation at Endeavour reef are unknown. Total production the Star of East reef (and other north easterly was 22.2 kg of gold from 685 tonnes of ore, reefs) consisted of pyrite, arsenopyrite, during the period 1880-1881, at a head grade of chalcopyrite and sphalerite (Easton, 1912). The 32.4 g/t. gangue is predominantly quartz although fluorite was recorded from the Tin Hut and Granya Granya View lines (Easton, 1912). The Granya reef had been discovered by 1881 The presence of fluorite implies hydrothermal and was worked by various parties including, alteration at 150-300°C (although gold may Mariner, Maritana, Granya and Just in time have been introduced at a higher temperature). (Easton, 1912). Mine workings consisted of a series of shafts, underlay shafts and drives Timing of mineralisation (Easton, 1912) to a depth of nearly 150 m (Convey, 1980). The Granya reef is a 8-45 cm There are at least two phases of gold wide quartz reef striking 043°, with shoots mineralisation at Granya (O’Malley, 1936) pitching south-west, which implies dextral which are as follows: movement (at least late stage) of the Firebrace Shear Zone. Mineralisation included significant · an early phase with a pyrite-arsenopyrite - copper and minor sphalerite (Easton, 1912). gold assemblage; and Total production was 371.8 kg of gold from · a later chalcopyrite rich phase with coarser 18 377 tonnes of ore, during the period 1881- gold (apparently hosted by acid-dykes). 1909, at a head grade of 20.2 g/t.

The timing of gold mineralisation is Mt. Firebrace intrinsically linked to determining the timing of acid dykes and movement of the faults. Gold The Mt. Firebrace reef had been discovered by mineralisation/remobilisation is post Middle 1879. Mine workings included surface Silurian and pre-Lower Devonian Thologolong workings consisting of a 85 m long and 15 m batholith (Dlg102). deep open cut and three adits (O'Malley, 1936). The Mt. Firebrace reef is sub-parallel to an Granya primary gold mines: acid-dyke (Kenny, 1937b) orientated at 60°NW/040° (Easton, 1912) and is hosted by the Border City Mt. Firebrace Shear Zone. Three small shoots were worked to a combined length of 22 m The Border City reef had been discovered by (Kenny, 1937b). Total production was 43.8 kg 1882. Mine workings included a 400 m long of gold from 6462 tonnes of ore, during the open pit. The Border City reef is a 40 cm period 1879-1948, at a head grade of 6.8 g/t. average width quartz vein orientated at 85- 90°NW/055° (Easton, 1912). Mineralisation Mitta Mitta 70 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

(Mahoney, 1915) and occasional fluorite Alluvial gold was discovered in Tallandoon (Whitelaw, 1915); Creek in 1852 (Convey, 1980). · E trending auriferous quartz-augite-diorite dykes with patches of pyrite Mahoney Primary gold production and mining history (1915); and · N trending quartz-porphyry dyke. Mahoney A quartz reef was discovered at the Mitta Mitta (1915) described these dyke as having a River and Snowy Creek junction in 1869 but it silicified groundmass. was not until 1895, when quartz reefs were discovered in the Eskdale-Tallandoon area that Structural Setting a reefing rush commenced on the Mitta Mitta goldfield. Peak production for the Mitta Mitta The regional tectonic history is as discussed in goldfield was during the 1890s and by 1903 the Benambra Zone overview, while a local mining had ceased in the Eskdale-Tallandoon tectonic history for the Mitta Mitta goldfield is area although south west at Mt. Elmo mining summarised (from oldest to youngest) as continued into the 1910s. A brief resurgence of follows: mining occurred in the late 1930s at Eskdale and the during the 1940s at Mt. Elmo (Bannear · NW-NNW trending non-mineralised granitic & Annear, 1995). dykes; · NW trending pegmatite-greisen dykes Primary gold production for the Mitta Mitta hosting tin mineralisation.; goldfield, during the period 1876-1950, was · NW-NNW trending mineralised quartz reefs 1705.2 kg of gold from 33 519 tonnes of ore. hosted by reverse faults?, cross-cutting tin The largest producer was the Dream reef which bearing dykes; produced 108.3 kg of gold during an unknown · E trending diorite dykes and mineralised period of time prior to 1898. quartz reefs; and · N trending quartz porphyry hosted by a There are currently two mining tenements on sinistral fault, with associated mineralised the Mitta Mitta goldfield. These are MRC 2601 quartz veining. (Lone Hand) and MRC 2600. Mineralisation Host lithology Primary gold mineralisation in the Mitta Mitta Primary gold mineralisation within the Mitta goldfield is hosted by quartz veins with a Mitta goldfield is hosted by quartz veins within dominant NW-NNW trend (Fig. 17). A the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OSs). The comparison with tin bearing reefs and dykes Mitta Mitta goldfield can be sub-divided into (Fig. 18) reveals that tin mineralisation four sections. These are Tallandoon, east of occurred within a simpler structural Mitta Mitta, Eskdale and Mt. Elmo. The strike environment (see Chapter 3.3). of bedding planes in the Tallandoon section is 320-330° with a northerly pitch (Kenny, 1915), · Gold mineralisation is hosted by 5-15 cm while in the Eskdale section there is a similar wide quartz veins, generally at an obtuse strike but with a southerly pitch (Whitelaw, angle to bedding although a few reefs are 1915). sub-parallel to bedding (eg. Swan line, Golconda-Dream line). Whitelaw (1915) There are four generations of dykes which considered the variable strike of quartz reefs truncate and post-date the Omeo Metamorphic (sometimes referred to as squibs) was due to Complex (Whitelaw et al., 1915). These are: the contraction of adjacent dyke masses. These reefs are younger than the pegmatite · variable NW trending non-mineralised dykes, which host minor gold mineralisation granitic dykes. These dykes contain (Kenny, 1915). A later generation of E abundant tourmaline and minor garnets trending reefs were small but rich and (Whitelaw, 1915); generally pitch east (Kenny, 1915). The N NW trending pegmatite-greisen dykes. The trending reefs contained little gold but tin bearing dykes strike 315°. These dykes have a crushed quartz mosaic groundmass GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 71

Figure 17 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Mitta Mitta goldfield

Figure 18 Orientation of tin bearing reefs and dykes from the Mitta Mitta goldfield and tinfield

72 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

significant local concentrations of other metallic Dream reef is a 5-20 cm wide laminated quartz minerals such as antimony. reef (Herman, 1898), orientated at 80°W/323°, sub-parallel to bedding (Whitelaw, 1915). The The Mt. Elmo area has short high grade shoots reef pitches slightly north (Herman, 1898). A which occur within two lines of lode known as 7.5 m wide feldspathic dyke truncates (and the Millard and Smyth line and the Shea line therefore post-dates) the reef (Herman, 1898). (Herman, 1898). Total production was 108.3 kg of gold from 1 652 tonnes of ore, during an unspecified Mining usually ceased at the water-table. period of time prior to 1898, at an average grade of 65.5 g/t. The principle metallic minerals associated with gold are arsenopyrite and pyrite with minor Premier concentrations (from a separate phase of mineralisation) of chalcopyrite, antimony, The Premier reef had been discovered by 1899. sphalerite (black jack) and galena. The gangue Mine workings consisted of an 80 m long open is predominantly quartz. pit and four shafts to a maximum depth of 41 m (Herman, 1898). The Premier reef is a 15 cm Timing of mineralisation wide quartz reef orientated at 75°E/320° (Herman, 1898). Total production was 70.6 kg There are three phases of gold of gold from 1 384 tonnes of ore, during the mineralisation/remobilisation at the Mitta period 1899-1912, at a head grade of 51.0 g/t. Mitta goldfield, which are: Swans · a phase of arsenopyrite-pyrite-gold mineralisation hosted by quartz veins within The discovery date of Swans reef is unknown. NW-NNW trending faults. This phase is the Details of mine workings are unknown, same as the major phase at the Harrietville although mining continued below the water goldfield.This first phase is post Mitta Mitta level (Whitelaw, 1915). The Swans reef is a 30 dyke swarm (Middle Silurian), and is pre- cm wide average quartz reef striking 335° Lower Devonian; (Whitelaw, 1915). Total production was 72.2 kg · a phase of pyrite-antimony-chalcopyrite- of gold from 1 160 tonnes of ore, during an sphalerite-galena gold unknown period of time before 1898, at a head mineralisation/remobilisation associated grade of 62.2 g/t. with E trending diorite dykes; and · a phase of pyrite-antimony-chalcopyrite- Tallandoon sphalerite-galena gold mineralisation/ remobilisation associated with N trending The Tallandoon reef had been discovered by porphyritic dyke.This dyke has been 1897. Mine workings consisted of a number of sinistrally faulted by the Tallangatta Shear shafts, winzes and drives (Kenny, 1915). The Zone and stitched by the Lower Devonian Tallandoon reef is a quartz fissure lode Thologolong granite. This dyke is equivalent orientated at 77°S/278° and was truncated by a to dykes of the Lower Devonian Dart River flat normal fault orientated at 27N/270° with dyke swarm the southerly continuation being the Mystery reef (Kenny, 1934). Three shoots were mined. Mitta Mitta primary gold mines: Shoots within east west reefs have an easterly pitch (Kenny, 1934). The details of a number of major producers from the Mitta Mitta Goldfield and Tinfield are Doctors unknown. These are the Double Knock mine, Golden Star mine, Highland Chief reef and the The Doctors reef had been discovered by 1898. Iona mine. Details of mine workings are unknown, although they were to a depth of 33 m Dream (Whitelaw, 1915). The Doctors reef is a 10 cm wide quartz reef striking 293°. Mineralisation The discovery date of the Dream (My Dream) included antimony and sphalerite (Whitelaw, reef is unknown. Mine workings consisted of 1915). 260 m of surface workings, a shaft to 79 m depth and an adit (Hermann, 1898). The Golconda GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 73

Mt. Wills The Golconda reef had been discovered by 1903. Mine workings consisted of two shafts and an Alluvial gold was discovered in Lower Wombat adit to a depth below the water-table. The Creek in 1861 (Flett, 1979). Golconda reef is a laminated quartz reef (Herman, 1898), average width 26-30 cm, Primary gold production striking 327° dipping steeply west; which is sinistrally truncated by a fault/ porphyritic Stanniferous reefs were discovered in 1888 and dyke striking 010° (Whitelaw, 1915). The auriferous reefs were discovered in 1891 western portion of the reef pitches south and is (Bannear & Annear, 1995). A major production auriferous, whereas the eastern reef has only period of the Mt. Wills goldfield, from 1892- minor gold (Whitelaw, 1915) indicating that 1897 coincided with the temporary demise of gold was remobilised (and other mineralisation the Mines Department due to the depression introduced) associated with N trending faulting. and as a consequence it is impossible to determine the gold production for a number of Pearson companies. Gold mining gradually declined from 1897-1918 and was followed by a The discovery of Pearson's reef is unknown. significant mining revival in 1932, with the This reef was reworked by the Adelaide Mitta commencement of mining by the Maude and Tin Mining Co. in 1923. Mine workings Yellow Girl Co., whose leases encompassed the consisted of an open cut and an adit (Kenny, entire Glen Wills and Sunnyside goldfields. 1923) to a depth of 18 m (Baragwanath, 1923). The Maude and Yellow Girl Co. operated from Pearson's reef is a sub-vertical reef consisting of 1932-1952. Tributers worked the Maude and botryoidal limonite within a quartz matrix. The Yellow Girl lease from 1953-1968. shoot is 33 m long and mineralisation consisted of pyrite, arsenopyrite and minor chalcopyrite Primary gold production for the Mt. Wills (Kenny, 1923). goldfield, during the period 1892-1968, was 7 840.8 kg of gold from 318 445 tonnes of ore. Sunbeam The largest producer was the Maude and Yellow Girl mine which produced 2 573.8 kg of The discovery date and details of mine gold from 1932-1968. workings for the Sunbeam reef are unknown. The Sunbeam reef is approximately 200 m There is currently no production from the Mt. south west of the Golconda reef. The reef is Wills goldfield although this area is covered by orientated at 87°NE/336° and is sinistrally mining tenements. These are MIN 4428, MIN truncated by a fault/porphyritic dyke striking 4576, MIN 4753, MIN 4921, and MIN 4922. 010° (Whitelaw, 1915). Host lithology Warrnambool Primary gold mineralisation within the Mt. The Warrnambool reef had been discovered by Wills goldfield is hosted by quartz veins within 1894. Mine workings consisted of shafts and the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OSs) and the drives to a depth of 33 m. The Warrnambool Mt. Wills Granite (Sg111). The Omeo reef is two lines of reef (Herman, 1898) Metamorphic Complex (OSs) is greenschist belonging to two intimately related separate facies, regionally metamorphosed Ordovician phases of mineralisation. The Warrnambool sediments, consisting of mica schists, slaty No.1 reef is hosted by a 0.3-1.8 m wide dyke schists and minor sandstone (Murray 1894) striking 280°, with gold hosted by quartz veins which trend at 320-340°. The Mt. Wills Granite within the dyke (Herman, 1898). The (Sg111) is a felsic S-type muscovite-biotite Warrnambool No.2 reef is 300 m south west of granite dated at ~417+/-17 Ma by Richards and the No.1 reef, striking at at 010° and truncating Singleton (1981). There are numerous dykes a W trending dyke (Hermann, 1898). which truncate and post-date both the Omeo Metamorphic Complex and the Mt. Wills granite. A summary of these dykes is as follows:

· NW trending granitic dykes and pegmatites; 74 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 19 Orientation of gold bearing reefs from the Mt. Wills goldfield

· NNE trending dykes; and Mineralisation · isolated porphyritic dykes and diorite dykes, which truncate pegmatites and reefs (Crohn, Primary gold mineralisation in the Mt Wills 1958), which are probably equivalent to the goldfield is hosted by quartz veins within a regional N trending and E trending dykes. range of N-NE trends (Fig. 19) reflecting a more complex system of shears and fissures, Structural Setting composed of fault and joint sets of different ages than for tin mineralisation (Fig. 20). The regional tectonic history is as discussed in the Benambra Zone overview, while a local Gold mineralisation is hosted by 7-100 cm wide tectonic history for the Mt. Wills goldfield is quartz reefs (Dunn, 1907e) within a 1-2 km summarised (from oldest to youngest) as wide and 5-6 km long zone, comprising a follows: complex system of shears and fissures at or near the contact between the Mt. Wills granite · NW-NNE trending granitic dykes hosting tin and the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (Crohn, mineralisation; 1958). · N-NNE trending mineralised quartz veins; · NNE-NE trending mineralised quartz reefs Dunn (1907e) considered that there are three which in places truncate N trending veins, principle lines of lode, these being the Antiope - although this relationship is often obscure Mt. Moran line, United Bros.-Democrat line and (Crohn, 1958); the Gentle Annie-Samaritan line. Crohn (1958) · E trending non-mineralised faults (Crohn, considered that there are two main trends of 1958); and reefs, both dipping 70-90° east, these being the · NNW trending non-mineralised faults Yellow Girl-Homeward Bound-Livingstone line (Lidgey, 1894). with a northerly strike and the Bartletts-Four Brothers-Antiope-portion of United Bros. line with a north easterly strike. Intense mineralisation alternated in a zig-zag pattern GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 75

Figure 20 Orientation of tin bearing reefs and dykes from the Mt. Wills goldfield

between these lines. In addition to these two blue quartz lodes possibly post-date the brown sets of lines is a third set orientated at 45- lodes. 75°W/360° which showed characteristics of tension gashes rather than shears. These reefs In addition to fissure veins there are reefs have been displaced by later non-mineralised associated with dykes and spurry formations. faults. Dykes associated with reefs include the Bulletin and Anaconda (Lidgey, 1894) where gold has Two major types of lode have been detected on occurred within pyrite veins in decomposed the Mt. Wills goldfield, which are: (greisenised?) dykes. Dunn (1907e) observed that spurs (or tension gashes) were commonly · fissure filling "brown lodes" with ferruginous richer than ordinary lodes. mineralised vughs; and · replacement type? "blue lodes" with Depth of oxidation varies from 10-33 m to unreplaced quartz seams and patches of pug 100 m in the vicinity of major shear zones and brecciated country rock and finely (Crohn, 1958). disseminated sulphides (Crohn, 1958). The principle metallic minerals associated with Brown lodes include Mt. Moran and gold are pyrite and arsenopyrite (comprising Livingstone mine. There are a number of 3-4% of the total gangue) and localised bluish quartz lodes (blue lodes?) associated with occurrences of chalcopyrite, galena, stibnite, chalcopyrite which include the Golden Top and andorite, miarygyte, freibergite and sphalerite the Livingstone mine, which was originally (Birch, 1981). The gangue is predominantly known as the True Blue mine (Rosales, 1897). quartz, sometimes associated with sericite and An interpretation of the lodes is that blue chlorite, although there is a general absence of quartz lodes generally trend 025-040°, whereas alteration haloes (Crohn, 1958). brown fissure lodes trend 002-020°. By utilising the observations of Crohn (1958) the 76 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Figure 21 Orientation of gold bearing reefs and dykes from the Sandy Creek goldfield

The presence of a silver-lead stibnite · a silver-sulphosalt phase rich phase, hosted assemblage (Birch, 1981) implies depositional by N trending faulting. temperatures of this phase to be less than 300°C (Evans, 1987). Sandy Creek

Timing of mineralisation Alluvial gold mining commenced in Sandy Creek in 1854 (Convey, 1980). There have been at least two phases of gold mineralisation/remobilisation. Birch (1981) Primary gold production suggested that an initial pyrite-arsenopyrite - gold phase was common to the entire field and Reefs were discovered in the Sandy Creek that a late phase of silver-lead-stibnite region in 1877 (Convey, 1980). The major (sulphosalt) occupied fractures associated with production period was from 1879-1887 and the consolidation of the Mt. Wills granite. The during this period of time, 3 758 tonnes of ore silver-sulphosalt mineral assemblages are was crushed at Crowes battery for a return of hosted by northerly trending fracture system 207.8 kg of gold (Convey, 1980). A few probably due to Lower Devonian east west companies such as the British and Australian compression. Three phases of gold Gold Mining Co. worked the Sandy Creek mineralisation are interpreted at Mt. Wills goldfield lodes intermittently until the 1930s. which are as follows: In 1979 mining recommenced at the A1 Odell mine (Convey, 1980) and has continued · a pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold phase deposited intermittently until the present day. in quartz veins hosted by N-NNE trending brittle fractures; Primary gold production for the Sandy Creek · a chalcopyrite-gold rich phase in quartz goldfield, during the period 1887?-1905, was veins hosted by NE trending brittle 153.7 kg of gold from 3 429 tonnes of ore. The fractures; and largest producer was the Grasshopper reef/dyke GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 77

which produced 83.4 kg of gold from prior to Mineralisation 1904-1905. Primary gold mineralisation in the Sandy There is currently one mining tenement on the Creek goldfield is hosted by N and E trending Sandy Creek goldfield, MIN 4729 (A1 Odell dykes and quartz veins (Fig. 21). mine). Production records for the A1 Odell mine are incomplete. From 1891-1892, 3.7 kg of Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by N gold was produced from 3.7 tonnes of ore at a trending pegmatite dykes (in the absence of phenomenal grade of 1 000 g/t, which adds quartz veins), E trending dykes and quartz credence to the claim by Williams (pers comm veins and by NW trending quartz veins. At the 1995), a joint-owner of the A1 Odell mine, that Grasshopper mine there are 1.3-3.0 m wide the "old-timers ignored ore less than 1 oz/ton". pinch and swell dykes. Gold shoots at the Grasshopper mine pitch south at 66°, within a Host lithology dyke orientated at 65°E/005°. Gold mineralisation at the A1 Odells mine is hosted Primary gold mineralisation within the Sandy by a northerly striking major shear which Creek goldfield is hosted by quartz veins and intersects narrow high grade easterly striking pegmatite dykes within the undated S-type quartz veins (Rooney, 1994). Lockhart Adamellite (Sg173),and the Omeo Metamorphic Complex. The Lockhart The majority of auriferous deposits at the Adamellite (Sg173) is a muscovite-biotite Sandy Creek goldfield occur at or near the adamellite (Keber, 1978). The Omeo granite-metasedimentary contact. Metamorphic Complex has been discussed in previous sections. Dykes with N and E trends, The principle metallic mineral associated with cross-cut both the Lockhart Adamellite and gold is arsenopyrite, with minor additional Omeo Metamorphic Complex (Easton, undated). pyrite and sphalerite. Easton (undated) considered the N trending dykes to be lithologically similar to the Timing of mineralisation adamellite host at the Grasshopper mine, but stated that that the distinguishing features of There is insufficient geological data available to the dykes were an absence of mica and enable the development of a local model for the abundant disseminated arsenopyrite. timing of mineralisation at the Sandy Creek goldfield. The timing of gold mineralisation is Structural Setting inferred to be Lower Devonian, which is the age of similar style mineralisation in the adjacent The regional tectonic history is as discussed in Mitta Mitta goldfield. the Benambra Zone overview, while a local tectonic history for the Sandy Creek goldfield is Primary goldfields with minor production: summarised (from oldest to youngest) as follows: Minor primary gold has been produced from the Gibbo River, Jarvis Creek, Lightning Creek, · N trending mineralised quartz veins and Tawonga, Thowgla Creek and Wombat Creek acid dykes within faults; goldfields. · E trending mineralised quartz veins and acid dykes; Gibbo River · NW trending auriferous quartz veins?; and · NE trending auriferous quartz veins? Primary gold has been obtained from laminar and amorphous quartz reefs at Saltpetre Creek This region has undergone extensive N (Stirling, 1888b). These reefs trend 350° and trending shearing (Williams, pers comm. 1995) include Meurants reef. indicating the presence of undetermined regional structures, possibly associated with Jarvis Creek gold mineralisation Primary gold mineralisation at the Glengarry mine, Jarvis Creek was hosted by a 45-60 cm wide quartz vein in the hanging wall of a north easterly striking oxidised dyke, hosted by an unnamed Silurian granite. Primary gold 78 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

mineralisation in the Jarvis Creek goldfield is Thowgla Creek apparently hosted by reefs and/or dykes striking 037-065° and 085-090°. The principle Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by quartz metallic minerals associated with gold are reefs associated with dykes striking 085-068° arsenopyrite and pyrite (Easton, 1921a). It is and quartz reefs striking 340-360°, mainly unknown whether this lode is typical of the within the Omeo Metamorphic Complex, but Jarvis Creek goldfield. also in the Corryong Granite (Sg92). The strike of bedding is 320-340° (Thowgla geology parish Lightning Creek plan, undated). Details of styles and distribution of mineralisation are unknown. An unknown, but presumably considerable quantity of alluvial gold was obtained from the The Thowgla Creek goldfield currently has two Lightning Creek goldfield. There are few mining tenements MIN 4601 (Mystery reef #2) references on primary gold mineralisation at and MRC 3456 (Newhaven reef?). Lightning Creek. Kenny (1928) described the Snowy Creek mine, which is about 3 km south Wombat Creek of the Lightning Creek and Snowy Creek junction, as having three separate lode hosts. Alluvial gold on the Wombat Creek goldfield is In summary theses are: sourced by the Sunnyside goldfield. Stirling (1888c) recorded gold associated with tin and · Mulhausers lode orientated at 70-80°S/270°; bismuth in a quartz matrix within a granitic · later quartz lode striking 260° accompanied, mass. Stirling (1888c) observed that alluvial but post-dated by a pyrite rich diorite dyke; deposits were extremely rich below localities and where sedimentary hosts had been invaded by · a bedded lode which cross Maulhausers lode, quartz diorite dykes. and are auriferous where they intersect the main lode. Primary goldfields without production records:

The bedded lodes indicate remobilisation No primary gold production has been recorded associated with renewed NW-NNW brittle (from the examined data sources) from the Big fracturing sub-parallel to bedding (and River, Dead Horse Creek, Mt. Fainter, equivalent fracturing at Granite Flat and Mt. Running Creek, Surveyor's Creek and the, Wills). Tallangatta Valley goldfields. A discussion of these goldfields is as follows: Tawonga Big River The Tawonga goldfield occurs to the west of the Kiewa Fault, but to the east of the Kancoona No descriptions of the Big River reef have been Fault, and should possibly be assigned to a sighted. Stirling (1887b) produced a geological unique structural zone. The Tawonga goldfield map of the Big River alluvial workings and hosts two major lines of lode, these being the located a N trending auriferous vein, which is Spark line orientated at 28°W/360° and the possibly a southern extension of the Glen Wills Morrison line at 14-45°W/355-005°, hosted by line of faulting. sandstone and slate of the Omeo Metamorphic Complex. Primary gold mineralisation is Dead Horse Creek hosted by numerous white quartz veins in association with pyrite, chalcopyrite and native Stirling (1887) produced a geological sketch copper. The gold shoot at the Californian reef map of the Dead Horse Creek goldfield which pitched south while the shoot from the Dead indicated that bedrock was slate and sandstone Cow reef pitched north. The Star of West reef and that isolated alluvial gold workings were was truncated by an E trending fault (Lidgey, possibly associated with N trending diorite 1894). dykes. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 79

Mt. Fainter and Running Creek Further details of other miscellaneous reefs are No records have been sighted discussing quartz appended to this report in a digital data set. reefs from the Mt. Fainter and Running Creek goldfields. Cowombat Rift Remnants

Surveyor's Creek There is no official recorded primary gold production from either the Wombat Creek McAuliffe et al. (1966) concluded that primary Graben or the Limestone Creek Graben. tin associated with gold and arsenopyrite was Primary gold has been recorded as an accessory hosted by NE trending quartz reefs, within the to base metal mineralisation at a number of contact metamorphic aureole of the Upper localities within the Limestone Creek Graben. Silurian I-type Boebuck Pinnibar Adamellite (Sg90). Primary gold occurrences near TALLANGATTA: Tallangatta Valley Primary gold has been recorded at a number of No records have been sighted describing quartz localities near TALLANGATTA, the most reefs from the Tallangatta Valley goldfield. The significant being from the Ournie reefs near Wyeboo and Wagra geological parish plans , which is less than 10 km north of the record auriferous reefs striking at 315-318° Murray River. which are hosted by black slates of the Hotham Group and schists (sheared metasediments) of Primary gold mineralisation at Ournie occurs the Omeo Metamorphic Complex. within two main lines of mineralisation hosted by the Corryong Granite (Sg92). These lines of Isolated primary gold occurrences: lode are the Isabelle reef which strikes at 280° and the Peep-O-Day reef which strikes at 360°. Primary gold has been recorded at a number of The Isabella reef contains appreciable amounts isolated localities including: Anglers Rest, of galena, pyrite, arsenopyrite and a trace of Buckwong Creek, Bunroy Creek, Buckwong sphalerite. The total production for these two Creek-Koetong, Dartmouth Dam, Deep Creek, reefs was 196 kg of gold (Degeling, 1974). The Dinner Creek, Flaggy Creek-Thologolong, dykes at Walwa cut and are terminated by the Gentle Annie, Log Bridge Creek-Cudgewa Pine Mountain granite and so these dykes must Creek and Running Creek-Bungil, Wabba and be of a Lower Devonian age but the Walwa Walwa. dykes post-date dextral faulting striking 280° at Walwa (Woolard, 1979). This together with The most significant primary gold production is other structural data detailed through this 62.2 kg of primary gold from the Mt. Onslow report indicates that both N-S and E-W Reef, Gentle Annie. Primary gold mineralisation at Ournie and throughout mineralisation at the Mt. Onslow reef, Gentle TALLANGATTA is of a Lower Devonian age. Annie is hosted by a quartz vein striking 085°, Gregory (1907) described a tin-gold bearing within Hotham Group sediments. The Mt. quartz reef orientated at 90°/280°, hosted by the Onslow reef is 3 km east of the Mt. Morgan Koetong Granodiorite (Sg101), near Mt. porphyry and is possibly structurally and/or Cudgewa as being genetically similar to quartz mineralogically associated with this intrusive. reefs at Jingellic, which co-host gold and tin mineralisation. A total of 7.7 kg of primary gold was produced from the Leviathan Reef, Angler's Rest. Gold mineralisation from the Leviathan reef, Gentle 3.2 Base Metals Annie is hosted by quartz veins striking 318° within the Lower Devonian Anglers Rest Base metal mineralisation has been recorded granite. These reefs maybe spatially, but not from all the defined structural zones within genetically related to the Mt. Wills gold TALLANGATTA, although major copper and deposits. zinc production is restricted to the Wilga deposit, which is a Volcanogenic Associated Minor gold has been recorded at Bunroy, Massive Sulphide (VAMS) deposit occurring Dartmouth, Wabba (an extension of the Dart within the Limestone Creek Graben. Copper River goldfield?) and Walwa. has been produced as a by-product of gold mining, from hydrothermal cavity filling type 80 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

deposits associated with acid dykes, at control on the genesis of these deposits. There Bethanga and Granite Flat. This type of is currently a global trend whereby a number of deposit occurs at numerous other localities "type" syngenetic, stratiform base-metal throughout the Benambra Zone. Lead deposits (ie. VMS) are being re-interpreted as occurrences throughout TALLANGATTA are either remobilised syngenetic stratabound hosted by quartz veins and breccias either deposits (ie. VAMS) or as epigenetic within or near the contacts of regional faults. stratabound deposits. There is an analogous Although there has been no recorded base trend in genetic models for gold whereby there metal production from the Wombat Creek is a greater emphasis on structural, as opposed Graben, there are significant occurrences of to stratigraphic control. predominantly Mississippi Valley Type mineralisation. A summary of the geology of the base metal occurrences from within the Limestone Creek Victoria's base metal production, prior to the Graben is presented as Table 10. commencement of mining at Wilga in September 1992, was less than 2000 tonnes of Wilga: Cu, Zn, Pb combined base metal concentrates (Cochrane, 1982). Victoria's total copper production from The Limestone Creek area was extensively 1866-1972 was 1913.3 tonnes of concentrate, stream sediment sampled by Australian produced essentially as a by-product of Geophysical (EL 68) from 1966-1968, which auriferous reef mining (Cochrane, 1982). resulted in low order zinc anomalies, but follow- Victoria's recorded lead production is unknown, up magnetometer surveys failed to recognise although 40.3 tonnes of concentrate was any anomalous zones. The Wilga deposit was produced from 1873-1883 (Cochrane, 1982). eventually discovered by Western Mining There had been no officially recorded zinc Corporation during the summer of 1977-1978 production in Victoria prior to the (Allen & Barr, 1990). Drilling at Wilga, up commencement of mining at Wilga. until 1989, outlined a measured, indicated and inferred resource of 3.03 million tonnes at 2.7% Base metal production for TALLANGATTA, up Cu, 0.5% Pb and 6.2% Zn (Caluzzi, 1995). until June 1995, was 48 372 tonnes of copper Mining and copper production at Wilga concentrate, 7 456 tonnes of zinc concentrate commenced in September 1992 and zinc and 6.4 tonnes of lead concentrate. production commenced in March 1994. In June 1994 the Wilga copper zone had proven reserves Base metal mineralisation of 280 000 tonnes at 7.73% Cu, and 4.14% Zn, while the Wilga zinc zone had proven-probable Base-metal occurrences and deposits within reserves of 590 000 tonnes at 1.6% Cu, 0.84% TALLANGATTA have a range of hosts from the Pb and 9.58% Zn (Wilkinson, 1995). The total Cambrian? Gundowring Terrane to Lower production at Wilga up until June 1995 was Devonian I-type granites, with a broad range of 48 089 tonnes of copper concentrate and 7 456 genetic origins encompassing many of the tonnes of zinc concentrate from 741 141 tonnes classical global types of base metal deposits. of ore (Wilkinson, 1994 & 1995) Further details of the exploration and discovery of the Wilga Limestone Creek Graben deposit are presented in Chapter 4 and Caluzzi (1995). Base metal production from the Limestone Creek Graben has come exclusively from the Wilga is a single mineralised lens, Wilga VAMS deposit (Allen & Barr, 1990), subconcordant to stratigraphy and S2 (NE although there are numerous occurrences of trending cleavage), hosted by the Gibsons Folly Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) deposits and Formation just above a contact with rhyolitic structurally controlled hydrothermal vein Thorkidaan Volcanics (Allen & Barr, 1990). deposits. The Wilga deposit was interpreted by This contact was interpreted as being Allen (1987) as a Volcanogenic Massive conformable by Ramsay and VandenBerg (1986) Sulphide (VMS) deposit , but was downgraded by Allen and Barr (1990) to a VAMS deposit. Base metal deposits within the Limestone Creek Graben occur as stratabound deposits restricted to the basin margin, reflecting a combination of stratigraphic and structural GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 81

Table 10 Limestone Creek Graben base metal occurrences

FIELD MINE/PROSPECT LOCATION METAL HOST GENESIS

EAST. NORTH.

