Geology and Mineral Resources of the Northern Territory

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory

Ahmad M and Munson TJ (compilers)

Northern Territory Geological Survey Special Publication 5

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Kruse PD and Munson TJ, 2013. Chapter 31: Daly Basin: in Ahmad M and Munson TJ (compilers). ‘Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory’. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Special Publication 5.

Disclaimer While all care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this publication is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of its information. The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance, and makes no representation as to the accuracy of any information or advice contained in this publication, or that it is suitable for your intended use. You should not rely upon information in this publication for the purpose of making any serious business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to your particular situation. The Northern Territory of Australia disclaims any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage caused by any use of, or reliance on the information contained in this publication. Daly Basin Current as of April 2012 Chapter 31: DALY BASIN PD Kruse and TJ Munson

INTRODUCTION basins, respectively. The basin’s principal outcrop tract is in southern PINE CREEK1, eastern FERGUSSON RIVER The Daly Basin (formerly ‘Daly River Basin’) outcrops DQGVRXWKHUQ.$7+(5,1($QRXWOLHULQWKH/LWFK¿HOG over an area of about 20 000 km2 in the northwestern area, containing only Tindall Limestone and Jinduckin NT (Figure 31.1), but extends southward far beyond Formation, spans western PINE CREEK and eastern these boundaries under Mesozoic cover of the onshore CAPE SCOTT. Carpentaria Basin and is continuous with coeval portions The basin succession disconformably rests on early of the Wiso and Georgina basins. These neighbouring Cambrian Antrim Plateau Volcanics and locally on Jindare basins have distinct depocentres that are separated Formation (see Kalkarindji Province), above Proterozoic from the Daly Basin by basement ridges formed by basement. It includes sedimentary rocks of the Daly River basaltic rocks of the Kalkarindji Province (Tickell 2005, Group (Noakes 1949), of middle Cambrian age, together Figure 31.2). In the middle Cambrian, the interconnected with the unconformably overlying Early Ordovician Daly, Wiso and Georgina basins collectively formed part Florina Formation (Kruse et al 2012, Table 31.1). In of a vast depositional area that extended across northern, JHQHUDOWKHUHODWLYHO\XQGHIRUPHGDQGÀDWO\LQJRU central and southern Australia; contiguous portions of this gently dipping succession becomes progressively younger depositional system in northern and central Australia are from the margins of the basin towards the central area referred to in this volume as the Centralian B Superbasin (Figures 31.3, 31.4). (see Centralian Superbasin). The Daly Basin is bordered to the north by the Palaeoproterozoic Pine Creek Orogen 1 Names of 1:250 000 and 1:100 000 mapsheets are shown in and Birrindudu Basin, and to the east and west by the large and small capital letters respectively, eg PINE CREEK, 3DODHRWR0HVRSURWHUR]RLF0F$UWKXUDQG9LFWRULD TIPPERARY.

130°30' 132° 133°30' 12°

050100 km Darwin Money Shoal Basin

13°

Pine Creek Orogen McArthur Basin

Bonaparte Basin 14°

Daly Basin Katherine

Halls 15° Creek Victoria Basin Orogen Fitzmaurice Basin NORTHERN TERRITORY Carpentaria Basin Wolfe Basin Birrindudu Basin 16° Wiso Basin

Mesozoic–Cenozoic Palaeo–Mesoproterozoic orogens road rail Figure 31.1. Regional geology of Neoproterozoic– Archaean Daly Basin. NT geological regions Palaeozoic fault from NTGS 1:2.5M geological early Cambrian Daly Basin Kalkarindji Province Katherine locality regions GIS dataset. Box shows area Palaeo–Mesoproterozoic A11-096.ai of Figure 31.2 basins

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:1 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

131 ° 132 ° 133 ° 134 °

141 148 162 Kakadu Highway Elevation of base of 204 Tindall Limestone and 166 Stuart Highway equivalent strata >82 (metres AHD) 14° 100 to 200 >126 0 to 100 181 hway -100 to 0

Katherine -200 to -100 152 Central Arnhem Hig 165 -300 to-200 177 -400 to-300 143 -500 to-400 154 >193 -600 to-500 -700 to-6 00 15° 177 Thickness of 133 Tindall Limestone

Highway >106 and equivalent strata Daly Basin (metres AHD) Victoria Basin boundary Road Katherine Locality Buntine Highway 0 100 km

16° >222

Wiso Basin Carpentaria Highway

231 Georgina Basin A11-245.ai 15° Figure 31.2. Elevation of base of Tindall Limestone and equivalent strata with reference to the Australian Height Datum (AHD; after 7LFNHOO¿JXUH :LVR±'DO\EDVLQERXQGDU\DUELWUDULO\SRVLWLRQHGWRQRUWKRIPDSSHGRXWFURSVRI0RQWHMLQQL/LPHVWRQH :LVR Basin), which is probably continuous with Tindall Limestone under cover (Tickell 2005). Unit, max Depositional Lithology Stratigraphic relationships thickness environment Early Ordovician Florina *UH\WR\HOORZEURZQWREURZQWKLQO\EHGGHGGRORPLWLVHG¿QHVSDUVWRQH 3HULWLGDOPXGÀDW Disconformable on Oolloo Formation PLFURVSDUVWRQHDQGELRVSDUVWRQHOHVVHUJUH\OLPHVWRQH\HOORZEURZQWR to subtidal Dolostone. Unconformably 167 m EURZQWRPDURRQJODXFRQLWLF¿QHVDQGVWRQHDQGVKDOH&DUERQDWHLQWHUYDOV lagoonal. overlain by Cretaceous ZLWKLQWUDIRUPDWLRQDOFRQJORPHUDWHHGJHZLVHEUHFFLDFURVVEHGVVFRXUDQG siliciclastic rocks. ¿OOIHDWXUHVORDGFDVWVÀDVHUZDY\DQGOHQWLFXODUEHGGLQJWUDLOVDQGEXUURZV sparse fossil fauna of trilobites, brachiopods, conodonts, echinoderms, gastropods, hyoliths and conodonts. Siliciclastic intervals with wave, trough DQGULSSOHFURVVEHGVUDUHKXPPRFN\FURVVEHGVVFRXUDQG¿OOIHDWXUHV ÀXWHPRXOGVDQGWRROPDUNVVWUHDPLQJOLQHDWLRQWUDLOVDQGEXUURZVUDUH desiccation cracks. DALY RIVER GROUP middle Cambrian: sequence 2 Oolloo /RZHUWKLQO\EHGGHGXQLWRI¿QHWRPHGLXPFU\VWDOOLQHSLQNJUH\GRORVWRQH +LJKHQHUJ\ Conformable and transitional Dolostone ooid dolograinstone, stromatolitic doloboundstone, cryptomicrobial ooid shoals; rare on Jinduckin Formation. 249.9 m dololaminite, quartzose dolostone and dolomitic sandstone. Upper, massive or lagoonal, marine. thickly bedded unit of red, pink, purple, cream, pale yellow to buff, medium to coarse dolostone, minor claystone and sandy mudstone. Stromatolites; other fossils rare and indeterminate. Jinduckin 0DURRQJUHHQGRORPLWLFVLOLFLFODVWLFVLOWVWRQHGRORPLWLFVDQGVWRQH /RZWR Conformable or locally Formation siltstone interbeds, ooid dolograinstone, microbial dolostone; dolomitic PRGHUDWHHQHUJ\ disconformable on Tindall 356.1 m quartz sandstone in upper part. Nodular anhydrite, halite hopper casts and peritidal; tidal Limestone. VHFRQGDU\J\SVXPYHLQVPXGFUDFNVDQGRUEXUURZVÀDWSHEEOHEUHFFLDV ÀDW LQWUDIRUPDWLRQDOFRQJORPHUDWHVRIWVHGLPHQWGHIRUPDWLRQVWURPDWROLWHV middle Cambrian: sequence 1 Tindall Grey mottled, oncoid, ribbon and bioclast limestone; minor intercalated 2SHQVKHOI Unconformable on Antrim Limestone PDURRQJUHHQVLOWVWRQHRUGDUNJUH\PXGVWRQHPLFURELDOODPLQLWHDQG marine, minor Plateau Volcanics, Jindare 204 m stromatolitic boundstone. Rich fossil fauna of trilobites (including Redlichia peritidal. Formation or Roper Group. and Xystridura), bradoriides, brachiopods, hyoliths, molluscs and sponges. Table 31.1. Summary of Palaeozoic stratigraphic succession of Daly Basin.

