QUEENSLAND GEOLOGICAL RECORD 2005/1

A review of mines and metalliferous mineralisation in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area, Queensland

J S Lam

ISSN 1039-5547 QUEENSLAND GEOLOGICAL RECORD 2005/1

A REVIEW OF MINES AND METALLIFEROUS MINERALISATION IN THE MUNDUBBERA 1:250 000 SHEET AREA, QUEENSLAND

J S Lam GEOMAP 2005 This report summarises metalliferous mineralisation in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area and contributes to the South Connors-Auburn-Gogango (SCAG) Project of the Geological Survey of Queensland GEOMAP 2005 program. The program combines new and evolving technology with field investigations to update knowledge of the mineral resource potential of Queensland. The SCAG Project area covers part of the northern New England Fold Belt. The major structural provinces within the study area are the Auburn Subprovince/Auburn Arch (a Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous Andean style volcanic arc), Bowen Basin (Permian to Triassic extensional basin), Yarrol Province (Late Devonian to Early Permian fore-arc basin), Coastal and Philpott Subprovinces (Devonian to Carboniferous age accretionary wedge), Abercorn Trough (Triassic), Mulgildie and Surat Basins (Jurassic intracontinental basin), Carboniferous granites of the Auburn Subprovince, and Permo-Triassic granites in the Rawbelle Batholith. The principal mineral commodities in the Sheet area are gold and silver, iron, magnetite and limestone, and minor antimony, base metals, tungsten and molybdenum. Up to 1993, >30t gold (Cracow: 27t from epithermal quartz-calcite lode and Eidsvold: 3t from intrusive-related hydrothermal quartz-sulphide vein); 6t of wolfram concentrate from quartz-pegmatite lode; 250t of antimony (stibnite concentrate) from intrusive-related quartz-sulphide lode were mined in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area. Company exploration has outlined resources of 2.4Mt with 10g/t gold (790 000ozs) at Cracow, with further high-grade gold mineralisation discovered in the vicinity of the existing identified resources; 1.15Mt with 1.5g/t gold (56 000ozs) at Yarrol; and 595 000t with 1.7g/t gold (32 500ozs) at Rosehall. The Hawkwood magnetite deposit has a resource of several tens of million of tonnes with 25–35% magnetite; the Kennedy Peak area has a resource of several hundred million tonnes of oolitic ironstone with grades up to 37.5% iron; and the Philpott Creek limestone has a resource of several hundred thousands tonnes. Underground mining of the Royal-Klondyke lode commenced at Cracow in 2004, with a projected production of 1 million ounces of gold over a 7 year mine life. Recent publications relevant to the SCAG Project are the South Connors-Auburn-Gogango Project: Progress Report on Investigation during 1997, Queensland Geological Record 1998/1; Mining and Production History of the Cracow Gold and Mineral Field from 1932 to 1976, Queensland Geological Record 1998/2; A Review of Company Exploration for Metalliferous Deposits in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area, Queensland Geological Record 1998/4; and South Connors-Auburn-Gogango Project: Progress Report on Investigation during 1998, Queensland Geological Record 1999/7; A Review of Company Exploration for Metalliferous Mineralisation in the Mackay 1:250 000 Sheet area, Queensland Geological Record 2004/4; A Review of Mines and Metalliferous Mineralisation in the Mackay (Special), 1:250 000 Sheet Area (including the Bundarra Pluton Porphyry Copper Deposits), Queensland Geological Record 2004/5; Mineral occurrences and district analysis — Banana, Theodore and Scoria 1:100 000 Sheet areas, central Queensland, Queensland Geological Record 2004/2; Mineral occurrences — St Lawrence and Port Clinton 1:250 000 Sheet areas, central Queensland, Queensland Geological Record 2004/7. Forthcoming reports are the geology and tectonic history of SCAG Project area.

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Geological Survey of Queensland Natural Resource Sciences Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, 80 Meiers Rd, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 Telephone: (07) 3896 9506; International +61 7 3896 9506 Facsimile: (07) 3362 9343; International +61 7 3362 9343 Internet: www.nrm.qld.gov.au

© The State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines 2005 ISSN 1039-5547 ISBN 1 921062 08 8 QNRM05026

Graphics: L Blight, JS Lam Issued: May 2005

REFERENCE: LAM, J.S., 2005: A review of mines and metalliferous mineralisation in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area, Queensland. Queensland Geological Record, 2005/1. i

CONTENTS SUMMARY...... 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 3 MINERAL OCCURRENCE DATA ...... 5 LOCATION, ACCESS, AND CLIMATE ...... 6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 7 REGIONAL GEOLOGY ...... 7 PHILPOTT SUBPROVINCE ...... 9 COASTAL SUBPROVINCE ...... 12 YARROL PROVINCE ...... 13 BOWEN BASIN/TAROOM TROUGH ...... 13 ABERCORN TROUGH ...... 15 SURAT AND MULGILDIE BASINS ...... 15 LATE CRETACEOUS BASALT ...... 16 CAINOZOIC BASALT ...... 16 CAINOZOIC DEEP WEATHERING PROFILES ...... 16 QUATERNARY ALLUVIUM AND COLLUVIUM ...... 17 AUBURN SUBPROVINCE ...... 17 CARBONIFEROUS INTRUSIVES ...... 18 PERMIAN INTRUSIVES ...... 19 PERMIAN TO TRIASSIC INTRUSIVES ...... 19 TRIASSIC INTRUSIVES ...... 21 MINERAL EXPLORATION ...... 22 MINERALISATION ...... 23 ANTIMONY ...... 24 BARIUM ...... 31 BAUXITE ...... 31 BISMUTH ...... 32 CHROMIUM AND NICKEL ...... 33 CLAY...... 33 COBALT ...... 34 COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC ...... 34 GOLD ...... 43 ALLUVIAL GOLD ...... 43 McKonkey Creek Provisional Goldfield ...... 44 LODE GOLD ...... 48 Brovinia Provisional Goldfield...... 48 Cracow Goldfield ...... 52 Dykehead Provisional Goldfield...... 93 Eidsvold Goldfield ...... 125 St John Creek Goldfield ...... 154 IRON ...... 166 LIMESTONE...... 168 MAGNETITE ...... 170 MANGANESE ...... 172 PALLADIUM AND PLATINUM...... 172 PHOSPHATE ...... 172 TIN...... 172 TITANIUM ...... 174 TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM...... 174 CONCLUSION ...... 179 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 180 APPENDIX 1. Index to mines and mineral occurrences ...... 197 FIGURE 1. Locality map of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area and the South Connors-Auburn-Gogango Project area ...... 4 2. Major access roads of the Mundubbera region...... 7 3a. Geological structural elements of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area ...... 8 ii

3b. Composite geology map of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area...... 10 4. Antimony lode occurrences in the Hungry Hill area ...... 26 5. Main shaft of the Banshee stibnite mine ...... 27 6. Banshee stibnite ore ...... 28 7. Lady Mary quartz-stibnite lode with remnant host rock inclusions (creamy coloured) ...... 29 8. Location of selected significant copper occurrences ...... 35 9. Eldorado andesite breccia with sub-rounded to subangular andesite and granodiorite clasts . . 38 10. Predominantly prehnite-filled vesicular andesite float boulder with secondary native copper and malachite ...... 40 11. Known extent of deep lead gold deposit in the McKonkey Creek and St John Creek areas . . . 45 12. Significant gold occurrences in the Brovinia Provincial Goldfield area ...... 49 13. May Queen mine ...... 51 14. Gold occurrences in the Cracow Goldfield area...... 54 15. Cracow gold lodes system ...... 59 16. (a) andesite breccia with multiple fracture-filled stockwork epithermal vein comprising laumontite (orange) and quartz/calcite/adularia (white), (b) progressive rim-silicification of andesite clasts and remnants of grey-white fragments ...... 59 17. Golden Ridge ...... 74 18. Rose Pride crackle zone with prominent north trending fractures on the western margin of the quartz-calcite lode ...... 84 19. Rose/Rose’s Pride workings — spatial assemblage of host rock and ore ...... 85 20. Gold occurrences in the Dykehead Provisional Goldfield area ...... 94 21. Surface sketch of the Brady 2 workings...... 97 22. Surface sketch of the Dreams of Avarice workings ...... 99 23. Surface sketch of the Great Eastern workings ...... 101 24. Michalite mine — brecciated quartz with subangular quartz clasts and quartz crystal-filled vughs and hornblende diorite country rock ...... 101 25. Surface geology of the New Camp area ...... 103 26. Surface sketch of the Peter Pan workings ...... 104 27. Surface sketch of the Turner prospect ...... 105 28. Surface sketch of the X-Rays workings ...... 106 29. Gold occurrences in the Mount Narayen area ...... 109 30. Surface sketch of the Evening Star workings...... 110 31. Surface sketch of the Mountain King workings ...... 112 32. Surface sketch of the Narayen workings ...... 113 33. Narayen mine — host rock assemblage ...... 114 34. Surface sketch of the South Narayen workings ...... 116 35. Surface sketch of the Five Mile workings ...... 117 36. Surface sketch of the Mary Elizabeth workings...... 119 37. Surface sketch of the Hidden Treasure workings...... 120 38. Surface sketch of the Klondyke workings ...... 121 39. General location of Mount Saul mineralisation and geology ...... 124 40. Net-veined granodiorite with subrounded diorite (with reaction edges) ...... 130 41. Gold occurrences in the Eidsvold Goldfield area...... 131 42. Mount Rose — breccia lode ...... 131 43. Surface sketch of the Mount Rose workings ...... 134 44. Gold occurrences in the Mount Brady area ...... 146 45. Surface sketch of the Area E South workings ...... 147 46. Surface sketch of Area E North workings ...... 148 47. Surface sketch of Area D workings ...... 148 48. Surface sketch of the Mount Brady North workings ...... 150 49. Surface sketches of the Mount Jones workings ...... 151 50. General location of gold and antimony occurrences in the St John Creek gold field area ....155 51. Perseverance mine — strongly altered granodiorite with fracture-filled iron-stained quartz-stibnite-arsenopyrite veins ...... 156 52. Surface sketch of the Perseverance workings ...... 157 53. Privateer prospect ...... 159 54. Waratah workings — siliceous breccia ...... 160 55. Waratah workings — chalcedony and calcite vein ...... 160 iii

56. General extent of ironstone in the Dawsonvale area ...... 167 57. Limestone occurrences in the Philpott Creek area ...... 169 58. General location of alluvial tin along Rocky Creek ...... 173 59. Kildare — folded pegmatite vein in gneiss/hornfelsed sediments ...... 176 60. Tungsten occurrences in the Kildare homestead area ...... 177 TABLE 1. Summary of gold and silver production for the Golden Plateau lode and the Cracow field . . . 53 2. Company gold mining lease holdings ...... 54 3. Summary of lode gold mineralisation in the Dykehead Provisional Goldfield ...... 107 4. Total gold production to 1990 ...... 127 5. Yearly gold production summary for the Mount Rose and Stockman Junction mine ...... 138 6. Summary of gold production for New Heights of Alma (ARDM) ...... 138 MAP 1. Mineral occurrence map, Mundubbera SG56-5, 1:250 000 ...... inback pocket 2. Mineral occurrence map, Cracow 8947, 1:100 000 ...... inback pocket 3. Mineral occurrence map, Eidsvold 9147, 1:100 000 ...... inback pocket iv Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 1

SUMMARY

This report summarises regional geology, mining history, mineral exploration, mineralisation and mineral potential in the Mundubbera (SF55-05) 1:250 000 Sheet area, in central eastern Queensland.

The Sheet area forms part of the northern New England Fold belt, a convergent continental margin above a west-dipping subduction zone. Five major Palaeozoic structural elements have been recognised within the Sheet area — the Auburn Subprovince, Bowen Basin, Yarrol Province, and Coastal and Philpott Subprovinces. The Auburn Subprovince/Auburn Arch, a Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous Andean style volcanic arc, lies between the Bowen Basin (Permian to Triassic extensional basin) to the north-west and the Yarrol Province (Late Devonian to Early Permian fore-arc basin) to the east. The Coastal and Philpott Subprovinces (Devonian to Carboniferous age accretionary wedge), and Abercorn Trough (Triassic), and Mulgildie Basin (Jurassic), occur on the eastern boundary of the Sheet area. The Surat Basins (Jurassic), a southerly extension of the Mulgildie Basin, is an intracontinental basin cropping out on the southern boundary of the Sheet area. North-trending igneous intrusive rocks include Carboniferous granites of the Auburn Subprovince, and Permo-Triassic granites in the Rawbelle Batholith.

The Sheet area has six historic gold and mineral fields: Brovinia, Cracow, Dykehead, Eidsvold, McKonkey Creek and St John Creek; and three significant mining centres: Hungry Hill, Hawkwood and Yarrol. Gold was discovered in the Eidsvold (1858), Brovinia, Dykehead, McKonkey and St John Creeks, Yarrol (1880s), and the Hawkwood and Cracow (1931) areas. Up to 1993, these fields and mining centres produced >30t gold. Lode production from Cracow (structurally controlled, andesite-hosted, epithermal gold-calcite-quartz lodes) accounted for 27t gold and 21t silver, whereas Hawkwood produced 75kg gold. Joint/shear- controlled, granite-hosted, mesothermal fissure gold-quartz (sulphide rich) lodes from Eidsvold make up 3t gold, from St John Creek 313kg gold, and from Yarrol 4kg gold respectively. In the McKonkey and St John Creeks area, deep lead alluvial gold mining contributed 26kg gold to the Sheet total gold output.

Quartz-antimony fissure lodes in granite were discovered in the Hungry Hill area in 1876 and ~250t of stibnite concentrate was mined. Intrusive-related quartz-copper lodes in andesite were discovered in the vicinity of Hooper Creek in 1932 and worked on a small scale, but no record of production is available. Tungsten was discovered south of Kildare homestead (1934) and up to 1950, ~6t of wolfram concentrate was produced from mining quartz-pegmatite lodes in granite. Alluvial tin was discovered in the Rocky and Brovinia Creeks area, but tin output is not known as most of the alluvial workings are in the southern adjoining Sheet area. Small pockets of serpentinite near Mimosa homestead have been explored and a small resource of nickel and chromium was outlined.

In the mid-1940s, lateritised bauxite deposit was discovered on the Binjour Plateau. Company exploration indicated the stand-alone deposit as having low economic potential. 2 Lam

The Hawkwood Gabbro to the south of Hawkwood homestead contains magnetite lenses possibly suitable for use in coal washing operation. Drilling tests indicated the deposit as having a resource of few tens of million of tonnes with 25–35% magnetite to a depth of 6–15m. The gabbro also contains up to 0.71ppm platinum and 0.9ppm palladium.

Oolitic ironstone crops out on flattop sandstone ridge near Dawson Vale homestead. These flat-lying sandy, clayey ironstone deposits are only a few metres thick, but have a resource of hundreds of million tonnes with grades up to 37.5% iron. Company exploration has successfully outlined many subcrop deposits in the Jurassic sandstone of the Evergreen Formation between Dawsonvale homestead and Mount Misery. Drilling results indicate the area has a resource of several hundred million tonnes with grades up to 37.5% iron. Extensive oolitic ironstone also occurs to the west of Eidsvold.

Massive, fossiliferous, Permian age limestone occurs 1.2km north-west of Cracow homestead and a large outcrop is near Oxtrack Creek north-west of Cracow. The quality and depth of these occurrences have not been tested. The Philpott Creek deposit was investigated by the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) in the 1980s and drilling tests delineated a potential resource of few hundred thousand tonnes of limestone averaging 55.00% CaO.

Company exploration for gold has outlined three areas with promising inferred resources. The Royal Shoot of the Klondyke lode at Cracow has a resource of 2.4Mt at 10g/t gold (790 000ozs). Further high-grade gold mineralisation has been discovered in the vicinity of the existing identified resources. The Yarrol prospect has a resource of 1.15Mt of ore with 1.5g/t gold totalling 56 000ozs of gold. The Rosehall deposit near Mount Saul, has a resource of 595 000t of ore with 1.7g/t gold (32 5000ozs reported in 1999). The area around the old workings at Eidsvold has not been explored systematically and offers opportunity for further investigation.

Gold mining has commenced at Cracow in late 2004 and the mine is likely to become one of the leading gold producers in Queensland in the coming years. Apart from the Cracow project, there is no other current large mining activities in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area.

Recent company exploration has outlined a potential copper resource associated with andesite flows in the Camboon Volcanics and Torsdale Volcanics west of Cracow. Small tungsten occurrences in the Kildare station area and untested limestone deposits in the Philpott Creek and Ox Track Creek areas offer opportunity for further exploration.

Keywords. Regional geology; mining history; mineral exploration; mineralisation; mineral potential; antimony; barium; bauxite; bismuth; chromium; clay (kaolin); cobalt; copper; lead; zinc; gold; iron; limestone; magnetite; manganese; molybdenum; nickel; oolitic ironstone; oolitic limestone; palladium; platinum; phosphate; tin; titanium; tungsten; Brovinia Provisional Goldfield; Cracow Goldfield; Dykehead Provisional Goldfield; Eidsvold Goldfield; McKonkey Creek Provisional Goldfield; St John Creek Goldfield; Golden Plateau; New England Fold Belt; Abercorn Trough; Auburn Arch/Subprovince; Bowen Basin; Coastal Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 3

Subprovince; Gogango Overfold Zone; Mulgildie Basin; Philpott Subprovince; Surat Basin; Taroom Trough; Yarrol Province; Back Creek Group; Camboon Volcanics; Curtis Island Group; Doonside Formation; Evergreen Formation; Gyranda Formation; Hutton Sandstone; Injune Creek Group; Lorray Formation; Mulgildie Coal Measures, Mount Eagle beds; Narayen beds; Nogo beds; Philpott Limestone; Rockhampton Group; Shoalwater Formation; Torsdale Volcanics; Wandilla Formation; Yerilla Metamorphics; Rawbelle Batholith; Ah Fat Granite Complex; Boolgal Granite; Cadarga Creek Granodiorite; Cheltenham Creek Monzogranite; Coonambula Granodiorite; Culcraigie Granite; Delubra Quartz Gabbro; Donore Granite; Evandale Tonalite; Euroka Granite; Glencoe Gabbro; Glissons Granodiorite; Hawkwood Gabbro; Hutchinsons Granite; May Queen Gabbro; McKonkey Granodiorite; Moocoorooba Granite; Mount Saul Adamellite/Monzogranite; Pinedale Granite; Quaggy Mountain Quartz Gabbro; Serpentinite; Sujeewong Gabbro; Tecoma Granodiorite; Telemark Granodiorite; Wingfield Granite; Devonian; Carboniferous; Permian; Jurassic; Triassic; Brovinia; Cracow; Dykehead; Eidsvold; McKonkey Creek; St John Creek; Hungry Hill; Kildare; Hawkwood; Yarrol; Narayen; Rocky Creek; Brovinia Creek; Philpott Creek; Hooper Creek; Three Mile Creek; Oxtrack Creek; Dawson Vale; Queensland/Mundubbera (SF55-05); Eidsvold (9147); Rawbelle (9047); Cracow (8947); Mundubbera (9146); Auburn (9046); Bungaban (8946).

INTRODUCTION

The South Connors-Auburn-Gogango (SCAG) project covering ~27,500km2 of central eastern Queensland from Mackay to Mundubbera (Figure 1) is an initiative of the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ). It commenced in 1996, and forms part of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines’ GEOMAP 2005 program, which focuses on second-pass mapping. The SCAG Project is designed to draw mineral exploration to the region by building on the geoscientific knowledge database, and providing a basic data for future reassessment of the mineral potential of the central eastern Queensland region. The aim is to improve knowledge of the mineral prospectivity of the State, assist the mineral exploration industry and provide information for land use planning.

Outputs from the SCAG project comprise geological and mineral occurrence maps, reports, reviews, and digital data sets. Data from the investigation are being captured into the Department’s MERLIN corporate information system, and processed within a GIS environment. In addition to supporting data storage and manipulation, MERLIN also facilitates the efficient production of digital and hard copy maps and reports.

This report presents an overview of the geology and exploration history up to August 1999 with an update of current mining at Cracow, and summarises metalliferous mineralisation in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area in central eastern Queensland. It contributes to the SCAG project by identifying areas with potential for further mineralisation drawn from mineral deposit classification and regional exploration modelling based on researching company exploration results and 4 Lam

Figure 1: Locality map of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area and the South Connors-Auburn-Gogango Project area collecting data on individual mines/prospects from available reports and field studies.

Field inspections were carried out in 1997 to accurately locate mineral occurrences and workings, and record geological observations. Grid references given throughout refer to the Australian Map Grid 1994 zones 56, and are given as full references, followed by an in-house generated unique location site reference number. Accurate locations were obtained for all field-checked mineral occurrences and workings using a Garmin 45 global positioning system (GPS) satellite navigation instrument. Names of mines and prospects (or reference numbers, where the mine/working is Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 5 unnamed), commodity symbol and lode strike direction (where appropriate) have been plotted on a 1:250 000 scale topographic base (Mineral Occurrence Map — Mundubbera SG56-5, Map 1). The density of mineral occurrences in the Cracow and Eidsvold goldfields could not be clearly annotated at 1:250 000 scale, hence they have been shown as 1:100 000 scale topographic base (Mineral Occurrence Map — Cracow 8947, Map 2 with insets at 1:25 000 scale, and Eidsvold 9147, Map 3 with insets at 1:10 000 scale).

This report is one of a series being prepared on mineral exploration, mineralisation and geology of the SCAG project in central eastern Queensland. Company exploration summary for the Mundubbera and Mackay 1:250 000 Sheet areas, and review of mines and metalliferous mineralisation in the Mackay 1:250 000 Sheet area have been reported by Lam (1998, 2004) and Lam & Gnielinski (2004). Two mineral occurrence reports, one for the St Lawrence and Port Clinton 1:250 000 Sheet areas and one for the Banana, Theodore and Scoria 1:100 000 Sheet areas, have been compiled by Garrad & Withnall (2004a,b). Progress reports on geological mapping of the SCAG Project area have been completed by Withnall & others (1998) and Hutton & others (1999).

MINERAL OCCURRENCE DATA

The main published data sources include GSQ Publications and Reports, the Annual Report of the Department of Mines, Queensland (ARDM), the Queensland Government Mining Journal (QGMJ) and scientific journals. Unpublished data sources accessed for this study are GSQ commodity files, company exploration reports and university theses.

As part of the mineral occurrence mapping process, many mines were inspected in the field. In the study area, ~90% of sites were field checked in 1997. Accurate locations were obtained for all field-checked mines using Garmin global positioning system (GPS) satellite navigation instruments.

Three hundred and forty seven mineral occurrence data records on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences were entered into the Department of Natural Resources and Mines’ Geoscience and Resource Data Base (GRDB), which runs under Oracle software. Data can be exported as tab delimited files that are transparent to Excel, ArcView and MapInfo. This mineral occurrence database for Queensland contains comprehensive information on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences gathered from field investigations, reports dating back to the 1880s, and reviews of company exploration results. The data can be classified into a number of categories (such as location, commodities, production, resources/reserves, exploration summary, references, geological setting, deposit characteristics, mineralogy and ore genesis) or can be customised to the client’s requirements. The Oracle database is too complex and unworkable (in excess of 60 separate linked tables) as a distribution format but is extracted in a simplified Microsoft Access version suitable for data analysis. The database for all of Queensland is generated annually to capture any new or corrected/updated information. Data are distributed as tab delimited files and in ArcView and MapInfo file formats. For more information on the Department’s 6 Lam

Mineral Occurrence (MINOCC) database, contact Mr Paul Garrad on 07 3362 9342 (Fax: 07 3362 9343; email: [email protected]).

Information about the major mines and undeveloped mineral resources can be obtained from the “Queensland Minerals” 2nd edition publication available on CD-ROM only. This CD contains a summary of the resources, production, ownership and geology for the documented mineral resources in Queensland.

The location and characteristics of mineral deposits, as well as current and historic exploration and mining tenures, can be viewed on the Department’s website (http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/mines). The “Queensland Mineral Tenures and Resources” internet GIS allows the user to zoom, pan, search and display geological data with mining and exploration tenure information for the whole of Queensland.

One of the most valuable sources of data on Queensland mineral deposits and prospects is the extensive collection of company exploration reports held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines. These reports are submitted as a statutory condition of tenure. The Queensland Digital Exploration Reporting system (QDEX) is the Department’s digital document management system that allows users to search, lodge and retrieve company reports through the internet. Registration is free and documents can be downloaded or ordered on CD-ROM. The entire collection of more than 30 000 reports is being progressively scanned and all reports will be available in digital form by the end of 2006. As an interim measure, reports are also available on microfiche for viewing and copying at the Department of Natural Resources and Mines Library, Level 2, Mineral House, 41 George Street, Brisbane.

LOCATION, ACCESS, AND CLIMATE

The Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area (SF56-05) is bounded by longitudes 150°00’E and 151°30’E, and latitudes 25°00’S and 26°00’S. It includes six 1:100 000 Sheet areas- EIDSVOLD (9147), RAWBELLE (9047), CRACOW (8947), MUNDUBBERA (9146), AUBURN (9046), and BUNGABAN (8946) (Figure 1). Mundubbera township is ~260km north-north-west of Brisbane. Other smaller townships are Eidsvold 30km north-north-east and Cracow 105km west-north-west of Mundubbera.

Access to Mundubbera from Brisbane is by the Bruce Highway along the eastern Queensland coast inland from Gympie. North of Gympie, the Wide Bay Highway heads west and connects with the Burnett Highway at Goomeri which links up with Mundubbera to the north (Figure 2).

Alternatively, heading west on the Warrego Highway from Brisbane to Chinchilla then turning north along an inland road via Auburn homestead provides access to the southern part of the Sheet area. The south-western part of the Sheet area may be reached through Miles along the Warrego Highway inland from Chinchilla, connecting with the Leichardt Highway north to Wandoan. From Wandoan, the Nathan Road heads north to Dawsonvale homestead and continues to Cracow. The Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 7

Figure 2: Major access roads of the Mundubbera region Eidsvold to Theodore road via Cracow provides access to the northern half of the Sheet area.

Access to most of the mines and mineral occurrences is via property, exploration or mine tracks which range in condition from good to very rough and indistinct.

The area has a hot wet summer; and a mild dry winter from April to September. Two-thirds to three-quarters of the annual rain falls during the summer and the annual rainfall is ~760mm in the east decreasing westwards to 635mm in the western margin of the Sheet area (Whitaker & others, 1974).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The assistance given by colleagues, L Culpeper and F Von Gnielinski, during field studies is acknowledged.

REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet contains part of the northern New England Fold Belt, which is characterised by deformed terranes, ranging in age from Early Palaeozoic to Late Triassic. Whitaker & others (1974) reported on the geology of the 8 Lam

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Auburn Subprovince Eidsvold Complex

Philpott Subprovince Carboniferous Intrusives South East Queensland Coastal Subprovince Volcanic and Plutonic Permo-Triassic Intrusives Province Taroom Trough Triassic Intrusives

Figure 3a: Geological structural elements of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area

Sheet area. In 1996, the GSQ commenced the South Connors-Auburn-Gogango (SCAG) mapping project and re-mapped the central part of the Sheet area. Mapping results have been given in progress summary reports by Withnall & others (1998) and Hutton & others (1999). The following is a brief summary of the regional geology of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area reproduced mostly from the above reports.

The major provinces within the (SCAG) study area are the Connors and Auburn (Arch) Subprovinces. These entities are flanked to the east by the Yarrol Province and to the west by the Bowen Basin. The Connors and Auburn Subprovinces are separated by the Gogango Overfold Zone, which is a belt of strongly deformed rocks of the Bowen Basin sequence. The Auburn Subprovince and southern part of the Gogango Overfold Zone are intruded by the Rawbelle Batholith, which comprises Late Carboniferous granitoids to the west and Late Permian to Triassic granitoids (which form part of the South East Queensland Volcanic and Plutonic Province) to Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 9 the east. In the Early Permian a second arc, the Camboon Volcanic Arc, was inferred to have developed on the site of the older arc. The main units recognised in the Camboon Volcanic Arc are the Camboon Volcanics and the Nogo and Narayen beds.

The Mundubbera Sheet area includes seven north-trending structure units. The Yarrol Basin on the eastern boundary contains a succession of steeply dipping Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous shallow marine volcaniclastic sediments intruded by Permo-Triassic granites of the Rawbelle Batholith and overlain by Neogene age basalt flows. The Yarrol Province is interpreted as a forearc basin sequence. Recent mapping by the GSQ indicates that towards the end of the Late Carboniferous, the tectonic setting of the Yarrol Province changed from forearc to back-arc with Early Permian shallow marine and continental sediments and volcanic rocks being deposited unconformably over the older forearc basin strata. To the east of the remapped area are the fault-bounded Philpott and Coastal Subprovinces. The Philpott Subprovince contains shallow to moderate marine depth intermediate volcanic tuffs and lithic arenites of Early to Middle Devonian age intruded by Late Triassic plutons. The Coastal Subprovince contains steeply dipping thrust wedges of Late Devonian to Carboniferous sediments of the Curtis Island Group intruded by Permian plutons. Immediately to the west of the Yarrol Basin is the Abercorn Trough, which is an extensional continental basin consisting of Early to Middle Triassic sediments and intermediate to acid volcanic rocks. In the north-eastern corner of the Sheet area Middle Jurassic age freshwater continental sediments of the Mulgildie Basin overlie the Early to Middle Triassic volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sediments of the Abercorn Trough.

The Surat Basin, an extension of the Mulgildie Basin, is an intra-continental basin, which overlies the Bowen Basin in the west (Figures 3a, b). The basins represent continuous sedimentation and both contain Early Jurassic sandstones that unconformably overlie Permian sedimentary rocks of the Bowen Basin and Carboniferous to Triassic igneous and volcanic rocks of the Auburn Subprovince and Rawbelle Batholith. The Rawbelle Batholith comprises suites of Permian-Triassic granite, granodiorite, adamellite and gabbro, which occupy large areas in the centre of the Sheet area. Late Carboniferous intrusions, comprising mainly granodiorite and adamellite, fringe the Rawbelle Batholith in the west. The Auburn Arch is represented by a narrow belt of non-marine felsic volcanic rocks of Late Carboniferous age that are exposed in the north-western part of the Sheet area. In the north-western corner of the Sheet area is the Taroom Trough within the Bowen Basin, which consists of Permian shallow marine calcareous sandstone and mudstone that accumulated in an extensional basin environment to the west of the Auburn Arch.

PHILPOTT SUBPROVINCE (Early to Middle Devonian)

The Philpott Subprovince is separated from the Yarrol Province to the west by the Mundubbera Fault and from the Coastal Subprovince to the east by the Mimosa and Philpott Faults. Rocks comprise Early to Middle Devonian age intermediate volcanic tuffs, lithic arenites and minor fossiliferous limestone lenses. These include the Munbooree beds, Dunollie beds, Philpott Limestone, First Branch Creek 10 Lam 1:250 000 Sheet area based on SCAG mapping up to 1999 Figure 3b: Composite geology map of the Mundubbera Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 11 12 Lam

Sandstone and Pumpkin Hut Mudstone. The Philpott Limestone crops out over small areas of poorly exposed fossiliferous limestone at Philpott railway siding and in the Burnett River east of Mundubbera. The limestone has potential for further economic development.

Small lenses of exotic serpentinite crop out in the in the Branch Creek, Philpott Creek and Mimosa homestead areas. About 8km south-east of Mundubbera on the Boondooma Road, boulderly serpentinite crops out over several hundred square metres. The serpentinite contains bastite, hematite and magnetite phenocrysts in a green-black groundmass of hazardite and chrysotile. Near Mimosa homestead in the Toondahra Creek area, several north-north-west trending lenticular serpentinite bodies have been explored for chromite and nickel.

COASTAL SUBPROVINCE (Late Devonian to Carboniferous)

The Coastal Subprovince lies in the extreme east of the Sheet area and is faulted against the Yarrol Province in the north and the Philpott Subprovince in the south. The Coastal Subprovince contains steeply dipping thrust wedges of sediments of Late Devonian to Carboniferous age, which are referred to as the Curtis Island Group. The group comprises the Wandilla (base) Doonside and Shoalwater (top) Formations (Kirkegaard & others, 1970). The Carboniferous Shoalwater Formation is the easternmost and the presumed youngest unit. It comprises massive, thick quartz sandstone beds (2–3m thickness), with interbedded dark grey to black, thin-bedded to laminated, strongly cleaved phyllitic mudstone. The Doonside Formation forms a discontinuous belt of massive to ribbon-bedded chert and mudstone. Less abundant rock types are mafic volcanic rock and minor sandstone with rare small limestone lenses. Locally these form a distinctive unit mapped out as the Balnagowan Volcanic Member. The basal Wandilla Formation consists of interbedded mudstone, arenite and chert, and contains minor gold, manganese and iron mineralisation. The Wandilla Formation is intruded by the Late Permian Wington Adamellite, which crops out as a large pluton over 725km2 between the Burnett and Boyne Rivers. The rock is biotite granite.

A newly mapped unit — the Devonian to Carboniferous Yerilla Metamorphics — crops out in the Cheltenham Creek area just east of Yerilla homestead (AUBURN). It contains tonalitic, granodioritic and granitic orthogneiss, biotite- and chlorite-biotite schist and gneiss, basic aphanite, ortho- and para-amphibolite, possible calc-silicate gneiss and porphyroblastic schist, and common to abundant deformed basic dykes. In places the orthogneiss is sulphide bearing. Several square kilometres of leucogneiss crops out along Cheltenham Creek above Horse Creek north-west of Yerilla homestead. The metamorphic rocks in the Yerilla area mainly strike north to north-north-east, with steep dips. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 13

YARROL PROVINCE (Late Carboniferous to Early Permian)

The Yarrol Province initially accumulated forearc basin sediments then evolved to accumulate backarc basin sediments to the east of the Rawbelle Batholith. Within the Sheet area, the central portion of the Yarrol Province is obscured by the overlying Triassic and Triassic to Jurassic sediments of the Abercorn Trough, Mulgildie and Surat Basins.

The western part of the Yarrol Province contains the Late Carboniferous Rockhampton Group, which is overlain by the Nogo and Narayen beds of the Bowen Basin. The Late Carboniferous Rockhampton Group comprises mainly sandstone and siltstone and minor oolitic limestone. The unit is conformably to disconformably overlain by the Lorray Formation. The Rockhampton Group crops out sparingly along Brovinia Creek and in the headwaters of Cadarga Creek (MUNDUBBERA). Gold mineralisation occurs in a Carboniferous inlier of shallow-water marine sedimentary and volcanic rocks, locally intruded by gabbros and fine-grained dykes, and overlain by a unit of flat-lying Early Jurassic sandstone of the Evergreen Formation of the Surat Basin.

The eastern part of the province contains Late Carboniferous to Early Permian age shallow marine sediments of the Crana beds, Caswell Creek group, Derrarabungy beds, Boiling Creek Group, Burnett Formation and Lorray Formation. The Lorray Formation comprises siltstone and sandstone, with local areas of bryozoan mudstone and minor polymictic conglomerate. In the north of the Sheet area, undifferentiated granite intrudes the unit, which hosts the Yarrol gold prospect.

Small lenses of exotic green, sheared schistose serpentinite crop out in the Yarrol area (EIDSVOLD).

BOWEN BASIN/TAROOM TROUGH (Permian)

In the north-western corner of the Sheet area the Taroom Trough (the basal part of the Bowen Basin) separates the Surat Basin in the west from the Auburn Arch in the east. The Bowen Basin contains many important black coal deposits in Queensland but none are present within the Sheet area. However, the significant Cracow gold deposit is associated with the Camboon Volcanics, a basal unit of the Bowen Basin, which also hosts minor supergene copper occurrences.

The Bowen Basin has a complex evolutionary history and three distinct episodes of extension, passive thermal sag and flexural loading have been described by Fielding & others (1996, 1997). Early Permian Camboon Volcanics, and the overlying Middle Permian marine sedimentary rocks of the Back Creek Group (Buffel Formation, Oxtrack Formation, Barfield Formation, Flat Top Formation) and Late Permian tuffaceous siltstone and sandstone of the Gyranda Subgroup, coal of the Baralaba Coal Measures, and lithic sandstone of the Early Triassic Rewan Group crop out in the Dawson Park homestead area (CRACOW). 14 Lam

The Camboon Volcanics overlie granites and volcanic rocks along the western flank of the Auburn Arch. In the Cracow area, the Camboon Volcanics consist mainly of andesitic lava flows and interlayered dacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrites. The Camboon Volcanics consist of andesitic tuffs, flows and minor basalt and host the significant epithermal gold deposit (Golden Plateau) near Cracow (CRACOW). This unit is overlain by marine sedimentary rocks of the Back Creek Group. These include the Early Permian, limestone-bearing Buffel, Oxtrack, and Barfield Formations. The Late Permian Gyranda Formation consists of tuffaceous siltstones and sandstones. In the south, the Gyranda Formation is overlain by the uppermost Permian Baralaba Coal Measures and equivalents, which are extensive across the entire Bowen Basin.

The Narayen beds and Nogo beds in the southern part of the Auburn Arch may be correlatives of the Camboon Volcanics. The Narayen beds comprise rhyolitic to dominantly andesitic rudite, arenite, and lava flows; lithic siltstone sandstone, uncommon conglomerate, and rare coquinite, limestone, and chert. The Narayen beds consist largely of rhyolitic to dominantly andesitic rudite, arenite, and lava flows; lithic siltstone sandstone andesitic volcanic rocks and volcanogenic sediments cropping out over two areas, one covering 337km2 from Yerilla homestead in the north to south of Hawkwood homestead and the other covering 50km2 on Well Station Creek (AUBURN).

The unit is intruded by Permo-Triassic granites in the east and south. In the west, the unit has an unconformable contact with Carboniferous granites. These sediments are interpreted to have deposited in an extensional trough that developed in the Early Permian. They consist of intermediate to basic volcanic rocks, arenite and conglomerate. Extensive Permian to Triassic granitoid rocks of the South-East Queensland Volcanic and Plutonic Province intrude the volcanic rocks and extensive thermal metamorphism has been developed in the volcanic rocks and sediments marginal to the Rawbelle Batholith. The hornfelsed Narayen beds host minor gold and copper mineralisation near the contacts to the granitoid intrusions.

The Nogo beds are very poorly exposed and over much of the area have been hornfelsed by the Eidsvold Complex and Rawbelle Batholith. Volcanic arenite and oligomictic rudite, mostly derived from andesite, appear to be the most common rock types, but andesite lavas and more felsic rocks such as flow-banded rhyolite and dacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrite have been identified. Second pass mapping by the GSQ has identified two Early Permian outliers of the Nogo beds and the Narayen beds. The Nogo beds crop out to the west of the Burnett River and are bounded by the Nogo River in the north and the Auburn River in the south (EIDSVOLD). This north-trending unit is up to 23km wide and consists of oligomictic conglomerate or breccia, andesite lava and dacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrite; locally cleaved siltstone, carbonaceous mudstone, minor sandstone and hornfelsed basaltic to andesitic volcanic sandstone along the western margin of the Mount Rose Gabbro. They are overlain unconformably by the Jurassic Evergreen Formation and rocks of the Mulgildie Basin. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 15

ABERCORN TROUGH (Early to Middle Triassic)

The Abercorn Trough overlies the Yarrol Province and is defined by the Mulgildie Fault in the east and the Anyarro Fault in the west (EIDSVOLD). Continental sediments and widespread intermediate to acid volcanic rocks were deposited in this continental extensional basin. Within the Sheet area, rocks of the Abercorn Trough include the Muncon Volcanics, Cynthia Beds, Aranbanga beds and Mount Eagle beds. The Mount Eagle beds crop out west of the Burnett River between Yards Gully and Smalls Creek, 18km north-west of Eidsvold. A number of small hot-springs style gold occurrences are known to occur. The south-western part of the Mount Eagle beds consists of crystal-rich, lithic-poor to lithic-rich, welded ignimbrite and some flow banded, auto-brecciated porphyritic rhyolite in places. The Mount Eagle beds overlie the Late Permian to Early Triassic Rawbelle Batholith.

SURAT AND MULGILDIE BASINS (Early Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous)

The Surat Basin, an extension of the Mulgildie Basin, is an intra-continental basin overlies the Bowen Basin in the west and the Abercorn Trough in the east of the Sheet area. Within the Sheet area, the oldest unit is the Early Jurassic Precipice Sandstone. This is overlain by the Evergreen Formation, Hutton Sandstone, Mulgildie Coal Measures and Injune Creek Group. The Precipice Sandstone is a widespread, cliff-forming unit ranging up to 100m in thickness in the south of Cockatoo homestead (BUNGABAN) and in the south and south-west of Cracow. It consists mainly of white to pale brown, fine- to coarse-grained, thin- to thick-bedded, poorly-sorted, quartzose sandstone. The sandstone also crops out sparingly in the Boyne River, 10km south-south-west of Mundubbera.

The Jurassic Evergreen Formation, within the Surat Basin, contains large resources of interbedded oolitic ironstone with high phosphate content between Dawsonvale homestead and Mount Misery (BUNGABAN) and east of Goomaran Creek (EIDSVOLD). The Evergreen Formation also forms as flattop eroded mesas in the Mulgildie Basin, and as two north-trending belts extended from Eidsvold to beyond the Sheet area. The sandstones locally have been deeply weathered and are topped by duricrust (ferricrete and silcrete) profiles of oolitic ironstone. South-west of Mundubbera, the sandstone forms scarps in creek beds and gullies. South-east of Eidsvold is the Eidsvold Siltstone quarry (MGA94 320333E, 7180791N), a small tile cutting rock producer.

The Hutton Sandstone crops out in two areas. In the western part of the Sheet area, a large north-west-trending arcuate belt crops out from Cockatoo homestead (BUNGABAN), and in the Mulgildie Basin, two northerly belts extend from Eidsvold to beyond the Sheet area.

The Mulgildie Coal Measures conformably overlie the Hutton Sandstone in the Mulgildie Basin. The unit extends north from Kapaldo (EIDSVOLD) to beyond the Sheet area. Outcrops comprise brown to green labile sandstone and soft, dark grey, 16 Lam carbonaceous mudstone, shale and narrow coal seams at Selene, 41.5km north of Eidsvold.

The Injune Creek Group consists of poorly sorted, lithic sandstone, mudstone, coal and conglomerate cropping to the west of Bungaban homestead (BUNGABAN).

LATE CRETACEOUS BASALT

Olivine basalt flows crop out on the Binjour-Gugeena Plateau and in the Glen Leigh (EIDSVOLD), the Boogalgopal Creek (RAWBELLE) and the Mount Redhead (AUBURN) areas. The basalt generally forms flat-topped plateaus with steep scarps. All outcrops have been extensively lateritised and weathered. The Binjour-Gugeena Plateau has been explored for lateritised aluminous bauxite deposits. Several small plugs of Cretaceous basalt crop out on Rossmore station, 12km north of Glencoe homestead (RAWBELLE). The plugs form rounded hills of moderate relief. The northern plugs contain olivine phenocrysts up to ~6mm across. The basaltic rocks also contain sparse, generally altered, ultramafic inclusions (up to ~30mm across). Much of the bouldery rubble at both localities consists of broken columns. The basalt at Little Mount Runsome is also commonly characterised by the presence of spherical to cylindrical vesicles up to 30mm across. Basalt forming the small plug north of Kennedy Peak (BUNGABAN) is very fresh. Small olivine phenocrysts are common. The plug intrudes and has hornfelsed sandstone, siltstone and shale of the early Jurassic Evergreen Formation. Sutherland & others (1989) reported that the rocks are hawaiite and that they contain upper-mantle inclusions.

CAINOZOIC BASALT

Remnants of formerly more extensive flows of Palaeogene to Neogene (Tertiary) age basaltic lava occur in the Mount Ox area (CRACOW), where they are present as rare, rubbly outcrops that form small, high-level, residual mesa cappings. They are aphyric to slightly porphyritic and show olivine phenocrysts in a groundmass of plagioclase with pyroxene and glass. Vesicular and scoriaceous lavas are common. In places they are extensively weathered and locally lateritised. Sutherland & others (1989) reported that they are mainly alkali basalt and hawaiite, and suggested that they are similar to basalts farther south in the Binjour Plateau and Mount Redhead areas.

CAINOZOIC DEEP WEATHERING PROFILES

Most Cainozoic slope wash, thick soil cover and dissected surfaces include remnants of deep weathering profiles. Residual and, to a much lesser extent, transported soil, sand, and gravel, as well as some alluvial deposits cover much of southern part of the Auburn Arch and Rawbelle Batholith. Extensive weathering during the Cainozoic produced a deep weathering profile over extensive areas in the RAWBELLE, AUBURN and CRACOW sheet areas. The most extensive relicts of the deep weathering are on the Auburn Range, in the far east of CRACOW and further east into western RAWBELLE. Many smaller relicts form low mesas scattered Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 17 throughout the region. The preserved part of the deep weathering profile consists essentially of a mottled zone, underlain in places by a pallid zone. The thickness of the deep weathering profile is generally <20m. Ferricrete is predominant whereas silcrete is uncommon.

QUATERNARY ALLUVIUM AND COLLUVIUM

Alluvial deposits are developed along most of the major watercourses throughout the Sheet area generally as discontinuous flats. The youngest units are the active streambed alluvium and lowermost terraces along the major rivers.

AUBURN SUBPROVINCE (Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous)

The Auburn Subprovince occurs immediately to the west of the Yarrol Province. It consists of the Auburn Arch, a Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous continental margin volcanic arc with a composite granitoid pluton (Rawbelle Batholith) flanked to the south and south-east by Carboniferous volcanic rocks and to the east and west by Early Permian volcanic and sedimentary rocks. However, Fielding & others (1997) suggested that the Connors-Auburn Arch did not form a basin-marginal physiographic feature during accumulation of the Bowen Basin succession, and that Permian strata now incorporated in the New England Fold Belt formed part of the Bowen Basin.

Within the Sheet area, the Auburn Subprovince comprises Carboniferous and Permian to Triassic granitoid plutons (Rawbelle Batholith) in the east and the Late Carbonifeorus Torsdale Volcanics in the west. Recent classification has included rocks of the Rawbelle Batholith to the South East Queensland Volcanic and Plutonic Province. Both the older and younger igneous units contain significant mineralisation, including:

• antimony associated with the Carboniferous granodiorite south-west of Coonambula homestead (AUBURN), • widespread gold associated with the Early Permian granite west of Eidsvold and Late Permian to Early Triassic granite and gabbro in the Hawkwood homestead area (AUBURN), and • tungsten associated with Late Permian to Early Triassic granodiorite south-east of Kildare homestead (RAWBELLE).

The Early Carboniferous Torsdale Volcanics are exposed as a north-trending belt in the central part of the Auburn Arch from near Woolein homestead (BANANA) to ~160km south of Cracow. The Torsdale Volcanics consist mainly of grey brown or purple, crystal-poor to crystal-rich, dacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrite, acid tuff, agglomerate with minor volcanic breccia and conglomerate. This unit straddles the Eidsvold–Theodore Road and crops out extensively from east of Fairyland homestead in the south to Camboon homestead in the north (CRACOW). In the Cracow area, the Torsdale Volcanics consist mainly of welded dacitic to rhyolitic 18 Lam ignimbrite with well-developed eutaxitic foliation. Most exposures consist of various types of non-vesiculated rhyolite, dacite and andesite or basalt. The Torsdale Volcanics are overlain by the Camboon Volcanics and intruded by granitoid rocks of the Rawbelle Batholith. Contacts are rarely exposed.

The Rawbelle Batholith comprises composite suites of granitoid rocks varying in age from Carboniferous to Permian, Permo-Triassic and Triassic, and in composition from granite, granodiorite, tonalite to gabbro. In 1998, mapping by the GSQ subdivided the granitoids into many mappable I-type units and some of these units are briefly described here. Highlighted units form host rocks to mineralisation, but the ore fluids source has not been determined.

CARBONIFEROUS INTRUSIVES

Carboniferous intrusive rocks crop out in three main areas:

• west of Coonambula homestead, • east of the north-trending Devonian to Carboniferous Yerilla Metamorphics and west of Rocky Spring homestead (AUBURN), and • east of Camboon homestead.

The Coonambula homestead group include the Carinya Granite, Coonambula Granodiorite, Donore Granite Gneiss and McKonkey Granodiorite, which crop out in a zone 30km long by 15km wide along a north-west trend extending from Hungry Hill Creek (AUBURN) in the south to Cameron Creek (RAWBELLE) in the north. Minor antimony mineralisation occurs in the Coonambula Granodiorite and McKonkey Granodiorite.

The Coonambula Granodiorite consists of equigranular, fine-grained biotite granodiorite or granite, irregularly foliated fine to medium-grained biotite gneiss and grey hornblende-biotite granodiorite. Pegmatite and aplite dykes are common. Medium grey, equigranular, fine to medium-grained, saccharoidal biotite granodiorite is well exposed in the hills around St John Creek, between Mount Target and Widbury homestead. The Coonambula Granodiorite strongly hornfelses the Nogo beds to the east and is intruded by the Late Triassic Boolgal Granophyre. The McKonkey Granodiorite consists of dark grey, fine-grained mesocratic muscovite-biotite granodiorite. The Donore Granite Gneiss consist of medium to coarse-grained, banded, locally migmatitic, biotite orthogneiss, aplit, microgranite and pegmatite.

The group of granitoids near Rocky Spring homestead are exposed from Auburn homestead (AUBURN) in the south to Rockybar homestead (CRACOW) in the north. This group includes the Ah Fat Granite Complex, Dogherty Granite, Evandale Tonalite, Glissons Granodiorite, Horse Leucogneiss, Rockybar Granodiorite and Sujeewong Gabbro. The Glissons Granodiorite consists of pale grey, medium to coarse-grained porphyritic sphene-hornblende-biotite granodiorite and crops out 20km south-west from Rock Spring homestead to the east of Auburn River. The Evandale Tonalite crops out north of Auburn homestead and at Spring Creek. It Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 19 consists of grey, medium to coarse-grained, foliated hornblende-biotite tonalite and grandodiorite, with sphene. The Ah Fat Granite Complex crops out on both sides of Auburn River over a small area west of Auburn homestead. It consists of porphyritic granite and adamellite and aplite in porphyritic fine to medium-grained granite to granodiorite. The Sujeewong Gabbro is poorly exposed to the east of Sujeewong homestead. It comprises layered medium to coarse-grained hornblende gabbro and quartz gabbro.

The third area consists of the Berri Berri Granite, Dawson Granite, Delusion Granite, Moocoorooba Granite, Hutchinsons Granite, J P Granite, Jan Mar Granite, Mount Clairvoyant Granite, Mungungal Granite, Nine Mile Granite, Okangal Granodiorite, Pinedale Granite, Rockdale Granite, Ross Granite, Tan Lies Quartz Monzonite and Ten Mile Granite, all of which crop out to the east and south of Camboon homestead (CRACOW).

The Moocoorooba Granite, which crops out east of Camboon homestead comprises grey to pink medium-grained hornblende-biotite granite to granodiorite. The Hutchinsons Granite comprises pink to red biotite granite south-east of Woolton homestead (THEODORE). The Pinedale Granite consists of granite with large pink K-feldspar phenocrysts and crops out mainly in the headwaters of Nine Mile Gully Creek (SCORIA) and the Mount Clairvoyant Granite crops out east of Nine Mile Gully Creek (RAWBELLE) and consists of foliated, medium-grained porphyritic biotite granite.

PERMIAN INTRUSIVES

The Eidsvold Complex crops out over 45km2 as a north-trending belt to the east of the Burnett River (EIDSVOLD). The Complex intrudes the Nogo beds and is overlain by Jurassic sedimentary rocks of the Mulgildie Basin. The intrusive rocks form many closely spaced northerly trending ridges with sparse vegetation. There are several strong north-westerly trending lineaments within the granitic rocks west of Eidsvold. Some of these are associated with known mineralised lode structure of the Eidsvold gold field. Second pass mapping has subdivided the Complex into the Ceratodus Granite, Harkness Granodiorite and the Mount Rose Gabbro. The Ceratodus Granite is separated by the Mount Rose Gabbro; together they crop out to the west of Eidsvold as three sinuous subparallel narrow belts over 3km wide and 15km long north to Ceratodus. The Harkness Granodiorite consists of coarse-grained hornblende granodiorite, locally intermingled with diorite on the southern margin of the Complex. The Ceratodus Granite is fine- to medium-grained, equigranular, leucocratic and biotite granite. The Mount Rose Gabbro consists of medium to dark grey, fine-grained diorite, coarse-grained gabbro and coarse-grained hornblende granodiorite, locally intermingled with the diorite.

PERMIAN TO TRIASSIC INTRUSIVES

The Permo-Triassic granites crop out mainly in the central section of the Sheet area and are arbitrarily divided into three groups on the basis of their geographic location. 20 Lam

Group 1 extends from Rawbelle homestead south to St John Creek (RAWBELLE); Group 2 from Widbury homestead (RAWBELLE) south to Mount Saul (AUBURN). Group 3 is west of Group 2 and extends from north of Rockybar homestead (CRACOW) south to Auburn homestead (AUBURN). Most of the known gold, base metals and tungsten lode structures are associated with these intrusive rocks.

Group 1 granites are the Colodon Granite, Crystal Vale Monzogranite, Culcraigie Granite, Euroka Granite, Greystone Granite, Kildare Granodiorite, Morrow Granite, Tandora Granodiorite, Tecoma Granite, Telemark Granodiorite, Tireen Granite, Wathonga Granite, Widbury Granite, Wingfield Granite, Glencoe Gabbro, Gravey Creek Gabbro, Hefferon Creek Gabbro and the Ravenscraig Gabbro.

The Culcraigie Granite occurs as a large circular pluton centred on Culcraigie homestead, 45km west-north-west of Eidsvold and a smaller pluton near Kildare homestead. The unit is a pink, coarse-grained, equigranular, leucocratic, alkali granite with dominant, mostly pink, perthitic K-feldspar, quartz and some white oligoclase and very minor bleached biotite. The Triassic Mount Eagle beds overlie the Culcraigie Granite in the north-east and the Triassic Boolgal Granite intrudes it in the east.

The Euroka Granite crops out to the north-west of Eidsvold, and as boulder outcrops east of Euroka homestead (RAWBELLE). It consists of fine to medium-grained, equigranular hornblende-biotite granite, with dominant K-feldspar and some plagioclase. This granite is intruded by various porphyritic dacitic to rhyolitic dykes.

The Tecoma Granodiorite crops out over ~22km2 (SCORIA) extending south into RAWBELLE. It occurs as two separate bodies of fine-grained biotite granite, a northern body covering ~4km2 and a larger mass to the south. Both are enclaves in the Wingfield Granite.

The Telemark Granodiorite is a medium to dark grey, medium-grained granodiorite with plagioclase laths and hornblende grains and also some euhedral honey-coloured titanite up to 1mm. It tends to crop out as large resistant tors on hills north-east of Telemark homestead (RAWBELLE).

The Wingfield Granite is a large pluton extending from Coominglah homestead (SCORIA) south to Dareen homestead (RAWBELLE). The granite consists of pale grey and pink, medium-grained porphyritic hornblende-biotite and large pink K-feldspar phenocrysts up to 40mm.

The Glencoe Gabbro crops out north of Glencoe homestead (RAWBELLE) as an elongated pluton separated by the Crystal Vale Monzogranite. The unit comprises medium- to coarse-grained, equigranular, melanocractic, hornblende-clino- pyroxene gabbro with quartz-feldspar-hornblende pegmatite veins.

Group 2 granites are the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite, Chelthenham Creek Granite, East Apple Granite Pollard Granodiorite, Delubra Quartz Gabbro and the May Queen Gabbro. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 21

The Cadarga Creek Granodiorite is generally well exposed along the Hawkwood–Auburn River Road. Other areas of good exposure include the Auburn Falls National Park, and in more rugged and inaccessible parts near Cadarga Creek to the south. The rock consists of abundant white or pale green plagioclase to 10mm, mainly 2–5mm; ferromagnesian mineral aggregates to 10mm; and a groundmass of pale pink alkali feldspar and interstitial quartz to 2mm.

The Cheltenham Creek Granite consists of pink coarse-grained porphyritic hornblende-biotite monzogranite, characterised by common to abundant alkali feldspar phenocrysts to 40mm in length and very abundant brownish titanite in a medium grained groundmass. The pluton crops out in the Apple Creek area, 10km north-east of Hawkwood homestead (AUBURN).