Limestone Creek Wilga 578300 5904200Cu, Zn, Pb, (Au?)Sug VAMS, SC, SB, HYcr Limestone Creek Currawong 580500 5906400Cu, Zn, Pb, (Au) Sug VAMS, SC, SB, HYcr Limestone Creek Little Stony Creek Ironstone 592300 5918200Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) Suq SB, HYr, BR, SC, SG? Limestone Creek Limestone Hut Gossan 594000 5920600Cu, Zn, Pb, (Au) Suq SB, HYr, VAMS? SG? Limestone Creek Pender's Reward Mine 594600 5922500Pb Suq SB, HYr, MVT? Limestone Creek Austerlitz Ironstone 586800 5921700Pb Suq SB, HYr, MVT? Limestone Creek Victory Copper Lode 590400 5916200Cu Suq HYc, SC Limestone Creek Native Dog Plain 596400 5916100Cu Suq HYc, SC?, PO? Limestone Creek Jame's Flat 599700 5912800Cu, Pb Slw HYc, SC?

Legend: VAMS: Volcanogenic Associated Massive Sulphide. SC: Structural control. SB: Stratabound deposit. HYc: Hydrothermal cavity filling type deposit. HYr: Hydrothermal replacement type deposit. HYcr: Hydrothermal cavity filling and replacement type deposit. SG: Supergene enrichment. MVT: Mississippi Valley Type deposit PO: Porphyry hosted deposit.

NB: Refer to Figure 3 for host lithology legend. References for each site are listed in the attached digital Mine Database. and reassessed by Allen and Barr (1990) as a D2 Currawong: Cu, Zn, Pb-Au (NE trending) shear zone with thin mylonite in an attenuated F2 (NE trending) fold hinge. The Currawong deposit was discovered by There are two main types of mineralisation at Western Mining Corporation in 1979 (Allen & Wilga, both of which are partially surrounded Barr, 1990). In June 1994 the Currawong by a pyritic alteration zone. An elliptical body deposit had measured, indicated and inferred of massive pyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite, resources of 8.84 million tonnes at 1.9% Cu, comprises the bulk of mineralisation; with 0.7% Pb, 4% Zn, 38 g/t Ag and 0.8 g/t Au significant pyrite-chalcopyrite stringer (Wilkinson, 1995). The Currawong deposit mineralisation as irregular veins and patches in consists of two major and at least two minor strongly cleaved, intensely chlorite or quartz- mineralised lenses, that are subconcordant to chlorite altered rock (Allen & Barr, 1990). stratigraphy and S2 cleavage (Allen & Barr, 1990). These lenses are tabular sulphide bodies Allen (1987) proposed that mineralisation that show vertical stacking and distinct types of occurred by sea-floor, passive volcanogenic mineralisation, including gold rich zones, that hydrothermal processes within the centre of the are in contrast to the Wilga deposit (Wilkinson, deep basin, in conjunction with ambient 1995). Base metal mineralisation occurs sedimentation (including resedimented towards the base of the Gibsons Folly pyroclastic debris ie. epiclastics) derived from Formation. The Currawong deposit is the basin margins. Allen and Barr (1990) considered to be of the same genetic origin as downgraded Wilga from a VMS to a VAMS the Wilga deposit. deposit, conceding that there is "no diagnostic evidence that the deposit is exhalative". Little Stony Creek Ironstone: Cu, Zn, Pb, Au

The Wilga deposit is partly and possibly Little Stony Creek Ironstone is a silicified - entirely, an epigenetic stratabound base-metal ferruginised composite breccia with deposit that may have been a syngenetic accumulative exotic metal contents, hosted by stratiform base-metal deposit prior to shales, siltstones and cherts (Cochrane, 1982), deformation. assigned to the Cowombat Siltstone (Allen, 1991). This sedimentary host trends at 015- 020°. A representative sample of the composite 82 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 11 Wombat Creek Graben base metal occurrences

FIELD MINE/PROSPECT LOCATION METAL HOST GENESIS EAST. NORTH.

Mitta Mitta River Spellings Lode 555900 5933300 Cu, Pb Suw HYr, MVT? Mitta Mitta River Ralston's Lode 556600 5932800 Cu, Pb Suw HYrc?, MVT? Mitta Mitta River Mitta Mitta River 559000 5931700 Cu Suw HYr, MVT? Gibbo River Gibbo River 559500 5931600 Cu, Pb Suw HYr, MVT? Gibbo River Silver Flat 561200 5930800 Pb Smvm? HYc, BR? Gibbo River Wombat Hole 561800 5929400 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) Suw SK

Legend: HYc: Hydrothermal cavity filling type deposit. BR: Breccia HYrc: Hydrothermal cavity filling and replacement type deposit. MVT: Mississippi Valley Type deposit. HYr: Hydrothermal replacement type deposit. SK: Skarn

NB: Refer to Figure 3 for host lithology legend. References for each site are listed in the attached digital Mine Database.

breccia assayed 0.5% Pb, 0.6% Zn and 3 g/t Ag an epigenetic origin (Cochrane, 1982) and may +Au. This mineral occurrence has been be a Mississippi Valley Type deposit. interpreted as a hydrothermal replacement deposit, with silicification and the presence of Austerlitz Ironstone: Pb, Zn base metals attributed to supergene enrichment (Cochrane, 1982). Austerlitz Ironstone has disseminated? lead mineralisation within silicified limestone lenses Limestone Hut Gossan: Cu, Zn, Pb, Au oriented at either 65°N/080° (Dunn, 1907b) or ?E/330 (Whitelaw, 1954). A rock-chip sample The Limestone Hut Gossan is a ferruginised from the head of the shaft at the Austerlitz gossan comprising silicified porous tuff and Ironstone assayed 0.2% Pb and 1.0% Zn. This limestone (Cochrane, 1982), assigned to the deposit is probably epigenetic (Cochrane, 1982) Cowombat Siltstone (Allen, 1991). This and may be a Mississippi Valley Type deposit. sedimentary host trends at 340-020°. The dominantly tuffaceous horizon is considered Victory Copper Lode: Cu to be the most prospective for base metal mineralisation (Cochrane, 1982). Mahoney Victory Copper Lode is a malachite stained (1936) described green pyromorphite (Pb - quartz reef within calcareous beds at an phosphate) within a surface outcrop and unknown orientation (Dunn, 1907b). This obtained assays of 0.8 g/t Au, 5.4% Pb and 0% mineral occurrences is of hydrothermal cavity Zn in a western outcrop and 1.0 g/t Au, 0% Pb filling type origin. and 36.6% Zn (calamine) in an eastern outcrop. In the vicinity of the Limestone Hut workings, Native Dog Plain: Cu there is a tendency for the tuff to change to cherty sediments of possible exhalative origin A quartz vein with copper minerals occurs on (Cochrane, 1982). the Native Dog Plain, within a grey siliceous limestone of unknown orientation (Cochrane, The Limestone Hut Gossan is probably a 1982). This mineral occurrence is of stratabound, epigenetic, hydrothermal hydrothermal cavity filling type origin. replacement deposit. Jame's Flat: Cu, Pb Pender's Reward Mine: Pb The Jame's Flat prospect is hosted by the Lower Pender's Reward Mine has disseminated? lead Silurian Tawonga Formation which is mineralisation, within silicified limestone orientated at 25-75°SW/360-045° (Cochrane lenses, at an unknown orientation (Cochrane, 1982). Minor mineralisation has been recorded 1982). This mineral occurrence is probably of within quartz veins. Australian Geophysical (EL 68) recorded anomalous soil values of 2 200 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 83

ppm Pb and 950 ppm Zn within this general Mississippi Valley Type deposits (Cochrane, area. This prospect is a hydrothermal cavity 1982). filling deposit, with mineralisation probably being of Upper Silurian age. Mitta Mitta River: Cu

Other Prospects: A small area of limestone on the Mitta Mitta River hosts veins of variegated calcite, which is Allen (1991) recorded a number of prospects on irregularly impregnated by disseminated pyrite the Limestone Creek 1:50 000 Geological Map, and chalcopyrite (Cochrane, 1982). This the details of which are unknown. These mineralisation is probably a Mississippi Valley prospects included the Peppermint and Gang Type deposit. Gang prospects which are hosted by the Thorkidaan Volcanics. Currently there is little Gibbo River: Cu evidence of successful exploration within the Thorkidaan Volcanics, which possibly hosts A small area of limestone on the Gibbo River syngenetic or epigenetic deposits. hosts copper mineralisation sporadically distributed along bedding and joints, frequently Wombat Creek Graben concentrating at the junction of joints (Whitelaw, 1954). This mineralisation is Base metal mineralisation within the Wombat probably a Mississippi Valley Type deposit. Creek Graben is predominantly copper and lead mineralisation within limestone bedding Silver Flat: Pb, Zn planes, indicating a genetic origin similar to Mississippi Valley Type deposits. Lead has There is further mineralisation within the been recorded as massive, remobilised veins at Gibbo River Limestone at Silver Flat, where Silver Flat (and the adjacent Lower Dart River veins of argentiferous galena and minor goldfield), typical of epigenetic hydrothermal sphalerite (Weston, 1992) striking 080°, are cavity filling type deposits. hosted by bedded limestone's orientated at 50- 65°W/325° (Whitelaw, 1954). Several shafts A summary of the geology of the base metal were sunk at this location (Cochrane, 1982). occurrences from within the Wombat Creek This mineralisation appears to be of a Graben is presented as Table 11 hydrothermal cavity filling origin.

Quart Pot Flat: Cu, Pb Wombat Hole: Cu, Pb

Whitelaw (1954) described gossanous Hall (1986) indicated the presence of gold-base limestone occurrences at Quart Pot Flat as due metal mineralisation within a skarn deposit, to the weathering of disseminated pyrite and hosted by metamorphosed limestone near the chalcopyrite. A geological sketch map of Lower western margin of the Wombat Creek Graben. Wombat Creek by Stirling (1888c) indicated Mineralisation included copper and lead three mineralised lodes within limestone (Weston, 1992). oriented at 56-65°S /265-282°? (Kenny, 1930). At the north-west end of the limestone outcrop Benambra Zone are two lodes known as Spelling's lode (Stirling, 1888c) and Cochrane (1982) recorded two shafts Base metal occurrences in the Benambra Zone at or near this locality. At the south-east end of are generally associated with gold the outcrop is Ralston's lode (Stirling, 1888c), mineralisation. They are hosted by quartz which is located near an extensive quartz veins within N, E , NW and NE brittle fracture diorite. Mineralisation of these deposits zones, which are interpreted to be of a Lower consists of small veins and stringers of lead and Devonian age (except possibly the main lode at copper bearing minerals, with galena observed Bethanga), and by acid dykes. There has been at a number of localities between these lodes significant copper production from the (Stirling, 1888c). Jennings Mining (EL 472) Bethanga goldfield and copper occurrences are sampled sections of this limestone. Assays were also recorded in other Benambra Zone less than 1% Cu or Pb, but Ag ranged up to 200 goldfields and in the Corryong Granite. Base g/t (Cochrane, 1982). Weak mineralisation of metal mineralisation has been recorded as an this type within Mg-limestones resembles accessory to fluorite at the Pine Mountain mine, 84 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 12 Benambra Zone base metal occurrences

FIELD MINE/PROSPECT LOCATION METAL HOST GENESIS EAST. NORTH.

Walwa Pine Mountain 575500 6009600 Pb, Cu, Zn DY (Dlg99) HYc, SC Thologolong Womobi Wolfram Mine 538200 6018700 W, Sn, Cu, Zn Dlg102 HYc, SC Granite Flat Summary Au, Cu, Pb, Zn Dlg110 HYc, BR, SC Mt. Cudgewa Reward Copper Mine 573200 5998800 Cu DY (Sg92) HYc?, PO? Corryong Unnamed #1 Dyke 581200 599150 Cu Sg92 HYc, SG Corryong Unnamed #2 Dyke 581200 599200 Cu Sg92 HYc, SG Walwa Mt. Alwa Tin Mines Co. 563800 6021800 Sn, Pb DY (Sg111) HYr, SC Gibbo River Mammoth Lode 569600 5939200 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) DY (Oh) PO, HYc, BR, SC, SG Gibbo River North Mammoth Lode 568500 5938900 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) DY (Oh) PO, HYc, BR, SC, SG? Gibbo River South Mammoth Lode 569300 5936300 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) DY (Oh) PO, HYc, BR, SC, SG? Gibbo River North Mammoth Lode 569400 5939150 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) DY (Oh) PO, HYc, BR, SC, SG? Gibbo River John's Find 570000 5937700 Cu, Pb, Zn, (Au) DY (Oh) PO, HYc, SC Mt. Morgan Mt. Morgan Prospect 583000 5972500 Cu, Pb, Zn DY (Oh) PO?, HYc, SC? Lower Dart River Danes Creek Ag-Pb lode 556400 5949200 Pb, Cu, Zn Oh Hyc, BR, SC Lower Dart River Victoria Ag-Pb Lode 556700 5951500 Pb, Cu Oh HYc, BR?, SC Granya Goldfield Au, Cu, Zn Sg103 HYc, SC Mt. Wills Goldfield Au, Cu, Pb, Zn OSs, Sg111 HYc, SC Sandy Creek Goldfield Au, Zn OSs, Sg173 HYc, SC Zulu Creek Goldfield Au, Cu, Pb, Zn Oh HYc, SC? Dart River Goldfield Au, Cu, Pb, Zn Oh HYc, SC? Mitta Mitta Goldfield Au, Cu, Zn, Pb OSs HYc, SC Bethanga Goldfield Au, Cu, Pb, Zn Eb HYc, SC

Legend: SC: Structural control. HYc: Hydrothermal cavity filling type deposit. HYr: Hydrothermal replacement type deposit. SG: Supergene enrichment. PO: Porphyry hosted deposit. BR: Breccia.

NB: Refer to Figure 3 for host lithology legend. References for each site are listed in the attached digital Mine Database.

to tungsten-tin mineralisation at the Womobi the Omeo Metamorphic Complex and a 19.8 m Wolfram mine and tin at the Mt. Alwa tin mine. wide quartz porphyry dyke. High grade fluorite The Benambra Zone base metal occurrences ore is confined to a 1.0-1.2 m wide zone. There are, with the exception of the Mt. Alwa tin are nodules and massive veinlets of galena and mine, exclusively of a hydrothermal cavity minor sphalerite and chalcopyrite within a filling origin. larger 8 m wide zone, cross-cutting and post- dating fluorite mineralisation (Fisher & Owen, A summary of the geology of the base metal 1943). This deposit is of a hydrothermal cavity occurrences from the Benambra Zone is filling origin, and the source of fluorite (and presented as Table 12. galena) mineralisation is probably the Lower Devonian Pine Mountain Granite (Woolard, Pine Mountain: Ag Pb, Cu, Zn 1979).

The Pine Mountain F-Ba-Ag-Pb deposit is an The Pine Mountain Fluorite Mine, Walwa, is 8 m wide and 120 m long silicified quartz the only official lead producer within breccia, trending 300° and dipping steeply TALLANGATTA, producing 6.4 tonnes of lead south west (Fisher & Owen, 1943). This quartz concentrate (and 51.8 tonnes of fluorite) in breccia “vein” occurs along the contact between 1957. This mine was operated intermittently GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 85

from 1918-1972, producing 5240 tonnes of Corryong, Unnamed Dykes: Cu fluorite and an unknown amount of lead concentrate (Cochrane, 1982). Copper carbonates were recorded by Dunn (1907a) on fracture planes within E trending Womobi Wolfram Mine: W, Sn, Cu, Zn diorite dykes, hosted by the Corryong Granite (Sg92). This mineralisation is probably of a The Womobi Wolfram lode is a series of hydrothermal cavity filling type origin, but may mineralised fissure quartz reefs dipping steeply also be purely due to supergene enrichment. north, striking at 080° (Kenny, 1944) and hosted by the Lower Devonian Thologolong Mammoth Complex: Cu, Pb, Zn, Au Granite (Dlg102). The Mammoth Complex incorporates the Copper and zinc are a minor accessory to the Mammoth Lode, North Mammoth Lode, South tin-tungsten lode. This deposit is of a Mammoth Lode and John's Find (Plumridge & hydrothermal cavity filling origin. Hall, 1987). Dunn (1917) described the Mammoth Complex as a quartz-sulphide lode, Granite Flat Goldfield: Au-Cu, Pb, Zn hosted by a N trending quartz-porphyry within Hotham Group Ordovician slate and sandstone; Primary gold-copper mineralisation at the which assayed up to 6 g/t Au and 11.28% Cu. Granite Flat goldfield is hosted by narrow 0.5- The Mammoth Complex displays hydrothermal 20 cm wide quartz veins (Cuffley, 1987) within vein and breccia hosted mineralisation (Hall 2-3 m wide fault/breccia zones and fissures that 1986) within a strong structural environment are laterally extensive for distances up to 500 m consisting of north-south trending shearing, (Cuffley, 1987). Mineralised quartz veins are brecciation striking 328° and cross-faulting at often associated with acid-dykes. The 082°. lithological host is the Lower Devonian Banimboola Quartz Diorite (Dlg110). The origin of the Mammoth Complex is Mineralisation includes gold and copper, with contentious and it may be of an intrusive, minor lead and zinc. The orientation of extrusive or a composite extrusive-intrusive mineralised veins is 270-280° and 330-340° origin. Cuffley (1980) concluded that contact (Bates, 1986). This mineralisation is of a relationships proved that the porphyry was a hydrothermal cavity filling origin, associated high level intrusive, and Brady (1982) proposed with acid dykes. an intrusive Climax-Mo Model (based upon anomalous Mo in the South Mammoth Lode). Corryong, Reward Copper Mine: Cu Teale (1983) argued for an extrusive origin based upon the porphyry's fine grained matrix The Reward Copper Mine copper mineralisation and interpreted tuff horizons. Teale (1983) is hosted by quartz veins within a 1 m wide interpreted breccias to be of a sedimentary zone, associated with a 6 m wide porphyry origin and that mineralisation was of a dyke, hosted by the Corryong Granite volcanogenic origin. Plumridge and Hall (1987) (Cochrane, 1982). The porphyry dyke is part of suggested that high silver: base metal ratios the Tintaldra dyke swarm and is probably a indicated circulating fresh water rather than northern continuation of the Dart River dyke seawater (and therefore a dominantly intrusive swarm and the Mammoth Complex porphyry origin), although they suggested that limited dyke. This mineralisation is of a hydrothermal extrusives occurred within the Mammoth cavity filling origin, associated with acid dykes Complex. and probably also the Lower Devonian Pine Mountain Granite. The Mammoth Complex is almost certainly a high level intrusive (O'Shea, pers comm. 1995) which is probably a southerly continuation of the Dart River dyke swarm; interpreted to be of a Lower Devonian age (see Dart River goldfield).

Mt. Morgan: Cu, Pb, Zn

The Mt. Morgan porphyry and contact zone was evaluated by CRA Exploration in 1979-1981. 86 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Mt. Morgan is a Lower Devonian? porphyry occurrences is unknown (Cochrane, 1982). The dyke which trends towards 005°. Limited genesis of these lodes may be epigenetic diamond drilling intersected minor Cu, Pb, Zn mineralisation along a fault breccia or and very minor Au. Mineralisation is possibly alternatively as stockwork development of orientated towards 005° and/or 078°. The stringer ore, adjacent to a volcanic centre genesis of the Mt. Morgan porphyry is (Cochrane, 1982). An epigenetic hydrothermal unknown, but is probably similar to that of the origin seems more likely based upon the Mammoth Complex. structural setting of this mineral occurrence. This deposit is related to the Victoria Ag-Pb Granya Goldfield: Au-Cu, Zn lode.

Primary gold-copper mineralisation is hosted by Mt. Wills Goldfield: Au-Cu, Pb, Zn 30-90 cm wide quartz veins, within brittle fracture zones that are laterally extensive for The Mt. Wills gold-base metal deposits occur in distances up to 1.5 km (O’Malley, 1936), hosted quartz-sulphide fissure filling veins with an by the Granya Adamellite (Sg101). A number of average width of 7-20 cm (Dunn, 1907e), which mineralised quartz reefs occur sub-parallel to a are lithologically hosted by the Omeo northerly trending dyke. Mineralised quartz Metamorphic Complex (OSs) and the Mt. Wills veins for the entire Granya goldfield are Granite (Sg92). Copper is associated with orientated at 043-055°, 085-090° and 005-010°. auriferous quartz veins orientated at 70- (Bungil geology map, undated). Copper and 90°E/025-040° and 002-020°?, whereas lead is minor sphalerite occur as accessory minerals to primarily associated with stibnite-silver gold mineralisation. This mineralisation is a of sulphosalts hosted by later brittle fracturing a hydrothermal cavity filling origin, associated orientated at 45-75°W/360°(see Mt. Wills with acid dykes. goldfield). This mineralisation is of a hydrothermal cavity filling origin. Victoria Ag-Pb lode: Pb, Au, Cu Sandy Creek Goldfield: Au-Zn The Victoria Ag-Pb lode was mined by the Victoria Silver Lead Mining Company NL from Primary gold mineralisation is hosted by at least two adits and short 2.0-2.5 m deep pegmatite dykes (in the absence of quartz veins) winzes, during the period 1906-1907 (Cochrane, striking 355-005°, dykes and quartz veins 1982). This lode is a silicified breccia striking striking 285° and by quartz veins striking 315° 330°? hosted by slate and sandstone from the and 055°; which are hosted by the Lockhart Hotham Group. Mineralisation consists of Adamellite (Sg173). Minor sphalerite has been veinlets of argentiferous lead with minor recorded with gold, pyrite and arsenopyrite copper, but significant gold. An assay from a from the A1 at Odell's mine, within a quartz vein at the bottom of a winze, ranged from 23- reef orientated at 90°/290° (Rooney, 1994). See 40% Pb, 360-690 g/t Ag and 4.5 g/t Au Sandy Creek goldfield. This mineralisation is of (Cochrane, 1982). The Victoria Ag-Pb lode is a hydrothermal cavity filling origin. epigenetic base metal mineralisation hosted by a fault breccia, occurring within the Lower Dart Dart River and Zulu Creek Goldfields: Au- Cu, River goldfield. Pb, Zn

Dane's Creek Ag-Pb lode: Pb, Cu, Zn Primary gold-base metal mineralisation from the Dart River and Zulu Creek goldfields is The Dane's Creek Ag-Pb lode was described by hosted by 0.2-5.0 m wide quartz veins within Dunn (1907f) as "two lodes, 8 chains apart, pinching and swelling strike faults (Grieve, consisting of brecciated fragments of black 1938) sub-parallel to bedding (Herman, 1902) slate, penetrated by quartz veins with copper that strike at 335-355°. The Dart River and pyrites, zinc blende, galena and iron pyrites Zulu Creek lodes occur within a 5 km wide and disseminated throughout the lode". The No. 1 16 km long belt that extends southwards to the lode is approximately 4.8 m wide , dips east and Mammoth Complex. Gold mineralisation is strikes at 335°, while the No. 2 lode is 1.8 m often associated with dykes. Dykes are wide and strikes at 345° (Dunn, 1907f). The apparently confined to narrow laterally Dane's Creek Ag-Pb lodes are apparently extensive zones. The dyke swarm which hosts hosted by slate from the Hotham Group, gold mineralisation in the south-west of the although the precise locality of these mineral GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 87

Table 13 Copper production for the major gold mines - Bethanga goldfield

PRODUCTION FIELD MINE/PROSPECT ORE CONC. YEARS (tonnes (tonnes)

Bethanga Bethanga Goldfields ? 25 1903 Bethanga New Bethanga Gold Mine 2647 72 1907-1908 Bethanga Various #1880-1882 ? 90 1880-1882 Bethanga Wallace-Bethanga Co. ? 196 1883-1895 BETHANGA FIELD TOTAL ? 383 1880-1908