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:2 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

6LJQL¿FDQWVWXGLHVRQWKH'DO\%DVLQLQFOXGH1RDNHV Dolostone (Randal 1962, Malone 1962, Kruse in Kruse et al (1949), Malone (1962), Randal (1962), Walpole et al 1990). Elements of the two successive sedimentary successions (1968), Sweet et al 6WXDUW6PLWKet al (1987), Kruse that have been recognised from sequence stratigraphic (1990), Kruse et al (1990, 1994, 2012) and Tickell (2002, studies in the Georgina Basin to the south (Shergold et al 2005, 2010). A stratigraphic correlation chart for the 1988, Southgate and Shergold 1991, Laurie 2006) are also Daly and other NT basins of similar age is in Centralian recognised within these middle Cambrian strata: sequence 1 6XSHUEDVLQ¿JXUH. 2UGLDQ DQG VHTXHQFH ODWHVW 2UGLDQ±HDUO\ 0LQG\DOODQ The Tindall Limestone contains a diverse fossil fauna (Kruse MIDDLE CAMBRIAN 1990) and is securely dated as belonging to sequence 1. There LVDVWURQJVSHFLHVOHYHOVLPLODULW\WRFRUUHODWLYHIDXQDVRIWKH Daly River Group Linnekar Limestone and Panton Formation (Ord Basin), and Montejinni Limestone and Hooker Creek Formation (Wiso The Daly River Group attains a thickness of 709 m in the Basin). The succession is also broadly equivalent in age to the stratotype section in cored drillhole NTGS86/1 (Kruse et al Top Springs Limestone, Gum Ridge Formation, Thorntonia 1990). It contains three formations, in ascending stratigraphic Limestone and Border Waterhole Formation of the Georgina order, the Tindall Limestone, Jinduckin Formation and Oolloo %DVLQ$VKDUSOLWKRORJLFDOFKDQJHDWWKH7LQGDOO±-LQGXFNLQ 130°30' 132° 133°30'

DARWIN ALLIGATOR RIVER 13° PINE CREEK MOUNT EVELYN

Stuart Highway Highway Kakadu

NORTHERN TERRITORY

14° FERGUSSON RIVER KATHERINE

Highwa Katherine

Central Arnhem

15° DELAMERE y LARRIMAH wa

Victoria High

050100 km

Mesozoic–Cenozoic Palaeo–Mesoproterozoic Early Ordovician orogens Neoproterozoic– Florina Formation road Palaeozoic Archaean middle Cambrian rail early Cambrian Kalkarindji Province Oolloo Dolostone fault Palaeo–Mesoproterozoic basins Jinduckin Formation DARWIN 250k mapsheet Tindall Limestone Katherine early Cambrian locality Jindare Formation A11-097.ai Figure 31.3'DO\%DVLQVKRZLQJVLPSOL¿HGJHRORJ\RI-LQGDUH)RUPDWLRQ'DO\5LYHU*URXSDQG)ORULQD)RUPDWLRQGHULYHGIURP*$ 1:1M geology, NTGS 1:2.5M geological regions GIS datasets and Kruse et al (2012). Location shown in Figure 31.1. Box shows area of Figures 31.4 and 31.9.

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:3 Special publication 5 Daly Basin contact, coupled with the transitional and hence conformable mainly around the margins of the basin (Figures 31.3, QDWXUHRIWKH-LQGXFNLQ±2ROORRERXQGDU\LQGLFDWHVWKDWWKH 31.4). Exposures (Figures 31.5a, b) range from rugged Tindall Limestone denotes a separate succession to that of karst terrain through to isolated residuals on undulating the Jinduckin Formation and Oolloo Dolostone. These two plains or in watercourses, and include ridges and towers, formations are unfossiliferous or sparsely fossiliferous and dolines (sinkholes) and pavements, commonly with karren are not well dated, but are nevertheless tentatively assigned (solution grooves) and kamenitza (solution hollows). The to sequence 2. This is based on lithological correlation of the formation reaches a maximum known thickness of 204 m Jinduckin Formation with the Anthony Lagoon Formation of in drillhole RN6331 in TIPPERARY (Tickell 2005). It is the Georgina Basin (Kruse 1996, 2003, 2008), coupled with 182.8 m thick in cored drillhole CCVH1 in northwestern a very similar stratigraphic context, in that both formations MANBULLOO (Kruse et al 1994), 180.7 m thick in its RYHUOLH HDUO\ PLGGOH &DPEULDQ VHTXHQFH FDUERQDWH type section in drillhole NTGS 86/1 in JINDUCKIN, and dominant formations, the Tindall Limestone and Gum Ridge thicknesses of between ca 140 m and 166 m have been )RUPDWLRQUHVSHFWLYHO\7KH-LQGXFNLQ)RUPDWLRQ±2ROORR reported for the formation from three NTGS cored Dolostone interval is therefore broadly correlated with the drillholes in TIPPERARY (Kruse et al 1990). The Tindall Anthony Lagoon Formation, Wonarah Formation, Ranken Limestone unconformably overlies Antrim Plateau Limestone and Camooweal Dolostone of the Georgina Basin, Volcanics or Jindare Formation, except in the southeast, ZLWKWKH3RLQW:DNH¿HOGEHGVRIWKH:LVR%DVLQDQGZLWK where it unconformably overlies Mesoproterozoic rocks the Eagle Hawk and possibly Overland sandstones of the Ord of the Roper Group (McArthur Basin), and in drillhole Basin. NTGS86/1, in which it unconformably overlies steeply An earlier interpretation (eg Öpik 1968, Jones 1971, foliated Palaeoproterozoic rocks of the Pine Creek Orogen. Webby 1974, Shergold et al 1985) that the top of the Daly The formation is overlain by the Jinduckin Formation, or River Group was as young as Early Ordovician was based where this is absent, is unconformably overlain by Mesozoic on the discovery of fossils of this age from near Claravale in URFNVRIWKHRQVKRUH&DUSHQWDULD%DVLQ7KH7LQGDOO± FERGUSSON RIVER. The carbonate unit from which the Jinduckin contact is marked by a sharp upward change fossils were recovered, together with associated sandstone, IURP FDUERQDWH WR VLOLFLFODVWLFGRPLQDWHG URFNV EXW LV were then interpreted collectively as Oolloo Dolostone and interpreted to be generally conformable, as there is little Jinduckin Formation, but have since been shown to be part evidence for a major disconformity in any of the available of a disconformably overlying Early Ordovician unit, the cored drillholes that penetrate the boundary (Kruse 1990). Florina Formation, which caps the Daly Basin succession However, the contact is locally disconformable, from the (Kruse et al 2012). presence of grey vadolite and karstic breccia in uppermost beds of the Tindall Limestone, which imply at least local Tindall Limestone emergence and interruption of sedimentation. However, The oldest unit recognised in the Daly Basin is the any depositional hiatus between the formations is likely Tindall Limestone, which forms widespread outcrops to have been short.