The Delubra Quartz Gabbro crops out over 256km2 west of Delubra Creek (AUBURN). This medium- to coarse-grained gabbro is characterised by abundant hornblende phenocrysts, up to several centimetres across and has the potential for use as building stone (eg Mundubbera Granite, MGA94 296862E, 7154542N). Parts of the Delubra Quartz Gabbro, particularly the eastern margin, are commonly net veined. Widespread gold-copper mineralisation occurs in the Delubra Quartz Gabbro and magnetite is associated with the Hawkwood Gabbro (of Whitaker & others, 1974), which ranges from olivine gabbro to hornblende diorite.

The May Queen Gabbro crops out over a small area on Brovinia Creek (MUNDUBBERA). The rock consists of medium- to coarse-grained, equigranular gabbro, intruded by porphyritic andesite. Minor gold-copper mineralisation occurs in this unit.

Group 3 granites are the Aisbetts Granodiorite, Flat Range Granodiorite, Greencoat Monzonite, Impey Granodiorite, Kenmore Gabbro and the Quaggy Mountain Quartz Gabbro.

Medium-grained hornblende gabbro of the Quaggy Mountain Quartz Gabbro crops out on Quaggy Mountain (RAWBELLE). The gabbro in this area is poorly exposed except in the vicinity of the summit. Pegmatite and pegmatoid are common.

TRIASSIC INTRUSIVES

The Boolgal Granite is pale brown, coarse-grained to aplitic, equigranular, arfvedsonite-bearing leucocratic granophyre. It consists mainly of alkali-feldspar (K-feldspar with some albite), intergrown with subordinate quartz, minor arfvedsonite and traces of opaques. The granophyre is commonly intruded by medium grey to pale pink, porphyritic, felsic to intermediate dykes. The Boolgal Granite forms an irregularly shaped intrusion with high relief in the Springer Creek area (RAWBELLE), ~15km west of Eidsvold.

The Mount Saul Monzogranite consists of two stocks of biotite-hornblende adamellite to the north of Auburn River, 8km south-west of Hawkwood homestead. The southern stock associated with andesite of the Moran Volcanics intrudes the Narayen beds. 22 Lam

MINERAL EXPLORATION

Details of mineral exploration activity in the the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area from 1957–1974 has been summarised by Murphy (1979) and from 1957–1996 by Lam (1998), and in the Monteagle 1:100 000 Sheet area from 1966–1991 by Lam & Garrad (1993). Past exploration focussed mainly on gold in the Cracow, Eidsvold, Yarrol and Hawkwood areas met with minor success.

In the more recent time, Newcrest Mining Ltd/Sedimentary Holdings Ltd in a joint venture known as the Cracow Gold Project continue exploring an arcuate shape structure extending north-north-west from the Royal Shoot of the Klondyke lode towards the Rose Pride mine. Drilling of the Royal Shoot indicated that the quartz-calcite lode dips west in the Camboon Volcanics and had a resource of 1.1Mt of ore containing 11g/t gold and 9.5g/t silver totalling 390 000ozs of gold and 350 000ozs of silver as at 2000. Continued successful exploration efforts at Cracow over the last four years have led to the discovery of 2.4Mt with 10g/t gold (790 000ozs) i.e. doubling of the year 2000 figure. Further high-grade gold mineralisation has been discovered in the vicinity of the existing identified resources. Newcrest Mining Ltd and Sedimentary Holdings Ltd perceive that the Cracow goldfield has the potential to host in excess of two million ounces of gold Based on feasibility studies the Cracow Gold Project is expected to produce more than one million ounces of gold over an initial seven year mine life. Underground mining is being carried out from a decline access. First gold production occurred in the December quarter of 2004 with the expected ramp up of production after one year to a rate of 300 000tpa at grades in the range of 11–14g/t Au to produce up to 120 000ozs of gold and >60 000ozs of silver per annum. Metallurgical recoveries are estimated in the range 90–94% (http://www.sedimentary.com.au, 16/4/04).

The Eidsvold goldfield is one of the areas having high potential for further gold discoveries. In the past, most of the Mount Rose mining leases occupied known mineralised areas and little exploration information was made available. In 2004, Australian Geoscientists Pty Ltd (EPM13121) explored the area for joint-controlled quartz-gold±sulphide fissure lodes in the granodiorite of the Eidsvold Complex.

The Yarrol prospect is centred on the old True Blue mine north of Lorray homestead. Mineralisation occurs in a fracture/joint-filled chloritic quartz-calcite-sulphide lode in granodiorite. The extent of mineralised zone is open to the north. Shallow drilling indicated the deposit has a resource of 1.15Mt of ore at 1.5g/t gold totalling 56 000ozs of gold. Diatreme Resources Ltd (EPM8402) continue exploring the area in 2005.

The Rosehall/Mount Saul prospect was discovered by follow-up of a base-metal anomaly identified from stream sediment sampling. The deposit is associated with a caldera structure with ring fracturing and a dyke-related quartz-sulphide-lode system in felsic volcanic rock of the Morang Volcanics. Drilling indicated a resource of 595 000t of ore with 1.7g/t gold. In 1992, Cardia Technologies Ltd applied for MDL125 over the mineralised area to carry out further assessment, but no mining was carried out, and the tenure expired in 2001. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 23

The most significant outcome of exploration in the 1960s was the discovery of a large magnetite deposit in the Hawkwood Gabbro near Hawkwood homestead. The deposit has a potential resource of about several tens of millions of tonnes of magmatic magnetite. Metallurgical tests indicated that the magnetite might be suitable for use in coal washing conversion process. The Hawkwood Gabbro also contains anomalous platinum group metals and was explored for Alaska-type or Bushveld-type precious metal deposits.

Native copper associated with the Camboon Volcanics became the prime target for exploration in the 1970s. In the Cracow area, the Camboon Volcanics and Torsdale Volcanics are considered geologically favourable prospects for stratiform native copper mineralisation. Ground traverses and geological mapping have discovered >50 occurrences of native copper and malachite associated with andesite floats in the black soil country near Oxtrack Creek. Andesitic rocks that crop out from south of Cracow to Theodore are largely unexplored.

In the Coonambula homestead area antimony-quartz veins associated with fissure lodes in foliated, biotite granodiorite of the Coonambula Granodiorite were explored for their gold content. No significant gold mineralisation was found and the extent of antimony lode is not known.

Aluminous bauxite was explored by shallow drilling in laterite capping basalt on the Binjour Plateau. Remnants of the eroded bauxite remains occur at the base of slopes. The deposit is small and unlikely to be developed as a stand-alone aluminium mining operation in the near future.

Oolitic ironstone crops out on flattop sandstone ridge near Dawson Vale homestead and east of Eidsvold. Exploration has successfully outlined many subcrop deposits in the Jurassic sandstone of the Evergreen Formation between Dawsonvale homestead and Mount Misery. The ironstone has anomalous phosphate content but no discrete apatite was identified.

Exploration for uranium was carried out in the Dawsonvale homestead area. Airborne radiometric survey results outlined minor possible anomalies.

Massive chromite at the Mimosa deposit assayed up to 36% Cr2O3, 27% FeO, and 5% SiO2. The serpentinite host rock assayed up to 2200ppm nickel and 1300ppm chromium. The deposit has not been explored adequately to ascertain its commercial potential.

MINERALISATION

The economic geology of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area was summarised by Whitaker & others (1974). They outlined the mining history, mineralisation and total production for various fields.

The Mundubbera Sheet area contains six goldfields and three main centres of mining activity. These are the Eidsvold, Brovinia, Dykehead, St John Creek, McKonkey 24 Lam

Creek and Cracow goldfields and the Yarrol, Hungry Hill and Hawkwood mining centres. Other areas including Hooper Creek and Three Mile Creek have produced minor amounts of gold and copper, and Kildare has produced minor tungsten.

Gold was mined from epithermal quartz-calcite-sulphide veins in volcaniclastic rocks of the Camboon Volcanics near Cracow, mesothermal quartz-sulphide veins in granite of the Eidsvold Complex near Eidsvold, and mesothermal quartz-chlorite-sulphide veins in unnamed granodiorite near Yarrol homestead. Deep lead alluvial gold was mined at McKonkey Creek. Recent company exploration has discovered quartz-chlorite-sulphide veins associated with a caldera structure in the Morang Volcanics near Mount Saul and quartz-calcite-sulphide veins in andesitic rocks near Cracow. The Mount Saul/Rosehall deposit was explored under MDL 125 from 1992–2001 whereas exploration of the Cracow deposit has advanced to mining which commenced in late 2004.

Antimony occurs in stibnite-quartz lodes in joints in the granodiorite of the Coonambula Granodiorite and Eidsvold Complex, and as an accessory mineral in epithermal gold rich siliceous lodes at Cracow. Subeconomic pisolite aluminous bauxite deposits are present in lateritised exposures developed on Tertiary basalt. Small areas of sheared serpentinite along the Yarrol Fault host minor chromite deposits. Minor kaolin developed on the Evergreeen Formation is exposed near Toondoonananigy Creek.

Small deposits of copper mineralisation are present in the Yarrol, Eidsvold, Brovinia, Hawkwood, Hooper Creek, Cracow and Oxtrack Creek areas. They occur as narrow quartz-sulphide veins hosted in granodiorite, pyroclastic or metasedimentary rocks, or as stratiform deposits in andesitic volcanic rocks. The stratiform deposits contain native copper and malachite and are intimately associated with prehnite in andesite flows near Cracow.

The Kildare tungsten deposit consists of wolfram-bearing quartz veins in pegmatite of the Wingfield Granite. Oolitic ironstone occurs as sand size grains in the Evergreen Formation over a large area near Dawsonvale and east of Eidsvold. There are widespread occurrences of limestone within the Sheet area. The Philpott Creek deposit was test drilled on outcrops along the main branch of Philpott Creek. Magnetite cumulates occur as planar layers within ferrigabbro of the Hawkwood Gabbro near Hawkwood.

ANTIMONY

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

Antimony was mined in the Hungry Hill area; the main workings were the Lady Mary and Banshee. Total production to 1962 was >250t of stibnite concentrate. The deposits near Eidsvold are small in size and no record of production is available.

The Hungry Hill deposit was discovered about 1876 and worked continuously to 1878 (Rands, 1901), but no record of the production was kept for that period. The deposit was worked again in 1907, when 23t of stibnite concentrate were produced Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 25 and 40t of ore were raised. Dunstan (1913) reported that up to 1912, the Eidsvold area produced 58t stibnite concentrate. In 1928, opencuts and shafts were sunk to 10m, and ~3t of stibnite concentrate were produced. In 1948, Wells and party explored the Banshee lode in the Silver Ridge claim (No 1130). In 1953, 10.5t of stibnite concentrate were mined from underground stoping. A further 30t of ore were raised and treated on site by a small plant that consisted of a 3hp engine and a small stone grinder, and a jig with three sets of screens. About 10.4t of stibnite concentrate assaying 56.9% antimony were recovered. In 1954, underground stoping continued at the 10m level where 80t of stibnite concentrate were mined. A new gantry was erected on top of the mine for hauling purposes. Another 8t of stibnite were produced in 1955, and, owing to low market price, no ore was treated or sold in 1956. In 1962, F. Richards mined 0.4t of stibnite concentrate from the Hungry Hill lease and sold the ore to Battery Metal Reclamation Ltd of Kingston, Brisbane. The mine finally closed in 1963.

In 1983, Nucrush Pty Ltd worked the mine and produced 20t of ore containing 4t of antimony and minor gold (Wallis, 1993). L.J. Bessel & G.W. McLean/Peko- Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM5608, 1988) explored the Banshee lodes. Rock chip samples of the massive white to light grey quartz veins at the Banshee North prospect assayed up to 1.85% antimony. Four RC drillholes totalling of 284m were drilled and intersected quartz veins with 5% pyrite, 2% arsenopyrite and 1% stibnite. Five RC drillholes totalling 348m were drilled at the McKonkey North prospect and intersected minor anastomosed quartz veins with 1–5% pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite in granodiorite. Aluka Pty Ltd (EPM10500) from a study of an EM survey in 1995 showed that the Banshee deposit is at the intersection of two structures, one trending 060° and the second trending 140°.

GEOLOGY

The Coonambula Granodiorite crops out over an area of 200km2 centred on Coonambula homestead. Whitaker & others (1974) described the granodiorite as comprising low rounded hills with well-defined, aligned ridges. The dominant rock type is a grey, equigranular, and medium-grained granodioirte. Cooper (1987) reported that the granodiorite has a north-east, well-developed foliation near the Perseverance mine north-west of Coonambula homestead. A pegmatite dyke that intrudes the granodiorite commonly crosscuts the foliation at 90°, but in places it is parallel with the foliation trend. A large roof pendant of granodiorite occurs to the south-east of Hungry Hill Creek. Minor veins and lodes carrying stibnite are present in the granodiorite near its contact with fine-grained metasedimentary rocks.

MINERALISATION

Quartz-stibnite lodes occur at Hungry Hill (AUBURN) and Eidsvold (EIDSVOLD), and minor antimony has been detected in the gold-rich siliceous lodes at Euroka homestead (RAWBELLE) and Cracow (CRACOW). The Hungry Hill and Eidsvold lodes consist of multiple narrow quartz-stibnite veins in mesozonal, monzonitic, intrusive, biotite granodiorite stocks of the Coonumbula Granodiorite and Eidsvold Complex respectively. No sediment-hosted stibnite lodes have been found within the Sheet area. 26 Lam

23 30 S 150 58 E 150 53 E 25 35 S

Figure 4: Antimony lode occurrences in the Hungry Hill area Recent company exploration recognised two types of antimony lodes; an auriferous quartz-stibnite-arsenopyrite-calcite lode at Hungry Hill, and a quartz-gold ± stibnite lode at Saint John Creek (Leitch & Malnic, 1985). At Hungry Hill, the lodes consist of massive, white to translucent grey quartz with minor pink to white chalcedony. Stibnite occurs as massive clots or as anastomosing veinlets in the quartz. The clots are interpreted as an advanced replacement of quartz. The location of the lodes appears to be joint-controlled and linked to conjugate north-easterly and north-westerly sets. Past mining was on the north-easterly-trending lodes, which parallel to the foliation of the host granodiorite. The north-westerly-trending lodes are narrower and less persistent along strike and contain lessor stibnite than the north-east-trending lodes.

HUNGRY HILL AREA

This area is ~30km north-west of Mundubbera. Denmead (1943b) described the Hungry Hill deposit as consisting of siliceous stibnite lodes in a line of fissures with east-north-east strike in foliated granodiorite. The two main exposures of the lodes are ~750m apart. The eastern Lady Mary lode dips 75°NNW and the western Banshee lode has a vertical dip. Other prominent subparallel quartz-stibnite lodes also occur in the immediate area. About 200m west of the Banshee workings is a cross lode carrying stibnite, sphalerite and arsenopyrite in quartz. According to Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 27

Rands (1901), this lode is up to 0.5m solid stibnite in weathered granitic rock. Samples of stibnite assayed up to 63% antimony and 3g/t gold.

In 1995, Aluka Pty Ltd (EPM10500) determined the deposit is at the intersection of two structures from an interpretation study of EM survey results. The first structure trends 060° and is cut by the second structure which trends 140°. The second structure appears to be the channel way for the ore fluid emanating from a source 5–10km to the south-east (Figure 4).

Banshee (MGA94 292033E, 7173919) 45318

The old workings consist of four shafts trending 060° over a distance of 80m. The shafts have timber collars, and are water-filled to ~10m below ground surface (Figure 5). A quartz lode is exposed on the wall in one of the shafts. About 60t of stibnite ore is left on site. Recent company exploration cut four trenches across the projected extensions of the lode, one to the north-eastern side and three to the western side of the old shafts. A fine-grained felsic dyke parallel to the lode is exposed in the north-eastern trench and stibnite veins that parallel to the main lode are exposed in the western trenches (Wicklow Alluvials Pty Ltd, 1969).

Rands (1901) reported that the Banshee lode strikes 060°, and is nearly perpendicular. The lode can be traced for over 1.3km in weathered granite. Denmead (1943b) described the lode as comprising 0.3–0.5m width of stibnite-quartz veins. Recent field studies supported that the main lode consists of well-developed

Figure 5: Main shaft of the Banshee stibnite mine 28 Lam

Figure 6: Banshee stibnite ore (a) quartz vein with anastomosed stibnite veinlets in siliceous and clayey, foliated, fine- to medium-grained granodiorite, (b) massive quartz stibnite lode stibnite-quartz veins dipping steeply to near vertical. The quartz is massive, white and carries stibnite clasts (Figure 6). Some of the stibnite has chalcedonic rims generally <1mm thick. The lode is parallel to the foliation of the biotite granodiorite. Hydrothermal alteration extends 0.3m from the lode margin into the host rock. Weathering of the granite with the development of pseudoclasts is common in the mine area.

Banshee North Prospect (MGA94 292006E, 7174437N) 510583

The prospect is 400m north of the Banshee mine. Prospecting pits and costeans were sunk in foliated granodiorite and exposed several white to light grey massive quartz veins with up to 2% stibnite. The veins strike 058–095° and dip 54–90°N. Vein samples assayed up to 1.04ppm gold and 1.85% antimony (Morris & Savory, 1990).

Lady Mary (MGA94 293017E, 7173947N) 45326

The old workings consist of a deep shaft with overhead frame, a continuous line of shallow diggings, and an opencut. A shaft >10m deep was sunk at the intersection of the shallow diggings and the opencut. The line of diggings was cut along a strike of 160° and over a distance of 20m. Past mining had selectively gouged out the near-surface rich ore pockets (Figure 7) to a depth of 3m. The opencut trends 075° and consists of an excavation 30m long by 10m wide by 5m deep at the north-eastern end of the diggings. On the northern wall of the opencut, shallow-dipping quartz-stibnite veins and quartz-pegmatite-stibnite veins are exposed on a face of medium-grained biotite granodiorite. A vein sample assayed 1.5g/t gold, 6g/t silver and 51.1% antimony.

Other nearby workings are Unnamed 927733 (MGA94 292806E, 7173487N) and Unnamed 931744 (MGA94 293206E, 7174587N). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 29

Figure 7: Lady Mary quartz-stibnite lode with remnant host rock inclusions (creamy coloured)

McKonkey North (MGA94 290006E, 7175067N) 510584

The McKonkey North prospect consists of an east-trending zone of white to light-grey quartz veins carrying minor stibnite, pyrite and arsenopyrite. The zone extends over 1.2km in granodiorite. The width of the veins varies from 100mm to 1m. The veins strike 080–095° and dip 63–74°N. Rock chip samples of the veins assayed up to 3.20ppm gold and 3366ppm arsenic (Morris & Savory, 1990).FiveRC drillholes totalling 348m were drilled and intersected minor anastomosed quartz veins with 1–5% pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite (Bessell & McLean, 1990).

Hungry Hill East (MGA94 290676E, 7172687N) 510585

The Hungry Hill East prospect was outlined from a stream sediment sampling survey, which returned anomalous gold assay results. Follow up work located east-trending quartz veins in pegmatite. Rock chip samples of the veins assayed up to 22.1ppm gold, 8.94% antimony and 1.25% arsenic. No gold was detected in the host pegmatite (Morris & Savory, 1990).

Unnamed 904746 (MGA94 290568E, 7174858N) 510586

The old workings consist of two shafts (trending 080°) sunk on fine- to medium-grained biotite granodiorite. The ore dump contains translucent, banded quartz with white to grey quartz fragments up to 50mm in width. The white quartz 30 Lam fragments have an overgrowth of chalcedony <1mm thick, and very fine-grained stibnite and pyrite were identified in the grey quartz fragments.

Unnamed 906751 (MGA94 290706E, 7175287N) 510587

The deposit occurs on the north-eastern slope half way up the ridge, and was worked by a continuous line of shallow diggings trending 055° over a distance of 40m in foliated, medium-grained biotite granodiorite. The lode consists of quartz veins with large vughs up to 50mm wide, minor stibnite and host rock fragments. Well-formed quartz crystals up to 10mm in length are common in the vughs.

Unnamed 918741 (MGA94 291954E, 7174369N) 510588

Mineralisation and geology of this occurrence is similar to the Banshee deposit. Recent company exploration trenching has obliterated the old workings.

EIDSVOLD AREA

Stibnite Show (MGA94 309539E, 7203320N) 509406

The old workings consist of three shallow shafts sunk on pink granodiorite near its contact with a dark coloured tonalite of the Eidsvold Complex. Stuart (1990) noted that a poddy quartz-stibnite vein (up to 0.2m wide) striking 080° with a near vertical dip was present in exploration trenches cut across of a 2–3m wide mineralised zone. The vein appears to be closely associated with a quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke. Other stibnite veins striking 120° also occur nearby to the workings. A sample of ferruginous quartz-stibnite vein with minor pyrite and arsenopyrite from a dump assayed 10.6g/t gold.

Craven (MGA94 310816E, 7191567N) 508488

Rands (1887) reported that the Craven lode consists of quartz with minor pyrite, stibnite and cassiterite. The ore dump consists of pink granite and fine-grained tonalite with quartz-stibnite-calcite veins carrying minor pyrite and chalcopyrite.

WELLS HOMESTEAD AREA

Wallis (1993) mentioned that antimony had been mined at Wells station (AUBURN) as reported by Ball (1942), but no other details were supplied. Company exploration failed to locate the reported occurrence.

EUROKA HOMESTEAD AREA

McInnes (1988) reported that a small ridge on the western bank of an unnamed creek flowing into Smalls Creek (MGA94 293308E, 7202073N) 507642 is a zone of auriferous quartz veins closely associated with rhyolitic quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes intruding volcanic rocks of the Triassic age Mount Eagle beds. The veins consist of colloform quartz, with minor chalcedony, pyrite and calcite. Samples of the veins assayed up to 3.95ppm gold, 29ppm silver, 793ppm arsenic and 99ppm antimony and 0.815ppm mercury. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 31

CRACOW AREA

The Walhalla prospect (MGA94 225416E, 7205497N) 506508 is 6km north-north-east of the Golden Plateau mine. Samples of quartz-calcite-zeolite veins assayed up to 1.03ppm gold, 2.07ppm silver, 44.3ppm arsenic, 3.16ppm antimony, 0.074ppm mercury, 57.5ppm copper, 45.9ppm lead and 55.0ppm zinc.

COMMENT ON ANTIMONY

Antimony mineralisation at Hungry Hill and St John Creek apparently occurs close to the margin of a granodiorite, based on the presence of a strong local foliation in the granodiorite that is present at or near the mineralised veins. The foliation appears to be an igneous flow feature that has resulted in the alignment of biotite and hornblende in the waning stage of cooling of the granodiorite. Elsewhere within the granodiorite foliation is not so obvious. Most of the Hungry Hill’s stibnite lodes are parallel to the north-east-trending foliation of the host rock though some lodes are orthogonal to the foliation. One explanation for the lodes is that they are joint-controlled. If the lode openings were related to shearing associated with metamorphism of a regional scale, one would expect an en echelon distribution of lodes parallelling the regional foliation.

The common association of gold in stibnite lodes and vice versa has been found in many deposits in Queensland. The close association of stibnite and gold occurs at Eidsvold (e.g. Craven) and at Hungry Hill (e.g. Lady Mary). Denmead (1943b) suggested that the quartz-stibnite veins at the Lady Mary are likely to have a plutonic hydrothermal origin because of their close association with pegmatite.

BARIUM

At the Evening Star workings north of Hawkwood, the lode consists of ferruginous quartz veins with minor disseminated pyrite, arsenopyrite and gold in phyllite of the Narayen beds. Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124, 1985) reported that high copper and barium and low gold assays were detected in the vein samples, but no discrete barium minerals were identified (Cooper, 1987).

BAUXITE

Whitaker & others (1974) mapped four main areas of basalt flows in the Sheet area: the Binjour and Gurgeena Plateaux, Mount Redhead, Boogalgopal Creek and Glen Leigh. The basalts have a total area of ~100km2 and generally form flat-topped plateaux with steep scarps. A topographic phenomenon, akin to a volcanic crater, occurs on the Eidsvold 1:100 000 Sheet in the north-west area of Gurgeena.

Shepherd & Connah (1947) described the Binjour Plateau. It extends to the north-west, and averages 300m above sea level. In the central part of the plateau, pisolitic bauxite occurs as nodules or large boulders in the red soil. Exposures of the boulders can be traced over a distance of 7km as a capping up to 1m thick on weathered basalt of Tertiary age (eg SB 367 deposit). Between the red soil and the 32 Lam unaltered basalt is a deep zone of kaolination (Connah, 1958c). The top section of the profile consists of a friable red clay soil, which overlies vermiform clay.

Australian Exploration Company Incorporation (EPM1287, 1973) described the basalt as fine-grained, holocrystalline and porphyritic. The average composition is 10–15% olivine, 60–70% plagioclase (labradorite), 15–25% pyroxene, and 5% iron oxide. The basalt has undergone a lateritic process. On the basis of a borehole drilling report by a local resident at Gurgeena, clayey soil underlain by moist red soil overlying wet pipe clay extends to a depth of >125m. However, the depth of soil development is not uniform across the Gurgeena area.

In 1946, the GSQ commenced a resource assessment of bauxite in Queensland and Shepherd & Connah (1947) reported that minor bauxite occurs on the Binjour Plateau. Samples of bauxite nodules in boulders exposed along the roadside on the Binjour Plateau assayed 26–35% soluble Al2O3 and 36–50% total Al2O3. In 1960, Mount Isa Mines carried out drilling of the deposit, and intersected bauxite at depths of 2m or less with 20–35% soluble Al2O3 and 22–38% total Al2O3. Australian Exploration Company Incorporation (EPM1287, 1974) collected 674 samples from 53 drillholes in the Hamlet area (MGA94 334006E, 7182687N), with most of the samples giving <20% acid soluble Al2O3. No bauxite is known to have been mined in the Sheet area.

Apart from the Binjour occurrence, little exploration was carried out to assess the potential of bauxite occurring in the other three areas.

BISMUTH

Anomalous bismuth assays were obtained from quartz-copper-gold lodes in the Hooper Creek, Euroka homestead and Cracow areas, and quartz-tungsten lodes in the Kildare homestead area. There is no record of production of Bismuth. The Hooper Creek occurrences are mesothermal quartz veins in andesite intruded by granodiorite, whereas those at Euroka homestead and Cracow are epithermal gold-bearing quartz veins in volcaniclastic rocks associated with the Mount Eagle beds and Camboon Volcanics respectively. The Kildare deposit is within a quartz-tungsten greisen lode in pegmatite (Gibson, 1995).

Catherall (1988a,b) described the copper-gold veins of the Hooper Creek area occurring in an irregular contact zone between the Narayen beds and the Mount Saul Adamellite. At the Hidden Treasure, clayey lodes 50–70mm wide occupy joints in andesite. Rock chip samples assayed up to 13.7ppm gold and 1650ppm bismuth.

North Mining Ltd (EPM5366, 1986; EPM9430, 1993) reported that grab samples from mullock at the Waratah workings north of Euroka homestead assayed up to 3063ppm copper, 28ppm arsenic, 150ppm bismuth and 0.12ppm gold (Savory, 1990a; Collins & McGinnes, 1994).

In 1994, Newcrest Mining Ltd/Sedimentary Holdings Ltd (EPMs 8726, 9103, 9528, 10413, 10414) outlined a hydrothermal diatreme system south of the opencut at Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 33

Golden Plateau. Samples of the andesitic quartz veined breccia assayed 1–3% copper and 100ppm bismuth.

Lisboa/Westralian Sands Ltd (EPM9580, 1993) located numerous sites of leucogranite with sheeted quartz veins with minor hubnerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, molybdenite and bismuthinite south of Kildare homestead. Tungsten was mined by Westralian Sands Ltd, but no bismuth was produced (Gibson, 1995).

The potential of discovering a significant economic bismuth deposit within the Sheet area is low. However, the presence of anomalous bismuth values in mesothermal veins at Hooper Creek and epithermal veins at Cracow could be an indication of a magmatic affinity ore fluids source.

CHROMIUM AND NICKEL

Chromite nodules occur in serpentinised peridotite and gabbro rubble scattered over an area of 50m by 150m near Mimosa homestead. At the old workings (MGA94 338906E, 7134587N), chromite ore samples assayed up to 36% Cr2O3, 27% FeO, and 5% SiO2. Costain Australia Ltd (EPM5062, 1987) reported that some of the chromite contained up to 2200ppm nickel (MacCorquodale, 1988).

The Hawkwood Gabbro in the south-central part of the Sheet area was explored for magnetite. Drill cuttings assayed up to 0.3% copper and 350ppm nickel (Bryan, 1965a,b; 1966; 1967). Steele Industries Ltd/Commercial Minerals Ltd (EPM3961, 1985) described the ferrigabbro as consisting of a granular aggregate of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and orthopyroxene in a matrix of titaniferous magnetite, ilmenite, and minor pyrrhotite, millerite and pentlandite (Kreutzer, 1985).

Stowe (1987) reported that commercial grade chromite and nickel deposits seldom occur together. Although ultramafic complexes host them both, this probably is due to a fundamental difference in the primary host rocks.

The potential of discovering an economic chromite or nickel deposit within the Sheet area is not high as they are generally restricted to the ultramafic complexes. The serpentinite exposures along the Yarrol Fault zone are small and unlikely to host a significant ore body amendable for commercial mining in the near future. There is no nickel-rich laterite deposit in the Sheet area.

CLAY

Kaolin is exposed in a road cutting on the Mundubbera–Durong Road north of Toondoonananigy Creek crossing. The clay appears to be an in situ deposit of sediments of the Evergreen Formation of the Surat Basin with well-preserved bedding dipping 38° towards 260°. The kaolin is successively overlain by a band of brown, gritty hard clay up to 1.5m thick and a thin layer 0.3–0.5m thick of greyish topsoil. The kaolin is gritty and white, with patches of pinkish red iron oxide. The colouration does not appear to penetrate deeply into the kaolin subcrop. The overall length of the exposure is 50m in length by 6m in height. Wynne No. 1 (ML149) 34 Lam

(MGA94 321506E, 7140687N) and Wynne No. 2 (ML 150) (MGA94 321006E, 7140787N) were two leases applied for mining kaolin ~1km and 1.5km respectively west of the Toondoonananigy Creek deposit.

Kaolin also occurs with gold and antimony lodes in the Cracow, Brovinia, Hawkwood, Eidsvold and Hungry Hill areas, formed by weathering and/or alteration in volcanic, sedimentary and igneous host rocks adjacent to the lode margins.

Small white clay deposits occur in lateritised Evergreen Formation near Abercorn (EIDSVOLD — Unnamed 115186 MGA94 311606E, 7218787N), and in lateritised Wandilla Formation 3km south-west of Binjour (MUNDUBBERA — Unnamed 422756 MGA94 342306E, 7175787N). The extent of these occurrences has not been determined; however, firing tests indicated the clay near Abercorn is suitable for stoneware and pottery (Houston, 1967). Other reported occurrences of unknown quality are near Gyranda homestead (CRACOW).

COBALT

In 1981, South Pine Mines Pty Ltd (EPM3189) discovered minor manganiferous veins in gneiss of the undivided metamorphic rocks on the north-eastern side of Red Mountain (RAWBELLE). The veins are up to 30mm wide and rock chip samples assayed up to 0.41% cobalt (McDonald, 1982a).

Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4277, 1986) reported that traces of cobalt and antimony minerals occur in the low temperature sulphide-bearing veins associated with the ring dykes of the Mount Saul caldera (Wightman, 1992).

Eastern Stone and Minerals Pty Ltd (EPM9897, 1994) reported that small ferruginous and siliceous veins, some with trace amounts of gold and cobalt associated with dykes and irregular masses of dolerite, aplite and quartz, occur in the Delubra Quartz Gabbro.

COPPER, LEAD AND ZINC

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

Minor copper deposits occur in the Yarrol, Eidsvold, Brovinia, Hawkwood, Hooper Creek, Cracow and Oxtrack Creek areas. Saint-Smith (1926) reported a production of 4.5t of copper ore with an average grade of >30g/t gold and 11% copper from the New Coonambula Prospecting area. In 1937, 30t of ore with a grade of 15g/t gold, 100g/t silver and 4% copper were mined from the Hidden Treasure mine (AUBURN).

In early 1887, copper associated with gold-bearing quartz lodes in granodiorite of the Eidsvold Complex was discovered in the Eidsvold goldfield. In the Brovinia homestead area, copper in skarn deposits and copper associated with narrow auriferous quartz-sulphide lodes in unnamed hornblende porphyry occur at and near the May Queen workings. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 35

25 00 S- 151 30 E 150 00 E -25 45

Figure 8: Location of selected significant copper occurrences About 1924, samples from the Ti Ti Creek workings (south of Coonambula homestead) assayed up to 200g/t gold, 30g/t silver and 7.5% copper. West of Hawkwood, quartz-sulphide lodes associated with the Narayen beds occur at the Hidden Treasure, Eldorado and Three Mile in the Hooper Creek area. Samples from the Eldorado and Three Mile assayed up to 1g/t gold, 3g/t silver and 21% copper (Cribb, 1942) and up to 2.3% copper (Reid, 1932a) respectively.

In the 1960s, company exploration delineated numerous small occurrences of stratiform copper mineralisation associated with the Camboon Volcanics near Oxtrack and Delusion Creeks north of Cracow. Rock chip samples in the Oxtrack Creek area assayed up to 1.5% copper. In the 1980s, auriferous quartz-sulphide veins were discovered at Mount Saul, in granitic rocks of the Mount Saul Adamellite. In the 1990s, a minor porphyry copper occurrence was discovered in the Mount Elvinia area.

MINERALISATION

Within the Sheet area, copper occurs as quartz-sulphide lode in granodiorite, and in pyroclastic or metasedimentary rocks intruded by felsic or basic dykes (e.g. Hidden Treasure, Hooper Creek, Unnamed 221298, and Unnamed 379194). A few tonnes of copper were mined from these intrusive-related deposits. Other occurrences are 36 Lam skarn, porphyry copper affinity and stratiform deposits. Skarn deposits have been found at the contact of limestone and gabbro near Brovinia homestead (e.g. May Queen area). Deposits with porphyry-copper affinity have been located in the Mount Elvinia area, but they have little economic significance compared with the stratiform deposits. Stratiform deposits contain native copper and malachite intimately associated with secondary prehnite in amygdaloidal andesite flows (e.g.Delusion Creek, north of Cracow) and company exploration has outlined many small occurrences from north-west of Cracow to Theodore.

COPPER-GOLD-QUARTZ VEIN IN GRANODIORITE

EIDSVOLD AREA

In the Eidsvold area, Axis Mining NL (EPM3561, 1983) reported copper carbonates in mullock and in lode exposures at Mount Jones (MGA94 306834E, 7199801N). Chalcopyrite, pyrite covellite and copper carbonates were noted in a dump at the incline shaft. Rands (1895a, 1897) described that native copper occurs at the Lady Minerva and malachite occurs at the bottom of one of the shafts at Lady Rose mine. Other reported occurrences are malachite and azurite in the lodes >10m deep in the Lady Ann, Lady Amy, Maid of Erin, Lady Minerva and West Lady Rose mines. Cupriferous quartz-limonite-sericite lodes at the Lady Ann and Lady Amy mines assayed up to 3.3ppm gold, 85ppm silver and 17% copper (Reid, 1931b).

However, the lodes at Eidsvold were mined mainly for gold; no copper production is known.

BROVINIA HOMESTEAD AREA

Jack (1896) reported that a narrow quartz-sulphide vein at the MacDonnell workings (MGA94 304747E, 7127944N) assayed 12.2g/t gold, 11.6g/t silver and 6% copper. The Brovinia Creek No 1, 2, 3, Great Hope, May Queen Extended, and Louisa leases were applied for mining copper but no production was recorded.

The May Queen lode (MGA94 303562E, 7128754N) consists of white clay, white and blue quartz ± calcite vein in hornblende porphyry. Some sections of the vein are copper stained and also contain minor galena and pyrite.

MOUNT RUNSOME AREA

Nine Mile (MGA94 259906E, 7231587N) 507684

Numerous small quartz veins with minor chalcopyrite and malachite were found during company exploration for gold in the Nine Mile area (Gibson, 1995).

YARROL HOMESTEAD AREA

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM5842 and EPM5886, 1989) explored for gold associated with the Yarrol fault system, and rock chip samples in the Demon Creek area assayed up to 0.12ppm gold and 0.5% copper. Texins Development Pty Ltd (EPM1044 and EPM1045, 1972) reported that ore dump adjacent to the old Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 37 workings at Yarrol consists of diorite with minor chalcopyrite. The diorite is commonly malachite and azurite stained. Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd/Strike Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM8402 and EPM10356, 1994) explored the deposit for lode extension and drilling intersected 6m with 1.12% copper and 8.36ppm gold. Past mining was mainly on gold, no copper production is known.

HAWKWOOD AREA

In 1994, Cynate Pty Ltd/Terra Firma Resources NL (EPM10221 and EPM10299) and Pan Australian Resources assessed the magnetite-rich Hawkwood layered gabbro for Bushveld-style of platinum, copper and gold mineralisation. Soil samples over 50m intervals assayed 3–3220ppm copper. Costean samples over 281m of trenching assayed up to 0.55% copper.

CRACOW AREA

During the early part of 1939, stoping of the Golconda lode intersected copper mineralisation at the tunnel level (ARDM, 1939). AMAD NL/Golden Plateau NL (EPM587, 1969) reported that minor malachite was observed in the quartz veins at the Rose Pride and Blue Bell workings.

MOUNT MUNGUNGAL AREA

RRM 0143 (MGA94 238057E, 7219598N) 507442

At this occurrence chalcopyrite was identified in quartz-sulphide veins in the sheared granodiorite. The veins strike 140° and 020°. Malachite staining is also common in the host rock.

MOUNT SAUL AREA

Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4277, 1986) reported that a number of small prospecting pits and one shaft were sunk on quartz-sulphide lodes associated with ring fracture which was interpreted as a caldera structure near Rosehall homestead. Rock chip samples of the quartz-sulphide veins assayed 0.057–7.04ppm gold, 32–370ppm silver, 220ppm to 5.3% lead and 1780ppm zinc and 3.66% arsenic. The sulphides are mostly arsenopyrite-pyrite-sphalerite-galena-tetrahedrite-chalco- pyrite (Wightman, 1992). The SW Zone (MGA94 277215E, 7140229N) vein system consists of composite quartz-sulphide veins and a prominent zone of quartz-sulphide stringer veins carrying up to 60% sulphides. The composite veins formed on the margins of the porphyry and granophyre dykes, which intrude the ring fracture. The quartz-sulphide stringer veins appear to represent an earlier incipient phase of both fissuring and sphalerite-pyrite-quartz mineralisation. The Barney Vein (MGA94 278281E, 7140617N) consists of three separate veins (0.1–0.3m wide) with north-east strike in a zone 200m long and 10m wide. Samples assayed up to 2.29ppm gold, 3.5ppm silver, 2660ppm arsenic, 8450ppm lead and 930ppm zinc. The NW Vein (MGA94 276906E, 7142987N) consists of a zone of poorly exposed north-west striking quartz-sulphide fissure veins. The quartz is fine to coarsely crystalline, and contains disseminated oxidised sulphides, chalcedonic quartz, and 38 Lam

Figure 9: Eldorado andesite breccia with sub-rounded to subangular andesite and granodiorite clasts strongly altered host rock fragments, minor arsenopyrite, pyrite and malachite. Samples assayed up to 4.45ppm gold, 234ppm silver, 1.05% arsenic and 2.61% lead.

NEW COONAMBULA AREA

Reid (1924) reported that the New Coonambula prospecting area is in the Parish of Dykehead. The workings are on the western side of Ti Ti Creek, within a few hundred metres of the Ti Ti station boundary fence. However, the New Coonambula deposit was not located during mineral occurrence field mapping in 1997.

COPPER-GOLD-QUARTZ VEIN IN ANDESITE

HOOPER CREEK AREA

Eldorado (MGA94 268206E, 7148987N) 510631

Cribb (1942) reported that Eldorado is on Old Spring Creek, a north-east-flowing tributary of Hooper Creek. The deposit is located within a belt of andesite and andesitic tuff of the Camboon Volcanics, near its contact with coarse-grained, foliated granite of the Mount Saul Adamellite (Figure 9). Copper mineralisation, mainly as malachite staining on joints, is exposed in andesite cropping out on creek bed and bank. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 39

Hidden Treasure (MGA94 268780E, 7148966N) 510630

At the Hidden Treasure, a shaft was sunk to 15m deep in andesite of the Camboon Volcanics. At the bottom of the shaft, a drive was cut along a lode striking 160°. A small battery was erected on the bank of the creek, ~1km north of the workings. In 1985, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124) dug four trenches across the lode; samples from the trenches assayed up to 10.9ppm gold, 1.2% copper, 100ppm lead, 170ppm zinc, 10ppm silver and 15ppm arsenic.

Three Mile (MGA94 275506E, 7147287N) 510632

Reid (1932c) reported the Three Mile claim is 5km west of Hawkwood. Four shallow pits and one shaft to 5m were sunk and exposed copper-stained siliceous rock. Samples assayed traces of gold and 2.3% copper. The deposit was not located during company exploration in the area.

Klondyke (MGA94 266515E, 7154377N) 510633

The Klondyke lode was discovered around 1918 (Morton, 1921). It consists of quartz veins carrying minor galena, cerussite, anglesite, chalcopyrite, copper carbonate, and arsenopyrite, formed along a small shear zone closely connected with a basic dyke intruded close to the margin of an unnamed granite. The vein strikes 118° and dips 75–85° towards 208°.

COPPER ASSOCIATED WITH SKARN

BROVINIA HOMESTEAD AREA

Two areas of hematite-skarn occur near the May Queen mine, one ~100m north of and the other 300m south-west of the main shaft (O’Brien, 1987). Outcrops consist of minor malachite and azurite stains on ferruginous calc-silicate rock near the contact between limestone of the Rockhampton Group (formerly Darangabungy beds) and unnamed gabbro.

DEPOSITS WITH PORPHYRY COPPER AFFINITIES

MOUNT ELVINIA AREA

The Mizzap/Tawarri prospect (MGA94 232856E, 7196707N) is located ~5.5km east-south-east of Cracow. ACM Operations Pty Ltd (EPM5338, 1988) discovered the area when they followed up a 2.01ppb gold stream sediment sample anomaly. A quartz-pyrite vein float assayed 6.00ppm gold. The float was traced back to a low, elongate north-west-tending ridge composed of dominantly silicified, flow-banded quartz-eye porphyritic rhyolite of the Torsdale Volcanics. Minor pyritic stockwork quartz veins with chalcopyrite, kaolinitic clay alteration were found in quartz-tourmaline breccia scree below the ridge. Two rock chip samples of quartz-tourmaline-breccia from the prospecting pits assayed 0.204g/t and 0.062g/t gold, and 219ppm and 347ppm copper respectively. 40 Lam

Figure 10: Predominantly prehnite-filled vesicular andesite float boulder with secondary native copper and malachite TI TI CREEK AREA

Keela-Wee Exploration Ltd (EPM5548, 1988) outlined the Hill 216, Hill 227N and Hill 227S prospects from stream sediment sampling in the Dam Hut Creek area. Further exploration at Hill 216 (MGA94 300806E, 7169487N) included seven percussion drillholes totalling 658m. A total of 164 composite samples of cuttings were assayed and returned a high of 0.19ppm gold, 2750ppm copper, 15ppm lead, 140ppm zinc, 62ppm molybdenum and 210ppm arsenic from separate samples (Adams, 1990).

STRATIFORM DEPOSIT

Nickel Mines (EPM882, 1972) reported that supergene copper mineralisation occurring in the Delusion Creek and Oxtrack Creek areas is apparently associated with a north-trending andesitic flow of the Camboon Volcanics. The flow consisting of purple-grey, amygdaloidal andesite with zeolite-filled vesicles has a basal grey-green, pyroxene andesite with rounded chlorite-filled vesicles. Native copper, cuprite, chalcocite and malachite occur throughout the andesite but appear to have a close association with zeolite (Lynch, 1972). Outcrop of the copper-bearing andesite is rare, however, native copper and cuprite have been found as boulders up to several hundred kilograms. ESSO Australia Ltd (EPM1140, 1972) described the andesite contains disseminated, fine-grained native copper and chalcocite, and botryoidal prehnite nodules up to 0.3m in diameter (Figure 10). However, the native copper, even in amounts >1% volume is difficult to detect in rock specimens (Graham, 1973).

DELUSION CREEK AREA

Unnamed 264135 (MGA94 226506E, 7213687N) 507525

Rounded, hard brown-purple fragmented andesite occurs in a bed of weathered, purple andesite in a deeply incised gully. Fine-grained native copper is disseminated Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 41 in the inter-fragment areas of the andesite, which assayed 0.95% copper (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 237165 (MGA94 223806E, 7216687N) 507527

Fine-grained native copper is associated with prehnite and epidote alteration in purple andesitic float. An assay of the altered rock gave 1.10% copper (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 229163 (MGA94 223006E, 7216487N) 479599

Residual quartz, epidote and prehnite rock fragments occur in a small gully. The rock contains fine-grained disseminated native copper and malachite and assayed 0.68% copper (Gould, 1974).

OXTRACK CREEK AREA

Unnamed 202203 (MGA94 220306E, 7220487N) 479601

Grey, porphyritic, pyroxene basaltic andesite with quartz-prehnite-epidote alteration occurs as surface floats over a grass-covered plain 1km south-east of Woolshed homestead. Trace amounts of native copper, malachite and chalcocite were identified in the andesite. Samples assayed 0.18–0.41% copper (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 197213 (MGA94 219806E, 7221487N) 478947

Residual amygdaloidal andesite containing prehnite, quartz and malachite in vesicles, and altered pyroxene in the groundmass, occurs in black soil paddocks near Woolshed homestead. The float may have come from the flow tops of concealed andesitic lavas. A sample of the andesite float assayed 0.2% copper (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 192208 (MGA94 219306E, 7220987N) 478947

Two types of native copper-bearing float occur in cultivated paddocks immediately west of Woolshed homestead. The most common is an amygdaloidal andesite containing quartz, prehnite, zeolite, chlorite, iron oxides, malachite and native copper in vesicles. The groundmass of this rock has been extensively prehnitised, and fine-grained oxides form rims around the amygdules. This andesitic float rock assayed up to 1.30% copper. The other type is a fine-grained, grey-green, pyroxene andesite containing fine-grained disseminated native copper. The pyroxenes have a bronze coloured metallic lustre and could be the alteration mineral bastite in a groundmass showing minor alteration to prehnite. The copper content of the andesite was found ranging 0.27–2.08% (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 180209 (MGA94 218106E, 7221087N) 507524

Purple-brown amygdaloidal andesite occurs as float over a small area ~1.5km west of Woolshed homestead. The amygdules contain zeolite, calcite, malachite and traces of chalcocite. A sample of the float assayed 0.11% copper (Gould, 1974). 42 Lam

Unnamed 170193 (MGA94 217106E, 7219487N) 507529

The occurrence is to the south-west of Woolshed homestead, where a bed of amygdaloidal andesite 300m long by 20m is exposed on the southern bank of Oxtrack Creek. The eastern portion of the outcrop is composed of purple amygdaloidal andesite containing hard concretions of grey amygdaloidal andesite. The main body of the outcrop consists of a dark-coloured andesite, with minor amygdules, and concretions of purple amygdaloidal andesite. The concretions show infilling of quartz, calcite, prehnite, malachite and traces of native copper in the amygdules. Samples of the concretions assayed up to 1.45% copper (Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 163297 (MGA94 216406E, 7229887N) 507530

A zone of copper-bearing andesite crops out in an area 2km long by 250m wide. The northern half of the zone is characterised by native copper-bearing float with prehnite, calcite, malachite and azurite. The southern portion of the zone is characterised by float containing minor amounts of native copper (0.24–0.45%) associated with prehnite, quartz and malachite (Davies & Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 148278 (MGA94 214906E, 7227987N) 507530

Native copper associated with prehnite, quartz and malachite (0.08–1.68%) in andesite occurs in a zone of float extending 1.3km long by 0.5km wide. Barren, purple-grey, amygdaloidal andesite also occurs throughout this zone (Davies & Gould, 1974).

Unnamed 155257 (MGA94 215606E, 7225887N) 507532

Minor prehnite with native copper and chalcocite mineralisation occurs in andesite outcrop in a shallow creek. Samples of cupriferous float assayed from 0.4–0.84% copper (Davies & Gould, 1974).

CRACOW HOMESTEAD AREA

Unnamed 275908 (MGA94 227606E, 7190987N) 507533

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4301, 1986) outlined a small area of copper mineralisation ~400m west of Cracow homestead. The host rocks are andesitic tuff and lava carrying small pellets of native copper and minor malachite. Samples assayed up to 4000ppm copper (Weber, 1987).

MOUNT RUNSOME AREA

Pinnacle Cattle Yard (MGA94 267126E, 7230077N) 507682

Amphibolite with malachite and minor azurite was exposed in a shallow pit. The mineralised fluids appear to have permeated from a north-trending (340°) shear cutting the Wingfield Granite. Samples of the copper-stained amphibolite assayed up to 1.44% copper (McDonald, 1982a). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 43

Unnamed 666299 (MGA94 266766E, 7230027N) 507683

A small occurrence of amphibolite carries white quartz with specks of chlorite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and malachite (McDonald, 1982a).

COMMENT ON STRATIFORM DEPOSITS

Within the Sheet area, stratiform copper deposits associated with andesitic tuffs and flows of the Camboon Volcanics and the Torsdale Volcanics and a shear zone within the Wingfield Granite offer a better exploration potential than the vein-hosted, skarn and porphyry deposits. The Torsdale Volcanics and Camboon Volcanics crop out >1000km2 north-west of Cracow and extend north to Theodore and beyond. Mount Isa Mines Ltd (EPM337, 1966) indicated that both the soil and stream sediments derived from andesites of the Camboon Volcanics are not anomalous in copper. Limited outcrops along creek beds suggest that copper mineralisation is confined to a horizon in the andesite and is not distributed evenly throughout the whole unit. Ground traversing has been the most effective method in locating many minor copper occurrences near Oxtrack Creek. ESSO Australia Ltd (EPM1140, 1972) reported that IP surveys had little success in exploring for this type of copper deposit.

GOLD

ALLUVIAL GOLD

Alluvial gold was mined in the Eidsvold, McKonkey Creek, St John Creek, Cadarga Creek, Mountain Creek and Knockbreak homestead areas. Total production from these areas is very minor compared with lode gold production for the district. No alluvial gold mining was reported for the Cracow area even though >25t gold was produced from the Golden Plateau mine.

On the basis of trap site, rock type and interpreted deposition environment, the alluvial deposit within the Sheet area can be divided into deep lead, colluvial and eluvial beach deposits. For example, the McKonkey and St John Creeks deposits are a type of Tertiary deep lead associated with coarse-wash buried under much younger alluvium. The Eidsvold alluvial gold deposits are in colluvium in the gully below the lode. The Knockbreak deposit is an eluvial deposit where the gold appears to be in situ and has not travelled far from the source rock whereas the Cadarga Creek deposit is in young alluvium.

ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS

Alluvial gold was discovered in the Brovinia provisional goldfield many years before 1886 (Dunstan, 1913). However, no mining record was kept for the period. The find was probably minor compared with the Eidsvold goldfield 40km to the north. The Brovinia field only became prominent in 1886 after most of the near surface gold had been mined out in the Eidsvold goldfield. 44 Lam

Bluck (1985) reported that alluvial workings occur along the southern bank of Brovinia Creek (Brovinia Creek, MGA94 307306E, 7129987N; Brovinia Creek Extended, MGA94 308406E, 7129187N; De Nackery Creek, MGA94 308106E, 7130987N) near its junction with De Nackery Creek and along De Nackery Creek. Other alluvial workings are located at Brovinia and Cadarga Creeks between Peter Creek in the east and Flagstaff Creek in the west, over a total distance of over 13km. The workings consist of concave depressions on the inside of creek bends, and in the high terrace sands and silts, on the edge of the fall-off to the creek 5–10m below. In some places, pits were sunk from the top of the creek terraces up to 10m above the creek bed. Wash material was observed at some of the pits but not in the large excavations up to 100m2 in area and 1–2m deep. The bank workings have generally been excavated in sand or silt. Several drillholes were drilled by Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4576, 1987; EPM5946, 1989) and bulk samples collected for BLEG analysis with results generally <500ppt gold.

Ball (1931) reported that alluvial gold (Unnamed 910595 — MGA94 291106E, 7159687N) occurs on Dykehead Road ~16km south of the Spring.

Alluvial gold has been reported as occurring in the Mountain Creek area, near Kilbeggan homestead (Bluck, 1985). However, the exact location is not known.

COLLUVIAL DEPOSIT

Colluvial gold was discovered about 1886 near Spring Gully at Eidsvold, but no deposit of significance was worked apart from a few prospecting shafts (Unnamed 102913 — MGA94 310322E, 7191521N; Unnamed 103913 — MGA94 310467E, 7191455N). All failed to strike any rich wash material (Rands, 1887). In 1887, colluvial gold was mined in gullies running down from the Stockman and Mount Rose lodes, and Middle Creek across the Burnett River. Total production is estimated to be 3kg gold.

DEEP LEAD DEPOSITS

McKONKEY CREEK PROVISIONAL GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The McKonkey Creek provisional goldfield is situated ~9km south of the St John Creek goldfield. In 1888, alluvial deep lead gold deposits were discovered in the McKonkey Creek and St John Creek areas and the deposits were worked intermittently until 1901 (Whitaker & others, 1974). Total production was ~26kg of gold from 940t of ore (Vukotich, 1981a,b). Very little is recorded for the first few years of discovery apart from a good deal of prospecting work and the sinking of a shaft to 12m. Official figures are: 3.4kg gold (Rands, 1901); two trial crushings of 8t and 20t of ore averaging 60g/t gold (ARDM, 1897); 9.2kg gold from 250t of quartz (ARDM, 1898); a picked lot of ~32t with an average grade of 31g/t gold (ARDM, 1900); and 2.7kg gold from 230t of ore (ARDM, 1901). Shortly after 1901, the field was deserted. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 45

Figure 11: Known extent of deep lead gold deposit in the McKonkey Creek and St John Creek areas Further prospecting work was carried out in the 1930s. In 1933, 69 shallow boreholes were drilled to test the deposit to an average depth of 5m. Grades from traces to 8g/t gold were intersected but were uneconomic to mine (ARDM, 1933). In 1948, A.J. Wells and L.A.R. Wells carried out prospecting work and discovered very fine-grained gold at McKonkey Springs. In 1969, Wicklow Alluvials Pty Ltd (EPM529) carried out an IP survey and delineated a deep channel and direction of flow. Follow up exploration included seven fence lines of borehole drilling to shallow depth, and averaging grade <0.8g/t gold was intersected in the wash. Further exploration was carried out by CRA Ltd (EPM3679, 1984) and eleven large diameter drillholes were drilled. A grade of ~0.1g/t gold was obtained in the wash, but no mining was carried out.

MINERALISATION

Alluvial gold occurs in Tertiary deep lead placer deposits as well as in Quaternary alluvial deposits in the St John Creek, McKonkey Creek, Cadarga Creek, Brovinia Creek and Mountain Creek areas. In the McKonkey Creek area, gold was recovered from deep leads and from younger alluvial deposits. Recent exploration indicated that the main palaeochannel continues east from McKonkey Creek and south of St John Creek (Figure 11). Shallow borehole drilling of the main palaeochannel near St John Creek intersected low gold grades in basal conglomerate wash near its contact with the granitic basement rock. Minor branching palaeochannels in the area also carry conglomerate wash similar in composition to the sediments in the main palaeochannel. The lead is very difficult to follow, being buried under >10m of sand and gravel, and in many places under water. The ore consists of hard cemented wash that required battery crushing.