Dart River goldfield extends northwards to Mt. introduction of mineralisation and/or St. John and McNamara Crossing where it is remobilisation of mineralisation associated with intruded by the Lower Devonian Mt. E trending cross faulting. This mineralisation Mittamatite Granite (Dlg98). These dykes is of a hydrothermal cavity filling origin. extend southwards to the Mammoth Complex, which is interpreted to be of a Lower Devonian Tabberabbera Zone age. Minor base metal mineralisation has been Mineralisation commonly occurs as recorded as an accessory to gold mineralisation. disseminated mineralised pockets within a See TALLANGATTA goldfields. predominantly quartz gangue and also as remobilised, massive pyrite -galena veins, 3.3 Tin associated with later dextral faulting? striking 010-025°. This mineralisation is a of a Primary tin deposits within TALLANGATTA hydrothermal cavity filling origin. occur at the southern end of the elongated NNW trending Mt. Tallebung - - Mt. Mitta Mitta Goldfield: Au, Cu, Zn Wills Tin Province (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). These deposits are intimately associated with Primary gold-base metal mineralisation at the Middle Silurian to Lower Devonian dykes, and Mitta Mitta goldfield is of limited extent and is mineralisation is due to hydrothermal associated with E trending brittle fractures and alteration (predominantly greisenisation), associated diorite dykes as well as N trending rather than direct crystallisation from a brittle fractures and associated porphyry dykes. magmatic source. Minor amounts of cassiterite Brittle fracturing is interpreted to be of a Lower have been produced from quartz veins Devonian age (see Chapter 1.3). This associated with fissures, fractures and shears mineralisation is of a hydrothermal cavity within or near the contact metamorphic aureole filling origin. of Silurian S-type granitoids and Lower Devonian I-type granitoids. Bethanga Goldfield: Au,Cu, Pb, Zn Placer deposits within TALLANGATTA are Primary gold-base metal mineralisation at the generally shallow, restricted alluvial deposits Bethanga goldfield is hosted by NNE-NE located on or near the primary source. Traces trending fissure quartz veins (Morrison, 1990), of tin are found associated with base-metal within a 4 km wide fracture zone over a strike sulphide mineralisation (eg. The Mammoth length of up to 10 km (Dunn, 1907c). There are Complex). four major lines of lode. Copper concentrate has been produced from the Currajong and Gift Victoria’s tin production was summarised by lodes. A summary of copper production from Cochrane and Bowen (1971). Victoria’s total tin the major gold mines of the Bethanga goldfield production during the period 1854-1979 was is presented in Table 13. 10 356 tonnes of concentrate, with the last recorded production being 35 tonnes from the The Bethanga lines of lode show zoning, with Beechworth-Eldorado Field in 1979 (Nott, the northern lodes being arsenopyrite rich and the southern lodes copper rich (Whiting, 1962). Copper enrichment is attributed to the 88 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

tin source in these areas having not been located. Table 14 Alluvial tin production - TALLANGATTA

TINFIELD PRODUCT YEARS Koetong (tonnes) Tin ore was discovered near Koetong in 1872 Walwa - - and practically all the tin from the Koetong Mt. Wills NEG ? tinfield has come from alluvial deposits (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). Koetong’s alluvial Mitta Mitta N/A ? tin leads were often poorly developed shallow Burrowye - - gutters on granite bedrock, which in places Dean Creek N/A ? graded into saprolitic primary deposits. Some tin was produced from colluvial placer deposits. Mt. Cudgewa 68.0 1873-1919 Alluvial gold was reported in localised Koetong 195.1 1872-1964 occurrences, presumably in close proximity to Mt. Alfred - - its source. Surveyor’s Creek 20.3 1912-1916? Mt. Cudgewa Thologolong - - TOTAL 283.4 1872-1964 Alluvial tin was discovered in the upper reaches of Cudgewa Creek in the early 1870s during the rush to the Koetong field (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). Alluvial tin leads at Mt. Cudgewa were 1988). Tin production from Victoria’s portion of often poorly developed shallow gutters on the Mt. Tallebung - Albury - Mt. Wills Province granite bedrock (Easton, 1921b). is significantly lower than for New South Wales portion. Over 31 000 tonnes of tin was Surveyor’s Creek produced at Ardlethan from 1912-1990 (Paterson, 1990). Alluvial tin was discovered at Surveyors Creek in 1912 (Bannear & Annear, 1995). From 1917- A total of 643.1 tonnes of tin concentrate was 1921 a lease was worked near Dingo Creek for produced from the TALLANGATTA tinfields both alluvial tin and gold, by means of a during the period 1872-1968. hydraulic jet elevator fed by race (Bannear & Annear, 1995). A number of tributaries were Alluvial Tinfields worked for alluvial tin and gold including Dingo Creek, Camp Creek, Farden’s Creek, Tin Creek Alluvial tin production from TALLANGATTA and Sunday Creek (Kenny, 1942). was 283.4 tonnes of tin concentrate during the period 1872-1964. A summary of alluvial tin Mitta Mitta production for the TALLANGATTA tinfields is presented as Table 14. There is no recorded alluvial tin production from the Mitta Mitta tinfield, which was Placer deposits within TALLANGATTA are essentially a primary tinfield with alluvial tin generally shallow, restricted alluvial deposits being produced as a by-product of alluvial gold located on or near the primary source. There mining. are some deeper alluvial deposits, associated with older stream and river courses west of the Mt. Wills Mitta Mitta River, including portions of the Upper Ovens Valley (Laing, 1975a) and the Alluvial tin and bismuth were recorded with lower reaches of the Upper Murray valley. gold in the Wombat Creek area c.1870 (Bannear Minor colluvial deposits occur on granite & Annear, 1995). Mt. Wills was essentially a terrain. primary tinfield with alluvial tin being produced as a by-product of alluvial gold The major alluvial tin deposits within mining. TALLANGATTA occur in the absence of obvious primary tin sources. This is considered to be a function of the geomorphological setting, granitic host and low weathering rates of primary tin deposits as opposed to the primary GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 89

Thologolong Table 15 Primary tin production - TALLANGATTA Alluvial tin has been recorded at a number of TINFIELD PRODUCT YEARS localities within the Thologolong sub- (tonnes) catchment, hosted by gravels overlying a bedrock of Lower Devonian Thologolong granite Walwa 166.9 1882-1968 (Geological Survey of Victoria, undated/c). Mt. Wills 160.5 1887-1927 Primary Tinfields Mitta Mitta 34.4 1891-1937 Burrowye 2.4 188?-1936 Primary tin production from TALLANGATTA Dean Creek N/A ? was 364.2 tonnes of tin concentrate from 1873- Mt. Cudgewa N/A 1873-1919 1968. A summary of primary tin production for the TALLANGATTA tinfields is presented as Koetong N/A ? Table 15. Mt. Alfred N/A 1881-1882 Surveyor’s Creek N/A ? Primary tin deposits of TALLANGATTA occur at the southern end of the elongated NNW Thologolong - - trending Mt. Tallebung - Albury - Mt. Wills Tin TOTAL 364.2 1873-1968 Province (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971), which has been classified by Taylor (1979) as a Fold-Belt Type tin province. This tin province includes whereas quartz vein hosted tin mineralisation the Ardlethan tinfields in N.S.W. is of a hydrothermal cavity filling origin.

The Mt. Tallebung - Albury - Mt. Wills Province Timing of mineralisation can be sub-divided by magmatic environment host lithologies. On this basis, Taylor (1979) The timing of tin mineralisation within the classified the Ardlethan-Albury Sub-Province in Albury - Mt. Wills Sub-Province is tightly N.S.W as “tin concentrations associated with constrained. Mineralisation is either related to intrusive complexes of sub-volcanic nature in late-stage magmatism of the Middle Silurian association with terrestrial extrusives”. The Koetong Suite; or post-dates the Koetong Suite, Ardlethan “host” suite is composed of both high but pre-dates the Lower Devonian Pine level hypabyssal and volcanic rocks, and later, Mountain I-type granitoid. Tin mineralisation slightly deeper, more fractionated at Beechworth, to the west of TALLANGATTA leucoadamellite (Paterson, 1990). Tin within the Howqua Granite Province (Ramsay mineralisation within the Albury - Mt. Wills & VandenBerg, 1990) is hosted by the currently Sub-Province in Victoria is associated with undated (probably Lower Devonian) I-type Silurian S-type granitoids of the Wagga Beechworth Adamellite. This indicates that Basement terrane (Nott, 1988), together with within Central to NE Victoria there are least dyke swarms. This indicates relatively high two phases of tin mineralisation: level crustal activity of the mineralised magmatic fluids and/or hydrothermal fluids, · an initial phase of tin mineralisation hosted but at a slightly greater depth than such by Middle-Upper Silurian NW-NNW and activity in the Ardlethan - Albury Sub-Province, NNE-NE trending pegmatite-greisen dykes. where there are associated extrusives. Tin mineralisation also occurs in minor reefs at an obtuse angle to these dykes. This Primary tin deposits within TALLANGATTA phase of mineralisation is interpreted as have two types of hosts: Middle-Upper Silurian in age; and · a phase of tin mineralisation with local · aplite-pegmatite dyke hosted mineralisation; tungsten-molybdenum and/or gold and mineralisation hosted by N, E, NW and NE · quartz vein hosted mineralisation trending quartz veins associated with brittle fracturing, hosted by Silurian S-type and Aplite-pegmatite dyke hosted tin mineralisation Lower Devonian I-type granitoids. This is due to greisenisation and is dominantly of a phase of mineralisation is interpreted as hydrothermal replacement origin (although Lower Devonian in age. dykes may host mineralised quartz veining), 90 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 16 Major primary tinfields - TALLANGATTA

FIELD MINERALISATION HOST TYPE HOST LITHOLOGY GENESIS MAJOR MINOR

Walwa Sn - DY OSs DS, HYr Mt. Wills Sn Au+py DY,RE OSs DS, HYr, HYc Mitta Mitta Sn Au DY,RE OSs DS, HYr Burrowye Sn - DY OSs HYc, HYr, DS Dean Creek Sn - DY OSs DS, HYr Mt. Cudgewa Sn W(sch) RE Sg92, OSs HYc, SC Koetong W,Sn Au,aspy RE Sg101 HYc, DS, SC Mt. Alfred Sn - DY OSs HYr, DS Surveyor's Creek Sn Au,aspy RE Sg90, OSs HYc, IC, SC?

Legend: Mineralisation: Sn = tin, W = tungsten, sch = scheelite, py = pyrite, aspy = arsenopyrite, Au = gold Host type: DY = dyke, RE = reef. Host lithology: OSs = Omeo Metamorphic Complex, Sg90 = Boebuck Adamellite, Sg92 = Corryong Granite, Sg101 = Koetong Granodiorite. Genesis: DS = disseminated, HYc = Hydrothermal cavity filling type deposit SC = structurally controlled, HYr = Hydrothermal replacement type deposit IC = intrusive contact

A summary of the geology of the Production from 1919-1928, was solely TALLANGATTA tinfields is presented as Table managed by the Mt. Alwa Tin Mining Company 16. (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971).

Aplite-Pegmatite Dyke Hosted Mineralisation Dykes in the Walwa district, regionally trend NE and are part of the Walwa and Tintaldra - Primary tin production within TALLANGATTA Mt. Cudgewa Dyke Swarms (Bolger, 1984). The has almost exclusively come from Middle - Walwa Dyke Swarm is considered to be Upper Silurian, aplite-pegmatite dykes hosted spatially and temporally associated with the by the Omeo Metamorphic Complex. Economic Pine Mountain and Mt. Mittamatite tin mineralisation has resulted from leucogranites (Price et al., 1983). Dykes at the hydrothermal alteration, predominantly Mt. Alwa Tin Mine Co. lease trend towards 340, greisenisation (whose origin may be late stage lie outside the Walwa-Pine Mountain ring dyke, magmatic fluids); rather than direct and are probably related to the Middle Silurian crystallisation from the magmatic source. Corryong Granite (Sg92). Greisenisation is mineralogically the decomposition of feldspar and biotite followed There are two types of aplite-pegmatite dykes by the formation of quartz, mica, topaz, that host cassiterite mineralisation at the Mt. tourmaline, fluorine and the ore minerals of Alwa Tin Mine Co. leases. The major dyke is a cassiterite, scheelite...etc; and chemically it large sub-horizontal, NE dipping irregular body involves the removal of Na and introduction of whose maximum dimension strikes 340°. This OH, F, Li, Sn, W and B. dyke is parallel to a thin, steeply west dipping dyke (Woolard, 1979). Both these dykes are Tinfields of this category are: Walwa, Mt. Wills, mineralogically zoned displaying: Mitta Mitta, Dean Creek, Burrowye and Mt. Alfred. · non-mineralised, green tinged quartz- muscovite selvedges; Walwa · a zone of albitisation ,with albite pseudomorphs of cassiterite; Primary tin ore was first mined in Walwa · a zone of greisenisation, with the cassiterite around 1882. From 1911-1928, 48.8 tonnes of mineralisation as grains, droplets and coarse concentrate was produced from the Walwa field. bands; and GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 91

· non-mineralised quartz-oligoclase Zone Whitelaw et al. (1915) recognised four distinct (Woolard, 1979). classes of dykes (from oldest to youngest) on the Mitta Mitta tinfield: Woolard (1979) suggested that greisenisation occurred in the late stages of the crystallisation · non-mineralised granitic dykes; of the pegmatite dyke and was responsible for · pegmatite-greisen dykes, generally striking the introduction of the cassiterite NNW-NW, sub-parallel to the enclosing mineralisation. This indicates a Middle-Upper metasediments. Cassiterite was Silurian age for greisenisation and tin preferentially associated with segregations mineralisation. Albitisation was considered to and veins of greisen, although fine ore may post-date greisenisation and to be of a local and be disseminated throughout the pegmatite; probably internal origin, although albitisation · auriferous E trending diorite dykes; and may be related to the Lower Devonian Pine · auriferous N trending porphyry dykes. Mountain Granite (Woolard, 1979). Whitelaw et al. (1915) described the greisenised In 1964 the Mines Department delineated an portions of the pegmatite dykes as cross-cutting Indicated Reserve of 360 000 tonnes of ore at veins and segments within the pegmatite. 0.17% Sn and 150 000 tonnes at 0.24% Sn from Minerals commonly associated with the the Mt. Alwa Tin Mining Co. lease (Bowen, cassiterite mineralisation were abundant 1970). tourmaline and minor isolated garnet and/or fluorine. Oils and Minerals Quest NL took over the Mt. Alwa Tin Mining Co. lease and mined nearly Tin bearing dykes orientated at 315° are post- 100,000 tonnes from the upper part of the major dated by gold-bearing reefs orientated at 325° dyke, producing 115.5 tonnes of concentrate in (Whitelaw et al., 1915). Greisenisation is the period 1967-1968 (Cochrane & Bowen, probably due to local mineralised late stage 1971). Bowen (1970) considered it unlikely that magmatic fluids, although it is possibly due to the remaining ore could be profitably mined. regional retrogressive metamorphism.

Mitta Mitta Mt. Wills

Primary tin was discovered at Mitta Mitta in Although Wombat Creek and other tributaries 1891 but by 1898 the Mitta Mitta tinfield was of the Mitta Mitta River were worked for abandoned due to low tin prices and the alluvial gold from 1959, and alluvial tin and contemporary discovery of gold-bearing reefs bismuth were noticed in the wash (Bannear & (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). Minor sporadic Annear, 1995), it was not until 1887 that working occurred until the fields’ closure in primary tin was discovered at the Wombat 1930. Creek watershed on the southern slopes of Mt. Wills (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). In 1890, Cassiterite is found within the aplite-pegmatite when Murray visited the field, the Mt. Wills dykes of the Mitta Mitta Dyke Swarm. Proprietary Co. had worked extensively on their Edwards and Easton (1937) considered that leases and Murray (1890) was convinced that “the stanniferous dykes are probably related to “the colony possesses a large and valuable tin- the older grey granite (Koetong), while the field likely to become the centre of a great galena-fluorite deposits of Pine Mountain are mining population, and to afford payable related to the younger red granite”. The employment for perhaps centuries to come”. Koetong Granite has been radiometrically Unfortunately the boom was spectacularly dated at 424Ma (muscovite) and 401Ma short-lived and by 1893 many of the leases had (biotite) by Brooks and Leggo (1972). been abandoned. Minor sporadic working occurred until the fields’ closure in 1927. Tin-bearing dykes of the Mitta Mitta Dyke Swarm are confined to the metamorphosed The tin-bearing dykes of the Mt. Wills tinfield sediments, and have a pronounced trend at are possibly a southern extension of the Mitta 315°; which is oblique to the 330° trending Mitta Dyke Swarm, although there is evidence contact between the Omeo Metamorphic to suggest that the Mt. Wills dykes and/or Complex and the Hotham Group mineralisation are not related to the Mitta metasediments. Mitta dyke swarm. Mt. Wills tin-bearing dykes have a range of orientations, including a 92 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

dominant trend at 335°; reflecting a more Cassiterite is associated with scheelite and complex structural host environment than tourmaline within, quartz reefs generally dykes from the Mitta Mitta tinfield. Rosales orientated at 60-80°N/265-275°, at the Koetong (1897) observed that the Mt. Wills pegmatites Granodiorite-metasediment contact. (Cochrane were “remarkably free of all the tin-ore & Bowen, 1971). The E -trend of quartz reefs contaminant minerals, such as tourmaline, indicates Lower Devonian brittle fracturing as wolfram, fluorspar, topaz, and apatite”. The discussed in Chapter 3.1. descriptions of Rosales (1897) possibly imply that cassiterite crystallised directly from a Koetong magmatic source. Koetong is known as a tungsten area rather Dean Creek than for its primary tin deposits (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971). Woolard (1979) considered The Dean Creek tinfield lies between the Mitta scheelite mineralisation in the Walwa District Mitta tinfield to the north and the Mt. Wills to occur in en echelon pinnate shears within tinfield to the south. Aplite-pegmatite dykes mylonitised Corryong Granite. Minor gold and within the Dean Creek tinfield are a southerly arsenopyrite was found within a reef containing extension of the Mitta Mitta Dyke Swarm. The wolfram and scheelite, approx. 2 km SW of major companies who worked the Dean Creek Koetong. The quartz reefs generally strike tinfield were the Great Bowonga and the Alpine 320°, contain abundant tourmaline and are Bowonga Syndicates. This field is under hosted by the Koetong Granite. explored (Cochrane & Bowen, 1971) and understudied, and it is unsure whether this Surveyor’s Creek field has more affinity to the hydrothermally altered dykes of the Mitta Mitta tinfield (with a There are no official production records for the pneumatolytic mineral assemblage) or the less Surveyor’s Creek tinfield (Cochrane & Bowen exotic dykes of the Mt. Wills tinfield. 1971). McAuliffe et at. (1966) investigated EL20, which encompassed the Surveyor’s Creek Burrowye and Mt. Alfred catchment, and concluded that primary tin occurred in NE trending, quartz veins within Primary tin was discovered in the Burrowye the Boebuck Adamellite (Sg90) and the District in the early 1880s (Cochrane & Bowen, granites’ contact metamorphic aureole. Minor 1971). Mining at the Mt. Alfred tinfield gold and arsenopyrite was recorded in appears to have been restricted to the period association with cassiterite within a quartz reef. 1881-1882. Both the Burrowye tinfield and the Tungsten has not been recorded from this Mt. Alfred tinfield are understudied, although tinfield. these fields appear to be very similar to the Walwa tinfield. Tin mineralisation is hosted by Thologolong aplite-pegmatite dykes within the Omeo Metamorphic Complex (Cochrane & Bowen, Primary tin deposits are currently undiscovered 1971). at Thologolong, although the presence of alluvial tin deposits (Thologolong parish Quartz Vein Hosted Mineralisation geology map, undated) within the confined Thologolong sub-catchment indicates that the Minor tin has been produced from quartz veins Lower Devonian Thologolong Granite hosts associated with brittle fracturing at or near the primary tin mineralisation. contact of S and I-type granites and the Omeo Metamorphic Complex . Tin mineralisation at 3.4Other Metals the Mt. Cudgewa-Koetong tinfields is hosted by Middle-Upper Silurian S-type granitoids There are a number of metallic minerals whereas the Surveyor’s Creek tinfield is hosted associated with phases of either gold, base by the Upper Silurian? I-type Boebuck metals or tin mineralisation, which are locally Adamellite (Sg90). Tinfields of this category diagnostic of the timing and structural setting are Mt. Cudgewa, Koetong and Surveyor’s of mineralisation. Tungsten, bismuth and Creek. molybdenum are often associated with a phase of tin mineralisation hosted by either N or E Mt. Cudgewa trending quartz veins and NW trending quartz breccias of an interpreted Lower Devonian age. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 93

Antimony is associated with gold mineralisation Chromium in N and E trending quartz veins. Silver is a common alloy of gold and lead, where lead Chromite occurs associated with magnetite as mineralisation is associated with NW trending an accessory mineral in greenstones (Weston, quartz breccias and other regional brittle 1992). There is only a single occurrence of fracture structures. The major metallic chromite in TALLANGATTA, which is in the minerals (other than gold, base metals and tin) Limestone Creek Graben. Neilson (1962) are as a general rule, regionally hosted by N, E recorded the presence of chromite associated and NW trending quartz veins, attributed to with serpentine and magnetite, hosted by a Lower Devonian deformation. The source of metamorphic rock composed of an intergrowth mineralisation is Lower Devonian I-type of quartz, diopside and zoisite. granitoids and dykes. Iron Antimony There are no significant iron occurrences in Antimony sulphides throughout Victoria are TALLANGATTA although iron has been usually associated with Silurian-Lower recorded at Little Stony Creek and Austerlitz, Devonian sediments of the Melbourne Trough. hosted by gossanous limestone, associated Stibnite is the dominant sulphide occurring with Mississippi Valley Type base metal within fissure quartz veins close to the hinge of mineralisation (Cochrane, 1982). These folds or associated with dykes (Weston, 1992). deposits occur within the Limestone Creek Antimony deposits in TALLANGATTA occur as Graben. stibnite hosted by N trending quartz veins at the Mt. Wills goldfield and E trending quartz Molybdenum veins at the Mitta Mitta goldfield. These deposits are considered to be temporally related Molybdenum deposits are predominantly and are related to Lower Devonian brittle confined to the margins of granitic intrusions, fracturing. and are associated with late magmatic, hydrothermal activity (Weston, 1992). The Carry On mine in the Mitta Mitta goldfield, Molybdenum in association with tungsten has is the largest antimony producer in been recorded at the Womobi Wolfram mine, TALLANGATTA. A total of 33.5 tonnes of where it is hosted by E trending quartz veins antimony was produced from the Carry On within the Lower Devonian I-type Thologolong mine during the period 1914-1945. granite. At Simmond’s Gap, near Bright, molybdenum occurs within NW-N trending Bismuth quartz veins hosted by an unnamed Silurian? granite (Herman, 1921). In Victoria bismuth usually occurs in lodes closely associated with granitoids and is often Silver associated with tin and tungsten deposits. Bismuth has been recorded as a minor The major source of silver is as an alloy with accessory to tungsten mineralisation at the either gold or lead (Weston, 1992). The Womobi Wolfram mine, Thologolong (Grieve, Benambra Zone goldfields have a high silver 1938) and to primary gold mineralisation from content and significant silver production as a the Granya (Easton, 1912) and Freeburgh by-product of gold mining has occurred. This goldfields (Herman, 1921). Alluvial bismuth is includes 53.8 kg of silver from the Maude and an accessory to alluvial tin and gold at the Mt. Yellow Girl, Mt. Wills goldfield, during the Wills goldfield and the Wombat Creek goldfield period 1962-1967 and 136.7 kg of silver from (Stirling, 1889). the New Bethanga Gold Mine, Bethanga goldfield, during the period 1907-1908.

Silver has been recorded associated with lead at a number of localities including the Danes Creek Ag-Pb lode, Victoria Ag-Pb lode, Silver Flat, Quartz Pot Flat, Pine Mountain mine and the Mammoth Complex. Details of these lodes are discussed in Chapter 3.3. Silver associated with galena, is generally hosted by fissure 94 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

quartz veins and breccias at or near the contact mines, within the Mt. Wills goldfield (Crohn, of major faults. 1950, 1953).

Tungsten 3.5Non-metallic minerals

The chief ores of tungsten are wolframite and There are signficant resources of non-metallic scheelite, with wolframite being the most minerals throughout TALLANGATTA and common in Victoria. Most deposits occur in these have been comprehensively summarised quartz veins near the periphery of felsic by McHaffie and Buckley (1995). A brief granitoid intrusions and were produced by late discussion of non-metallic mineral occurrences hydrothermal activity. Tungsten deposits often and production is presented in this section. contain accessory molybdenum, tin, bismuth and gold (Weston, 1992). The majority of Barite tungsten production from TALLANGATTA and Victoria has been from the Mt. Murphy Victoria’s known barite deposits are small and Wolfram mine. A total of 90.4 tonnes of mostly hosted by Lower Devonian acid volcanics tungsten concentrate was produced from the in Eastern Victoria (Weston, 1992). A barite Mt. Murphy Wolfram mine during the period lode occurs 7 km SE of Walwa, within a narrow 1908-1920. Other recorded tungsten production porphyry dyke intersecting the Corryong Granite from TALLANGATTA includes 5.2 tonnes from (Easton, 1920). Barite has also been recorded Keady’s reef, Koetong in 1915; 29.1 tonnes from at Thowgla Creek (Geological Survey of the Womobi Wolfram mine, Thologolong during Victoria, undated/e) and at Gibbo River the period 1919-1952, and 2.7 tonnes from (Cochrane, 1982). Fluorite-barite various reefs during the period 1917-1918. mineralisation is associated with NW trending Tungsten has been recorded from a range of high silica dykes on the southern contact of the lithological hosts including the Koetong Pine Mountain Adamellite (Woolard, 1979). Granodiorite (Sg101), Omeo Metamorphic Complex (OSs), Thologolong Granite (Dlg102) Dimension stone and the Corryong Granite (Sg92), the majority of mineral occurrences being hosted by the Potential sources of dimension stone in Koetong Granodiorite. TALLANGATTA include several intrusive bodies and a marble locality. King and Weston The history of the Mt. Murphy Wolfram mine (in prep.) have identified five localities worthy has been described in detail by Christie (1993). of follow-up investigations as possible sites for Wolfram occurs as pea to walnut size pieces dimension stone extraction. These include a within generally N-NE trending quartz veins Triassic syenite at the Brothers, Devonian hosted by the Omeo Metamorphic Complex granite at Mount Mittamatite and Pine (bedding orientated at 45°S/318°), near the Mountain, Devonian (?) dyke swarms in the contact of the Buckwong Granodiorite (Fisher & Tallangatta area and Silurian marble at Owen, 1943). The Womobi Wolfram lode is a Limestone Creek. series of mineralised fissure quartz reefs dipping steeply north, striking at 080° (Kenny, Syenite outcropping on the southern slopes of 1941) and hosted by the Lower Devonian the Brothers, 5 km north-east of Benambra, Thologolong Granite (Dlg102). consists of a coarse-grained, pale brown rock with pale blue schiller on large feldspars. It Uranium contains occasional xenoliths and jointing is well spaced. Although this rock has not been Only a few occurrences of radiometric minerals previously used as dimension stone, its texture have been recorded in Victoria, most of which and favourable jointing make it a potential are secondary deposits related to granitic rocks source. (Weston, 1992). Anomalous thorium values due to the presence of thorogummite has been An even-grained pink granite outcrops at recorded from a number of tinguaite and Mount Mittamatite and at Pine Mountain, near phonolite dykes intruding Hotham Group Corryong. Whilst much of the intrusion is metasediments in the Harrietville goldfield. highly jointed, the north-west corner of the Torbernite has been identified from the mullock intrusion displays a jointing pattern favourable dumps of the Meerschaum and Gentle Annie to use as dimension stone. Part of the Pine Mountain granite lies outside the Burrowa-Pine GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 95

Mountain National Park and has not yet been in excess of a million tonnes of low grade ore sourced as dimension stone, but has potential (Woolard, 1979). Fluorite has been recorded at for this type of use. a number of other localities from TALLANGATTA, including Sandy Creek, Porphyry dykes in the Tallangatta area have a Walwa (Easton, 1925b), Womobi Wolfram mine history of extraction and use as dimension (Easton, 1938), the Tin Hut and Granya View stone, particularly for monument building in lodes from the Granya goldfield (Easton, 1912) Melbourne. The dykes range in colour from and an isolated occurrence from the Mitta Mitta red, red-brown to green and have a classic goldfield. porphyry texture, with large cream to white rhombic feldspars, often zoned with white cores The Pine Mountain F-Ba-Ag-Pb deposit is an 8 and corroded quartz set in a finer-grained m wide and 120 m long silicified quartz breccia, matrix. Numerous dyke swarms occur at trending 300° and dipping steeply south-west Tallangatta, Cudgewa, Walwa, and (Fisher & Owen, 1943). This quartz breccia other localities. Whilst their extensive jointing “vein” occurs along the contact between the detracts from large volume uses, considerable Omeo Metamorphic Complex and a 19.8 m wide potential exists for their use in monument quartz porphyry dyke. High grade fluorite ore construction (King & Weston, in prep.). is confined to a 1.0-1.2 m wide zone (Fisher & Owen, 1943). Woolard (1979) considered A small disused marble quarry occurs at fluorite-barite mineralisation to be deposited Limestone Creek, approximately 35 km north- from low T hydrothermal solutions associated east of Benambra. The marbles in the with the Pine Mountain Adamellite. Limestone Creek, Stoney Creek and Clare Creek areas display a wide range of attractive Limestone colours, mostly veined and mottled on cream, white and grey bases. Marble lenses occupy Limestone deposits of Silurian and Devonian areas exceeding 12 ha and contain large age have been recognised in the Benambra quantities of massive marble. At Limestone area, at Morass Creek, Wombat Creek, Creek, a cream and grey banding is evident. Limestone Creek and Stoney Creek and are This limestone has good potential for use as potential sources for limestone extraction. monumental and dimension stone, although its extraction is limited by the bulk of its outcrop The Silurian Pyles Limestone occurs along occurring within the Cobberas-Tingaringy Morass Creek, 5 km north-east of Benambra National Park (King & Weston, in prep). (Whitelaw, 1954). This limestone is approximately 5 m thick, strongly fractured and Feldspar jointed. A small amount of the limestone has been used locally for lime, but the deposit There are only limited occurrences of remains a potential source of limestone economically interesting feldspar within (McHaffie & Buckley, 1995). Victoria and these are generally associated with Silurian and Devonian granites (McHaffie & The Silurian Wombat Creek Group limestone Buckley, 1995). The most significant occurs near the junction of Gibbo River and occurrences of feldspar are at Pyles and The Wombat Creek, as west north-west trending Brothers, Hinnomunjie; Koetong Creek and lenses. A 70 m thick deposit of the limestone Tallangatta. The Pyles, Koetong Creek and occurs at Wombat Creek west of the Mitta Tallangatta feldspar occurrences are hosted by Mitta - Gibbo River junction and contains 97% dykes wheras The Brothers deposit is a Triassic CaCO3. The Wombat Creek Group limestones syenite (McHaffie & Buckley, 1995). are mostly bioclastic, ranging from grainstones to packstones and in some places are Fluorite dolomitised and silicified (VandenBerg, 1988). Future extraction is precluded by their Victoria’s only fluorite production has been inclusion within the . from the Pine Mountain mine, near Walwa, which produced 5240 tonnes of fluorite during Limestones of the Silurian Enano group outcrop the period 1918-1972 (Cochrane, 1982; Bolger, at Limestone Creek, Stoney Creek and Old Hut 1984). The Pine Mountain mine has ore Creek, near Bindi. The Enano Group limestone reserves of 75 000 tonnes of 100% CaF2, occurs as lenses interbedded with siltstone and assuming only 75% recovery (Smith, 1974) and sandstone and is strongly recrystallised 96 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

(VandenBerg, 1988). The limestones show an contain wollastonite. Wollastonite has been interesting variety of colours and textures and recorded in TALLANGATTA at the Wombat analyses return 96% CaCO3. Their potential Creek skarn, which is associated with base for use as monumental and dimension stone is metal mineralisation (Marathon Petroleum discussed in the preceding section. Limestone Aust. Ltd, 1983). extraction is not currently permitted in the Claire Creek and Limestone Creek areas, due to their inclusion in the Alpine National Park (McHaffie & Buckley, 1995).