a 131° 131.5° 132° 132.5° b 131° 131.5° 132° 132.5°

13.5° 13.5°

way High Highway Stuart Highway Kakadu Stuart Highway Kakadu Cretaceous Early Ordovician RN6331 RN6331 Florina Formation middle Cambrian road NTGS83/2-2A Oolloo Dolostone NTGS83/2-2A 14° 14° Jinduckin Formation train Katherine Tindall Limestone locality RC drillhole NTGS86/1 NTGS86/1 Diamond drillhole

Katherine RN37043 RN37043 14.5° 14.5° CCVH1 CCVH1

KRVH1 KRVH1

15° 15° Highway

Victoria Highwa Victoria 050 km

A12-075.ai A11-099.ai

Figure 31.4. Solid geology maps of main outcrop tract of Daly Basin with (a) Cretaceous strata shown and (b) removed (after Kruse et al 2012). Location shown on Figure 31.3).

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:4 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

The Tindall Limestone consists of grey mottled, E\XSWRIRXUQDUURZSHULWLGDOLQWHUYDOVRIPDURRQJUHHQ oncoid, ribbon (Figures 31.5c) and bioclast limestone, with siltstone or dark grey mudstone and associated microbial PLQRU LQWHUFDODWHG PDURRQJUHHQ VLOWVWRQH RU GDUN JUH\ laminite and stromatolitic boundstone (Kruse et al 1994). mudstone, microbial laminite and stromatolitic boundstone (Kruse et al 1994). It is richly fossiliferous; Kruse (1990) Jinduckin Formation documented a fauna of 23 species of trilobites (including 7KH-LQGXFNLQ)RUPDWLRQLVDPL[HGVLOLFLFODVWLFFDUERQDWH Redlichia and Xystridura), bradoriides, brachiopods, unit that is widely distributed throughout the Daly Basin hyoliths, molluscs and sponges from the formation (Figures 31.3, 31.4); more resistant beds are exposed in low (Figures 31.5d, e). Cored drillholes across the Daly Basin KLOOVDQGPHVDVZKHUHDVUHFHVVLYH¿QHUJUDLQHGEHGVDUH (Kruse 1990) highlight an overall southeasterly increase H[SRVHGLQFUHHNEHGVRUDVUXEEOHFRYHUHGULVHV:KHUH in the proportion of carbonate as opposed to siliciclastic capped by Mesozoic rocks of the onshore Carpentaria sediment comprising the formation. Most of this carbonate %DVLQWKHIRUPDWLRQIRUPVSURPLQHQWVWHHSVLGHGKLOOV is variably fossiliferous, open shelf marine limestone or its This is the thickest unit in the Daly Basin succession; it partially dolomitised equivalent. Massive marine limestone is 335.4 m thick in its type section in drillhole NTGS 86/1 locally forms karst terrain (Figure 31.5a), such as around DQG UHDFKHV D PD[LPXPNQRZQ WKLFNQHVV RI P Katherine. Thick intervals of such limestone are punctuated LQGULOOKROH17*6$LQTIPPERARY (Kruse et al

a b

c d

e Figure 31.5. Tindall Limestone. (a) Karst towers, exposure on Stuart Hwy (KATHERINE, KATHERINE, 53L 197769mE 8405498mN). (b) Well bedded outcrop at Zion Hill, 3 km northwest of Katherine (KATHERINE, KATHERINE, 53L 201966mE P1 2XWFURSFRQWDLQVUHPQDQWVRIHDUWK\FDYHÀRRU deposits, stalagmites, and Quaternary fossils (Marianelli 1995), indicating that these eroded exposures are of unroofed caves. (c) Ribbon limestone (KATHERINE, MANBULLOO, Readymix quarry, 53L 212872mE 8394856mN). (d) Thrombolite reef bearing heteractinide sponges Jawonya and Wagima (PINE CREEK, TIPPERARY, Douglas station, 52L 752700mE 8486200mN). (e) Hyolith rudstone of Guduguwan hardmani (PINE CREEK, TIPPERARY, Douglas Crossing, 52L 754100mE 8474300mN). 3KRWRVD±EFRXUWHV\RI67LFNHOO:DWHU5HVRXUFHV%UDQFK17 Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS), Darwin; photo c courtesy of D Karp, Water Resources Branch, NRETAS, Darwin.