The McKonkey Creek deep leads are associated with a bed of coarse sedimentary wash of Tertiary age (e.g. Happy Jack, Killaloe, Little Mate, Outler, Unnamed 46 Lam

874744, Unnamed 899747). Rands (1901) reported that the position of the leads is well marked by sandy soil and open forest of Bloodwood, Cabbage Gum, Quinine and Dogwood. The leads run east from Spring Creek, a tributary of McKonkey Creek, extend up a north-east-trending ridge that divides Spring Creek from Hungry Hill Creek, and crop out over an area of 1km by 3km. The McPhersons shaft was sunk to 15m and intersected wash dipping in a north-easterly direction. Shafts sinking to the north-east of the McPhersons shaft were flooded at 10m deep by underground water. About 30m north-west of McPhersons shaft, wash carrying low-grade gold was intersected in a shaft at the 12m level. Another shaft sunk 30m north of this one gave similar results. The Harvey and Caper Claim was next to the PC Claim, where a shaft intersected the wash at 12m deep. On the PC Claim, two shafts were sunk 15m apart. The western shaft reached 8m and the eastern shaft bottomed at 12m. The bedrock is decomposed granite. The wash dips north-east and is up to 1m thick, carrying up to 4g/t gold. Overlying the wash is a 0.1m thick, hard, white, fine, cement of quartz and feldspar. Above this is a pebbly, clayey wash, which carried up to 15g/t gold. About 50t was mined and yielded a grade of 22g/t of gold; but some of the wash carried up to 150g/t gold. Gold, rutile and cassiterite occur in loose sand, sandstone and coarse-sized wash as well as in clayey-cemented wash.

Ball (1931a) reported that pebble wash with a gold grade similar to the McKonkey Spring wash occurs 13.5km south of McKonkey Spring on the old Dykehead road (near Stumpy Creek). In the Neville Madden lease (ML203) a shaft intersected several zones of coarse-sized cobble beds. The basal one with intense ferruginous cement overlies intensely weathered granite at a depth of 10.5m. The basal wash in the Madden shaft carried 3–5g/t gold.

Morris & Savory (1990) described the gold occuring at the base of a mature, cemented, pebble conglomerate lead overlain by gravels, medium-grained sand and sandy clay alluvium. The lead is on granular to gneissic rocks of the Coonambula Granodiorite, and overlain by Tertiary duricrust. Both gold and heavy mineral concentrations within the lead are patchy and low grade. Heavy mineral concentrates contain colourless and metamict zircons, indicating different sources.

In 1984, CRA Ltd (EPM3679) completed a photogeological interpretation of the area, and concluded that the palaeochannel runs north of the old workings and turns east, parallel to the present day course of the St John Creek (Figure 11). Near St John Creek, a marked decrease in the palaeochannel gradient is indicated by an increase in heavy mineral deposition. Upstream (near McKonkey Creek), minor heavy minerals were found with the stream sediments. Ground traverses located a great volume of gravels overlain by some fine sediment to the west of McKonkey Spring. To the east of McKonkey Spring, there is significantly less coarse material and a large volume of fine sediments and clays over a short distance. A program of fence line borehole drilling indicated a granodiorite basement with overlying alluvium varying from 0.5–15m thick. Gold is generally associated with the basal wash of coarse quartzose sand in the main channel. The majority of samples contained <0.01ppm gold in the alluvium, with the basement section (22–23m) carrying 0.38ppm gold. The lead follows a single deep channel to the south-west becoming shallower and splitting into at least two channels to the east. The palaeodrainage was interpreted to have Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 47 flowed from south-west to north-east, and differed from the flow direction from south to north suggested by Whitaker & others (1974).

Mount Target (MGA94 291206E, 7179387N) 507604

The prospect consists of a lateritised quartz conglomerate cap with rounded quartz pebbles up to 200mm in size (60%) as well as granodiorite up to 140mm (30%) and gabbro up to 150mm (10%) on top of granodiorite of the Coonambula Granodiorite. Three samples from the duricrust assayed 0.14, 1.11 and 2.65ppm gold. One sample of loose quartz fragments from a prospecting pit assayed 1.07ppm gold and 3980ppm arsenic (Savory, 1990b).

ELUVIAL DEPOSIT

The discovery of eluvial gold at Shepherd Camp/Golden Break (MGA94 246111E, 7211219N) near Knockbreak homestead was made by shepherds long before the discovery of the Cracow deposits (Brooks, 1963b, 1964c). Old workings are distributed over an area 50m2. They consist of shallow costeans, a pit 1.5m deep, and an inclined shaft, which is filled to within 3m of the surface. In 1940, ~100g gold was mined and native gold was identified in specimens obtained at the bottom of the pit (Ball, 1940).

The deposit consists of gold-sulphide mineralisation in granite under shallow sediment cover located just to the west of a prominent magnetic lineament. The country rock is a medium-grained feldspar-quartz rock containing disseminated pyrite. A fine-grained rock of similar composition occurs as a dyke intruding the medium-grained rock. At the surface, the feldspars are kaolinised and stained purplish-red by iron oxides.

In the pits and inclined shaft, veins of ironstone and jasperoid material occur along joint planes, and some replacement of the felspathic rocks by iron oxides and jasper has also taken place near the surface. Gold occurs in and adjacent to an open joint, which strikes 158° and dips steeply to the west. Most of the visible gold occurs in rock cavities but some is present in the adjacent rocks, which consist of heavily iron-oxide stained siliceous material with remnants of altered feldspar. Samples showed that material adjacent to the joint contained appreciable gold content. Brooks (1964c) believed the gold is of secondary origin and represents a near-surface concentration associated with jointing.

McDonald (1982b) also supported that mineralisation occurs as surficial enrichment in joints in the granodiorite as well as native gold in jasperoidal rocks in an extensively lateritised area. The nature of primary mineralisation and the distribution of gold in the weathering profile are not well understood. WMC drilled 14 RC drillholes totalling 582m on three traverses. Cuttings were assayed and four of the samples recorded >1g/t gold. 48 Lam

LODE GOLD

BROVINIA PROVISIONAL GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The discovery history of gold in the Brovinia provisional goldfield has been reported by Jack (1896) and Dunstan (1913). Gold was known to exist in the area prior to 1886 and alluvial gold was mined from Brovinia Creek long before the discovery of the lode deposits, but no production figures are available as most of the old mining leases were applied for mining copper, silver and gold (eg Rejected).

Jack (1896) reported that visible gold was observed in a shaft sunk half way between Monogorilby and Fishy Creeks but there was no sign of any lodes or quartz veins in the area. Above the entrance of Fishy Creek is the former site of the old May Queen battery and the May Queen shafts are immediately to the south. The mine was worked over two main periods, 1880s and 1910s. In 1886, two shafts were sunk, the main shaft to 13m on a 450mm wide quartz lode. The other shaft is 15m north of it, on a 100mm wide parallel quartz lode. Gold was reported to be associated with blue quartz. A centrifugal quartz mill was erected to treat ~10.2t of ore for a yield of 5.29kg gold. In 1912, the old shaft was cleaned out and deepened to 15.2m. About 3.3t of ore were extracted, but the return of gold is not known. Ball (1912b) reported six shafts (range from 5.4–33m deep) were sunk at May Queen. The Copper shaft was sunk ~100m north of the main shaft and down to 4m. A 0.75m wide ironstone interval which assayed 12.4g/t gold and 11g/t silver was located at the bottom of this shaft. About 0.5km to the south-south-east of May Queen mine, two shafts were sunk in greywacke and quartzite, one of them to at least 12m deep. Gold was intersected in white clay of decomposed dyke(?) rock.

These shafts were filled, but Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd was able to identify the position of the main shaft and four other shafts. In 1997, an opencut ~10m long by 5m wide was excavated to 1.5m deep in gabbro west of the main shaft, but no significant gold mineralisation was exposed.

Burmine Pty Ltd (EPM4106, 1985) reported that rock chip samples in the Brovinia homestead area returned low gold assays. Surface mapping revealed that the May Queen lode consists of narrow, single generation quartz and quartz-epidote veins along the margin of a dioritic intrusive stock. Numerous small pits were sunk to test gold mineralisation at MGA94 (303106E, 713027N; 303106E, 7128887N; 303206E, 7128587N; 303606E, 7128087N). Ground traverse failed to locate the Owen MacDonnell workings, but workings fitting the description of Owen MacDonnell and Bailey lie 1.5km south-east of Brovinia homestead (Figure 12), along the foot of an east-trending sandstone escarpment. On the eastern bank of Peter Creek, a series of shafts and costeans was located. However, no quartz veins were observed in the workings.

Dominion Gold Operations Pty Ltd/Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4576, 1987) mapped the flat-lying sandstones at the “MacDonnell” mine and concluded they post-dated gold mineralisation. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 49

25 54 S 151 00 E 151 05 E 25 58 S

Figure 12: Significant gold occurrences in the Brovinia Provincial Goldfield area GEOLOGY

Gold mineralisation occurs in a Carboniferous inlier of shallow-water marine sedimentary and volcanic rocks, locally intruded by gabbros and fine-grained dykes, and overlain by a unit of flat-lying sandstone (Murdoch, 1990). Burmine Pty Ltd (EPM4106, 1985) and Dominion Gold Operation Pty Ltd (EPM4576, 1987) described the area as one of structural complexity. An air-photo interpretation study showed the gold mines occur at the intersection of major north-east-, north-west- and east-trending lineaments. On the ground, these trends correspond to the lode strike trends, joint patterns and simple fracture patterns in the host rock (Searle, 1989).

MINERALISATION

Area C (MGA94 303706E, 7128587N) 510024

This occurrence lies to the south-east of the May Queen mine, and on a low, rounded, east-trending ridge to the east of Brovinia homestead. The western half of the ridge is intensely clay-altered with veins and masses of botryoidal ironstone. Small prospecting pits were sunk along the length of the ridge in both the altered ironstone and metasediments, and to the east in relatively unaltered metasediments and tuffs. Samples assayed up to 0.07g/t gold and <1g/t silver (Boots, 1988). 50 Lam

Area G (MGA94 301006E, 7127687N) 510084

This occurrence is on the eastern bank of Peter Creek. Seven shafts were sunk on a unit of flat-lying siltstone and shale. All of the shafts terminated in breccia consisting of red micaceous and hematitic matrix with fragments of similar composition and white siltstone. No silicification or quartz-vein was observed. The breccia rock from mullock returned very low gold assays (Bluck, 1985).

Bailey/Bat Cave (MGA94 304508E, 7127689N) 510085

The location of the Bailey mine as described by Jack (1896) and Ball (1912b) is probably erroneous as field checks failed to find the old workings. Ball (1912b) reported a narrow brecciated quartz lode runs along the crest of a low east-trending ridge across the general north trend of the unaltered mudstones, greywackes and tuffs of the country rock. A shaft and an adit were cut, and the lode was mined by stoping.

Old workings fitting Ball’s description of the Bailey mine were located by Dominion Gold Operations Pty Ltd/Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4576, 1987) at 1.4km south-east from the May Queen mine. They were referred to as the Bat Cave. The workings are near the edge of a sandstone escarpment and were sunk on a cataclastic zone with intense shearing, brecciation and silicification, represented by a hard, brecciated, quartz lode with nodular ironstone, and flat-lying colloform quartz and crenulated chalcedony. The shaft is up on the steep talus slope immediately below the escarpment capped by 2–3m thick sandstone. The shaft is 10m deep, and was sunk vertically connecting to the floor of an adit. The adit was driven 26m in older sedimentary rocks, from the north face of the ridge towards the shaft, to follow a shear zone trending at 082° and dipping at 70°N. The adit passes below the shaft at 15m from the portal. The shaft may have extended a little below the floor of the adit, which is covered with detritus. From the adit several metres of stoping were excavated on both sides of the shaft. About 200t of low-grade ore were mined (O’Brien, 1987). Burmine Pty Ltd (EPM4106, 1985) described that the gold is associated with a narrow, linear, brecciated quartz vein as mullock from the Bat Cave adit consists entirely of clay-altered sediments. A sample of the quartz vein assayed 1.45g/t gold (Boots, 1988).

May Queen (MGA94 303562E, 7128754N) 510116

The mine is situated on the southern bank of Brovinia Creek near the junction of Fishy Creek, and is 200m west of the new Brovinia homestead. Old workings were sunk on a dioritic stock that forms a low hill along the eastern bank of Fishy Creek. Other minor workings were sunk on feldspar porphyry dykes that intrude the stock. Jack (1896) reported that two shafts were sunk in 1886; the main shaft was vertical and sunk to 45m on a quartz-calcite vein 150mm wide. Ball (1912b) described one of the larger veins was stoped to the east of the main shaft and credited with 530g gold from 10t ore.

Jack (1896) reported that the lode consists of white clay, white and blue quartz and calcite veins (Figure 13). Gold is mainly in the blue quartz and white clay material. Some of the vein materials are copper stained. The ore averaged <6g/t gold. Ball Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 51

Figure 13: May Queen mine (a) equigranular diorite country rock, (b) quartz-calcite vein in granodiorite, (c) copper/gold bearing quartz-calcite ore, (d) calc-silicate/skarn (1912b) described the mineralised zone as being 750mm wide; three 100–300mm wide quartz veins could be traced over 120m along a NNW strike. Recent field study recorded one of the veins has strike 317.5° and dip 70°WSW.

The mullock dump consists of xenolithic gabbro, andesite porphyry and lamprophyric rocks with quartz and calcite veins. The gabbro appears to be an epizonal, differentiated basic intrusion, which caused recrystallisation at the limestone contact. To the north and west of the workings are hornfelsed greywackes with copper skarns developed in two areas, one ~100m north of the main shaft and the other 300m south-west. A sample of the copper lode with malachite, azurite, pyrite, calcite, red garnet and vesuvianite assayed 6g/t gold, 12g/t silver and 6.0% copper (O’Brien, 1988).

From a ground magnetic survey, Dominion Gold Pty Ltd/Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4576, 1987) delineated a strong series of east-trending magnetic highs and lows cutting across the north-north-west trend of the workings. Their soil sampling results outlined a 300m long anomalous gold zone. Eight trenchs totalling 200m were cut across and perpendicular to the projected lode extension and two costeans were cut parallel to the lode. Costean geology showed that the lode consists of quartz limonitic gossans averaging 0.5m thick in a shear zone which dips 70°WSW. The gossans assayed 0.13–18.3ppm gold.

Eight RC drillholes (BPH 1, 2, 10 to 15) were drilled to test mineralisation at depth. Drilling intersected a 1.6m mineralised zone with an average grade of 11.7g/t gold. Drillhole BPH-1 is near the main shaft and intersected a 1m wide mineralised zone with 149g/t gold; drillhole BPH-15 intersected a 4m wide zone with 53.1g/t gold and a 3m wide zone with 18.9g/t gold (Murdoch, 1990).

MacDonnell /Bracken Valley (MGA94 304767E, 7127944N)

The site of the MacDonnell lode, as described by Jack (1896) and Ball (1912b), lies 1.6km to the north-east of the May Queen mine. However, company exploration failed to locate this mine at the given location. 52 Lam

Jack (1896) and Ball (1912b) described the MacDonnell lode as a fissure vein which trends east-north-east in slate, overlain by a younger bed of sandstone in the Rockhampton Group (formerly Derrarabungy beds). Ball (1912b) reported that a 750mm wide quartz lode was worked. It consists of 100mm of solid quartz, 150mm of quartz with inclusions of country rock, and 500mm of quartz-veined country rock. The ore was extracted from an opencut to 1m deep and over 30m long. A sample of the ferruginous quartz lode assayed 12.2g/t gold, 11.6g/t silver and 6% copper.

In recent times, Burmine Pty Ltd (EPM4106, 1985) and Dominion Gold Pty Ltd (EPM4576, 1987) reported that workings fitting the description of Jack (1896) and Ball (1912b) were located at the correct distance south-east from the May Queen mine. These workings, referred to as the Bracken Valley, are on the northern slope of an east-trending sandstone escarpment 1.5km south-east of Brovinia homestead. Several old shafts were sunk on the slope towards the escarpment. These shafts are aligned along orientations of 71° and 84°. Drives at two shallow levels occur in one of the shafts. An air-photo interpretation study delineated a large shear zone trending through the Bat Cave-Bracken Valley areas, extending to the old gold workings in sedimentary rocks 4km to the east on Brovinia Creek (O’Brien, 1987).

Stubbin (MGA94 304117E, 7128265N) 510177

Ball (1912b) reported that the occurrence is 200m north-west of MacDonnell. A gossanous leader was worked by a shallow pit sunk on silcified, fine-grained, felsic volcanic rock with minor relics of feldspar and quartz (<2 mm wide). The rock has a strong 070°jointing/parting, which dips 80°N.

Unnamed 033286 (MGA94 303446E, 7128825N) 510182

A shallow shaft and an exploration trench orientated 045° were excavated on gabbro but no gold or sulphide minerals were observed in the mullock.

Unnamed 039281 (MGA94 304027E, 7128314N) 510183

Three shallow pits trending 070° were sunk on fine-grained felsic volcanic breccia. No quartz was found in the mullock.

CRACOW GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The mining history of the Cracow goldfield is summarised mainly from the reports by Ball (1931b), Denmead (1931a,b; 1932; 1933c; 1934; 1937; 1938a,b; 1939; 1946), Brooks (1959; 1960; 1963a; 1964a,b; 196; 1969a; 1974), Reid (1931c) and the district Mining Warden reports from 1931–1976 (ARDM). In more recent times Hopwood & Cook (1981), Day & Johnson (1993) and Lam & Jackson (1998) compiled gold production figures for the Golden Plateau mine. A summary of company exploration results from 1957–1996 for the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area has been compiled by Lam (1998). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 53

Table 1: Summary of gold and silver production for the Golden Plateau lode and the Cracow field

MINE/FIELD YEAR GOLD SILVER ORE SOURCE Golden Plateau 1934–1972 17 593.5kg 18 664kg 1 388 913t Brooks (1974) (565 707oz) (600 139oz) (1 367 040 tons) Golden Plateau 1934–1972 17 414kg 18 444kg 1 451 643t Hopwood & NL (559 942oz) (593 054oz) (1 428 782 tons) Cook (1981) Golden Plateau 1934–1976 18 526kg 20 899kg 1 578 347t Hopwood & (595 686oz) (672 003oz) (1 553 491 tons) Cook (1981) Cracow field 1932–1976 19 822kg 21 089kg 1 547 024t Lam & (616 458ozs) Jackson (1998) Cracow field 1985–1993 867kg 1 146 788t Day & (27 866oz) (1 128 728 tons) Johnson tailings (1993) Cracow field 1985–1993 6567kg 1 391 673t Day & (211 142oz) (1 369 757 tons) Johnson (1993)

Gold was discovered in the Cracow district in 1875 and again in the late 1920s, but no mining was recorded. The Golden Mile Lode was discovered in 1931 and the Golden Plateau Lode in 1932. The development progress of the Cracow goldfield was reported by the Mining Warden of the District (ARDM, 1932–1976). Brooks (1974) reported on several surface diamond drilling programs by the Queensland Department of Mines during the 1960–1971 period to delineate ore grades and lode extension of the Golden Plateau Lode.

The majority of gold and silver production in the Cracow goldfield came from the Golden Plateau mine. The mine was worked continuously for >40 years from 1934 and is one of the leading gold mines in Queensland. Because of the low gold price (~US$150/oz) at the time and diminishing gold grades (~5g/t gold), the mine ceased operation about 1976. In 1985 gold price rose to ~US$400/oz and the mine was reopened; mining continued to 1993.

Total production for the Golden Plateau mine and the Cracow gold and mineral field was summarised by Brooks (1974), Hopwood & Cook (1981), Day & Johnson (1993) and Lam & Jackson (1998). Although there is some discrepancy in the gold and silver figures quoted by various authors, the magnitude of the figures lies within the limits reflected by the richness of the field (Table 1).

The Cracow gold and mineral field was proclaimed in 1934, over an area of 11.7km2. Two years later the field boundary expanded to cover an area of 34.5km2 because of further gold discovery by Lambert, Ryan and Reynolds at the Surprise deposit on Cracow station. The field extended 10km from south of the Cracow township, north to Mount Irving. Numerous companies and syndicates were formed to explore the Cracow field (Table 2, Figure 14, Map 2). 54 Lam

Table 2: Company gold mining lease holdings

COMPANY LEASE/MINE Golden Plateau NL It’s It, Shamrock and Tally Cracow North Gold Mining Syndicate Sunrise Dawn of Cracow NL Dawn Golden Hill (Cracow) NL Golden Rody Cracow Northern Gold Mines NL Rose’s Pride, Blue Bell, Rocky Glen, and Meteor Golden Junction (Cracow) NL Kehl’s Hope, Venture, Adelaide, Cooie, and Southern Cross White Hope Central (Cracow) NL Golden West, Golden North and Adventure White Hope South (Cracow) NL Golconda, Aileron, and Aileron No. 2 Cracow Development Ltd and Hamilton’s Folly, Mooleh, Black Cat, Golden Rowe, Hamilton’s Joy Pty Ltd Golden King and Hamilton’s Joy Roma North Oil NL Accumulation and Golconda

25 13 S 150 21 E 150 14 E 25 19 S

Figure 14: Gold occurrences in the Cracow Goldfield area Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 55

Significant gold production occurred from 1934–1942 at an average of 750kg gold per year. Most of the gold and silver production came from the Golden Plateau mine. This mine produced >95% of the total gold and silver of the field. Other major mines were the Rose’s Pride, Dawn, Golden Mile and Klondyke. They were mined from the early 1930s to 1940s; the Klondyke continued to the 1950s and Golden Plateau to 1976.

Most of the small mines were worked under financial subsidies from the Government. A Ross and Huntingdon mill was installed on the field to help the small mines. The Hawkwood mill was removed to the Klondyke mine at Orange Creek and early in 1936 commenced crushing ore from Klondyke, Golden West and other small mines. During 1938, ores from the Golden West, Revival, Golden Gate, Royal Standard, Klondyke, Lambert’s Surprise, Golden Mile, Accumulation, Dawn, and Rainbow mines kept it going continuously. However, many small mines ceased operation due to shortage of labourers during the war years. As well, most of the lodes close to the surface were mined out.

The most common mining method employed was shrinkage stoping, whereas sub-level benching was practised where oreshoot widths exceeded 6m; inclined cut-and-fill methods were adopted whenever ground support was poor.

The ore was milled on site and the gold, which was extracted by cyanidation, smelted and poured into ingots at the mine. The gold bullion ranged from -300 to +500 fineness (Brooks, 1965). The mine bullion was sold to an authorised gold refiner who operated in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Australia. The latter released the gold for sale on the open market through the Gold Producers’Association.

The Golden Plateau mine was worked continuously for >40 years and declared a regular annual dividend of 43% on its original capital during its early mining history. From 1934 to 1962 several major ore bodies were discovered underground in the Golden Plateau mine. These were the North Lode and No. 3 ore shoot (1934), Roma North shear lode (1936) E4B shoot (1948), Hanging Wall ore shoot (1955), South Lode (l956), N.S.8 Lode and N.S.12 Lode (1962). Several surface diamond-drilling programs by the former Queensland Department of Mines were conducted throughout the Cracow goldfield during the period 1960–1971 (Brooks, 1963a, 1964a,b, 1974). Early in 1962, a core intersection of 6.48m averaging 23g/t gold was obtained at a depth of 130.88m in the Golden Plateau mine. Discovery of this non-outcropping ore shoot prolonged the working life of the mine.

During the 1960–1971 period the former Queensland Department of Mines under a joint agreement with the Golden Plateau NL (EPM224) conducted surface diamond drilling of 83 coreholes totalling 13 104.88m throughout the Cracow goldfield. In addition, two subsidised drillholes were drilled in the Golden Plateau mine. Most of the drillings were on the Golden Plateau mine leases, but the Golden West, Golden Mile, Rose’s Pride, Klondyke, Dawn, Rainbow, and Orange Creek lodes were also drilled (Brooks, 1963a). However, the lack of exploration success in locating further lode extensions at the Golden Plateau and a shortage of funding to modernise the mine mill infrastructure in the 1970s forced the mine to close in 1976. 56 Lam

Company exploration in the area commenced in the late 1970s. Assumpsit No 12 Pty Ltd was granted EPM2211 on 1/10/1979 and in June 1982, Sedimentary Uranium NL, Assumpsit No 12 Pty Ltd and Australian Occidental Pty Ltd in a joint venture agreement conducted auger drilling to assess the potential ore reserves of the Golden Plateau mine tailings dumps. Results indicated 1.25Mt at an average grade of 1.05g/t gold and 4.48g/t silver. In 1984 Cracow Gold Ltd set up a carbon-in-pulp plant to retreat the old Golden Plateau tailings at a rate of 300 000t/year. Sedimentary Holdings Ltd. (formerly Sedimentary Uranium NL) and Cracow Gold NL continued drilling and proved up an open pit reserve above the old Golden Plateau mine. In March 1987 an agreement with Costain Australia Ltd was operated under the auspices of the Cracow Mining Venture. Upgrading of the mill was undertaken and tailings treatment was terminated. Hard rock mining commenced from the newly established open cut. Total production to 1993 is estimated to be 7.5t gold from 2.5Mt of ore. This included treatment of >1Mt of tailings for 867kg gold at an average grade of 1.2g/t gold.

Open cut mining above the underground Golden Plateau workings continued until 1992 and produced 1 028 946t of ore at an average grade of 4.38g/t gold. The mine was set up to process ~300 000t of ore per annum with an anticipated production of 1285kg (40 000oz) of gold per annum. Open cut mining was also established at the Central Extended (183 720t with 5.62g/t gold), Golden Mile (44 462t with 4.8g/t gold) and on the Bradshaws (18 198t with 4.94g/t gold). In the latter phase of the mining operations, the NS 12 ore shoot was developed as an underground operation and this, together with stripping of remnant ore-shoots, produced 118 791t with a grade of 6.85g/t gold. The Golden Plateau mine, as of December 1993, is under care and maintenance whilst joint venture partners are sought to undertake further regional exploration.

Intense exploration was also conducted by Costain Securities Pty Ltd/Sedgold Pty Ltd/Cracow Gold Ltd (EPM6995, EPM1990; EPM7701, EPM7751, EPM8366 and EPM8380, EPM1991) to the west of the Golden Plateau mine. Drilling was carried out at the Dawn, Excelsior Extended (Golden Mile), Gold Top, Golden Plateau West, Klondyke/Royal Standard, Golden West, Orange Creek, Revival and Rose Pride. They reported an estimated resource of 50 000t with 3.76g/t gold for the Klondyke-Royal Standard lode. In 1994 Sedimentary Holdings Ltd/Newcrest Mining Ltd (EPM9103, EPM8726 and EPM9528) carried out a comprehensive review of all past exploration results and concluded that outlying prospects to the west, east and south of the Golden Plateau mine have potential for further exploration. Geological mapping and surface geochemical sampling conducted over the Cracow goldfield indicated a broad area (20km2) of sericite-quartz-pyrite alteration to the immediate east and south of the Golden Plateau mine. A program of helimagnetics and surface geochemical sampling showed the quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration to be anomalous in Mo-Bi-Au and spatially related to intrusive rocks, which outcrop to the south-east of the Cracow goldfield. The alteration was interpreted as a high temperature porphyry style.

A program of wide-spaced, shallow, reverse circulation drilling was undertaken. Persistent drilling of the Klondyke lode led to the discovery of the Royal Shoot which the joint venture partners announced in July 2000 an inferred resource of 1.1Mt grading at 11g/t gold and 9.5g/t silver. Two mining leases were applied for to Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 57 further explore this underground resource. On the basis of feasibility studies completed in 2001 and 2002, the Cracow Gold Project has the potential to produce more than one million ounces of gold over an initial 7 year mine life. Underground mining is being carried out from a decline access. First gold production occurred in the December quarter of 2004 with the expected ramp up of production after one year to 300,000tpa at grades of 11–14g/t gold to produce up to 120 000ozs of gold and >60 000ozs of silver per annum. Metallurgical recoveries are estimated in the range 90–94% (http://www.sedimentary.com.au, 16/4/04).

Ashton Mining Pty Ltd (EPM3800, 1984) in a joint venture agreement with AIH Gold Pty Ltd appointed BP Minerals Australia Ltd to explore for epithermal-mesothermal gold/silver mineralisation in the Permian calc-alkaline volcanic rocks of the Camboon Volcanics. Airphoto and Landsat interpretation studies identified a circular feature with magnetic low intensity to the east of Theodore (north of Cracow). BP Australia Gold Pty Ltd/Australian Gold Resources Ltd (EPM3999, 1985) continued to explore over the margin of this circular feature.

Pegasus Gold Pacific Incorporation and Zapopan NL in a joint venture agreement in 1993 carried out an interpretation study of regional aeromagnetic, radiometric and Landsat images. Three structural domains were defined in the region; the Fairyland Domain, the Cracow Domain and the Bald Mountain Domain.

GEOLOGY

In the Cracow area, the Camboon Volcanics have a regional NNW strike and shallow westerly dip, and form the eastern margin of the Bowen Basin. The andesites are unconformably underlain by the Late Carboniferous age Torsdale Volcanics, which crop out to the east, and are unconformably to disconformably ovelain by the Upper Permian Back Creek Group which crops out to the west. Outliers of Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone locally unconformably overlie the Camboon Volcanics in the Golden Plateau mine area.

Large granitic intrusions of Late Carboniferous age are exposed east of the Cracow goldfield. Small plugs of gabbro and granodiorite and rhyolite dykes of the Upper Permian to Triassic intrude the Camboon Volcanics in the Cracow area.

The Camboon Volcanics consist of andesitic and basaltic lavas, with some agglomerate and tuff, and some interbedded trachytic volcanic rocks. The andesitic lavas are porphyritic, with phenocrysts of plagioclase feldspar and minor augite. Worsley (1995) has subdivided the Camboon Volcanics into two units. Unit 1 is an andesitic suite of lavas, whereas Unit 2 is an acidic assemblage ranging from andesite to rhyodacite. The majority of gold deposits in the Cracow goldfield occur in Unit 1 or at the faulted contact of Unit 1 and 2. In Unit 1 the lode types include quartz breccias, quartz stockworks, quartz-calcite, quartz-zeolite and clay-rich zones. The quartz breccias and stockworks may attain thicknesses of up to 50m. Where lodes occur within Unit 2, they are often much thinner and consist of tight, quartz vein lodes which generally parallel the directions of the major lode zones of Unit 1. The lodes within Unit 1 and 2 appear to occur preferentially in the massive lava units rather than the tuffaceous units. 58 Lam

Rhyolite dykes are common in the eastern part of the Golden Plateau mine where they have a spatial association with numerous ore-shoots. Brooks (1974) suggested they are genetically related to the gold mineralisation whilst Pless (1966, 1970) believed they were developed as a post-mineralisation event. Brooks (1959) reported that the rhyolite dykes range in width up to 25m and, average ~5m. The general strike and dip is east-north-east and vertical. However, Denmead (1931a,b) commented that the rhyolites strike north-westerly and dip 10°SW. The dykes have a porphyritic texture and contain abundant quartz and subordinate feldspar phenocrysts in a fine-grained, pink groundmass. The rhyolite is commonly veined and partly replaced by quartz lode along the margins.

MINERALISATION

Gold deposits occur within a north-westerly-trending belt, 5.5km long and 0.5km wide. The Golden Plateau lode zone is centrally situated in the belt and forms a sinuous east-west link between the north-north-westerly striking White Hope and Golden Mile lode zones. The Golden Plateau lode zone is separated from the White Hope lode system on the west by the NS 12 Fault, and from the Golden Mile lode zone on the east by the Golconda Fault. The Golden Plateau lode zone is also faulted on the south by the South Wall Fault (Denmead, 1946; Brooks, 1974). Worsley (1995) described the deposit as an adularia-sericite epithermal precious metal deposit. The lodes consist of quartz breccias, quartz stockworks and silicified andesites, up to 50m thick that form an east-west link between two large NW–SE trending shear structures.

Brooks (1965) postulated that the White Hope lode, Golden Plateau lode and the Golden Mile lode zones were originally a continuous quartz rich zone and the lode zones were displaced by a single major fault along an axis of sinistral rotation (Figure 15). The development of the major structures was in response to stress created by the transfer of magma from an underlying reservoir to the surface. Day & Johnson (1993) regarded the control on the regional distribution of mineralisation as linked to a circular structure (probably a caldera system) centred on the Golden Plateau mine.

The majority of the Cracow lodes were deposited under conditions of tension. Smaller lodes are subparallel to the main lode, and have all the characteristics of the main lode. The breccia lode has produced large ore tonnages, whereas the fissure lode tends to be weakly mineralised. The general physical characteristics of the quartz lodes have been described by Denmead (1946), Brooks (1974), Ransom & Knight (1975), and Hopwood & Cook (1981). Characteristic stages involving brecciation and silicification within the lodes have been illustrated by Worsley & Johns (1986) and Dong (1993).

Ransom & Knight (1975) recognised two classes of orebodies in the Golden Plateau mine area: the Golden Plateau style and the Roma North style. The Golden Plateau orebodies are quartz-filled breccias and stockworks generally with a structurally controlled hanging wall and a grade-controlled footwall. Massive quartz breccia showing multiple phases of brecciation and silicification and quartz stockworks (Figure 16) generally with an east-west orientation occurs at the contact of the rhyolite and andesite, and is hosted almost entirely within andesite. Hopwood & Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 59

Figure 15: Cracow gold lodes system (http://www.sedimentary.com.au/Cracow.html)

Figure 16: Golden Plateau mine, Cracow (a) andesite breccia with multiple fracture-filled stockwork epithermal vein comprising laumontite (orange) and quartz/calcite/adularia (white), (b) progressive rim-silicification of andesite clasts and remnants of grey-white fragments (photo by F von Gnielinski 1997 near level 5L in the Bradshaw open pit) 60 Lam

Cook (1981) described the Golden Plateau ore as net-vein fracturing in andesite. During silicification of net-vein fractures and alteration of the andesite clasts, a series of reaction rims were developed about partly incorporated or silicified andesitic fragments included within the breccia. Progressive rim-silicification of the clasts produced ghosted grey-white cherty fragments in the siliceous matrix. Internally the net-vein fracture void fillings are crustified with zones of quartz-carbonate and zeolite filled veins. Microcrystalline quartz is the predominant gangue mineral. Denmead (1931a,b) reported the quartz is chalcedonic and pyritic, with minor iron-stained, fine-grained gold.

The Roma North orebodies are fissure veins, gash-like and quite broad with fault or joint control to both hanging and footwall contacts. Multiple brecciations occur locally where the lodes are associated with faults. The lodes consist of colloform quartz, adularia and sulphides (sphalerite, chalcopyrite and rare pyrite) and calcite. Large crystalline calcite is the dominant gangue mineral in several of the lodes west of Cracow, such as the Rose’s Pride and the Klondyke lodes. It also occurs sparingly in the siliceous breccias of the Golden Plateau mine. High gold values have been found in the dark wavy or concentric laminations (colloform banding) in the multi-phase vein quartz, particularly when streaky chlorite is associated with the banding in the chalcedonic sectors. The Roma North ore-shoots consist of a series of thin veins or a single vein that strike subparallel to the main Golden Plateau lodes, and generally dip steeply towards west, and with opposite dip, to the main lode.

In the Golden Plateau mine, native gold occurs in the siliceous gangue mainly as a gold-silver alloy. The hessite (silver telluride) has contributed substantial amounts of silver to mine production. The gold is very fine-grained, and rarely visible in hand specimens, even when the ore is rich. Clusters of finely granular ‘mustard’ gold, and rare coarse-grained gold occur along ‘streaky’ quartz/chlorite laminae. The gold in the oxidised ore has been described as ‘paint’ or ‘mustard’ gold. Some crystalline gold (in the form of tiny rosettes) encrusts joint/fracture surfaces in the gangue.

Gold as electrum is associated predominantly with sulphides and occurs as native gold, often associated with adularia. Brooks (1974) reported that gold is closely associated with sphalerite and chalcopyrite, and with carbonate/K-feldspar. However, gold is also associated with galena at the contact with large quartz crystals and minute cryptocrystalline quartz together with calcite and K-feldspar. Gold also occurs within quartz veins in andesite outside the main siliceous lodes.

Three telluride minerals have been identified (by microprobe analysis) in the Golden Plateau lodes: hessite (Ag2Te), petzite (Ag3AuTe2) and altaite (PbTe). Hessite is common throughout the orebodies whilst petzite and altaite are relatively rare. Native tellurium occurs as very rare grains. Hessite occurs frequently as individual grains whilst petzite and altaite may occur likewise but they often occur together or as part of composite grains with minerals including sphalerite, hessite, electrum, chalcopyritc, pyrite and galena within a quartz gangue (Worsley, 1995).

Base metal sulphides and pyrite generally form <<1% of the lodes, and occur as discrete single-mineral grains or as composite grains of two or more sulphides with local electrum, telluride, and hessite. In rare strongly localised zones, sulphides constitute up to 30% of the lode, and are sphalerite or chalcopyrite dominant. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 61

Sphalerite is the most abundant base metal sulphide. Pyrite appears to be the earliest sulphide mineral, and occurs as irregular infill or as anhedral to euhedral grains in quartz zones. Chalcopyrite forms either discrete grains or as a replacement for earlier formed sphalerite. Galena appears to be cogenetic with chalcopyrite but is considerably less common than either sphalerite or chalcopyrite. Argentite is also present but its relationship to the other sulphides is not clear. Covellite and chalcocite replace or partially replace chalcopyrite locally (McDonald, 1965a,b).

Many of the lodes and veins contain interstitial zeolite-family minerals, mainly laumontite and minor stilbite. The minerals usually occur in the siliceous veins as lath-like, euhedral crystals interposed between the comb-structured crystalline quartz, as discrete (but irregular) internal stringers, and as selvedges about altered trachyandesite-trachyte clasts in the breccias. Well-formed crystals occur in the drusy cavities.

Worsely (1995) has subdivided the Cracow lodes into nine categories based on the gangue mineralogy. These are:

1. Quartz breccia lodes in which adularia and sericite predominate in ore zones and show strong structural control e.g. Golden Plateau (including NS.12 lode, NS.8 lode, North Lode, South Lode, Central Extended, Golden West)

2. Coarse-grained calcite-quartz lodes e.g. Rose’s Pride (includes Rocky Glen, Blue Bell), Klondyke, Standard, Walhalla

3. Quartz breccias with significant base metal sulphides e.g. Dawn, Golden Mile (includes Warrego, Normanby, South Arm, Surprise, West Lode)

4. Massive quartz breccia lodes e.g. Golden Mile lode, White Hope lode, Black Cat lode

5. Quartz-zeolite ± calcite lodes e.g. Fordee, Rainbow, Sunshine

6. Quartz vein lodes e.g. Ferneyside

7. Clay seams e.g. Spec

8. Quartz, adularia, base metal sulphides ± pyrite, ± calcite, ± zeolite veins, with no apparent structural control e.g. Bradshaws, Golconda

9. Kaolinite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, quartz, pyrite e.g. Revival, Golden Ridge

Golden Plateau Lode Zone

The Golden Plateau lode zone is an east–west trending zone of anastomosing quartz-rich breccias, veins, stockworks and silicified andesites with a strike length of ~800m, a width of up to 50m and a depth extent of at least 350m. The western end of the lode zone is cut by the Golconda Fault, which separates it from the NNW trending White Hope Lode zone, whilst the eastern end of the Golden Plateau Lode zone is truncated by the NS.12 Fault separating it from the Golden Mile Lode zone. 62 Lam

East of the NS.12 Fault, the Golden Plateau lode zone continues as a quartz breccia lode and there are tentative ‘horse-tail’ connections between this extension and the NNW striking Golden Mile lode to the south-east (Worsley, 1995).

Brooks (1965) also recognised the lode as consisting of highly silicified (ghosted) andesites in which most of the original textures have been obliterated. In vertical cross-section, quartz breccias tend to make up the central part of the lode system whilst at depth there tends to be a change to narrow quartz veins. Wide zones of stockworks and veins occur above the massive breccias in the upper parts of the lode system characterised by bands of minute to medium crystalline and moss adularia. Lodes have greater thickness towards the surface, and narrow considerably with depth. The greatest thickness of lode, including massive breccias and quartz-veined andesites, occur in the western section of the Golden Plateau mine where the east–west lode swings towards the south-west. The central part of the Golden Plateau lode tends to be thinner (minimum of ±1m) whereas at the eastern end, thickening occurs at the contact of the North lode and the main Golden Plateau lodes. Subsidiary thin, subparallel lodes form horsetail features to the north-east that coalesce at the NS.12 Fault.

The ore-shoots of the Golden Plateau lode generally occur as steeply dipping bodies of quartz. The exception to this is the gently dipping ‘flatmake lodes’. The ore-shoots have been classified into two types: 1. Golden Plateau type and 2. Roma North type (Ransom & Knight, 1975). The Golden Plateau type ore-shoots generally have high gold content towards the hanging wall, whereas the gold content of the Roma North type ore-shoots is independent of the hanging wall or footwall of the ore-body.

Over the years the mine was worked by seven underground levels, connecting with the Roma North lode to the west and the Sunrise lode to the north-east. The main shaft was sunk to 30m in 1934 and extended to 100m in 1936, to 200m in 1940 and reached 250m in 1960. Most of the production up to 1942 came from the No.1 and No.3 ore-shoots, which were opencut to the 190m level, and below this by underground mining. Production and reserves declined in the 1940s, due mainly to lack of exploration and underground development. Underground diamond drilling at the Nos.3, 4, and 5 levels commenced in the 1940s but failed to intersect any significant ore reserves. Gold production continued to decline from 1944–1951 due mainly to diminishing ore grades, low gold price and shortage of miners. In the 1950s, development of the North lode and the rise in gold price helped the mine to increase gold output. The NS.8 ore-body, discovered in 1962, produced ~136 000t of ore containing 10g/t gold.

Some of the old mining leases worked in the Golden Plateau Lode zone include It’s It, Shamrock, Golden Stone, Sunbeam, Golden Phoenix, Sunrise, Southern Cross, Tally, Aside, Outsider, She’s Right and Golden Gate.

Golden Mile Lode Zone

The Golden Mile lode zone is a bifurcating quartz-breccia lode, forming two main north-west zones, up to 12m wide. The quartz-breccia lodes are hosted in carbonate-altered and chloritised, andesitic volcanic rocks. The zone has extensive Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 63 potassic feldspar alteration and the quartz-breccia lodes appear to have post-dated the potassic feldspar alteration.

The Golden Mile (Warrego) pit is situated at the intersection of the Black Cat lode and the Golden Mile lode zone. There are two main ore lenses within the pit. The No.1 ore-body in the north-west of the pit strikes at 150° and is confined to the margin of a dacite dyke. The Nos.2A and 2B orebodies in the south-east of the pit strike at 132°.

Denmead (1933c) concluded that the No.1 lode has all the characteristics of a shear lode with veins of white, drusy quartz crosscutting dark massive quartz, whereas in the No.2A lode brecciated dark grey quartz is cemented with white drusy quartz. The lodes decrease in silica content and gold content with depth. The quartz or quartz-calcite-stilbite veins, and quartz blows generally grade at shallow depth into altered pyritised andesite with veins of quartz, calcite and rare stilbite. Gold has been found both in native form and associated with pyrite in quartz. It is also found in earthy hematite and limonite lode on ground level.

Some of the old mining leases worked the Golden Mile Lode zone include the South Arm, Carpentaria, Battler, Warrego, Normanby, Surprise, Hopeful, Independent and Cracow North in the west and the Excelsior, Cooie, Adelaide, Kehl’s Hope, Hamilton’s Joy, Golden King and Black Cat areas to the east.

White Hope Lode Zone

The White Hope lode zone extends over 2km along a north-west strike (~345°), and cuts andesite lavas, tuffs, agglomerates and shales, and massive fine-textured slates, which dip westerly at ~40°. The lode can be traced as a series of discontinuous lenses of white quartz in a breccia zone up to 30m wide that extends from the Roma North workings in the south to the Adventure workings and beyond for a further 1km in the north. Lodes are commonly associated with rhyolite dykes. There is a close association between steeply plunging high-grade mineralisation, and the intrusion of rhyolite dykes, and near the widest parts of dykes. Generally the eastern part of the lode is a zone of massive quartz whereas on the west it is represented by a stockwork of small quartz veins in a kaolinised country rock (Denmead, 1933c).

The area of intersection with the Golconda Fault is structurally complex. The quartz-breccia vein is hosted in extensively altered andesitic volcanic rocks (Voisey, 1980). The northern side of the White Hope quartz-breccia is almost barren, consisting of strongly net-vein fractured white quartz, with little silicification or hematite alteration.

Some of the old mining leases that worked the Golden Mile Lode zone include Tunnel, Aileron, Accumulation, Golconda, Gold Top, Golden Wattle, Cabulcha Enterprise, Golden Rody, and Adventure. In the 1990s, the lode was mined by open cut as the Central Extended Pit. 64 Lam

Accumulation (MGA94 226606E, 7201587N) 506711

The Accumulation has one of the largest underground workings along the White Hope Lode. An adit was driven west into the White Hope Lode system and intersected a north-north-west trending lode. Most of the lode consists of hard quartz veins in andesite. The lode is generally ~0.3m wide and the quartz carries gold grades up to 405g/t. Past mining included shafts sinking to 30m with drives at various levels. In 1935, an underground level was cut, connecting the workings of the Accumulation and Golconda. Total production from 1933–1942 is 115kg gold and 51kg silver from 4725t of ore.

Adelaide (MGA94 228406E, 7200787N) 506720

The lease is on the junction of the Golden Mile Lode and Golden Plateau Lode systems. Initial prospecting work included some trenching near the western boundary of the lease, and a shaft was sunk on a lode to a depth of 10.5m on a dip of 80° westerly. The shaft was extended to 24m in quartz and a drive south was put in, but the gold grades were low. In 1934, another shaft was sunk to 15m and a crosscut was driven towards the east.

Adrians Knob (MGA94 225206E, 7199487N) 506472

Adrians Knob is ~1km south of the Golden Plateau mine. The outcrop appears to represent a small northerly trending pipe-like zone of silica-pyrite alteration developed at the intersection of a north-north-west-trending silica and pyrite alteration zone in andesite (Johnston, 1992). A soil sampling survey was carried out but no sample returned anomalous gold assays. Two RC drillholes were drilled and also failed to intersect any economical significant gold mineralisation at depth. A maximum of 0.09g/t gold was detected in the cuttings (Summons, 1995a).

Adventure (MGA94 226506E, 7201487N) 506712

The lease is ~1.2km north-west of the Golden Plateau lease, and was applied for over a northern extension of the White Hope Lode system. Over the years, a large amount of underground prospecting work was carried out but no gold production was recorded. In 1932, ~900m of trenches were cut to expose the lode and the adit at the 60m level was advanced from 2.4m to 99m in andesite, then 12m to 111m in quartz assaying 4.5g/t gold. An airshaft was sunk on the lode to 29m and connected with a rise from the adit. A drillhole at 6m intersected 2m of ore carrying 11g/t gold. A level south was driven 15m in quartz containing up to 3.75g/t gold. A winze from the adit was sunk 3.5m in quartz, averaging 6g/t gold. In the early part of 1934, the winze at the 60m level was deepened to 9m in quartz assayed 4.5–6g/t gold.

Aileron (MGA94 227106E, 7200587N) 506705

This lease adjoined the Accumulation on the south. Exploration trenches expose a lode consisting of kaolinised andesite and quartz with limonite and hematite over a 45m wide zone. An adit was driven 52m east into the White Hope Lode system, and a drive from the adit following the footwall of the lode was put in for 204m and intersected ore averaging 1.5g/t gold. No individual gold production was reported Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 65 from this lease. The lode appears to be part of the White Hope Lode. Denmead (1933c) described the lode as consisting of solid quartz, with a stockwork of quartz and kaolinised volcanic rock.

The lease area appears to extend over the Roma North mine. The lodes are narrow steeply dipping fissure fill type, with multiple banding of quartz, adularia and sulphides. Galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite have been found in the Roma North mine. The sulphide minerals usually occur together as small veins or segregation in quartz.

Battler (MGA94 228706E, 7199887N) 506722

The lease was explored by shafts sunk to 16m. A short drive and crosscut were driven west and intersected a low-grade lode. No production was recorded. Old workings appear to have been sunk on the western side of the Golden Mile Lode zone.

Big Gun (MGA94 229925E, 7197846N) 506359

The Big Gun workings are ~2km east-south-east of Cracow. They consist of a series of shafts, open cuts and prospecting trenches developed within quartz-breccia lodes in carbonate-altered and chloritised andesitic volcanic rocks. The andesites have strong K-feldspar and epidote alteration (Hopwood & Cook, 1981).

Cracow Gold Ltd reported that a zone of strong silicification and veining was sampled in a trench and samples assayed up to 7.78g/t gold. The zone is at least 4m wide and consists of abundant randomly oriented quartz veins up to 200mm wide. The apparent trend of the structure is northerly (Johnston, 1992).

Recent mapping indicated that the old workings appear to have been sunk on a strongly silicified zone at the intersection of two shear/fault zones that trend east and north-west. The mineralised zones extend over 50m in the andesite breccia, in which the quartz veins have been identified as containing ‘ghosting’ of pyrite-rich andesite clasts. Past records indicated galena and magnesite present at this occurrence, and Denmead (1937) observed a 200mm wide magnesite vein on the hanging wall of the lode. A sample assayed 1.3% insoluble SiO2, 0.1% CaO, 43.1% MgO, 49.5% LOI (loss on ignition).

Black Cat/Hamilton (MGA94 228906E, 7199687N) 507431

In the 1990s, the Black Cat/Hamilton area was mined as the Warrego open pit. Past record indicated the lode was located at the southern end of the Golden Mile Lode, and appears to be a splay zone subparallel to the South Arm lode. The Black Cat-Hamilton lode trended NW–SE, and consisted of 3–5 veined zones over a width of ~50m. Old workings on the Black Cat-Hamilton lode included several shallow diggings on veins, and one small open cut. The vein zone was traceable to the south-east for ~500m. Beyond this point the lode was covered by alluvium.

Recent exploration included 40 rock chip samples, and 10 of the samples assayed >1.0g/t gold, of which five were > 3.0g/t gold, the highest assay being 92.0g/t gold. 66 Lam

RAB drillholes were drilled on two east–west lines on the projected central and southern extension of the Black Cat-Hamilton lode. The holes were drilled at 10m intervals to a maximum depth of 24m, although most were from 5–15m deep. None of the drillholes intersected >1.0g/t gold; however, 35 of the drillholes had >0.03g/t gold, and six were >0.1g/t gold, with the highest being 0.83g/t gold (Summons, 1995a).

Blue Bell (MGA94 224106E, 7203087N) 506365

The Blue Bell lode appears to be the northern extension of the Rose’s Pride lode. Past mining was by shaft sunk to 33m deep and stoping from the 15.5m level with a drive >47m long. The lode has a northerly strike and a near vertical dip. It is calcite-rich, and in some sections is composed entirely of large crystalline form. On ground level, outcrop consists of chalcedonic quartz, earthy lime, and calcite, and decomposed volcanic rocks. The lode matter often has a brecciated appearance, is light and porous, and is impregnated by green copper carbonate. The average width of the lode is 3.5m. Johnston (1992) reported that ~450t ore with an average grade of 13.1g/t gold was raised in 1941. Brooks (1974) reported that DH NS35 drilled beneath the Blue Bell workings intersected narrow mineralised zone. Drilling results gave a potential reserve of 172 000t of ore with a grade of 7g/t gold and 6g/t silver.

Botany Ridge (MGA94 230241E, 7200674N) 506483

The Botany Ridge prospect is located ~3km east of the Golden Plateau mine, where a 20–30m wide silicified zone trends 010° across a ridge. A large area of quartz-clay alteration bounds the silicified zone on the west. To the east, the argillic alteration forms a sharp contact zone with propylitic-altered andesite (Summons, 1995a).

BP Minerals (Australia) Ltd collected 12 rock chip samples from the silicified zone and assayed up to 0.69ppm gold and some anomalous lead and molybdenum values. The silicified ridge shows up as an IP anomaly. Three reverse circulation drillholes (totalling 189m) were drilled to test the alteration and IP anomaly, and cuttings assayed up to 0.12ppm gold. Elevated base metals were present in some drillholes, but there was no record of anomalous silver, arsenic or antimony (Walker, 1987).

The old workings consist of a series of shallow pits trending 330° along a shear zone over a width of 50m in andesite breccia. The breccia contains angular to subangular closely packed clasts up to 50mm in size and crustiform quartz veinlets. The lode outcrop is ferruginous and gossanous, and appears to be closely associated with a felsic dyke intruded along the shear zone.

Boughyard (MGA94 231906E, 7206387N) 506479

The Boughyard prospect is 8km north-east of the Golden Plateau mine. It was outlined from rock chip sampling which returned up to 0.22ppm gold, 4.0ppm silver, 49ppm antimony, 305ppm arsenic, 166ppm copper, 2756ppm zinc, and 950ppm lead. The vast majority of the samples were in the range of <0.01–0.02ppm gold. The prospect consists of a large area of strong silicification and milky to crystalline quartz stockworks in acid to intermediate volcanic rock. A strongly altered circular Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 67 breccia zone ~200m in diameter is present along a prominent ridge. This circular breccia zone appears to occur at the projected intersection of two quartz-clay alteration zones (Walker, 1987). The breccia stands up as part of a rugged knob of silicified, medium-grained volcanic rocks, with subangular to rounded fragments commonly <20mm in size and minor quartz veins set in a matrix of iron pisolites and goethitic clays. The iron rich clay material contains local white to grey clay seams with grey alteration selvages. These breccia zones apparently have formed from hydrothermal eruption. The alteration assemblage of quartz-dickite-kaolinite indicating the sinter and acid sulphate cap had been removed, suggesting the boiling zone and main gold deposition might be close to the present erosion surface (Summons, 1995a). Two RC drillholes (141m and 87m) tested the north-west and south-east margins of the central breccia zone. Both holes intersected strongly silicified volcanic rock with 2–5% fine-grained pyrite, but very minor quartz veining. Cuttings assayed up to 0.10ppm gold, 6.0ppm silver, 48ppm antimony, 303ppm arsenic, 430ppm copper, 1304ppm zinc, and 642ppm lead.

Boughyard East (MGA94 233882E, 7205724N) 506480

The Boughyard East prospect consists of a large zone of quartz veining and alteration within a photo-interpreted north-north-east regional fault structure on a low ridge of silicified and veined felsic volcanic rocks. The majority of host rocks appear to be medium-grained granite along the eastern half of the ridge, intermediate volcanic rock along the western side, and fine- to medium-grained aplites on the central part of the ridge. Argillic/phyllic and silicification alteration is present in the veined zones, whereas lesser veined zones have propylitic alteration. The stronger alteration and veining occurs in zones of brecciation and shearing within the granitic and volcanic host rocks (Summons, 1995a).

The veins comprise fine- to medium-grained saccharoidal quartz with only minor limonite boxworks near vein selvages. The veining and alteration zone has been traced over 2.5km and is 200–500m wide. Rock chip samples from this ridge returned no detectable gold assay and soil samples only detected very low gold assays (Lowe, 1990a,b).

A shaft centred at (MGA94 233882E, 7205724N) was sunk in the middle of creek drainage at the southern end of the ridge. No altered outcrop is present immediately around this shaft, apart from weakly silicified andesite in the creek 30m to the south of the shaft. Mullock from the shaft is weakly pyritic and consists dominantly of quartz vein material, with minor pieces of rhyolite. ACM Gold Limited obtained anomalous gold assays of 2.44, 0.98 and 2.30g/t (averaging 1.91g/t gold) from rock chip samples in the shaft. Base metals and silver assays from the same samples averaging 342ppm copper, 520ppm lead, 429ppm zinc, and 9.7ppm silver (Lowe, 1990a,b).

The discrepancy between this highly anomalous sample from the prospect shaft, and the lack of any anomalous assays from all other vein samples, has not been resolved. The type of vein material appears to be similar, and all veins appear to be part of the same structural and alteration zone (Summons, 1995a). 68 Lam

Boundary Ridge (MGA94 225606E, 7205587N) 507421

The area comprises weathered sandstone unconformably overlying volcanic tuff and minor andesite of the Camboon Volcanics. A series of pits and trenches, and three shafts (10–30m deep) were sunk over a distance 400m. The quartz in the mineralised zones in the volcanic rocks has colloform banding and remnants of carbonate replacement textures. The quartz is blue to grey in colour, massive, but vughy in parts. No sulphides or limonite were identified. A total of 16 rock chip samples were collected, and 12 assayed >0.1ppm gold. Soil samples totalling 118 yielded an average of 1.88ppb gold. No elevation of gold content was found over the old workings. Four auger holes were drilled to shallow depth and cuttings confirmed a marked surface enrichment of gold (Lowe, 1989a,b).