A limestone equivalent of the Devonian Buchan Caves Limestone outcrops near the junction of Limestone Creek with the Indi River (McHaffie & Buckley, 1995).

Pyrophyllite

Pyrophyllite is mainly found in acid volcanics, specifically as a hydrothermal or metasomatic alteration product of feldspars. There are only isolated occurrences of pyrophyllite in TALLANGATTA at the porphyry Mammoth Complex and the Wilga, Volcanogenic Associated Massive Sulphide deposit (McHaffie & Buckley, 1995).

Sands, gravels and hard rock

Historically, sand and gravel extraction in TALLANGATTA has been for local use in road construction. Old sluicing claims in the Mitta Mitta and Ovens Rivers and at Baarmutha have left an abundance of river gravels in tailing dumps, which have been sourced for local use (Laing, 1975). Although there is no current commercial extraction of sands and gravels from TALLANGATTA, the regional geology provides numerous prospective areas for future extraction.

A small amount of crushed hornfels has been sourced from the Walwa Road Quarry by the Tallangatta Shire for local use in road building and maintenance. Phyllitic shale has been quarried at the junction of Mitta Mitta and Yabba Roads as well as on the Mitta Mitta North Road (Laing, 1975). There is no current hard or rippable rock of commercial extraction in TALLANGATTA. Vic Roads and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have several small pits scattered throughout Tallangatta for use in local road maintenance.

Wollastonite

There are several known occurrences of skarn type mineralisation in Victoria some of which GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 97

4 Summary of Exploration sampling and resulted in the delineation of two closely spaced anomalies at Currawong. Between 1976-1982, WMC/BP undertook Since the introduction of the Exploration extensive geochemical surveys, geophysical Licensing (EL) system in 1965, approximately surveys and diamond drilling to further define 160 licences have been granted within prospective areas for future work. Drilling at TALLANGATTA and their locations are Wilga and Currawong outlined a resource of presented in Appendix 1. Appendices 2 and 3 3.03 million tonnes at 2.7% Cu, 0.5%Pb and provide a tabulated summary of the exploration 6.2% Zn at Wilga and 8.8 million tonnes at 1.9% programmes. A complete outline of the Cu, 0.7% Pb and 4.0% Zn at Currawong. These available work programmes conducted over the two deposits and additional prospects were sold EL's within TALLANGATTA is presented in to Macquarie Resources in 1988 (Allen & Barr, Caluzzi (1995). 1990). Extraction of the Wilga deposit began in September 1992. In the 12 months ending June The appropriate reference(s) are given for each 1995, 254900 tonnes of ore were mined for EL and are listed in the Reference section in 63164 t of copper concentrate, containing alphabetical order. 13613 t of copper, and 11596 t of zinc concentrate, containing 5947 t of zinc. 4.1 History of exploration Denehurst currently owns the mining lease (ML 1865) over the area. Gold WMC/BP have also undertaken exploration TALLANGATTA has a long history of gold programmes targeting stockwork/breccia base exploration and mining, dating back to the metal mineralisation in the Mitta Mitta and 1850's, when gold was extracted from major Sassafras areas. Other large exploration goldfields including the Harrietville, Bright/ programmes include Essex Minerals (EL 611), Wandiligong/Freeburgh, Mt. Wills and Marathon/Pan Australia (EL 1223), CRAE Bethanga Goldfields. Modern day exploration (EL 690) and A.Webb (EL's 651,1058), which has continued the search for gold. In the late have targeted limestone-hosted primary 1970's-1980's, BHP Minerals completed stratiform mineralisation as well as exploration programmes in the Bright and mineralisation associated with porphyries and Germantown areas (EL's 722, 858, 1208), breccias. targeting large stockwork or disseminated gold deposits as well as alluvial gold in the Ovens Tin and Buckland Rivers, whilst Australian Anglo- American Prospecting (EL's 752, 1339) targeted Primary tin was first mined at Walwa in 1882 alluvial gold in gravels of the Mitta Mitta River and remains a target of modern exploration flats. More recently, companies including programmes in TALLANGATTA . The more Bendigo Gold (EL 3163), Nickelseekers significant of these have been undertaken by (EL 1553), Poseidon (EL 3244) and CRA Australian Anglo-American Prospecting Exploration (EL's 2131, 2132, 2143, 2146) have (EL's 656,752,1232, 1339), Golden Eagle Mining undertaken exploration programmes in the (EL's 623, 1248) and Northern Mining Mt. Wills, Glen Wills, Mt Unicorn, Granya and (EL's 1145 and 1151). These programmes have Wyeebo areas. Their targets have included targeted alluvial tin in the Mitta Mitta River both gold in granite-associated gold enriched flats and at Koetong, and granite-associated tin haloes, and gold in hydrothermal vein systems. in the Mitta Mitta and Walwa areas.

Base metals Other minerals

TALLANGATTA has undergone significant Modern exploration in TALLANGATTA has base metal exploration leading up to and also targeted molybdenum mineralisation, with encouraged by the discovery of the Wilga and Australian Anglo-American (EL 695) and Currawong base metal deposits at Benambra by Seltrust Mining (EL's 1207, 1227) exploring for Western Mining/BP (EL's 432, 456, 570, 641) in molybdenum-bearing quartz veins in granites 1978. The Wilga deposit was defined by follow- (Bingo Munjie) and porphyry-molybdenum up drilling on a bulls-eye TEM anomaly systems at Benambra. Tungsten mineralisation recognised in 1978. This TEM survey was has often been targeted alongside tin, but to a expanded following further geochemical lesser extent. Exploration for diamonds within 98 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

volcanic breccia pipes at Jimmy Creek, scale, were remapped at 1:2500 scale. Several Koetong, has been undertaken by Bruce university theses projects complemented Resources (EL's 3189, 3190, 3264). company work and this data was incorporated with Geological Survey mapping to produce the 4.2 Major exploration published Limestone Creek 1:50 000 geological programmes map (Allen & Barr, 1990). Geochemistry - Geochemical sampling The top six exploration programmes within throughout the licences included rock chip, TALLANGATTA, as defined by expenditure, stream sediment and extensive soil sampling are presented below. A complete outline of the programmes. Samples were typically sieved to - work programmes of all expired EL's within 80# and soil samples collected to 5 cm depths. TALLANGATTA are presented in Caluzzi Samples were analysed for many elements, (1995). including Cu, Pb, Zn, cold extractable (Cx) Cu, CxZn, CxAs, Hg, Mo, As, Ag, Sn and Au. Due to EL Nos. 1233 (ex 432), 1234 (ex 456), the enormous size of this sampling programme, 1236 (ex 570) and 1237 (ex 641) results are not described in detail. However, Macquarie Resources Limited base metal anomalies from previous stream sediment sampling programmes were confirmed Period Held: 1972 - 1988 (see below for in soil and gossan samples. A total of details) approximately 30 prospects were outlined by EL 432: 1972 - 1982 EL 1233: 1982 - 1988 geochemical sampling and many of these EL 456: 1972 - 1982 EL 1234: 1982 - 1988 underwent follow-up work. Initial work EL 570: 1976 - 1982 EL 1236: 1982 - 1988 concentrated on outlining the Wilga Cu-Pb-Zn EL 641: 1978 - 1983 EL 1237: 1983 - 1988 and Currawong Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag deposits. A summary of the geochemical programme is Area: Benambra. outlined below:

Target: Exploration for volcanic-hosted, base Stream sediment samples 282 metal mineralisation similar to the Woodlawn Rock chip samples 1,485 base metal deposit in Silurian volcanics in Soil samples - reconnaissance 23,069 N.S.W. Sampling gap 30 m, sampling lines 500 m apart. Work Carried Out: Soil samples - grid 58,775 The following information is derived from non- Samples collected on 100x10 m grids. confidential reports spanning the period from March 1979 to March 1987. Information from The Wilga and Currawong base metal deposits remaining EL reports is confidential and cannot did not crop out at the surface. Soil anomalies be accessed in this report as the work had developed "up dip from the deposits, on programme is deemed to be part of ML 1865, pyritic mineralisation forming a lateral halo to covering the currently operative Benambra the massive sulphide mineralisation" (Allen & base metal mine. Barr, 1990). These deposits were defined by TEM anomalies and confirmed by diamond Mapping - During the tenure of these ELs, drilling (see below). extensive exploration work was undertaken. Regional reconnaissance and detailed mapping Geophysics - The exploration programme during the early stages of tenure described included extensive geophysical testing, Devonian subaerial volcanics, Ordovician including TEM, ground magnetometer, metasediments and described extensive spontaneous potential and induced potential alteration and strong deformation of marine surveys and DIGHEM airborne EM surveys. sediments associated with Silurian volcanics. Between March 1979 and March 1986, 2962 TEM surveys were reported (using 100 or Geochemical sampling (see below) outlined a 200 m loops). The TEM survey at Wilga number of prospects which subsequently revealed a strong "bulls-eye" anomaly, which underwent gridding and mapping at scales was successfully tested by diamond drilling of ranging down to 1:2500. As more prospective DDH Bend 17 (see Table 1) (Allen & Barr, areas were defined, this mapping was extended 1990). and some areas, initially mapped at 1:10 000 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 99

Over 18 line km of IP surveying, 163 line km of Mapping - Reconnaissance mapping was ground magnetometer surveys and 556 line km conducted over the licence area. This was of DIGHEM airborne EM surveys were also followed by detailed mapping, gridding and conducted. Down-hole IP surveys were also rock sampling at Silvertop and Eustace Gap conducted in many diamond drill holes, grids and at Carmodies Prospect. including Bends 4, 13, 17, 18, 24, 30, 34, 49, 50, 57 and 60. Geochemistry - A total of 142 reconnaissance soil samples were collected approximately 40 m Drilling - A total of 181 diamond drill holes apart, along ridges adjacent to the Yankee were drilled in the licence areas up to Point Track. These samples, dried and sieved November 1989. Reports between March 1979 to -80#, were assayed for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn and March 1986 describe 86 diamond drill and As, with the following results: holes, of which 21 detail significant intersections. These are summarised in the Cu <10 - 20 ppm Zn30 - 70 ppm following Table 17. Pb 10 - 30 ppm As<5 - 10 ppm

This drilling outlined a measured, indicated An additional 14 samples were collected from and inferred resource of 3.03 million tonnes at previous reconnaissance lines. Results of soil 2.7% Cu, 0.5% Pb and 6.2% Zn at Wilga and 8.8 sampling were: million tonnes at 1.9%Cu, 0.7 % Pb, 4.0% Zn, 38 ppm Ag and 0.8 ppm Au at Currawong. Mining Cu 10 - 180 ppm Zn20 - 290 ppm of the Wilga deposit commenced in September As 10 - 270 ppm Pb20 - 350 ppm 1992 and in the twelve months ending June Mo <2 - 24 ppm 1995, 254,900 tonnes of ore were mined for 63,164 t of copper concentrate containing A total of 1600 reconnaissance samples were 13,163 t of copper, and 11,596 t of zinc checked for Mo and Bi content, with the concentrate containing 5,947 t of zinc. Further following results: resource definition is currently being conducted at Currawong with the aim of starting Au 0.05 - 1.0 ppm Bi <0.5 - 2.5 ppm extraction in the near future. Mo <5 - 210 ppm Cu10 - 420 ppm Fe 0.9 - >20 % Pb10 - 3100 ppm Reason for relinquishment: Ag 1.0 - 2.0 ppm Mn10 - 650 ppm Mining lease 1865 was granted over the Wilga Zn 10 - 520 ppm and Currawong areas in 1989. Current EL 3458 covers the adjacent area to the south of One hundred rock chip and gossan samples ML 1865. were collected adjacent to several reconnaissance traverses and analysed for Sn References - Allen & Barr (1990); Barr (1985a, and W, with the following peak results: 1985b); Buck (1982a, 1982b); Chenoweth (1979); Thompson (1980a, 1980b, 1981a, 1981b); Shugg Sn 54 ppm W 293 ppm (1983a, 1983b, 1984); Western Mining Corporation Ltd. (1986); Western Mining A further 36 rock samples was also collected in Corporation Ltd & BP Mining Development the vicinity of Carmodies Grid. Rock and Australia Pty Ltd. (1978, 1979). gossan sampling was also undertaken near the junction of Raymond Creek and Dart River. A EL Nos. 1238 (ex 565) and 1239 (ex total of 30 samples were collected here and 640) Western Mining Corporation analysed for Au, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, As, Bi and Fe. Peak results of this sampling are described Limited and BP Mining below: Development Australia P/L. Au 0.35 ppm Zn 1080 ppm Period Held: 1982 - 1988 Bi 32.5 ppm Cu 1100 ppm Area: Mitta Mitta and Sassafras. Target: Exploration for stockwork/breccia precious metal mineralisation.

Work Carried Out: 100 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 17 Summary of drilling at Wilga and Currawong prospects

Local grid final Cu Pb Zn Ag Au from to Hole No. coordinates depth % % % ppm ppm (m) (m) N E (m)

Bend 17 11228 14044 128.85 4.0 7.3 0.5 32 40 m total Bend 19 11275 14039 154.65 7.4 0.2 1.2 36 93.75 104.8 Bend 20 11275 14146 149.15 1.5 0.8 9.6 45 93.5 130.5 Bend 21 11325 14146 154.75 1.6 0.1 0.3 12 120 129.4 Bend 23 11193 14145 132.87 3.8 0.1 3.7 22 102 124.5 Bend 24 11979 17451 166.50 2.0 0.5 3.1 42 126.5 140.7 Bend 51C 11910 17650 0.31 1.05 3.56 41 1.46 139.4 140.5 0.29 5.60 4.20 200 4.2 247.4 248 1.42 0.69 3.33 43 0.06 297.9 300.2 Bend 55C 11780 17450 268.95 1.24 0.31 1.46 29 0.41 206.5 208.9 1.92 1.34 5.25 57 1.86 225.3 235.9 Bend 55C-W1 11780 17450 241.90 222.6 241.9 Bend 59C 11829 17550 291.65 2.60 0.33 1.71 26 0.35 72.0 73.1 0.24 1.79 4.00 60 9.6 221.6 222.6 1.81 0.44 3.56 24 1.63 228.8 257.5 Bend 59C-W2 11829 17550 262.85 213.1 262.9 Bend 60C 12060 17550 488.20 0.45 2.16 4.22 35 6.53 225.4 230.3 2.4 0.48 2.46 30 0.95 256.7 275.4 1.02 1.66 6.15 48 2.02 331.1 366.1 1.94 0.29 3.41 39 n/a 390.6 402.8 Bend 60C-W1 12060 17550 488.20 331.3 363.9 Bend 62C 11855 17450 364.35 1.59 0.42 2.44 28 0.29 229.2 253.5 2.37 0.08 0.50 22 n/a 276.6 285.1 Bend 62C-W1 11855 17450 364.35 222.5 364.4 Bend 68W 11282 14100 122.60 2.93 1.41 16.8 0.7 66 91.1 116.3 Bend 70C 12030 17250 378.2 1.20 0.02 0.91 0.2 12 171.3 173.3 0.18 0.24 1.21 0.1 11 176.3 177.3 1.15 0.62 1.07 0.1 9 188.6 189.7 Bend 71C 11803 17050 275.15 0.10 0.17 0.55 0.1 3 214 219.1 0.65 0.30 0.27 0.2 87 220.1 221.1 0.63 0.07 0.69 0.1 9 229.0 230.0 Bend 76Ws 10590 13970 342.10 2.3 Bend 78Ws 10590 13970 368.20 2.75 3.90 Bend 79C 12035 17950 522 1.4 10.2 14.4 125 11.5 183.8 185.4 Bend 80C 12113 17950 272.10 0.05 1.21 1.55 28 4.1 180.3 182.2 0.27 2.18 4.73 32 4.6 234.3 239.5 Bend 84C 12125 18050 325.00 1.23 4.62 9.05 113 5.7 280.7 281.0 Bend 85Ws 10615 14063 236.00 1.6 108.0 109.9 0.93 163.9 169.7 1.21 183.3 184.5 1.4 190.0 191.8 2.04 194.5 198.4 Bend 89Ws 10900 14150 226.30 0.26 0.35 5.0 3.8 0.1 191.2 191.6 1.60 201.6 203.7 3.82 207.5 208.3 2.99 241.3 216.6 Bend 91C 12048 17850 195.55 1.51 2.10 20 109.1 110.1 1.12 1.81 28 1.8 168.7 170.9 2.05 2.07 26 2.3 184.0 187.1 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 101

Mo 900 ppm Fe >20 % Follow up work included flying approximately Pb 10800 ppm As 1200 ppm 60 sq. km. of the licence with colour Sn 1060 ppm W 42 ppm photography at a scale of 1:10 000.

Rock and gossan samples (102 in total) were Geochemistry - A total of 255 stream sediment collected from the Eustace Gap and Silvertop samples were collected (dried and sieved to - grids. Peak results from this sampling are 80#) and analysed for Cu, Pb and Zn, with the described below: following results:

Eustace Gap Cu 4 - 100 ppm Pb 20 - 380 ppm Ni 30 ppm Mn 880 ppm Zn 28 - 440 ppm As 500 ppm Cu 150 ppm Fe 9.1 % Bi 33 ppm Eleven anomalies were detected through this Pb 2040 ppm Ag 18.0 ppm sampling. Au 0.2 ppm Zn 220 ppm Mo 30 ppm W 88 ppm As a standard check, several Emission Sn 395 ppm Spectroscopy scans were run on mineralised rock samples (in-situ and float). Some of these Silvertop indicated anomalous values in Sn in several Ni 20 ppm Mn 50 ppm areas, including the Mammoth Copper Lode As 13600 ppm Cu 400 ppm gossans with up to 0.2% Sn and gossan float at Fe 12.3 % Bi 1750 ppm Donovan's Creek 3 km to the north-west, which Pb 1450 ppm Ag 23 ppm assayed 0.3% Sn. Au 0.13 ppm Zn 20 ppm Mo 10 ppm W 21 ppm Further regional stream sediment sampling Sn 117 ppm was undertaken and indicated a Mo anomaly of 40 ppm in stream sediments in the southern Follow-up investigations involved soil portion of the Mammoth Copper Lode Dyke, resampling over As anomalies on Silvertop, where Coopers Creek Mining and Exploration Skink, Whistler and Conglomerate grids for Au (EL 154) had previously obtained up to 700 ppm analysis. Similar sampling was carried out over Mo and 1,000 ppm Sn. Results of this stream the Greens Creek, Zulu Creek and Dart River sediment sampling were as follows: gold mines. Results of this sampling are not provided. Cu 15 - 1,700 ppm Zn 30 - 2,000 ppm Pb 30 - 6,300 ppm Sn < 20 - 2,570 ppm Geophysics - A TEM survey was conducted using 4 x 200 m loops on the Pipe grid. A Geophysics - An EM survey was commenced magnetic survey was also completed over part over the Gibbo River/Wombat Creek/Morass of the Silvertop Grid. Creek grid, but was soon abandoned due to technical difficulties with laying out the figure Reason for relinquishment: 8 configurations. A weak anomaly was No reason given. recorded in the area of the baseline on 44+00 and it was intended to follow this anomaly up References - Barr (1984, 1985, 1989); Shugg with further work. (1982, 1983a, 1983b, 1984). A magnetometer survey was also conducted EL 611 Essex Minerals Company over the entire Morass Creek/Gibbo River/Wombat Creek grid and indicated a Period Held: 1977 - 1982 strong anomaly along the base line of Morass Area: Wombat Creek, Benambra. Creek grid, correlating closely with the contact of the metasomatized magnesian limestone and Target: Exploration for a primary stratiform the overlying tuffaceous siltstone. An anomaly base metal deposit within Silurian limestones. was also detected in the Ralston's Lode area along Wombat Creek, which required follow-up Work Carried Out: work. Mapping - The exploration programme involved limited reconnaissance mapping to Induced polarization surveys were conducted confine the zone of possible mineralisation. over the areas of the Wombat Creek Hole 102 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

(Morass Creek) and the South Mammoth holes hit massive dark clay and were stopped breccia zone. Lines over the projected zone of there. A fence of 5 holes averaging 2-3 m in mineralisation were run at 50 and 100 m depth were then drilled across the intervals. Results of the IP survey were southernmost anomaly on the Benambra-Gibbo generally disappointing, except for some Road. All of these bottomed in weathered negative frequency effects on the western quartzite, with little evidence of mineralisation portion of the Morass Creek area. through the soil section.

Over the southern portion of the Mammoth Reason for relinquishment: Lode, a pronounced resistivity low and weak Management responsibility of the project was EM anomaly indicated continuation of sulphide assumed by Marathon Petroleum Australia in mineralisation into the brecciated zone (at least 1983 and took over the exploration programme 100 m thick). under EL 1223.

Three lines of EM surveys (50 m intervals) were References - Brady (1979, 1980); Cuffley also completed over Lee's Paddock, southeast of (1979, 1980, 1982); Fraser & Dvorak (1981); the Wombat Hole Show but failed to detect any Penny (1977); Urquhart & Dvorak (1982); anomalies. Walker (1981a, 1981b).

Drilling - A shallow diamond drill hole (DDH EL 653 (renewed as EL 1229) M1) was drilled to a depth of 33 m to test the Australian Anglo-American extension of a surface gossan near the Mammoth Copper lode. No significant base Prospecting P/L metal nor tin mineralisation was encountered (max Sn 200 - 260 ppm over a distance of Period Held: 1978 - 1984 3.5 m). Results from this drilling are: Area: Koetong.

Cu 10 - 1100 ppmZn10 - 850 ppm Target: Exploration for tin mineralisation Pb 15 - 110 ppm Sn20 - 260 ppm associated with granite intrusives.