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:5 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

1990). The formation is apparently conformable or locally drillhole KRVH1 in MANBULLOO (Kruse et al 1994). The disconformable on the Tindall Limestone, and is overlain lower contact of the Oolloo Dolostone with the Jinduckin conformably by the Oolloo Dolostone, or unconformably by Formation is conformable and transitional, whereas Cretaceous rocks. the upper contact is unconformable beneath the Early The Jinduckin Formation consists predominantly Ordovician Florina Formation or Cretaceous rocks of the RI PDURRQJUHHQ GRORPLWLFVLOLFLFODVWLF VLOWVWRQH ZLWK onshore Carpentaria Basin. GRORPLWLF VDQGVWRQHVLOWVWRQH LQWHUEHGV DQG ORFDO OHQVHV The Oolloo Dolostone consists of a relatively well of ooid dolograinstone, microbial dolostone and in its bedded lower unit and a massive upper unit (Tickell upper half, dolomitic quartz sandstone (Kruse et al 1990, 2002, Figure 31.7b, c). The lower unit consists of 1994, )LJXUH). Nodular anhydrite, halite hopper casts ¿QHWRPHGLXPFU\VWDOOLQHSLQNJUH\GRORVWRQH and secondary gypsum veins are scattered throughout, ooid dolograinstone, stromatolitic doloboundstone but are more common in the lower half of the unit. Other (Figure 31.7d), cryptomicrobial dololaminite, quartzose sedimentary structures include mudcracks and/or burrows, dolostone and dolomitic sandstone (Kruse et al 1990, ÀDWSHEEOH EUHFFLDV DQG LQWUDIRUPDWLRQDO FRQJORPHUDWHV 7LFNHOO %HGVDUHJHQHUDOO\±FPLQWKLFNQHVV DQG VRIWVHGLPHQW GHIRUPDWLRQ .UXVH .UXVH et al 6SDUVH VLOW\ ODPLQDH WKLQ LQWUDIRUPDWLRQDO ÀDWSHEEOH 1990). The formation is a record of peritidal deposition breccias and discrete, regionally continuous, silty and FHQWUHGRQDSURJUDGLQJPL[HGFDUERQDWHVLOLFLFODVWLF shaly dolostone beds up to 3 m thick are scattered WLGDOÀDWKDYLQJDVSHFWVRIWKHWLGDOLVODQGIDFLHVPRGHORI WKURXJKRXW DQG ¿QHJUDLQHG quartzose dolostone and Pratt and James (1986) and the Persian Gulf Trucial Coast quartz sandstone are abundant in the lower third of the UHJUHVVLYHWLGDOÀDWPRGHORI6KLQQ 3URJUHVVLYHVKLIWV XQLW7KHXSSHU±PRIWKHORZHUXQLWLVSLQNSXUSOH in the hydrological regime as sediment loci accumulated buff or cream, but there is a widespread colour change to resulted in recurring supratidal exposure and the generation grey below that level. The upper unit is a red, pink, purple, of dolomite and evaporites. Microbial mats grew on these cream, pale yellow to buff, medium to coarse crystalline shoals, and domical and columnar stromatolites colonised dolostone that is either massive or exhibits coarse blocky WKH ORZHU LQWHUWLGDO WR VXEWLGDO ]RQHV +LJKHQHUJ\ RRLG beds up to a metre thick. Occasional thin beds of claystone shoals and terrigenous quartz sands of the outer barrier and sandy mudstone are also present. The uppermost beds were episodically reworked by storms. DUHVWURQJO\LURQVWDLQHGWRDGDUNUHGSLQNOLJKWHQLQJLQ colour with depth. They are largely devoid of sedimentary Oolloo Dolostone structures and are permeated by solution cavities ranging IURPSHUYDVLYH¿QHYXJVRIWHQDOLJQHGDORQJEHGGLQJ The Oolloo Dolostone (Kruse et al 1990; Oolloo Limestone SODQHVWRPHWUHVFDOHFDYLWLHV 7LFNHOO 7LFNHOO of Randal 1962, Malone 1962) is the uppermost formation (2010) interpreted these upper beds as representing of the Daly River Group. It outcrops in the central Daly weathered rock of a palaeokarst zone that formed during Basin, with best exposures being in the northwestern and a period of subaerial exposure, prior to deposition of the southeastern areas (Figures 31.3, 31.4). Exposures are overlying Florina Formation. generally poor, due to widespread cover of Cretaceous 7KH2ROORR'RORVWRQHGHQRWHVWKHKLJKHUHQHUJ\ rocks, but where well developed consist of extensive VHGLPHQWV RIIVKRUH RI WKH SHULWLGDO ÀDWV RI WKH -LQGXFNLQ pavements and ridges incorporating tabular beds and low Formation. The ooid shoals formed a protective bank margin pinnacles, and including karst features such as dolines, barrier, with stromatolites colonising the lower intertidal and karren and kamenitza (Figure 31.7a). The formation is subtidal zones, possibly analogous to the present Bahamas 192.4 m thick in the type section in drillhole NTGS 86/1 (Dill et al 1986). Other than stromatolites, fossils are rare and and reaches a maximum known thickness of 249.9 m in generally indeterminate within the formation. ab

)LJXUH. Jinduckin Formation at Rowlands Quarry, Florina Road (KATHERINE, KATHERINE, 53L 197976mE 8396494mN; photos courtesy of S Tickell, Water Resources Branch (NRETAS), Darwin. (a) Quarry face: bedded dolostone in lower bench; maroon siltstone ZLWKPLQRU\HOORZEURZQ¿QHGRORVWRQHLQWHUEHGVLQXSSHUEHQFK b 'HWDLORIVLOWVWRQHDQG¿QHGRORVWRQHLQXSSHUEHQFK

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:6 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

EARLY ORDOVICIAN JODXFRQLWHEHDULQJ VLOLFLFODVWLF XQLWV 7LFNHOO 7KHFDUERQDWHURFNVDUHPRVWO\RIJUH\WR\HOORZ Florina Formation brown to brown, thinly bedded dolostone and lesser grey The Florina Formation (Kruse et al 2012) is a recessive unit limestone. Petrographic studies (Kruse et al 2012) indicate RIDOWHUQDWLQJGRORVWRQH¿QHJUDLQHGJODXFRQLWLFVLOLFLFODVWLF that dolomite is secondary, replacing original calcite. rocks and minor limestone that caps the Daly Basin &DUERQDWHURFNW\SHVLQFOXGHGRORPLWLVHG¿QHVSDUVWRQH succession. It has a restricted distribution in FERGUSSON (originally grainstone), dolomitised microsparstone RIVER in the central area of the basin (Figure 31.3, 31.4) (originally calcimudstone) and dolomitised biosparstone and outcrops as inliers within unconformably overlying (originally bioclast wackestone or boundstone). Beds are Cretaceous siliciclastic rocks of the onshore Carpentaria of decimetre scale and contain a variety of sedimentary Basin. Best exposures occur along the banks of the Daly structures including intraformational conglomerate and 5LYHU&DUERQDWHLQWHUYDOVDUHH[SRVHGDVQHDUO\ÀDWO\LQJ HGJHZLVHEUHFFLDFURVVEHGVVFRXUDQG¿OOIHDWXUHVORDG tabular beds, as rubbly low rises and as karst terrains FDVWVÀDVHUZDY\DQGOHQWLFXODUEHGGLQJDQGKRUL]RQWDO that include pinnacles, dolines, karren and kamenitza trails and burrows (Figures 31.8c–e). Intervening (Figures 31.8a, b). Siliciclastic rocks are generally VLOLFLFODVWLFLQWHUYDOVFRQVLVWRIGLVWLQFWLYH\HOORZEURZQ weathered and poorly exposed along watercourses, or on WREURZQWRPDURRQJODXFRQLWLF¿QHVDQGVWRQHDQGVKDOH WKHÀDQNVRIORZULVHVEHQHDWKFDSVRI\RXQJHUURFN7KH Coarser beds are commonly decimetre scale, lenticular, formation reaches a maximum known thickness of 167 m DQGWHQGWREHEHQFKIRUPLQJ¿QHULQWHUYDOVZHDWKHUWR in rotary drillhole RN37043 in northern BOWMAN (Tickell a crumbly texture and contribute strongly to the recessive 2010). It appears to be conformable on the underlying nature of the formation (Figure 31.8f). The sandstone 2ROORR 'RORVWRQH EXW WKH KLJKO\ NDUVWL¿HG QDWXUH RI WKH typically contains abundant rounded glauconite, together upper section of the Oolloo Dolostone indicates that it was with subrounded to subangular quartz and feldspar subjected to a weathering event prior to deposition of the grains in a dolomitic cement. Sedimentary structures overlying strata (Tickell 2010). As a substantial time break LQFOXGH DEXQGDQW ZDYH WURXJK DQG ULSSOH FURVVEHGV between these units is indicated, the Florina Formation is UDUH KXPPRFN\ FURVVEHGV VFRXUDQG¿OO IHDWXUHV ÀXWH not included within the Daly River Group. moulds and tool marks, streaming lineation, horizontal The formation consists of a succession of three trails and burrows, and rare desiccation cracks (Kruse FDUERQDWHLQWHUYDOVVHSDUDWHGE\WZR¿QHJUDLQHG et al 2012).