Bradshaw (MGA94 226706E, 7200687N) 506687

The Bradshaw vein occurs on the southern side of the White Hope Lode. The veins contain high gold assays and are up to 1m wide (Voisey, 1980). Recent large open pit mining has obliterated all the old workings. Some of the veins on the pit wall appear to be associated with left NW–SE shear.

Brae (MGA94 223906E, 7199287N) 507425

A linear zone of siliceous volcanic breccia floats occurs in an area over 1400m long by 150m wide on the western side of the Brae airstrip. Samples assayed mostly in the range 0.1–1.0g/t gold but some were up to 10g/t gold. The area was gridded, and the distribution of the float mapped. A dipole–dipole IP and ground magnetic survey failed to outline any prospective zones. Three lines of 30 drillholes for a total of 305.6m were drilled. Most holes were drilled to 10m and carbonate veining and alteration in dolerite and siltstone were intersected in the first 2m. No gold was detected in any of the cuttings (Weber, 1987).

Buffel Hill (MGA94 225106E, 7190087N) 506474

Climax Mining Ltd outlined the prospect in 1988, from a follow up investigation of a stream sediment sample, which returned an anomalous 8.9ppb gold assay. Ridge and spur soil sampling and geological mapping indicated the anomaly is correlated with a small window of the Camboon Volcanics within the Back Creek Group. Quartz float samples assayed up to 1.05g/t gold (Johnston, 1992).

Carpentaria (MGA94 228706E, 7199784N) 506723

A shaft was sunk to 3.6m but failed to intersect any lodes in this lease. The shaft appears to have been sunk to intersect the projected western side of the Golden Mile Lode system.

Central Extended (MGA94 226506E, 7201287N) 506713

The Central Extended open pit probably included the Cabulcha Enterprise lease (GML160), which was worked in the 1940s. Past mining included an opencut as well as stoping above a tunnel level. A single production of 4.8kg gold and 1.3kg silver is Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 69 recorded in the 1941 ARDM and Johnston (1992) mentioned 1789t of ore with 10.3g/t gold was mined from 1941–1942. Most of the ore output would appear to have been included in the Golden Plateau’s production.

The lodes at the Central Extended pit consist of quartz veins at high angles to each other and which are closely associated with rhyolite dykes. The rhyolites are generally sparsely veined but become more closely veined at their margins. To the east of the lode is a prominent planar fault, which can be traced in the pit. It is haematite stained, subvertical, and trends 315°. This fault is probably part of the White Hope Lode zone System. There is no equivalent structure on the west side of the lode, where the veining style changes from planar to chaotic. Although many lodes have slickensides surfaces, none were observed to contain slicken-fibres on the surface, which could indicate the slip direction of the fault (Webb, 1991).

Cooie (MGA94 228306E, 7200987N) 506724

In 1932, prospecting works at Cooie included trenches, potholes and shaft sunk on a lode to a depth of 14m, which consists of kaolinitic quartzite containing irregular seams of ferruginous, gossanous quartz. From 9m deep in the shaft the lode dips easterly. At the 9m level, drives to the north and south intersected 13.4m of the lode.

Cracow Creek (MGA94 230506E, 7193187N) 507426

The Cracow Creek prospect is 7km south-south-east of Cracow township, and was outlined by BP Minerals (Australia) Ltd in 1984 from an interpretation study of a structure on the contoured aeromagnetic map. The southern and eastern parts of the prospect are dominated by coarse-grained crystal tuffs/ignimbrites containing phenocrysts of hornblende, plagioclase, orthoclase and quartz together with lithic fragments up to 10mm in size. Alteration ranges from weakly propylitic (chlorite-epidote) to complete silicification. Strong zones of silicification have produced a hard, pale grey-white translucent rock commonly carrying fine disseminated pyrite. Brecciation and recementing of the fragments with quartz is common. Dark purple-grey flow rocks of andesitic-dacitic composition occur in the western part of the prospect and continue to the western side of a major NNE structure. Propylitically altered rocks show significant chlorite and actinolite with some epidote and calcite as pervasive alteration products and as fracture filling minerals. Significant silicification is also present in rocks. In the south-western portion of the prospect, very fine-grained buff-cream coloured, flow-banded rhyolites overlie the andesites.

The targeted structure consists of propylitic, quartz-clay and silicic-altered volcanic and intrusive rocks along a major NNE-trending zone for a distance of 2km. Rock chip samples of strongly silicified outcrop at the southern end of the zone returned assays up to 4.11ppm gold. The base metals assay results were very low. Mineralisation appears to be associated with two NNE-trending silicified zones. The western zone is characterised by complete silicification and minor brecciation, with grey chalcedonic silica and fine-grained pyrite forming the matrix of the breccia. The eastern zone is strongly brecciated and has an increased area of open-space filled by a limonite/goethite matrix (Harrisson, 1985). 70 Lam

ACM Operations Pty Ltd described the structure as comprising a number of silicified and quartz-veined zones, which occur both within the andesite and the ignimbrite. Quartz veining ranges from massive and milky ‘blow’ type quartz to smoky blue-grey chalcedonic quartz containing minor disseminated pyrite and common iron oxides after pyrite. Crystalline and cockscomb quartz are common, and colloform chalcedonic banding is also present. Alteration of the surrounding andesite, ignimbrite and trachyte host rocks is argillic, characterised by kaolin, and zones of siliceous breccia are present in both andesite and ignimbrite (Lowe, 1988a,b).

Eight reverse circulation percussion drillholes, totalling 880m, were drilled to test the extent of alteraltion. Samples were collected at 2m intervals and assayed up to 1.40ppm gold and 22ppm silver (Harrisson, 1985).

Cracow South (MGA94 227506E, 7197887N) 507428

The Cracow South prospect consists of a range of hills centred ~1.5km south-west of Cracow township. The hills comprise three ridges trending north-east. The northern and southern ridges join on the south-west end to form a semi-circular ridge (horseshoe) open to the south-east; the central ridge lies in the middle of a semi-circular depression. The ridges are composed of fractured and brecciated andesitic volcanic rocks, which have undergone argillic to phyllic alteration and contain local zones of silicification along structures. The width of these tectonized and altered zones is up to 50m (Summons, 1995a).

The highly altered andesites comprise white, grey to purple, earthy, kaolinised to sericitised felsic volcanic rocks. Kaolinisation and sericitisation are the dominant alteration features whereas silicification is less intensive in andesite. Minor carbonate alteration is also present. The intensity of alteration has obliterated the fabric and textures of the rocks. Rock chip samples assayed up to 0.05g/t gold. Australian Occidental Pty Ltd (EPM2211, 1982) carried out a resistivity survey over a small part of the central area, as well as a transient EM survey (Sirotem) on one line. A major conductor was located, and tested by one diamond drillhole (CS1) and found to be a fault zone. Minor veinlets of carbonate-zeolite ± quartz were intersected at 94.6–115.4m. Cuttings from this section assayed 0.02–0.16g/t gold (Pyper & Day, 1991).

Cracow North (MGA94 228006E, 7200787N) 506725

The lease is near the junction of the Golden Plateau Lode and Golden Mile Lode systems. A considerable amount of prospecting by costeaning and shaft sinking was done in 1932. A quartz lode ~125mm thick was exposed in two costeans cut on the south-western portion of the lease. On the eastern portion four shafts were sunk to 17m, and intersected an east-trending lode and samples assayed up to 4.5g/t gold. An adit was driven but intersected barren kaolinitic lode material with quartz leaders 50–200mm thick. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 71

Dawn (MGA94 229691E, 7198813N) 506348

In 1932, Patterson and Oakroot discovered a north-west-striking lode, which was tested by a trench, 9m long, 2.4m deep and 1.2m wide. About 40t of ore was raised, and one tonne of handpicked ore was crushed for 2.5kg (80oz 10dwt 14gr) of gold bullion. The mine was worked from 1932–1940 with a total production of 29.45kg gold and 82.48kg silver from 1710.94t of ore with an average grade of 17.2g/t gold (Lam & Jackson, 1998). All production was from one small ore shoot. Mining was initially from a small opencut, then later by underground methods to a depth of 30m.

Johnston (1992) described the local geology as underlain by fresh to moderately weathered dark green, weakly porphyritic andesite flows of the Camboon Volcanics. Prominent feldspar (±quartz) porphyry dykes and quartz veining are widespread throughout the area. A large circular zone of strong clay alteration occurs south of the Dawn lode. Lode structures are dominated by saccharoidal and comb quartz with rare adularia and pervasive K-feldspar + chlorite ± epidote alteration.

The Dawn ore shoot occurs at the intersection of the Dawn lode and a quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke. Past mining indicated that the lode is up to 3.6m wide, and averaged 3–6.5g/t gold. At 4.8m, the lode is the full width of the drive and shows a little native gold. At 14.5m, the lode consists of quartz, rhyolite and gossan, which assayed from 4.5–9g/t gold. At 17.5m, there is a large quartz lode carrying pyrite and galena assayed 4.5g/t gold. The lode apparently cuts out at 30m.

In hand specimen, the ore consists of crustiform to comb quartz andesite breccia with abundant coarse-grain sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena rimming moderately propylitically-altered porphyritic andesite clasts. Petrographic study by the GSQ indicated the gold is irregularly distributed within the ore, occurring in association with all sulphide minerals, but shows a marked preference for sphalerite. Most gold occurs either at sphalerite-quartz contacts or is enclosed within sphalerite grains.

In 1972, Golden Plateau NL reported that the Dawn lode extends south beyond the old workings. In the mid-1980s, BP Minerals Australia Ltd drilled two diamond drillholes to test the lode. The best intersection was 4m at 2.1g/t gold beneath the old Dawn workings. In 1987, Australian Gold Resources Ltd drilled four RC drillholes and another four drillholes in 1988. No significant mineralised zones were intersected in these drillholes.

Dawn South (MGA94 229906E, 7198387N) 506355

At the Dawn South prospect a zone of NNE-trending strongly fractured, silicified andesite ridges and broad clay-silica alteration crops out over an area of 900m long by 700m wide. Within this broad interval of variably broken rocks, there are several shear zones up to 15m wide. The shear zones generally trend north and show strong clay alteration with local silicification and minor quartz veins. The strongly fractured, feldspar-porphyry andesite is pale cream colour, and consists of leached clay-silica alteration with abundant saccharoidral quartz veins filling random fractures. Fractures are up to 200mm and often carry abundant limonite staining. Rock chip samples taken from various shear and fracture zones exposed in the creek assayed up to 9.49g/t gold (Summons, 1995a). 72 Lam

Divine Extended PA

The exact location of the Divine Extended PA workings is not known. Denmead (1931a,b) described the prospecting area is ~1.35km north of the Perseverence (Little Bubba) lease, where two intersecting lodes met in a crosscut at a depth of 11m.

Emu (MGA94 224106E, 7202687N) 503413

The Emu lode is situated on high ground ~200m to the east of Rose’s Pride. The lode has a strike and mineral assemblage similar to the Rose’s Pride lode. However, the Emu lode is more siliceous and contains a lesser amount of calcite than Rose’s Pride. No gold production figure is known for this mine.

Excelsior (MGA94 228006E, 7200987N) 495930

The Excelsior consists of a large quartz lode and was worked by five shafts sunk to a depth of 52.5m. No gold production figure was recorded for the first three years of shaft sinking, as the main quartz body was quite barren. However narrow and high-grade ore-shoots up to 30g/t gold were intersected in one shaft. The ore was mined from the 22m underground level with drives extended over 75m along a north-west trend. Total production is 188t of ore for 4.46kg gold and 3.21kg silver over the period of 1936–1939.

Denmead (1932, 1938b) reported that the lode is closely associated with a rhyolite dyke. The lode dips south-west, and contains galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite as small veins or segregations in quartz.

Ferneyside (MGA94 227906E, 7200987N) 496681

The lode crops out as quartz-bearing ironstone lode over 15m wide. Denmead (1938b) described the quartz as comprising pyramidal crystals in vughs commonly filled with white kaolin. Specks of pyrite, galena and sphalerite are present in the quartz. Manganese is abundant as stains in vughs and on joints and cracks.

Old workings included two shafts sunk to a depth of 52.5m. Underground workings consisted of two levels at 12m and 20m. Total recorded production for this mine is 13t of ore for 1.14kg gold.

Fordee (MGA94 225206E, 7201087N) 507432

Two shafts sunk 30m apart intersected a calcite-quartz lode trending 320° and dipping 85° north-east. Footwall is a strongly weathered andesitic tuff. The lode is up to 0.5m wide and crops out intermittently between the shafts. No sulphide mineral was identified in the mullock (Gouge, 1988).

Golconda (MGA94 226706E, 7200587N) 506697

Trenches and shafts explored this lode to a depth of 28m. Underground workings included a drive over 70m long, and an 183m long tunnel connecting the workings of Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 73 the Accumulation and Golconda. The lode was worked from 1932–1939 with only one recorded production of 7kg gold from 66t of ore in 1932. Most of the ore was mined by stoping. It would appear that most of the ore from this mine was included in the production from the Roma North and Accumulation mines.

Past mining indicated the lode is narrow, generally <1m wide. It has a short strike length and was exposed in a shallow trench 24m long. The lode consists of silicified and pyritised andesite with quartz-pyrite veins carrying minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite and malachite. Samples of the vein assayed up to 90g/t gold (Denmead, 1933c).

Gold Top (MGA94 227006E, 7201387N) 506707

The Gold Top lease is north of the Accumulation lease. Past prospecting work was by shaft sinking on a lode consisting of quartz leaders and andesite. Denmead (1933a,b) reported that the lode carries pyrite and chalcopyrite with malachite and azurite stains. The ore grade averaged 1.5g/t gold.

Golden Gate/Sunshine Golden Valley (MGA94 228106E, 7200387N) 506669

Old workings consist of at least 6 shafts sunk to 25m along a lode trending north-north-west. Past mining was by stoping from the surface to the 9m level and from the 18m level to a height of 9m. The average ore grade was 7.5g/t gold from narrow quartz veins. Total production from 1933–1942 is 1140t (including 230t of tailing sand) of ore for 10.25kg gold and 8.58kg silver.

Denmead (1932) described the lode consisting of quartz, pink zeolite and minor calcite and ankerite has a north strike and steep dip. At its northern end it is ~2m wide and comprises many narrow veins. These veins are >120m long in altered, pyritised andesite. Grades from the surface down to 6m were ~31g/t. At 10m the gold grade rapidly deteriorates. Several large quartz crops out in the lease area but they generally carry low gold grade.

Golden King (MGA94 228906E, 7199887N) 507402

The lease area was explored by trenches and a shaft sunk to 19.5m deep. Underground work included a drive cut 5.5m south-east. A narrow quartz vein was intersected in the shaft at 12m; however no gold production figure was recorded. Denmead (1932) reported that some quartz veins have right-angle bends.

Golden Phoenix (MGA94 227606E, 7201087N) 506719

A few shallow pits and trenches were sunk on a zone of strong silicification and brecciation in dacitic country rock. Silicification consists of red cherty silica with minor pyrite. Rock chip samples assayed up to 0.01ppm gold. Percussion drilling failed to intersect any significant gold mineralisation at depth, and cuttings assayed <0.05g/t gold (Walker, 1987). 74 Lam

Figure 17: Golden Ridge (a) brecciated andesite with clasts rimmed by open-spaced crustiform quartz veins, (b) silicified andesite host rock Golden Ridge (MGA94 229901E, 7199256N) 506376

In 1932, gold was discovered ~300m east of Revival, on a prominent north-east-trending (020°) silicified quartz-veined ridge extended from the Cracow–Eidsvold road to Botany Ridge (5km north). The lode was worked by 6 shafts and 8 shallow pits trending-north over 100m. The main shaft has a timbered collar to 2m and was sunk in the central portion of the lode. The southern end of the lode was worked more extensively than the northern end. Past production included a 5t lot of ore mined in a shallow shaft. The ore was treated at Port Kembla for a return of 0.83kg gold. In 1934, another 5t of ore was put through the Hamilton’s mill for a return of 0.14kg fine gold. However, this mine failed to live up to its original promise and it was abandoned in 1935.

The lode forms the southern portion of a north-east-trending narrow zone of silicification and saccharoidal quartz veining. Mineralisation appears to be associated with a strongly fractured zone with pervasive silicification of quartz veins filling open space in intensely fractured andesitic tuff (Figure 17). Denmead (1932) described two lenticular quartz bodies cropping out along a strike of 020° through the centre of the lease area. At the northernmost shaft, mullock consists of siliceous andesite and andesitic tuff carrying disseminated, fine-grained pyrite (3–5%). The tuff is vesicular with small chlorite vesicles <10mm in diameter. About 5m north-north-west of a timbered shaft an exposure of brecciated andesite contains clasts up to 300mm in size rimmed by open-spaced crustiform quartz veins. The veins are <20mm wide and have a milky white massive quartz wall with small quartz crystals with brown chalcedonic coatings. Minor pyrite is also present in the vein.

XRD analysis indicated the silicified and quartz veined material has an advanced argillic quartz-pyrophyllite-diaspore alteration assemblage. One rock chip sample assayed 4.08ppm gold. Lead up to 290ppm and molybdenum up to 44ppm were also detected in other rock chip samples. Three dipole–dipole IP lines were run over the Golden Ridge. No significant anomalies were detected (Summons, 1995a).

Golden Rody (MGA94 226706E, 7201287N) 506714

The old workings are on the north-eastern side of the White Hope Lode. A shaft on the main ore body was sunk to a depth of 7.5m. At 4.5m, the shaft intersected a kaolin Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 75 zone carrying a few specks of gold, and from there to the bottom of the shaft was a kaolinised rhyolite containing minor gold. In 1933, another shaft was sunk to 20.5m and intersected low-grade ore at varying depths. However, a sample of the lode at the bottom of the shaft yielded ~45g/t (1.5oz) gold, but the extent of the lode was not known. An adit from the side of the hill was driven 49.5m in hard andesite to cut the lode in the shaft and to prospect the ground between the mouth of the adit and the shaft. Apart from intersecting small leaders of highly mineralised quartz at 16m and 37m, no other lodes were discovered. No gold production figure is available for this mine.

Golden Rowe (MGA94 228806E, 7199587N) 507572

At the Golden Rowe lease, a shaft was sunk to test the Golden Mile Lode zone (Denmead, 1932). However, no further information was recorded.

Golden Stone (MGA94 227506E, 7200887N) 506717

In 1933, a few low-grade gold-quartz veins were intersected in an adit driven 63m in the Golden Stone lease area. Another 54m long adit was cut at the 42m level, which also failed to intersect any significant lode. In 1941, Golden Plateau NL carried out diamond drilling in the 60m level and intersected 3m of 4.5g/t gold. No gold production figure is available for this mine.

Golden Wall (MGA94 227606E, 7200287N) 507403

Denmead (1932) described an alteration zone up to 9m wide, consisting of secondary lime, kaolin, calcite, decomposed andesite and a trace of quartz. A shaft was sunk to 9m on a lode structure consisting of andesite with seams of kaolin, earthy lime, calcite and a pink zeolite. One of these seams, ~20mm wide, assayed up to 135g/t gold. No gold production figure is available for this mine.

Golden West (MGA94 225764E, 7203374N) 506423

The Golden West lease is 3km north-north-west of the Golden Plateau shaft. The old workings trend north and consist of three shafts, a small opencut pit and an adit over a distance of 100m. None of the shafts exceeded 35m in depth. In 1934 the Discovery shaft was sunk to 22.5m and the south drive intersected ore up to 48g/t gold over the full width of the drive, then up to 78g/t gold over 1.5m lode. However, the high gold grades were erratic and not uniform throughout the lode. From 1933–1942, 32.6kg gold and 23.9kg silver from 2464t of ore with an average grade of 12.24g/t gold were mined. The ore was procured south of the Main Shaft over a strike length of 25m and to ~30m in depth.

Lode outcrop is scarce but quartz float is abundant in places. The mineralised zone contains at least two quartz breccia lodes closely associated with a rhyolite dyke in silicified and pyritic felsic tuffs and carbonate altered andesitic volcanic rocks. The dyke is pink, very fine-grained, and generally flow-banded; and appears to predate the lodes. Rock chip samples indicated gold mineralisation of >3g/t gold along the entire lode system with a maximum of 12.5g/t gold in an open pit at the Golden West workings (Walker, 1987). 76 Lam

In 1963 and 1964, eight diamond drillholes were drilled to intersect the projected main north-north-east-trending quartz lode. Upward of 1g/t gold was recorded in all the drillholes. Drilling results confirmed two north-north-easterly trending mineralised zones. The area between the two zones is covered by eluvium but quartz veining continues between the north and south zones, however, the gold grades are very low. The drillhole in the southern zone failed to intersect auriferous veins in the western block (Pless, 1966).

In 1988, Australian Gold Resources drilled 19 RC drillholes to test any lode extension to a depth of 25m. Drilling intersected quartz lode zones over 900m to the north and south of the Main Shaft lode and Hill Shaft lode. The lode zones persist and contain lenses and pods of quartz breccia with some intersections of >1g/t gold. Gold is mainly associated with discrete quartz development with no associated stockworks or supergene enrichment. These lode zones are narrow. The lode in the Main Shaft is up to 5m wide and has near vertical dip (Johnston, 1992).

Hamilton Folly (MGA94 229206E, 7199487N) 507437

Denmead (1932) described the deposit as a fissure lode associated with a green, pyritised andesite. The lode extends intermittently from the Mooleh to Hamilton Folly over a distance of 180m, and parts of which carry high gold grade. It consists of small irregular veins of quartz, stilbite and calcite from 15–500mm wide. Five shafts were sunk in 1932, the deepest being 12m. Underground mining included driving and stoping. A total of 338t of ore yielded 4.93kg of fine gold from 1932–1935.

Hamilton Joy (MGA94 228706E, 7200187N) 41139

Denmead (1932) described the host rock on ground surface as mainly rhyolite or trachyte with a porphyritic texture. Within the Hamilton Joy lease area, a shaft was sunk and intersected a lode from 16–22.5m and at 24m a silicified andesite containing disseminated pyrite. The lode is up to 3.6m wide, strikes north-easterly and dips to the south-east. Native gold was identified in the lode but the overall gold grade was low.

High Top (MGA94 228906E, 7200487N) 480518

An adit 20m long was cut into the hill and intersected a lode 75mm wide at 18m. Rock chip samples of the lode assayed up to 3g/t gold and 60g/t silver. A winze in the adit was sunk and rich patches of gold mineralisation up to 7.5g/t gold over a width of 85mm were intersected in the siliceous lode, but the overall gold grade was low (Denmead, 1932). In 1935, the lease was worked by a small opencut from which ~13t of ore was raised.

It’s It/Golden Plateau (MGA94 227206E, 7200887N) 507573

The lease area has been mined out. In the past, the It’s It lease was on a hill capped by subhorizontal sandstone. Shaft sinking led to the discovery of the Golden Plateau lode. Denmead (1932) reported that development work at It’s It delineated a lode 50m long and 12m wide to a depth of 34m. Samples assayed 4–650g/t gold. At 25m Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 77 deep gold grades decreased from 150g/t to ~60g/t gold in decomposed andesite country rock. Past production is included with the Golden Plateau mine.

Kehl’s Hope (MGA94 228306E, 7200587N) 507443

At Kehl’s Hope, two lodes were intersected in an adit driven 39m on a bearing of 076°. The first lode (1m in width) was met at 3m, and the second lode (2m in width) at ~12m. A trench was cut over a distance of 51m to the top of the hill at a point immediately above the end of the adit, and exposed two lodes 1m and 1.2m wide respectively. On the second lode, a shaft was sunk to a depth of 11.5m connecting with the adit. Another shaft was sunk from the adit level to a depth of 9m, and a 2m drive to the south put in quartz and schist, but no high-grade lode was intersected.

Klondyke (MGA94 225191E, 7200502N) 501301

The deposit is 2.5km west of the Golden Plateau mine. The Klondyke workings are on a small river terrace on the banks of Orange Creek and 300m to the north of the Royal Standard workings. From its discovery in 1932 until its closure in 1951, the Klondyke mine produced 104kg gold and 20kg silver from 11 295t of ore. Average recovered grades were 8.7g/t gold and 2g/t silver. Most production came from opencuts and underground workings at the northern end of the lode.

The main ore shoot was stoped from the 15m level to the surface and over a length of ~79m. Additional stoping took place over a similar length between the 28.5m and 44.5m levels. Further ore production came from a 13m adit near the old treatment plant. In 1966, the GSQ drilled 5 short diamond drillholes in an attempt to intersect the Klondyke mineralised structure at shallow depth beneath alluvium between the Klondyke and Royal Standard mine workings. However, no defined lode was located but in one hole a 0.65m wide quartz vein averaging 11.6g/t gold was intersected and in another a 1.07m fault zone of quartz veining assayed 7.3g/t gold.

The Klondyke lode occurs along a prominent north-north-west-trending fault structure within the Permian Camboon Volcanics. Limestones and siltstones of the Oxtrack Formation unconformably overlie the Camboon Volcanics a short distance to the west of the Klondyke lode and it appears as if the line of lode may extend northwards under the Oxtrack Formation (Johnston, 1992).

The deposit consists of a narrow steeply-dipping gold-bearing, quartz-carbonate breccia lode, which crops out intermittently over a strike length of 700m. The lode has a strike direction of 310° and is closely associated with a series of 310° trending fractures. The footwall shear is pronounced whereas the hanging wall is definite. Old mine sections indicate a steepening of dip with depth, with the lode overturning and dipping steeply east at 61m below surface. The lode width averaged 1.07m but the thickness varied from 0.6–2.4m. Gold distribution within the lode is erratic.

Denmead (1932) described the Klondyke lode as consisting of solid crystalline calcite up to 1m wide, which at a depth of 10.5m is only 80mm wide, comprising quartz and calcite and trace of gold. The lode at the surface assayed up to 12g/t gold and at the bottom of the shaft assayed up to 4.5g/t gold. Past mining indicated that the wider the calcite-quartz lode vertically or horizontally the higher the gold content. A 78 Lam zone of cross fractures cuts across the lode. The fractures do not offset the lode but where they are vertical the lode is wider and richer in gold; as the fractures become flatter the lode narrows and gold values decrease.

In the area of the main Klondyke workings, the mineralised structure ranges from massive calcite-quartz lode to highly sheared andesite with quartz and calcite stringers. Coarsely crystalline calcite is the dominant gangue mineral. Quartz and calcite veining is abundant close to the lode and decreases away from the lode zone. North of the main workings, the lode continues as a steeply west dipping structure with quartz-calcite veins and brecciated siliceous zones in altered andesite in the hanging wall of the main shear. Rock chip samples of the lode exposed on the surface workings gave gold assay from 0.75–7.10g/t gold, and low base metal and silver contents. The lode at the entrance to the Klondyke adit assayed 2–5.36g/t gold over 2m (Johnston, 1992). Recent drilling indicated that gold mineralisation is closely related to where rhyodacite dykes intrude the main fault structure. Ore-shoots associated with the quartz-calcite lode appear to have a genetic relationship with these dykes, commonly sitting at the ends or on the hanging wall contact of the dykes.

Past RC drillholes drilling results indicated that the Klondyke-Royal Standard structure contains a resource of >50 000t with a grade of 3.76g/t gold (Johnston, 1992). In 1994 Newcrest Mining Ltd/Sedimentary Holdings Ltd (EPM9103, EPM8726 and EPM9528) carried out a comprehensive review of all past exploration results and further drilling was carried out to test an arcuate north-west-trending structure extending to the old Rose’s Pride workings. In 2000, an inferred resource of 1.1Mt of ore with 11g/t gold and 9.5g/t silver was outlined for the Royal Shoot from drilling of the Klondyke lode. Based on feasibility studies from 2000–2003, the Cracow Gold Project is expected to produce >680,000ozs of gold over an initial 7 year mine life. Underground mining is from a decline access, the development of which commenced in 2003. First gold production occurred in the December quarter of 2004 with an expected ramp up of production after one year to a rate of 300 000tpa with grades ranging from 11–14g/t gold to produce up to 120 000ozs of gold and >60 000ozs of silver per annum.

Lambert Surprise (MGA94 228406E, 7200387N) 507444

The Lambert Surprise is also known as Lambert Bonanza, Surprise and New Surprise. In 1931, a Mr Lambert pegged out the Lambert Bonanza claim over a large body of auriferous quartz. The find was the first discovery of lode gold in the Cracow goldfield. Two rich ore shoots, Lambert Surprise and Lambert Bros ~0.5km apart, crop out over 3.5m and 2m in width respectively along a north-north-west trending line of quartz. Samples of an ore shoot assayed >300g/t gold with an average of 140g/t gold over a width of 2.5m and a length 9m. Crushing yielded 1.06kg gold from 2t of ore.

In the early years, numerous shafts, adit and drives were cut to test the lode extent at depth. A shaft was sunk to a depth of 31m in quartz and kaolinised rock. Underground workings included two drives at the 12m and 31m levels, and an adit at the 39m level connecting to the upper drive. In the 1940s, most of the ore was taken from an opencut down to 15m. The mine was worked from 1932–1942 with a total Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 79 production of 31.5kg gold and 2.94kg silver from 1830t of ore. In 1947, ~0.4kg gold was produced from 105t of ore.

Little Plateau (MGA94 227606E, 7201487N) 507446

In 1933, the main shaft was sunk to 30m where a crosscut was driven 33m east and intersected a lode containing mineralised quartz veinlets. Rock chip samples from the 7.5–13.5m assayed 2–4.5g/t gold. Drives south from a crosscut were put in at the 13.5m level for 9m and at the 24m level for 3m in mineralised quartz lode. A north-east drive at the 24m level extended for 6m in heavily mineralised quartz. Samples of quartz showed gold after roasting.

Mizzap/Tawarri (MGA94 232856E, 7196707N) 506513

This prospect is ~5.5km east-south-east of Cracow. Gold mineralisation appears to be associated with pyritic stockwork quartz veining±chalcopyrite, kaolinitic clay alteration, and quartz-tourmaline breccia in quartz-eye rhyolite with common flow bands. The rhyolite is intruded by granodiorite. This east-trending zone of argillic alteration is up to 300m wide and can be traced for over one kilometre along strike. The prospect was discovered by ACM Limited from follow up work on a 2.01ppb gold anomaly in stream sediment. A float sample of pyritic quartz vein assayed up to 6.00ppm gold. The float was traced back to a low, elongate north-west-trending ridge composed dominantly of silicified rhyolite (Lowe, 1990a,b).

The quartz veins ranging in size mainly from hairline fracture fills to 10mm wide are rarely >20mm. Abundant disseminated limonite boxworks (pyrite) are present throughout most of the altered rock. The amount of boxwork varies from 2–5% with local zones comprising >10% volume of the rock. Where sulphides are fresh in veins and silicified material, they consist largely of pyrite with minor arsenopyrite and traces of fine-grained sphalerite (Webb, 1991).

Two tourmaline breccias containing granodiorite fragments and sulphide-quartz occur outside the argillic alteration zone. The tourmaline is generally fine-grained and dark green in colour. Two rock chip samples of the breccia from prospecting pits, one to the north and one to the east of the alteration zone, assayed 0.204g/t and 0.062g/t gold and 219ppm and 347ppm copper respectively (Webb, 1991).

Mooleh (MGA94 229106E, 7199787N) 507447

In 1932 two shafts were sunk to 7.5m and 9m respectively, one with a crosscut 4.2m long. The mine produced 1t of ore which yielded 0.17kg gold. The following year another 7t were crushed for a yield of 0.07kg gold.

Denmead (1933c) described the lode as over 200m long, consisting of a few small irregular veins of quartz, stilbite and calcite in green, pyritised andesite extended from Mooleh to Hamilton’s Folly. The veins are 150–600mm in width. The grades vary, but parts of the veins carry high gold content. 80 Lam

Mount Elvinia North (MGA94 231971E, 7194717N) 506514

The prospect is 6km south-east of Cracow, and 1km north of Mount Elvinia. A north-west-trending quartz lode crops out over 50m long and up to 0.5m wide in andesite. One shallow shaft was sunk and mullock samples from this shaft assayed up to 0.048ppm gold and 39ppm silver. The lode appears to be fault-related along a structure extended over 2km along strike. The lode is narrow, and alteration and subsidiary veins decrease rapidly away from the main vein. South of the shaft, the fault is exposed as a 3m wide silicified gouge zone. Faulting appears to be normal, west-block-down and all subparallel veining and alteration occurs to the east of the fault. The fault trend becomes diffuse, with only small (<300mm) veins of quartz and zeolite outcropping to the north of the shaft. About 130m south and 300m north of the shaft are two areas with narrow quartz, calcite and zeolite veins exposed on the banks of a west-flowing creek (Lowe, 1990a,b).

Myles Corridor (MGA94 225406E, 7199387N) 507495

The Myles Corridor prospect is located 1km south-west of the Cracow mine office. The prospect consists of a sharp ridge along a west-north-west-trending 1km long linear zone of strong kaolinite/clay alteration. The zone disappears under Quaternary cover to the west-north-west, and under Jurassic sandstone and laterite to the east-south-east. This alteration zone shows up as a belt of low magnetic intensity and appears to be a southern remnant ‘caldera’ structure underlying the Cracow goldfield. Outcrops are strongly weathered, brecciated andesites overprinted by a kaolinite-dominated clay assemblage. Minor thin quartz veins are present, and limonite casts and abundant limonite stains after pyrite are common. One diamond drillhole was drilled in 1984 and intersected porphyritic trachyandesite with low gold assays (Webb, 1991).

Normanby (MGA94 228506E, 7200187N) 507450

The Normanby lease to the south of the Lambert’s Surprise lease was applied for gold mining in 1932. Old workings consist of three levels at 15m, 24m and 35m in a shaft sunk to 60m deep. Drives were connected with the Warrego mine. Small rich pockets of auriferous quartz in andesite were intersected in the shaft but the average grade was very low. In 1935, New Golden Mile NL acquired the Normanby lease. Prospecting work discovered two small veins with high gold grade, but the grades diminished with depth.

Olivia (MGA94 228706E, 7200487N) 507452

The area was tested by 6 shallow prospecting shafts sunk to 3m, and a trench 39m long to 1.5m deep. All failed to expose any lodes. However, another shaft was sunk to 13.5m and intersected a lode which assayed up to 4.5g/t gold.

North Lode (MGA94 227606E, 7200587N) 507497

The North Lode was discovered in 1934 during underground development and exploration of the Golden Plateau mine. In the 1950s, development of the North Lode and a rise in gold price facilitated the mine to increase gold output. In the Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 81 underground of the North Lode workings, three winzes were sunk to connect with rises from Nos.1 and 2 levels of the Golden Plateau mine. Ore was won by stoping.

Orange Creek (MGA94 225961E, 7202390N) 506403

At this occurrence three lines of quartz lodes crop out in open grassland forest east of Orange Creek. The lodes are associated with rhyolite dykes crosscutting green andesitic tuff breccia. Lode outcrop is 250m long and up to 2m wide. Lode 1 trends 060° and consists of dominantly saccharoidal and comb quartz with a trace of adularia. Anomalous gold was detected in a sample collected at its easternmost exposed end. Lode 2 trends northerly and consists of cockade-textured quartz with angular rhyodacite clasts. Samples of the lode at its intersection with a north-easterly trending fault assayed anomalous gold. Lode 3 trends 015°, is poorly exposed and possibly associated with a fault that has a similar trend. Rock chip samples returned very low gold assays (Johnston, 1992).

Old workings consist of two exploratory shafts, but no record of gold production figures is available. One of the shafts (probably the Lady Adelaide) was sunk to a depth of 15m and intersected low gold grades in quartz. In 1968, three diamond drillholes (NS74 to NS76) were drilled to test the extension of an east-trending quartz lode at depth. Only one intersection of 0.41m with 3.37g/t gold was obtained in one of the holes.

Recent exploration around the north-east-trending quartz lode area delineated thin quartz stockworks in breccia in an area of 1km2. Samples assayed anomalous gold (Couper, 1990). Geological mapping indicated the frequency of north-trending veins is greatly exceeding north-east-trending veins. Ground magnetics display a very ‘flat’ magnetic response across the veins. The area has widespread alteration, numerous dykes, and some quartz veins carry significant gold grades. The Orange Creek site was interpreted as a feature of ‘dilational jog’ between the White Hope Lode and the Golden West lode. Seven RC drillholes totalling 94m intersected narrow zones of low-grade gold mineralisation at depth, but none of the zones was considered as of economical significance (Webb, 1991).

Outsider (MGA94 227806E, 7200487N) 506721

This lease is south of the Sunrise. A shaft on a small quartz leader ~50mm wide was sunk to a depth of 12m and 1t of handpicked ore was extracted for a yield of 1.35kg gold bullion. Other recorded production was 1.05kg gold bullion from 19t of ore stoped in the shaft. An adit was driven 86m south in ironstone/rhyolite country but failed to intersect the Golden Plateau lode at an estimated distance of 75m. The old workings appear to have been sunk south of the Golden Plateau Lode system.

Packer Ridge (MGA94 232006E, 7187587N) 493788

The prospect is in heavily timbered country ~12.5km south-south-east of Cracow. Gold mineralisation here is associated with two narrow silicified, pyritic and clay altered zones that crop out in quartz ignimbrite along an easterly trend over a distance of ~700m long by 4m wide (Walker, 1986). The alteration zone straddles an east-trending ridge and coincides with a small parallel zone with an aeromagnetic 82 Lam low intensity anomaly. Part of the quartz zones is up to 40m in length and 4–5m wide in outcrop. They consist of milky, massive to crystalline quartz and bluish, chalcedonic quartz with minor fine- to very fine-grained disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. Most of the samples assayed <0.1ppm gold and <1ppm silver; however, a sample with high pyrite content assayed up to 1.64ppm gold (Lowe, 1988a,b). A 118m deep RC drillhole intersected country rock, and no significant alteration was encountered. All cutting samples returned gold assays below laboratory detection limit (Walker, 1986).

Perseverance/Little Bubba (MGA94 231006E, 7202137N) 507498

Denmead (1932) reported that intensive prospecting was carried out around the Little Bubba and Haldwythom leases, ~1km north of the Golden Ridge lease. The country is decomposed volcanic rock with numerous seams of hydrated ferric oxide. A large number of ferruginous gossanous lodes with minor quartz occur in the area. Chip sample of a ferruginous vein 1m wide assayed 10g/t gold.

In 1938, two shafts were sunk. The southern shaft reached 18m deep and intersected low-grade ore. In the north shaft, the lode at 27m is 1.8m wide and consists of numerous narrow quartz veins. At the 13.5m level, crosscuts 13.5m towards north-west and 2.1m towards south-east, and a drive for 11m failed to intersect any payable lodes.

Powerline (MGA94 229906E, 7188687N) 489180

The Powerline prospect lies on the eastern edge of a major structural corridor. ACM Gold Operations P/L discovered the prospect in 1987 from a follow up of a stream sediment sample with 0.7ppb gold. The area comprises quartz veined, stockworked and silica-cemented breccia in andesitic tuff. Minor silica replacement textures are present in the host rock, as is a weak argillic alteration. Veining occurs predominantly in a north-east-trending creek, parallel to, and within the regional north-west-trending fault zone. Rock chip samples assayed <0.161ppm gold (Lowe, 1988a,b).

Rainbow (MGA94 228006E, 7200187N) 507454

The Rainbow lease is ~600m north-west of the Warrego. The lease was worked extensively from 1933 to 1948. Ore was raised from three lodes, the Rainbow, White Leader and Figtree, where native gold occurs in several narrow quartz veins carrying gypsum and stilbite. The veins have short strike lengths, occur in fresh andesite, and of which samples assayed up to 215g/t gold. Mining was by underground stoping, small opencut and shaft sinking. Most of the ore was crushed at the Klondyke mill. Total production is estimated to be 1877t of ore for 52kg gold and 10.20kg silver.

Revival (MGA94 229803E, 7199461N) 506394

The Revival lease is on Boughyard Creek, west of the Golden Ridge lease. The mine was worked from 1933–1940 with peak production during 1937–1938. Total production is 10.95kg gold from 397t of ore. An attempt to reopen the mine was Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 83 made in 1948, and a reported 95t of ore was mined but no gold production figure was recorded.

The north-north-east-striking lode is nearly vertical for 9m then dips towards the south at 50°. It was worked by shafts sunk to 22m. At 3m, the lode was 0.15–0.6m wide and assayed up to 420g/t gold. At the 9m level, ore was stoped and yielded 4.45kg gold from 123t of ore.

Old mine dumps comprise fine-grained chalcedonic quartz+pyrite±creamy adularia±hematite. Native gold was identified in dump samples. Moderately propylitically-altered (chlorite+K-feldspar±epidote) porphritic dykes appear to be associated with the lode (Johnston, 1992).

Rocky Glen (MGA94 224106E, 7203187N) 496870

The lode was discovered about 1932 but early prospecting work failed to locate payable ore. Production was first recorded in 1940 when 355t ore yielded 5.82kg gold and 1.25kg silver. Total production is estimated to be 686t of ore for 8.81kg gold and 1.76kg silver. The ore was mined from an opencut ~45m long and to a depth of 9m on a lode averaging 0.8m wide. In 1948, a shaft was sunk to 12.5m and raised 78t of ore for 0.42kg gold.

The lode strikes northerly and dips steeply. It is characterised by abundant calcite and chalcedonic quartz, earthy lime, and inclusions of decomposed andesitic rock fragments. This deposit is north of the Rose’s Pride, and both have a similar mineral assemblage and geological setting. An interpretation study of magnetic data indicates these lodes are coincident with a north-trending structure.

Roma North (MGA94 226706E, 7200387N) 506687

In the period of 1934–1962, several major ore bodies were discovered during underground development and exploration of the Golden Plateau mine. The Roma North lode was one of the discoveries made in 1936. The lode, consisting of narrow bandings of quartz adularia and sulphides, is associated with narrow, steeply- dipping fissures. Past mining was by stoping in the No.1 stope above the main tunnel level on the Bradshaw’s lode (average width, 1.5m). Gold production from this lode would have been included with the Golden Plateau mine output. In the early 1990s, mining was carried out in an open pit and ~18 198t with a grade of 4.94g/t gold were mined. The gold was extracted by carbon in pulp (CIP) process.

Rose/Rose’s Pride (MGA94 224306E, 7202687N) 504499

The Rose Pride is the second largest mine in the Cracow area, with a recorded production of 18 100t of ore for 221kg gold and 38kg silver. The lease was applied for by Frederick Rose and party in 1932 to work a lode with a northerly strike and steep easterly dip. Early prospecting work included two shafts sunk 134m apart to a depth of 18m, and costeans between the shafts. Rock chip sampling of the lode which averaged 2m wide, assayed up to 48g/t gold from ground surface to a depth of 9m. Below 9m, the gold grade averaged 12.5g/t from 32–44m. Mining commenced in 1934 when 122t of ore returned 0.84kg gold. Significant production period is from 84 Lam

Figure 18: Rose Pride crackle zone with prominent north trending fractures on the western margin of the quartz-calcite lode 1935–1940 when a total output of >200kg gold and 37kg silver was produced from ~15 000t of ore. The underground workings consist of two levels at 15.5m and 39.5m, extended over an averaged length of 91.5m. Most of the ore was won from stoping between the levels and in 1940 ore was taken right through to the surface. A winze was sunk 32m in the lower level and intersected low-grade ore. Further development work was conducted in 1948 but no gold production figure was recorded.

The Rose Pride structure, which extends for >1km, is ~3.5km north-west of the Golden Plateau mine. Workings were sunk at the intersection of the lode and a north-east-trending cross-structure. Gold mineralisation occurs in a calcite-quartz breccia lode along a strike of 020° (Figure 18).

Breccia fragments show varying degrees of silicification, chloritisation and carbonate alteration whereas the matrix is made up of varying proportions of calcite and quartz. Large crystalline calcite is the dominant gangue mineral and minor malachite is associated with the quartz veins (Figure 19). The lode thickness is quite erratic, varying from 1–16m in andesitic volcanic rocks of the Camboon Volcanics. The volcanic rock contains abundant feldspar phenocrysts and has pervasive carbonate, siliceous, haematitic and chloritic alteration (Marlow, 1985). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 85

Figure 19: Rose/Rose’s Pride workings — spatial assemblage of host rock and ore (a) andesite country rock, (b) ferruginous andesite in crackle zone, (c) calcite lode, (d) breccia lode with crustiform quartz vein and andesite clasts From 1963–1965, the GSQ drilled 13 diamond drillholes totalling 1350m to test the Rose Pride mineralised structure. Brooks (1974) reported that 7 of the drillholes drilled beneath the Rose’s Pride mine, all intersected the shear zone and the calcite-quartz breccia lode. The gold grades diminished to the north and south of the lode at depth. Below the old workings, low gold grades in quartz were intersected to a depth of 80m. Drilling results indicated a potential resource of 40 000t of ore with a grade of 7g/t of gold. Golden Plateau NL reopened the Rose’s Pride mine in 1969. The shaft was deepened to 85m and 230m of driving was cut in the 80m level. This work produced ~1650t of ore with a grade of 7g/t gold. In 1973, percussion drilling of 540m was carried out but failed to improve the ore resource figure.

The vast majority of past drillholes on the Rose’s Pride deposit was drilled from the east to the west and almost all these drillholes terminated a few metres after passing through the main vein. In more recent time, 5 drillholes were drilled on four lines, each ~100m apart. All drillholes were drilled from the west to the east at an angle of 50°. This drilling confirmed the presence of additional veins to the west of the main vein. The thickness and grade of these western veins vary widely from a minor intercept of 2m with 0.160g/t gold to a broad zone of 19m with 0.563g/t gold. The highest grade was 2.45g/t gold in a drillhole drilled 10m west of the main vein (Day & McGregor-Dawson, 1994).

Ross Creek (MGA94 234106E, 7186087N) 494832

The prospect is ~8km south of Mount Elvinia and comprises a 200m long north-north-east trending ridge of rhyolitic tuff. Outcrop varies from 5–15m in width and contains moderately abundant quartz veining and stockworks. Their textures range from massive and milky, clear and crystalline, to cockscomb. Minor splintery replacement textures are present, probably after carbonate minerals. Rock chip samples assayed up to 0.159ppm gold (Lowe, 1988a,b). 86 Lam

Royal Standard (MGA94 225129E, 7200228N) 506465

The Royal Standard workings occur on a small terrace on the eastern bank of Orange Creek. The lode was mined to a depth of 25m. Most stoping took place at the 10.5m level over a length of 6m, with lesser amounts of stoping at the 22.5m level. Total production is 2.61kg gold from 250t of ore for the period of 1936–1940.

The Royal Standard lode outcrop is ~3.6m wide and consists predominantly of large calcite-quartz breccia veins in a fault structure. Gold mineralisation is associated with a rhyolite/rhyodacite dyke that intrudes the fault zone. Barren sections of the fault zone also contain dyke material, which have minor quartz veining. The lode mined from the ground surface down to 10.5m was 2m wide, and samples assayed up to 18g/t gold and 3g/t silver. The lode below 18m carries sulphides and traces of gold (Denmead, 1932).

Recent exploration included 10 RC drillholes and one diamond drillhole totalling 501m. The best intersection was 6m with 7g/t gold. Significant gold mineralisation is associated with quartz-calcite veins and stockworks. Seven of the drillholes intersected the ore zone to a vertical depth of 30m and the ore grades diminished with depth. Four drillholes drilled along the southern extension of the structure failed to intersect any significant gold mineralisation (Webb, 1991).

Shamrock/Golden Plateau (MGA94 227406E, 7200787N) 507500

The Sharmrock lease was applied for on a hill capped by subhorizontal Jurassic sandstone. In December 1932, shaft sinking led to the discovery of the Golden Plateau lode. Golden Plateau N.L. was formed to work the Golden Plateau Lode zone within the Shamrock lease.

She’s Right/Sleep (MGA94 228106E, 7200687N) 507502

The lease is north-west of the Lambert’s Surprise, between the Minerva lease and the Cracow North lease and was held by the Sleep family in 1932. Underground prospecting work included an adit driven 21m, where a winze was sunk to 19.5m deep. A short and narrow high-grade lode was intersected in a level that extended 15m from the winze. A south-west drive from the winze intersected gold-rich lodes up to 1.8m wide, with grade ~52g/t gold. However, barren lodes do occur between auriferous lodes. Four shafts up to 7.5m deep were sunk and connected with the adit. An opencut sunk on the lode produced ~50t of ore, with some quartz containing visible gold. In 1938, crosscut at the 48m level exposed one narrow lode ~0.3m wide with traces of gold at 7.5m. The lode was worked by a drive, but the ore grades were low. In 1940, a drive along the main lode at the 48m level was put in 24m to the north-west towards the Cracow North lease, but no significant lode was found.

South Arm (MGA94 228756E, 7199687N) 507504

In 1932, Golden Mile Company was formed to work the South Arm lease along the Golden Mile Lode zone. In 1933, a shaft was sunk to 36m in hard rock, and a crosscut intersected a 2.4m wide lode which assayed 23.25g/t gold. Narrow lodes also intersected in the shaft at 15m and 30m deep; samples assayed up to 1.5g/t gold. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 87

Southern Cross (MGA94 227906E, 7200587N) 507507

The Golden Junction (Cracow) NL was formed in 1932 to work the Southern Cross leases, all to the north of Lambert’s Surprise lease. Trenches running north and east were cut on and across the northern end of the lease area. A shaft was sunk to a depth of 17.5m on a lode in andesite. No individual gold production figures are available from these leases.

Sunbeam (MGA94 227706E, 7200887N) 506716

The lease is on the northern side of the Golden Plateau Lode system. Several shallow trenches were cut to test several lode extensions. A shaft was sunk to 11m deep on decomposed rhyolite dyke and intersected andesite at 11m deep. No gold production figure is available for this mine.

Sunrise (MGA94 227806E, 7200787N) 506715

The lease is situated towards the eastern end of the Golden Plateau Lode system. Old workings included two shafts sunk to 22.5m, a shallow opencut, and an adit. The adit was driven 80m along a lode associated with decomposed andesite, and at 35m a 7m drive intersected quartz leaders and rhyolites with grades 3–9g/t gold. The Golden Plateau Company acquired the lease in 1933 and it would appear that all of the gold output from this lease was included with the Golden Plateau mine.

In the Sunrise area, quartz breccia lode is associated with rhyolite-andesite contact but is hosted within andesite. The lode is not directly controlled by fault but appears to be related to the intrusion of porphyritic rhyolites. The rhyolites are not silicified, brecciated or mineralised. They have intruded along the same fault as the pre-existing quartz lodes. Denmead (1938a) interpreted that the lodes and veins represent the final phase of the period of igneous activity during which the dykes were injected. The dykes contain quartz veins and so predate the gold mineralisation.

Tally (MGA94 227606E, 7200687N) 507512

This is one of the leases applied for gold mining on the south side of the Golden Plateau Lode zone. In 1932 Golden Plateau NL acquired the Tally lease and together with the It’s It and Shamrock leases worked the Golden Plateau Lode. See also the Golden Plateau.

The Ridge (MGA94 225306E, 7202887N) 507514

The Ridge consists of a zone of alteration along a ridge between Rose Pride and the Golden West. Several exposures of sheared and altered andesite have been located on both sides of the ridge, ~800m east-south-east of Rocky Glen. Outcrops of sheared andesite have near vertical dips and strike ~010° magnetic. The sheared rock consists of a foliated fine-grained breccia, with fragments generally <10cm. The fragments and matrix are leached, clay altered, and locally silicified. Limonite staining is common along fractures and porous bands within the sheared rock (Summons, 1995a). 88 Lam

Several zones of chalcedonic veining were located along the top of the ridge, over a distance of 750m and a width of 50m. The vein zones appear to strike between 040–060°, and are related to tensional structures between the major north-trending faults along either side of the ridge. Individual vein zones are up to 10m wide, and have a veinlet density varying from one per 50mm to one per l0mm. The density of veinlets gradually decreases to widespaced and rare in the surrounding rock. Limonite casts after pyrite are present in some veins and are disseminated in the wall rocks.

Both rock and soil samples assayed very low gold, the respective highs were 0.003g/t and 0.014g/t gold. Most of the samples were below the detection limits of the laboratory. Silver, copper and lead were also very low (Summons, 1995a).

Venture (MGA94 228206E, 7200587N) 507518

Numerous trenches, pits, and several shallow shafts were sunk to test a quartz lode on the southern side of the Golden Mile Lode zone. The main shaft was sunk to 21m on quartz carrying traces of gold. Crosscuts from the bottom of the shaft were driven north-east for 3.5m and intersected a quartz lode, and south-west for 5.5m and intersected a lode containing quartz leaders. Drives from each crosscut were put in a north-easterly direction for 5.5m in quartz and in a north-westerly direction for 2.5m in quartz lode. However, no individual gold production figure is available for this lease.

Walhalla/Pride of the Hills (MGA94 225416E, 7205497N) 506508

The Walhalla was discovered in the early 1930s. A 130m long adit was driven into the side of the hill and intersected two lodes with low gold content. Three crosscuts were driven at 10.5m and 21m. Numerous prospecting pits and shafts were also sunk but no gold production figure is available.

The prospect is situated 6km north-north-east of the Golden Plateau mine, in very rugged terrain with a local relief of up to 160m. The terrain is in the form of a deep ‘basin’, encircled by sandstone plateau of the Precipice Sandstone to the east, north and south, and it is open to the west. The sandstone is ~20m thick, has a north to north-east strike and has dips that range from 2–10° to the east and south-east. Below the sandstone lies a strongly weathered basaltic lapilli tuff unit that forms large subcrop boulders and scree. The tuff is poorly sorted, with no lamination, but has a strong degree of weathering and clay alteration. The strike of this unit is north to north-easterly, with shallow dips of up to 15° to the east-south-east. Underlying the tuff unit are basaltic and andesitic lavas and agglomerate, which are crosscut by the mineralised veins and narrow rhyolite dykes. The agglomerate contains large clasts, up to 3m in diameter, set in a fine mafic groundmass. The mafic lavas are very fresh in some areas, but intensely weathered and vesicular in others. The agglomerate clasts consist of lava fragments with a fine-grained to porphyritic texture, showing varying degrees of alteration and weathering. Some clasts are strongly chloritised, wheras others are moderately oxidised and contain predominantly goethite. No hydrothermal veining or pervasive alteration was found in the clasts, but veining infills fractures crosscutting both the groundmass and the clasts. The rhyolite is Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 89 moderately silicified and contains quartz and zeolite veins indicating that the dykes preceded the mineralisation (Lowe, 1989a,b).

Denmead (1933c) described the sandstone as being >18m thick and overlying 1.5m of conglomerate on top of 15m of tuffaceous material. Below the tuff is massive andesite. The three top members are subhorizontal, with a slight regional dip to the east or south-east.

Three distinct lodes consisting of quartz±calcite±zeolite±clay plus numerous small veins of similar composition are present in the area. The Alleycat lode crops out over 230m along a north-east strike, and has a vertical dip. It ranges from <0.5–12m wide and is composed dominantly of zeolite and calcite, with minor amounts of white/green crystalline quartz veins. The lode is hosted by rhyolite, but it also crosscuts basaltic/andesitic lava.

The Central lode crops out over 260m along a north to north-east strike and dips range from 80° east to vertical. This lode contains lesser quartz than the Alleycat lode and is dominated by zeolite-calcite veining and a hydrothermal breccia ranging from 0.5–5m in width.

The Eastern lode (Robb’s lode) strikes northerly and is exposed over 240m with width of up to 7m. The lode dips 85°E. This lode contains quartz-calcite-zeolite veins and breccia. The Quartz appears to be dominanted at the southern end of the lode, and is green, grey to white and some with local banding.

The three lodes are subparallel and appear to be fault/fracture-controlled. Numerous narrow mineralised veins occur adjacent to the main lodes. These minor veins range from <1m to >15m in length and are up to 1m in width. The veins predominantly strike northerly and dip between 65°E to vertical to 75°W. Little quartz is associated with these veins and zeolite+calcite±clay is dominant. However, a prominent east to east-north-east-trending structure comprises narrow fractured quartz veins and andesite with strong silicification, little zeolite and no calcite.

Generally the lodes and veins are all enveloped by intense, localised argillic and propylitic alteration characterised by kaolinite, chlorite, zeolite and quartz. This alteration selvage is anomalous in gold, arsenic and mercury. Alteration is most intense surrounding the central and eastern lodes. Mineralisation appears to be confined to the andesite and does not seem to have extended into the overlying tuff horizon.