Peaks in the mineralisation were intersected at Work Carried Out: a depth of 17 to 19 m. Mapping - (i) Preliminary exploration Anomalous results from the gossan analyses Detailed geological mapping was carried out were not confirmed by this drilling. A second over 3 grids in the licence area - Bullhead Grid, diamond drill hole was drilled further south of Cudgewa Grid and the Watchingorra Grid. DDH M1. Results of this drilling are not Aerial photos were used to interpret prominent reported. An additional five diamond drill holes structural features. Stream beds were mapped were also drilled, 1 on the Wombat Hole skarn in the later stages of exploration. zone and 4 on the Mammoth Complex. The core from DDH 4 (maximum depth 271.4 m) (ii) Follow up work contained anomalous, fine molybdenite in the Regional surveying and mapping along Rogers metasediments in the lower portion of the hole. Creek was undertaken to follow-up geochemical The section between 185 m and 271.4 m soil anomalies in the area. Gridding, surveying contained anomalous Mo with a maximum of and mapping was also completed on Rogers 600 ppm Mo over 3 m. The drilling indicated Creek. that the best potential for mineralisation in the licence area was for a porphyry molybdenite Geochemistry - deposit of the "Hood" or "Climax" model in the (i) Preliminary exploration Mammoth Complex. The other drill hole failed A total of 441 samples were collected from the to locate significant mineralisation. licence area, including 66 pan concentrates, 1238 -80# unconcentrated stream sediment Two deep auger drill holes were drilled to samples, 187 soil samples and 64 rock samples. depths of 7 m and 9 m respectively to test an All soil samples were collected below the A - airborne EM anomaly to the south-east of the horizon. Two soil grids were established at Wombat Hole mineralisation. Both of these Cudgewa and Watchingorra, initially for GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 103

Table 18 Preliminary exploration results from EL 653

Sample Value type (ppm) Cu Pb Zn Sn W

stream sed. 5 - 25 0 -35 10 - 120 0 - 1200 0 - 40 pan. conc. 0.01 - 2438 0.01 - 4.77 soil 0 - 60 0 - 15 rock chip 7 - 35

Table 19 Pan concentrate results for EL 653

Area Value (ppm)

Sn (ppm) W (ppm)

Watchingorra Ck - W. trib 9 - 19 Watchingorra Ck - E. trib. 730 31.5 Watchingorra Ck 40 - 130 Wyeebo 25 - 35 5 - 5.5 Southwest of Wyeebo 30 10.5 Watchingorra Ck - N. h/waters 4.66 Rogers Ck - h/waters 15 80 Mt. Cudgewa 140 - 200 11.5 Reedy Ck 8.5 - 14 Lucky Hit Ck - h/waters 93 Lightfoot - Walker Ck 116 Ben Lomond area 1200 40 Ropers area 480 8.0 Newmans Ck 85 11.5 orientation surveys. Results of all this A further 1324 stream sediment samples sampling are detailed in Table 18. (sieved to -80#) were collected to test the Sn and W response in the Watchingorra Grid, with the The Sn and W content from panned following results: concentrates indicated a potential alluvial concentration of cassiterite in the valleys. Cu 5 - 20 ppm Zn 10 - 120 ppm W 0 - 40 ppm Pb 0 - 30 ppm (ii) Follow up work Sn 0 - 1200 ppm During follow up investigations, 1238 stream sediment samples (-80#), and 60 pan Channel, ridge and spur and stream sediment concentrate (panned to 500 - 1000 gm) samples samples were collected from previously defined were collected from drainage from the anomalous areas. Seventeen channel samples Watchingorra Granite. Results of Sn and W were collected from Lightfoot Creek, 15 stream analyses of the pan concentrates are sediment samples from Cudgewa Creek, 107 summarised in Table 19. ridge and spur samples from Reedy Creek, 32 104 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

ridge and spur samples from Lucky Hit Creek, Table 20 Summary of drilling at Reedy Creek 47 ridge and spur samples from Newman's Creek and 156 granitic rock samples were also BSD1 (ppm) BSD2 (ppm) collected to highlight mineralising granites. All ridge and spur (soil) samples were dried and sieved to -80# and analysed for Sn, W, Sb, Cu, Mo 5 - 150 5 - 100 Pb, Zn, As, Ta and Au. W 5 - 1100 5 - 1200

Further ridge and spur sampling was completed Sn 5 - 180 5 - 190 in the Reedy Creek, Rogers Creek, Watchingorra Creek, Newmans Creek and drilling largely intersected unaltered Lucky Hit Creek areas. At Rogers Creek, this sediments. A further 2 diamond drill holes follow-up work confirmed a multi-element (BSD1, BSD2) were drilled at Reedy Creek and anomaly. A grid was subsequently drawn at samples analysed for Mo, W and Sn, with the Rogers Creek and a reconnaissance A and C following range of results outlined in Table 20. horizon sampling programme completed. Further details of diamond drilling results are Drilling - not reported. Limited auger drilling along (i) Preliminary exploration Watchingorra Creek indicated a slight Two diamond drill holes, WDH1 and WDH2, enhancement in Sn and W, especially in the were drilled to examine the W anomaly in soils bleached alluvials. on the Watchingorra Grid. These boreholes were drilled to depths of 199.5 m and 244.65 m Exploration Programme under renewed respectively. Cores from both boreholes were EL 1229 chip sampled and analysed for Sn and W, revealing scheelite values typically less than EL 653 was re-applied for in 1982 and granted 0.1 %. Peak values of 1000 ppm W occurred at as EL 1229. This renewed licence continued 120-124 m depth and 35 ppm Sn between 124- sequentially from EL 653. 128 m depth in WDH 1. Geochemistry - C-horizon soil samples were (ii) Follow up work collected from augering on the Rogers Creek Auger drilling was undertaken at Cudgewa grid. These samples were sieved to -80# and Creek, with 18 holes drilled through to the C- analysed for Sn, W and Mo. This prospect was horizon. These holes were logged and panned subsequently abandoned, as exploration for concentrates analysed. Results of this drilling mineralisation associated with the Koetong are not reported. Granite was discontinued due to disappointing geochemical results. The Reedy Creek prospect Three holes were also drilled through the was also abandoned. More attention was alluvials of the Mitta Mitta valley. None of instead directed towards exploring for alluvial these three holes intersected bedrock, with a gold in the Mitta Mitta valley. Rock chips were peak value of 140 mg/m3 Au returned in one collected from the Watchingorra grid. hole. Drilling - Two lines of auger holes were drilled Limited auger sampling (sieved to -20#) across the valley of Watchingorra Creek to undertaken at Reedy Creek confirmed the Sn- determine the source of the previously found Sn W-Mo anomaly and indicated only a minor anomaly. Samples, collected at 1 m intervals, influence of soil creep. The surface anomaly at indicated that the Sn anomaly was associated Reedy Creek was described as approximately with weathered bedrock. The exploration grid 250 m wide over a strike length of almost 2 km. was extended to the west to further test this This exploration was followed by a total of 10 anomaly. A line of 8 percussion drill holes was percussion diamond drill holes, drilled to a total laid out across the valley close to the southern depth of 650 m. These holes (BSP 1-10) were boundary of the licence. These holes were drilled on Beetoomba Spur and samples drilled to depths of 15 - 16 m and sampled at collected at 1 or 10 m intervals. Apart from 1 m intervals. Results from the retreatment of drill hole BS4 which intersected quartz veining the slime gave an average grade of 24.46 mg/m3 within a 30m secondary muscovite zone, the Au. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 105

Table 21 Summary of exploration results in EL 656

stream pan conc. soil -grid soil -ridge and rock chip sed. (ppm) (ppm) spur (ppm) (ppm) (ppm)

Sn 0 - 35 0.01 - 25 0 - 40 3 - 80 2000 W 0 - 15 0 - 24.9 0 - 20 0.5 - 25 60 Cu n/a n/a n/a 1 - 45 185 Pb n/a n/a n/a 1 - 50 65 Zn n/a n/a n/a 1 - 115 140 Ta n/a n/a n/a <10 - 15 60 Mo n/a n/a n/a 0.5 - 2 8.5 Au n/a n/a n/a n/a 8

Geophysics - A ground magnetometer survey over the Bullhead Creek mineral occurrence was conducted over the Watchingorra grid. and samples collected every 50 m and analysed for Sn and W. This initial sampling indicated Reason for relinquishment: an anomalous granite contact zone, returning Mineralisation found was not of economic 80 ppm Sn. This was followed up with further significance. ridge and spur soil and rock chip sampling in the Bullhead Creek catchment anomalous zone. References - Farrell (1980); Keane (1979, Samples were analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ta, Sn, 1980); Orr (1979, 1980, 1981a, 1981b, 1981c, W and As. Overall results of sampling are 1981d); Orr & Farrell (1980); Thynne (1978, summarised in Table 21. 1982); Washausen (1982). Soil sampling indicated two weak Sn anomalies EL 656 (renewed as EL 1232) in the Bullhead Creek Grid and a W anomaly Australian Anglo-American in the Watchingorra Grid. Channel sampling along the road cutting over an adit from the Prospecting P/L Bullhead Creek mineral occurrence outlined 3 m at 0.6% Sn. Period Held: 1978 - 1984 (renewed as EL 1232: 1982 - 1984) Drilling - One RC air drill hole was completed Area: Eskdale. along the Yabba road and samples collected every 3 m and analysed for Au, Sn and Ta. This Target: Exploration for alluvial tin deposits hole reached a final depth of 31 m in weathered and tin and tungsten lodes associated with granite. The hole failed to locate more than granite intrusives. traces of cassiterite in quartz veins. No further work was undertaken at this prospect. Work Carried Out: Mapping - Reconnaissance mapping was Two fences of drill holes were also completed in completed throughout the licence area. the search for alluvial gold. One line of 6 drill Detailed geological mapping was undertaken at holes reached a total depth of 203 m in the Bullhead Creek to follow up geochemical Mitta Mitta Valley and another line of of 6 anomalies. holes in Faireyknowe Valley reached a total depth of 73m. Samples from this drilling were Geochemistry - More than 300 samples were analysed for Au, Sn and W, with the best result collected within the licence area, including 113 in drill hole MC5 (Mitta Mitta Valley), where 99 stream sediment samples, 27 panned mg Au was returned between 11 and 14 m concentrate samples, 127 soil samples (46 ridge depth. Only trace amount of Sn and W were and spur, 81 grid soil samples) and 27 channel detected. samples. An orientation soil grid was laid out 106 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Reason for relinquishment - Mineralisation Mo 6 ppm W 280 ppm intersected was not considered significant Zn 380 ppm Au 3.7 ppm enough to support a mining operation. These results indicated the presence of various References - Farrell (1980); Keane anomalous areas, containing high Pb (>200 (1979,1980); Orr (1979a, 1979b, 1980, 1981a, ppm), Ag (>3ppm), Au (>1ppm) and Sn 1981b, 1981c, 1982a, 1982b); Thynne (1978). (>6ppm). An anomaly coincident with a 200 m long, massive ferruginous gossan was EL 1223 (ex EL 611) and 1462 subsequently drilled. Marathon Petroleum Australia Ltd (ii) Follow up work and Pan Australian Mining Follow up investigations involved the collection Limited. of 250 rock chip samples in Grids A and B. Grid A was centred on the main gossan zone Period Held: 1982 - 1987 outlined by Essex in their previous work Area: Wombat Creek, Benambra (EL 1223) and (EL 611) and comprised an area containing the Beloka (EL 1462). highest Sn, Au and Ag values from previous surface exploration work. Grid B ran south Target: Exploration for polymetallic from the Mammoth Lode adit and incorporated mineralisation associated with porphyry areas of highly anomalous Ag values in old intrusives and breccias. trenches. Results of this sampling returned the following peak results: Work Carried Out: Mapping - Cu 870 ppm Mn 40 ppm (i) Preliminary exploration Mo 610 ppm Pb 3400 ppm Preliminary analyses of gossanous rock samples Ag 14 ppm W 340 ppm prompted more detailed mapping and gridding Zn 3600 ppm Au 4.6 ppm of the licence area. In the north Mammoth Sn 2350 ppm Bi 3050 ppm area, the gossan lenses were often observed in close spacial relationship with quartz porphyry Rock chips were also collected (130 in total) dykes. from the Donovan's Find area, north of the Gibbo River and assayed for Cu, Pb, Zn and (ii) Follow up work other metals, with the following peak results: Geological mapping of the North Mammoth and John's Find prospects was completed at a scale Cu 105 ppm Mo 16 ppm of 1:2,500. Gridding was completed at the Pb 2200 ppm Au < 0.05 ppm John's Find area in preparation for soil Zn 330 ppm Sn 660 ppm sampling and geophysical surveying. Ag 6 ppm

(iii) Final stage exploration Grid soil samples were taken in the North Detailed geological mapping on the North Mammoth area at 25 m intervals by hand auger Mammoth Prospect helped elucidate the at an average depth of 20 cm. Samples were relationship between surface gossans and dried and sieved to -40# and analysed for Sn, mineralised lodes intersected in DDH B6, B7 Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mo and Au. Results of this and B8. sampling indicated Sn/Pb/Cu/Zn anomalies associated with the nearby porphyry. A strong Geochemistry - Zn anomaly in the middle of the grid is (i) Preliminary exploration associated with high Cu and Pb values and A total of 203 rock chip samples (gossan) were appears to coincide with a strong magnetic collected along tracks and costeans and anomaly. analysed (AAS and XRF) for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mo, Au, Sn and W, with the following peak (iii) Final stage exploration results: Three lodes were sampled by rock chip sampling, lodes A, B and C. These were Cu 730 ppm Ag 132 ppm characterised by the following grades: Sn 7350 ppm Pb 8700 ppm Lode A High Pb and high Ag/Au ratios (75.8, 43.8). Low Sn. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 107

Lode B High Sn and Cu. Moderate Ag/Au ratios (30.4, 29.1). Cu 5700 ppm Ag 15 ppm Lode C High Sn and Cu and high Ag/Au Pb 680 ppm Au 0.416 ppm ratios (53.5, 61). Zn 930 ppm Sn 400 ppm

North Mammoth - A total of 130 rock chip Additional, apparently unmineralised rock chip samples were collected along ridges, tracks and samples were collected at 50 m intervals from creeks in the North Mammoth area and the North Mammoth, John's Find, Donovan's analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn, As and Au. Results Creek and South Mammoth prospects. These of these analyses indicated Sn-Pb-As haloes were analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Mo, Sn, over a 250x750 m area. The peak results are W and Mn and returned the following peak outlined below: results:

Cu 280 ppm Sn 150 ppm Cu 870 ppm Ag 115 ppm Pb 3265 ppm As 4750 ppm Sn 2350 ppm Pb 9000 ppm Zn 1780 ppm Au 202 ppm Au 4.6 ppm W 340 ppm Zn 3600 ppm Mo 24 ppm A further 60 rock chip samples collected over Mn 40 ppm the North Mammoth grid were analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, As, Sn and Bi, with the Geophysics - following peak results: (i) Preliminary exploration Previous DIGHEM surveys, flown by Essex, Cu 620 ppm Ag 45 ppm were reviewed by Marathon. The company Sn 420 ppm Pb 3580 ppm decided to follow up all previously-found Au 1720 ppb Bi 120 ppm aeromagnetic and significant DIGHEM Zn 31000 ppm As 3500 ppm anomalies with ground inspections and geochemical sampling. Soil samples (41 in total, -80#) collected at 20 m intervals across Mt. Denier and Mt. Lucy (ii) Follow up work revealed the strongest anomalies in bleached The aerial magnetic bulls-eye anomaly located ferruginous metasediments to the east of the by Essex Minerals in the John's Find area was main porphyry. Here, strong coincident values confirmed by ground magnetic surveying (25 m of 240 ppb Au, 900 ppm As, 12 ppm Ag and intervals) and was tentatively correlated with 2 3580 ppm Pb were returned. sub-parallel, narrow anomalous zones. Another narrow anomaly was found in the north-east of Grid soil samples were also taken at the John's the licence area and tentatively correlated with Find prospect at 25 m intervals by soil auger at Zn-anomalous gossans. an average depth of 20 cm. These samples were sieved to -40# and analysed for Sn, Cu, Pb, Zn, (iii) Final stage exploration Ag, Mo and Au. Results from this sampling A SIROTEM survey conducted over the licence returned Au, Mo and Ag at/below the detection area produced a number of weak responses, limit, whilst anomalous Sn (24 - 50ppm) and Pb inferred to be associated with massive sulphide (> 200 ppm) appeared associated with nearby lenses intersected in diamond drill holes B6, B7 porphyries. and B8. Three 300-m + lines were SIROTEM surveyed over the Beloka prospect and a Beloka prospect - Two gossanous float samples moderate response associated with magnetic collected at the Beloka prospect returned lows and anomalous As (>85 ppm), east of the anomalous results of 11.6 ppm Au, 2600 ppm area of anomalous float. Pb, 3050 ppm As and 2.4 ppm Au, 2500 ppm Pb, 7850 ppm As. Resampling of this area Drilling - Diamond drill hole B6, located 50 m confirmed the high values, with up to 12.4 ppm east of the gossanous zone, was completed in a Au. quartz feldspar porphyry to a depth of 213 m. It intersected massive gossan between 26.3 - Wombat Hole prospect - Rock chip and grab 27.9 m and several zones of either massive or samples were collected from the Wombat Hole strongly veined pyrite was observed prospect and analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Sn, W and Sn, with the following peak results: 108 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Table 22 Summary of drilling in ELs 1223 and 1462.

DDH width Au Ag Sn Cu Pb Zn depth (m) (ppm) (ppm) (%) (%) (%) (%)

DDH B6 4.5 59.9 10.5-15 m 7.0 0.72 25.7 21.6 - 28.6 m 3.3 1.1 33.4 0.26 " " 1.6 1.32 41.9 0.33 " " 4.7 0.5 21.7 0.07 0.18 41.8 - 46.5 m 9.0 0.4 21.5 0.29 0.32 49.5 - 58.5 m 5.3 0.5 26.4 0.48 0.63 51.5 - 56.8 m 1.0 11.6 79.5 - 80.5 m

DDH B7 1.4 0.17 12.9 1.24 1.53 47.5 - 48.9 m 0.4 0.24 30 3.35 4.2 48.5 - 48.9 m 4.6 1.72 50 0.3 0.73 84.7 - 89.3 m 2.1 0.37 16.7 96 - 98.1 m 5.2 0.08 9.5 0.27 164.8 - 170 m 2.0 0.03 6 0.56 209 - 211 m 2.0 0.04 4.5 0.47 225 - 227 m

DDH B8 7.0 0.08 3.5 0.25 20.6 - 27.6 m 2.0 0.39 92 - 94 m 7.4 0.9 48 0.19 0.62 106.8 - 114.2 m 14.8 19.1 124.2 - 139 m 6.0 0.09 18.7 1.03 208 - 214 m

sporadically occurring between 41 - 165 m. Diamond drill holes B2, B3 and B4 are located within an arcuate 200 m by 20 m gossan zone at South Mammoth and proved the presence of pyrite lenses at depth. Diamond drill hole B5 is located in the North Mammoth area. Significant intersections are outlined in Table 22.

Reason for relinquishment - Mineralisation intersected was not thought to be of economic significance.

References - Brady (1982); Hall (1986, 1987, 1988); Marathon Petroleum Australia Ltd. (1983); Pan Australian Mining Ltd. (1987); Plumridge & Hall (1987); Rugless (1985); Teale (1986). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 109

5 Economic potential and hosts very small high grade gold occurrences. prospectivity Potential targets for gold mineralisation in Despite the apparent intense levels of TALLANGATTA are: exploration in TALLANGATTA since the 1960's, as documented by Caluzzi (1995), there · extensions and parallel equivalents of are a number of highly prospective areas which primary gold mineralisation from numerous are still under explored and may host goldfields, particularly Harrietville, Bright - significant mineralisation. Current mining and Wandiligong, Freeburgh, Mt. Wills and exploration is focussed in areas of historical Bethanga; mining. Mines in TALLANGATTA have closed · extensions and parallel equivalents of due to a number of reasons other than loss of primary gold-base metal mineralisation from grade, including: the Dart River region goldfields; · small high grade NW trending reefs in the · presence of refractory ore below the base of Mitta Mitta goldfield region; oxidation; · reefs sub-parallel to acid dykes. eg. Granya · harshness of the environment and difficulty goldfield; in supplying operations; · disseminated mineralisation hosted by acid · mining difficulties associated with the dykes without associated quartz veins eg. method of mining; and Sandy Creek goldfield; · lack of understanding of the structural · primary gold mineralisation in the Big River setting of the orebody. sub-catchment; · dominantly N and E trending gold-base Lack of exploration success in TALLANGATTA metal mineralisation hosted by the Corryong since the 1960's has been compounded by the Granite; harsh terrain, misconceived conceptual targets, · gold at the margins of S-type granites; poor quality regional data sets and a limited · gold-base metal at the margins of I-type understanding of the structural control on the granites; timing and location of mineralisation. This · gold mineralisation in regional faults such as appraisal of TALLANGATTA mineralisation, the Tallangatta Shear Zone and unnamed outlined in Chapter 3 and the attached digital faulting on the Sandy Creek goldfield; Mine Database, has attempted to provide a · epithermal gold at the margins of Lower regional framework on the control, style and Devonian volcanics; timing of mineralisation. It also provides details · higher grade gold deposits at the of specific mine sites together with a intersection of N or E trending brittle comprehensive list of references. fractures with earlier mineralised quartz veins eg. Mitta Mitta goldfield; A summary of the economic potential and · alluvial gold in tributaries of the Ovens prospectivity of mineralisation in River and Mitta Mitta River; TALLANGATTA is as follows: · deeper alluvials in the Kiewa Valley.; · nuggets within shallow drainage lines on the Gold Banimboola Quartz Diorite and the margins of the Wombat Creek Graben; and Primary gold mineralisation occurs in a variety · nuggets hosted by clay layers within the of styles in TALLANGATTA which can be Ovens River deep lead and possible clay broadly categorised into the following layers within adjacent river terraces. categories: Base metals · fissure reefs: extensive high grade, moderate tonnage deposits; Base metal mineralisation within · bedded reefs: rare, lower grade, higher TALLANGATTA is dominantly hydrothermal tonnage deposits; cavity filling deposits, MVT deposits and a · dyke associated: restricted, very high grade, skarn deposit in the Wombat Creek Graben and low tonnage deposits; and VAMS deposits, restricted to the Limestone · spurry reefs: stockworks form low grade, Creek Graben. Potential targets are: high tonnage deposits while tension gashes 110 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

· extensions of stratabound VAMS deposits on Other Metals the western margin of the Limestone Creek Graben; Potential targets for other metals in · narrow high grade hydrothermal cavity TALLANGATTA include: filling deposits throughout the Limestone Creek Graben, the Benambra Zone and the · tungsten, bismuth and molybdenum margins of the Wombat Creek Graben; associated with tin mineralisation, hosted by · MVT deposits within the Wombat Creek N, E and NW trending fissure quartz veins Graben and Limestone Creek Graben; within a range of lithological hosts. The · skarn deposits in the Wombat Creek Graben Corryong Granite has been shown to be and Limestone Creek Graben; highly prospective for this mineralisation, · base metal-gold deposits associated with N which is attributed to a spatial association trending brittle fracturing and N trending with Lower Devonian I-type granites, which porphyry dykes; are considered to be the source of · porphyry copper-gold associated with the N mineralisation; and trending Mammoth - Dart River -Tintaldra · antimony associated with gold in N or E dyke swarm and parallel equivalents; trending quartz veining, often spatially · higher grade base metal deposits at the related to S-type and I-type granites; and intersection of cross-faults and known lodes · mineralisation at the margins of Lower (eg. Bethanga), although cross-faulting may Devonian I-type granites and acid volcanics. cause mineral depletion (eg. Currawong). · restricted high grade lead rich deposits Non Metallic minerals associated with tin-tungsten or fluorite- barite mineralisation; Potential targets for non-metallic minerals in · currently undiscovered extensions and TALLANGATTA include: parallel equivalents of the Dart River region and Bethanga gold-base metal · fluorite and barite associated with quartz mineralisation; veins and breccias in close proximity to I- · gold-base metal mineralisation in N and E type granites; trending quartz veins hosted by the · high grade limestone deposits in the Corryong Granite; similar to the Ournie Wombat Creek Graben and Limestone Creek reefs; Graben; and · porphyry copper deposits associated with the · extensive surficial sand and gravel deposits margin of the Jemba Rhyolite and other as tailings from the sluicing of the Ovens Lower Devonian volcanics; and and Mitta Mitta Rivers. · supergene enriched porphyry copper deposits

Tin

Potential tin mineralisation targets in TALLANGATTA include:

· extensions and parallel equivalents of the NW trending Mitta Mitta Dyke Swarm; · other small volume high grade deposits hosted by acid dykes or quartz reefs spatially related to dykes; · extensions and parallel equivalents of N, E and NW trending fissure quartz veins in the Upper Murray valley; · margins of S-type granites, particularly the Corryong Granite; and · neglected alluvial tin deposits in terraces on the Mitta Mitta River and Upper Murray Valley. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 111

References BARR, D.J., 1984. Western Mining Corporation Ltd & BP Mining Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta. ALLEN, R.L., 1987. Subaqueous volcanism, Half yearly report for the period ending sedimentation and the geological setting 15 September 1984. Department of of Zn-Cu-Pb massive sulphide deposits, Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Benambra, southeastern Australia. PhD Mineral Exploration Reports File thesis, Monash University, Melbourne (unpubl.). (unpubl.).

BARR, D.J., 1985a. Western Mining ALLEN, R.L., 1988. Limestone Creek Graben. Corporation Ltd & BP Mining In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Ferguson (eds) Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs Geology of Victoria. Geological Society of 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta. Half yearly Australia, Victorian Division, Melbourne, report for the period ending 15 March p. 92. 1985. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral ALLEN, R.L., 1991. Limestone Creek Area Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). 1:50 000 geological map. Geological Survey of Victoria. BARR, D.J., 1985b. Western Mining Corporation Ltd and BP Mining ALLEN, R.L. & BARR, D.J., 1990. Benambra Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs copper - zinc deposits. Geology of the 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237 Mineral Deposits of Australia and Papua Benambra. Report for the six monthly New Guinea. Australasian Institute of period ending 15 March 1985. Mining & Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. Department of Energy and Minerals, 1311-1318. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). ARNDT, N.T., 1969. The igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Walwa area, BARR, D.J., 1985c. Western Mining Corporation northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, Ltd and BP Mining Development Australian National University, Canberra Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 1233, 1234, 1235, (unpubl.). 1236 & 1237 Benambra. Report for the six monthly period ending 15 September BAIRD, J. & GIPPS, I.D., 1987. Mincomp Pty 1985 (4 volumes). Department of Energy Ltd. EL 1604 Mitta Mitta Valley, and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral northeast Victoria. December 1987. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration BARR, D.J., 1989. Western Mining Corporation Reports File (unpubl.). Ltd. ELs 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta, Victoria. Final report. Department of BANNEAR, D. & ANNEAR, R., 1995. Historical Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mine-sites Assessment Project. Mineral Exploration Reports File Department of Conservation and Natural (unpubl.). Resources, Victoria.

BATES, T., 1986. Petrology and economic BARAGWANATH, W., 1923. Adelaide Mitta Mitta geology of the Banimboola Quartz - goldmine. Geological Survey of Victoria Monzodiorite. BSc (Hons) thesis, Record 5(2), p. 247. University of Melbourne (unpubl.).

BARAGWANATH, W., 1936. Rose, Thistle and BEAVIS, F.C., 1960. The geology of the Kiewa Shamrock Mine, Harrietville. Geological area, with particular reference to the Survey of Victoria, Record 5(3). structure. PhD thesis, University of Department of Mines, Victoria, pp. 327 - Melbourne (unpubl.). 328.

BEAVIS, F.C., 1962. The Geology of the Kiewa area. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 75, pp. 349-410. 112 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

BHP MINERALS LTD., 1981. ELs 722 & 858 BOLGER, P.F. & ROGERSON, R.J., 1978. Bright, Victoria. Report for the six Cravensville 1:50 000 geological map. monthly period ending 31 March 1981. Department of Energy and Minerals, BOWEN, K.G., 1967. Sambas mine, Harrietville. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Geological Survey of Victoria Reports File (unpubl.). Unpublished Report 1967/10.

BIRCH, W.D. 1981. Silver sulphosalts from the BOWEN, K.G., 1970. Mount Alwa and the Meersehaum Mine, Mt. Wills, Victoria. Bounce Tin Mines. Mining and Mineral Mag., 44, pp. 73-78 Geological Journal 6(6), pp. 3-15.

BIRCH, W.D., 1984. Quartz-topaz-loellingite BOWEN, K.G., 1974. An analysis of gold rocks near Eldorado, Victoria. Australian production data for Victorian reef and Journal of Earth Sciences 31, pp. 269- deep lead mines. Geological Survey of 278. Victoria Unpublished Report 1974/12.

BOLGER, P.F., 1974. The geology of the Wombat BOWEN, K.G., 1974. Papers presented at Creek Group, northeast Victoria. BSc conference on gold deposits in Victoria, (Hons) thesis, Department of Geology, November 1974. An analysis of gold University of Melbourne (unpubl.). production data for Victorian reef and deep lead mines. Geological Survey of BOLGER, P.F., 1979. Early Palaeozoic Victoria Report 28 (1974/12). sedimentation and tectonics in Northeast Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria BOWEN, K.G., 1975. Potassium-Argon dates - Unpublished Report 1979/100. determinations carried out by the Geological Survey of Victoria. Geological BOLGER, P.F., 1979. Notes on the structural Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report geology of Lower Palaeozoic rocks in the 1975/3. Wombat Creek-Mitta Mitta River area, N.E. Victoria. Geological Survey of BRADFORD, W., 1903. Harrietville goldfield. Victoria Unpublished Report 1979/105. Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin 11.

BOLGER, P.F., 1981. Geology of the Dartmouth BRADY, J.M., 1979. Essex Minerals Company. Dam area, north east Victoria. Geological EL 611 Benambra, Victoria. Report for Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report six month period ending 30 September 1981/36. 1979. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral BOLGER, P.F., 1981. Ordovician and Silurian Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). stratigraphy and structure in the Wombat Creek-Benambra area, northeast BRADY, J.M., 1980. Essex Minerals Company. Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria EL 611 Benambra, Victoria. Report for Unpublished Report 1981/37. six month period ending 31 March 1980. Department of Energy and Minerals, BOLGER, P.F., 1984. Explanatory notes on the Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Tallangatta 1:250 000 geological map. Reports File (unpubl.). Geological Survey of Victoria Report 73. BRADY, J.M., 1982. EL 1223 Benambra, BOLGER, P.F., THORNE, H.R., WOOD, P.D., Victoria. Report for the six monthly COOK, C.E. & ROGERSON, R.J., 1983. period ending 30 September 1982. Palaeozoic geology of the Dartmouth Dam Department of Energy and Minerals, area northeastern Victoria Proceedings of Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration the Royal Society of Victoria 95, pp. 259- Reports File (unpubl.). 271.