a b

c d

Figure 31.7. Oolloo Dolostone; photos courtesy of S Tickell, Water Resources Branch (NRETAS), Darwin. (a) Extensive pavement with doline (FERGUSSON RIVER, FERGUSSON RIVER, 300 m north of Dorisvale Road, 52L 790450mE 8427500mN). (b) Bedded RRLG GRORVWRQH RI ORZHU XQLW DW ROG TXDUU\ RQ 0DQEXOORR VWDWLRQ1RWHLQ¿OOHGGROLQH .$7+(5,1( MANBULLOO, 53L 179615mE 8361477mN). (c) Massive vuggy dolostone of upper unit (FERGUSSON RIVER, JINDUCKIN, 52L 760568mE 8429109mN). (d) Stromatolitic doloboundstone bioherm (FERGUSSON RIVER, FERGUSSON RIVER, 300 m north of Dorisvale Road, 52L 790450mE 8427500mN).

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:7 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

The Florina Formation contains a sparse fossil fauna and brachiopods, and deduced an Early Ordovician of trilobites, brachiopods, conodonts, echinoderms, (Tremadocian) age for the fauna. Conodont studies by Jones gastropods and hyoliths that have been recovered from a FRQ¿UPHGDODWH7UHPDGRFLDQWRHDUO\$UHQLJLDQ few beds in the medial and upper carbonate intervals. Öpik age (Tremadocian to Floian stages in current terms). SURYLGHGDSUHOLPLQDU\LGHQWL¿FDWLRQRIWKHWULORELWHV He recognised two conodont zones in the fauna; in the

a b

c d

e f

Figure 31.8. Florina Formation. (a) Thinly bedded dolostone at top of formation in Daly River (FERGUSSON RIVER, BOWMAN, 52L 788938mE 8393686mN). (b) Limestone karst towers in medial carbonate interval near Claravale (FERGUSSON RIVER, FERGUSSON RIVER, 52L 774632mE 8404352mN). (c) Edgewise conglomerate in basal dolostone, interpreted as having formed from disruption of ODPLQDWHGEHGVRUVXQKDUGHQHGPXGFUDFNVE\VWURQJZDYHDFWLRQ HJGXULQJVWRUPV IROORZHGE\LQFRUSRUDWLRQRIIUDJPHQWVLQWRQHZ layer (FERGUSSON RIVER, BOWMAN, 52L 791493mE 8380825mN). (d 6HFWLRQWKURXJKWKLQO\LQWHUEHGGHG¿QHDQGYHU\¿QHGRORVWRQH of lowermost carbonate interval; coarser layers have slightly more relief and are lighter in colour. Bedding varies from lenticular (base) WKURXJKZDY\WRÀDVHU WRS LQWHUSUHWHGDVUHSUHVHQWLQJDFKDQJHLQHQYLURQPHQWWKURXJKWLPHIURPPXGGRPLQDWHGÀDWVWRPL[HG ÀDWVWRVDQGGRPLQDWHGÀDWV1RWHORDGFDVWVDQGRWKHUVOXPSIHDWXUHV )(5*866215,9(5BOWMAN, 52L 791584mE 8380810mN). (e) Bedding surface of thinly bedded bioturbated calcimudstone from medial carbonate interval near Claravale, featuring dolomitised horizontal trails and vertical burrows in section (FERGUSSON RIVER, FERGUSSON RIVER, 52L 773856mE 8405098mN). (f) Interbedded, OHQWLFXODUEHQFKIRUPLQJ¿QHVDQGVWRQHDQGUHFHVVLYHVKDOH )(5*866215,9(5BOWMAN, 52L 792486mE 8384796mN).