About 25 shafts and pits ranging from <1m to >20m deep were found in the area. In the 1930s, the Robb’s lode was worked by two crosscuts in the adit. Mullock samples assayed up to 4ppm gold. Rock chip samples of quartz-calcite-zeolite vein and veined breccia averaged 1.03ppm gold, 2.07ppm silver, 44.3ppm arsenic, 3.16ppm antimony, 0.074ppm mercury, 57.5ppm copper, 45.9ppm lead and 55.0ppm zinc. Six diamond drillholes were drilled (totalling 526m) and intersected narrow zones of weak gold mineralisation; the best intersection was 4m with 0.516g/t gold (Lowe, 1989a,b). 90 Lam

On the basis of mineral assemblage, the Walhalla prospect appears to be a ‘high level’ epithermal system comparing with the Golden Plateau deposit. Walhalla is dominanted by calcite-zeolite veins and associated alteration. Quartz veining is not as uniform, or as abundant as calcite-zeolite. The Golden Plateau is dominantly in quartz veining and breccia, with minor calcite and zeolite. The Golden Plateau deposit contains minor galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite, whereas only minor pyrite and chalcopyrite have been observed at Walhalla. The presence of these base metals supports the theory that the Golden Plateau is a higher temperature and pressure system than the system operated at Walhalla.

Warrego (MGA94 228606E, 7199987N) 507567

The Warrego is one of the largest workings along the Golden Mile Lode zone. In 1932, the Lambert Brothers sank a shaft to a depth of 15.5m, and a crosscut was driven to the west for 1.5m and intersected a lode, which assayed up to 6g/t gold. A lot of 1.6t of handpicked ore was put through the Klondyke mill for a return of 1.83kg of gold bullion. When the mine was taken over by the Golden Mile Company a level was driven to the north for 27m from the crosscut and this connected with the Normanby shaft. A rich lode carrying 38.8g/t gold was intersected at 7.2m. The ore above the 16m level was stoped out to the surface and gave an average grade of 60g/t gold. Stoping of the ore from the 30m level was also won from a lode >2.4m wide, which assayed up to 40g/t gold.

In 1933, while excavating for cyanide vats, the Golden Mile Company opened up a quartz lode (known as the West Lode) 45m west-south-west of the Warrego shaft. The lode was 2.5m wide and carried gold grades from 9.33–31.1g/t over a length of 60m. Denmead (1933c) described the West Lode as having all the characteristics of a shear lode. In the West Lode, veins of white, drusy quartz crosscut dark, massive quartz. The veins decrease in silica and gold contents with increasing depth. In 1934, ~1991t of ore were mined for a return of 17kg of gold bullion. Other recorded production was in 1939 when 233.5t was raised and 193t were treated at Orange Creek Gold Mining Syndicate mill for an average return of 9.3g/t gold.

The Golden Mile (Warrego) pit is situated on the intersection of the Black Cat lode and the Golden Mile Lode zone. There are two main ore lenses within the pit. The No.1 orebody in the north-west of the pit strikes at 150° and is confined to the margin of a dacite dyke. The dyke thickens as it decreases slightly in dip. The Nos.2A and 2B orebodies in the south-east of the pit are part of the subvertical Black Cat structure and strike at 132°. An intense zone of hydrothermal alteration accompanies the ore zones.

Unnamed 282056 (MGA94 228306E, 7205787N) 507522

A small pit was sunk to 1.5m deep in a siliceous breccia. Samples of hematitic, siliceous fragmental chips from the pit dump assayed up to 0.03ppm gold (Graham, 1973). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 91

Unnamed 283054 (MGA94 228406E, 7205587N) 507523

At this occurrence numerous small pits and trenches were sunk to test a north-easterly trending zone of extensive silicification in adnsite. Quartz veined breccia, grey quartz and stockwork quartz in siliceous andesite crop out over 150m and samples assayed up to 0.19ppm gold (Graham, 1973).

COMMENT ON CRACOW GOLDFIELD

• Gold was discovered in the Cracow district in 1875 and again in the late 1920s, but no mining is recorded. The Golden Plateau lode discovered in 1931 is a relatively recent event in Queensland’s gold mining history and up to the 1990s, the Golden Plateau lode produced >27t of gold. Before the discovery of the Golden Plateau lode, no payable alluvial gold was found at Cracow. Recent company exploration indicated that both stream sediment and soil samples near the old workings yielded very low gold assays. This would suggest that the Cracow lodes have not been exposed or weathered to any extent, or very little gold has been shed from the lode. • Various geological aspects of the mineralisation at Cracow have not been completely resolved. These aspects include structural control of the lodes and localisation of ore-shoots, the relationship of the rhyolite dykes to mineralisation, age of mineralisation, physical characteristics that distinguish ore from barren lode and the relationship of alteration both on a local and regional scale to lode and ore shoot development (Worsley, 1995). • The relationship of quartz lodes to major shear zones such as the White Hope Shear in the north-west and the Golden Mile Shear in the south-east in the Cracow goldfield was recognised by Denmead (1933c). The major faults according to Denmead (1946), Campbell (1955) and Brooks (1965) are fundamentally related. Denmead (1946) inferred that the east-west striking South Wall Fault formed a link structure between the White Hope and the Golden Mile Faults. Brooks (1965) proposed that the Golden Plateau lode system was formed by the displacement of a single major fault along an axis of sinistral rotational movement. He envisaged that high angle thrust faulting took place along the southern side of the Golden Plateau lode system, which effected separation of the Golden Plateau Lode system from the White Hope and Golden Mile lodes. However, Day & Johnson (1993) noted that the Golden Plateau lode system shows evidence for dextral strike-slip deformation. It can be explained as a transform structure, which transfers displacement from the extensional Golden Plateau lode system to the White Hope and Golden Mile (boundary) Faults. An interpretation of the aeromagnetic anomalies indicates that the White Hope and Golden Mile Faults are separate entities in that they are through-going structures and that the east-west South Wall fault is a link structure. • Campbell (1955) attributes the development of the major structures to stresses in a magma reservoir. He considered the Golden Plateau lodes is a complex linking structure situated on the northern flank of a volcanic vent with the South Wall Shear forming part of the vent wall. BP Australia Gold Pty Ltd (EPM3999, 1985) indicated an 8km diameter circular photo feature north-east of the Golden Plateau 92 Lam

could be a caldera-related structure, and that the Golden Plateau deposits are within the south-western corner of an eroded caldera system.

• A number of gold-bearing deposits are distributed sporadically throughout the Cracow goldfield, in a north-north-west-trending belt 6km long by 2km wide, but most are small in size. The bulk (+95%) of the gold (and silver) production has come from ore-shoots localised within the centrally situated Golden Plateau Lode system. Gold-silver precious metal mineralisation is far greater within the Golden Plateau Lode system than in the White Hope or Golden Mile Lodes; this could be a direct result of the intensity of fracturing/faulting in the cross-structure.

• The type of quartz and its occurrence are frequently used as indicators of gold mineralisation in the Golden Plateau lodes. Massive white quartz ‘buck quartz’ generally gives low gold and silver assays. In mineralised areas, a colloidal form of grey quartz showing crustification banding is common and amethyst quartz is also present. Stringers and aggregates of pink K-feldspar frequently occur in gold-rich lode areas. Minor amounts of calcite, kaolin and chlorite are also present.

• The lodes west of the White Hope Lode zone are predominantly calcite-rich quartz lodes whereas minor carbonate alteration in host andesite rock is common in the Golden Mile Lode zone.

• The association of rhyolite dykes and ore-shoots occurs in the eastern section of the Golden Plateau mine and at various other prospects in the Cracow goldfield. This has led to speculation that the gold mineralisation is genetically related to the rhyolites, and Brooks (1974) implied the rhyolite is pre-ore. However, Pless (1970) inferred that rhyolite emplacement is both post- and pre-mineralisation in time and Worsley (1995) reported that the rhyolite dyke intrusions and gold mineralisation are coeval. The timing of mineralisation has been inferred to be Lower Permian, Triassic (Brooks, 1965) or possibly post Jurassic (Denmead, 1946). Dating of a single rhyolite from the eastern end of the Golden Plateau opencut returned a zircon age of 291Ma indicating that the rhyolite intrusions have a similar age to the Camboon Volcanics (Worsley, 1995). Holcombe & others (www.earth.uq.edu.au/rodh/publications/NefbP_Tr.html) reported that the quartz-rich alteration systems consistently gave ~235–245Ma K/Ar alteration ages.

• Widespread alteration (argillic) occurs over extensive areas of the Camboon Volcanics, whereas more specific alteration is associated with the main lodes and structures. At least some of the regional alteration has been referred to as weathering profiles (Whittaker & others, 1974), whilst the local, more lode-specific alteration has been simply divided into propylitic and argillic alteration. Hopwood & Cook (1981) were the first to recognise K-feldspar alteration in the Golden Plateau mine area, previously mapped as primary K-feldspar in trachyandesites. There has been no systematic attempt to define the characteristics of the alteration of the lodes or to correlate regional and local alteration types and patterns. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 93

OUTLYING AREA OF CRACOW GOLDFIELD

RED RANGE CREEK AREA

Gold mining leases were applied for in hilly country 2km north-east of Tabletop Hill. It is not known if the leases had been worked in the past. Previous geological mapping by geologists of the Bureau of Mineral Resources of Australia described gold occurring in quartz veins in andesite, and the area bears some resemblance to the gold lodes in the Cracow goldfield (Mollan & others, 1972). Aeromagnetic data of the area suggests a 20km wide circular feature centred on Cockatoo Creek, under the cover of >100m of sandstone.

DYKEHEAD PROVISIONAL GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The field is centred on the old Dykehead town site (MGA94 300106E, 7158687N), which was situated on the northern bank of Auburn River. In the original proposal the field probably intended to include those mines lying between Cadarga and East Apple Creeks on the southern side of the Auburn River (Figure 20). Dunstan (1907) reported that these mines are on Delubra Creek, 18km from Dykehead station. Gold was discovered in the Cadarga Creek area in the 1880s and worked intermittently to 1900. A small 4-head stamper battery was removed from the St. John Creek goldfield and erected on this field to crush ore from the Brilliant mine and other workings. Gold returns, however, were below expectation. By 1900, the field was almost deserted, but minor prospecting work continued to 1906.

Whitaker & others (1974) reported that gold production for the field was first recorded in 1896 and continued to 1900. Total production for the period is estimated as 4.13kg gold from 202t of ore. They also compiled a separate gold production figure for the Auburn Falls mine which produced 6.62kg gold from 688t of ore. The mine closed in 1915. Two attempts to open the mine, one in 1934 and one in 1948, were both unsuccessful.

The narrow Big Wonder and Wonder Extended (Dreams of Avarice) lodes on the lower reach of Cadarga Creek were discovered by C.J. and W.H. Barnes in 1914. No gold production figures are available for these deposits. In the 1970s, P Cronholme and Golden Plateau N.L. (EPM893, 1971) investigated the old workings but failed to define any worthwhile anomalous gold zones in the area for further investigation. In 1981, Newmont Holdings P/L (EPM2731) investigated the Feldspar, Auburn Falls, Flying Scotchman, Big Wonder, Brilliant, X-Rays, Peter Pan, Truzes, Dreams of Avarice and Unnamed 977489. None was considered to have economic potential that would meet the company tonnage resource target.

GEOLOGY

In the Auburn River area, the Delubra Quartz Gabbro and the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite crop out as north-east-trending ridges. The Delubra Quartz Gabbro, is intruded by, or comagmatic with, granitoids of the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite. Breccias and network veinings mark the eastern contact of the gabbro with the 94 Lam

25 41 S 150 55 E

DREAMS OF AVARICE 151 04 E 25 50 S

Figure 20: Gold occurrences in the Dykehead Provisional Goldfield area Cadarga Creek Granodiorite. Major east and south-east-trending structures and dykes are important influences in localising gold mineralisation in these units.

MINERALISATION

Most of the gold occurrences in the area are in the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite and the Delubra Quartz Gabbro. East- and south-east-trending structures are of major importance in the localisation of gold as illustrated by the Dreams of Avarice, Big Wonder and Flying Scotchman which all occur centrally on the outcropping Cadarga Creek Granodiorite. The Truzes lode is located near the margin of the granodiorite and is characterised by a combination of fracturing and quartz veining. The Great Eastern, Brilliant and X-Rays are large quartz lodes within felsic dykes intruded the Delubra Quartz Gabbro.

Auburn Falls/Dykehead (MGA94 304673E, 7154040N) 509788

The mine is 1.6km south-west of the junction of Cadarga Creek and Auburn River, and lies within Auburn River National Park. It was discovered in the 1890s and worked intermittently by G.J.Barnes and Auburn Falls Gold Mining Company until 1917. A 5-head battery was erected on the bank of the Auburn River. Total recorded production is 6.62kg gold from 688t of ore (Whitaker & others, 1974). The main period of production was from 1914–1917, when 5.3kg gold was produced from 550t Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 95 of ore (Reid, 1934c). Saint-Smith (1915) reported that the ore averaged 18.4g/t gold. In the 1930s, development of the shaft and underground workings were initially carried out by Barnes and party, and then continued by Golden Fleece (Cracow) NL, Mines of Australasia Ltd and Ora Banda Co. Gold production for this period is not known. A syndicate also failed to re-open the mine in the 1950s. In more recent times, Golden Plateau NL (EPM893, 1970) and Newmont Holdings Pty Ltd (EPM2731, 1980) carried out exploration in the mine area. Stream sediment samples assayed < 0.02ppm gold.

The line of workings extends over 80m along a strike of 120°. The lode was mined by stoping to the surface. It consists of quartz veins up to 1m wide with multiple parallel arsenopyrite and pyrite veinlets emplaced along a shear/fault zone dipping steeply to the south-west in a pink granodiorite. A specimen shows that the sulphide vein comprises arsenopyrite and pyrite at a ratio of 9:1 volume. The lode appears to be closely associated with a K-feldspar porphyry dyke that has been strongly sheared and altered.

Ball (1904b) reported that 3 shafts were sunk on the lode. The No.1 shaft was sunk to 8m. A sample of a small vein extended from 2m to the bottom of the shaft assayed 15g/t gold and 8g/t silver. At 5m, arsenopyrite occurs in granite. The lode crops out to the north-west of the shaft and a trench (1m deep and 5m long) at 50m and on a bearing of 320° from the shaft cuts across the lode. In 1907, the No.1 shaft was deepened to 10m. At the bottom of the shaft, a drive extended over 7m was put in to the north-west on a lode averaging width of 300mm with a grade 30g/t gold and 25g/t silver. The No.2 shaft is 100m to the north-east of No.1 shaft and reached a depth of 35m. The lode here is similar to the No.1 shaft and consists of multiple quartz veins with abundant arsenopyrite in granite (Dunstan, 1907). In 1934, a third shaft was sunk, and the No.2 shaft was extended to 50m. At the 30m level in the No.2 shaft, a crosscut was driven 6m on a bearing of 170° and another crosscut driven northerly through granite intersected the lode. A drive was cut 2m along the lode (Reid, 1934c).

Ball (1904b) described the deposit as consisting of small quartz leaders, most with north-west strike and associated with dyke intrusions in decomposed felspathic granite. The main lode is emplaced along a shear zone and comprises parallel lenses of chalcedonic quartz, arsenopyrite, pyrite, gold, and silver. Dunstan (1907) reported that at the mine, masses of kaolin were the result of the decomposition of an intrusive dyke.

According to Reid (1934c), the lode forms part of a compound dyke system intruding medium-grained biotite granite. The dyke at 30m deep consists of quartz and orthoclase with subordinate potash-rich mica and little to no ferromagnesian minerals. It is strongly fractured and carries sulphide veins of pyrite, arsenopyrite and quartz as well as disseminated sulphides. The host granite and the dyke at 30m deep are quite fresh and show no sign of shearing. Reid (1934c) interpreted that the dyke intrudes along a shear zone. Sample assay results indicated that gold is closely associated with arsenopyrite.

Other prospecting claims in the area included the Wilson, Vant, Garthe and Ross. The Wilson Claim adjoined on the north-west boundary of Auburn Falls mine. 96 Lam

Ferruginous gossan crops out to the north of and along strike of the Auburn lode, but no gold or quartz veins were found.

Vant Claim adjoined on the south-east boundary of the Auburn Falls mine. Gold was found in very small broken leaders in decomposed country rock, in a pit 3m deep.

Farther south-east of Vant was the Garthe Claim. A trench here exposed a 750mm wide lode of cellular ferruginous gossan trending 100° and dipping 70°S. Gold and pyrite occur in the lode. Farther south-east of Garthe was the Ross Claim. Gold occurs in a vesicular gossan in porphyritic granite.

Big Wonder (MGA94 303481E, 7150235N) 509835

The lode was discovered by C.J. and W.H. Barnes in 1914 and was tested by shallow pits and shafts. Saint-Smith (1915) described the lode as lenses of vertical quartzose rock that formed along a very extensive cataclastic zone in granite. The lenses crop out intermittently as the central core of a ridge, near the head of Barnes Gully.

Newmont Holdings Pty Ltd (EPM2731, 1980) cut five exploration trenches all trending 120° across a shear zone trending 160° in greyish pink, medium-grained, porphyritic biotite granodiorite. Gold mineralisation appears to be in quartz veins with minor pyrite associated with a fine-grained felsic dyke in granodiorite. No copper staining was observed. Rock chip samples in the trenches and shafts assayed low gold.

Blast (MGA94 303806E, 7150887N) 509829

A mining lease (ML132) was applied for mining gold in the lower reach of Cadarga Creek. Minor lode gold deposit was discovered in this part of the creek back in 1914 but no production figures are available. Recent exploration included surface bulk sampling.

Brady 1 (MGA94 294378E, 7149559N) 510394

One shaft was sunk to >5m on flat ground. The shaft has been filled and the weathered mullock lying around the shaft consists of friable, white clay. The lode comprises quartz and quartz limonite gangue with minor sulphide occurring within light brown, ferruginous, decomposed gabbro near joints or shears in unaltered gabbro country rock (Williamson, 1981a,b,c).

Brady 2 (MGA94 294422E, 7149577N) 510396

Two shafts trending 115° were sunk on flat ground (Figure 21). Mullock lying around the shafts consists of highly weathered fine-grained rock with quartz and minor calcrete. Mineralisation appears to be multiple quartz veins associated with a south-east-trending fine-grained felsic dyke, which intrudes the granodiorite country rock. The dyke contains up to 1% pyrite by volume. Quartz veins ranging from 10–50mm in width occur in a 0.5m wide ferruginous zone in the weathered outcrop. Rock chip samples indicated that the gold occurs in the quartz and the country rock carries little gold (Williamson, 1981a,b,c). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 97

Soil contour (gold)

1 0 0

1 1 00 5 2 2 5 1

Soil Cover

lode lode, qtz feldspar dyke

Soil Cover

lode

unaltered medium grained gabbro

6B/JL-10-96/JL04.cdr (dump)

BRADYS

Figure 21: Surface sketch of the Brady 2 workings

Brilliant (MGA94 296191E, 7150410N) 510331

The mine is situated on high ground, on the northern slope of a high ridge. The old workings consist of five shafts trending 120° over a distance of 100m in diorite. The eastern half of the lode was worked by three shafts sunk to >20m deep. The easternmost shaft is a well-timbered decline shaft sunk at 45°SW to intersect the lode at a projected depth of 30m. The western shafts were sunk >10m.

Ball (1904b) described the mine as being 9.5km west-south-west of the junction of Cadarga Creek and the Auburn River. The lode strikes 100° and dips 45°S in diorite. At the eastern end of the lode, a shaft was sunk to 25m and at the 15m level a 3m long crosscut intersected a quartz lode between slickensided walls. Samples of the lode assayed traces of gold and silver. At the western end of the lode, a shaft was sunk to 20m and intersected a 150mm wide chloritic quartz vein. Samples of the vein assayed up to 10g/t gold and 5g/t silver. The footwall is a fissile felsitic rock with well-developed slickensides. The hanging wall is a well-defined diorite. About 3.2kg gold was produced from 125t of ore (ARDM, 1904).

In 1980, Newmont Holdings Ltd (EPM2731) described the lode as occupying a 150mm wide fissure trending 119° and dipping 48°S. Rock chip assay results were low for gold, with one lode sample assayed 10ppm gold (Williamson, 1981a,b,c). G.L. Grealy/Kirk River Mining Pty Ltd/Costain Australia Ltd (EPM4028, 1987) described the lode trending 110–120° (Hayes, 1987). The sheared zone is narrow and dips ~55°S.

The lode consists of quartz veins up to 0.3m wide in a medium-grained diorite. The quartz is greenish in colour and contains fragments of a very fine-grained felsic rock. 98 Lam

Some of the felsic rocks are chalcedonic in composition and exhibit well developed red and purple colloform banding <1mm thick. Minor pyrite was identified in the felsic rock. The relationship between the felsic rock and country rock is not clear but the dyke rock appears to be closely associated with the lode.

Cadarga 7 (MGA94 303546E, 7149480N) 509995

One of the gold mining leases (ML136) applied for to the west of Dreams of Avarice.

Delubra (MGA94 294646E, 7149357N) 510449

The old workings have been obliterated by dozer cut, with the remains of two piles of mullock trending 120° indicating the likely position of the former shafts. The mullock consists of quartz breccia, probably silica replacement of fine-grained rock. Minor arsenopyrite and pyrite were identified in the quartz. Near the mullock is an outcrop of medium-grained diorite with narrow quartz-feldspar veins.

Dougherty/Doherty Leader (MGA94 296906E, 7149987N) 510354

Ball (1904b) described the Dougherty Leader as being ~1km south-east of the Brilliant. A trench was cut and a shaft was sunk to 10m deep and intersected a 100mm wide east-trending quartz vein at the contact of sandstone and diorite. The vein carries a high gold content and appears to be associated with the kaolinised diorite.

Feldspar (MGA94 305566E, 7152150N) 509806

The mine is 1.6km west of the junction of the Auburn River and Toondoonnananigy Creek and was worked by a vertical shaft sunk 20m deep in strongly fractured granodiorite on a steep bank of the Auburn River. The host rock is a medium-grained granodiorite with minor biotite and quartz. Mineralisation is confined to a crumbly, hydrothermally-altered porphyritic felspathic rock containing fracture-filled iron-stained comb quartz veins up to 30mm wide. Quartz crystals are up to 20mm long and 5mm wide. No sulphide minerals were observed in the quartz veins. The lode has a mottled appearance, and crops out intermittently along strike of east-north-east and over a length of 500m. A sample of the lode assayed 4.6g/t gold (Ball, 1904b).

Fulloon (MGA94 292758E, 7147916N) 510568

The mine is situated on high ground, at the head of a small creek. One shaft was sunk near the boundary of a medium-grained leuco-granodiorite (20% muscovite, plagioclase>K-feldspar and minor quartz) cropping out to the north, and a hornblende porphyry gabbro to the south of the shaft. The granodiorite has a well-developed foliation trending 150° and is cut by a quartz lode along strike 080–090°. The lode consists mainly of quartz veins with minor fine-grained pyrite cubes <1mm wide. Some of the quartz mullock is gossanous and has abundant boxworks. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 99

gully

qtz sericite altered P granodiorite

approximate limit of variably altered granodiorite

(dump) Soil Cover (dump) (dump) qtz sericite altered ? granodiorite with (dump) ? limonite fractures (wallrock) brecciated, bleached P granodiorite

limonite granodiorite

Unaltered granodiorite/odomellite

6B/JL-10-96/JL03.cdr porphyritic, limonite granodiorite

DREAMS OF AVARICE

Figure 22: Surface sketch of Dreams of Avarice workings Recent company exploration described the lode as having a strike of 104° with a steep, south dip, and is hosted in a 50m wide north-trending unaltered granodiorite intruded into the Delubra Quartz Gabbro (Williamson, 1981a,b,c).

Dreams of Avarice/Wonder Extended (MGA94 303865E, 7149455N) 509871

The Dreams of Avarice is on Cadarga Creek, 6km from its junction with the Auburn River. The lode was discovered by C.J. and W.H. Barnes in 1914. About 1.3kg gold was produced from mining 100t of ore in two adjoining opencuts.

Cameron (1915) and Saint-Smith (1915) reported that a shaft was sunk to 12m (Figure 22). From the bottom of the shaft, a drive was cut 20m in a north-east direction, and a rise was excavated for 3m from the end of the drive. In the shaft, the ore zone of quartz veins with a grade of 6g/t gold was intersected at 5m in granite. Below the ore zone a pyrite vein (100 to 300mm wide) assayed 25g/t gold. The drive north-east from the shaft failed to intersect the projected downward continuation of the gold-bearing veins met with in the shaft. An outcrop of irregular ferruginous quartz veins with hematite bands occurs ~200m east of the shaft. The hematite assayed 150g/t gold and 20g/t silver. A 0.5m wide lode is exposed in a pit ~40m south-east of the shaft, and a sample of the lode assayed 2g/t gold. A 20t lot of ore taken from an opencut on the main quartz vein and other surface stone near the shaft were crushed at the Auburn Falls battery, which returned a grade of 10g/t gold. Subsequent tests indicated the tailing sands containing up to 10g/t gold. Ground clearance has obliterated most of the old workings.

Cameron (1915) reported that the lode occurs in acid volcanic rocks overlying micaceous granite. Gold occurs in small quartz veins in the volcanic rock with disseminated pyrite, which commonly weathered to a ferruginous gossan. The veins 100 Lam dip steeply to the north-east. The granite at the bottom of the shaft has apparently intruded the volcanic rock, and the gold-bearing quartz veins appear to be genetically related to the granite intrusion. Saint-Smith (1915) described the lode as being hosted in the felspathic sandstone intruded by granite. The main lode appears to have a shallow depth and is dipping gently in a south-easterly direction. Gold is irregularly distributed but generally near to or at the contact of the lode and granite. A lode outcrop sample assayed up to 70g/t gold and 8g/t silver.

In 1981, Newmont Holdings Pty Ltd (EPM2731) described the mine as occurring within a locally sericitised phase of the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite, below the contact with the unconformably overlying Jurassic Evergreen Formation. Gold mineralisation apparently extends into the basal sandstone of the Evergreen Formation. The alteration zone appears to trend 140°. Numerous slickensides striations trending 145° and dipping 52° occur in the mine area. Rock chip samples assayed 0.221–13.5ppm gold and all high gold results were from a thin quartz vein at the centre of, and parallelling to the zone of alteration (Williamson, 1981a,b,c).

Flying Scotchman (MGA94 303080E, 7151205N) 509816

The mine is situated on high ground and was worked by shafts and pits trending 120° over a distance of 100m. Recent company exploration (Kirk River Mining Ltd) made four dozer cuts across the lode in sericite-altered granodiorite. Gold mineralisation appears to be in narrow quartz veins. Very little quartz was found in the mullock. The country rock is a greyish pink, medium-grained, equigranular, biotite granodiorite with trace amounts of pyrite.

Great Eastern (MGA94 297983E, 7146962N) 510555

The mine is ~10.5km south-west of the junction of Cadarga Creek and the Auburn River, and 0.5km south of Junction Creek. Workings are on low ground and include several shafts and pits trending 120° over a distance of 50m (Figure 23). The mullock consists of a large volume of quartz with minor pyrite and arsenopyrite.

An old boiler stands near the north-western end of the line of workings, at which a strongly altered diorite and a weathered fine-grained felsic rock are exposed on a gully wall. A lode consisting of quartz veins associated with fine-grained felsic rock is emplaced along a shear zone in the diorite. The mineralised zone is >1m wide and dips steeply to the south-west.

Ball (1904b) described several lenticular manganiferous and iron-stained quartz lodes occur in diorite. One of the lodes up to 1m wide has a strike of 110° and dip 80° south. An old shaft was sunk to 10m and raised many tonnes of manganese-stained limonite but no quartz lode material. A new shaft was sunk to 5m on an east-trending quartz-arsenopyrite lode. Samples of a 5t ore assayed up to 3g/t gold and 7g/t silver. About 0.7kg gold was produced from 55t of ore.

In 1980, Newmont Holdings Ltd (EPM2731) reported three composite samples of the lode collected over a strike length of 75m assayed 2.8ppm gold. Soil sampling defined a linear gold anomaly extending 10–20m north of the main line of the lode (Williamson, 1981a,b,c). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 101

Soil contour (gold)

TR ?

0.2 0.3 Soil Cover 0.2 TR scorched manganiferous qtz dump shallow pits with Soil Cover qtz on dump

gully 6B/JL-10-96/JL.01.cdr

GREAT EASTERN

Figure 23: Surface sketch of the Great Eastern workings In 1989, Kirk River Mining Pty Ltd described the main line of shafts and trenches sunk on a 5–8m wide zone of quartz-veined altered diorite and aplite. The lode strikes 115°, is 0.5–1m thick and has a clayey alteration envelope up to 5m wide in wall rock. Samples of the lode with boxworks and weathered sulphide assayed up to 21ppm gold and 14ppm silver, and numerous zones of wall rock alteration (a clayey altered diorite) assayed 0.2– 2ppm gold. The main lode extension at depth was tested by reverse circulation drillholes. Drilling results indicated that the alteration zones appear widest to the south of the main lodes. Mapping outlined a 50m wide mineralised zone over 200m long, intruded by narrow dykes or stocks of biotite granite and aplite. The zone has a potential resource of 750 000t with a grade 2–5g/t gold (Derrick, 1989).

Michalite (MGA94 292612E, 7148281N) 510569

The mine is situated on high ground, on the left bank of a small creek. Old working consists of one vertical shaft sunk >10m deep on the intersection of a breccia quartz lode and a granite dyke in medium-grained diorite. The dyke has a strike of 110° and

Figure 24: Michalite mine — brecciated quartz with subangular quartz clasts and quartz crystal-filled vughs (back) and hornblende diorite country rock (front) 102 Lam the orientation of the breccia quartz lode appears to be 035° with a steeply south-east dip. The lode consists of white to milky coloured quartz, reddish pink veinlets and host rock fragments. Large vughs and subangular quartz clasts are common features of the lode (Figure 24). The vughs are up to 100mm wide and have large, well-formed, elongated quartz crystal on the vugh walls. The crystals are up to 30mm in length and 5mm in width. Chalcedony occurs as thin linings at the base of the quartz crystals as well as on the vugh wall. No sulphide minerals were identified in the quartz lying around the shaft. Ball (1904b) described the lode as narrow (up to 100mm), carrying up to 90g/t gold.

In 1988, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124) stated that the workings consist of shallow shafts, one timbered. The northernmost shaft was sunk on weathered diorite. The mullock is mainly barren quartz but samples assayed up to 20ppm gold (Catherall, 1988a,b).

Mount Ure (MGA94 303486E, 7149947N) 509844

Saint-Smith (1915) reported that the Mount Ure Prospecting Area adjoined the western boundary of the Big Wonder, and with the northern boundary of the Wonder Extended. A lode, probably an extension of the Wonder Extended, crops out on a steep hill (Mount Ure), near Cadarga Creek. A sample of the lode assayed 30g/t gold but the size of the lode appears to be small. To the north-east of Mount Ure, an auriferous quartz vein occurs in a shear zone in granite. This vein has a strike of 110° and a southerly dip. It is ~100mm wide. Gold was found in this vein and the host granite has calcite alteration up to 0.5m wide near the vein.

New Camp (MGA94 304136E, 7150483N) 509830

Recent company exploration has cleared the ground surface to ~0.1m deep. No sign of any of the old workings were found. Minor very fine-grained pyrite was observed in a greyish pink, medium-grained, biotite granodiorite (Figure 25).

Peter Pan (MGA94 299206E, 7148887N) 510479

Reid (1934b) reported a vertical shaft was sunk to 25m deep, on a lode with strike 105° and vertical dip in medium-grained diorite (Figure 26). At 14m, the shaft intersected a 250mm wide quartz vein in a lode up to 1m wide. Samples assayed up to 10g/t gold and 4g/t silver. Recent company exploration described the lode as consisting of quartz with alteration envelope up to 30m wide extended over 200m along 110–120° in the Delubra Quartz Gabbro (Hayes, 1987).

PMM 0376 (MGA94 303356E, 7154287N) 509810

A shaft was located by an officer of the GSQ during regional mapping in the area in the 1970s. The host rock is a medium- to coarse-grained, equigranular, biotite granodiorite with numerous xenoliths and arsenopyrite-pyrite-quartz veins.

Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 103

v N

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v

v v

0 50 NEW CAMP metres

Biotitic granite porphyry

Altered porphyry - east dipping veins and sheets of qtz-sericite (greisen)

and limonite

v

v Silicified porphry / rhyolitic porphyry v

Microdiorite 6B/JL-12-96/037-05.cdr

Trench

Figure 25: Surface geology of the New Camp area

Truze (MGA94 302606E, 7146787N) 509879

The Truze workings comprise a series of east-south-east-trending pits sunk on two narrow lodes over an area of 200m long and ~60m wide at the southern margin of the Cadarga Creek Granodiorite, near its contact with the Delubra Quartz Gabbro. The lodes appear to be associated with a swamp of east-trending felsic dykes and west-north-west-trending lineament structure. Ball (1904b) reported that indurated felspathic rocks with quartz lenses striking east-south-east and dipping 60°S occur at the margin of weakly altered, limonitic, quartz veined biotite granite. The alteration zone extends 200m to the west of the main workings, and narrow alteration zones continue 400m along strike to the east. High gold assays were obtained in areas of intense quartz veining in the granodiorite mainly on the eastern end of the alteration zone. Recent company exploration reported that rock chip samples of a small ferruginous, altered quartz-veined gossanous zone 30m long by 10m wide assayed up to 47g/t gold (Williamson, 1981a,b,c). 104 Lam

Diorite

Granite N

70 Red biotite granite

0 10 20 30

metres

Shafts

Line of reef 7A/JL-01-97/058-04.cdr

Granite/diorite contact PETER PAN

Figure 26: Surface sketch of the Peter Pan workings Four reverse circulation percussion drillholes were drilled to test a 60m wide zone of altered granodiorite intruded by minor aplite. A total of 92 samples at 2m intervals were assayed, with 11 samples assayed >0.1ppm gold. Drilling results indicated that the host granodiorite is altered mildly to moderately over a width up to 60m, and much of it is pyritic below the base of oxidation. Alteration is mainly sericitic and clayey, with some silicification. Quartz veining is restricted to the main lodes and to zones of weakly developed stockworking throughout the granodiorite (Kirk River Mining, EPM4028, 1989).

Turner/Turner’s (MGA94 305106E, 7141587N) 509928

The Turner/Turner’s prospect appears to have been worked by shallow diggings. Recent company exploration included a bulldozer cut along a mineralised quartz lode in metasedimentary shales, siltstones and volcanolithic rocks with minor chert bands (Figure 27). Traverses by company geologist over the area failed to find any signs of other old workings apart from one filled shaft and a small heap of mullock (Hayes, 1987). It would appear that some old workings were filled.

William (MGA94 300947E, 7145282N) 509953

This occurrence was discovered around 1936 in what was known as the Pyramid prospecting area. An opencut 12m long was excavated to 3m deep, and a shaft was sunk ~2m deep. The workings are situated near the foot of a ridge and appear to have Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 105

quartz and meta-seds

gabbro

quartz and meta-seds

N meta-seds 0 10 6B/JL-12-96/037-03A.cdr TURNERS PROSPECT metres

Figure 27: Surface sketch of Turner prospect sunk on a limonitic zone <0.3m wide, dipping steeply to the SW along a strike 120°. Recent exploration cut two trenches across an aplite dyke, which has intruded along the limonite zone in the gabbro. No quartz was observed in the mullock.

X-Rays (MGA94 297572E, 7148580N) 510567

Three shafts trending 120° over a distance of 40m were sunk on low ground (Figure 28). The southern shaft is >20m deep and appears to have driven towards the north-west. Ball (1904b) reported that the western shaft was connected to the central shaft by a drive over 10m long. The lode breaks up into a number of leaders in a porphyry dyke and samples of the lode assayed up to 4.5g/t gold and 6g/t silver. About 0.5kg gold was produced from 28t of ore.

In 1980, Newmont Holdings Ltd (EPM2731) reported that old workings were sunk on a 1.2m wide quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke, striking 101° and dipping 84° south. The dyke crops out for ~100m. Samples of the dyke assayed <1ppm gold (Williamson, 1981a,b,c). Mineralisation is shear-controlled quartz veins emplaced in a medium-grained, greyish white gabbro. The mullock consists of strongly sheared and decomposed host rock, minor quartz and silicified limonite with minor chrysocolla. 106 Lam

Outcrop of silica alteration?, fracture zone, with highly porous altered gabbro. Holes angular after sulphides? - pyramids after pyrite?

Cr eek Soil covered gabbro

Soil covered gabbro + floaters?

Shaft 2

Shallow sample pit

Shaft 1

Scattered gabbro outcrop

Felsic dyke N outcrop

D A O R 0 50 metres 6B/JL-12-96/037-02.cdr X-RAYS MINE

Figure 28: Surface sketch of the X-Rays workings COMMENT

• The lodes are up to 0.3m in width and have predominant east-south-east strike and south-west dip. Past mining indicated that they have strike length <100m, and rarely exceeded 35m in depth. • Most of the lodes consist of pyrite-arsenopyrite-quartz veins. No other base metal sulphide was identified in quartz. The veins carry high gold grade and appreciable amounts of silver. Gold is commonly associated with arsenopyrite. • The lodes are closely associated with felsic dykes that intrude the host granite or gabbro. Minor amounts of pyrite also occur in the dykes as well as in the host rocks. Recent company exploration indicated that gold is confined to the mineralised lode, and the host rock carries little to no gold.

Table 3 summarises lode gold mineralisation in the Dykehead provisional goldfield.

OUTLYING AREA OF DYKEHEAD PROVISIONAL GOLDFIELD

MAIN TOP AREA

Mining history

In 1930, gold was discovered in the Main Top area. Shepherd (1933a,b) reported that many prospecting claims were granted. Numerous shafts and trenches were sunk on diorite to test the area, and a five-head battery was erected on the eastern bank of the Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 107

Table 3: Summary of lode gold mineralisation in the Dykehead Provisional Goldfield

NAME LODE STRIKE/ DYKE HOST COMMENT DIP ROCK ROCK Big Wonder Quartz-pyrite 160°/90° Fine-grained Porphyritic vertical quartzose felsic biotite rock in cataclastic granite zone Brady Quartz-pyrite 115° Fine-grained Gabbro dyke contains up to felsic 1% pyrite Brilliant Chloritic 100°/45°S, Fine-grained Gabbro vein assayed up to quartz-gold-silver 119°/48°S felsic 10g/t gold and 5g/t silver Delubra Quartz-arsenopyrite ~120° Fine-grained Gabbro brecciated lode -pyrite felsic(?) Fulloon Quartz-pyrite 104°S Granodiorite some quartz mullock is full of boxworks Dreams of Quartz-pyrite ~140°NE Granodiorite sample assayed up Avarice to 70g/t gold and 8g/t silver Flying Quartz ~120° Granodiorite host rock carries Scotchman minor pyrite Great Quartz-pyrite- 110°/80°S Fine-grained Gabbro ore samples assayed Eastern arsenopyrite felsic up to 3g/t gold and 7g/t silver Michalite Brecciated quartz ~35°SE Gabbro lode consists of large vughs and subangular quartz clast; samples assayed up to 90g/t gold Mount Ure Quartz 110°S Granite samples assayed up to 30g/t gold Peter Pan Quartz-pyrite 105°/90°, Gabbro samples assayed up 110–120° to 10g/t gold and 4g/t silver Truze Quartz 120°/60°S Granodiorite samples assayed up to 47g/t gold William Limonitic zone 120°SW Aplite Gabbro barren quartz lode X-Rays Quartz-limonite- 101°/84°S Quartz- Gabbro samples assayed up chrysocolla(?) feldspar to 4.5g/t gold and porphyritic 6g/t silver Auburn River, near the old Hawkwood Post Office. However, the find was short lived as prospecting work failed to discover any large lodes and the lodes generally cut out at shallow depths. The area was abandoned in 1932 when gold was discovered on Hooper and Cheltenham Creeks, and on the western bank of the Auburn River, 2km north of the Hawkwood homestead.

Main Top (MGA94 283992E, 7145608N) 510637

In the past ~20 leases were applied for gold mining in the Main Top area. They were the Desdemona, Tin Top, On Top, Tip Top, Silver Top, Royal Top, Crubby Mound, 108 Lam

Main Top, Red Top, Hacks Hope, Lucky Quest, Little Struggler and Swagmans Rest. At the Main Top lease, two shafts, 30m apart, and an opencut of 8m long worked the lode. The vertical shaft was sunk to 10m and an underlie shaft to 8m. The Desdemona adjoined the western boundary of Main Top and was worked by three shafts from 2–3m deep in granite. Tin Top adjoined the western boundary of Desdemona. Several surface trenches were dug and several shafts to 3.5m were sunk but no lode was exposed. The On Top lease adjoined the northern boundary of Tin Top and Desdemona. Three shafts from 2.5–3m were sunk. One of the shafts was sunk on a vertical quartz lode with a strike of 170°. No gold was detected in this lode. Tip Top adjoined the southern boundary of Desdemona. A shaft was sunk to 5.5m on a vertical quartz lode carrying minor pyrite and chalcopyrite. Another shaft was sunk on an east-trending quartz lode with a dip of 45° south in andesite.

Reid (1932e) reported that the Main Top lode appears to have occupied a fissure in a large diorite or tonalite intrusion. The footwall is decomposed andesite and the hanging wall is granite. The lode strikes 120° and dips 60°SW and varies in width from 0.3 to ~1 m. It consists of siliceous ironstone and iron-stained glassy quartz, with minor chrysocolla and chalcopyrite. Samples of the lode assayed up to 8g/t gold and 34g/t silver. Reid (1932d) also described the May Day lode as being hosted by medium-grained diorite. The lode consists of narrow rubbly quartz veins with copper stains. It has a strike of 155° and dip 35°SW. Samples assayed up to 6g/t gold and 3.8% copper.

In 1986, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124) located the Main Top workings 3km south-east of Hawkwood homestead. The workings were sunk on the contact of weathered andesite and adamellite within a dioritic intrusive rock. The lode appears to have intruded along the contact between a brittle adamellite and andesite. A grab sample from the mullock assayed 1.74ppm gold.

MOUNT NARAYEN AREA

Mining and exploration history

The Narayen deposit on the western bank of the Auburn River (Figure 29) was worked from 1932–1936. Total production is ~50kg gold from 1100t of milled ore (Catherall, 1988a,b). The workings extend over a strike length of 3.8km along 350–360° and are on a vein system, which varies from 1–4 m in width in bleached and limonitic metasedimentary rocks. The principal mines were the Narayen, Golden Crest and South Narayen. An option to purchase all the mining leases was acquired by Brisbane Prospecting Ltd in 1932 and subsequently Hawkwood Gold Mines NL was formed to explore the Narayen group of mines. Underground mining commenced in 1933. The ore was stoped from the 15m level and milled on site, and the gold was recovered by cyanide treatment. A return of 25.6kg of gold from 500t of ore is recorded for the year. Mining continued to 1934 but due to diminishing ore grade, the company ceased operation. The crushing plant was dismantled and shifted to Cracow.

Recent company exploration in the area included Newmont Holdings (EPM2730, 1980), Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124, 1985) and Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4979, 1987). Rock chip and soil samples returned low gold assays, except Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 109

25 36 S 150 43 E 150 52 E 25 48 S

Figure 29: Gold occurrences in the Mount Narayen area for one rock chip sample from the Narayen mine, which assayed up to 28.8g/t gold. Nineteen costeans were dug; samples from costeans assayed high copper and barium but low gold. Soil samples collected near the old workings assayed up to 2.09ppm gold (Hall, 1988). Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd drilled 12 RC drillholes to test the Narayen deposit. The best result was 5m at 1.85ppm gold.

Geology

The Narayen beds consist largely of andesitic volcanic rocks and volcanogenic sediments cropping out over 337km2 from Yerilla homestead in the north to south of Hawkwood homestead. The unit is intruded by Permo-Triassic granites in the east and south. In the west, the unit has an unconformable contact with Carboniferous granites. 110 Lam

N Water tank

Shaft

Shaft Decline 45° Reef strikes N/S and dips 45° 45

Mullock heap with sulphide ore from underground development

0 10 20 30

metres 7A/JL-01-97/058-06.cdr

EVENING STAR

Figure 30: Surface sketch of the Evening Star workings Whitaker & others (1974) described the Narayen beds as consisting dominantly of altered or mildly hornfelsed intermediate to basic lavas and tuffs, and minor tuffaceous arenites and conglomerates. Many of the lodes in hornfelsed country rocks are associated with acid or intermediate dykes that occur close to the contact with the granites.

The local geology consists of metamorphosed siltstones, sandstones and mudstones to the west, with andesites and possible feldspar porphyry to the east. The line of old workings appears to closely follow this contact, although the actual contact is indistinct on ground.

Evening Star (MGA94 281029E, 7150172N) 510649

Cribb (1935a) described this occurrence to the south of the New Moon workings. It is located on a north-trending lode in a valley with very little outcrop between Peter Pan mine to the north and the Narayen mine to the south (Catherall, 1986). The main workings consist of two shafts (Figure 30). Adjacent to a water tank, a vertical shaft was sunk to 10m deep on the eastern side of the lode outcrop. About 15m south-south-west of the vertical shaft, an incline shaft was sunk to 20m deep in the Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 111 hanging wall, to intersect the lode at 14m. Mullock consists of blue phyllite but no quartz. Past prospecting work included a single line of shallow workings extending south over a distance of 200m.

The lode strikes north and dips 45°E. Gold mineralisation is associated with ferruginous quartz veins carrying minor pyrite and arsenopyrite in weathered phyllite. In 1988, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd reported that rock chip samples returned high arsenic but gold values were generally low.

Gold Crest (MGA94 280906E, 7148687N) 510653

Reid (1932b) and Denmead (1933c) described the Gold Crest workings as lying ~400m south of the Narayen workings. The two workings could be on the same line of auriferous lode. A quartz lode was exposed in a shallow trench. A sample of quartz lying in the trench assayed traces of gold and 9g/t silver. Shepherd (1933a,b) reported that a shaft to 1.5m deep was sunk in granite on a small quartz lode with a strike of 155° and dip of 61°E.

Golden Road

Denmead (1933c) reported that the Golden Road is to the south of Narayen. A shaft was sunk to 11m but failed to intersect any gold-bearing lode. Another shaft was sunk to 8m and a lode was intersected in a crosscut. Samples assayed up to 6g/t gold.

Hope of Hawk (MGA94 280906E, 7149387N) 510659

The lease is situated to the north of Narayen and appears to be on the northern extension of the Narayen lode.

Mountain King (MGA94 281157E, 7151057N) 510660

Cribb (1935b) reported that the Mountain King is to the south of Peter Pan, and was worked by two shafts (Figure 31). A new shaft was sunk 2m east of the old shafts. In 1985, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4214) located the occurrence 3km north of Hawkwood homestead, between Peter Pan to the north and the Narayen mine to the south. Outcrop is poor due to thick soil cover. The lode consists of quartz veins with strike 185° and dip 85°E in slate country rock. Locally the slate dips steeply to the east on a strike of 170°.

A half metre wide quartz lode exposed in a 4m deep shaft consists mainly of iron-stained quartz with very minor pyrite and arsenopyrite. A channel sample chipped across the lode assayed up to 3.76ppm gold. Four costeans were excavated but all of the samples from the costeans assayed <0.1ppm gold (Catherall, 1986a,b).

The attitude of the outcrop suggests the lode could be lenticular, and represents an infilled tension gash with limited strike. Although there are several pits and costeans at Mountain King, no major mining development appears to have occurred in the past. 112 Lam

costeans

N

Prospect pits

Shaft Reef 185° M

Slate 170° M

Shaft (In-filled) costeans

0 10 20 7A/JL-01-97/058-03.cdr metres MOUNTAIN KING

Figure 31: Surface sketch of the Mountain King workings Mystery Maria (MGA94 281106E, 7150187N) 510663

Shepherd (1933a,b) described the Mystery Maria situated ~1.2km north of Narayen workings. A shaft was sunk to 3m and intersected a 0.3m wide quartz leader in granite. The vein has a northerly strike and a steep easterly dip. A sample of the quartz leader failed to show any gold or silver. Several shallow shafts were also sunk to test the extension of mineralisation in the granite.

Narayen (MGA94 280925E, 7149201N) 510648

The Narayen workings consist of a main shaft, an opencut, and an adit, and six cyanide treatment tanks (Figure 32). Outcrop of the lode extends south of the main Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 113 N

dump sample settling tanks limonitised quartz reef, azurite, malachite old mill footings

area of dump sample limonised quartz reef, minor azurite, selection quartz reef little py malachite massive quartz reef, limonitised Fe-stained quartz reef

underground workings chip samples: FW - altered kaolinised microgranite, weathered phyllite, chlorite schist Reef - massive Fe-stained quartz stream HW - weathered chlorite schist 6B/JL-10-96/JL10.cdr

NARAYEN

Figure 32: Surface sketch of the Narayen workings shaft and over 120m into the adjoining Gold Crest lease. The lode is exposed sporadically in pits and shafts sunk on phyllite. Kaolinite-sericite alteration occurs along the southern extension of the lode. The phyllites are schistose probably due to being hornfelsed by local granite intrusion.

Shepherd (1933a,b) reported that the main shaft was sunk to 30m. At the 15m level, a short westerly crosscut intersected the lode at a distance of 1m and was continued a further 4m into the kaolinitic footwall rock. Native gold was identified in the lode at this level. The hanging wall rock is dark green, slightly schistose shale, whereas the footwall rock is decomposed granite. A drive along the lode extended for 15m along a strike of 168°. The lode has an easterly dip of 75° and consists of up to 1m wide of iron-stained quartz carrying a cellular siliceous gossan. At the 30m level, the lode pinched out in the shaft and had a lateral extent of 12m. It would appear that the lenticular lode has almost equal dimensions both laterally and vertically.

At the entrance of an adit driven at the northern end of a small opencut (20m long by 5m wide by 3m deep) a quartz vein 0.5m wide is exposed on the wall. The vein strikes 160° and dips 85°E, and is concordant with the phyllite foliation. Past mining appears to have concentrated on lode adjacent to the western margin of the quartz vein. The lode consists of kaolinised phyllite intruded by quartz veins. The width of the lode is not known but is estimated to be >1m. Below the weathered zone, the phyllite is bluish green.

Quartz with phyllite fragments, vesicular felsic tuff, fine-grained intrusive aplite, medium-grained greisenised granodiorite and kaolinised granodiorite have been found in mullock near the workings. The massive white quartz carries fine-grained 114 Lam

Figure 33: Narayen mine (a) ghosted phyllite fragments are preferred sites of sulphide precipitation (pyrite>arsenopyrite), (b) 1. pyrite in vughy quartz; 2. andesitic tuff (subparallel bandings — weathering feature); 3. silicified aplite dyke rock; 4. blue schist/phyllite- hornfelsed sedimentary country rock pyrite and arsenopyrite aggregates and sulphides rimmed phyllite fragments (Figure 33).

In 1985, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd drilled 12 reverse circulation drillholes totalling 732m and 5 diamond drillholes at the Narayen mine to test mineralisation at depth. Drillholes intersected minor mineralised zones with brecciation and silicification at depth. Gold up to 2.22ppm and 9825ppm arsenic were obtained from drill cores assay. About seven costeans were cut across the lode structure, extending 1.2km south of the main workings. Costean rock chip samples assayed <0.2ppm gold. However, Reid (1932f) reported the quartz from a vein 150mm wide assayed up to 120g/t gold.

North Star (MGA94 281006E, 7149887N) 510651

Denmead (1933a,d) reported that prospecting work was carried out at North Star. The country rock is phyllite with dip 80°E. A shaft was sunk to 20m deep on a ferruginous lode of quartz, silicified phyllite and kaolin. At the bottom of the shaft, a crosscut intersected a 3m wide lode. Gold content was patchy and irregularly distributed throughout the lode.

Nancy

Denmead (1933a) described this occurrence as north of Narayen but no other information was given.

New Moon (MGA94 281006E, 7150187N) 510650

Reid (1934b) reported that the New Moon is 1km north of Narayen and lies to the north of North Star. The country rock is phyllite traversed by a kaolinised dyke rock. A siliceous lode in phyllite was exposed for over 30m in a shallow costean. The mineralised vein is 0.6m wide and strikes 165° with easterly dip. A vertical shaft was sunk 3m east of the lode outcrop and reached 22m deep. A 0.3m wide lode of quartz veinlets along dyke/phyllite contact was intersected at 8m deep in the shaft. At a Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 115 depth of 15m, a crosscut was excavated to intersect the lode and a drive was driven 10m north and 5m south. In the drive 3m south from the crosscut, a 1.5m wide lode consisted of 50% phyllite and 50% quartz assayed 15g/t gold and 6g/t silver. About 4t of ore were mined from the drives.

Cribb (1935c) reported that on the hanging wall side of the lode and running parallel with it is a decomposed kaolinised porphyry dyke 1m wide. The dyke is dipping 45°E. The lode is separated from the dyke rock by 60mm of yellow clay, which parts in large flakes with highly polished surfaces. The lode is of the fissure type and varies from 0.6–1.5m wide and contains ~50% quartz with inclusions of pyrite and slate.

In 1985, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd explored the New Moon deposit and described the workings as consisting of 3 or 4 pits on a siliceous, agate-like vein in volcanic rocks. All seven rock chip samples returned very low gold assay results (Hall, 1988).

Peter Pan (MGA94 281288E, 7151708N) 510664

This deposit is 5km north of Hawkwood homestead. Workings consist of pits and shafts extending over 250m along a northerly direction on the eastern flank of a low hill capped by duricrusted sandstone and ferricrete. The country rocks exposed in the two shafts comprise reddish decomposed biotite granite. The No.1 shaft was sunk to 20m on the underlie of the lode. At 16m, the lode was met in a crosscut excavated through 1.5m decomposed granite. Samples of the lode returned very low gold value.

The No.2 shaft is 40m WNW of No.1 but failed to intersect the lode at the expected depth. The shaft intersected greenish decomposed biotite granite. The decomposed rock contains numerous thin seams of horizontal to sub-horizontal white, finely granular quartz and finely crystalline epidote. These seams are entirely absent from the granite proper. A 6m crosscut south from the No.2 shaft failed to meet the lode intersection whilst a 22m crosscut showed there are no subparallel lodes in the hanging wall (Cribb, 1935d).

Denmead (1933a,b,d) reported that the lodes are narrow, forming either high-temperature deposit along joints in granite, or as interlaminated veins in phyllite. Very little gold was shed into the soil. There are no rock outcrops in the vicinity owing to a thick soil cover. The quartz ore mined had a grade of >15g/t gold.

However, Catherall (1986) described the lode as occupying a fissure, probably emplaced along a tension joint in granite. It is up to 1.5m wide but averages 0.6m, and has a strike 110° and dip 70°NNE. Mineralisation appears to be veins and stringers of massive, white, ironstained gossanous quartz with remnant pyrite and chalcopyrite in tan-coloured vughy volcanic rocks. Rock chip samples failed to detect any appreciable gold content.

Pride of Hawk (MGA94 280676E, 7149337N) 510652

The lease is situated adjacent west of Hope of Hawk and appears to be on the northern extension of the Narayen lode. 116 Lam

siliceous lode outcropping in pit with scattered ferruginous phyllite

spoil composit - bleached iron stained phyllite and quartz fence

dump sample, altered metasediment

dump sample - bleached, fractured dump sample, altered metasediment with thin quartz veins ferruginous metasediment rock chip altered metasediment, 4m dump sample, altered metasediment

Soil cover

siliceous lode outcropping in pit, 1m footwall to lode, altered metasediment, 1m hangingwall to lode, altered metasediment, 0.4m approximate limit of scattered outcrop of altered, bleached quartz - kaolinite - sericite metasediment

rock chip altered metasediment, 7m

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approximate location of creek dump sample, quartz and altered metasediment

rock chip,altered metasediment, 3m

6B/JL-10-96/JL07.cdr Thick soil cover approximate limit of outcrop SOUTH NARAYEN

Figure 34: Surface sketch of the South Narayen workings South Narayen (MGA94 280818E, 7148246N) 510667

The mine was worked by two sets of workings, one set of three shafts trending 140° and the other set of two shafts and two pits trending 080° (Figure 34). Shepherd (1933a,b) reported that another shaft was sunk to 12m deep in decomposed granite near the southern boundary of the lease.