BOLGER, P.F. & KING, R.L., 1976. Tallangatta 1:250,000 geological map. Geological Survey of Victoria. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 113

BRADY, J.M., 1984. Bruce Cozens Associates CARLYLE, I.A., 1975. A geochemical and Pty Ltd. EL 1276 Harrietville, Victoria. petrological study of the metamorphic Report on preliminary examination of and granitic rocks of the Bogong region, reef gold occurrences. Department of Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired University, Melbourne (unpubl.). Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). CAS, R.A.F., POWELL, C.M.A. & CROOK, K.A.W., 1980. Ordovician palaeogeography of the BROOKS, C. & LEGGO, M.D., 1972. The local Lachlan Fold Belt. Journal of the chronology and regional implications of a Geological Society of Australia 27, pp. 19- Rb-Sr investigation of granitic rocks from 31. the Corryong district, southeastern Australia. Journal of the Geological CHENOWETH, L.M., 1973. Western Mining Society of Australia 19, pp. 1-19. Corporation Ltd. Terminal report to Victorian Mines Department for MEL 434 BROWN, W.M., 1978. Leucogranites and the at Bethanga. related rhyolite-basalt dyke swarm near Corryong, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) CHENOWETH, L.M., 1979. Western Mining thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne Corporation Ltd and BP Mining (unpubl.). Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Six BUCK, P.S., 1982a. Western Mining monthly report for the period 1 April - 30 Corporation Ltd and BP Mining September 1979. Department of Energy Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237 (ex 432, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 456, 537, 570 & 641 respectively) Benambra. Report for the six monthly CHRISTIE, R.W., 1993. Ghosts and Gold in the period ending 30 September 1982. Victorian High Country. High Country Department of Energy and Minerals, Publishing, pp. 83-88. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). COCHRANE, G.W., 1982. Copper, lead, zinc and barium deposits of Victoria. Geological BUCK, P.S., 1982b. Western Mining Survey of Victoria Bulletin 61. Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, COCHRANE, G.W. & BOWEN, K.G., 1971. Tin 456, 537, 570, & 641 Benambra. Six deposits of Victoria. Geological Survey of monthly report for the period 1 October Victoria Bulletin 60. 1981 - 31 March 1982. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired CONVEY, T., 1980. The days of gold - Mining in Mineral Exploration Reports File. the Tallangatta district. T. Convey. (unpubl.). CROHN, P.W., 1950. The geology petrology and CALUZZI, J., 1995. Mineral exploration history physiography of the Omeo district, north- of the Tallangatta 1:250,000 sheet.. eastern Victoria. Proceedings of the Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Royal Society of Victoria 62(1), pp. 1-70. Petroleum Report 11. Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals. CROHN, P.W., 1950. Uranium mineral discovery. Mining and Geological CAMACHO, A., 1982. Metamorphic and Journal 4(2), pp. 22-23. structural geology around part of the Lockhart Adamellite, northeast Victoria. CROHN, P.W., 1953. Investigations for Radio- BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, active minerals, Glen Wills district. Melbourne (unpubl.). Mining and Geological Journal 5(2), p. 26. CANAVAN, F., 1988. Deep lead gold deposits of Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin 62. 114 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

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CUFFLEY, B.W., 1986. Bruce Cozens & DRIPPS, V.J., 1981. The geology and Associates. EL 1463 Sandy Creek. geochemistry of Falls Creek and Pretty Report for the six monthly period ending Valley, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) 30 September 1986. Department of thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired (unpubl.). Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). DUGDALE, J.L., 1986. The structural and economic geology of the Red Robin gold CUFFLEY, B.W., 1987. Meltech Consultant mine area, Hotham Heights, northeast Geologists. EL 1546 Granite Flat, Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, Department northeast Victoria. Report for the six of Geology, University of Melbourne monthly period 27 March - 26 September (unpubl.). 1987. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral DUNN, E.J., 1888. Parish of Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). . 40 chains to 1 inch geological map (unpubl.). CUFFLEY, B.W., 1979. Essex Minerals Company. EL 611, Benambra base metal DUNN, E.J., 1907a. Corryong and Thowgla project. Department of Energy and Creek. Geological Survey of Victoria Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Record 3(1), pp. 98-100. Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). DUNN, E.J., 1907b. General geological notes on CUFFLEY, B.W., 1980. EL 611 Benambra, the country between Omeo and Victoria. Report for six monthly period Limestone Creek . ending 30 Setember 1980. Department of Geological Survey of Victoria Record 2(2), Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired pp. 129-131. Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). DUNN, E.J., 1907c. Some mines at Bonegilla and Bethanga, north-eastern Victoria. CUFFLEY, B.W., 1982. EL 611 Benambra, Geological Survey of Victoria Record 3(1), Victoria. Report for six monthly period pp. 87-90. ending 31 March 1982. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired DUNN, E.J., 1907d. Dart River and Zulu Creek Mineral Exploration Reports File Goldfields. Geological Survey of Victoria (unpubl.). Record 2(2). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 115

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ORR, D.B., 1981d. Australian Anglo-American OWEN, M. & WYBORN, D., 1979. Geology and Ltd. EL 653 Koetong. Report for the six geochemistry of the Tantangara and monthly period ending 30 September Brindabella 1:100 000 sheet areas, New 1981. Department of Energy and South Wales and Australian Capital Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Territory. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Geology & Geophysics Bulletin 204

ORR, D.B., 1981e. Australian Anglo-American OWEN, M., WYBORN, D. & WYBORN, L., 1982. Ltd. EL 656 Eskdale. Report for the six Kosciusko National Park and Environs. monthly period ending 31 March 1981. 1:250 000 scale, geological map. Bureau Department of Energy and Minerals, of Mineral Resources, Canberra. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). PACKHAM, G.H., 1987. The eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of southeast Australia: a ORR, D.B., 1981f. Australian Anglo-American possible Late Ordovician to Early Ltd. EL 656 Eskdale. Report in support Devonian sinistral strike slip regime. of an application to renew EL 656. 13 American Geophysical Union, July 1981. Department of Energy and Geodynamics Series 19, pp. 67-82. Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). PAN AUSTRALIAN MINING LTD., 1987. Reports jointly microfilmed under ELs 1223 (ex ORR, D.B., 1981g. Australian Anglo-American 611), 1462 & 1605. Department of Ltd. EL 656 Eskdale. Report for the six Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired monthly period ending 30 September Mineral Exploration Reports File 1981. Department of Energy and (unpubl.). Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). PATERSON, R.G., 1990. Ardlethan Tin Deposits. Geology of the Mineral Deposits of ORR, D.B., 1982a. Australian Anglo-American Australia and Papua New Guinea. Ltd. EL 656 Eskdale. Report for the six Australasian Institute of Mining & monthly period ending 31 March 1982. Metallurgy, pp. 1357-1364. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration PENNY, B.G., 1977. Essex Minerals Company. Reports File (unpubl.). EL 611 Wombat Creek. Base Metals Project, Benambra, Victoria. July 1977. ORR, D.B., 1982b. Australian Anglo-American Department of Energy and Minerals, Ltd. EL 656 Eskdale. Report for the six Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration monthly period ending 30 September Reports File (unpubl.). 1982. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral PHILLIPS, G.N. & POWELL, R., 1992. Gold only Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). provinces and their common features. Contributions of the Economic Research ORR, D.B. & FARRELL, B.L., 1980. Australian Unit 43. Research Unit, James Cook Anglo-American Ltd. Report in support University of North Queensland. of and application to renew EL 653 Koetong. 8 August 1980. Department of PLUMRIDGE, C. & HALL, D., 1987. Pan Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Australia Mining Ltd. Reconnaissance Mineral Exploration Reports File prospecting evaluation of the Benambra (unpubl.). EL block with suggestions on future exploration. February 1987. Department ORTH, K., VANDENBERG, A.H.M., NOTT, R.J. & of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired SIMONS, B., 1993. Murrindal 1:100 000 Mineral Exploration Reports File geological map. Geological Survey of (unpubl.). Victoria Report 100. 122 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

POWELL, C.M.A., 1984. Ordovician to earliest RAMSAY, W.R.H. & VANDENBERG, A.H.M., 1990. Silurian: marginal sea and island arc. In Lachlan Fold Belt in Victoria - regional J.J. Veevers (ed.) Oxford Geological geology and mineralisation. In Hughes, Sciences Series 2. Clarendon Press F.E. (ed.) Geology of the Mineral Deposits Oxford, pp. 290-308. of Australia and Papua New Guinea 2. Australasian Institute of Mining & POWELL, C.M.A., 1984b. Silurian to mid - Metallurgy, pp. 1269-1273. Devonian-a dextral transtensional margin. Oxford Geological Sciences RAMSAY, W.R.H. & WILLMAN, C.E., 1988. Gold. Series 2. Clarendon Press Oxford. In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. Geological Society of PRICE, R.C., 1969. Granites of the northeast Australia, Victorian Division, Melbourne, Victorian metamorphic complex. BSc pp. 454-481. (Hons) thesis, Australian National University, Canberra (unpubl.). RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, 1982. ELs 722 & 858 Bright and Germantown, Harrietville PRICE, R.C., 1983. Geochemistry of a Alluvial Gold Prefeasibility Study. peraluminous granitoid suite from Report for the six monthly period ending northeastern Victoria, southeastern 31 March 1982. Department of Energy Australia.. Geochimica Cosmochimica and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Acta 47, pp. 31-42. Exploration Reports File (unpubl.).

PRICE, R.C., BROWN, W.M. & WOOLARD, C.A., RICHARDS, J.R. & SINGLETON, O.P., 1981. 1983. The geology, geochemistry and Palaeozoic Victoria, Australia: igneous origin of the late-Silurian high-Si igneous rocks ages and their interpretation. rocks of the Upper Murray Valley, Journal of the Geological Society of northeast Victoria. Journal of the Australia 28, pp. 395-421. Geological Society of Australia 30(4), pp. 443-459. RINGWOOD, A.E., 1955. The geology of the Deddick-Wulgulmerang area, East PRICE, R.C. & TAYLOR, S.R., 1977. The rare Gippsland. Proceedings of the Royal earth geochemistry of granite, gneiss and Society of Victoria 67, pp. 19-66. migmatite from the Western Metamorphic Belt. Contributions to ROADLEY, G., 1992. The igneous petrology, Mineralogy and Petrology 62, pp. 249- metamorphism and structure of an area 263. near Granya, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, PRINGLE, I.J., 1989. Nord Resources (Pacific) Melbourne (unpubl.). Pty Ltd. DL 309 Mt Firebrace area, Granya, northeast Victoria. Annual ROBINSON, D., 1992. The structural and report for the period ending August 1989. metamorphic relationships between the Department of Energy and Minerals, Lockhart terrane, Gundowring terrane Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration and Yabba Adamellite around Mount Reports File (unpubl.). Wagra, northeastern Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, RAMSAY, W.R.H., 1995. Gold prospectivity in Melbourne (unpubl.). Victoria - structural controls and mineralising environments. Gold in ROONEY, S., 1994. Bond Assessment MIN 4729 Central Victoria - 125th Anniversary (MRC 84). Department of Energy and Symposium, University of Ballarat. Minerals, Victoria, Mining Titles Reports Geology Department, University of File (unpubl.). Ballarat, pp. 31-35. ROSALES, H., 1897. Report on Mount Wills as a goldfield and tin field respectively, and also on the Tongio West goldfield. Department of Mines, Victoria, Special Report. Department of Mines, Victoria. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 123

RUGLESS, C.S., 1985. Pan Australia Mining SHUGG, K.G., 1983b. Western Mining Ltd. Exploration potential of ELs 1223 & Corporation Ltd and BP Mining 1462 Benambra, Victoria. September Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 1985. Department of Energy and 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta. Half yearly Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral report for the period ending 30 Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). September 1983. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral SANDIFORD, M., MARTIN, S.F. & LOHE, E.M., Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). 1988. Shear zone deformation in the Yackandandah Granite, northeast SHUGG, K.G., 1983. Western Mining Victoria. Australian Journal of Earth Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Sciences 35, pp. 223-230. Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237 SANDY, J., 1992. The igneous, metamorphic Benambra. Report for the six monthly and structural geology of the Beetoomba period ending 30 September, 1983. district, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) Department of Energy and Minerals, thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration (unpubl.). Reports File. (unpubl.).

SCOTT, R., 1985. The Kiewa Fault, and its role SHUGG, K.G., 1983. Western Mining in the evolution of the western margin of Corporation Ltd and BP Mining the Omeo Metamorphic Belt. BSc (Hons) Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs thesis, Monash University, Melbourne 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237 (unpubl.). Benambra. Report for the six monthly period ending 31 March 1983. SENINI, P.G., 1976. The geology, geochemistry Department of Energy and Minerals, and fission track geochronology of the Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Bogong High Plains. BSc (Hons) thesis, Reports File. (unpubl.). University of Melbourne (unpubl.). SHUGG, K.G., 1984. Western Mining SHERWIN, L., 1979. Age of the Nelungaloo Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Volcanics near Parkes. Geological Survey Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs of New South Wales Quarterly Note 35, 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236 & 1237. Report pp. 15-18. for the six monthly period ending 15 March, 1984. Department of Energy and SHUGG, K.G., 1982. Western Mining Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 1238 (ex 565) & 1239 (ex 640) Mitta SHUGG, K.G., 1984. Western Mining Mitta. Department of Energy and Corporation Ltd. & BP Mining Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta. Half yearly report for the period ending 15 March SHUGG, K.G., 1983a. Western Mining 1984. Department of Energy and Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). 1238 & 1239 Mitta Mitta. Half yearly report for the period ending 31 March SMITH, A.L., 1974. EL 477 Pine Mountain, 1983. Department of Energy and Victoria. Final Report. Department of Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Mineral Exploration Reports File.

STEELE, D.A., 1979. The geology and petrology of the Bethanga-Spring Creek area, Bethanga Peninsula, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne (unpubl.). 124 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

STIRLING, J., 1887a. Geological sketch map of TALENT, J.A., 1959. Notes on middle Palaeozoic the Big River Goldfield, Department of stratigraphy and diastrophism in eastern Mines, Victoria. Victoria. Mining and Geological Journal 6(3), pp. 57-58. STIRLING, J., 1887b. Appendix F. Report on an examination of the locality of prospecting TALENT, J.A., 1964. Cobberas. 1 mile to 1 inch operations at Dead Horse Creek. The geological map. Department of Mines, Goldfields of Victoria. Reports of the Victoria. Mining Registrars for the quarter ended 30th September 1887. Department of TALENT, J.A., 1965. The stratigraphic and Mines & Water Supply, Victoria, pp. 79- diastrophic evolution of central and 85. eastern Victoria in Middle Palaeozoic times. Proceedings of the Royal Society of STIRLING, J., 1888a. Historical sketch of the Victoria 79(1), pp. 179-195. Pioneer and Union Claims, Mitta Mitta. Reports of the Mining Surveyors and TALENT, J.A., BERRY, W.B.N. & BOUCOT, A.J., Registrars for the Quarter ending March 1975. Correlation of the Silurian rocks of 1888. Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. Geological Society of America Special STIRLING, J., 1888c. Preliminary notes on the Paper 150. geology of the Wombat Creek valley - its caves and silver lodes. Reports of the TATTAM, C.M., 1929. The metamorphic rocks of Mining Surveyors and Registrars for the northeast Victoria. Geological Survey of Quarter ending 30 September 1888. Victoria Bulletin 52. Department of Mines & Water Supply, Victoria (unpubl.). TAYLOR, R.G., 1979. Geology of tin deposits. Developments in Economic Geology 11. STIRLING, J., 1888b. Second general report on Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. the operations of prospecting parties, northeastern district. Reports of the TEALE, G., 1983. Western Mining Corporation Mining Surveyors and Registrars for the Ltd. The origin of quartz porphyry at the Quarter ending 30 June 1888. Benambra Project area and their Department of Mines, Victoria, p. 78 relationship to associated breccias and (unpubl.). mineralisation.

STIRLING, J., 1889. Appendix A. Report on the TEALE, G., 1986. The Benambra Project area, tin lodes at Wombat Creek. The Goldfields summary and exploration potential. of Victoria. Reports of the Mining October 1986. Department of Energy and Registrars for the quarter ended 31st Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral March 1889. Department of Mines, Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Victoria, pp. 65-66. THOMAS, D.E. & CROHN, P.W., 1951. Fainting SWENSSON, C. & PATTERSON, G.W., 1989. Range wolfram workings, Parish of Bendigo Gold Associates Pty Ltd. EL Eumana. Geological Survey of Victoria 1874 Wandiligong, Victoria. Report for Unpublished Report 1951/13. the six monthly period 17 April - 17 October 1989. Department of Energy and THOMPSON, M.J., 1980a. Western Mining Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Corporation Ltd and BP Mining Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Six TALENT, J.A., 1956. Devonian brachiopods and monthly report for the period 1 October pelecypods of the Buchan Caves 1979 - 31 March 1980. Department of Limestone, Victoria. Proceedings of the Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Royal Society of Victoria 68, pp. 1-56. Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.).

THOMPSON, M.J., 1980b. Western Mining Corporation Ltd and BP Mining GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 125

Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, URQUHART, W.E.S. & DVORAK, Z., 1982. 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Six Dighem Ltd. EL 611 Benambra. Dighem monthly report for the period 1 April - 30 2 survey of the Belaka and Benambra September 1980. Department of Energy area. Department of Energy and and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Exploration Reports File (unpubl.).

THOMPSON, M.J., 1981a. Western Mining VALLANCE, T.G., 1967. Palaeozoic low-pressure Corporation Ltd and BP Mining regional metamorphism in southeastern Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, Australia. Meddelser fra Dansk 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Six Geologisk Forening 17, pp. 494-503. monthly report October 1 1980 - March 31 1981. Department of Energy and VANDENBERG, A.H.M., 1976. Eastern Victoria. Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral In: Geology of Victoria. In J.G. Douglas Exploration Reports File. (confid.) & J.A. Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. (unpubl.). Geological Society of Australia Special Publication 5, pp. 62-70. THOMPSON, M.J., 1981b. Western Mining Corporation Ltd and BP Mining VANDENBERG, A.H.M., 1988. Silurian - Middle Development Australia Pty Ltd. ELs 432, Devonian. In J.G. Douglas & J.A. 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Six Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. monthly report for the period 1 April - 30 Geological Society of Australia, Victorian September 1981. Department of Energy Division, Melbourne, pp. 103-146. and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (confid.) VANDENBERG, A.H.M. & ALLEN, R.L., 1988. (unpubl.). Buchan Zone. In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. THYNNE, D.S., 1978. Australian Anglo- Geological Society of Australia, Victorian American Ltd. EL 653 Koetong & EL 656 Division, Melbourne, pp. 21-23. Eskdale. Quarterly report for period ending 31 December 1978. Department VANDENBERG, A.H.M., BOLGER, P.F., CAREY, of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired S.P., O'SHEA, P.J. & NOTT, R.J., 1979. Mineral Exploration Reports File Geology of the Limestone Creek area, (unpubl.). northeast Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 1979/94. THYNNE, D.S., 1982. Australian Anglo- American Ltd. EL 653 Koetong. Report VANDENBERG, A.H.M., BOLGER, P.F., CAREY, for the six monthly period ending 30 S.P., O'SHEA, P.J. & NOTT, R.J., 1981. September 1982. Department of Energy Limestone Creek area. 1:50 000 scale, and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral geological map. Geological Survey of Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Victoria.

TOWSEY, C.A., 1993. Pathfinder Exploration VANDENBERG, A.H.M., NOTT, R.J. & GLEN, Pty Ltd. Els 3189, 3190, 3263 & 3264 R.A., 1991. Bendoc 1:100 000 map Koetong District, Northeastern Victoria. geological report. Geological Survey of Final report 3 May 1993. Department of Victoria Report 90. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File VANDENBERG, A.H.M., BOLGER, P.F. & O'SHEA, (unpubl.). P.J., 1984. Geology and mineral exploration of the Limestone Creek area northeast Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Report 72.

VANDENBERG, A.H.M. & O'SHEA, P.J., 1981. Explanatory notes on the Bairnsdale 1:250 000 Geological Map. Geological Survey of Victoria Report 65. 126 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

VON LENDENFELD, R., 1886. Appendix D. An WESTERN MINING CORPORATION LTD & BP exploration of the . The MINING DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA PTY Goldfields of Victoria. Reports of the LTD., 1979. ELs 432, 456, 537, 570 & 641 Mining Registrars for the quarter ended Benambra. Quarterly report for period 31st March 1886. Department of Mines, ending 31 March 1979. Department of Victoria, pp. 71-76. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. VON LENDENFELD, R., 1886. Goldfields of (unpubl.). Victoria. Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars for the Quarter ending 31 WESTERN MINING CORPORATION LTD ., 1986. March 1886. Department of Mines, ELs 1233 - 1237 Benambra. Report for Victoria. the six monthly period ending 15 March 1986. Department of Energy and WALKER, B.G., 1981a. Essex Minerals Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Company. EL 611 Benambra, Victoria. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Report for the six monthly period ending 31 March 1981. Department of Energy WESTON, K.S., 1992. Minerals of Victoria. and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Geological Survey of Victoria Report 92. Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). WHITE, A.J.R., CHAPPELL, B.W., PRICE, R.C., WALKER, B.G., 1981b. Essex Minerals GRAY, C.M., NICHOLLS, I.A. & DAY, A., Company. EL 611 Benambra, Victoria. 1988. Petrology of Igneous Rocks. In Report for the six monthly period ending J.G. Douglas & J.A. Ferguson (eds) 30 September 1981. Department of Geology of Victoria. Geological Society of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Australia, Victorian Division, Melbourne, Mineral Exploration Reports File pp. 427-452. (unpubl.). WHITELAW, H.S., 1898. Report on the WASHAUSEN, G.F.A., 1982. Australian Anglo- Limestone River District. Department of American Ltd. EL 653 Koetong. Report Mines, Victoria, Special Report. for the six monthly period ending 31 March 1982. Department of Energy and WHITELAW, H.S., 1954. Some limestone and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral marble deposits in . Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Mining and Geological Journal 5(3), pp. 23-33. WELLMAN, P., 1974. Potassium-argon ages on the Cainozoic volcanic rocks of eastern WHITELAW, O.A.L., KENNY, J.P.L., EASTON, J.G. Victoria, Australia. Journal of the & MAHONY, D.J., 1915. The Mitta Mitta Geological Society of Australia 21, pp. tin and goldfield. Geological Survey of 359-376. Victoria Bulletin 37.

WESTERN MINING CORPORATION LTD & BP WHITING, R.G., 1960. Geological Survey of MINING DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA PTY Victoria Unpublished Report 1960/15. LTD., 1978. ELs 432, 456, 537, 570 & 641 Benambra. Quarterly report for period WHITING, R.G., 1962. Report on Golden Ridge ending 31 December 1978. Department and other lodes at Talgarno. Geological of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report Mineral Exploration Reports File. 1962. (unpubl.). WHITING, R.G. & BOWEN, K.G., 1976. Economic geology - gold. In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication 5, pp. 434-451.

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WILKINSON, D., 1995. Register of Australian Mining 1995/96. Resource Information Unit Ltd, p. 213.

WILLIAMS, N., 1969. Palaeozoic geology of the Bethanga goldfields area, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, Australian National University, Canberra (unpubl.).

WILLIAMS, R.I., 1987. The structural, igneous and metamorphic relationships of the Sandy Creek district near Tallangatta, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne (unpubl.).

WILLOCKS, A.J., 1975. The syenites of Benambra. BSc (Hons) thesis, La Trobe University, Melbourne (unpubl.).

WOOLARD, C.A., 1979. The geology and geochemistry of the Walwa district, northeast Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, Department of Geology, La Trobe University, Melbourne (unpubl.).

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WYBORN, D., TURNER, B.S. & CHAPPELL, B.W., 1987. The Boggy Plain Supersuite: a distinctive belt of I-type igneous rocks of potential economic significance in the Lachlan Fold Belt. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia 34, pp. 21- 43.

YARDLEY, B., 1991. The successful alchemist. New Scientist 10, pp. 20-24 128 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Appendix 1

Location of expired Exploration Licences TALLANGATTA 1:250 000 Mapsheet

Legend

Sheet 1: EL's 1, 2, 11, 15, 16, 20, 68, 76, 79, 92, 109, 122, 138, 184, 316.

Sheet 2: EL's 43, 55, 84, 112, 113, 126, 155, 278.

Sheet 3: EL's 88, 114, 120, 149, 154, 156, 287, 315, 372.

Sheet 4: EL's 406, 408, 432, 456, 471, 472, 473, 484, 507, 532, 621, 623, 651, 653, 656, 690, 738, 752, 873, 893, 973, 1008.

Sheet 5: EL's 434, 565, 570, 611, 624, 640, 641, 668, 674, 675, 689, 695, 722, 746, 858, 1009, 1016, 1145, 1151, 1180, 1232, 1234, 1276, 1310, 1376.

Sheet 6: EL's 477, 750, 1023, 1058, 1207, 1223, 1229, 1231, 1233, 1236, 1238, 1239.

Sheet 7: EL's 1208, 1227, 1237, 1248, 1300, 1303, 1339, 1376, 1395, 1432, 1462, 1463, 1553, 1558, 1604, 1900.

Sheet 8: EL's 1432, 1546, 1605, 1874, 1927, 1934, 1953, 1960, 1961, 1970, 2002, 2056, 2057, 2089, 2090, 2131, 2132, 2143, 2146, 2163, 2175, 2289, 2492, 3230, 3256, 3274.

Sheet 9: EL's 1406, 1784, 1974, 2176, 2368, 2370, 2545, 3163, 3189, 3190, 3263.

138 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Appendix 2

Summary of exploration targets within the Tallangatta 1:250 000 Mapsheet.

(Relinquished Victorian Exploration Licences as of August 1995 ordered by company name.)