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:8 Special publication 5 Daly Basin nomenclature of Shergold and Nicoll (1992) these are the 3RVW0HVR]RLF PRYHPHQWV DUH HYLGHQW LQ VRXWKZHVWHUQ latest Tremadocian Chosonodina herfurthi-Cordylodus KATHERINE, where Cretaceous rocks are upthrown by angulatus Assemblage Zone and the succeeding basal HDVWVRXWKHDVWHUO\IDXOWVLQWKH'XUULQ\DQ&UHHNDUHDDQG Arenigian (Floian) Drepanodus? gracilis-Scolopodus IROGHGLQWRDQRUWKQRUWKZHVWWUHQGLQJV\QFOLQH±PRQRFOLQH sexplicatus Assemblage Zone. At the time, the fossil couplet in the vicinity of Redbank Creek. fauna was attributed to the Jinduckin Formation and/or Although few structures, other than minor folds and Oolloo Dolostone, with the result that these two units were faults, have been mapped within the basin succession, a incorrectly considered to be much younger than the Tindall QXPEHURIVLJQL¿FDQWOLQHDPHQWVKDYHEHHQLQWHUSUHWHGE\ Limestone, with an intervening lengthy disconformity (eg Tickell (2002) from satellite imagery, aeromagnetic data Webby 1974, Shergold et al 1985). DQGOLPLWHG¿HOGREVHUYDWLRQV Figure 31.9). Most of these The Florina Formation was deposited under dominantly inferred structures are northwest trending and subparallel PDULQHSHULWLGDOPXGÀDWWRVXEWLGDOODJRRQDOHQYLURQPHQWV or slightly oblique to the long axis of the basin. They include (Kruse et al VRPHZKDWDQDORJRXVWRWKH-LQGXFNLQ the King River structure, which Tickell (2002) interpreted Oolloo depositional model established by Kruse et al (1990). DVDPDMRUEDVHPHQWIDXOW]RQHDQRUWKWUHQGLQJVWUXFWXUH Carbonate sediments were generated in subtidal areas (eg at Stray Creek that is associated with major springs, and a shallow lagoons or carbonate banks) and were transported number of other minor faults and folds. inshore by storms, currents and tides to form allochthonous GHSRVLWV6LOLFLFODVWLFVHGLPHQWDU\URFNVKDYHDTXDUW]ULFK MINERAL RESOURCES FRPSRVLWLRQDQGDUHJHQHUDOO\¿QHJUDLQHGLQGLFDWLQJDORZ relief regional setting and a relatively distant provenance. The Daly Basin has been explored with limited success Sedimentary structures indicate a complex hydrodynamic IRU SKRVSKDWH FRDO GLDPRQGV PDQJDQHVH JROG FRSSHU HQYLURQPHQWWKURXJKRXWLQÀXHQFHGE\ZDYHVWLGDOFXUUHQWV OHDG]LQF WLQ QLFNHO XUDQLXP EXON FRPPRGLWLHV VXFK DQGSRVVLEO\ÀXYLDOGLVFKDUJH&RDUVHUURFNW\SHVSUREDEO\ as limestone, and industrial minerals including barite. UHSUHVHQWFKDQQHOGHSRVLWV$OWHUQDWLRQRIVLOLFLFODVWLFDQG Current exploration is focused on uranium within the basin FDUERQDWHGRPLQDWHGHQYLURQPHQWVPD\EHGXHWRDYDULHW\ succession, and on gold and uranium in basement rocks of factors through time, eg changes in relative sea level, underlying shallow Daly Basin cover, particularly along the presence or absence of offshore barriers, and/or varying northern basin margin. The southeastern portion of the basin positions of river mouths. contains strategic holdings of limestone which are currently EHLQJ H[SORLWHG 6RPH FDUERQDWHKRVWHG EDVH PHWDOV DQG STRUCTURE barite occurrences are along the faulted southwestern margin. The Daly Basin succession is relatively thin and immature, The Daly Basin has a broad, shallow, symmetric synformal and has little petroleum potential. However, it does have VWUXFWXUHWKDWGH¿QHVWKHHORQJDWHQRUWKZHVWWUHQGLQJEDVLQ some geothermal energy potential as it is close to existing shape. The succession is little affected by tectonism and is infrastructure, underlying basement rocks have potential for JHQHUDOO\ÀDWO\LQJRUGLSVJHQWO\WRZDUGVWKHFHQWUHRIWKH HOHYDWHGKHDWÀRZDQGWKHUHDUHVLJQL¿FDQWWKLFNQHVVHVRI basin, where the youngest strata are preserved. insulating sedimentary rocks in areas where the Daly Basin Both the northeastern and southwestern margins of the overlaps other sedimentary successions (Beardsmore 2007). basin are faulted. According to BMR mapping (Pontifex and Mendum 1972, Sweet et al 1974), the Dorisvale Fault Limestone (Figure 31.3) forms the southwestern basin margin in FERGUSSON RIVER and juxtaposes Antrim Plateau The Tindall Limestone is quarried at the Mataranka Volcanics against Jinduckin Formation. Alternatively, limestone mine on Elsey Station (southeastern $VKWRQ0LQLQJ UHLQWHUSUHWHGWKHIROGHGVLOLFL¿HG KATHERINE) and the limestone used for the manufacture QRGXODU VLOWVWRQHGRORVWRQH ULGJH DORQJ WKH EDVLQ PDUJLQ of quicklime and ground limestone at a nearby kiln plant. The in this area as a monocline in an unnamed Cambrian unit LQLWLDOGLVFRYHU\RI0WRIKLJKJUDGHOLPHVWRQH ! beneath the Tindall Limestone and lateral to, or beneath the CaCO3 0J&23 6L22; Eupene 1983, Shields Antrim Plateau Volcanics. Fold dips generally of about 25º 1986) led to the establishment of the kiln in 1986 by ELC and up to 70º were reported. However, fossils listed by the Pty Ltd, at the junction of the Stuart and Roper highways. company strongly suggest that the nodular beds are Tindall Production commenced in 1987. A further 7 Mt of reserve Limestone. was later delineated (Cochrane 1989, 1991). A second kiln %DVLQPDUJLQVXESDUDOOHOIDXOWVDORQJWKHQRUWKHDVWHUQ was commissioned in 1990, coinciding with purchase of the margin, mainly in PINE CREEK, have offset Jindare operation by Northern Cement Ltd, the current operators. Formation and Tindall Limestone. These are steep normal A major upgrade of the kilns in 1996 boosted production faults that have downfaulted Daly Basin sedimentary rocks WR ±W SHU DQQXP (OVHZKHUH LQ WKH 'DO\

WRWKHVRXWKZHVWORFDOO\GUDJIROGLQJWKHP 1HHGKDPet al Basin, persistently excessive MgCO3 levels had frustrated 6WXDUW6PLWK et al 1987). The crosscutting Hayes exploration for limestone since the 1960s. Creek Fault (Figure 31.3), a major northeasterly reverse fault (Walpole et al 1968), likewise slightly offsets these %DULWHDQGÀXRULWH two formations. All were initiated in Palaeoproterozoic time and have subsequently been rejuvenated in the Rubbly and massive barite outcrops up to 150 m long and Mesoproterozoic, Palaeozoic and possibly Mesozoic. ±PWKLFNZHUHORFDWHGE\/DX LQVLOWVWRQHDQG