Gold mineralisation appears to be associated with a shear/fault zone cutting across granite, felsic tuff and phyllite. The lode consists of iron-stained, massive and translucent quartz with minor pyrite. Rock chip samples assayed up to 28.8g/t gold but RC drillhole cuttings returned very low gold assay (Catherall, 1988a,b). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 117

Projected zone of gold mineralisation associated with magnesite, quartz and pyrite

N Shaft Smallol ore stockpile

Mineralisation associated with a swarm of magnesite/carbonate, quartz veinlets, gossaniferous in parts. Steeply dipping NE

Approximate contact between intermediate/ basic volcanic and acid volcanic rocks

Altered volcanic rocks, mainly andesitic, dark grey iron rich with magnesite, pyrrhotite as 0 10 20 30 veinlets metres 7A/JL-01-97/058-07.cdr

FIVE MILE

Figure 35: Surface sketch of the Five Mile workings

FIVE MILE CREEK AREA

Five Mile (MGA94 278206E, 7159387N) 510638

Shepherd (1933b) and Denmead (1933a) reported that the Five Mile Creek deposit was worked by a group of mining claims which included the Jaro, Dorothy, Hawk, Raven, Up Down and Our Hope. Shafts were sunk to shallow depths and the lode was found to be narrow. The lode appears to have been worked but no gold production figure is available.

At the Jaro claim, an incline shaft was sunk to 13m deep and exposed a narrow quartz vein 150mm wide carrying ironstone gossan with low gold content. Small quartz veins were intersected at the 7m and 9m levels. From the bottom of the shaft, 118 Lam crosscuts were excavated towards the north-east and south-west. Two quartz veins with chlorite selvedges were intersected at 3m and 7m in the north-east crosscut. Abundant mica was present, and the vein had very low gold content. The vein strikes 145° and dips 45°NE. About 8m north of the main shaft, a shaft was sunk to 8m and intersected a small quartz lode in decomposed granite. These small veins appear to be high-temperature deposits occurring along joints in granite.

At the Hawk claim, a 100mm wide quartz vein was exposed in two shallow shafts and trenches. The vein strikes east and is barren of gold. Farther south, the Up Down and Our Hope claims were prospected by east-trending trenches.

Hall (1988) reported that the Five Mile deposit consits of a series of workings sunk on magnesite filled shears in weathered adamellite next to a contact with intermediate volcanic rocks (Figure 35). The country rocks are unaltered. Pits were sunk in the adamellite and volcanic rocks. Dump material of quartz and andesite with minor disseminated sulphides (pyrite and pyrrhotite) and malachite stains, assayed up to 3.74ppm gold. Two costeans were dug and the exposed quartz assayed up to 36.9ppm gold in a host rock of clay-altered granite. The strike of mineralisation is subparallel to the contact of a basic metavolcanic rock with weathered acid volcanic rock or highly altered adamellite. Two reverse circulation drillholes and one diamond drillhole were drilled, and one of the drillholes intersected 23m of weathered granodiorite. No significant gold mineralisation zone was intersected. However, a core of unaltered granodiorite with abundant quartz veins 5 to 250mm wide assayed up to 1.61ppm gold (Wightman, 1989).

CHELTENHAM CREEK AREA

Mary Elizabeth (MGA94 278880E, 7165798N) 510645

The Mary Elizabeth deposit on Cheltenham Creek was worked from 1935–1936, with ~140g of gold mined from 10t of ore. The workings comprise an adit, a shaft and a series of pits and trenches extended over 120m along a northerly strike on gossanous outcrops of ferruginous quartz in metasedimentary rocks (Figure 36). Ridgway (1936) reported that the lode was worked by two adjacent mining leases, Mount Yerilla (ML1469) and Mary Elizabeth (ML1470) in Portion 5, Parish of Narayen. The adit was 10m long and a shaft 15m deep was sunk on the southern slope of a north-trending low ridge rising 10m above the ground. A crosscut from the bottom of the shaft was driven in an easterly direction for 24m. Production included 2t of ore with a grade of 26g/t gold from the upper part of the shaft and 5t of ore with a grade of 11.5g/t gold from the lower part of the shaft.

Cribb (1937) reported that the lodes strike west-north-west to north-west and have near vertical dip. However, recent geological mapping indicates that multiple narrow quartz veins up to 30mm wide occur on the roof at the entrance of the adit. The veins strike 015–020° and dips range from near vertical to steeply to the east-south-east. The lode is 0.5–1m wide with a 2m wide kaolinised country rock on the footwall. Mineralisation in the adit appears to be along a strongly ferruginous fault zone in phyllite. Ridgway (1936) described the lode occurs in a fissure and consists of friable, brecciated quartz, iron oxide, magnesite and slate. Two types of Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 119

Adit Geology and Sampling

ridge line sheared chloritic phyllite with internal quartz veining and limonitic quartz reef staining chloritic phyllite shallow trenches quartz reef composite spoil sample phyllite walls of shaft mainly sheared and sheared fe-stained koolinised slate and phyllite milky quartz reef koolinitic phyllite and phyllite koolinised limonitic phyllite with minor sheared chloritic sheared milky quartz quartz veins in corner of shaft quartz veining phyllite with internal quartz reef quartz veining 6m shaft chloritic phyllite adit portal phyllite with narrow sheared chloritic phyllite quartz veins quartz reef with internal quartz veining and limonitic select spoil sample staining sheared milky quartz sheared brecciated fe-stained milky quartz shallow trenches reef - weakly py sheared milky quartz quartz reef reef shallow washed in trenches milky quartz ridge line floor phyllite with quartz veins trench sheared koolinised adit limonitic phyllite workings surface trench - limonitic phyllite with strongly fractured and sheared adit portal internally sheared milky quartz veins chloritic phyllite with quartz veins with py in quartz shear zone phyllite with quartz veinlets sheared milky quartz reef chloritic phyllite with with limonitic staining quartz veins and veinlets 6B/JL-10-96/JL06.cdr

MARY ELIZABETH

Figure 36: Surface sketch of the Mary Elizabeth workings quartz were recongised, an auriferous dark-coloured variety, and a white-coloured variety carrying low gold content. The gold is very fine-grained.

Catherall (1988a,b) reported that 5 costeans were cut across the lode zone and 3 bifurcating shear zones were exposed in the costeans. Samples of quartz veined country rocks assayed up to 0.5ppm gold and samples of a 1m wide quartz lode in a costean assayed up to 8.84ppm gold. The samples generally contain high arsenic and no copper. Two RC drillholes and one diamond were drilled to test the southern extension of the lode and intersected mainly andesite with a maximum of 0.18ppm gold over 1m at 35m depth. Gold mineralisation appears to be associated with quartz veins infilling shear zone within the metasedimentary rock.

One shallow pit (MGA94 278686E, 7166444N) was sunk on ferruginous gossan in metasedimentary rock. Minor quartz veins were exposed. Mineralisation appears to be similar to that at the Mary Elizabeth.

HOOPER CREEK AREA

Hidden Treasure (MGA94 268780E, 7148966N) 510630

In 1931, the Hooper Creek deposit was discovered by William Wallis. The mine was worked intermittently to 1937. A small 3-head stamper battery was erected by the mining leaseholder on a nearby creek. About 35t of ore were raised but no record of gold returns is known.

Reid (1932a) described the Wallis prospect, 15km south-west of Hawkwood, was worked by three shallow, disconnected opencuts, 1.5m, 2m, and 1m deep, over a 120 Lam

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Costeans RMs - outcrop PLa - outcrop 7A/JL-01-97/058-08.cdr RMs - float PLa - float Shafts

Figure 37: Surface sketch of the Hidden Treasure workings total length of 10m on a north-west-trending lode. A shaft was sunk to 15m and a crosscut intersected the lode in andesite. Samples of the lode assayed up to 10g/t gold and 6g/t silver. However, the workings were not located by company exploration in the area reported by Reid (1932a) and the local property owner is not aware of any diggings nearby. It is suspected that the Wallis deposit is the Hidden Treasure further to the north. The overall distance of Hidden Treasure from Hawkwood homestead, instead of south-west, is ~15km north-west. The general description of the deposit geology, early workings and mineralisation also fits the Hidden Treasure. Shepherd (1933b) described the mine as on the bank of New Spring Creek. The workings consist of lines of shallow pits and trenches oriented in broadly north-north-westerly and westerly directions and were sunk in andesite near its contact with granite (Figure 37).

Two lines of lode, one north-trending, and the other trending 295°, were located. On the north lode, 12 shafts, aggregating 50m, were sunk, the deepest being 15m in Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 121

Soil Cover fine grained siliceous felsite

unaltered biotite granite, dump sample quartz on dump

all shafts are collapsed

unaltered fine grained siltstone

Soil Cover

Fe/Mn stained fractured siltstone 6B/JL-10-96/JL09.cdr

KLONDYKE WORKINGS

Figure 38: Surface sketch of the Klondyke workings andesite. At the bottom of the shaft, a crosscut was driven along 70°NE direction over 4m and to the SW over 6m. From the SW crosscut, at a distance of 2.5m from the shaft, a drive was driven along a lode striking 160°, 3.5m north and 2m south in andesite. Samples of the lode assayed up to 10g/t gold and 6g/t silver. The northwest trending lode was tested by costeaning and trenching. Shepherd (1937) reported that Mr Wallis continued to work the Hidden Treasure. Four more shafts were sunk to 15m deep. About 12t of ore was raised from the northwest lode, and 30t from the north lode, with an average grade of 15g/t gold, 100g/t silver and 4% copper. A small battery was erected on the bank of the creek, about 1km north of the workings. No returns of any ore crushed are known.

The lode is 90mm wide of clayey material occupying vertical and horizontal joints in the andesite. Three lode samples assayed 1.5–12.4ppm gold, 10.85–85.5ppm silver, and 1.8–5.0% copper. The lode strikes 110° and dips 80°S (Shepherd, 1933a,b). In 1985, Aluka Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM4124) dug 4 costeans, and samples assayed up to 10.9ppm gold, 1.2% copper, 100ppm lead, 170ppm zinc, 10ppm silver and 15ppm arsenic. Sample HT1 contained 7.12ppm gold, high copper and 1650ppm bismuth.

Klondyke (MGA94 266515E, 7154378N) 510633

The Klondyke lode was discovered around 1918 (Morton, 1921). Past prospecting included trenching and shaft sinking over a distance of 40m long. A shaft was sunk to 30m and intersected a high-grade lode at 15m. A drive was driven north for 4m. Reid (1931a) reported that another shaft was sunk to 3m ~20m from the old shaft and ~20–30t of ore were mined. 122 Lam

The Klondyke workings trend west-north-west and were sunk on a quartz-bearing shear zone (Figure 38). The mullock adjacent to the shafts contains quartz, granite, andesite and calcrete. Outcrops of the mineralised veins are sparse but quartz float is scattered over 20m in a westerly direction from an old shaft.

Morton (1921) described the lode as consisting of quartz veins formed along a small sheared zone closely connected with a basic dyke intruded into the granite. The dyke varies in size from 1–1.6m and possesses two well-defined walls dipping 75–85°. The lode mainly follows the hanging wall side of the dyke. The lode strikes 118° and dips towards 208° at 75–85°, and appears to have formed in a fissure after the dyke. The quartz is friable, milky white to glassy. Some dark patches in the quartz were identified as galena, cerussite and anglesite, and traces of chalcopyrite, copper carbonate, and arsenopyrite. The gold is closely associated with the sulphides and the yellowish green cerussite. Reid (1931a) reported that an exposed quartz vein 50–100mm wide lies at the contact of a coarse-grained granite and a decomposed greenish volcanic dyke 1m wide. A sample of the mineralised vein with minor copper stains and yellow ochre assayed 18g/t gold and 50g/t silver. Shepherd (1933b) described the quartz lode as 0.3m wide, iron-stained, occurring in a fissure in granite. About 60m on the southern side of the shaft, a well-defined felsitic dyke cuts obliquely across the line of the lode.

Old Bill (MGA94 265406E, 7155687N) 510634

The Old Bill is ~1.8km north-west of Klondyke. The lode strikes 160° and dips 65° easterly at the contact of basic and acid igneous rocks. Past prospecting was on a 0.5m wide quartz lode in the footwall. A shaft was sunk to 3m and samples of the quartz and the footwall rock failed to show any gold. Adjoining Old Bill to the south is Old Gold. A shaft was sunk on a quartz lode, which appears to be an extension of Old Bill.

Unnamed 687489 (MGA94 268888E, 7149149N) 510635

A shallow shaft was sunk on fine-grained leucogranite. Neither copper stains nor quartz were noted in the mullock.

Unnamed 729538 (MGA94 273013E, 7154049N) 510636

A shallow shaft was sunk on fine-grained leucogranite. No quartz was observed in mullock. The shaft appears to have tested a shear/fault zone of brecciated granite with chlorite-calcite-sulphide alteration.

MOUNT SAUL AREA

Mining and exploration history

The Mount Saul deposit was worked around 1935 but no production figure was recorded. In 1970, the GSQ carried out mapping of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area and noted brecciation and quartz veining in the volcanic rocks adjacent to the Mount Saul granite. In 1980, Newmont Holdings Pty Ltd (EPM2730) explored in the area, and identified two anomalies. One was a zinc anomaly (>126ppm) in a creek Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 123 cutting the north-west margin of the caldera and probably related to the NW vein associated with a quartz monzonite-trachyte dyke. The other was an arsenic anomaly (>18ppm) located ~0.5km south-west of Mount Saul homestead. Further exploration by Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4277) and reconnaissance fieldwork during early 1986 located a number of small prospecting pits and one shaft in an area of auriferous sulphide-quartz veining. In 1986, P. McInnes and K. Bischoff located the SW Zone and rock chip samples assayed 0.057–7.04ppm gold, 32–370ppm silver, 220ppm–5.3% lead and 1780ppm–3.66% arsenic. Further exploration included aerial photography, airborne geophysics, reconnaissance and detailed geological mapping and sampling, ground geophysical surveys, percussion and diamond drilling and metallurgical testwork. Exploration results lead to the broad delineation of a mineralised zone on the south-western margin of a caldera structure (Figure 39). A zone of multiphase quartz veining with polymetallic sulphides and gold occurs over a strike length of 1400m and a depth of 200m. Drillholes intersected lode extensions of the SW Zone vein system expanding east for 800m to the western bank of the Auburn River. The prospect has a resource of 595 000t at 1.7g/t gold. In 1992, MDL125 was applied for to enable further evaluation in the mineralised area. In 1996, Cardia Mining N.L acquired MDL125 and proposed opencut mining of the sulphide-rich quartz veins.

Geology

The local area features a circular complex structure with an outside diameter of 7km (east–west) and 8km (north–south) and an inside diameter of from 3.5–4km. The large circular feature represents the outer boundary of the initial collapse structure of a caldera. The ring fracture zone, which is defined by the crescentic ridge, occupies the south-western margin of the caldera. The small circular structure represents the inner core of the large circular complex and is probably a late stage resurgent rhyolite dome.

The caldera has a top unit of mudflow breccia, lapilli-ash flow tuff sheet and intrusive vent breccia overlying a unit of flow rocks, tuffs and breccias. Contact metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks occur as faulted slices within the ring fracture zone and are intruded by adamellitic and monzonitic dykes. Post-caldera intrusive rocks include dykes and domes of quartz monzonite, granite and quartz trachyte. Quartz monzonite, granite granophyre and quartz trachyte dykes intruded fault and fracture zones concentrated along the margins of, and peripheral to, the caldera. The quartz trachyte occurs as ring dykes, and as intrusive domes within the caldera.

Mineralisation

Gold-silver mineralisation is associated with quartz-sulphide fissures related to concentric and radial tensional fracturing along the west, south and east margins of the caldera. The lode comprises composite veins and multiple stringer veins along the margins of or within altered quartz monzonite and granite dykes. Mineralisation is hosted in zones of pervasive quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration. The sulphides are mostly arsenopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite(?) and chalcopyrite. Traces of cobalt and antimony minerals are also present. 124 Lam

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Resurgent rhyolite intrusives Outer ring dyke swarm Ring fracture zone with altered porphyry / granophyre dyke swarm Mineralised vein Narayen beds Unmineralised vein 7A/JL-01-97/058-01.cdr

Mount Saul adamellite

Figure 39: General location of Mount Saul mineralisation and geology Barney Vein (MGA94 278281E, 7140617N) 510671

This Barney Vein consists of three separate veins (0.1–0.3m wide) with north-east strike in strongly altered intermediate tuff over an area of 200m long and 10m wide. The veins consist of fine- to medium-grained quartz containing grains and patches of iron oxides after sulphides. They are are associated with a strongly altered porphyry dyke. Samples assayed up to 2.29ppm gold, 3.5ppm silver, 2660ppm arsenic, Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 125

8450ppm lead and 930ppm zinc. Field inspection located a shallow shaft sunk on a zone of volcanic breccia adjacent to an aplite dyke. The breccia contains angular pink clasts (?rhyolite) up to 10mm in diameter in a green coloured matrix (Wightman, 1992).

NE Dyke (MGA94 280583E, 7142696N) 510680

This occurrence is an iron-stained breccia ~0.1–0.5m wide and ~50m long on the eastern margin of an altered feldspar porphyry dyke. The dyke is probably a ring dyke that occurs concentric with and just outside the north-eastern margin of the caldera. One sample assayed 0.23ppm gold and 1050ppm arsenic (Wightman, 1992).

NW Vein (MGA94 276906E, 7142987N) 510669

This deposit consists of sparsely outcropping composite quartz-sulphide fissure veins. There are two main zones ~35m apart with strike lengths of 390m and 340m respectively. These zones form 5–10m high quartz monzonite porphyry ridges that have a series of narrow composite fissure veins 0.05–0.5m wide and stringer vein zones up to 3.5m wide. The veins strike north-west and occur along the southern margin of a similarly oriented xenolithic quartz monzonite porphyry dyke. The veins consist of fine to coarse crystalline quartz with disseminated oxidised sulphides, chalcedonic quartz and strongly altered host rock fragments, minor arsenopyrite, pyrite and malachite. Samples assayed up to 4.45ppm gold, 234ppm silver, 1.05% arsenic and 2.61% lead (Wightman, 1992).

SW Zone (MGA94 277215E, 7140229N) 510668

The SW Zone contains the East, West, and Central Veins and Stringer Zone of mineralisation over an area 2.6km long and up to 500m wide, and forms a crescent-shaped ridge on the south-western margin of the caldera. The Wallaby shaft is located at MGA94 — 277215, 7140229. The SW Zone vein system consists of composite quartz-sulphide veins and a zone of quartz-sulphide stringer veins carrying up to 60% sulphides. Gold mineralisation occurs in quartz-sphalerite-pyrite stringer vein zone and in composite quartz-arsenopyrite-pyrite-sphalerite-galena veins. The quartz consists of finely crystalline to colloform quartz (Wightman, 1992).

EIDSVOLD GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The Eidsvold lodes are situated between the Burnett River and Boundary Creek, where the Thistle lode was discovered in 1858 by a station hand Loader (Lodden) Bill of Eidsvold station (Stuart, 1994). The find did not arouse enough interest for some years until 1862 when John Falconer led a party of 5 men and worked the Thistle lode at Swindle Hill (Bancroft, 1987). About one and half tonnes of ore with a grade >250g/t gold were mined. However, mining was short-lived due to objections from a local grazier and no further work was carried out for many years. 126 Lam

In 1886, Fred Achilles and Otto Nagel, representing a Gympie company, took up the old workings at Swindle Hill and further prospecting led to the discovery of alluvial gold near Spring Gully in 1887 and the discovery of the Mount Rose, Mount Craven, New Policeman, Golden Crown, Lady Ann and Golden Spur lodes in the Eidsvold Complex. In the north, these lodes were worked by the Stockman, Augusta, Corkscrew and Helena leases and in the south-east by the Hallams, Calligans and McGraths leases. Between the Mount Rose and Golden Spur lodes were the Maid of Erin and Young Maid, and Minerva leases. About 2km south from Swindle Hill and just above Craventown on the Burnett River were the Eidsvold Beauty, Belle of Burnett, Australian, Beehive, Roman Empire, Mountain Maid, Excelsior, Auld Lang Syne and Melbourne leases (ARDM, 1887). The Native Bee and Mount Jones workings, 10km north of the Craventown Crossing were also mined for high-grade ore.

Eidsvold town was established on 25th July 1886, as was Craventown (4.8km south-west from Eidsvold) and Eidstown near Mount Jones (north-west of Eidsvold) to service the local miners. The Eidsvold goldfield was gazetted on 25th July 1887.

Mining flourished for the next decade, but declining lode widths with increasing depth and water influx into mine workings, led to a steady decrease in output thereafter (Rands, 1901). After 10 years of mining, most of the near surface rich lodes were mined out and dividends were returned to investors leaving very little finance for prospecting the lodes to a deeper level. In 1894, new finds at the Minerva to the east and the Cosmopolitan to the west of the line of the Mount Rose lode plus the rich crushing from the Alma, created a mild boom to the field. Many new claims were applied for on the different lines of previously worked lodes. Among the premier gold-producing mines were the Cosmopolitan, South Augusta, No. 1 West Mount Rose, Maid of Erin Junction, and Lady Minerva. By 1898, the Minerva became the leading mine and kept up gold production for the field. Several new leases (East Minerva, Pallas, Minerva Underlay and Minerva Gem) were applied for in the projected direction of the line of lodes, but met with little success. The field was worked to 1901. There was a brief revival in 1908 when the South Burnett Gold Mining Company re-opened some of the Mount Rose and Mount Alma workings, but grades proved disappointing and mining activities ceased in 1912 (ARDM, 1908–1912).

The Eidsvold field produced ~3t of gold from 90 000t of ore (Whitaker & others, 1974). Gold was mined continuously from 1887–1914. Total production from the major mines, Mount Rose and Stockman Junction, Augusta and Craven, was well over 300kg gold per year in the early period. The Mount Rose and Stockman Junction were the premier mines in the early 1890s, and then the Lady Augusta became a prolific gold producer in the mid-1890s, followed by Mount Craven in the late 1890s. Major production came from the Mount Rose, Augusta, Craven, and Minerva lodes (Table 4). Peak production of 426kg gold was achieved in 1892 (Whitaker & others, 1974).

In the 1880s, shaft sinking in the hard blue granite was very expensive, and 0.6–1.5m advance in a fortnight was the most that could be achieved. The No.1 East and Kelly shafts worked the Mount Rose lode, and the Mount Rose and Stockman Junction Company battery treated the ore. Further to the south-east, the Alma shaft failed to Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 127

Table 4: Total gold production to 1990 (Leadbeatter, 1992)

MINE TONNAGE GOLD (kg) GRADE (ppm) Mount Rose 63 086 1725 27.4 Lady Augusta 6 025 433 71.9 Minerva 5 692 337 59.2 Mount Craven 4 201 209 49.7 Maid of Erin 1 196 81 67.4 Others 3 243 95 29.4 intersect the projected Mount Rose lode at 120m. No.1 Craven, Nos.1 and 2 South Mount Craven, Omeo and Mountain Maid shafts worked the Craven lode. On the southern end of this lode, a stibnite vein was found.

The Mount Rose lode extends westward into the headwaters of Spring Gully, and was mined by the Nos.1, 2 and 3 and West Rose leases. Further west was the Eye Opener and immediately adjacent to it was the Hollow Tooth on sulphide lode. To the north-west of Mount Rose, the Lady Ann shaft was sunk on a very flat lode, and gold was found in several locations in an area known as the Moonlight.

On the western side of the Burnett River opposite Mount Brown and Mount Moffit, gold was mined in the Wild Bull and Red Bull mines. Nearby is Lambing Gully where the Chinese recovered alluvial gold. A few kilometres towards the headwaters of the Burnett River, gold occurs on both of the eastern and western sides of Mount Mack and Mount Brady. Other mines in the area were the Lady Annie, Ida May, Victory United and Dunwich.

Outside the immediate area of Mount Rose, the lodes at Craventown and Mount Jones were developed for mining. By 1888, many claims were abandoned because, in many instances, they were speculative and the owners had not the funds to carry out the work.

In the 1890s, mining interest was focussed again in the Mount Rose area. Batteries were operated on Spring Creek and at Eidsvold. Rands (1895a) reported that the Mount Rose and Stockman battery was made up of fifteen heads of stamper, one 5-foot Huntington mill, and seven Frue vanners. The Alma battery had twenty heads of stamper and one Berdan Pan. In 1893, the United Rose battery was purchased by the Mount Rose and Stockman Junction Company, and then sold to the New Heights of Alma Company. At the peak of mining in 1887, the Eidsvold Crushing Company erected a 10-head battery on the No.1 East Mount Rose claim. The Mount Rose PC set up a 10-head battery ~1km away on Spring Gully. The Golden Spur 10-head battery at Craventown was erected to treat ore from various mines such as the Policeman, New Day Dawn and the Queen’s Birthday.

New mining techniques were introduced to the field in 1899 when whips, whims and steam engine machines replaced windlasses, and tailing sands were treated by cyanidation. The field enjoyed few more years of prosperity to 1901 when a deep shaft sunk on the Lady Augusta failed to intersect the projected lode and thus began 128 Lam the decline of the field. In 1903, the Alma and Minerva leases were forfeited and gold production decreased drastically. Tributers worked most of the main lodes at the time. In 1908, Burnett Gold Mines Limited carried out development work in the Alma and Kelly leases and met with minor success. After a small production of 4.5kg gold from 220t of ore in 1911, the company did not renew the leases in 1912. The last recorded production was from the Lady Augusta in 1914.

The biggest disappointment of shaft sinking was on the Empress lease, which reached a depth of >250m without intersecting any lodes. In 1895, the Empress Gold Mining Company applied for a Government subsidy to assist them in sinking their shaft to a greater depth, in the hope of meeting with the Mount Rose lode, and the Lady Augusta lode. Another shaft, White Elephant, sunk to the north-east of the Empress also drew a blank.

About 1930, Bert Royal discovered a lode lying between the Golden Spur and the Minerva. The find stirred up interest in many of the old workings, which were again taken up. Cyaniding in the late 1930s returned 74.7kg gold from 3659t of tailing sands. A further 326t of tailing sands were also treated but no record of production was kept. Further prospecting work was carried out at Lady Rose, Cosmopolitan, Black Cat and South West Minerva and a reported production of 90g gold was from 10t ore.

After the Second World War, the Mount Rose lode was worked by the Mount Rose South claim from 1947 to 1953. Production included 90t of ore for 1.65kg gold in 1947, 92t for 2.4kg gold in 1948, and 15t for 270g gold in 1949.

Rising gold price in the 1980s attracted MRX Pty Ltd (EPM2315) to explore in the area. Rock chip samples of an iron-stained white quartz assayed up to 2.5ppm gold at the Mount Rose, 5.6ppm gold in grey laminated quartz at the Lady Augusta, 9ppm gold from quartz at the Helena, >20ppm gold in white to grey quartz in altered (sericitised) granite with pyrite and malachite in the Spencer shaft, and 3ppm gold from pyritic quartz in the Kellys shaft. Out of the 41 RC drillholes totalling 781m drilled at the Mount Rose, Lady Augusta and Craven lodes, only 4 drillholes (all on the Mount Rose) intersected >1g/t gold. Further exploration was carried out by Coal Country No. 5 Pty Ltd and ML167, 197, 198, 199 and 200 were applied for further assessment. Axis Mining NL (EPM3561, 1983) carried out gravity separation tests and cyanide leaching tests. This work indicated a potential resource of 110 000t ore dump and 42 000t tailing sand with an average grade of 1.4g/t gold in the Mount Rose area. In recent years, a heap leach treatment facility for the tailings and ore dump was established on Mount Rose.

In 1997, a program of rehabilitation of the Mount Rose workings was carried out by the leaseholder under the direction of the Inspector of Mines of the Rockhampton office. Most of the old shafts on Mount Rose south of the aerodrome were filled and leveled apart from a few deep shafts, which were fenced off for safety measure. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 129

GEOLOGY

The Eidsvold Complex intrudes the Nogo beds in the west and is unconformably overlain by Lower Jurassic and undifferentiated Cainozoic sediments in the east (Whitaker & others, 1974).

The Eidsvold Complex crops out over 45km2 as a north-trending belt to the east of the Burnett River. The intrusive rocks form many closely spaced northerly trending ridges with sparse vegetation. The ridges often correspond to boulder outcrops. There are several strong north-westerly trending lineaments within the granitic rocks east of Eidsvold. Some of these are associated with known mineralised lode structure.

Rands (1897) reported that the granite is medium-grained, pinkish brown, and consists of orthoclase feldspar, and quartz, with small crystals of biotite and minor hornblende. This rock passes in parts into dark-coloured, fine-grained syenitic granite, known in the field as ‘dark-coloured granite’. It consists of small feldspar crystals, mainly plagioclase, hornblende, brown mica, quartz, and minor magnetite. He also noted that dark-coloured, fine-grained rock (diorite) intrudes the granite, and at Mount Jones, the rock has a ‘piebald’ appearance with rounded diorite clasts in granite. However, Webb (1960) considered the pink granite to be the younger of the two. In the more recent time, this style of feature has been described as net-veined complex (Figure 40) formed by interlacing of granite veins between diorite and granite during magma mingling of the two contrasting igneous melts.

Unconformably overlying the Eidsvold Complex is the Jurassic sandstone. The bedding of the sandstone is nearly horizontal. The source materials consisting of granules of quartz with an admixture of clayey material probably derived from the surrounding granite country.

MINERALISATION

The Mount Rose lodes crop out intermittently over an area of 12km2 to the west of Eidsvold (Figure 41). They are closely associated with subhorizontal and steeply dipping joints in biotite granodiorite of the Early Permian to Lower Triassic Eidsvold Complex and in isolated areas within the adjacent Late Permian hornfelsed sediments and volcanic rocks of the Nogo beds. The joint patterns are predominantly north-west, and north-north-west to east, dipping moderately steep to the north-east and flatly to the south.

The siliceous breccia lode consists of hydrothermal quartz veins associated with high level subplutonic igneous intrusion. Gold mineralisation is associated with polymetallic, sulphide-bearing, quartz-ankerite veins emplaced along joints near the contact zone between granodiorite and dark-coloured, fine-grained diorite. The veins are well defined, and carry visible native gold in quartz. The average grade was 100g/t gold in narrow quartz veins. Kinsman (1933) reported that past mining was on quartz veins generally <100mm wide, which carried high gold content along down dip joints, and low gold content along horizontal joints in the fresh granite. 130 Lam

Figure 40: Net-veined granodiorite with subrounded diorite (with reaction edges) Most of the siliceous lodes contain a small quantity of pyrite, and the quartz is often ochreous or gossanous due to decomposition of the sulphide minerals. The veins consist of milky to glassy quartz and minor pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite (Maid of Erin), stibnite (Craven), cassiterite (Stockman), galena (All Nation), molybdenite (Moonlight) and in the Augusta Maid of Erin Junction shaft, there is a soft steel-grey mineral (tetrahedrite?) which contains lead, copper, zinc, and iron sulphides (Rands, 1895a). Ankerite frequently occurs in quartz veins, particularly in the Lady Augusta lode (Fortescue Media Pty Ltd, EPM4564, 1988). The lodes appear to have a higher content of sulphide minerals at depth and coarse-grained gold generally occurs with the sulphides (Cribb, 1936).

Rands (1901) described the gold in the Mount Rose lode as deep yellow, fine-grained and primarily in quartz or quartz-ankerite veins (Figure 42). Individual vein is narrow but rich in gold, and generally cuts out at a vertical depth of 100m. The rich ore ‘shoots’ assayed >30g/t gold. The host rock has a narrow zone (<1m) of silicification and propylitic alteration along vein margin. However, kaolinisation and sericitisation of the wall rock up to several metres from the lodes have been observed. The sericitic alteration halo is barren of gold but the kaolinite bands where present carry up to 17g/t gold. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 131

25 21S 151 07 E 151 05 E 25 24 S Figure 41: Gold occurrences in the Eidsvold Goldfield area

Figure 42: Mount Rose (a) breccia with angular granodiorite and quartz clasts, (b) siliceous breccia with remnant granodiorite and quartz clasts, native gold (photo by F von Gnielinski 1997) 132 Lam

Rands (1895a) and Fitzgerald (1899) mapped the Mount Rose, Lady Rose, Minerva and Golden Spur lodes which have a predominantly easterly strike and dip flatly to the south, whereas the Mount Craven and Lady Augusta lodes strike north-north-westerly and dip easterly 20–45°. These are the main lodes occurring near joint intersection in the granodiorite. North of Mount Rose Street in Eidsvold township, the lodes to the west and east of the Eidsvold aerodrome have north-north-west strike and dip moderately to the north-east. They have very little recorded gold production.

Australian lode

Rands (1887) described the lode as ~4km north of the Eidsvold station but there are no known workings in the vicinity. It would appear that the lode was mined by a group of workings to the east of the northern end of the airstrip (MGA94 309966E, 7194237N). The lode is up to 1m in width and has a strike of 345° and dip 45° east. This lode contains fine-grained gold of a light colour throughout, and appears to be very evenly disseminated in a matrix of quartz, in parts cellular and iron-stained, and a felspathic rock of decomposed granite.

Moonlight lode

Rands (1887) inspected the lode situated near the Burnett River ~3km above the Eidsvold station. It would appear that the lode lies to the west of the northern end of the airstrip (MGA94 309142E, 7193833N). The lode has a north-north-west strike and 40° dip to the west. It consists of solid white quartz, with iron-stained cellular quartz. Apart from gold, the quartz also contains molybdenite.

Mount Craven lode

The Mount Craven lode strikes 310° and dips 22° north-easterly. It varies from a few centimetres up to 200mm, and grades up to 120g/t gold have been recorded (Rands, 1895a, 1901). The lode was worked by the Mount Craven, North Craven, Craven Extended, Craven South, Craven North Nos. 1 and 2 and Omeo leases. At the Craven North No. 1 lease, masses of solid stibnite occur in the lode. Past mining included four underground levels, 30m, 57m, 72m and 90m.

Leadbeatter (1992) estimated the Mount Craven lode has a total production of 209kg gold from 4201t of ore. In 1887, the Mount Craven Gold Mining Company NL intersected a narrow stibnite-quartz lode at their No 1 Lease. Mining of the Mount Craven lode was profitable and significant gold production was recorded for the period 1888–1892. From 1893–1903, the ground was worked by tributers. The last crushing was 55t of ore for 3kg gold.

A recorded production in 1938 was when 5t of the old tailing dump returned 0.15kg gold. In 1940, another 4t of ore produced 0.1kg gold. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 133

Omeo (MGA94 310284E, 7191984N) 508491

This is one of the workings sunk on the northern portion of the Mount Craven lode. Prospecting work was carried out in 1891 and 1899, however gold production from this working is not known.

Craven (MGA94 310816E, 7191567N) 508489

At the Craven lease area, one shallow pit was located to the south of the Craven South shaft. Mullock consists of pink granite (K-feldspar 40%, white to green plagioclase 30%, quartz 20% and biotite 10%). Rands (1901) reported that the main shaft was sunk to 57m, and intersected a lode up to 0.5m wide. Recorded production (ARDM) for the period 1891–1894 was 12kg gold from 280t of ore. The location of the main shaft is not clear and it could be lying further south near the steep bank of Hospital Creek.

Mount Craven (MGA94 310854E, 7191547N) 508990

Mount Craven is one of the earliest discoveries in the Mount Rose area. In 1888, ~4.6kg gold was produced from 140t of ore. Very little mining information was recorded for this mine. It would appear that the lode was worked out soon after 1888.

No. 1 North Mount Craven/Craven South (MGA94 310759E, 7191625N) 508488

The shaft appears to be a very old one and is now filled to 1m. The adjacent mullock suggests that the shaft was sunk to >10m deep. Host rock consists of fine-grained tonalite containing fragments of pink granite. Stibnite pyrite, chalcopyrite and calcite in quartz was found in finely broken up mullock at two adjacent shallow pits (MGA94 310753E, 7191644N). Rands (1901) reported that the main shaft was sunk to 114m deep. Total production is estimated to be 49.8kg gold from 1125t of ore.

No. 2 North Mount Craven (MGA94 310735E, 7191685N) 508487

The lode was worked by two pits between two shafts over a length of 20m along a trend of 300°. The main shaft was sunk to 57m deep in granite. Mullock at the shafts includes biotite, hornblende granite and tonalite, and discrete quartz veins with abundant pyrite, arsenopyrite and calcite. Recent mine site rehabilitation by the mining leaseholder has filled and levelled most of the old workings.

No. 3 North Mount Craven/Mountain Maid E4 (MGA94 310436E, 7191847N) 508490

The Mountain Maid is one of the main workings on the Mount Craven lode. Two deep shafts and two pits trending 120° were sunk over 20m on quartz-calcite vein with pyrite and arsenopyrite in fine- to medium-grained biotite, hornblende granite. Rands (1901) reported that the main shaft was sunk to 60m. A recorded production of 3kg gold from 120t of ore was in 1888 (ARDM).

Unnamed 112910 (MGA94 311364E, 7191259N) 509407

Minor workings occur 1km south-east of Mount Craven. 134 Lam

N

Approximate position of outcrop of Mount Rose lode

SCALE 1:750

Track

Tr ack

MOUNT ROSE

Dump Track 7A/JL-05-97/Fig06.cdr Outcrop Shaft

Figure 43: Surface sketch of the Mount Rose workings

Mount Rose lode

The Mount Rose lode is the first lode discovered in the field. Rands (1887, 1895a, 1897, 1901) and Cameron (1910) described the lode has a strike 075° and dip 15° south-east in decomposed granite. The granite has horizontal joints in layers parallel to the dip of the lode. The lode stands up ~0.3m above the ground and crosses the saddle of a north-westerly trending ridge. The lode averages ~1m wide and consists of multiple quartz veins (up to 200mm in thickness) between thin clay bands. On the footwall is a mass of kaolin with minor quartz. Gold and minor pyrite and galena occur mainly in the quartz. Gold appears to become coarser in grain size to 90m deep, below which the lode continues but with little to no gold to 200m deep. Past mining was on ore with grade averaging 90g/t gold.

The Mount Rose lode was worked by the Mount Rose United, Nos.1, 2, and 3 West Mount Rose, No.1 East Mount Rose, No.2 Shaft and No.4 Shaft leases (Figure 43). At the No. 1 West Mount Rose, Rands (1887) reported that the lode dips 20° to the south and consists of veins of quartz ~30mm thick on both the hanging and foot walls with intervening decomposed granite. The quartz is jasperised, includes calcite layers, and contains minor gold, sphalerite and pyrite. At the No. 1 East Mount Rose, the lode strikes east and dips 40° to the south. It is ~2m wide on 1m thick Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 135 decomposed granite, and then fresh fine-grained granite. On the hanging wall is a small vein of quartz, below which is a zone of fractured granite, then a thicker (400mm) quartz-rich zone overlying 150mm of mullock. On the footwall is a vein of quartz 50mm in width.

All Nation (MGA94 308976E, 7192517N) 509157

This lode is situated ~0.5km west-north-west of No. 3 West Mount Rose lease. The lode appears to trend easterly, and dips to the south. The quartz is milky-white, and contains large amounts of galena and pyrite (Rands, 1887). In 1888, 0.09kg gold was produced from 8.5t of ore.

Cosmopolitan (MGA94 309966E, 7192697N) 508622

The Cosmopolitan is one of the major workings sunk on the Mount Rose lode. The mine was worked from 1894–1896 with a total production of 22kg gold from 545t of ore (Rands, 1897, 1901). The main shaft was sunk vertically to >10m deep. In the underlay shaft (~50m west of the main shaft) the lode is 0.6m wide and consists of 150mm of quartz with pyrite and galena on the hanging wall, and 150mm of quartz with pyrite and arsenopyrite on the footwall. The lode appears to be an offshoot from the Mount Rose lode.

In 1937, an attempt was made to reopen the mine and 30g of gold was obtained from a 5t parcel of ore.

East Rose (MGA94 310387E, 7192482N) 508646

The East Rose is also known as the Nos.1 and 2 East Rose and Maid of Erin. The country rock around this lode includes granite, diorite and quartz felsite. Near the surface, the quartz lode is shallow dipping ~15°NE, and is contained within an altered granite outcrop up to 2m wide. The quartz is 70mm wide and past mining obtained >30g/t gold (Rands, 1901).

Rands (1887) reported that the main shaft intersected a lode at 6m. The lode is ~1.8m wide in the shaft, and ~0.9m in the drive. It has an easterly strike and dips 60°S. The lode at depth consists of quartz and minor pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite.

Eye Opener/Hollow Tooth (MGA94 309716E, 7192547N) 508895

Rands (1895a) reported that an underlie shaft was sunk to 72m deep over a ground distance of 39m, following the down dip of the vein. The vein is offset at depth, disappears into the roof and is met again near the bottom of the shaft. The average dip of the vein is 18°SSE. The vein consists of mainly calcite with very little quartz, sphalerite and pyrite in diorite.

Golden Spur (MGA94 310534E, 7192569N) 508672

This working is to the south of the Minerva lode and to the east of the Mount Rose lode. Rands (1887, 1901) reported that the main shaft was sunk to 55m deep on a lode striking 100° and dipping 25°S. The lode is up to 1.5m wide and consists of layers of 136 Lam quartz, siliceous limonite and a zone of broken granite. There are pockets in the lode next to the hanging wall filled with soft pure white kaolin. In 1887, a parcel of ore with a grade of 3g/t gold was crushed at Gympie.

Another shaft (MGA94 310486E, 7192567N) ~300m north of the Golden Spur shaft is shown on a map by Rands (1887).

Kelly (MGA94 310171E, 7192529N) 508567

Rands (1895a) reported the Kelly shaft was sunk vertically to 67m and then an underlie shaft was sunk 105m to work the Mount Rose lode. The shaft had seven levels and high-grade ore was recovered from No.1a and No.2 levels. A crosscut was driven north from the No.2 level (western drive), to meet a lode that lies below the Mount Rose lode. At 74m, the No.5 level intersected a flat lode running west for 300m. The lode is strongly broken up. Between the No.6 and No.7 levels, a flat-lying lode occurs. Below No.7 level the lode takes a steeper dip, and is inclined at 45°. The lode is ~150mm wide, and samples assayed up to 22g/t gold. Up to the 1900s, this mine yielded 98kg of gold from 30 700t of ore with an average grade of 32g/t gold.

Lady Ann (MGA94 309355E, 7193411N) 509171

The lode is situated ~1.5km north-west of the Mount Rose Claim. The lode has a north-north-westerly strike, and dips to the east. It is ~0.6m wide, and consists of a zone of broken granite including ~0.5m of quartz infill. The quartz resembles that in the Maid of Erin lode (Rands, 1887).

The lode was worked in 1888 and ceased production in 1895, but was re-opened in 1900 and worked until 1902. Total production is estimated as 11.82kg from 285.5t of ore. Average grades for the two periods of mining were 42g/t and 39g/t gold respectively. In the Lady Ann area the shafts were sunk on diorite and altered granite. The country rock is a granodiorite with minor epidote alteration. Mullock contains white quartz with minor malachite and azurite stains. Samples of cupriferous quartz/limonite/sericite rock assayed 3.3ppm gold, 85ppm silver and 17% copper, and altered host rocks assayed up to 2.16ppm gold (Stuart, 1986).

Lady Rose (MGA94 309986E, 7193007N) 508703

The Lady Rose lode is 300mm wide, strikes east and dips 20°S in granite and the workings are 360m north of the Mount Rose lode. From 1888–1901, it is estimated that 14.7kg gold was produced from 480t of ore. The ore averaged 30g/t gold. Peak production was in 1900 when 233t of ore produced 5.9kg gold.

In 1888, the West Lady Rose shaft was sunk vertically to 21m and then an underlie shaft followed the lode for 36m trending in a south-easterly direction. This underlie shaft is very flat, and it does not follow the general underlie of the lode which is nearly due south (Rands, 1901). At the bottom of the underlie shaft there is 0.3m of quartz similar to the quartz of the Mount Rose lode. The quartz carries native gold and green stains by malachite. A drive was put in to the east and the lode was stoped away above this. It averaged ~0.3m wide in weathered granite. Most of the mine production came from this shaft. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 137

In 1899, the East Lady Rose shaft was sunk but failed to intersect the Lady Rose lode at the projected depth of 36m. Further prospecting work included the No.4 shaft (known as the Cloth of Gold) to 13.4m in depth and driving a short distance also failed to intersect any lode. The No.5 shaft was then sunk and a small lode was found, from which 26t of low grade ore was raised.

In 1932, a new shaft was sunk to 30m. A crosscut from the bottom of the shaft was put in over a distance of 7.5m and connected with the old 30m level, from which a crosscut north-west at 22.5m in the 30m level was driven for 3.6m. No lode was found in the old workings.

Maid of Erin-Augusta (MGA94 310410E, 7192531N) 508659

In the Maid of Erin-Augusta shaft a nearly vertical dyke of quartz felsite was intersected at 12m deep. The dyke varies in width from 150–600mm and trends in a north-westerly direction. The country rock is granite on the north-eastern side and diorite on the south-western of the dyke. A 1m wide subparallel lode with minor quartz carrying minor sphalerite, and a steel grey mineral tetrahedrite(?), and iron sulphide occurs in the granite (Rands, 1887).

Mount Rose (MGA94 309966E, 7192587N) 508946

It is estimated that the Mount Rose PC produced 96.7kg gold from 7060t of ore (ARDM, 1891). This figure probably included some of the gold production from the Spences mine (MGA94 309910E, 7192393N). Other workings within the old lease area are Unnamed 098925 (MGA94 309891E, 7192748N) and Unnamed 098924 (MGA94 309996E, 7192637N).

Mount Rose and Stockman Junction (MGA94 310186E, 7192667N) 508982

The Mount Rose and Stockman Junction is one of the major mines in the Mount Rose area. Mining this section of the Mount Rose lode commenced in 1888. However, very little information about the mine underground workings was recorded. According to the Warden reports (ARDM), the mine had a number of underground levels. The main shaft was sunk to 36m deep in 1895. The No.2 Shaft (MGA94 310113E, 7192540N) and the No.4 Shaft (MGA94 310052E, 7192510N) intersected the Mount Rose lode at a depth of 46m.

The mine became prominent in 1890 when the shallow dipping Mount Rose lode produced significant quantity of gold. Table 5 gives some indication of the richness of this mine.

New Heights of Alma (MGA94 310262E, 7192451N) 508514

A company of the same name applied for the New Heights of Alma lease in 1890 to prospect for extension of the Mount Rose lode. In 1893, a small auriferous lode was discovered which caused quite a stir in the field. However, the lode size was not up to the company’s expectation and it was worked by tributers. One tributer, known as the Young Maid party, did quite well and mined ores with grades ranging from 138 Lam

Table 5: Yearly gold production summary for the Mount Rose and Stockman Junction mine

YEAR ORE (TONNE) GOLD (KG) 1891 5780 171 1892 unknown >168 1893 unknown 168 1894 2500 50.8 1895 650 16.5 1896 2140 53 1897 35.2 1898 655 22 1899 285 8

Table 6: Summary of gold production for New Heights of Alma (ARDM)

YEAR ORE (TONNE) GOLD (KG) 1893 127 4.6 1894 225 12.9 1895 188 21.7 1896 288 28.3

90–240g/t gold. The quartz veins, however, are small, averaging 8mm in thickness. Table 6 summarises total gold production from 1893–1896.

The mine was worked to 1901. Total production is estimated as 92kg of gold from 1150t of ore with a grade of 75g/t gold. By 1902, mining was ceased due to diminishing ore grade. There was a brief revival in 1908 when South Burnett Gold Mining Company re-opened some of the Mount Rose and Mount Alma workings, but the gold grades were low and activities ceased in 1911 (ARDM, 1911).

Rands (1887) reported that the lode consists of quartz veins with strike 305° and dip to the north-east in granite. The main vertical shaft was sunk to 102m. Below this, the Alma underlie shaft was sunk to 39m deep but influx of underground water flooded the shaft. At 51m from the top of the vertical shaft a flat lying lode was intersected, but it carried no gold. At 62m, drives were put in to the east and west. The western drive was cut along a 0.5m wide lode in pinkish-grey coarse-grained granite. At the 79m level, there was flat-lying granitic rock which contained very little quartz and in a crosscut at 36m north of the vertical shaft a 250mm wide quartz vein was intersected and the ore assayed 20g/t gold. At the 90m level, the western drive was cut along 300mm of quartz in granitic rock. The quartz is very white, contains minor arsenopyrite, and averaged 8g/t gold.

Recent mine site rehabilitation by the mining leaseholder has filled the shafts and the general site of the former mine is indicated by a big pile of tailings. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 139

No. 1 West Mount Rose (MGA94 309645E, 7192328N) 508885

The main shaft in the No.1 West Mount Rose lease was sunk vertically to 12.5m where it intersected the lode and followed it down on the underlie shaft. At the No.1 level (20m below surface) were two quartz veins, a steeply dipping foot-wall vein 4.8m long and a subhorizontal hanging-wall vein. At the face of the eastern drive a 0.5m wide quartz vein with minor massive pyrite was exposed. Sixteen tonnes of this quartz yielded 0.398kg gold. In the face of the western drive, the vein dips more steeply. In the underlie shaft below No.1 level the quartz averages nearly 0.5m in width. The No.2 level at a vertical depth of 26.5m was full of water (Rands, 1895a).

Total production (probably including No.2 and No.3 West Mount Rose) for 1894 and 1895 is estimated as 14.6kg gold from 565t of ore (ARDM 1894, 1895).

No. 2 West Mount Rose (MGA94 309569E, 7192452N) 508894

The main shaft in this lease was sunk >10m deep on a lode 1.5m wide and dipping 70°SSE. Mullock at the shaft consists of angular breccia with a limonitic matrix. Clasts ranging from 30–50mm wide comprise milky to glassy quartz, silicified granite and fresh granite with pyrite rimmed by chalcedonic veins.

No. 3 West Mount Rose (MGA94 309460E, 7192436N) 508916

Rands (1895a) reported that the old workings consist of two adits. The eastern adit intersected a lode 2m wide, which dips 70°SSE. The gangue is a fractured granite containing quartz veins. Minor native gold was identified in the veins. The western adit (MGA 309288E, 7192402N) intersected a quartz vein 50mm wide in decomposed granite. About 120m west of the adit, a shaft intersected a lode at 5.5m. The lode is 0.5m wide and dips 70°S in decomposed granite.

Spences (MGA94 309910E, 7192393N) 508612

This is one of the main shafts sunk within the Mount Rose PC lease. (See also Mount Rose PC for gold production figures).

Rands (1895a) reported that the Spences shaft was sunk vertically to 72m, and then the underlay shaft from the bottom of the vertical shaft followed a hanging-wall lode, which is 6m above that on which No.5 level was driven. A rich ‘shoot’ of gold, trending in a south-easterly direction, was worked from the No.6 level up to the surface. This ‘shoot’ appears to have died out on approaching the boundary of the New Heights of Alma. In this portion the width of the lode averaged 0.6m wide.

Rock chip samples of white to grey quartz with pyrite and malachite in the shaft assayed >20ppm gold (Vukotich, 1981a). Recent mine site rehabilitation has levelled most of the old workings. 140 Lam

Spring Gully (MGA94 308465E, 7193328N) 509436

Two shafts trending 150° were sunk 100m apart on a fine-grained granodiorite dyke with quartz veinlets. No mullock was found around the shafts. Both the quartz veinlets and dyke rock carry abundant pyrite (up to 15% volume).

Victory United (MGA94 310373E, 7192545N) 508667

One of the shafts worked the Mount Rose lode in the Victory United lease. In 1895, the shaft was sunk to 27m deep. Other shaft is Unnamed 103923 (MGA94 310486E, 7192567N).

White Rose (MGA94 310136E, 7192787N) 508798

The location of this shaft is shown on a map by Rands (1901). No other information is available. The shaft appears to have been sunk to intersect the projected Lady Rose or Mount Rose lode at depth.

Lady Minerva lode

The Lady Minerva lode was discovered about 1894 and mining commenced in 1895. From 1895–1899, the lode produced 303.4kg gold from 4550t of ore. Within this period, the lode, which was a premier gold producer in the district, became worked out. An attempt to re-open the old workings was made in the late 1930s and early 1940s but met with little success.

The lode is to the east of the Mount Rose Stockman Junction lease. The South West Lady Minerva claim worked the quartz lode to 70m deep (Rands, 1897). The lode is up to 380mm wide and has a strike of 030° and dip 27°SE. In 1898, the East Minerva, Pallas, Minerva Underlie, and Minerva Gem claims were taken up to prospect the projected eastern direction of the line of lode. None of them succeeded in picking up the lode.

Bismark (MGA94 311146E, 7192617N) 509137

The shaft was sunk to 120m, but failed to intersect any lode.

Crown (MGA94 310726E, 7192537N) 509091

One of the main shafts within the South West Minerva claim.

East Minerva (MGA94 310876E, 7192647N) 509134

In the East Minerva, two shafts were sunk to 78m deep. At the bottom of the shaft, a crosscut was put in but failed to intersect the projected Minerva lode. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 141

Lady Minerva (MGA94 310656E, 7192653N) 509067

Rands (1897) reported that the lode was worked by a number of underlie shafts, one being 36m in length (vertical depth 16m). A lode 3.8m wide with visible gold was intersected in a 20m long drive.

Minerva (MGA94 310629E, 7192617N) 509080

Workings within the Minerva lease included Nos.1, 2 and 3 Minerva shafts, which were sunk along a trend of 140° over a distance of 150m. The No.3 shaft reached a depth of 90m, whereas the No.2 and No.1 shaft reached depths of 85m and 22m respectively. Rands (1901) reported that the lode worked by the Golden Spur Company was met at 28m deep in the No.3 shaft, and a narrow lode was intersected at 51m deep.

In 1939, prospecting work located a lode assayed up to 15g/t gold (ARDM). A shaft was sunk to 3.3m and intersected a one metre wide lode. A drive cut easterly for 8m on lode and 0.09kg gold was produced from 9t of ore.

Minerva Gem (MGA94 311346E, 7192677N) 509147

The Minerva Gem is situated on the eastern side of Boundary Creek. Rands (1887) reported that a shaft was sunk and intersected a lode 1.5m thick at 24m deep. Further sinking followed down dip of this lode for 18m without intersecting any payable ore. Other shafts sunk within the lease area are Unnamed 112925 (MGA94 311306E, 7192747N).

White Elephant (MGA94 311076E, 7192367N) 509136

A shaft was sunk to 75m deep but failed to intersect any lode material.

Unnamed 106922 (MGA94 310766E, 7192457N) 509138

An underlie shaft was sunk to 52m deep and an underlie crosscut put in an easterly direction but failed to intersect the projected Minerva lode.

Lady Augusta (Lady Helena) lode

This lode is also known as the Lady Helena. A map compiled by Rands (1901) shows that a number of claims were taken out to work the Lady Augusta lode. These included the No 1 Stockman, Hallam, Augusta, Lady Eleanor, No 2 South East Stockman, Phoenix, Spence, and Bachelors. The Lady Augusta lode was first worked under the name of the Stockman lode.

In 1999, field inspection located shafts at Unnamed 105918 (MGA94 310646E, 7192037N) and Unnamed 105919 (MGA94 310646E, 7192067N).

Rands (1901) reported that the lode strikes 310° and dips 22° north-easterly but steepens markedly at about the 30m level in the Augusta shaft. The average width of the lode is 0.5 m. The lode consists of 25mm of kaolin, 75mm of quartz, and 300mm 142 Lam of decomposed granite and carries high gold content along down dip joints but low gold content along horizontal joints in fresh granite.

Rands (1901) also reported specks of native gold were visible in the quartz all through the lode. The fineness of the gold is 860. In places, the quartz is heavily impregnated with sulphide minerals where coarse-grained gold was found in association with tetrahedrite, sphalerite, pyrite, and arsenopyrite. In the Bachelors or Maryborough Stockman claim is an ill-defined flat lode, in which cassiterite and tourmaline occur in dark-coloured glassy quartz. Cribb (1936) described the lode consists of quartz-calcite veins with fine-grained pyrite in altered granite.

A.T. Prowse & Juris Breeze Pty Ltd (EPM8604, 1991) reported a fresh sample of sericite that pseudomorphosed feldspars, hornblende and possible biotite from the Lady Augusta lode gave an age of 269±5Ma (K-Ar).