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Aberfoyle Exploration P/L 689 1979-80 Exploration for tin mineralisation within tin- bearing dykes in the Mount Wills area. Adroit Exploration N.L. 1970 1988-90 Exploration for gold mineralisation associated with pegmatite dykes at Tallandoon and Eskdale. Adroit Exploration N.L. 2163 1989-90 Exploration target not defined. Affiliated Mineral Research 184 1970-73 Exploration for base metal and & Development Co. P/L. tin mineralisation in the vicinity of previous workings between Bullioh and Tallangatta. Affiliated Mineral Research 315 1970-73 Exploration for tin & Development Co. P/L mineralisation at Walwa. Affiliated Mineral Research 316 1970-72 Exploration for gold & Development Co. P/L mineralisation in the area of the Mount Firebrace reef at Granya. Asarco (Australia) P/L 668 1978-79 Exploration for base metal mineralisation associated with the Snowy River Volcanics at Mt. Bulla Bulla. Australian Anglo-American 624 1978-82 Exploration for tin, tungsten Prospecting P/L and molybdenum in the Koetong-Golden Eagle area. Australian Anglo-American 653, 1229 1978-84 Exploration for tin Prospecting P/L mineralisation associated with granite intrusives in the Koetong area. Australian Anglo-American 656, 1232 1978-82 Exploration for alluvial tin Prospecting P/L deposits and tin and tungsten lodes associated with granite intrusives at Eskdale. Australian Anglo-American 674, 1231 1978-83 Exploration for polymetallic Prospecting P/L mineralisation in the Suggan Buggan area. . Australian Anglo-American 695 1979-82 Exploration for molybdenum Prospecting P/L bearing quartz veins in the Bingo-Munjie granite at Bingo Munjie. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 139

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Australian Anglo-American 746 1979-84 Exploration for tin and Prospecting P/L tungsten mineralisation associated with the Mitta Mitta Dyke Swarm and alluvial tin and gold deposits within the Mitta Mitta Valley and its tributary , Little Snowy Creek. Australian Anglo-American 752, 1339 1979-85 Exploration for alluvial tin and Prospecting P/L gold in alluvial gravels of the Mitta Mitta River Flats. Australian Geophysical P/L 68 1966-68 Exploration for base metal mineralisation at Mt. Cobberas, Benambra. This EL marks the beginning of exploration that was to lead to the discovery of the Wilga and Currawong base metal deposits at Benambra. Aztec Mining Company 149 1971-72 Exploration target not defined. Bendigo Gold Associates P/L 1874 1989-91 Exploration for extensions of gold mineralisation in the Wandiligong Goldfield. Bendigo Gold Associates P/L 2368, 2370 1989-91 Exploration for porphyry- related gold mineralisation within the Mt. Leinster Alkaline Complex at Mt. Bung Bung. Bendigo Gold Ltd., Poseidon 2449, 3163 1989-90 Exploration for gold-enriched Exploration Ltd., Normandy alteration haloes associated Exploration Ltd. with the Mt. Wills Granite at Mt. Wills. Bendigo Gold Associates P/L 3256 1990-93 Exploration for porphyry gold- copper mineralisation associated with the Banimboola Pluton at Lightning Creek 2. BHP Minerals Company 722, 858, 1979-87 Exploration for large stock 1208 work or disseminated gold deposits as well as alluvial gold in the Ovens and Buckland Rivers at Bright and Germantown. Border Resources N.L. 2492 1989-89 Exploration for base metal, gold and silver mineralisation in the Dart River and Zulu Creek goldfields. Border Resources N.L. 1960 1989-91 Exploration for extensions of gold mineralisation of the Granya Lode at Granya. 140 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Bruce Resources N.L. 3189, 1992-95 Exploration for diamonds 3190, within volcanic breccia pipes at 3263, 3264 Jimmy Creek, Koetong. Canyon Resources P/L 1432 1985-86 Exploration for gold-silver lode mineralisation with associated and-or stockwork mineralisation at Mount. Elliot, Corryong. Carnbrae Pty Ltd 76 1967-68 Exploration for fluorite, silver, gold or base metal mineralisation associated with granite-sediment contact zones at Cudgewa. Comalco Ltd 477 1973-74 Exploration for vein-type fluorspar mineralisation, similar to the Pine Mountain deposit as well as replacement - type fluorspar deposits in limestone in the Walwa- Burrowye-Koetong area. Comalco Ltd. 507 1973-74 Exploration for base metal, gold silver and/or fluorite mineralisation associated with granite-metasediment contact zones. Conwest (Australia) N.L. 11, 43 1965-68 Exploration for porphyry copper and gold in the vicinity of the Mammoth Copper Lode at Gibbo River. Coopers Creek Mining and 154 1969-74 Exploration for base metals, Exploration N.L. silver and gold within the Mammoth Lode in the Gibbo River area. CRA Exploration P/L 114 1968-71 Exploration for high grade base metal (principally copper) in Silurian limestone lenses at Native Dog Flat, Benambra. CRA Exploration P/L 406 1972-73 Exploration for uranium at Mt. Cobberas, Benambra. CRA Exploration P/L 690 1979-81 Exploration for polymetallic mineralisation associated with porphyry intrusions at Mt. Morgan, Thowgla. CRA Exploration P/L 2131, 2132 1988-90 These exploration programmes targeted extensions to Granya Goldfield mineralisation in the Yabba and Beetoomba areas. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 141

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

CRA Exploration P/L 2143 1988-89 Exploration for "Hidden Valley" type gold mineralisation at Bullhead Creek. CRA Exploration P/L 2146 1989-94 Exploration for large, auriferous hydrothermal systems associated with granitoid bodies at Wyeebo. CRA Exploration P/L 3274 1990-93 Exploration for large auriferous hydrothermal systems associated with the Glendart and Nariel plutons at Nariel. Cultus Pacific N.L. 675, 1252 1978-83 Exploration for Wilga-type, volcanic-hosted, massive sulphide mineralisation as well as alluvial gold at Benambra. Dampier Mining Co. Ltd. 471 1973-74 Exploration for porphyry copper and molybdenum mineralisation in the Gelantipy area. Dampier Mining Co. Ltd 750, 873 1980-82 Exploration for tin and tantalum mineralisation associated with greisen dyke swarms at Mitta Mitta. Dart River Mining Pty Ltd 84, 120 1968-71 Exploration for sediment hosted base metal mineralisation within the Dart River mining field at Burrungabugge. Eastern Resources N.L. EL 1276 1983-85 Exploration for reef gold in the upper West Ovens River at Harrietville. Essex Minerals Company 611, 1223 1977-87 Exploration for primary stratiform base metal mineralisation within Silurian limestones at Wombat Creek, Benambra. EL 611 was renewed as EL 1223 (Pan Australian Mining and Marathon Petroleum Australia Ltd) in 1982 and the new focus of exploration became polymetallic mineralisation associated with porphyry intrusives and breccias at Benambra. 142 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Essex Minerals Company 621 1978-79 Exploration for tin-bearing greisen cusps associated with granitic intrusions in the Mount Tallebung-Glen Wills Tin Province, Eskdale. Essex Minerals Company 893 1980-82 Exploration for tin mineralisation associated with granitoids at Mount Murphy. Essex Minerals Company 1016 1981-82 Exploration for Benambra-type base metal mineralisation underlying Quarternary sediments at Beloka. Geosearch P/L and Pierra 532 1974-76 Exploration for gold Investments P/L mineralisation at Dart River. Gippsland Minerals N.L. 92 1968-72 Exploration for base metal mineralisation in the Mt. Deddick silver-lead field at Mt. Deddick and Accommodation Creek. Gippsland Minerals N.L. 122 1969-71 Exploration for polymetallic mineralisation north-east of Mt. Beauty. Gippsland Minerals N.L. 126 1969-71 Exploration for tin mineralisation associated with dykes at Glen Wills. Gippsland Mineral N.L. 155 1970-72 Exploration for extensions to the Mt. Murphy wolfram deposit, in the metamorphic aureole surrounding the granite intrusion at Mt. Murphy Gippsland Mineral N.L. 156 1970-72 Exploration for porphyry copper mineralisation in the Buchan River area. Golden Eagle Mining P/L 623 1978-83 Exploration for extensions to tin, tungsten and tantalum mineralisation within the Walwa Tin Field at Walwa. Golden Eagle Mining P/L 738 1980-83 Exploration for tin, tungsten or and Union Corporation P/L tantalum mineralisation in the Burrowye area, Benambra. Golden Eagle Mining P/L 1248 1982-85 Exploration for tin and tantalum mineralisation associated with aplite - pegmatite sills at Walwa. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 143

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Gold Fields Exploration P/L 1023 1981-83 Exploration for large tonnage tin or gold mineralisation within the Mt. Wills Tinfield and the Glen Wills and Sunnyside Goldfields. Grace Ore and Mining Co. 112 1969-70 Exploration for alluvial gold in high level terraces and alluvial flats at Mitta Mitta. Jeffcott Geological Services 1900 1988-90 Exploration for alluvial gold within gravel deposits. Jennings Mining Pty. Ltd. 472, 473 1973-77 Exploration for volcano- sedimentary, stratiform base metal mineralisation at Wombat and Limestone Creeks. J. Gunton (Australia) P/L 287 1971-72 Exploration for tin. tantalum, niobium, yttrium, iridium and molybdenum in the Mitta Mitta area. J.M. Brady 1310 1983-84 Exploration for vein-hosted gold mineralisation, with some interest in molybdenum mineralisation at Mount Morgan and Mount Unicorn at Thowgla. Kennecott Exploration 109 1968-69 Exploration for gold, copper (Australia) P/L and lead mineralisation at Yackandandah. London and Melbourne 408 1972-74 Exploration for granite- Mining Company Ltd associated tin mineralisation at Surveyor's Creek, south east of Corryong. Macquarie Resources Ltd 1233 1972-88 Exploration for volcanic- (ex432) hosted, base metal 1234 mineralisation in Silurian (ex456) volcanics at Benambra, similar 1236 to the Woodlawn base metal (ex570) deposit in Silurian volcanics in 1237 N.S.W. This programme (ex641) resulted in the outlining of the Wilga and Currawong base metal deposits Commercial extraction commenced at Wilga in 1992. Marathon Petroleum 1223 1982-87 See Essex Minerals Company Australia Ltd and Pan (EL 611). Australia Mining Ltd 144 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Martin Gold Mines N.L. 1784 1987-89 Exploration for lode gold at Zulu Creek, south of Corryong. Martin Exploration Pty Ltd 1406 1985-86 Exploration for extensions to gold mineralisation at Granya. McCauliffe, Surveyors' 20 1965-68 Exploration for alluvial tin Syndicate deposits at Surveyor's Creek. Meltech Consultant 1546 1985-88 Exploration for shear-hosted Geologists gold and copper mineralisation within the Banimboola Granodiorite at Granite Flat. Metana Minerals N.L. 1927, 1953 1988-89 Exploration for extensions of known lode gold mineralisation in the Harrietville South and Bright areas. Millaroo Mines N.L. 1961 1988-89 Exploration for alluvial gold deposits associated with early stream channels in the Mitta Mitta River valley, north of Tallandoon. Mincomp Pty Ltd 1604 1986-88 Exploration for alluvial gold in the Mitta Mitta valley. Mines Exploration P/L 2 1966-68 Exploration for copper-gold lodes in the Bethanga area. Minefields Exploration N.L. 278 1970-71 Exploration target not defined. Nickel Seekers Ltd 1553 1985-88 Exploration for high-grade reef gold mineralisation at Glen Wills and in the Sunnyside Goldfield. Norgold Ltd 1934, 2090 1988-90 Exploration for gold mineralisation associated with the Mount Wills Leucoadamellite and the Boggy Plains Supersuite. Northern Mining 973 1981-82 Exploration for gold and tin Corporation N.L. lode and alluvial mineralisation at Granya. Northern Mining 1008, 1981-83 Exploration for the source of Corporation N.L. 1145, alluvial tin, gold and scheelite 1151, 1180 occurrences at Koetong. Northern Mining 1009 1981-82 Exploration for extensions to Corporation N.L. gold mineralisation in major abandoned gold mines at Mt. Elliot, north-east of Corryong. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 145

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

North Prospecting Pty Ltd 79 1968-69 Exploration for fluorite, silver, gold or base-metal mineralisation associated with granite-metasediment contact zones at Cudgewa. Oil and Minerals Quest N.L. 113 1969-71 Exploration for tin and wolfram mineralisation associated with the Koetong Granite aureole at Walwa. Pan Australian Mining Ltd 1462 1985-87 Exploration for gold stockwork and vein mineralisation associated with basic dykes at Beloka. Pan Australia Mining Ltd 1605 1986-87 Exploration for base metal, gold or tin mineralisation associated with the Mammoth Porphyry Complex at Corridor. Phoenix Resources N.L. 2289 1989-91 Exploration for alluvial gold and tin deposits associated with Silurian granites at Surveyor's Creek. Placer Prospecting (Aust ) 138 1970-71 Exploration for polymetallic P/L mineralisation at Bucheen Creek, Corryong. Plagolmin P/L 1300, 1303 1983-85 Exploration for volcanogenic sulphides, silver-lead and wolframite-scheelite vein mineralisation at Benambra (EL 1300) and wolframite- scheelite bearing veins, alluvial tin deposits and/or gold lodes at Mt. Murphy (EL 1303). Plagolmin P/L 1376 1984-85 Exploration for lode gold, silver and/or tungsten mineralisation associated with granite intrusives at Nariel. Planet Gold N.L. 15,16 1965-69 Exploration for reef gold mineralisation and high-level deep leads underlying basalt in the Harrietville and Wandiligong areas. Poseidon Exploration Ltd 3244 1992-94 Exploration for gold mineralisation in high level quartz porphyries at Mt. Unicorn. Sampson Manor P/L 2175 1988-89 Exploration target not defined. 146 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Sampson Manor P/L 2176 1988-89 Exploration for gold and base metal mineralisation associated with granite and granodiorites between the Indi and Tom Groggin Faults at Limestone Creek. Search Exploration Services 1900 1988-90 Exploration for alluvial gold Pty Ltd within gravel deposits in the Murray River valley. Seltrust Mining Corporation 1207, 1227 1983-83 Exploration for porphyry P/L molybdenum systems at Benambra. Stonewick Enterprises Pty. 1395 1985-88 Exploration for quartz-vein Ltd. hosted gold mineralisation at Mount Elmo, west of Eskdale. Tallandoon Goldfield 1558 1986-88 Exploration for extensions to gold mineralisation in old workings north of Tallandoon. Tallangalook P/L & Ghana 1463 1985-88 Exploration for both alluvial Gold P/L and lode gold mineralisation within pegmatite dykes at Sandy Creek. Tanganyika Holdings P/L 372 1972-74 Exploration for base metal and arsenic mineralisation at Dart River. T. E. Johnston & Associates 1974, 2002 1988-90 Exploration for extensions of P/L. lode gold mineralisation in the Mount Elliot and Granya Goldfields. Telberth N.L. 2545 1991-92 Exploration for tin, tungsten and tantalum in the Walwa Tin-Tantalite Field at Walwa. Vam Ltd 1, 55 1966-68 Exploration for base metal mineralisation within shear zones, with interest also in tin mineralisation associated with granitoid dykes at Eskdale and south-west of Walwa. Vickery 88 1969-70 Exploration target not defined. Village Mines N.L. 2056 1989-91 Exploration target not defined. Village Mines N.L. 2057 1989-90 Exploration target not defined. Webb 651, 1058 1979-87 Exploration for base metal mineralisation at Bethanga. Western Mining Corporation 484 1973-74 Exploration for reef gold in the Ltd Upper Ovens River valley, Harrietville. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA 147

Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target

Western Mining Corporation 432, 456, 1972-82 See Macquarie Resources - EL Ltd and BP Mining 570, 641 1233, 1234, 1236 and 1237. Development Australia P/L Western Mining Corporation 434 1972-73 Exploration for massive Ltd and BP Mining sulphide mineralisation within Development Australia P/L the Bethanga gneisses and schists, as well as extensions of gold- bearing veins at Bethanga. Western Mining Corporation 565 (1238), 1976-88 Exploration for Ltd and BP Mining 640 (1239) stockwork/breccia precious Development Australia P/L metal mineralisation in the Mitta Mitta and Sassafras areas. 148 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Appendix 3

Exploration Licence Summary - Tallangatta 1:250 000 mapsheet Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 1 Vam Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 04/07/66 28/06/67 14,694 Y Y Y Y EL 2 Mines Exploration P/L Cu, Au 21/06/66 28/02/68 n/a Y Y Y Y EL 11 Conwest (Australia) N.L. Cu, Au 27/09/65 08/02/67 see EL 43 Y Y Y Y Y Y EL 15 Planet Mining Co. P/L Au 12/02/65 07/08/69 n/a Y Y EL 16 Planet Mining Co. P/L Au 12/07/65 07/08/69 n/a Y Y EL 20 McCauliffe, Surveyor's Syndicate Sn 04/10/65 17/01/68 14,642 Y Y Y EL 43 Conwest (Australia) N.L. Cu, Au 26/04/66 08/05/68 38,169 Y Y Y Y Y Y EL 55 Vam Ltd Sn 04/07/66 24/07/68 [540] Y Y Y EL 68 Australian Geophysical P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 14/11/66 10/07/68 n/a Y Y Y Y EL 76 Carnbrae P/L F, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 01/05/67 18/12/68 n/a Y Y Y EL 79 North Broken Hill P/L Au 19/02/68 26/02/69 48,403 Y Y Y EL 84 Dart River Mining P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 04/03/68 03/05/71 see EL 120 Y Y Y EL 88 Vickery n/a 28/01/69 25/03/70 n/a Y Y EL 92 Gippsland Minerals N.L. Cu, Pb, Zn 30/09/68 22/03/72 90,735 Y Y Y EL 109 Kennecott Exploration (Australia) Cu, Pb, Zn 1968 1969 n/a Y Y Y P/L EL 112 Grace Ore and Mining Co. Au 20/01/69 04/03/70 18,806 Y Y Y Y EL 113 Oil and Minerals Quest N.L. Sn, W 24/03/69 31/03/71 n/a Y Y Y Y EL 114 CRA Exploration P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 28/10/68 25/08/71 15,026 Y Y Y Y EL 120 Dart River Mining P/L (see EL 84) Cu, Pb, Zn 23/03/70 07/04/71 7,010 Y Y Y EL 122 Gippsland Minerals N.L. Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 27/10/69 02/06/71 n/a Y Y Y EL 126 Gippsland Minerals N.L. Sn 05/11/69 10/11/71 n/a Y Y Y EL 138 Placer Prospecting (Aust ) P/L Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 19/01/70 25/11/70 6,211 Y Y Y EL 149 Dart River Mining P/L n/a 13/09/71 11/10/72 4,019 Y Y Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 154 Coopers Creek Mining and Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag 01/12/69 11/12/74 n/a Y Y Y Y Exploration N.L. EL 155 Gippsland Mineral N.L. W 19/01/70 29/03/72 n/a Y Y EL 156 Gippsland Mineral N.L. Cu 19/01/70 29/03/72 n/a Y Y Y EL 184 Affiliated Mineral Research & Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn 24/08/70 07/02/73 n/a Y Y Y Development Co. P/L. EL 278 Minefields Exploration N.L. n/a 31/08/70 07/04/71 627 Y Y EL 287 J. Gunton (Australia) P/L Sn, Ta, Yt, Nb 05/07/71 26/07/72 4,729 Y Y Y EL 315 Affiliated Mineral Research & Sn 07/12/70 07/02/73 Y Y Y Development Co. P/L EL 316 Affiliated Mineral Research & Au 02/11/70 15/08/72 n/a Y Y Y Y Development Co. P/L

EL 372 Tanganyika Holdings Ltd. Cu, Pb, Zn, As 19/03/72 19/03/74 11,873 Y Y EL 406 CRA Exploration P/L U 13/10/72 23/05/73 2,367 Y Y EL 408 London and Melbourne Mining Sn 03/11/72 15/05/74 n/a Y Company Ltd EL 432 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 27/10/72 26/10/82 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L EL 434 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 13/10/72 24/10/73 15,061 Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L EL 456 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 27/10/72 26/10/82 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L EL 471 Dampier Mining Co. Ltd. Cu, Mo 13/07/73 10/07/74 2,157 Y Y Y EL 472 Jennings Mining P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 20/07/73 01/05/74 n/a Y Y Y EL 473 Jennings Mining P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 20/07/73 17/08/77 35,009 Y Y Y Y EL 477 Comalco Ltd F 29/06/73 23/10/74 37,605 Y Y Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 484 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Au 05/10/73 11/09/74 7,183 Y Y EL 507 Comalco Ltd F 14/11/73 23/10/74 17,683 Y Y EL 532 Geosearch P/L and Pierra Au 18/10/74 05/05/76 5,160 Y Y Y Y Investments P/L EL 565 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 01/04/76 26/05/82 see EL 1239 Y Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L[became EL 1238] EL 570 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 08/04/76 07/04/82 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L EL 611 Essex Minerals Company [became Cu, Pb, Zn 10/11/77 09/11/82 597,535 Y Y Y Y Y EL 1223] EL 621 Essex Minerals Company Sn 09/03/78 21/03/79 21,303 Y Y Y EL 623 Golden Eagle Mining P/L Sn, Ta, W 02/03/78 01/03/83 see EL 1248 Y Y Y Y Y EL 624 Australian Anglo-American Sn, W, Mo 02/03/78 01/03/82 97,727 Y Y Y Prospecting P/L EL 640 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 06/04/78 27/05/81 see EL 1239 Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L[became EL 1239] EL 641 Western Mining Corporation Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 01/03/78 28/02/83 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y and BP Mining Development Australia P/L EL 651 Webb Cu, Pb, Zn 01/02/79 20/10/82 see EL 1058 Y Y Y EL 653 Australian Anglo-American Sn 06/09/78 07/10/81 see EL 1229 Y Y Y Y Y Prospecting P/L (see EL 1229) EL 656 Australian Anglo-American Sn, W 06/09/78 05/09/82 see EL 1232 Y Y Y Y Prospecting P/L (see EL 1232) EL 668 Asarco (Australia) P/L Cu, Pb, Zn 06/09/78 28/02/79 5,300 Y Y EL 674 Australian Anglo-American Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag 16/11/78 15/11/82 see EL 1231 Y Y Y Y Prospecting P/L Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 675 Cultus Pacific N.L. Cu, Pb, Zn 26/10/78 25/10/82 see EL 1252 Y Y Y Y Y Y EL 689 Aberfoyle Exploration P/L Sn 23/02/79 29/10/80 13,939 Y Y Y EL 690 CRA Exploration P/L Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag 11/01/79 16/12/81 88,700 Y Y Y Y Y EL 695 Australian Anglo-American Mo 15/02/79 30/06/82 222,447 Y Y Y Y Prospecting P/L EL 722 BHP Minerals Company (see EL Au 21/11/79 14/11/82 83,514 Y Y Y Y Y 1208) EL 738 Golden Eagle Mining P/L and W, Sn, Ta 15/08/80 13/07/83 20,832 Y Y Union Corporation (Australia) P/L EL 746 Australian Anglo-American Sn, W, Au 29/11/79 27/11/84 n/a Y Y Y Y Prospecting P/L EL 750 Dampier Mining Co. Ltd Sn, Ta 28/05/80 17/11/80 67,125 Y Y Y EL 752 Australian Anglo-American Sn, Au 29/11/79 09/02/83 see EL 1339 Y Y Y Prospecting P/L EL 858 BHP Minerals Ltd (see EL 1208) Au 15/08/80 23/07/86 30,790 Y Y Y Y Y EL 873 Dampier Mining Co. Ltd Sn, Ta 13/04/81 11/11/82 4,475 Y Y Y EL 893 Essex Minerals Company Sn 05/12/80 30/06/82 64,673 Y Y Y EL 973 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Au, Sn 13/05/81 15/09/82 4,435 Y Y Y EL 1008 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Sn, Au, W 13/05/81 12/05/83 see EL 1180 Y Y Y Y and Freeport of Australia Incorporated EL 1009 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Au 29/06/81 15/09/82 4,925 Y Y Y Y EL 1016 Essex Minerals Company Cu, Pb, Zn 06/08/81 30/06/82 30,120 Y Y Y Y EL 1023 Gold Fields Exploration P/L Sn, Au 27/08/81 06/06/83 61,539 Y Y Y EL 1058 Webb (see EL 651) Pb, Zn 09/03/82 31/01/87 150,628 Y Y Y EL 1145 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Sn, Au, W 29/01/82 12/05/83 see EL 1180 Y Y Y Y and Freeport of Australia Incorporated Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 1151 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Sn, Au, W 02/04/82 01/04/83 see EL 1180 Y Y Y Y and Freeport of Australia Incorporated EL 1180 Northern Mining Corporation N.L. Sn, Au, W 26/07/82 12/05/83 122,834 Y Y Y Y and Freeport of Australia Incorporated EL 1207 Seltrust Mining Corporation P/L Mo 31/03/83 31/03/83 1,463 Y Y EL 1208 BHP Minerals Ltd Au 16/09/82 11/02/87 325,291 Y Y Y Y Y EL 1223 Marathon Petroleum Australia Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 16/09/82 16/10/87 494,358 Y Y Y Y Y and Pan Australia Mining Ltd EL 1227 Seltrust Mining Corporation P/L Mo 31/03/83 15/08/83 1,463 Y Y EL 1229 Australian Anglo-American Ltd Sn 05/10/82 04/10/84 596,191 Y Y Y Y Y (see EL 653) EL 1231 Australian Anglo-American Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag 05/10/82 15/08/83 169,072 Y Y Y Y (see EL 674) EL 1232 Australian Anglo-American Ltd 05/10/82 04/10/83 534,162 Y Y Y Y EL 1233 Macquarie Resources Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 16/09/82 15/09/88 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y (ex EL 432) EL 1234 Macquarie Resources Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 16/09/82 15/09/88 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y (ex EL 456) EL 1236 Macquarie Resources Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 16/09/82 15/09/88 see EL 1237 Y Y Y Y Y Y (ex EL 570) EL 1237 Macquarie Resources Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 16/09/82 15/09/88 10,467,519 Y Y Y Y Y Y (ex EL 641) EL 1238 WMC Limited and BP Mining Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 16/09/82 15/09/88 see EL 1239 Y Y Y Y Y Development Australia P/L (ex EL 565) Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 1239 WMC Limited and BP Mining Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, Au 16/09/82 15/09/87 1,286,791 Y Y Y Y Y Development Australia P/L (ex 640) EL 1248 Golden Eagle Mining P/L Sn, Ta 16/09/82 19/07/85 269,395 Y Y Y EL 1252 Cultus Pacific N.L. (see EL 675) Cu, Pb, Zn 16/09/82 15/09/83 120,920 Y Y Y Y Y Y EL 1276 Eastern Resources N.L. Au 01/09/83 31/08/85 6,054 Y Y EL 1300 Plagolmin P/L Cu, Pb, Zn, W, Ag 05/07/83 04/07/85 n/a Y Y Y EL 1303 Plagolmin P/L W, Sn, Au 26/09/83 25/09/85 n/a Y Y Y EL 1310 J.M. Brady Au 16/05/83 03/05/84 16,799 Y Y Y EL 1339 Australian Anglo-American Sn, Au 16/05/83 15/05/85 168,860 Y Y Y Prospecting P/L EL 1376 Plagolmin P/L Au, Ag, W 23/10/84 23/10/85 n/a Y Y EL 1395 Stonewick Enterprises P/L Au 22/02/85 21/02/88 36,286 Y Y Y EL 1406 Martin Exploration P/L Au 01/03/85 28/02/86 n/a Y Y EL 1432 Canyon Resources P/L Au, Ag 12/04/85 12/09/86 23,888 Y Y Y EL 1462 Pan Australian Mining Ltd Au 24/05/85 23/05/87 3,765 Y Y Y EL 1463 Tallangalook P/L & Ghana Gold Au 08/03/85 07/03/88 10,363 Y Y Y P/L EL 1546 Meltech Consultant Geologists Au, Cu 27/09/85 26/09/88 n/a Y Y Y Y Y EL 1553 Nickelseekers Ltd Au 17/04/85 16/04/88 107,035 Y Y EL 1558 Tallandoon Goldfield Au 23/01/86 22/01/88 23,408 Y Y Y EL 1604 Mincomp P/L Au 05/11/86 04/11/88 79,053 Y Y Y EL 1605 Pan Australia Mining Ltd Cu, Pb, Zn 25/02/86 11/11/87 4,991 Y Y Y EL 1784 Martin Gold Mines N.L. Au 25/06/87 24/06/89 20,593 Y Y EL 1874 Bendigo Gold Associates P/L Au 14/04/89 14/04/91 42,636 Y Y Y EL 1900 Jeffcott Geological Services Au 12/05/88 11/05/90 97,550 Y Y Y EL 1927 Metana Minerals N.L. Au 22/07/88 21/07/89 25,204 Y Y Y Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph.

EL 1934 Norgold Ltd Au 29/09/88 28/09/89 73,230 Y Y Y EL 1953 Metana Minerals N.L. Au 27/05/88 26/05/89 31,362 Y Y Y EL 1960 Border Resources N.L. Au 27/01/89 27/01/91 41,626 Y Y EL 1961 Millaroo Mines N.L. Au 08/04/88 07/04/89 2,075 Y EL 1970 Adroit Exploration N.L. Au 27/04/88 26/04/90 32,482 Y Y Y EL 1974 T. E. Johnston & Associates P/L. Au 08/04/88 07/04/90 60,084 Y Y Y EL 2002 T. E. Johnston & Associates P/L. Au 09/03/88 09/03/90 25,232 Y Y Y Y EL 2056 Village Mines N.L. n/a 22/09/89 22/09/91 0 EL 2057 Martin Exploration P/L n/a 11/08/89 11/08/90 0 EL 2089 Norgold Ltd Au 29/09/88 28/09/89 36,452 Y Y EL 2090 Norgold Ltd Au 28/03/88 27/03/90 63,724 Y Y Y EL 2131 CRA Exploration P/L Au 12/05/88 28/06/89 31,119 Y Y EL 2132 CRA Exploration P/L Au 12/05/88 12/05/90 73,690 Y Y EL 2143 CRA Exploration P/L Au 12/05/88 13/07/89 19,287 Y Y EL 2146 CRA Exploration P/L Au 11/08/89 21/09/90 12,478 Y Y EL 2163 Adroit Exploration N.L. n/a 11/08/89 11/08/90 0 EL 2175 Sampson Manor P/L n/a 10/08/88 09/08/89 0 EL 2176 Sampson Manor P/L Au, Cu, Pb, Zn 22/06/88 22/06/89 20,055 Y Y Y EL 2289 Phoenix Resources N.L. Au, Sn 23/05/89 14/03/91 5,890 Y Y Y EL 2368 Bendigo Gold Associates P/L Au 13/04/89 13/04/91 15,972 Y Y EL 2370 Bendigo Gold Associates P/L Au 21/12/89 21/12/91 67,383 Y Y Y Y Y EL 2449 Bendigo Gold Ltd., Poseidon Au 23/01/90 18/01/95 see EL 3163 Y Y Y Y Y Exploration Ltd., Normandy Exploration Ltd. EL 2492 Border Resources N.L. Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag 22/12/89 22/12/89 11,312 Y Y EL 2545 Telberth N.L. Sn, Ta, W 09/08/91 09/08/92 9,400 Y Y Title Holder Primary exploration Grant Expiry Expenditure Mapping Gnd Air Geoch. Lit.survey Drill target date date geoph geoph. l

EL 3025 CRA Exploration P/L 27/10/89 27/10/94 CONFID. EL 3163 Bendigo Gold Ltd., Poseidon Au 18/01/90 18/01/96 333,806 Y Y Y Y Y Exploration Ltd., Normandy Exploration Ltd. EL 3189 Bruce Resources N.L. diamonds 15/06/92 15/06/94 see EL 3264 Y Y EL 3190 Bruce Resources N.L. diamonds 22/05/92 22/05/94 see EL 3264 Y Y EL 3230 CRA Exploration P/L 03/05/89 20/04/94 CONFID. EL 3244 Poseidon Exploration Ltd Au 03/08/92 03/08/94 91,968 Y Y EL 3256 Bendigo Gold Associates P/L Au, Cu 26/06/90 07/04/93 17,423 Y Y EL 3257 CRA Exploration P/L 04/06/87 27/10/94 CONFID. EL 3263 Bruce Resources N.L. diamonds 02/03/93 02/03/95 see EL 3264 Y Y EL 3264 Bruce Resources N.L. diamonds 03/08/92 03/08/94 9,400 Y Y EL 3274 CRA Exploration P/L Au 05/09/90 05/07/93 51,632 Y Y EL 3389 Longreach Gold Oil Ltd 18/06/95 08/06/96 CONFID. EL 3409 Victorian Gold Mines N.L. 26/08/93 26/08/95 CONFID. EL 3494 Crest Resources Australia N.L. 27/01/94 27/01/96 CONFID. EL 3507 Commercial Minerals Ltd 13/09/93 08/06/96 CONFID. EL 3515 Brancote Australia Ltd 19/10/93 19/10/95 CONFID. EL 3563 Exminco N.L. 24/03/94 24/03/96 CONFID. EL 3574 Exminco N.L. 24/03/94 24/03/96 CONFID. EL 3604 Tallangalook P/L 19/05/94 19/05/96 CONFID. EL 3621 Mr S. Clements 29/11/94 29/11/95 CONFID.