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:9 Special publication 5 Daly Basin limestone of the upper Tindall Limestone in the Clonmara a number of waterbore samples from the Daly Basin for Creek area (southern PINE CREEK). Mobil Energy SKRVSKDWHEXWQRVLJQL¿FDQWDQRPDOLHVZHUHQRWHG Minerals (1979) determined that the barite is stratiform and VXU¿FLDO)URPWKHVDPHDUHD.UXVHet al (1990) noted loose Base metals barite boulders along the banks of the Daly River, around WKH 7LQGDOO /LPHVWRQH±-LQGXFNLQ )RUPDWLRQ FRQWDFW $ 7KH'DO\%DVLQKDVVRPHSRWHQWLDOIRU0LVVLVVLSSL9DOOH\ PLQRU EDULWH ORFDOLW\ QHDU 0LGGOH &UHHN VRXWKFHQWUDO W\SH FDUERQDWHKRVWHG OHDG]LQF GHSRVLWV 3RWHQWLDO PINE CREEK) was reported by Wills (1979). carbonate host rocks are relatively abundant at various /DX UHSRUWHGÀXRULWHLQYHLQVZLWKLQFKHUWL¿HG levels within the basin succession. These rocks commonly fossiliferous Tindall Limestone, also near Clonmara have enhanced secondary porosity and permeability, and Creek. WKHUHIRUH PLJKW KDYH EHHQ IDYRXUDEOH VLWHV IRU VXO¿GH deposition. Changes in the permeability of the rocks are Phosphate provided by vertical and lateral lithological transitions; WKLVFRXOGKDYHHQDEOHGWKHIRFXVLQJRIÀXLGÀRZDQGPD\ Traces of phosphorite have been found in middle Cambrian KDYHFUHDWHGRSSRUWXQLWLHVIRUVXO¿GHGHSRVLWLRQ6XLWDEOH sedimentary rocks over large areas of the interconnected ore controls at local and regional scales might have been Georgina, Wiso and Daly basins, and the Georgina Basin provided by extensional structures, such as normal, LVKRVWWRVHYHUDOVLJQL¿FDQWGHSRVLWVLQFOXGLQJWKHZRUOG WUDQVWHQVLRQDO DQG VWULNHVOLS IDXOWV DQG E\ DVVRFLDWHG class Wonarah deposit (see Dunster et al 2007, Khan et al fractures and dilatancy zones, particularly towards the 2007). However, much of the Daly Basin was unsuccessfully ÀDQNVRIWKHEDVLQ explored for phosphate by Continental Oil Company There has been only limited exploration for base metals of Australia Pty Ltd, IMC Development Corporation, in the basin, which contains four base metals occurrences, Tipperary Land Corporation and CRA Exploration Pty Ltd discovered in the late 1970s. Disseminated sphalerite in in the late 1960s. The highest P2O5YDOXHVZHUHDERXW veins within microbial Tindall Limestone was reported by in siltstone and quartzose limestone of the upper Tindall Lau (1977) from the Clonmara Creek area of southern PINE Limestone, but typical values were much lower (Grasso and CREEK. Percussion drilling by Mobil Energy Minerals Campbell 1968, Campbell 1968a, b, Sampey Exploration GLVFORVHGDSSURSULDWHVLOLFL¿FDWLRQEUHFFLDWLRQDQG 1969). Lau (1974, 1977) and Khan et al (2007) analysed dissolution in the limestone, but only thin (<1 m), apparently

131° 131.5° 132° 132.5°

Faults/lineaments Aeromagnetic 13.5° imagery k Fault Aerial photography Cree Geological map Stuart Highway Hayes Satellite imagery Kakadu Pine Creek ShearHighway Zone King River structure Anticline Syncline Road Florina Formation 14° Oolloo Dolostone

Jinduckin Formation

Tindall Limestone

Katherine Dorisvale Fault 14.5°

15°

Victoria Highway Figure 31.9 6LJQL¿FDQW VWUXFWXUHV DQG lineations within the Daly Basin. Data 050 km IURP7LFNHOO ¿JXUH DQG17*6 A11-101.ai 1:2.5M interpreted faults GIS dataset.

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:10 Special publication 5 Daly Basin stratiform intervals of anomalous lead and zinc values. ±௘:DWHUDQGVRLOJHRFKHPLFDOVDPSOLQJJURXQG 6RPHNPVRXWKZDUGD±PWKLFNVLOLFL¿HGULGJHRI radiometric and Track Etch surveys failed to resolve the medial Tindall Limestone with anomalous lead, zinc, gold source of the anomaly, but the AAEC concluded that there and silver was also unsuccessfully explored by Mobil in the ZDVVWLOOWKHSRVVLELOLW\RIDKLJKJUDGHXUDQLXPVRXUFHLQ early 1980s (Henage et al 1984). the Jinduckin Formation (Schwabe and Haylen 1977). Basal units of the Daly Basin succession also have some In the late 2000s, Metminco Ltd commenced exploration potential to host base metals mineralisation, particularly IRUVDQGVWRQHDQGXQFRQIRUPLW\KRVWHGXUDQLXPGHSRVLWV copper, at and adjacent to the unconformable contact in the King River area in the southern Daly Basin (Weston with the Antrim Plateau Volcanics (see Kalkarindji 6HYHUDOQRUWKZHVWWUHQGLQJXQUHVROYHGUDGLRPHWULF Province). Copper occurrences are known to occur at a anomalies were located, predominantly in the Jinduckin similar stratigraphic position within the western Wiso Formation. It was noted that the Jinduckin Formation in the and Ord basins, although these occurrences are thus far .LQJ5LYHUDUHDKDVVXI¿FLHQWSHUPHDELOLW\IRUJURXQGZDWHU HFRQRPLFDOO\ LQVLJQL¿FDQW ,Q WKH SHULRG ± movement and contains ferruginous sandstone with Esso Australia Ltd explored near the western side of the potential for the creation of redox gradients. An orientation 'DO\%DVLQDQGGLVFRYHUHGDZLGHVSUHDG=Q3EVXUIDFH scintillometer survey and rock chip sampling revealed anomaly (Witchbinya prospect). Three diamond drillholes XUDQLXP OHYHOV RI ±SSP LQ -LQGXFNLQ )RUPDWLRQ 7''+± LQWHUVHFWHGR[LGLVHG3EDQG=QPLQHUDOLVDWLRQ sandstone. Metminco speculated that the Oolloo Dolostone within a succession of carbonate rocks and silty mudstone PLJKWDOVRKDYHVRPHSRWHQWLDOIRUPRGL¿HGUROOIURQWVW\OH overlying the Antrim Plateau Volcanics. Base metals uranium deposits. mineralisation was best developed in porous, nodular IRVVLOLIHURXVOLPHVWRQHEXWVRPHKLJKJUDGHJHRFKHPLFDO REFERENCES results were also obtained from the oxidised silty beds (Esso 1983). Ashton Mining, 1981. Annual report EL 1768, 6th December, 1979 to 5th December, 1980. Ashton Mining Ltd. Diamonds Northern Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company Report&5 6HYHUDOFRPSDQLHVQRWDEO\*HP6XWWRQV0RELO$VKWRQ Baarda FD, Pietsch BA and Shipway C, 1973. Completion Mining Ltd, BHP Minerals Ltd, CRA Exploration Pty report on Exploration Licence 382, Florina area. Central Ltd, Poseidon, R Johnston and N Scriven and Stockdale 3DFL¿F 0LQHUDOV 1/ Northern Territory Geological Prospecting Ltd, have collectively searched much of the Survey, Open File Company Report&5 Daly Basin for diamonds during the 1980s and 1990s. Beardsmore G, 2007. Geothermal energy potential of the Typically in these programs, a minority of samples produced Northern Territory. Northern Territory Geological indicator minerals (chromite, zircon, chrome diopside), Survey, Record ZKLFKZHUHGHWHUPLQHGWREHQRQNLPEHUOLWLF7KHIHZ Berryman AK, 1995. Exploration Licence 7629, 7796, diamonds recovered were considered by some to be sourced ¿QDOUHSRUW-LQGXFNLQDUHD176WRFNGDOH3URVSHFWLQJ directly from the Antrim Plateau Volcanics or secondarily Ltd. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Open File from the widespread Cretaceous cover (eg Berryman 1995, Company Report&5 1998a, b). Berryman AK, 1998a. Pine Creek area Exploration Licence ¿QDOUHSRUW6WRFNGDOH3URVSHFWLQJ/WGNorthern Uranium Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company Report&5 &5$([SORUDWLRQ3W\/WGH[SORUHGIRUVDQGVWRQHKRVWHG Berryman AK, 1998b. Pine Creek area Exploration uranium in the Jinduckin Formation in the early 1970s /LFHQFH $QQXDO UHSRUW IRU WKH SHULRG using reconnaissance drainage sampling and airborne WR6WRFNGDOH3URVSHFWLQJ/WGNorthern scintillometer traverses (Botros 1972). A source for Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company SRVVLEOHXUDQLXPPLQHUDOLVDWLRQZDVLGHQWL¿HGDV Report&5 the ‘Cullen Granite’ of the adjacent and underlying %RWURV0$)LHOGLQYHVWLJDWLRQV±3$-LQGDUH 3LQH&UHHN2URJHQ+RZHYHUQRVLJQL¿FDQWXUDQLXP CRA Exploration Pty Ltd. Northern Territory Geological anomalies were noted in the formation, and suitably Survey, Open File Company Report&5 porous beds and faults that might have acted as conduits Campbell MD, 1968a. Progress report No 2 (Final report), IRUPLQHUDOLVLQJÀXLGVZHUHQRWLGHQWL¿HG%RWURV February 4, 1968, Phosphate search, Authority to concluded that it was therefore unlikely that the formation 3URVSHFW /LWFK¿HOG+6±5H\QROGV5LYHUDUHD KRVWHGHFRQRPLFXUDQLXPPLQHUDOLVDWLRQ&HQWUDO3DFL¿F Continental Oil Company of Australia Pty Ltd. Northern 0LQHUDOVIROORZHGXSWKH&5$ZRUNDJDLQIRFXVLQJ Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company on the Jinduckin Formation. They also concluded that Report&5 the potential for sedimentary uranium deposits was low Campbell MD, 1968b. Progress report No 2, Final report, (Baarda et al 1973). September 30, 1968. Phosphate search, Authority to In 1975, radioactivity was detected in spring water Prospect 1693, Northern Territory. Continental Oil at Manbulloo Research Station, west of Katherine, and Company of Australia Pty Ltd. Northern Territory the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) Geological Survey, Open File Company Report subsequently explored in this general area during &5