Lady Augusta (MGA94 310766E, 7191977N) 508294

Cribb (1936) reported that the Lady Augusta shaft was sunk at the junction of the granite and diorite and is 90m north-east of the Lady Augusta lode outcrop. Ore dump at the shaft consists mainly of fine-grained, dark-grey rock of dioritic composition in coarse-grained granite. The Augusta shaft was worked to a vertical depth of at least 91m. At 29m the lode becomes steeper, at 43m the lode follows the dip of the footwall at an angle of 60–65° and below 60m the lode dips nearly vertical. The host rock is predominantly greyish granite and is locally altered to whitish clayey granite over a width of 50mm along the margin of the veins. Diorite is exposed at the bottom of the shaft. At the 29m level, drives were cut along a lode of high-grade quartz veins for 105m to the north-west and 18m to the southeast. The quartz is heavily impregnated with tetrahedrite, sphalerite, pyrite and arsenopyrite, and coarse-grained gold is commonly associated with the sulphides.

From 1888–1936 (ARDM), the Warden reports gave a total crushing of 2775t of quartz for 270kg gold. In the early years of mining a narrow quartz lode with grades up to 150g/t gold was intersected at shallow depth. In 1899, the Lady Augusta and the Helena shafts were connected by a drive, in which ore with grades up to 60g/t gold were intersected. High gold yield was maintained up to 1903. In the 1930s, the Lady Augusta was the leading mine in the field, and produced ores with grades up to 60g/t gold.

Recent company exploration (MRX Pty Ltd, EPM2315, 1980) reported rock chip samples of grey laminated quartz and in sheared, altered granite with abundant pyrite from the Lady Augusta shaft assayed up to 5.6ppm gold. However, shallow RC drilling around the shaft area failed to detect any significant gold mineralisation (Vukotich, 1981a).

Block Shaft (MGA94 310876E, 7192007N) 508239

The location of this shaft is shown on a map drawn by Rands (1901). In 1895, winding machinery was erected on the ground. A crosscut in this shaft was extended in a westerly direction to cut the Augusta lode. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 143

Brown’s (MGA94 310407E, 7192176N) 509619

One of the shafts worked the Lady Augusta lode.

Empress (MGA94 310926E, 7192247N) 508234

The Empress shaft was sunk to intersect the projected intersection of the Mount Rose and the Lady Augusta lodes at a calculated vertical depth of 177m from the surface. The shaft reached a depth of 243m, passed through diorite for the first 75m, and bottomed in granite. A dyke of diorite was met at a depth of 90m and at 237m deep, crosscuts driven ~200m to the south-west and 60m towards the north-west failed to intersect the projected lodes.

Lady Helena (MGA94 310606E, 7192170N) 508383

The Helena working is also known as Lady Helena and Helena Extended. Recorded production were 12.25kg gold from 215t of ore and 0.3kg gold from 60t of ore for 1891 and 1893 respectively. Minor production in 1899 for this working was included in the mine return for Lady Augusta.

Rands (1901) reported that the Helena shaft is ~195m north-west of the Lady Augusta shaft. In 1898, the Helena shaft was sunk to 120m, with three levels to work the Helena lode and the Lady Augusta lodes. The first 35m of the shaft sinking is vertical, and a drive to the south-west connected with the Lady Augusta shaft. A gold-bearing vein ~200mm in width, consisting of clear glassy quartz and hard red quartz (coloured by iron oxide), was intersected in granite. This vein was followed for ~30m by the drive. The vein dips 60°NE.

The second level is ~30m down an underlie shaft, which was constructed at the bottom of the vertical shaft where a vein with a north-westerly dip crosses the shaft. This vein was worked from 9m above the 35m level down to the 65m level. At the 65m level there was a drive constructed to the north-west.

The bottom level, known as the 120m level, is at a vertical depth of 93m from the surface. Near the shaft is a 250mm wide quartz vein trending south-east on the hanging wall in the drive. It carries little gold, whereas on the footwall there is a 15mm wide gold-bearing quartz vein. About 15m along the level, the two leaders come together. The country in this portion of the level is diorite.

Recent company exploration (MRX Pty Ltd, EPM2315, 1980) reported rock chip samples from the Helena shaft assayed up to 9ppm gold (Vukotich, 1981b).

No. 1 North Lady Helena (MGA94 310544E, 7192132N) 508492

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have sunk to intersect the projected Lady Helena lode at 60m. 144 Lam

No. 2 North Lady Helena E5 (MGA94 310375E, 7192315N) 508476

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have sunk to intersect the projected Lady Helena lode at 50m. Mullock on site consists mainly of white, medium-grained granodiorite with biotite, hornblende, plagioclase and quartz. Minor sulphide-stained quartz material was also present in the mullock.

Stockman (MGA94 310716E, 7191947N) 508470

The Stockman workings included several shafts, and one was sunk to >18m deep to intersect the projected Helena lode. Most of the gold production from this mine was included in the Lady Helena and Lady Augusta mines.

Unnamed 097928 (MGA94 309886E, 7193067N) 508789

Part of the Lady Rose workings. See Lady Rose for further details.

Unnamed 097929 (MGA94 309876E, 7193017N) 508790

Part of the Lady Rose workings. See Lady Rose for further details.

Unnamed 098924 (MGA94 309996E, 7192637N) 508979

Part of the workings within the old Mount Rose PC lease (GML 7).

Unnamed 098925 (MGA94 309891E, 7192748N) 508980

Part of the workings within the old Mount Rose PC lease (GML 7).

Unnamed 098929 (MGA94 309936E, 7193087N) 508756

Part of the Lady Rose workings. See Lady Rose for further details.

Unnamed 105918 (MGA94 310646E, 7192037N) 508475

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have sunk to intersect the projected Lady Helena lode at depth.

Unnamed 105919 (MGA94 310646E, 7192067N) 508474

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have sunk to intersect the projected Lady Augusta lode at depth.

Unnamed 105929 (MGA94 310636E, 7193163N) 509224

Numerous shafts sunk over a distance of 500m. Workings appear to have sunk on eluvial ground. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 145

Unnamed 105939 (MGA94 310606E, 7194087N) 509234

Alluvial workings occur on the eastern side of the highway.

Unnamed 107916 (MGA94 310856E, 7191897N) 508324

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have sunk to intersect the projected Lady Augusta lode at depth.

Unnamed 107917 (MGA94 310836E, 7191917N) 508322

The location of this shaft is shown on a map compiled by Rands (1901). The shaft appears to have been sunk to intersect the projected Lady Augusta reef at depth.

Unnamed 107918 (MGA94 310846E, 7191977N) 508323

The location of this shaft is shown on a map drawn by Rands (1901). No other information is available. The shaft appears to have been sunk to intersect the projected Lady Augusta lode at depth.

Unnamed 108919 (MGA94 310966E, 7192167N) 508235

The location of this shaft is shown on a map drawn by Rands (1901). No other information is available. The shaft was sunk to the south of the Empress shaft and was intended to cut the projected Lady Augusta lode at depth.

Swindle Hill lode

Swindle Hill North (MGA94 307529E, 7191732N) 508228

The Thistle lode at Swindle Hill was discovered in 1858 by Loader (Lodden) Bill of Eidsvold station. The find did not arouse enough interest until 1862 when John Falconer led a party of 5 men to work the lode. About one and half tonnes of ore with a grade of >250g/t gold were mined. Rands (1887) described Swindle Hill is ~3km from Mount Rose. A shaft to a depth of 25m was sunk on the lode. Because of local opposition to mining, no further work was carried out for many years. In 1886, Fred Achilles and Otto Nagel took up the workings and further prospecting detected alluvial gold near Spring Gully in 1887.

Old workings consist of three shafts trending easterly sunk on hornfelsed sediment. Very little quartz was found in mullock.

Swindle Hill South (MGA94 307576E, 7191530N) 508229

One shaft was located to the south of Swindle Hill North workings.

Craventown Workings (MGA94 308873E, 7189880N) 509472

During field inspection in 1999, numerous shallow diggings were located in the area. Mullock consists of granodiorite and quartz gabbro, but little to no quartz. 146 Lam

25 25 151 08 E 151 05 E 25 18 S

Figure 44: Gold occurrences in the Mount Brady area Unnamed 088895 (MGA94 308906E, 7189687N) 508230

Small workings were located during exploration under EPM8604. The style of gold mineralisation appears to be similar to the Swindle Hill deposit (Stuart, 1994).

MOUNT BRADY AREA

Rands (1897) reported that several high-grade auriferous quartz lodes were worked to a shallow depth. Pyrite, arsenopyrite and galena are commonly associated with the quartz lode (Figure 44). The workings were sunk along the contact between the Eidsvold Complex and the Nogo beds, 11km north of Eidsvold homestead.

The Mount Brady workings are on a north-east-trending ridge. The early mining history is not known. Costeans, shaft, small pits and trenches were sunk over 100m along a north-east-trending lode. The lode is 0.2–0.5m wide and contains white quartz veins up to 100mm wide in quartz diorite and granite. A rhyolite dyke up to 0.3m wide runs parallel to the lode for much of its length. This dyke is strongly weathered and largely converted to greyish clay. The lode and the dyke dip steeply to the south and locally near vertical. About 15m east of the shaft, dyke exposures don’t parallel the strike of the lode, suggesting that either more than one dyke is present or the lode/dyke channel has been dislocated by transverse fault. Four rock chip and Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 147

2 - 5mm vein pit quartz in granite minor limonitic in joints

Blebby clear o quartz, minor 25 15cm white quartz epidole & limonite weakly greisenous pit Shaft (caved at 3m)

N

SCALE 1:500

AREA E

Dump Quartz 7A/JL-05-97/Fig04.cdr Outcrop Granite

Figure 45: Surface sketch of the Area E South workings two dump samples assayed up to 16.3ppm and 53.4ppm gold respectively (Fortescue Media Pty Ltd, EPM4564, 1989).

Area 1 (MGA94 310171E, 7202327N) 509369

This area consists of altered, kaolinised granodiorite with thin ferruginous quartz veins with strike 027° and dip subvertically. A crosscutting channel sample of the host rock and the vein assayed 0.95g/t gold (Stuart, 1994).

Area 2 (MGA94 309901E, 7203894N) 509400

The old workings including several shallow pits and a trench up to 2m deep were sunk on a fine-grained acid dyke in granodiorite. The dyke is 0.3m wide; strikes 250° and dips steeply. A crosscutting channel sample of the dyke assayed 0.07g/t gold (Stuart, 1994).

Area E South (MGA94 309524E, 7204586N) 509343

The workings consist of one vertical shaft that has caved-in at 3m and two pits in rugged country north of the Burnett River (Figure 45). The shaft has a timber collar on the footwall side of the lode. The lode dips 25°E, is up to 0.1m wide and consists of quartz stringers 2–5mm wide in medium- to coarse-grained biotite granite. Clear quartz with minor epidote and limonite and greisen development was exposed in the pit. Grab samples from a dump assayed up to 1.02ppm gold and 2300ppm lead (Wightman, 1987). 148 Lam

pink granite Shaft (flooded at 1m) with limonitic on joints

N

SCALE 1:500

Trench (1m deep)

minor pyrite in granite

pit weakly greisenous & limonitic Shaft (flooded at 1m) pit

sparse white quartz on dump

AREA E NORTH

Dump Quartz 7A/JL-05-97/Fig05.cdr Outcrop Granodiorite

Figure 46: Surface sketch of Area E North workings

Shaft (caved at 2m) costean (caved - no exposure) minor limonitic in joints

2 - 5mm clear quartz veins

pit weathered limonitic granite on dump

N

pit

weak limonitic & manganese stain SCALE 1:500 50 cm wide lode channel

AREA D

Dump Quartz 7A/JL-05-97/Fig03.cdr Outcrop Granodiorite

Figure 47: Surface sketch of Area D workings Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 149

Area E North (MGA94 309700E, 7204592N) 509351

The workings include two shafts both flooded to within one metre of ground surface, two pits, and a 10m long trench (Figure 46). The shafts are collared on the footwall side of the lode. The lode dips 60°E in medium- to coarse-grained biotite granite. Grab samples from the dump assayed up to 0.99g/t gold and >10 000ppm arsenic. Four quartz samples were collected and the highest assays were 28.2ppm gold and 1400ppm lead (Wightman, 1987).

Area D (MGA94 311066E, 7202487N) 509405

Area D is situated on a low ridge, 500m west of the Burnett River. Workings consist of 3 pits, one costean and a vertical shaft (>10m deep) sunk over a distance of 50m along strike of 040° (Figure 47). On the south wall of the southernmost pit is a 0.5m lode with quartz stringers (10–20mm wide) in granodiorite. The lode dips 65°SE. Clear quartz veining was identified in dump 40m to the north of the shaft (Stuart, 1994).

Mount Brady (MGA94 309238E, 7202780N) 509309

An east-trending pit over 25m long was cut to 10m deep. A timbered shaft was sunk on the eastern end of the pit. Gold mineralisation appears to be associated with sheared-controlled stockwork quartz-calcite veins up to 10mm wide in a strongly fractured, medium-grained, biotite, and hornblende diorite. One set of veins strikes 170° and dips 58°W whereas the other set strikes of 190° and dips 34°E.

Mount Brady North (MGA94 309402E, 7202839N) 509337

The workings consist of a group of small pits 250m north-east of Mount Brady. The shallow excavations extend over 25m and are aligned along a trend of 285° (Figure 48). The lode is a subvertical zone of narrow quartz-limonite veins in altered granitoid with. The lode crops out ~30m along strike. Dump material includes minor limonitic quartz, kaolin and quartz diorite. Two dump samples assayed up to 2.92ppm gold. A one kilogram dump sample assayed 1.77g/t gold (Syvret & others, 1989).

Stibnite Show (MGA94 3095393E, 7203320N) 509406

Three shallow pits trending 050° were sunk on pink granodiorite intruded by black tonalite. The mineralised zone of fracture-filled quartz veining 2–3m wide in pink granodiorite apparently occurs at the contact between the black tonalite and the pink medium-granodiorite, and is closely associated with a quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke (?aplite). Silicification occurs both in the granodiorite and tonalite, suggesting that the mineralising event is younger than both of the granitoids. Sulphide is predominantly stibnite, with minor arsenopyrite and pyrite. An outcrop of stibnite-bearing rocks also occurs 50m to the south-east of the shaft. If this outcrop is part of the lode, one interpretation is that the lode has a shallow dip to the north-west.

NF Stuart (EPM7073, 1990) however described the mineralisation as consisting of a poddy quartz-stibnite vein (up to 0.2m wide), striking 080° and dipping near 150 Lam

minor limonitic quartz

pit

t pit (caved - no exposure) r a

c pit k quartz diorite with rare kaolin veins & limonitic gossan

N

SCALE 1:500 BRADY NORTH

Dump Quartz gabbro 7A/JL-05-97/Fig02.cdr Outcrop Granite

Figure 48: Surface sketch of Mount Brady North workings vertically. A dump sample of ferruginous quartz with stibnite assayed 10.6g/t gold. Three exploration costeans were cut across the strike of the mineralised zones.

MOUNT JONES AREA

The Mount Jones area (Mount Jones, MGA94 306834E, 7199801N; Mount Jones South, MGA94, 306793E, 7199775N) was discovered about 1888. In 1889, the Queen Bee claim (location unknown) produced 10t of ore for 1.41kg gold (Whitaker & others, 1974). Recent company exploration mapped the Mount Jones workings and located 7 shafts, 11 pits, 3 small trenches and one costean extending north-north-east over 800m along contact boundary between granodiorite and gabbro (Figure 49). Whitaker & others (1974) described the granodiorite in quartz gabbro as xenolith granodiorite, breccia or gabbro breccia. Rhyolite and pegmatite dykes are invariably closely associated with, as well as orthogonal to, the mineralised lodes. The lodes trend north-west to north-east and the dykes are predominantly east-trending. Field evidence suggests that the lode was emplaced subsequent to the dyke.

The Mount Jones lode dips east at ~35° for much of its length. The average lode width is ~0.3m with local enlargement to ~1m. The lode persists along the western flank of a meridional trending ridge, but to the north it extends into more gentle topography. Much of the lode is covered by eluvium. The lode comprises white quartz with small content of glassy clear quartz. Chalcopyrite, pyrite, covellite and copper carbonates were noted in mullock. The distribution and size of workings Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 151

Figure 49: Surface sketches of the Mount Jones workings 152 Lam suggest that at least two large ore lenses are present. One is in the decline shaft area and the other ~300m to the south-west.

COMMENT ON EIDSVOLD GOLDFIELD

• The Eidsvold Complex consists of a variety of granite, granodiorite, diorite and quartz gabbro. Rands (1895b) mapped areas of intrusive diorite in granite and noted some of the granites containing rounded tonalite clasts have a piebald appearance, but Webb (1960) considered the granite is younger. The piebald feature is similar in appearance to the net-veined igneous complexes described by Blake & Hoatson (1993), that is pillow-like mafic bodies are enclosed in and veined by granitic rock. They believed the pillow-like features, such as marginal chilling and cuspate contacts with granitic rock, are linked to magma mingling. The mafic and felsic components of the net-veined complexes were intruded either as magmas together or mafic magma was intruded into already emplaced granite which became partly melted and remobilised; i.e. granite plutons are older than adjacent gabbro intrusions. • The Eidsvold Complex has a high magnetic intensity and shows a deepening slope towards the east. The western margin abuts an interpreted north-trending linear fault structure. Mount Rose is on the south-western portion of the pluton and the intrusive complexes are strongly mineralised with quartz-ankerite veins filling north-west to north-north-west- and east-trending joints. The north-west- trending joints appear to be extensive and, apart from mineralised veins, are also intruded by fine-grained felsic to rhyolitic dykes. The north-west-trending veins have shallow dips ~20–45° toward the north-east, although veins dipping south-west are also known. The east-trending veins dip only 20° towards the south. Rands (1895b) described the granite in the Mount Rose workings as containing layered joints that parallelled the dip of the lode. The lode averages ~1m in width and consists of layers of quartz (up to 200mm in thickness) interlayered with thin bands of clayey material. This would suggest that the subparallel, subhorizontal joints in the granite extend to a depth of 90m where the Mount Rose lode ran out of mineralised quartz lode. One of the explanations for the flat-dipping lodes is that they have been emplaced along joints that formed as a result of cooling of the marginal zone of the igneous intrusive granite or, more likely are the result of partings due to large scale exfoliation associated with doming related to the late diorite or quartz gabbro intrusions. Apart from the Mount Rose lode, all the other east-trending lodes — the Minerva, All Nation and Lady Rose — also dip flatly towards the south, suggesting a half doming antiformal feature in the area. The north-west-trending veins could well be representing joints formed during the rising and cooling heaving and uprising of the granite layers. If the lodes of Mount Rose were indeed emplaced in joints and partings related to doming of the granite, then it would appear they occupy the zone just below the crest of the dome. In the crestal area, fractures or joints are most likely to be steep or vertical. • Past mining indicated the lodes were narrow but carried an average grade upwards of 90g/t gold. Most of the gold was mined from lodes and by comparison, very minor alluvial gold was produced. This could suggest that denudation by weathering of the Mount Rose lodes has not been intense and that only the crest Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 153

had been weathered, or that the mineralised portion of the pluton has only been recently exposed. • There are no obvious signs of strong crackle zone in the host rocks, or hydrothermal breccia near the lodes. Mineralisation appears to be joint-controlled. The brecciated mullock beside the Mount Rose shaft consists of angular clasts of glassy quartz, milky white quartz and silicified rock fragments in jasperised limonitic matrix. Clasts range from <10mm to 30 or 50mm. Some of the rock fragments have quartz veinlets and carry minor pyrite cubes up to 1mm in size. This breccia appears to be a localised feature as no other breccia lode material was noted in any of the mullock from the field. The breccia apparently is fault related and does not appear to be part of a diatreme. • Rands (1895a, 1897) described the Eidsvold goldfield as resembling the Charters Towers goldfield in many respects. The main points of resemblance are: 1. Both places contain a high proportion of granite and syenite or syenitic granite 2. Large diorite masses and felsic dykes are common to both fields 3. The dykes are younger than the granite, but older than the lodes 4. The lodes are generally flat dipping 5. The lodes contain a high proportion of of decomposed granite debris and quartz veins 6. Galena and sphalerite are good indicators of gold in the Charters Towers lodes, and arsenopyrite, stibnite, chalcopyrite have been found in some Eidsvold lodes. • Minor cassiterite and molybdenite have been reported in the Mount Rose lodes. The close association of cassiterite and molybdenite with gold lodes also occurs in porphyry copper deposit in granitoids. However, there is no other strong geological evidence to suggest the Mount Rose lodes have strong affinities with porphyry copper deposits. • Thick bands of kaolinite have formed the centre of some veins, especially those with high gold grades. Hydrothermal solutions, which formed the lodes have resulted in the kaolinisation of feldspars in granite up to a few metres from the contact, and sericite dominates the alteration zones marginal to the veins. Lesser amounts of kaolinite and vermiculite are also present. A ground magnetic survey shows that the granite has a magnetic susceptibility of 15–20 x 10-3 SI units whereas the alteration around the Mount Rose lode is <1 x 10-3 SI units (Vigar, 1993). • The kaolinite and abundant sericitic alteration at the Mount Rose lode appears to be associated with acid sulphate fluids containing high H2S and CO2. The fluids are probably of dominantly magmatic in origin and related to the host Eidsvold Complex. The approximate temperature range for the clay minerals present is: sericite 220–310° and kaolinite 120–180°. This gives an approximate temperature for the hydrothermal fluids of 250° and the kaolinite is the result of mixing with surface water (Vigar, 1993). However, some dispute exists about this kaolinisation, which alternatively could be a product of surface weathering of 154 Lam

feldspars. Drilling in some kaolinised lodes intersected lode extensions free of kaolin alteration at depth.

ST JOHN CREEK GOLDFIELD

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

Campbell, O’Connell and party discovered gold in the St John Creek area in June 1888. They pegged out the Perseverance Claim and a few months later the nearby Burnett Squatter lode to the south was found. The St John Creek goldfield was proclaimed in 1890 and mining continued to 1901. Total production for that period is 313kg gold from 15 669t of ore with an average grade of 20g/t gold (Whitaker & others, 1974). Most of the production came from mining within the first three years of discovery when shafts were sunk to 100m deep to work the rich ore with grades up to 60g/t gold. Very little mining was done after 1902. By 1903, the field was deserted and very little information was recorded by the mining wardens.

Peak production was in 1890 when 98.5kg gold was mined from 7574t of ore. The Perseverance and the Burnett Squatter were two of the larger mines in the field (Figure 50). Together they were responsible for >90% of gold output from the St John Creek goldfield. Most of the ores were crushed in the field by a 30-stamper battery, the remains of which are sited on the eastern bank of St John Creek (MGA94 293506E, 7181387N). The Campbelltown site was established near the battery and was later known as the ‘township on the bank of St John Creek’. In the mid-1890s, the miners persevered with the mines but the overall gold grades and ore reserves diminished and deeper shaft sinking became uneconomic because of influxes of underground water into the workings. Towards the end of the 1890s, some gold was recovered by cyanide treatment of the tailing sands.

The Perseverance lode was worked by a number of adjacent claims. Some of the claims were the No.1 East Perseverance, No.2 East Perseverance, No.1 West Perseverance, Perseverance United and Perseverance Extended. During the first year of mining, 12.5kg gold was produced from 100t of ore crushed by the Golden Spur battery at Craventown. In 1889, the Golden Spur Company acquired one-half share interest in the Perseverance mine and moved their battery from Craventown to Morrow Creek. During that year, the mine produced 130kg gold from 5400t of ore. By 1890, the main shaft was sunk to 130m deep and ~97.5kg gold was produced from 7400t of ore. From 1891–1894, production was 8.5kg gold from 500t of ore, as most of the high-grade ores were mined out and the main shaft was sunk to 160m deep. In 1895, an extension of the lode was intersected in the No.1 East Perseverance Claim. This section of the lode was worked until 1897 and produced ~40kg gold from >1000t of ore. From 1898–1901, the lode in the No.1 East Perseverance Claim was mined out. Further prospecting work was carried out in search of lode extensions, but failed to locate any economic payable ore. An attempt to reopen the Perseverance mine took place in 1934 and 1935 by Barnes and party. A new shaft was sunk to 24m, but inflow of water into the shaft halted further sinking.

The Burnett Squatter mine was worked in 1888 when a shallow shaft was sunk and produced 280g gold from 9t of ore. By 1889, the shaft was deepened to 12m and produced 4kg gold from 287t of ore. The lode appears to have petered out at depth as Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 155

25 27 S 150 57 E 150 54 E 25 30 S

Figure 50: General location of gold and antimony occurrences in the St John Creek gold field area the shaft reached 30m deep and in which 0.7 kg gold was produced from 64t of ore. Mining virtually ceased when only 0.1kg gold was produced from 8t of ore in 1891.

In the 1980s, rising gold prices resulted in increased prospecting activity in the St. John Creek area. In 1986, Perseverance Corporation Ltd (EPM3942, 4433) and Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM5562, 1988) carried out exploration and reassessed the potential of gold mineralisation in the Perseverance mine area. Most of the efforts were concentrated around the two large mines, Perseverance and Burnett Squatter. The main shaft of the Perseverance mine was dewatered and the underground workings were inspected. The lodes were sampled and assayed up to 60g/t gold, confirming the high-grade ore mined in the past. However, the deposit was considered small and at the time had no further interest to the company.

GEOLOGY

The predominant rock type in the area is a medium-grained, biotite granodiorite of the Late Carboniferous Coonambula Granodiorite. The rock is characterised by its north-easterly trending foliation dipping generally 45–75° to the north-west. 156 Lam

Figure 51: Perseverance mine — strongly altered granodiorite with fracture-filled iron-stained quartz-stibnite-arsenopyrite veins

Pegmatite dykes comprising very coarse-grained quartz and albite cut across the granodiorite. Some of the dykes are at 90° to the foliation and some are parallel to the foliation trend. The pegmatites are commonly accompanied by narrow iron oxide stained quartz veins which have strike 070–090° and dip 70°N (Savory, 1990b).

MINERALISATION

Two distinct types of vein mineralisation are recognised within the host biotite granodiorite. One is gold-arsenopyrite-stibnite in veins of quartz, (Figure 51) which has replaced calcite. The other is disseminated stibnite-gold in quartz veins (Leitch & Malnic, 1985). Most of the veins are a few centimetres wide, the largest being 0.46m (Burnett Squatter), and 1.65m (Perseverance). The quartz veins are white to grey in colour, depending on the sulphide content. Pyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite constitute up to 5% in volume of the vein.

Perseverance (MGA94 292529E, 7181316N) 507605

The old Perseverance workings extend over a distance of 350m in length (Figure 52). The lode was worked by underground stoping, drawing the ore out to a main level drive and then to the surface by a 3-compartment haulage shaft. The stopes were taken to grassroots and have collapsed, providing sections of remaining ore in columns and stope ends (Leitch & Malnic, 1985).

A single lode is exposed at the first level stope. It has a strike of 100° and dips 80°N. The lode is up to 10m wide in a strongly altered, silicified granodiorite. In places, the lode consists of up to three separate quartz veins with widths of 200–500mm. The quartz ranges from milky white to a transparent glassy grey and contains disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite and ‘paint’ gold. Rock chip samples of the vein assayed up to 28ppm gold (Cooper, 1987). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 157

Figure 52: Surface sketch of the Perseverance workings Other small workings are located at Unnamed 918818 (MGA94 291906E, 7181987N) 507606.

Perseverance West (MGA94 291406E, 7181437N) 507603

This prospect includes numerous unnamed workings to the west and south-west of the old Perseverance mine. The ore zone, which includes the hydrothermally altered granodiorite, contains at least four quartz veins with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite and smeared gold. The two northern veins are 140m apart, and dip 76°/170° and 85°/172°. These veins are 0.1–0.3m wide and consist of light grey quartz with minor pyrite. The westernmost of these two veins is 40m long, and the eastern vein is 80m long. The two southern veins are 300m apart, and dip 85°/350°. These veins are 0.8–1.3m wide, and comprise light grey quartz with minor pyrite and arsenopyrite. The westernmost of these two veins is 120m long and the eastern vein is 370m long. Two samples of the veins assayed 0.93ppm gold, 694ppm arsenic (northern vein) and 2.2ppm gold and 1570ppm arsenic (southern vein) (Savory, 1990b).

Other small workings are located at Unnamed 908813 (MGA94 290906E, 7181487N) 507607, Unnamed 908808 (MGA94 290906E, 7180987N) 505731, Unnamed 913807 (MGA94 291406E, 7180887N) 507687, and Unnamed 911805 (MGA94 291206E, 7180687N) 507747.

Burnett Squatter (MGA94 292201E, 7180942N) 507748

This mine is situated 600m south of the Perseverance mine. Dunstan (1907) reported that the lode was 0.5m in width and crops out over a distance of 400m. The lode strikes 090° and dips 60°S. A prospecting shaft was sunk to 30m and ore was mined 158 Lam to the water table level. Production in 1888, 1889, 1890 and 1891 was 9t of ore; 283t for 4.03kg gold; 63t for 0.7 kg gold, 8t for 100g gold respectively.

Savory (1990b) described the main vein is white to light grey quartz and carries pyrite, arsenopyrite, stibnite and native gold. Rock chip samples returned an average of 2.89ppm gold and 8777ppm arsenic. A smaller vein (100m long by 300mm wide) is located 200m north of the main vein. Rock chip samples of this vein returned an average of 3.40ppm gold and 6407ppm arsenic.

Other small workings located are Unnamed 927806 (MGA94 292806E, 7180887N) 507758 and Unnamed 926802 (MGA94 292706E, 7180387N) 507759.

OUTLYING AREAS OF ST JOHN CREEK GOLDFIELD

DAM HUT CREEK AREA

Therevale (MGA94 299106E, 7168087N) 510572

The Therevale occurrence is situated to the south of Dam Hut Creek. In 1932, four leases [Mat Hope (ML293), Eastern Gate (ML294), Sunrise (ML295) and Minimine (ML56)] were applied for gold mining over the area. Three old shafts are shown on one of the lease application plans but no further information was supplied. In 1986, Pacific Gold Mines NL applied for ML184 (Therevale) over the area. The lease was expired in 1990.

SMALLS CREEK AREA

Lambing Gully (MGA94 304306E, 7196437N) 509413

Two shallow pits trending 040° were sunk on fine-grained (hornfelsed) sediments of the Nogo beds. Minor milky quartz was identified in mullock. It is assumed the pits were prospecting for gold.

Eagle (MGA94 295606E, 7211887N) 507650

This prospect was outlined by Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4473, 1986) from a stream sediment sampling survey. Follow up exploration located a zone of brecciated, silicified rhyolite cropping out over an area of 300m long by 30m wide on a ridge on the western side of Wuruma Dam. The alteration zone has a north-north-west trend within rhyodacitic tuffs of the Mount Eagle beds, near its contacts with granite of the Rawbelle Batholith and hornfelsed andesite of the Nogo beds. The zone has moderate to strong chalcedonic silicification and veining features similar to near surface hydrothermal hot sprint activity. Hydraulic fracturing caused by boiling is evidenced by breccias with lath-shaped fragments in a chalcedonic microcrystalline quartz matrix. Disseminated, fine-grained pyrite (5%) is commonly associated with the silica. Spheroidal structures are thought to be geyserite (opaline sinter formed in geysers) that ranges in size from 1mm to several centimetres. Weak to moderate pervasive clay alteration forms a thin halo around the silicification. Rock chip samples along strike assayed very low gold, arsenic and Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 159 antimony. Drilling (2 percussion drillholes) failed to intersect any significant gold zone at depth (Savory, 1990a).

Jackass (MGA94 299206E, 7201487N) 507763

The lode consists of a rhyolite dyke with one large planar quartz vein and numerous small parallel quartz veins which cut biotite granodiorite of the Late Permian–Early Triassic Wingfield Granite. The lode crops out over 1.2km along a strike of 005°. Quartz veins up to 500mm wide occur throughout the width of the dyke 2–8m wide. Two drillholes were drilled and intersected quartz veins dipping 56°/275°. Cuttings assayed up to 1250ppm arsenic, 213ppm antimony and 0.06ppm gold (Savory, 1990a).

Privateer (MGA94 293308E, 7202073N) 507642

This prospect was outlined by Peko-Wallsend Operations Ltd (EPM4472, 1986) during a regional stream sediment sampling survey. A number of old pits were located on a small ridge on the western bank of an unnamed creek flowing into Smalls Creek. The pits appear to have sunk on brecciated chalcedonic quartz lode with rhyolite fragments (Figure 53). Quartz veining appears to be associated with rhyolitic quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes, which intrude volcanic rocks of the Triassic Mount Eagle beds. Rock chip samples of chalcedonic quartz in the workings assayed up to 3.95ppm gold, 29ppm silver, 793ppm arsenic, 99ppm antimony and 0.815ppm mercury.

Figure 53: Privateer prospect (a) medium-grained rhyodacitic tuff of the Mount Eagle beds (b) chalcedonic quartz with angular rhyolite fragments

Waratah (MGA94 293450E, 7202412N) 507635

The Waratah deposit is situated ~5km north-west of Euroka homestead and is 2km to the north of Smalls Creek. Gold was discovered in the area in the mid-1930s (ARDM). Two shafts were sunk to 4m and the lode was worked by a drive 5m in length. In 1936, a tonne of ore was crushed at the Blundell battery and in 1937 the workings were expanded to four shafts sunk to 4m, 6m, 7m and 12.5m respectively. Stoping was excavated to the surface for 7.5m along the lode. Six tonnes of ore were crushed at the Perseverance mill, Eidsvold, for a yield of 300g of fine gold. Further prospecting work was carried out and 3 gold mining leases (GML472, 473, 478 160 Lam

Figure 54: Waratah workings (a) siliceous breccia with subangular rhyolite, volcanic rock and chalcedonic quartz clasts, (b) open-spaced chalcedonic vein in siliceous breccia

Figure 55: Waratah workings (a) brown chalcedonic quartz vein (b) quartz replacement of blady calcite

Waratah) were applied for in 1939. Development work included one shaft to 4m deep and another two, each to 2m deep. In 1950, further prospecting work was carried out and three shafts were sunk to test the east-trending lode. One was sunk on iron-stained jasperoid quartz 0.6m wide, dipping 70°S and widening to 1m at a depth of 4.5m. Another was sunk to 10m deep and intersected the projected lode which carried 5.5g/t gold. A third shaft in between the first two was sunk to 4.5m deep. At a depth of 2m, the lode assayed 75g/t gold, and at 4.5m the quartz lode split into three sections separated by kaolinite, and samples of the lodes assayed 6 to 10g/t gold. A total of 11t of ore with a grade of 11.5g/t gold were crushed at the Klondyke battery.

Savory (1989) reported that the quartz lodes crosscut volcanic rocks of the Triassic Mount Eagle Volcanics. Weak to moderate clay alteration occurs in the main mineralised zone. The mineralised veins appear to be intimately related to rhyolitic quartz-feldspar porphyry dyke. Gold is mainly associated with narrow, chalcedonic quartz breccia (Figure 54) and samples of the quartz veins assayed up to 4.29ppm Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 161 gold and 29ppm silver. Percussion drilling results confirmed that the quartz veins are associated closely with rhyolite and feldspar porphyry dykes.

Field inspection located two short lines of overlapping workings, one trending 118° and the other 045°, on a flat-topped knoll. The main shaft was timbered, and water-filled to within 1m of the surface. A brown chalcedonic, colloform quartz with a strike of 118° and dip 45°SW is exposed in the main shaft (Figure 55). The footwall is a weathered, fine-grained quartz-feldspar dyke. The lode comprises gossanous, colloform quartz veins with quartz replacement of blady calcite.

POSSUM RANGE AREA

Southern Cross (MGA94 345006E, 7197487N) 507762

The prospect is situated in an inlier of the Wandilla Formation within younger Triassic Aranbanga Volcanics (de Havelland, 1987). A lode crops out over 40m in meta-siltstone and slates. Rock chip samples of the quartz-pyrite lode assayed up to 20.8ppm gold. The host metasediments display a strong pervasive tectonic fabric, which dips steeply to the east.

The lode crops out as a series of discontinuous lenses over a length of 166m in schist, the largest of which is 50m long and up to 10m wide. The larger lenses are generally undeformed, but the margins of the smaller lenses are strongly sheared with the development of quartz-rich melange.

The lenses consist of quartz veins ranging from 0.3–3m in thickness. They strike mainly north and dip 76° E. The quartz is glassy, milky white, green and blue to grey, carrying 3–5% disseminated, fine-grained pyrite (Newbery, 1991).

The main line of workings consists of up to 30 pits, costeans, two shafts and an 18m long adit driven into the hanging wall side of the lode system below the main pit developments (Newbery, 1991). Shepherd (1939) reported that a vertical shaft was sunk to a depth of 14m, with a crosscut in a south-westerly direction in the footwall for 9m. A number of trenchs were cut across the lode.

YARROL HOMESTEAD AREA

Mining and Exploration History

Gold was discovered in the Yarrol station area in the late 1800s and sporadic mining continued until 1938. Total production is estimated to be 300t of ore. Most of the gold came from the True Blue workings where 4kg gold was recovered from 100t of ore (Ridgway, 1937).

The workings are centred 5km south of the Yarrol homestead and consist of numerous pits and shafts scattered over 3km. One of the shafts was 14m deep sunk on diorite sills or plugs. Most of the ore was raised from shallow underground workings where high-grade, gold-bearing narrow quartz veins were stoped to close to the surface. 162 Lam

Recent company exploration included aeromagnetic surveys conducted by Amalgamated Petroleum NL (1962) and BHP (1970). The surveys outlined a linear magnetic anomaly abutting the eastern bank of the Burnett River. In 1969–70, Noranda Australia Ltd carried out regional stream sediment sampling in the area. Several low order copper and lead anomalies were located in the vicinity of the Yarrol North Prospect. Rock chip samples assayed up to 12.4ppm gold. In 1972, Texins Development Pty Ltd undertook a detailed airphoto-interpretation study of the Yarrol area, and five RC drillholes were drilled to test an inferred prospect area. The best intersection was 8m with 1.85ppm gold. AMOCO explored the area in 1980–1981. Five costeans were cut, and channel samples assayed up to 6.89ppm gold over 15m in costean B and 0.19% copper in costean D. Drillholes to 21m deep intersected a grade of 0.7ppm gold. In 1994, Strike Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM8402) reported that the old workings might not have sunk along east-trending zones of mineralisation as drilling intersected gold mineralisation associated mainly with silica flooding in the host rock.

Mineralisation

Gold mineralisation occurs in quartz-calcite-epidote-chlorite veins, and possibly as dissemination in diorite and calc-silicate rock, and to a lesser extent in andesite and contact metamorphosed sediments. Kaolin alteration is extensive, as areas with poor diorite outcrop are usually highly kaolinitic and bleached. Mullock consists of malachite- and azurite-stained diorite with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, cuprite and arsenopyrite.

Hall (1996) recognised two types of quartz veining:

• veins with little wallrock alteration, • veins with extensive wall rock silicification.

Beehive (MGA94 333762E, 7233438N) 507798

The Beehive workings consist of numerous shallow shafts and pits sunk over 100m along a north-trending lode. Mineralisation is gold-quartz-calcite lode in calc-silicate rock (endoskarn?) near the boundary of a medium-grained, hornblende, plagioclase diorite cropping out to the west, and a hornfelsed mudstone to the east. The calc-silicate rock shows slickensides and contains quartz-calcite-epidote veins. At the margin of the calc-silicate rock, epidote veinlets <1mm wide occur as fracture-fill in the diorite.

Ridgway (1937) reported that the old shaft at the northern end of the lode extended to 28m deep, and at 12m intersected a quartz vein 200mm wide in diorite. From 15–18m, a lens of quartz was met and ~6t of ore was raised, but no gold production figure is available. Water influx into the shaft hampered further development.

Central Ridge (MGA94 334106E, 7234187N) 507812

Strike Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM8402, 1994) outlined this prospect during their exploration for gold in the Yarrol station area. Gold mineralisation was found in Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 163 diorite, which intrudes along a major north-trending fault or fracture system separating Permian and Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. Rock chip and soil sampling outlined a north-trending anomalous zone. The zone was tested by RC percussion drillholes totalling of 265m; however no significant gold mineralisation was found (Hall, 1996).

Eddy (MGA94 334506E, 7232187N) 507799

Ridgway (1937) reported that numerous potholes and a shaft down to 5m deep were sunk to prospect a narrow east-trending quartz lode associated with a fine-grained intermediate dyke intruded diorite host rock. Minor chalcopyrite and malachite occur in quartz veins as well as fractures in the host rock. About a tonne of ore with a grade of ~60g/t gold was raised from the shaft. The lode was difficult to follow and it is commonly offset by faults.

True Blue/Try Again (MGA94 334256E, 7232487N) 507792

In the True Blue area, five lines of workings cover an area 60m wide by 220m long. Reid (1934a) described the lode as consisting of multiple subparallel quartz leaders trending east-north-east and dipping 20–55° south-south-east in diorite. An inclined shaft named Try Again was sunk to 12m and intersected quartz stockwork veins up to 0.2m wide. Minor magnetite but no sulphide minerals were found in the quartz. Samples of the quartz vein assayed 25g/t gold. The quartz lode was mined by underground stoping. Total production for this mine to 1937 is estimated to be 100t of ore for 4kg gold (Ridgway, 1937).

AMOCO Minerals Australia Company (EPM2726) conducted drilling and costeaning in the early 1980s. The shallow costeans exposed a zone of gold-quartz veins over 95m long in sheared, kaolinised diorite and grandiorite. Samples of quartz assayed 1.7g/t gold. The vein dips 40°/170°. Drilling to 21m deep intersected an ore zone with a grade of 0.7ppm gold. Further drilling to the north of the trenches intersected 8m with 1.85ppm gold (Karjalainen, 1981).

MOUNT RUNSOME AREA

Mount Clairvoyant (MGA94 262306E, 7231487N) 507652

A shaft was sunk to locate the source of a rich gold nugget, which was reported by a local prospector who died from alcoholic poisoning without divulging the exact locality (McDonald, 1982a). At Mount Clairvoyant, numerous small quartz veins are present in the Permo-Triassic Glencoe Gabbro. Recent company exploration failed to outline any significant gold anomalies from rock chip and soil sampling survey (Gibson, 1995).

Teel’s Well (MGA94 264236E, 7231617N) 507653

This prospect contains loose gossanous quartz float scattered over several square metres. Samples of the quartz with minor pyrite assayed up to 10.4g/t gold. However, company exploration failed to ascertain the source of gold mineralisation (McDonald, 1982a). 164 Lam

Quartz float is abundant in the area, and appears to have been released from the strongly weathered gabbro. Remnants of quartz veins striking north and east occur in lateritised host rock. The quartz is massive, and white.

Dickey/Dinglesy (MGA94 263656E, 7229497N) 507654

This prospect contains small fractured quartz outcrops extending over several metres in gabbro. Samples assayed up to 6.1g/t gold. Company exploration failed to ascertain the source of gold mineralisation (McDonald, 1982a).

Mount Runsome (MGA94 263456E, 7227267N) 507660

South of Mount Runsome, two small pits were sunk on gabbro. No quartz vein was exposed in the pits but abundant quartz floats were present nearby. Samples of the quartz float assayed up to 3.9g/t gold. Company exploration failed to ascertain the source of gold mineralisation (McDonald, 1982a).

Shepherd Camp/Golden Break (MGA94 246111E, 7211219N) 507535

Gold was discovered on Knockbreak station prior to the discovery of the deposits at Cracow. No record of gold production is available apart from ~100g gold mined in more recent time. Old workings consist of shallow costeans, a pit 1.5m deep, and an inclined shaft, which was filled with water to within 3m of the surface (Brooks, 1964c).

The country rock is medium-grained feldspar-quartz granite containing disseminated pyrite, and is intruded by fine-grained dykes with similar composition. At ground surface, the feldspars are kaolinised and stained purplish-red by iron oxides as a result of strong weathering on the outcropping granite. In the pit and inclined shaft, veins of ironstone and jasperoid stone occur in granite filling joints with strike 158° and dip steeply to the west. Rock chip samples assay indicated gold is associated closely with ironstone. Native gold was identified in specimens obtained at the bottom of the pit. Most of the visible gold occurs in rock cavities.

Brooks (1964c) believed that the gold is of secondary origin, and represents a near-surface concentration associated with joints in the host rock. Recent company exploration also support the interpretation, and McDonald (1982b) and Brown (1986) described the gold as surficial enrichment in joints in the heavily weathered hematite-mottled granite/granodiorite and in jasperoidal rock in an extensively lateritised area. Rock chip samples of the ferruginised and quartz-veined granodiorite assayed up to 3.19ppm gold and 300ppm arsenic. However, drill cuttings assayed <1g/t gold.

Trevethan (MGA94 268006E, 7221987N) 507663

Two groups of old workings with several pits and shafts up to 20m deep were sunk on a zone of quartz veinlets in adamellite. Rock chip quartz samples assayed up to 30g/t gold. However, most of the rock outcrops are barren of quartz veins (Gibson, 1995). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 165

Unnamed 666222 (MGA94 266692E, 7222353N) 507655

During field inspection in 1999, four shallow pits trending 060° over 50m were located on the southern slope of a pink pegmatitic granite hill. Very little quartz was found in mullock at the pits. Multiple quartz veins averaging 10mm wide, striking 230° and 335° were exposed in a nearby granite rock face.

LONE PINE HOMESTEAD AREA

Lady Donella (MGA94 250315E, 7189754N) 42302

Alluvial gold was mined in the area, but production is not known. Recent company exploration located minor quartz veins 0.6–0.9m wide in lode formation up to 3m wide in granite. Shallow drilling through the overlying Jurassic sandstone intersected granite basement rock; gold <4g/t was found in some of the small veins (Billett, 1990).

MUNDUBBERA AREA

British Empire (MGA94 340166E, 7161677N) 510217

The mine was discovered in 1907 but very little mining information is available (Whitaker & others, 1974). It is situated in the headwaters of Bennet Creek on Portion 170, Parish of Mundubbera. Renewed interest in the mine was shown in 1932 when a reef was discovered in one of the shafts. An adit was driven west for 40m from the base of the hill but failed to intersect the projected north-trending reef. Prospecting work continued in 1934; the adit was extended to 57m, shafts were sunk to a depth of 14m and drives were extended 25m from a shaft. A five-head stamp battery was erected and 95t of ore was crushed for ~1kg (34.88oz) gold.

Gold mineralisation appears to be associated with a siliceous lode up to 1m wide in a shear/fault zone in the Wandilla Formation. The lode consists of massive quartz veins with minor very fine-grained pyrite (<2% in volume). Adjacent to the vein margin, the host rock is altered to a red jasper and pink to white chalcedony with angular fragments of siltstone in a fine-grained matrix of clay. Clasts are up to 50mm in diameter, but are commonly ~20–30mm.

In 1989, CRA Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM5886) carried out rock chip sampling. Samples collected from the narrow, vertical, brecciated, clay-filled zones assayed 2.5–2.8ppm gold. The battery sand nearby assayed up to 2.2ppm gold and 0.07–0.15% arsenic. In 1991, Southern Ventures N.L. (EPM7603) collected two dump samples from the British Empire mine and confirmed assay results were very low in gold.

Other leases in the area were the Golden Gate (MGA94 340106E, 7161787N), Yellow Girl (MGA94 340306E, 7161687N), and GML416 &GML417 (MGA94 3401106E, 7161887N). 166 Lam

Unnamed 408752 (MGA94 340906E, 7175387N) 510220

This occurrence lies 13km to the north-east of Mundubbera. In 1989, Ark Pty Ltd (EPM5874) carried out drilling to investigate a reported gold-bearing quartz lode intersected at a depth of 24.5m in a water well sunk in 1910. The well was subsequently infilled and its exact location is obscured by cultivation. Drillholes intersected feldspatho-lithic arenites with interbedded grey and black shales of the Wandilla Formation unconformably overlain by a quartz rich gravel horizon up to 2m thick. The gravel is overlain by up to 25m of olivine basalt of Tertiary age. No hydrothermal alteration was found in any of the drill cuttings or outcrops although chlorite, sericite, pyrite and minor pyrrhotite and biotite were observed in the country rock. No gold mineralisation or quartz lode was intersected (Dyson & Gammon, 1989).

Unnamed

CRA Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM5886, 1989) reported that an old shaft next to the old Gayndah Road was sunk on hematitic quartz veins in sandstones and siltstones of the Wandilla Formation. Rock chip samples assayed up to 2.5ppm gold (Promnitz, 1990). The site is coincided with a north-trending magnetic high zone just east of the north-striking Philpott Fault. However, the exact location of this shaft is not known.

IRON

EIDSVOLD AREA

Whitaker & others (1974) reported extensive ironstone beds over 65km long occur in the Eidsvold–Monto district. Two ironstone beds with a combined thickness of 2m occur 4km east of Cynthia and a smaller deposit is exposed ~3km north of Eidsvold. The grade in the Cynthia area is ~40–44% Fe.

DAWSONVALE AREA

In the Dawsonvale area (BUNGABAN), prominent plateaus and scarps with residual mesas extend from Gebe Mountain in the north-west to Mount Misery in the south-east (eg LE 5 and LE 12, RD 9 and RD 50) (Figure 56). The mesas are flat-topped sandstones of the Evergreen Formation, varying from 5–30m in height. They have reddish soil cover and are capped by ironstone formation generally a few metres thick. The ironstone formation is chert-poor, but rich in phosphorous and aluminium, and a scarp marks the basal contact with underlying flat-lying sandstones. The ironstone formation consists of two distinct subunits. The basal subunit is thick-bedded oolitic ironstone with large spheroidal hematitic-rich concretionary structures. The upper subunit is interlayered hematitic oolitic ironstone and limonitic sandstone. This oolitic ironstone is a type of sandy, clayey and oolitic sediment deposited in a shallow-inland sea environment.

Brigalow Mines Pty Ltd (EPM2341, 1980) explored the ironstone potential at Dawsonvale. A bulk sample of oolitic ironstone taken south of Pigeon Creek along the Nathan Road was found to contain of 60% goethite, and clay up to 30%, with Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 167

25o30’S 150 150 o o 00’E 30’E

·Glebe Mountain

Evergreen Formation

Mt Misery Torsdale beds

Figure 56: General extent of ironstone in the Dawsonvale area

minute traces of quartz, hematite and manganese oxide. It contains 35.8% Fe, 14.2% SiO2, 9.43% Al2O3, 2.81% P2O5, 2.31% CaO, 0.39% TiO2 and 18.3% LOI. The sample also contains abundant oolites 0.5–0.8mm in size, composed of iron oxide, stained clay or goethite. A process of scrubbing and screening could reduce the clay and goethite fraction from the ironstone. Beneficiation tests indicated that the phosphorus content of the ironstone could not be reduced to meet blast furnace feed specification (Dredge, 1981).

Drilling between Cabbagetree Creek and Glebe Mountain intersected oolitic ironstones up to 15m thick confined in the zone of weathering. The soft, brown friable oolitic ironstones and the yellow-brown brittle concretionary ironstones are interbedded, and up to 6m thick. Two zones were identified. The top zone consists of concretionary ironstone 1–1.5m thick. This is separated from the basal zone of intermixed oolitic and concretionary ironstone zone (3.5m thick) by ~1.5–2m of clay and claystone. The ironstone increases in thickness towards the east and south-east and occurs as sheet-like horizon. Further to the north and west near Glebe Mountain, it occurs in narrower, elongated troughs or basins. 168 Lam

KENNEDY PEAK AREA

Urquhart (1962) described the oolitic ironstone in the Kennedy Peak (DDH 12 and DDH 31) area as occurring in three distinct horizons. The top horizon consists of concretionary-banded ironstone, closely associated with ferruginous oolitic sandstone, ferruginous oolite and/or ferruginous shale. The middle horizon comprises oolitic ironstone interbedded with concretionary-banded ironstone, ferruginous shale, or ferruginous siltstone. The bottom horizon is concretionary-banded ironstone. Drilling by Enterprise Exploration Pty Ltd (EPM176, 1961) on a north-west-trending line between Mount Misery and Kennedy Peak indicated that the aggregate oolitic ironstone thickness does not exceed 1.4m. Single horizons vary from a few centimetres to 0.8m thick. The grade ranges from 23.6–31.0% iron. Drilling results indicate the area has a resource of several hundred million tonnes with grade up to 37.5% iron.

CRACOW HOMESTEAD AREA

Unnamed 279882 (MGA94 228112E, 718908887N) 507534

About 2.5km south of Cracow homestead is a series of costeans dug on ironstone. A sample of the ironstone assayed 240ppm zinc, and gold was below laboratory detection limit.

EASTERN CREEK AREA

Peter’s Knob (MGA94 343626E, 7217847N)

The north-trending hematite lode is up to 13m wide and crops out over 100m in shale. Samples assayed up to 37.7% iron (Reid, 1919). Extent of the deposit is not known but estimated to have a potential resource of 100 000t to a depth of 15m.

LIMESTONE

Small occurrences of limestone are widespread around Mundubbera (Unnamed 213756 — MGA94 321406E, 7175787N; Unnamed 217709 — MGA94 321806E, 7171087N; Unnamed 258638 — MGA94 325906E, 7163987N; Unnamed 271706 — MGA94 327206E, 7170787N). The quality of these occurrences varies. Krosch (1983) described the Philpott Creek deposit as ~8km east of Mundubbera. Oolitic limestones (MGA94 327406E, 7170787N; MGA94 325906E, 7163987N) crop out 2.5km to the north-west, and impure limestones crop out 6km west-north-west and 6km south of Mundubbera (Connah, 1958a,b).

Massive fossiliferous Permian limestone occurs 1.2km north-west of Cracow homestead (Connah, 1958a,b) and a large outcrop is near Oxtrack Creek north-west of Cracow. The surface extent of these limestones is large, and if persistent with depth, could represent a significant potential resource in the region. However, the quality and depth of these occurrences have not been tested. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 169

Figure 57: Limestone occurrences in the Philpott Creek area

Other small occurrences are the calcite-rich quartz lode at the Klondyke-Standard and Roses Pride, west of the Golden Plateau lode near Cracow.

PHILPOTT CREEK AREA

Limestone crops out as lenses ~8km east of Mundubbera near Philpott Creek, and adjacent to the Philpott Creek railway siding (Figure 57). Outcrops extend south across the Burnett River to the Boyne River and north along the main branch of Philpott Creek. The limestone is predominantly massive, fine- to medium-grained, and variable in colour from dark grey to almost white. It contains minor coral of Devonian age. Some recrystallisation has occurred and secondary calcite veinlets are common. Much of the outcrop surface is flat with extensive ‘terra rossa’ cover and minor sinkhole development (Krosch, 1983). In the 1980s, the GSQ conducted drilling tests of this deposit and outlined a resource of limestone.

Philpott Creek 3A (MGA94 338606E, 7175087N) 510226

Two small lenses crop out over an area of 100m long and up to 10m wide. Samples assayed 55.6% CaO.

Philpott Creek 3B (MGA94 336406E, 7169487N) 510227

This occurrence consists of high-grade limestone with ‘terra rossa’ cover over much of the outcrop. The outcrop measures 250m long and 50m wide. It has a potential resource of 18 000t/m (tonne per vertical metre) with a grade of 55.8% CaO. 170 Lam

Philpott Creek 3C (MGA94 335406E, 7169887N) 510228

The outcrop measures 60m long by 20m wide. This occurrence has a potential resource of 2500t/m with a grade of 55.1% CaO.

Philpott Creek 3D (MGA94 334807E, 7167487N) 510234

Several small outcrops are in the Burnett River bed and two large lenses are exposed on the southern bank. Samples assayed 54.9% CaO.

Philpott Creek 3E (MGA94 332606E, 7163587N) 510235

Three small lenses occur in the area. Tests indicate the limestone contains 55.4% CaO.

Philpott Creek 3F (MGA94 332606E, 7160387N) 510236

Several bodies of low-lying limestone occur in the area. This occurrence has a potential resource of 1500t/m with a grade of 55.6% CaO.

Philpott Creek 4 (MGA94 336406E, 7168887N) 510237

This occurrence consists of three discontinuous outcrops over a distance of one kilometre. Deposit 4A is the largest of the group. Its outcrop is 320m long, up to 80m wide and 4m high, and has a potential resource of 42 200t/m. Samples returned an average grade of 55.5% CaO.

Deposit 4B is a circular outcrop 70m in diameter. It contains a potential resource of 11 400t/m of high-grade limestone (55.6% CaO).

Deposit 4C crops out over an area 230m long by 80m wide. It contains a resource of 36 300t/m of high-grade limestone with a grade of 55.8% CaO.