Exploration expenditure figures in square brackets ([..]) indicate expenditure was jointly reported with several Exploration Licences not listed. CONFID: Confidential report. 156 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - TALLANGATTA

Victorian Initiative for 13 BUSH, M.D., CAYLEY, R.A. and ROONEY, S., 1995. The geology and Minerals and Petroleum prospectivity of the Glenelg region, (VIMP) report series North West VIMP area 14 SLATER, K.R., 1995. An appraisal of 1 BUCKLEY, R.W., BUSH, M.D., new airborne geophysical data over the O'SHEA, P.J., WHITEHEAD, M. and Glenelg region, North West VIMP area, VANDENBERG, A.H.M. 1994. The Victoria. geology and prospectivity of the Orbost 15 RYAN S.M., KNIGHT, L.A. and Survey area. PARKER, G.J., 1995. The stratigraphy 2 VANDENBERG, A.H.M., WILLMAN, and structure of the Tyrendarra C., HENDRICKX, M., BUSH, M.D. and Embayment, Otway Basin, Victoria. SANDS, B.C. 1995. The geology and 16 KNIGHT, L.A., McDONALD, P.A., prospectivity of the 1993 Mount FRANKEL, E. and MOORE, D.H., 1995. Wellington Airborne survey area. A preliminary appraisal of the pre- 3 HOLDGATE, G., 1995. The exploration Tertiary infrabasins beneath the potential of the Permian Numurkah Murray Basin, Northwestern Victoria. Trough and Ovens Graben, Victoria. 17 PERINCEK, D., SIMONS, B.A., 4 BUSH, M.D., CAYLEY, R.A., ROONEY, PETTIFER, G.R. and GUNATILLAKE, R., SLATER, K. and WHITEHEAD K., 1995. Seismic interpretation of the M.L., 1995. The geology and onshore Western Otway Basin, Victoria. prospectivity of the southern margin of 18 LAVIN, C.J. and NAIM, H.M., 1995. the Murray Basin. The structure, stratigraphy and 5 ROONEY, R., 1995. Mineral petroleum potential of the Portland exploration history of the North West Trough, Otway Basin, Victoria. VIMP area. 19 SIMPSON, C.J., SIMS, J.P. and 6 WILLOCKS, A.J., 1995. An appraisal of ORANSKAIA, A., 1995. The geology the new airborne surveys over the and prospectivity of the Mt Elizabeth North West VIMP area. area, Eastern Highlands VIMP area. 7 WHITEHEAD, M.L., 1995. Geological 20 ORANSKAIA, A., 1995. A geological interpretation of geophysical data over interpretation of geophysical data over the Dunolly 1:100 000 sheet. the Mallacoota 1:250 000 sheet, Eastern Highlands VIMP area. 8 VANDENBERG, A.H.M., CALUZZI, J., WILLOCKS, A.J. and O'SHEA, P.J., 21 SARMA, S., 1995 Seismic 1995. The geology and prospectivity of interpretation of the offshore Otway the Mallacoota 1:250 000 sheet, Eastern Basin, Victoria. Highlands VIMP area. 22 MEHIN, K., and LINK, A.G., 1995. 9 SANDS, B.C., 1995. A geological Early Cretaceous source rocks of the interpretation of the geophysical data Victorian onshore Otway Basin. from the Orbost 1994 airborne survey. 23 PARKER, G.J., 1995. Early Cretaceous 10 OPPY I.D., CAYLEY, R.A. and stratigraphy along the northern margin CALUZZI, J., 1995 The geology and of the Otway Basin, Victoria. prospectivity of the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet. 11 CALUZZI, J., 1995 Mineral exploration history of the Tallangatta 1:250 000 sheet. 12 SIMONS, B.A., 1995 An appraisal of new airborne geophysical data over the Tallangatta 1:250 000 map area, Victoria.

147°00' 147°30' 148°00' 148°30'

35°55' 35°55' 43 DEVONIAN INTRUSIVES MINERAL LOCALITIES Fluvial: alluvium, gravel, sand, Qra silt Qs Qc Qc Mount Mittamatite Qc Qc Qs Dlg102 Qc Qs Qc Qs Qs Dlg98 Qc Qc Granite Qc Qs Qc Qs Qs Qs Fluvial: "gully" alluvium, No. NAME COMMODITY Qc Qs Qc Qc Qc Qs Qc Qc Qc Qs Qrc colluvium: gravel, sand, silt 1 Harrietville goldfield Au Qc 92 Qc Qs Qs OSs 23 Qs Dlg99 Pine Mountain 2 Freeburgh goldfield Au Qs Qc OSs 92 88 Qc Qc Qs92 Qs Qc Qc Sg92 3 Bright-Wandiligong goldfield Au Qc Qc Qs Sg92 OSs 59 Qc Qs Qs OSs Qc Qs 22 Qs Qc Qc Fluvial: alluvial terraces: gravel, 4 Cobungra River goldfield Au Sg101 Qc Qs Qc Qc OSs Qc Qc Qc Qc Qc Dlp Qrt sand, silt Dlg102 Thologolong 5 Running Creek goldfield Au 36°00' Qc Qc Qc 36°00' Qc 92 89 Tvo Sg OSs OSs OSs Qs Dlp 6 Mt Fainter goldfield Au Lake Hume Qc Qc 92 QcQs TALLANGATTA Qs Qc 92 Dlg99 Banimboola Quartz Qc Qc Qs Qc Qs OSsQs Qc Sg92 Qs Qs Sg Qc Tvo 7 Big River goldfield Au Dlvj Sg103 Qs Qc Dlg110 Eb OSs Qs Fluvial: "gully" alluvium, Diorite OSs OSs Qc OSs Qc 91 Qc Oh 8 Mt Wills goldfield Au,Cu,Pb,Zn,Sn Qs Qs Sg92 Qs Qpc Dlv Qs Tp colluvium: gravel, sand, silt Qrc 79 OSs Qs 90 9 Wombat Creek goldfield Au,Sn OSs Qs Qc OSs Qs Qs Sg92 Qs Qc Sg QUATERNARY Qc Dlg102 Qc Sg 10 Mt Wills-Wombat Creek tinfield Sn,Au QcQc Qs Qc 38 Dlg114 Qc Qs OSs Qs Qc Qs Qs Anglers Rest Granite Qc Qc Qs Qs Qc Qs 11 Lightning Creek goldfield Au Qs Qs Sg Qs Qc Sg92 Coonambidgal Fluvial, lacustrine: clay, sand, Eb Eb Qc Qs OSs OSs Qs 12 Granite Flat goldfield Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Qs Qs Sg101 OSs Qs Tvo Qs Qs Qc Sg92 Sg92 Qc Formation sandy clay Taylors Crossing Qs Qs Sg92 OSs QcQc 13 Mitta Mitta goldfield Au,Sn,Cu,Zn OSn Qc Qc Qc OSs Dlg115 Tonalite Sg175 Qc Qc Sg Qc Qc Qs Qs Qc 72 86 Qc Qc Qc Qc Tvo 14 Mitta Mitta - Deans Creek tinfield Sn,Au Qc Qc Sg101 Qs Qs Qc Qs Sg Qs Qc OSs Qc Sg92 Qc Sg Qs Sg175 Qrc Sg101 Qs Sg101 85 Qc Lower Tableland 15 Sandy Creek goldfield Au,Zn Du Qc Qc OSs Qs OSs Qc Qs Sg92 Aeolian: lunette deposits: sand, Du Qs Qs Qc Qs Qs Qc 16 Jarvis Creek goldfield Au OSn Qc Qc Qs Sg92 Dlp Tvo Qu silt, clay Dlg116 Granite Qs Qc Qs Qc Qs Qc Qs Sg92 Qc Sg92 17 Bethanga Creek goldfield Au,Cu Qc Qc Qs Qc Qc 84 Sg92 OSs 17 Du Sg Qs Qc 18 Bullhead Tin mine Sn Qc Qc Qs Sg OSs Dlvj Sg92 Qs Qs Dlg120 Marengo Granodiorite 19 Tallangatta Valley goldfield Au Qc OSn TALGARNO Qs 20 Qs OSs Qs Sg92 Eb OSs Qs Qs Shepparton Formation Fluvial: silt, sand, minor gravel 20 Granya goldfield Au Tp OSn EL3515TERRANE Qs Qs Qc Qc Qs Qs Qc BURROWA Qc Qc Qs Sg Tvo 21 Koetong tinfield Sn,Au OSs SHEAR ZONE Qs OSs Qs Dlg148 Gundowring FAULT Qs 22 Burrowye - Mt Alfred tinfield Sn Qs CALDERA Dlg98 Dlg98 JARVIS Qc Qc Qc Qs OSs Sg Qc Qc Qc Qs Qs Sg Extrusive: tholeiitic to alkaline 23 Walwa tinfield Sn CREEK OSs Sg92 Qc Qs Qs Dlp Qc Qvn Newer Volcanics basalts, minor scoria and ash Spion Kopje 24 Mt Cudgewa tinfield Sn,Au Qc FIREBRACE Qs Oh Qc Qrc Sg101 Qc Qc Dlp Qs Sg92 Dlg151 Qs 21 Qc 92 Quartz Diorite 25 Log Bridge Creek - Cudgewa Creek Au Sg101 Qs Qs Qc OSs 16 Qs Qc Sg101 Qs Sg92 Qc Qs Qc FAULT 73 37 Dlp 26 Corryong goldfield Au Qrc Qc OSs OSs Qs OSs Qc Sg92Qc Qs Sg92 Qc Sg92 Big Hill Quartz Qrc Eb Qc Qs 27 Thowgla Creek goldfield Au OSs Qs Qc Qc Sg92 Sg92 Qc Tp Dlg152 Qs Qs Qc Qs Sg92 Dlp Qc Qs undifferentiated Fluvial: gravel, sand, silt Diorite Qc Qs Qc Qs 28 Mt Onslow reef , Gentle Annie Au Qc Qs Qs Qs Qs Qs Qc Lake Hume Qs Qs Dlvj Qs Corryong Tp Tp Qc Qs Qs 29 Surveyors Creek tinfield & goldfield Sn,Au Qc Qs Qs 26 OSs Niggerheads Sg Qs Qc Sg92 30 Zulu Creek goldfield Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Qs OSs Dlp Sg92 TERTIARY Dlg153 Eb Oh OSn 74 75 Qc Extrusive: tholeiitic and minor Granodiorite Oh Qs Dlp Dlp 31 Dart River goldfield Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Oh Sg92 Dlg98 Sg92 Qs EL3389 Tvo Older Volcanics Qrc Qc Qc Qs Qs Qs Sg92 Qs alkaline basalts Qc Tp Qs Qc 32 Lower Dart River goldfield Au,Pb,Cu OSn Qc Qc Sg92 Qs 60 Sg92 Qs Pretty Vally Tp Qc Sg92 Qc Qc Qc Tallangatta 96 Qs Qc Qs Sg Dlg154 33 Gibbo River goldfield Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Qs Dlp Qs Qc Qs Sg92 Granodiorite TALGARNO Oh Qs OSs Qs Sg92 Qs Qc Qs Qc 34 Dead Horse Creek goldfield Au Qrc GUNDOWRING TERRANE OSn Qs Sg92 Qc Qc OSs Sg Qrc Qs Qs Qs Qs Sg92 Qc Qc Qs Qs Te 35 Limestone Creek goldfield Au Qc OSs Qs Sg undifferentiated Fluvial: gravel, sand Rocky Valley Qrc Qs Qs Dlp Qs Qs Tp Qs Qc Sg92 Qs Qc Dlg155 Granodiorite 36 Mammoth complex Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Qc Qrc Oh OSs OSs Qc Qc Qc OSs Tp Sg92 Qc Res. OSn Sg92 Qs 37 Reward Copper mine Cu OSs Qs Qc Sg92 OSn Qrc Qs Sg92 Qc Mount Leinster Qrc Qs Oh OSs 38 Pine Mountain Mine Pb,Cu,Zn Qs Qs Qs Qc 25 OSs Qs Qs Qs Qs Qs Sg TRp Igneous Complex Dlg177 Yackandandah Granite Qs Oh OSsSg92 Sg92 Sg92 Sg92 Intrusive: granite porphyry 39 Mt Morgan Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Qc OSs OSs Sg92 OSn Qc Qrt Sg92 Qs Qc Qc Qrc Sg172 Qs Sg101 Qc 40 Leviathans reef,Anglers rest Au Qs Qc OSs Qc Qc Qc Dlp Qs Qrc Dlg173 Qs Tp Qs Sg92 Qs Qs Qs 41 Bridenong Creek & Dinner Creek Au Qs LOCKHART GAP Tp Sg92 Qc Qrc Qs Qs Qs Qs Sg92 Dlp Oh TRIASSIC Mount Leinster Intrusive: syenites, syenite Dlg180 Kergunyah Adamellite Qrc Qs Qs Tp Sg92 Qc Sg92 Sg92 Qc Qc 42 Bunroy Creek Au Qs Qc Qc OSs OSn Qrc OSn Qc Sg92 OSs TRs Igneous Complex porphyry Qs Qc Sg92 Sg 43 Ournie goldfield (N.S.W.) Au,Cu,Pb,Zn Sg172 Qs Qc Qs Sg92 Dlp Sg OSs Qs Qs Sg92 Oh 44 Quart Pot Flat Pb,Cu Qrc Qs OSs Qc Ovk OSs Qc Qc Qc Qrc 87 Qc 27 Qs 45 Mitta Mitta River Cu 19 Qc Qs Qc Sg92 Qc Qrc Qc Mount Leinster SILURIAN INTRUSIVES Qs QcQs OSs Sg95 OSs 46 Gibbo River Cu FAULT 24 Sg92 Qc Qc Qrc Qrc TRt Igneous Complex Qc Sg172 Qc Extrusive: trachyte Qrc Qs Qs Qc Qs 47 Silver Flat Pb Qrc Oh Qc Qc OSs Qs Qs Qc Qs Qs 48 Wombat Hole Cu,Pb,Zn Qs Qc Qc Qrc Oh Qs Qrc Qs Qs Qc Qs Qs Qc 49 Danes Creek Ag - Pb lode Ag,Cu,Pb,Zn EL3574 Qs Qs Dlp Fluvial: conglomerate, sandstone, Sg75 Ingeegoodbee Qrc Qc Qc Qc 84 Dlg173 Qs Oh OhOh 76 Qs Qs Du undifferentiated 50 Victoria Ag - Pb lode Ag,Au,Cu,Pb FAULT Dlp Oh mudstone OSn Qc OSs Sg105 Qc Qs 51 Wilga Cu,Zn,Pb OSn 15 Qs Qc Qs Oh Sg91 Sg92 Qc OSs Qc Sg86 52 Currawong Cu,Zn,Pb Qrc Qrc Qs Qc Qs Qc Qs Qs Mount Misery OSn Qrc Qrc Qc Qc Qc Qc Sg105 Qs 42 Qrc Qs Qc Fluvial/Extrusive: conglomerate, sandstone, 53 Austerlitz Ironstone Pb Qs Sg172 Oh Qc Qs Qs Oh Qs Qrc Oh Qc Qc Dlp Dut Mount Tambo Group mudstone, ignimbrite Buckwong (Mount 54 Victory Cu lode Cu Qrc Qc Qs 39 Qs Qs Qc Sg105 Qs Dlg148 Qs Sg94 Qc Sg87 Murphy) Granodiorite 55 Limestone Hut gossan Cu,Zn,Pb,Au Qs Qrc 18 Oh Oh Qc Qs OSs OSs Oh Qs Qc Sg105 Qrc Qrc Qc Qs Qc Qs Dlp 56 Little Stony Creek Ironstone Cu,Zn,Pb,Au Qs Qs Qs Qs Qc Qc Buchan Caves OSn Dlg173 Qc Qc Qs Sg94 Sg Marine: limestone, dolomite, 57 Pendon Reward Mine Pb Qs Qs Sg91 Qs Qc 28 Dla Limestone Sg88 Butchers Block Qc Qc Qs Qs Qc OSs well-bedded dark grey recrystallized 58 James Flat Cu,Pb Qs Qs OSs Oh OSs Qs Oh Qc Oh Qc Qc CALLAGHANS Qc Qs Qs 59 Womobi Wolfram Mine Sn,Cu,Zn Dlg180 Oh Qc OSs Qs OSs Qs Qs Qs Qs Qs Oh 60 Unnamed Dykes, Corryong Cu Qrc Qc Oh Qs Cravensville Sg89 Qrc Qc Qs Fluvial, lacustrine? : black siltstone, Tom Groggin OSs Qs Oh Qs Qc 61 Native Dog Plain Cu Qs Qc Qc OSs Qc Sg Dldc Formation volcanogenic sandstone, slate breccia Qs 62 Tawonga goldfield Au OSn OSn Boebuck (Mount OSn Qs Qrc WOMBAT 29 63 Simmonds Gap, Bright Mo Qrc Tp Qrc VICTORIA Sg Sg90 Qc Qc Sg88 Pinnibar) Adamellite

KIEWA Qc 64 Unnamed reef, Mt Feathertop Au Qrc Tp Tp Tp CREEK Sheevers Spur Extrusive: felsic ignimbrite, minor Qs OSs Oh 65 Unnamed reef, Dinner Plain Au Qs Dlds Rhyodacite andesite Qrc Qrc GRABEN 66 Unnamed reef, Dinner Plain Au Oh Sg91 Bunroy Hut Oh Qrc SYNFORM Dldm 67 Unnamed reef, Strawberry Saddle Au Qrc Oh OSs FAULT Qrc 13 Qrc Ovk Qs Qc Sg93 DEVONIAN Murtagh Creek Extrusive, fluvial: felsic ignimbrite, 68 Unnamed reef, Dinner Plain Au Qrc 31 Qc Qrc Qrc Dldc Dldm Rhyolite Sg92 Corryong Granite 69 Unnamed reef, The Lones Au EL3563 Qrc Oh agglomerate, minor siltstone Qs OSs Qc 36°30' 70 Unnamed reef, The Lones Au 36°30' Qrc Sg90 OSnSg Qrc OSn Oh Qs Dlg110 Qc Qc 30 Qrc Sg 71 Unnamed reef, Mountain Creek Au Qrc Qrc Qs Qrc Qc Sg Qrc Qs Qs Snowy River Sg93 Qrc Oh Qrc Qrc Qrc Sg Glendart 72 Running Creek, Bungil Au, Sn FAULT Qrc Dlg110 CREEK OSs Oh Qrc Sg Dls Volcanics 73 Milderns No.2 Reef, Koetong W, Sn, Au Sy Qs Qrc NEW undifferentiated Qrc Oh Qc Qrc MURTAGH Sg Qrc GILMORE Qrc Qs Qs 74 Milderns No.3 Reef, Koetong Sn, W, Au Qc Lake Qrc Qrc 12 Dlg110 Qrc FAULT Sg94 Nariel Qrc Qrc Qrc Qrc Qrc OSs Sg 75 Burrowye Creek, Koetong Sn, Au Qrc Qc Dlds ZONE OSn Qrc Dldc 76 Cross Lode, Mt Cudgewa Sn, Au OSn Qrc Qrc GRANITE Qrc Dlp ring dyke Qra Qra Qrc Intrusive: granite/granodiorite porphyry 77 Unnamed reef, Deep Creek Au Qrc SOUTH Qrc Qra Sg95 Wabba Granodiorite Sy Dlg180 Qc Qra Qrc 78 Sloans Reef, Anglers Rest Au Qrc 50 Qrc Oh Dlg110 Qrc Dartmouth Dam 79 Flaggy Creek, Thologolong Sn OSn OSn Qrc Dlds Qrc Oh 80 Penders Flat Prospect Au Qc OSs 32 Dlv Sg101 5 Qrc EL3025 Quartz-feldspar porphyry, rhyolite, tuff, quartzite Koetong Granodiorite Qrc Qrt Qs Qra 81 Mt Murphy W Qrc Dlg110 Sg89 WALES FLAT Qra 82 Stoney Creek Ls Qrc 14 Qrc LINEAMENT Qra 83 Limestone Creek Ds OSn Qra Extrusive: rhyolite lava, rhyodacite Sg103 Granya Adamellite Dlg180 Qc 84 Koetong Creek Fs FAULT Sg88 Dlvj Jemba Rhyolite Qrc OSs ignimbrite, densely welded OSs Dlds Sg108 85 Unnamed W Qs Dlg180 49 Ovk Qra Sg108 Sg105 Beetoomba 86 Unnamed W MORASS Oh Qra Qs EL3604 Qra Early Devonian number refers to name - 87 Tallangatta porphyry Ds 180 OSs Qra OSs 33 RIVER Dlg granite Eustace Creek 88 Unnamed W Qra Oh see adjacent list Oh Qs ANTIFORM Dlds Sg108 Granodiorite 89 Unnamed Ba Qrc OSs Dlg180 Qra 90 Sandy Creek Fl Smvm Smvm 41 Marine: siltstone, laminated, minor 91 Pine Mountain - granite Ds 62 Qrc Qs Qrc Suq GIBBO Cowombat Siltstone sandstone, limestone lenses Sg111 Mount Wills 92 Mt Mittamatite - granite Ds FAULT CREEK Qra Qra Qs Qc 93 Pytes, Hinnomunjie Ls, Wo OSn OSs Qra Qra 94 The Brothers, Hinnomunjie Ds KANCOONA Qs OSn Gibsons Folly Sg113 Qs Qs Qrt Marine, extrusive, intrusive: Knocker Qrc Qvn Dlp 95 The Brothers, Hinnomunjie Fs Oh FAULT Qrt Sug Formation siltstone, andesite Qs Qra Slw Qrt 96 Unnamed, Tallangatta Fs, Ds OSs Qs OSs EL3494 Sy Qrc Qrt 97 Unnamed Ba 11 FAULT 81 Qrt 71 Smvm Oh 36 Slw Sg122 Forlorn Hope Granite Suw BUENBA OSs Qs OSs Qvn Marine: conglomerate, sandstone, Qc Qra Qra OSs Qvn FAULT Slw Sg Suw Wombat Creek Group FAULT OSn Sg Dlp Qrt siltstone, limestone Sg111 Smvm Qvn Sg172 Yabba Adamellite Qra Qra Oh OSs OSs 44 Suq Qrc Qra OSs Qvn Qvn PLOT CK F OSs WOMBAT CREEK FAULT 47 OSs Sy fault rock Sg173 Lockhart Adamellite Qc Qrc mylonite FAULT 45 Qrc SILURIAN Dlg OSs Qvn Oh Sg87 DOG 9 46 Qrc Dls OSs Qvn Marine, intrusive: felsic Suw Qra OSs Smvm INDI Sg175 63 Dlg Qvn Slw ignimbrite, porphyry, minor Bethanga Gneiss Dlg116 Qvn 48 TRp Qrc Dlvj Smvt Thorkidaan Volcanics OSs 10 Suw 77 NATIVE sediments Sy Dlg Qrc OSs Dlg152 7 Qvn Oh Dlg OSs Sg 35 TAWONGA Oh Qvn Qra Dlp Qrt Mitta Mitta BOGONG Oh Qvn 3 OSs Qrc 8 Sg113 Qrc Qrc Qrc Smvm Volcanics Qra Qra Qrc Qvn Sg86 Marine: 83 FOREST CK OSs TRp Qrc Qrc Dls Sg75 Dlg151 Suw Suq OSn 80 Dlg OSs Sg115 Qc Qvn OSs Oh 57 2 Oh Qc OSs Qrc number refers to name - Dlg BUCHAN

OSn TRs OSs Sg Silurian granite MORASS see adjacent list Tvo Oh Qrc Qra TRs OSs 82 64 Tvo Qra TRs 34 STONEY CK 78 Oh Dlg Qc Qra RIFT FAULT Tvo Dlg155 Oh TRt 70 40 TRp Oh 55 Marine: sandstone, thick to thin Dlg Qra Qrc OSs TRt Qrc FAULT Slw Towanga Sandstone bedded, siltstone, minor conglomerate Qra Qra TRt Smvt

CREEK TRs TRs TRt Tvo Dlg155 TRs OSs Dlg154 Qra 56 6 Rock Valley Qc TRs Dlg120 1 Storage Qra 69 Qrc Sg Suq Dlg154 OSn Oh TRt Op Blueys Creek KIEWA 94 Sug 54 F Marine: chert, volcaniclastic Qc Oh Dlg153 Qra Qrc Ouu TRt Oh TRt TRt LIMESTONE 61 OSs Formation sandstone Harrietville Qrc Qrc Oh TRt Dlg154 Oh TRp TRt Smvt CREEK Oh Sg OSs Oh OSn Dlg120 Tvo Qrc Oh 95 Sg GRABEN 58 Sg OSs TRt Qra Qrc 93 OSn FAULT Smvt Slw Marine: basalt lava, agglomerate, OSn Qrc Qrc GELANTIPY Dlg154 Qrc TRt Sug Ouu Ovk Te Sg LIMESTONE CREEK Kiandra Group sandstone, chert Sy Sg 53

67 EMU Dlg114 Qrt OSs Smvt Qrc Qrt Smvt FAULT Qrc Sg Qrt Sug Smvt Benambra Smvt Sg Oh Tvo Dlg154 ENSAY Qu TRt Sg FAULT OSs Qra OSs Smvt Dls Op Pinnak Sandstone Marine: sandstone, thick to thin FAULT Qrc Lake Omeo TRt OSs Smvt

EGG SYNCLINE Op 66 Qrc TRs Smvt (Adaminaby Group) Tvo Tvo Tvo Qra Qrc 52 LIMESTONE Sg bedded, siltstone, minor chert Tvo FAULT Oh Qrt Sg Tvo Qu OSn Smvt ORDOVICIAN 65 TRs TRs OSn CREEK Tvo Tvo Qrc Qra Smvt

Qrt Qrc Sg Sug F Qpc Qra GRABEN Op OSn OSn Qrc TRt Sy Slw Sg122 Omeo Metamorphic Tvo Qpc Qrc TRs Suq LYREBIRD Qc OSn LIVINGSTONE CK OSs Qrc Ouu Tvo Tvo 4 68 Qrc Dut Slw OSn Complex Metamorphic: gneiss 37°00' 37°00'

147°00' 147°30' 51 148°00' 148°30' Omeo Metamorphic Metamorphic: schist, spotted schist, OSs Complex phyllite

Oh Hotham Group Marine: sandstone, mudstone

Metamorphic: biotite gneiss, medium CAMBRIAN? to coarse-grained, strongly Eb Bethanga Gneiss contorted

MINERAL LOCALITIES LEGEND STRUCTURE LEGEND MINERAL FIELDS

Gold, (Au) Geological boundary Goldfield

Copper, (Cu) Fault, position accurate

Fault, position approximate Lead, (Pb) Tinfield Fault, position inferred Zinc, (Zn) Monocline, position accurate Tin, (Sn) Gold & Tinfield Monocline, position approximate

1 : 250 000 Monocline, position inferred Copper, lead

Anticline, position accurate Albers Conical Equal Area Projection Copper, lead, zinc Exploration License/Lease Area Standard parallels 35 deg S, 38 deg S Anticline, position approximate EL3494

Copper, zinc Anticline, position inferred

November 1995 Syncline, position accurate Lead, zinc Syncline, position approximate Mineral occurrence - refer to table (Ag - Silver, Ba - Barite, Ds - Dimension stone, Syncline, position inferred Fl - Fluorite, Fs - Feldspar, Ls - Limestone, Mo - Molybdenum, W - Tungsten, Megakink Wo - Wolframite) Dyke

Eruption point

Shear zone Geology, mineral deposits and tenure, Tallangatta 1 : 250 000 mapsheet, VIMP Report 10 / Figure 3. vmp10f3.dgn