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:11 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

Cochrane GW, 1989. Exploration Licences 5058 and 5084 Kruse PD, 2008. Georgina Basin stratigraphic drilling 0DWDUDQND/DUULPDK

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:12 Special publication 5 Daly Basin

Randal MA, 1962. Fergusson River, Northern Territory (First 6WXDUW6PLWK3*1HHGKDP56%DJDV/DQG:DOODFH'$ Edition). 1:250 000 geological map series explanatory 1987. Pine Creek, Northern Territory (First Edition). notes, SD 52-12. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Australia, 1:100 000 geological map commentary, 5270. Bureau Canberra. of Mineral Resources, Australia, Canberra and Sampey Exploration, 1969. Completion report PA’s 1774, Northern Territory Geological Survey, Darwin. 2057, Tipperary area NT. Sampey Exploration Services. Sweet IP, Mendum JR, Morgan CM and Pontifex IR, 1974. Tipperary Land Corporation. Northern Territory The geology of the northern Victoria River region. Geological Survey, Open File Company Report Bureau of Mineral Resources, Australia, Report 166. &5 Tickell SJ, 2002. Groundwater resources of the Oolloo 6FKZDEH0DQG+D\OHQ0([SORUDWLRQRI05± Dolostone. Natural Resources Division, Northern portion of the Daly River Basin, near Katherine, 1976 Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and ¿HOGVHDVRQ$XVWUDOLDQ$WRPLF(QHUJ\&RPPLVVLRQ Environment, Technical Report 17/2002. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Open File Tickell SJ, 2005. Groundwater resources of the Tindall Company Report&5 Limestone. Natural Resources Division, Northern Shergold JH, Jago JB, Cooper RA and Laurie JR, 1985. Territory Department of Natural Resources, the The Cambrian system in Australia, Antarctica and New Environment and the Arts, Technical Report 34/2005. Zealand. International Union of Geological Sciences, Tickell SJ, 2008 A survey of springs and rapids along Publication 19. the Katherine and Daly Rivers. Water Resources 6KHUJROG-+DQG1LFROO565HYLVHG&DPEULDQ Division, Northern Territory Department of Natural Ordovician boundary biostratigraphy, Black Mountain, Resources Environment the Arts and Sport, Technical western Queensland: in Webby BD and Laurie JR Report 4/2008. (editors) Global perspectives on Ordovician geology. Tickell SJ, 2010. Daly Basin Drilling, 2010. Water %DONHPD5RWWHUGDP± Resources Division, Northern Territory Department Shergold JH, Southgate PN and Cook PJ, 1988. Middle of Natural Resources Environment the Arts and Sport, Cambrian phosphogenetic system in Australia. Bureau Technical Report 24/2010. of Mineral Resources, Australia, Record±௘ Walpole BP, Crohn PW, Dunn PR and Randal MA, 1968. Shields G, 2002. ‘Phosphorites: a mine of information’. EGRU *HRORJ\ RI WKH .DWKHULQH'DUZLQ 5HJLRQ 1RUWKHUQ Newsletter December 2002 ± (FRQRPLF *HRORJ\ Territory. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Australia, Research Unit, James Cook University, Townsville. Bulletin 82. Shields JW, 1986. Report on exploration activities carried Webby BD, 1974. Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the craton of out in the year ended 1986 for Exploration Licence 3333, Australia. University of Sydney, Unpublished Reports Mataranka area, NT. Blake Investments Pty Ltd. Northern in the Geological Sciences 1974/3. Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company Report Weston K, 2009. Annual report, 18th December 2008 to &5 17th December 2009, EL 26112, King River. Metminco 6KLQQ($7LGDOÀDWHQYLURQPHQWAmerican Association Ltd. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Open File of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir±௘ Company Report&5 Southgate PN and Shergold JH, 1991. Application of Wills KJ, 1979. Final report, Douglas EL 1743, Daly sequence stratigraphic concepts to Middle Cambrian River Basin, NT. CRA Exploration Pty Ltd. Northern phosphogenesis, Georgina Basin, Australia. BMR Journal Territory Geological Survey, Open File Company of Australian Geology and Geophysics ± Report&5

Geology and mineral resources of the Northern Territory 31:13 Special publication 5