MAGNETITE

EXPLORATION HISTORY

The Hawkwood Gabbro to the south of Hawkwood homestead has been explored for magnetite suitable for use as a dense medium in coal washing operations. In 1964, Tennent Minerals Development Pty Ltd (EPM266) outlined six magnetic anomalies within a mineralised zone extending north-easterly in an area over 1000m long and up to 600m wide. High-grade magnetite was found to occur over a width of 100m. Three mining leases (ML 39 — Tennent 1, ML40 — Tennent 2, and ML41 — Tennent 3) were applied for over the most prospective areas to the north-east of Bottle Tree homestead. ML39 is centred on AMG (MGA94 284544E, 7144881N) and three diamond drillholes totalling >500m were drilled to test the magnetite-rich gabbro. Drilling results indicated the gabbro has a grade of 25% iron as magnetite, and 2% titanium. Core samples assayed up to 0.3% copper (1.0% chalcopyrite in 0.9m) and 350ppm nickel (1.0% pyrrhotite). In 1968, the GSQ completed further Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 171 drilling test of the deposit. A total of 473m were drilled and intersected several bands of magnetite up to 25m thick with grades averaging 25% iron, 2% titanium and vanadium between 0.1–0.2%. Laboratory tests indicated wet magnetic separation was able to upgrade the ore to 55% iron, and 4–5% titanium (Brooks, 1968, 1969b).

In 1971, Thiess, Peabody, Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd, carried out further drilling of the deposit. Results indicated that a potential resource of 590 000t of magnetite with a grade of 23% iron, and waste to ore ratio of 0.63:1 by volume, to a depth of 40m. Further resource assessment of the deposit indicated a potential of 8Mt of ore containing ~1.5Mt of in situ magnetite ore suitable for shallow opencut mining to a depth of 20m (Johnson & Chong, 1971). Four leases (ML50 — Thiess 1, ML51 — Thiess 2, ML52 — Thiess 3, and ML53 — Thiess 4) were applied for over the prospective areas. Steele Industries Ltd/Commercial Minerals Ltd (EPM3961, 1985) reassessed the magnetite occurrences and reported a potential resource of a few tens of million tonnes with a grade of 25–35% magnetite to a depth of 15m.

GEOLOGY

Magnetite-rich gabbro and pyroxenite occur in layers in the north-western and north-eastern sections of the Hawkwood Gabbro intrusion. The gabbro is part of a flat, well-differentiated ultrabasic sill. Oxidation generally persists to 40m and intense lateritisation has occurred in the Hawkwood district with the development of low laterite mesas. Red to red-brown earths are the main soil type over the gabbro, comprising medium to heavy clays and minor iron nodules and magnetite grains. The sedimentary rocks of the Narayen beds adjacent to the intrusion have been hornfelsed. Yellow brown soils and lithosols have developed on these rocks (Kreutzer, 1985).

MINERALISATION

The magnetite-rich gabbro forms a broad tilted and contorted S shaped outcrop over 1.5km2. The layers appear to be subhorizontal. The ore body has a shallow southerly dip.

The ferrigabbro consists of a granular aggregate of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and orthopyroxene in a matrix of titaniferous magnetite, accessory ilmenite, lesser pyrrhotite, millerite and a trace of pentlandite. Titaniferous magnetite comprises ~25% of this rock and occurs as planar layers within the ferrigabbro. Thin section study indicated that the magnetites are granular and form dendritic masses interstitial to plagioclase. Anhedral magnetite crystals up to 2mm have lamellae of ilmenite and hercynite in its octahedral parting planes. Minor chalcopyrite and pyrite also occur in the ferrigabbros.

The magnetite could be separated from the gabbro by a wet separation process. Total iron content ranges from 57.6–63.5% and specific gravity of 4.66–4.96. The magnetic content is 98.5%. 172 Lam

MANGANESE

Minor manganese occurrences were found south of Hawkwood homestead. A sample of psilomelane assayed 34.3% Mn and 19.4% SiO2 (Gibb, 1947). Ball (1904c) described several lenticular manganiferous and iron-stained quartz lodes in diorite at the Great Eastern mine (MGA94 297983E, 7146920N). One of the lodes up to 1m wide has strike 110° and dip 80° southerly. An old shaft was sunk to 10m and raised many tonnes of manganese-stained limonite.

PALLADIUM AND PLATINUM

The Hawkwood Gabbro is considered as prospective for platinum group metals (PGM) because of its resemblance to the Alaskan-type intrusions which host PGM mineralisation. Alaskan-type ultramafic complexes consist of concentric zones with a dunite core surrounded by successive shells of olivine clinopyroxenite, magnetite-rich clinopyroxenite, hornblende pyroxenite and hornblende gabbro. Newmont Holdings Ltd (EPM2730, 1980) reported that the magnetite-rich rocks of the Hawkwood Gabbro assayed up to 0.077g/t platinum. Pan Australia (EPM10299, 1996), based on the model of the Merensky Reef of the Bushveld Complex, assessed the potential of PGM mineralisation associated with the magnetite-rich gabbro. A total of 2009 soil samples over a grid at 50m intervals, and 83 trench samples from 281m trenching were collected and analysed for gold (1–34ppb), platinum (<0.5–115ppb), palladium (<0.5–63ppb) and copper (3–3220ppm). Most of the soil samples were in situ and reflect the composition of the parent rock. Trench samples assayed up to 0.71ppm platinum, 0.9ppm palladium, 0.55% copper and 90ppb gold.

PHOSPHATE

A bulk sample of oolitic ironstone taken south of Pigeon Creek along the Nathan Road was found to contain 60% goethite, and clay up to 30% with minute traces of quartz, hematite and manganese oxide. Assay result indicated 35.8% Fe, 14.2% SiO2, 9.43% Al2O3, 2.81% P2O5, 2.31% CaO, 0.39% TiO2 and 18.3% LOI. The oolitic ironstone is characterised by moderate to highly variable amounts of phosphorous. However, no discrete grains of apatite or other phosphorus-bearing minerals were found (Dredge, 1981).

TIN

In October 1903, Hopkins and Truze discovered alluvial cassiterite in the Burnett district. The find caused a small rush to Rocky and Brovinia Creeks. By 1904, dredging claims from 1.5–3km long were pegged along Rocky Creek from its junction with Brovinia Creek. Other dredging claims were also taken up on Brovinia Creek, above and below the Rocky Creek junction and on Bushnell’s Flat between these two creeks. Further prospecting led to the discovery of lode tin on high ground north of Rocky Creek (Figure 58). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 173

Figure 58: General location of alluvial tin along Rocky Creek Many small syndicates worked the Rocky Creek deposits. However cassiterite production was low as the grades were concentrated in surface sandy wash and depleted abruptly in the underlying clayey sand. Intermittent mining operations carried on to 1910, again in the 1920s, and also in the 1950s.

Along Rocky Creek, alluvial cassiterite occurs in benches or terraces along the sides of the creek bed (eg Unnamed 325303 — MGA94 332606E, 7130487N). The lowest benches are just above the water channel, but not well preserved. The middle terraces carry appreciable cassiterite and the stanniferous gravels have overburdens up to 5m thick. The wash varies greatly from place to place in composition and degree of consolidation. The angular to subangular boulders of much of the wash strongly suggest that they have not been transported far from their source. The boulders rarely exceed a diameter of 200mm, and comprise porphyry, granite, quartzite and indurated sedimentary rocks. The overburden consists of yellowish white, loosely packed sand to sandy clays, tough when dry, but disintegrates readily in water. Cassiterite with minor ilmenite, magnetite, rutile, topaz, zircon and amethyst is found in quartz and feldspar sand. The cassiterite is fine- to medium-grained, consisting of black, ruby and amber varieties (Ball 1904a, 1912a; Brooks, 1969c).

Both stream and lode tin deposits are closely associated with aplitic granite at the igneous-sedimentary contact and in the porphyry dykes. The contact is well exposed at the Gorge Waterhole, where Gorge Creek joins Rocky Creek (BOONDOOMA). A body of fissile and spherulitic felsite on Rocky Creek contains grains and seams of cassiterite. Several small pits and trenches were excavated, but no economic grades were discovered. Small pegmatite veins on Kingar Creek, on the Boyne River 174 Lam

(BOONDOOMA), and between the Stuart River and Meyhar Creek, contrary to expectation, do not appear to carry cassiterite.

At site MGA94 332606E, 7130487N (MUNDUBBERA) several small prospecting pits up to 1m deep were sunk 700m east of Munboree homestead in the 1900s to test for tin mineralisation associated with granite. Results were not recorded. The granite appears to be equivalent to the Toondahra Granite, which hosts the Rocky Creek tin deposits (Derriman & Morris, 1988).

Goldfields Exploration Ltd (EPM3489 and EPM3490, 1983) conducted a stream sediment sampling survey and the results indicated that the Morrow Creek area west of Eidsvold is anomalous in tin. The Toondahra and Boolgal Granites are very similar in composition and could be the source of the tin anomalies.

In the Eidsvold area, Rands (1895a) reported that the Stockman lode is dark-coloured quartz with a glassy lustre containing a few crystals of cassiterite associated with crystals of tourmaline.

In the McKonkey Creek area, gold, rutile and cassiterite occur in loose sand, sandstone and coarse-sized wash.

TITANIUM

MOUNT TARGET AREA

Rutile was found as coarse aggregates as well as waterworn crystals up to 10mm long in St John, McKonkey and Hailstone Creeks (Ball, 1931a). The rutile is present with gold and minor cassiterite in alluvial wash.

RED MOUNTAIN AREA

Coarse-grained rutile crystals were found as a surface residue on the northern side of Red Mountain (McDonald, 1982b).

TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM

MINING AND EXPLORATION HISTORY

The Kildare tungsten deposit was discovered in 1934 and became prominent in 1936 when the Foxhead, Black Diamond and Wolfram Hill workings were mentioned in the Annual Report of the Department of Mines, Queensland (ARDM). From 1934–1935, surface prospecting works were carried out to delineate the lode extensions. In 1937, a report of tantalite in one of the workings led to a mild rush to the area. Nineteen alluvial claims and two prospecting areas were applied for. However, the tantalite was subsequently determined to be waterworn rutile and ilmenite (Denmead, 1936, 1943a). Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 175

Mining commenced in 1936 and continued intermittently to 1943 and again in 1950. Total production is ~6t of wolframite concentrate from 500t of ore at an average grade of 63.5% tungstic trioxide. Peak production was in 1942 when Golden Plateau NL obtained 4.8t of wolframite concentrate from 427t of handpicked ore. In 1952, 0.5t of wolframite concentrate was mined from the Doctor/Wilbie deposit.

Past mining was by shafts sinking to ~10m deep and opencuts to gain access to the near surface small rich ore pockets of ore in narrow quartz-pegmatite lodes. The lodes became narrower and petered out at depth. The ore was concentrated by roasting in an open fire to separate most of the quartz from the wolframite before being crudely crushed and hand-sorted.

In recent times, Amoco Minerals Australia Company (EPM3222, 1982) mapped 10 wolframite-bearing quartz lodes in the area. Several samples of the mineralised quartz veins assayed up to 5.5% tungsten and 0.13% molybdenum and 34ppm silver.

Company exploration has detected minor tungsten and molybdenum in the Oak Creek homestead, Hill 226 and Cracow areas. Lisboa/Westralian Sands Ltd (EPM9580, 1993) carried out stream sediment sampling, and assay results outlined a copper/tungsten anomaly near Oaky Creek homestead. Keela-Wee Exploration Ltd (EPM5548, 1988) reported that up to 62ppm molybdenum was obtained from drill cuttings at the Hill 226 prospect (Adams, 1990). In the Cracow area, rock chip samples from Botany Ridge yielded anomalous lead and molybdenum assays (Walker, 1987) and at Golden Ridge, rock chip samples assayed up to 4.08ppm gold, and 290ppm lead and 44ppm molybdenum (Summons, 1995a).

In the Eidsvold area, minor molybdenite is associated with the quartz lode at the Moonlight workings (Rands, 1895a).

LOCAL GEOLOGY

Denmead (1936, 1943a) described the Kildare country rocks as consisting of biotite gneiss intruded by granodiorite, aplite and pegmatite dykes. These were collectively mapped as the Wingfield Adamellite by Whitaker & others (1974). The gneiss is equigranular, and comprises quartz, biotite and feldspar. It is thought to have formed from a sedimentary rock that has undergone thermal metamorphism. The pegmatite dykes contain mainly pink feldspar and mica, and intrude the granodiorite and gneiss, but not the wolframite-bearing veins. Laterite covers a large area of the country.

MINERALISATION

About 2km south-east of Kildare homestead and within a State Forest Reserve, tungsten mineralisation occurs in a 4.5km2 area of biotite granite of the Late Permian to Early Triassic Wingfield Granite and Early Permian gneiss/schist (or hornfelsed metasedimentary rock, Figure 59). The host granite is weathered to a white and brown coloured psuedoclasts laterite cap up to 20m thick. However, most of the mineralised tungsten lodes are found in the fresh granite. 176 Lam

Figure 59: Kildare — folded pegmatite vein in gneiss/hornfelsed sediments

Recent exploration indicated that the Kildare deposit is associated with a zone of sheeted, greisenised (quartz-muscovite-pyrite alteration) quartz veins trending north-north-east over a length of 5km in granite. Within the zone, the veins (<0.5km in length) appear to be occupying north-east, east to north-west joints in the granite. Most of the east-striking veins have shallow dips to the south. Aplite dykes are associated closely with the veins. Some of the quartz veins show slickensided margins and bandings (Gibson, 1995).

Denmead (1936) reported that the Kildare deposit is atypical. Firstly, the tungsten mineral is hubnerite, a manganese rich wolframite, which is quite rare in Queensland. Secondly, most of the wolframite lodes in Queensland occur in irregular pipes or veins in granite whereas the Kildare deposit occurs as fissure veins having well-defined walls and containing a zone up to 20mm wide of brecciated gneiss intruded along thrust faults. The quartz is milky or glassy, massive, and contains minor vughs. Hubnerite usually accompanied by yellow tungstic ochre, minor pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite are distributed irregularly in the quartz as small grains or as clusters. However, hubnerite nodules or nuggets up to 4kg are known to occur. The hubnerite is black to brownish-red with a resinous lustre, and a sample assayed 73.4% WO3, 20.4% MnO, 2.2% FeO.

KILDARE HOMESTEAD AREA

Black Diamond (MGA94 273484E, 7216336N) 507597

An field inspection located shallow workings to the north of the Eidsvold–Cracow Road near the boundary fence of Kildare station. Two small groups of shallow diggings were sunk on biotite pegmatite. The first group consists of three shallow Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 177

25 07 150 47 E 150 42 E 15 11 S

Figure 60: Tungsten occurrences in the Kildare homestead area pits trending 030° excavated to 1m deep on a lode of quartz up to 1m wide. Minor blady wolframite, pyrite and chalcopyrite were identified in the quartz. The quartz is massive and glassy in part, and has a milky blue colour. About 50m north of the first group of workings are three shallow pits sunk on quartz lode showing traces of wolframite.

Recent company exploration by Amoco Minerals Australia Company (EPM3222, 1982) indicated the workings were sunk on the north-eastern end of a projected north-east-trending mineralised zone over 5km long in granite.

Cliffbanner (MGA94 272821E, 7215242N) 507599

This occurrence is on the northern cliff face of a flat ridge of fresh granite ~100m west of a large outcrop of white and brown, weathered and decomposed granite. A quartz lode crops out over 100m in a fine- to coarse-grained granite. The lode is up to 1m in width and carries blady wolframite. The host rock appears to have been sheared and consists of K-feldspar, plagioclase, biotite and traces of brown tourmaline/sphene.

Wilbe/Foxhead 715131 (MGA94 271659E, 7213307N) 507609

Two parallel quartz lodes ~300m apart occur on the northern slope of east-trending ridge of pink, fine- to medium-grained granite. The lodes strike 070° and consist of massive white quartz veins. The southern lode (MGA94 271659E, 7213307N) can be traced over 50m and is up to 5m wide, whereas the northern lode (MGA94 271936E, 7213326N) has a lengthier outcrop. Minor arsenopyrite and molybdenite were identified in the quartz, but no tungsten minerals. 178 Lam

Denmead (1936, 1943a) described the lodes as consisting of stockworks of parallel quartz veins intruded along zones of faulting. Old workings consisted of three shafts sunk to 8m. About 0.5t of wolframite concentrate with a grade of 62.5% oxide was mined.

Wolfram Hill/ Red Top/Grey/Railway/PA1575 (MGA94 272446E, 7214629N) 507602

This occurrence includes six quartz lodes trending north-east to north-west on top of a north-east-trending ridge of granite. Several opencuts over 100m were made along the strike of the lodes. The deepest opening was ~5m on one of the lodes. About 12t of ore with an average grade of 70% tungstic oxide were mined. The lode contains pockets of wolframite confined to the near surface subcrop to a depth of 9m. Several shafts were sunk, the deepest being 7m (vertical). Several chutes of ore were mined, one for ~15m. In 1937, ~15t of ore were mined from a narrow quartz vein. In 1939, ~6t of ore was mined and 0.3t of wolframite concentrate was sold. In 1940, ~1t of ore was produced. In 1942, Golden Plateau NL opened up the western end of the lode over a distance of 40m and the quartz was found to be highly ferruginous. Samples of the lode assayed 1–5% wolframite. An underlie shaft was sunk to 4m in the middle of the opencut and intersected minor isolated rich ore pockets. The underlie shaft was extended to 30m at an angle of 30°. A tunnel was driven >40m in a 1m wide lode below the old workings. Entrances to the tunnel, one on each side of the hill, were collapsed. A quartz lode of ~0.5m wide was exposed at the portal of the eastern entrance. Across the gully, three shallow pits and an inclined shaft were sunk to >10m. At 3m, the shaft intersected a rich pocket carrying up to 8% wolframite. However, the grade of the lode diminished with depth (ARDM, 1936–1939, 1942, 1943).

In an opencut on the western side of the hill, an exposed lode strikes 150° and dips 30° to the south-west. However, the same or branching lode appears to have an average strike of 110° in the adjacent workings on the eastern side of the hill. The lode consists of white and glassy quartz and planar hairline limonitic fractures. Wolframite and pyrite occur together and predominatly in the glassy quartz. A sample of the lode was found to carry up to 1.75% wolframite (ARDM, 1942).

At the southern side of the workings, three RC drillholes (97KD001 to 003) were drilled. Two were drilled at 60° towards 000° and one was drilled angling back in the opposite direction. Drilling results are not available.

Denmead (1936, 1943a) described the lodes as consisting of stockworks of parallel quartz veins intruded along zones of thrust faulting >100m apart. They strike 050–060°, dip 30–40° to the south-east, and crop out discontinuously over 300m. Past mining intersected quartz veins up to 0.5m wide, carrying minor hubnerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, molybdenite and bismuthinite (Gibson, 1995).

Unnamed 727157 (MGA94 272918E, 7215903N) 507797

Very shallow pits were sunk on a quartz vein in granite. The mineralised zone appears to trend 110° as indicated by a line of granite floats. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 179

Unnamed 739151 (MGA94 274172E, 7215563N) 507611

This occurrence is located on low ground where a quartz blow up to 5m wide is exposed across a track. The quartz appears to have a north-east strike and is under cover of recent alluvium. No wolframite was identified in the milky white to glassy quartz. However, minor greenish yellow tungsten ochre occurs as stains in fractures and vughs. The granite is strongly weathered and decomposed, and forms a thick layer of white duricrust with brown iron-stains psuedoclast.

Unnamed 728134 (MGA94 272989E, 7213736N) 507656

A north-trending white quartz blow crops out over an area of 30m long by 5m wide in strongly weathered, medium-grained, pink granite. The quartz is massive and white, and has prominent striation of a broken-open face. Minor hematite was observed in the quartz but no wolframite.

OLD RAWBELLE HOMESTEAD AREA

Unnamed 821252 (MGA94 282332E, 7225721N) 507615

Near the old Rawbelle homestead, several shallow prospecting pits were sunk on quartz-pegmatite lode. The lodes appear to intrude along north and east joints in fine-grained aplite to coarse-grained granite. No tungsten mineralisation was identified in the quartz.

CONCLUSION

Gold was mined from six historic gold and mineral fields: Brovinia, Cracow, Eidsvold, Dykehead, McKonkey Creek and St John Creek; and three mining centres: Hungry Hill, Hawkwood and Yarrol. Up to 1993, these fields and mining centres produced >30t gold. Structurally-controlled, volcanogenic-hosted, epithermal quartz-calcite-gold lodes from Cracow produced 27t gold and 21t silver. Joint-controlled, granite-hosted, mesothermal fissure gold-quartz (sulphide rich) lodes from Eidsvold contributed 3t gold. These mining fields have a proven record of historical gold production and recent company exploration has outlined three areas with inferred gold resources. The Royal Shoot of the Klondyke lode at Cracow has a resource of 2.4Mt of ore at 10g/t gold totalling 772 000oz gold. The Rosehall prospect near Mount Saul, has a resource of 595 000 tonnes of ore at 1.7g/t gold. The Yarrol prospect has a resource of 1.15Mt of ore at 1.5g/t gold totalling 56 000oz gold.

Current mining developments in the Cracow area have revived further exploration interest in the region. Resource drilling to the west and north of the Royal-Klondyke structure indicates additional mineralised zones associated with a major north-north-west structure in the area. The potential of further discovery of ore resources will prolong the mine life and position the region as one of the premier gold districts in Queensland. 180 Lam

The age of gold mineralisation at Cracow is not clear despite a single rhyolite from the eastern end of the Golden Plateau opencut returning a zircon age of 291Ma indicating that the rhyolite intrusions have a similar age to the Camboon Volcanics. The association of rhyolite dykes and ore-shoots occurs in the eastern section of the Golden Plateau mine and at various other prospects in the Cracow goldfield. This has led to speculation that the gold mineralisation is genetically related to the rhyolites. The timing of gold mineralisation has been inferred to be Lower Permian to Triassic or possibly post-Jurassic.

The Eidsvold field has not been explored to any extent in the past ten years, and no systematic exploration was conducted. The shallow dipping quartz-sulphide veins at Mount Rose bear some resemblance to those joint-controlled quartz-sulphide veins at Ravenswood, which has been mined successfully by Carpentaria Gold Pty Ltd for the past few years. The Eidsvold lodes have also been compared with the Charters Towers deposits.

The Hawkwood Gabbro to the south of Hawkwood homestead contains magnetite lenses possibly suitable for use in coal washing operation. The deposit has a potential resource of several tens of million of tonnes at 25–35% magnetite to a depth of 6–15m. The gabbro also contains up to 0.71ppm platinum and 0.9ppm palladium. In the Dawsonvale area, extensive oolitic ironstone occurs interbedded with flat-lying Jurrasic sandstone. The ironstone unit is up to 15m thick and occurs almost entirely in the zone of weathering. The area has a resource of several hundred million tonnes at grades up to 37.5% iron.

Minor occurrences of tungsten in the Kildare station area and limestone in the Philpott Creek and Oxtrack Creek areas provide further exploration opportunities within the Sheet area.

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FORTESCUE MEDIA PTY LTD, 1988: EPM4564, six monthly report and progress report ending 22/1/88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland,, as CR18521. GAMBLE, A., 1923: Wardens report on the Eidsvold gold field. Queensland Department of Mines Annual Report. GARRAD, P.D. & WITHNALL, I.W., 2004a: Mineral Occurrence — Saint Lawrence and Port Clinton 1:250 000 Sheet areas, Central Queensland. Queensland Geological Record 2004/7. GARRAD, P.D. & WITHNALL, I.W., 2004b: Mineral Occurrences and District Analysis —Banana, Theodore and Scoria 1:100 000 Sheet areas, Central Queensland. Queensland Geological Record 2004/2. GIBSON, B., 1995: EPM9580, Rawbelle project. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR27238. GILES, D.L. & NELSON, C.E., 1982: Principle features of epithermal lode gold deposits of the Circum-Pacific Rim. In: Proceedings, Circum-Pacific Energy and Minerals Resource Conference, Hawaii, August. GOUGE, P.C., 1988: EPM3999, Cracow, six monthly report ending 13/5/88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR18906. GOULD, W., 1974: EPM1263, Cracow, final report for copper. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR4854. GRAHAM, M.J., 1966: The Hawkwood Gabbro. The geology of a layered magnetite-anorthosite complex and associated rocks. Ph.D. thesis, University of Queensland. GRAHAM, R.L., 1973: EPM1140, Theodore, final report. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR4677. HALL, D.N., 1988: EPM4124, Hawkwood, six monthly report ended 28.10.87. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR18743. HALL, D.N., 1996: EPM8402, combined report for the period ended 20.11.95. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR28195. HARRISSON, S., 1985: EPM3836, Mountt Edwards, report for the six month ended 26/3/85. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR14629. HAYES, S.W., 1987: EPM4028, SW of Mundubbera, six monthly report ending 31/12/86. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR16201. HERYANTO, R., 1985: The geology of the Camboon Volcanics — Ross Creek to Delusion Creek area. Queensland Geological Survey, Record 1984/5. HOLCOMBE, R.J. & JELL, J.S., 1983: Geology of Cracow station area. In: Geological Society of Australia 1983 Field Conference: Permian areas Biloela Moura Cracow, 69–74. HOLCOMBE, R.J., STEPHENS, C.J., FIELDING, C.R., GUST, D., LITTLE, T.A., SLIWA, R., KASSAN, J., McPHIE, J. & EWART, A., 1996: Tectonic evolution 188 Lam

of the northern New England Fold Belt: a progress report on the Permian-Triassic Hunter-Bowen event. www.earth.uq.edu.au/rodh/publications/NefbP_Tr.html 22/12/2004. HOPWOOD, T. & COOK, V., 1981: EPM2211, Reassessment of the Cracow gold field potential tonnage and exploration opportunities. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR9391. HOUSTON, B.R., 1967: Resources of ceramic clay materials in Queensland. Geological Survey of Queensland, Report 20. HURD, R.S., 1898: Wardens report on the Eidsvold gold field. Queensland Department of Mines. HURD, R.S., 1899: Wardens report on the Eidsvold gold field. Queensland Department of Mines. HUTTON, L.J., WITHNALL, I.W., BULTITUDE, R.J., von GNIELINSKI, F.E., LAM, J.S., 1999: South Connors-Auburn-Gogango project: progress report on investigations during 1998. Queensland Geological Record 1999/7. JACK, R.L., 1896: Notes on two traverses of the Bunya-Bunya Range and a visit to Brovinia goldfield. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 114. JENSEN, H.I., 1926: Geological reconnaissance between Roma, Springsure, Tambo and Taroom. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 277. JOHNSON, G.J. & CHONG, E.S., 1971: Technical report on Hawkwood magnetite prospect. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR13371. JOHNSTON, M.D., 1992: EPM8495, final relinquishment report for the period to 20/1/92. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR23520. KARJALAINEN, H.P.L., 1981: EPM2726, six monthly report and progress report 23/5/81. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR9044. KINSMAN, E.W., 1933: Eidsvold, Hawkwood and Cracow — fields that are claiming attention. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 34, 200–202. KIRK RIVER MINING 1989: EPM4028, six monthly report and progress report ending 30/6/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR20776. KIRKEGAARD, A.G., SHAW, R.D. & MURRAY, C.G., 1970: Geology of the Rockhampton and Port Clinton 1:250 000 Sheet areas. Geological Survey of Queensland Report 38. KNIGHT, C.L., 1938: Cracow ore specimens. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 39, 411. KNIGHT, J.A., 1971: A structural interpretation of the Cracow field. Golden Plateau N.L. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 189

KREUTZER, E., 1985: EPM3961, relinquishment report titaniferous magnetite in the vicinity of Hawkwood. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR14772. KROSCH, N.J., 1983: Philpott Creek limestone deposits, Mundubbera. Geological Survey of Queensland, Record 1983/21. LAM, J.S., 1998: A review of company exploration in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area. Queensland Geological Record 1998/4. LAM, J.S., 2004: A review of company exploration for metalliferous mineralisation in the Mackay 1:250 000 Sheet area. Queensland Geological Record 2004/4. LAM, J.S. & GARRAD, P.D., 1993: Mineral Occurrences — Monteagle (8352) and Albro (8252) 1:100 000 Sheet areas, Central Queensland. Queensland Geological Record 1993/1. LAM, J.S. & JACKSON, C.J., 1998: Mining and production history of the Cracow Gold and Mineral Field from 1932 to 1976. Queensland Geological Record 1998/2. LAM, J.S. & von GNIELINSKI, F.E., 2004: A review of mines and metalliferous mineralisation in the Mackay (Special) 1:250 000 Sheet area (including the Bundarra Pluton Porphyry Copper Deposits). Queensland Geological Record 2004/5. LEADBEATTER, D.E., 1992: Geology of the Eidsvold goldmine, Eidsvold, Southeast Queensland. B.Sc. (Honours) thesis, University of Queensland. LEITCH, D.R., & MALNIC, J., 1985: EPM3924, six monthly report to 24.7.85, incorporating summary report on Perseverance mine, St Johns mining field. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR15521. LOWE, G., 1988a: EPM4563, Cracow South report for the six month ended 23/1/88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR17769. LOWE, G., 1988b: EPM4563, Cracow South report for the six month ended 23/7/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19130. LOWE, G., 1989a: EPM5338, Cracow report for the six month ended 12/10/88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19786. LOWE, G., 1989b: EPM5338, Cracow report for the six month ended 12/4/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR20309. LOWE, G., 1990a: EPM5338, Cracow report for the six month ended 11/10/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR20994. LOWE, G., 1990b: EPM5338, Cracow report on sub-blocks relinquished on 14/9/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR21344. LYNCH, J.J., 1972: EPM882, Theodore area, final report. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR3975. 190 Lam

MacCORQUODALE, F., 1988: EPM5062, final and relinquishment report, Yarrol project. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR17561. MARLOW, N.G., 1983: The Golden Plateau Mine, Cracow. In: Geological Society of Australia 1983 Field Conference: Permian areas Biloela Moura Cracow, 75–93. MARLOW, N.G., 1985: EPM2211, six monthly report ending 30/9/84. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR13889. McDONALD, J.A. 1965a: Gold-silver ore from the Golden Plateau NL mine, Queensland. CSIRO Mineragraphic Investigations Report 906. McDONALD, J.A. 1965b: Gold and silver-rich ore specimens from Golden Plateau NL, Queensland. CSIRO Mineragraphic Investigations Report 913. McDONALD, L.K., 1982a: EPM3189, Rossmore, first six monthly report from 3.12.81 to 3.6.82. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR11239. McDONALD, L.K., 1982b: EPM3197, Knockbreak, six monthly report from 10.12.81 to 10.6.82. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR10987. McINNES, P., 1971: The Hawkwood Layered Gabbro Intrusion. B.Sc. (Honours) thesis, University of Queensland. McINNES, P., 1988: EPM4472 (Wuruma) and EPM4473 (Morrow), combined final report and report for the six months ended 3/11/87. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19273. MOLLAN, R.G., FORBES, V.R., JENSEN, A.R., EXON, N.F. & GREGORY, C.M., 1972: Geology of the Eddystone, Taroom and western part of the Mundubbera Sheet area, Queensland. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Australia, Report 142. MORRIS, L. & SAVORY, P., 1990: EPM5608, McKonkeys Creek, annual report for period ending 16/11/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR21834. MORTON, C.C., 1921: Report on the Klondyke Mine, Hawkwood. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-86, Gold-Hawkwood. MURDOCH, R B, 1990: EPM4576, Final report to 2/2/90. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR21992. MURPHY, P.R., 1979: Mineral exploration in the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area, southeastern Queensland. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 80, 505–510. MURRAY, C.G., 1983: Permian Geology of Queensland. In: Permian Geology of Queensland. Geological Society of Australia, Publication (Queensland Division), 1–32. MURRAY, C.G., BLAKE, P.R., HUTTON, L.J., WITHNALL, I.W., HAYWARD, M.A., SIMPSON, G.A. & FORDHAM, B.G., 2003: Discussion. Yarrol terrane of the northern New England Fold Belt: forearc or backarc? Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 50(2), 271–278. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 191

MURRAY, J.A., 1935: Wardens Report on the Cracow and Eidsvold gold fields. Queensland Department of Mines Annual Report. MURRAY, J.A., 1936: Wardens Report on the Cracow and Eidsvold gold fields. Queensland Department of Mines Annual Report. NEWBERY, S.P., 1991: EPM6072, Possum Range, final report for the period 9/10/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR23026. NOBLE RESOURCES, 1986: Company prospectus. O’BRIEN, R.T., 1987: EPM4576, Brovinia station Queensland. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR18755. O’BRIEN, R.T., 1988: EPM4576, Brovinia station, Queensland, report on exploration work for six months ended 3.08.88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR18570. PEARSON, M., 1998: Cracow gold mine (Golden Plateau Battery). Queensland Government Mining Journal, 99, 15–17. PETERS, S.G., GOLDING, S.D. & DOWLING, K., 1990: Melange and sediment-hosted gold-bearing quartz veins, Hodgkinson goldfield, Queensland, Australia. Economic Geology, 85, 312–327. PLESS, T.J., 1966: EPM224, final report. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR1996. PLESS, T.J., 1970: Reappraisal of the geology of the Golden Plateau Mine, phase 1. Report to Aberfoyle management. PONTIFEX, I.R., 1973: Mineralogical report 1213. McPhar Geophysics Pty Ltd. PROMNITZ, S. C., 1990: A-P 5886M, Philpott, report for first year of tenure 11/5/89 to 10/5/90. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR22081. PURVIS, A.C., 1973: Mineralogical Report 1288. McPhar Geophysics Pty Ltd. PYPER, R. & DAY, A., 1991: EPM6995, Cracow, annual report ending 22/2/91. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR23193. RANDS, W.H., 1885: On the goldfields of Raglan, Calliope, Milton (Norton), and Cania, in the Port Curtis district, and on the mineral deposits in the Burnett district. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 21. RANDS, W.H., 1887: Report on the Eidsvold gold field. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 43. RANDS, W.H., 1895a: Second report on the Eidsvold gold field. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 102. RANDS, W.H., 1895b: Annual progress report of the Geological Survey for the year 1894. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 103. RANDS, W.H., 1896: Annual progress report of the Geological Survey for the year 1895. Eidsvold Goldfield. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 108. 192 Lam

RANDS, W.H., 1897: Report on the Eidsvold gold field. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 124. RANDS, W.H., 1901: Third report on the Eidsvold Goldfield, with notes on McKonkey Creek diggings, and Antimony Lode. Geological Survey of Queensland, Publication 160. RANSOM, D.M., & KNIGHT, J.A. 1975: Golden Plateau gold lodes. In Knight, C.L., (Editor): Economic geology of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Volume 1 Metals, 773–779, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. REID, J.H., 1919: Iron ore and limestone deposits of Mount Perry district. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 20, 421–425. REID, J.H., 1924: Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File (4-4-62). REID, J.H., 1931a: Klondyke mine, Hawkwood. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-86, Gold-Hawkwood. REID, J.H., 1931b: Lady Amy claims, Eidsvold. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 32, 438. REID, J.H., 1931c: The Cracow gold deposits. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 32, 473–476. REID, J.H., 1931d: Prospecting operations in the Maryborough hinterland. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 32, 477–478. REID, J.H., 1932a: Wallis’ prospecting area, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,4. REID, J.H., 1932b: Golden Crest claim, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,6. REID, J.H., 1932c: Three Mile claim, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,7. REID, J.H., 1932d: May Day Prospecting Area, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,6. REID, J.H., 1932e: Main Top claim, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,6. REID, J.H., 1932f: Narayen claim, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 33,5. REID, J.H., 1933: Flying Scotchman, Auburn Falls. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-86, Gold-Hawkwood. REID, J.H., 1934a: Leases near Yarrol. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 35, 4–5. REID, J.H., 1934b: Peter Pan prospecting area, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 35, 5–6. REID, J.H., 1934c: Auburn Falls mine, Dykehead, Mundubbera. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 35, 38–39. RIDGWAY, J.E., 1936: Mount Yerilla Mine. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-86, Gold-Hawkwood. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 193

RIDGWAY, J.E., 1937: Yarrol field. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 38, 159–162. RIDGWAY, J.E., 1941: Copper Show - Rawbelle district. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-3-72. SAINT-GEORGE, H., 1894: Wardens Report on the Eidsvold gold field. Queensland Department of Mines Annual Report. SAINT-SMITH, E.C., 1915: Big Wonder Syndicates auriferous lodes. Queensland Government Mining Journal. 16, 211–215. SAINT-SMITH, E.C., 1926: New Coonambula, Mundubbera district gold occurrences. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 27, 47–48. SAVORY, P.J., 1989: EPM5366, Euroka, report for the year ended 9/5/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR20431. SAVORY, P.J., 1990a: EPM5366, Euroka, final report 30/4/90. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR21296. SAVORY, P.J., 1990b: EPM5562, Coonambula, report for the year ended 25/10/89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR21662. SEARLE, D.J., 1989: EPM4576, exploration report for the period 3.08.88-3.02.89. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19717. SHEPHERD, S.R.L., 1933a: Preliminary notes on the Hawkwood district. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 34,7. SHEPHERD, S.R.L., 1933b: Prospecting developments, Hawkwood. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 34, 34–37. SHEPHERD, S.R.L., 1937: Hidden Treasure mine, Hawkwood. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-86, Gold-Hawkwood. SHEPHERD, S.R.L., 1939: Southern Cross Prospecting Area, Branch Creek, Gayndah district. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as Commodity File 4-4-62. SHEPHERD, S.R.L. & CONNAH, T.H., 1947: Search for bauxite, south-east Queensland. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 48, 156–169. STACEY, F.J., 1971: Report on magnetic properties of powdered magnetite samples for Theiss Peabody Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd. University of Queensland. STEVENS, N.C., 1983: Camboon Volcanics. In: Geological Society of Australia 1983 Field Conference: Permian areas Biloela Moura Cracow, 22–25. STILLWELL, F.L., 1937: Ore samples from Golden Plateau, Cracow, Queensland. CSIRO Mineragraphic Report 116. STOWE, C.W., 1987: Evolution of Chromium Ore Fields. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. 194 Lam

STUART, N.F., 1984: EPM3561, progress report for 12 months ending 12/8/84. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR13728. STUART, N.F., 1986: EPM3561, Eidsvold, progress report for 6 months ending 12/8/85. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR15135. STUART, N.F., 1990: EPM7073, first six month progress report and final report. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR22579. STUART, N.F., 1994: EPM8604, Eidsvold report for the twelve month ending 28/2/94. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR25853. SUMMONS, T.G., 1995a: EPM8726, annual report ending July 1995. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR27012. SUMMONS, T.G., 1995b: EPM9103, annual report ending January 1995. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR26442. SUTHERLAND, F.L., ROBERTSON, A.D. & HOLLIS, J.D., 1989: Monto. In Johnson, R.W. (Editor): Intraplate volcanism in eastern Australia and New Zealand. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, 106–107. SWARBRICK, C.F.J., 1974: Oil shale resources of Queensland. Geological Survey 0f Queensland, Report 83. SYVRET, J.N. & ASSOCIATES FORTESCUE MEDIA PTY LTD, 1989: Report on A-P 4564M, Eidsvold, for the twelve month period January 1988–January 1989. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19422. URQUHART, G., 1962: Report on low grade bedded ironstone deposit in the Marburg-Bundamba Strata of Queensland. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR840. URQUHART, G., 1965: Ironstone deposits of Dawsonvale. In McAndrew, J. (Editor): Geology of Australian ore deposits. 8th Commonwealth Mining Metallurgical Congress, Melbourne, 1, 388–390. VIGAR, A.J., 1990: Visit to Eidsvold mining operations. Report to the Cracow Mining Venture. VIGAR, A.J., 1991: Immediate open cut potential. Report to the Eidsvold Joint Venture. VIGAR, A.J., 1993: EPM8604, Eidsvold, annual report for twelve months ended 28/2/93. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR24647. VOISEY, A.H., 1980: EPM2211, Cracow project, report for six month period ending 1/4/80. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR7930. VUKOTICH, P., 1981a: EPM2315, report for six months ended 12/7/80. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR8317. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 195

VUKOTICH, P., 1981b: EPM2315, annual report for twelve months ended 12/2/81. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR11277. WALKER, M.D., 1986: EPM3836, Mount Edwards, 3rd six monthly and final report ending 25/3/86. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR15552. WALKER, M.D., 1987: EPM3999, Auburn, 4th six monthly report ending 13/5/87. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR16865. WALLIS, D.S., 1993: Antimony in Queensland, a commodity review and metallogeinc study, April 1991. Queensland Minerals and Energy Review Series. Department of Minerals and Energy, Queensland. WASS, R.E., 1962: Stratigraphy, palaeontology, structure, and economic geology of the Cracow district, Queensland. B.Sc. (Honours) thesis, University of Queensland. WEBB, A.W., 1960: The geology of the Eidsvold igneous complex. B.Sc. (Honours) thesis, University of Queensland. WEBB, A.W., 1991: K-Ar dating of 2 adularia samples. Amdel report G6353/92 to Cracow mining venture. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR24816. WEBER, G.B., 1987: EPM4301, Ross Creek, Cracow area. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR16472. WHITAKER, W.G., MURPHY, P.R. & ROLLASON, R.G., 1974: Geology of the Mundubbera 1:250 000 Sheet area. Geological Survey of Queensland, Report 84. WICKLOW ALLUVIALS PTY LTD, 1969: Final report on McKonkey’s Spring alluvial lead, Eidsvold district, Queensland. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR2874. WIGHTMAN, D., 1987: EPM4564, Eidsvold, six monthly report to 22/7/87. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR17146. WIGHTMAN, D., 1989: EPM4124, Hawkwood, report for year ended 28/10/88. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR19781. WIGHTMAN, D., 1992: EPM4277, Mount Saul final report 12/5/92. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR23899. WILLIAMS-JONES, A.E. & NORMAND, C., 1997: Controls of mineral parageneses in the system Fe-Sb-S-O. Economic Geology, 92, 308-324. WILLIAMSON, A., 1981a: EPM2731, Hawkwood, six monthly report ending 23/5/81. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR9320. WILLIAMSON, A., 1981b: EPM2730, Hawkwood, annual report, 25.5.1981– 24.11.1981. Held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR10452. 196 Lam

WILLIAMSON A., 1981c: EPM2731, Hawkwood, annual report, 25.5.1981– 24.11.1981. Company report, Appendix 1, held by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, as CR10491. WILSON, M.M. & MATHISON, C.I., 1968: The Eulogie Park Gabbro, a layered basic intrusion from eastern Queensland. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia, 15, 139–158. WITHNALL, I.W., 1972: New rock unit names in the Toondahra Creek area, near Gayndah, Queensland. Queensland Government Mining Journal, 73, 265–267. WITHNALL, I.W., HUTTON, L.J., RIENKS, I.P., BULTITUDE, R.J., von GNIELINSKI, F.E., LAM, J.S., GARRAD, P.D. & JOHN, B.H., 1998: South Connors-Auburn-Gogango project: progress report on investigations during 1997. Queensland Geological Record 1998/1. WORSLEY, M.R., 1992: Golden Plateau Mine, Cracow — A Summary. In Epithermal Gold Deposits in Queensland, II, AMIRA Project P247, James Cook University of North Queensland. WORSLEY, M.R., 1995: The controls on gold mineralization at the Golden Plateau mine, Cracow, Queensland, Australia. Ph.D. thesis, Townsville, James Cook University of North Queensland. WORSLEY, M.R. & GOLDING, S.D., 1990: Golden Plateau gold deposits. In Economic Geology of Australia and Papua New Guinea, 1509–1514. WORSLEY, M.R. & JOHNS, H.J., 1986: The economic potential of the Ferneyside mine and the north-eastern part of the Golden Plateau MLA. Report to the Cracow Mining Venture. Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 197

Appendix 1: Index to mines and mineral occurrences

A Cadarga Creek . 3, 13, 20, 21, 43, 44, 45, 93, 94, 97, 99, 100, 102, 103, 180, 183 Accumulation . 54, 55, 63, 64, 73 Carpentaria . 63, 68, 180 Adelaide . 54, 63, 64 Central Extended . 56, 61, 63, 68, 69 Adrians Knob . 64 Central Ridge . 162 Adventure . 54, 63, 64 Cliffbanner . 177 Aileron . 54, 63, 64 Cockatoo . 15, 93 All Nation . 130, 135, 152 Cooie . 54, 63, 69 Area 1 . 147 Cosmopolitan . 126, 128, 135 Area 2 . 147 Cracow Creek . 69 Area C . 49 Cracow North . 54, 63, 70, 86 Area D . 148, 149 Cracow South . 70, 189 Area E North . 148, 149 Craven . 30, 31, 126, 127, 128, 130, 132, 133 Area E South . 147 Craventown Workings . 145 Area G . 50 Crown . 126, 140 Auburn Falls . 21, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 192 Australian . 126, 132 D

B Dawn . 54, 55, 56, 61, 71, 127 Dawn South . 71 Bailey . 48, 50 Dawsonvale . 2, 6, 15, 23, 24, 166, 167, 180, Banshee . 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 182, 194 Banshee North Prospect . 28 DDH 12 . 168 Barney Vein . 37, 124 DDH 31 . 168 Battler . 63, 65 De Nackery Creek . 44 Beehive . 126, 162 Delubra . 3, 20, 21, 34, 93, 94, 98, 99, 102, Big Gun . 65 103, 107 Big Wonder . 93, 94, 96, 102, 107, 193 Dickey . 164 Bismark . 140 Dougherty Leader . 98 Black Cat . 54, 61, 63, 65, 66, 90, 128 Dreams of Avarice . 93, 94, 99, 107, 183 Black Diamond . 174, 176 Blast . 96 E Block Shaft . 142 Blue Bell . 37, 54, 61, 66 Eagle . 3, 15, 20, 30, 32, 158, 159 Botany Ridge . 66, 74, 175 East Minerva . 126, 140 Boughyard . 66, 82 East Rose . 135 Boughyard East . 67 Eddy . 163, 190 Boundary Ridge . 68 Eidsvold Siltstone . 15 Brady 1 . 96 Eldorado . 35, 38, 184 Brady 2 . 96, 97 Empress . 128, 143, 145 Brae . 68 Emu . 72 Brilliant . 93, 94, 97, 98, 107 Evening Star . 31, 110, 184 British Empire . 165 Excelsior . 56, 63, 72, 126, 185 Brovinia Creek . 1, 3, 13, 21, 36, 44, 45, 48, Eye Opener . 127, 135 50, 52, 172 Brovinia Creek Extended . 44 Brown’s . 143 F Buffel Hill . 68 Burnett Squatter . 154, 155, 156, 157 Feldspar . 93, 98 Ferneyside . 61, 72, 196 C Five Mile . 117, 118 Flying Scotchman . 93, 94, 100, 107, 192 Cadarga 7 . 98 Fordee . 61, 72 Fulloon . 98, 107 198 Lam

G Klondyke . 2, 22, 39, 55, 56, 60, 61, 77, 78, 82, 90, 121, 122, 160, 169, 179, 190, 192 Golconda . 37, 54, 58, 61, 63, 64, 72, 73 Gold Crest . 111, 113 L Gold Top . 56, 63, 73 Golden Gate . 55, 62, 73, 165 Lady Ann . 36, 126, 127, 136 Golden King . 54, 63, 73 Lady Augusta . 126, 127, 128, 130, 132, 141, Golden Phoenix . 62, 73 142, 143, 144, 145, 184 Golden Plateau . 2, 14, 31, 33, 37, 43, 52, 53, Lady Donella . 165 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 66, Lady Helena . 141, 143, 144 69, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, Lady Mary . 24, 26, 28, 29, 31 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 169, 175, Lady Minerva . 36, 126, 140, 141 178, 180, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188, 190, Lady Rose . 36, 128, 132, 136, 137, 140, 152 191, 192, 193, 196 Lambert Surprise . 78 Golden Ridge . 61, 74, 82, 175 Lambing Gully . 127, 158 Golden Rody . 54, 63, 74 LE 12 . 166 Golden Rowe . 54, 75 LE 5 . 166 Golden Spur . 126, 127, 128, 132, 135, 136, 141, 154 Little Mate . 45 Golden Stone . 62, 75 Little Plateau . 79 Golden Wall . 75 Louisa . 36 Golden West . 54, 55, 56, 61, 75, 81, 87 Great Eastern . 94, 100, 101, 107, 172, 186 M

H MacDonnell . 36, 48, 51, 52 Maid of Erin-Augusta . 137 Hamilton Folly . 76 Main Top . 106, 107, 108, 192 Hamilton Joy . 76 Mary Elizabeth . 118, 119, 184 Hamlet . 32 May Queen . 3, 20, 21, 34, 36, 39, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 Happy Jack . 45 May Queen Extended . 36 Hawkwood . 1, 2, 3, 14, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 39, 55, 107, 108, 109, 111, McKonkey North . 25, 29 115, 119, 120, 170, 171, 172, 179, 180, McKonkey Spring . 45, 46, 181 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 187, 188, 189, Michalite . 101, 107 190, 192, 193, 195, 196 Mimosa . 1, 9, 12, 23, 33, 182 Hidden Treasure . 32, 34, 35, 39, 119, 120, Minerva Gem . 126, 140, 141 121, 193 Minerva Nos. 1, 2 & 3 . 141 High Top . 76 Mooleh . 54, 76, 79 Hill 216 . 40 Moonlight . 127, 130, 132, 175 Hill 227N . 40 Mount Brady . 127, 146, 149, 150 Hill 227S . 40 Mount Brady North . 149, 150 Hope of Hawk . 111 Mount Clairvoyant . 19, 163 Hopeful . 63 Mount Craven . 126, 127, 132, 133 Hungry Hill East . 29 Mount Elvinia North . 80 Mount Jones . 36, 126, 127, 129, 150, 151 I Mount Jones South . 150 Mount Rose . 14, 19, 22, 44, 126, 127, 128, Independent . 63 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, It’s It . 54, 76 137, 138, 139, 140, 143, 145, 152, 153, 180 Mount Rose and Stockman Junction . 126, J 127, 137, 140 Mount Runsome . 16, 36, 42, 163, 164 Jackass . 159 Mount Target . 18, 47, 174 Mount Ure . 102, 107 K Mountain Creek . 43, 44, 45 Mountain King . 111, 112, 184 Kehl’s Hope . 54, 63, 77 Mundubbera Granite . 21 Kelly . 126, 128, 136 Myles Corridor . 80 Killaloe . 45 Mystery Maria . 112 Queensland Geological Record 2005/1 199

N R

Narayen . 3, 9, 13, 14, 21, 31, 32, 35, 108, Rainbow . 55, 61, 82 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 118, RD 50 . 166 171, 192 RD9.166 NE Dyke . 125 Red Range . 93 New Camp . 102, 103 Rejected . 48 New Heights of Alma . 137, 138 Revival . 55, 56, 61, 74, 82 New Moon . 110, 114, 115, 184 Rocky Glen . 54, 61, 83, 87 Nine Mile . 19, 36 Roma North . 54, 55, 58, 60, 62, 63, 65, 73, No. 1 North Lady Helena . 143 83 No. 1 North Mount Craven . 133 Rose Pride . 22, 37, 54, 55, 56, 60, 61, 66, 72, No. 1 West Mount Rose . 126, 134, 139 78, 83, 84, 85, 87 No. 2 North Lady Helena . 144 Rosehall Project . 24, 179 No. 2 North Mount Craven . 133 Ross Creek . 85, 187, 195 No. 2 West Mount Rose . 134 Royal Standard . 55, 56, 77, 78, 86 No. 3 North Mount Craven . 133 S No. 3 West Mount Rose . 134 No.2 Shaft . 134 No.4 Shaft . 134 SB 367 . 31 Normanby . 61, 63, 80, 90 Shamrock . 54, 62, 86, 87 North Lode . 55, 61, 80, 81 She’s Right . 86 Shepherd Camp . 47, 164 North Star . 114 South Arm . 61, 63, 65, 86 NW Vein . 125 South Narayen . 108, 116 O Southern Cross . 54, 62, 87, 161, 193 Spences . 137, 139 Spring Gully . 44, 126, 127, 140, 145 Old Bill . 122 Stibnite Show . 30, 149 Olivia . 80 Stockman . 44, 126, 130, 141, 142, 144, 174 Omeo . 127, 132, 133 Stubbin . 52 Orange Creek . 55, 56, 77, 81, 86, 90 Sunbeam . 62, 87 Outler . 45 Sunrise . 54, 62, 81, 87, 158 Outsider . 62, 81 SW Zone . 37, 123, 125 Swindle Hill North . 145 P Swindle Hill South . 145

Packer Ridge . 81 T Perseverance . 25, 82, 154, 155, 156, 157, 159, 184, 189 Tally . 54, 62, 87 Perseverance West . 157 Tawarri . 39, 79 Peter Pan . 93, 102, 104, 107, 110, 111, 115, Teel’s Well . 163 184, 185, 192 Tennent 1 . 170 Peter’s Knob . 168 Tennent 2 . 170 Philpott Creek 3A . 169 Tennent 3 . 170 Philpott Creek 3B . 169 The Ridge . 87 Philpott Creek 3C . 170 Therevale . 158 Philpott Creek 3D . 170 Thiess 1 . 171 Philpott Creek 3E . 170 Thiess 2 . 171 Philpott Creek 3F . 170 Thiess 3 . 171 Philpott Creek 4 . 170 Thiess 4 . 171 Pinnacle Cattle Yard . 42 Three Mile . 3, 35, 39, 192 PMM 0376 . 102 Trevethan . 164 Powerline . 82 True Blue . 22, 161, 163 Pride of Hawk . 115 Truzes . 93, 94, 103, 107 Privateer . 159 Turner . 104, 105 200 Lam

U Unnamed 666222 . 165 Unnamed 666299 . 43 Unnamed 033286 . 52 Unnamed 687489 . 122 Unnamed 039281 . 52 Unnamed 727157 . 178 Unnamed 097928 . 144 Unnamed 728134 . 179 Unnamed 097929 . 144 Unnamed 729538 . 122 Unnamed 098924 . 137, 144 Unnamed 739151 . 179 Unnamed 098925 . 137, 144 Unnamed 821252 . 179 Unnamed 098929 . 144 Unnamed 874744 . 45 Unnamed 102913 . 44 Unnamed 899747 . 46 Unnamed 103913 . 44 Unnamed 904746 . 29 Unnamed 103923 . 140 Unnamed 906751 . 30 Unnamed 105918 . 141, 144 Unnamed 908808 . 157 Unnamed 105919 . 141, 144 Unnamed 908813 . 157 Unnamed 105929 . 144 Unnamed 910595 . 44 Unnamed 105939 . 145 Unnamed 911805 . 157 Unnamed 106922 . 141 Unnamed 913807 . 157 Unnamed 107916 . 145 Unnamed 918741 . 30 Unnamed 107917 . 145 Unnamed 918818 . 157 Unnamed 107918 . 145 Unnamed 926802 . 158 Unnamed 108919 . 145 Unnamed 927733 . 28 Unnamed 112910 . 133 Unnamed 927806 . 158 Unnamed 112925 . 141 Unnamed 931744 . 28 Unnamed 115186 . 34 Unnamed 977489 . 93 Unnamed 148278 . 42 Unnamed 155257 . 42 V Unnamed 163297 . 42 Unnamed 170193 . 42 Venture . 54, 88 Unnamed 180209 . 41 Victory United . 127, 140 Unnamed 192208 . 41 Unnamed 197213 . 41 W Unnamed 202203 . 41 Unnamed 213756 . 168 Unnamed 217709 . 168 Walhalla . 31, 61, 88, 90 Unnamed 221298 . 35 Waratah . 32, 159, 160 Unnamed 229163 . 41 Warrego . 61, 63, 65, 80, 82, 90, 181 Unnamed 237165 . 41 Wells . 30, 181 Unnamed 258638 . 168 White Elephant . 128, 141 Unnamed 264135 . 40 White Rose . 140 Unnamed 271706 . 168 Wilbe . 177 Unnamed 275908 . 42 William . 104, 107 Unnamed 279882 . 168 Wolfram Hill . 174, 178 Unnamed 282056 . 90 Wynne No 1 . 33 Unnamed 283054 . 91 Wynne No 2 . 34 Unnamed 325303 . 173 Unnamed 379194 . 35 X Unnamed 408752 . 166 Unnamed 422756 . 34 X-Ray . 93, 94, 105, 106, 107