The Geology and Prospectivity of the Southern Margin of the Murray Basin
VIMP Report 4
The geology and prospectivity of the southern margin of the Murray Basin
by M.D. BUSH, R.A. CAYLEY, S. ROONEY, K. SLATER, & M.L. WHITEHEAD
March 1995 Bibliographic reference: BUSH, M.D., CAYLEY, R.A., ROONEY, S., SLATER, K., & WHITEHEAD, M.L., 1995. The geology and prospectivity of the southern margin of the Murray Basin. Geological Survey of Victoria. VIMP Report 4.
© Crown (State of Victoria) Copyright 1995 Geological Survey of Victoria
ISSN 1323 4536 ISBN 0 7306 7412 6
This report and attached map roll may be purchased from: Business Centre, Department of Agriculture, Energy & Minerals, Ground Floor, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065
For further technical information contact: General Manager, Geological Survey of Victoria, P O Box 2145, MDC Fitzroy 3065
Acknowledgments The preparation of this report has benefited from discussions with a number of colleagues from the Geological Survey of Victoria, notably David Taylor, Alan Willocks, Roger Buckley and Iain McHaffie. The authors would also like to thank Gayle Ellis for the formatting and Roger Buckley for the editing of this report. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 1
CONTENTS Abstract 3 1 Introduction 4 2 Geological history 5 2.1 Adelaide Fold Belt 5 2.2 Lachlan Fold Belt 5 3 Summary of rock units 8 3.1 Early to Middle Cambrian (The Glenelg Zone) 8 3.2 Middle to Late Cambrian (The Glenelg Zone and the Stawell Zone) 8 3.3 Cambro-Ordovician (The Stawell Zone) 9 3.4 Ordovician (The Glenelg Zone) 10 3.5 Ordovician (The Bendigo-Ballarat Zone) 10 3.6 Late Silurian/Early Devonian 10 3.7 Devonian 11 3.8 Permian 13 3.9 Post-Palaeozoic cover rocks fringing the Murray Basin 13 4 Geophysical Interpretation 14 4.1 Geophysical data and presentation 14 4.2 Interpreted lithological units 14 4.3 Structure 20 5 Basement modelling from boreholes 21 6 Economic Geology 23 6.1 Gold 23 Development of the Primary Gold Deposits 25 Development of the Alluvial Deposits 27 6.2 Base Metal Mineralisation 38 6.3 Other Metals 39 6.4 Uranium 40 6.5 Mineral Sands 41 6.6 Gypsum 43 6.7 Bentonite 43 6.8 Coal 45 6.9 Gemstones, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones 45 7 Summary of exploration 46 7.1 History of exploration 46 7.2 Major exploration programmes 47 8 Prospective areas 54 References 58 Appendix 1 72 Mine Locations. Appendix 2 98 Location of expired exploration licences Appendix 3 110 Summary of exploration targets within the North West VIMP area Appendix 4 117 Exploration licence summary: North West VIMP area Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum (VIMP) report series 122 2 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Figures 1 Distribution of major Palaeozoic rock units and tectonic provinces 2 Cross sections: the Palaeozoic rocks outcropping across the southern margin of the Murray Basin (back pocket) 3 TMI pseudocolour image with NE shading 4 Location of 1:100 000 mapsheets 5 Borehole location and basement lithology, southern margin of the Murray Basin (back pocket) 6 Basement image from boreholes, southern margin of the Murray Basin (back pocket)
Tables 1 Devonian granites 2 Airborne surveys carried out over the southern margin of the Murray Basin 3 Major lithological units interpreted from geophysical data 4 Significant recorded gold production 5 Average composition and resources, WIM 150 deposit 6 WIM deposits resource details 7 CRAE drill hole summary
Maps (attached map roll) 1 Geology, mineral deposits & tenure - Horsham 1:250 000 sheet 2 Geology & mineral deposits - St Arnaud and part Ballarat 1:250 000 sheets 3 Tenure - St Arnaud and part Ballarat 1:250 000 sheets 4 Geology, mineral deposits & tenure - Swan Hill 1:250 000 sheet 5 Geophysical interpretation of the Horsham 1:250 000 sheet 6 Geophysical interpretation of the St Arnaud 1:250 000 sheet 7 Geophysical interpretation of the Swan Hill 1:250 000 sheet 8 Total magnetic intensity contours - Horsham 1:250 000 sheet 9 Total magnetic intensity contours - St Arnaud 1:250 000 sheet 10Total magnetic intensity contours - Swan Hill 1:250 000 sheet 11Depth to basement contours and basement lithology - Horsham 1:250 000 sheet 12Depth to basement contours and basement lithology - St Arnaud 1:250 000 sheet 13Depth to basement contours and basement lithology - Swan Hill 1:250 000 sheet GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 3
Abstract
The geology and prospectivity of the southern margin of the Murray Basin has been summarised to provide information to explorers making application for tender areas in the North West VIMP initiative area. The exemption on granting mining and exploration licences within the North West VIMP initiative area will be partially lifted during the tender process. Tender areas have only been defined around the south eastern part of the initiative area. The remainder of the initiative area will be available for licence applications submitted by the standard process.
Regions with potential to host previously unidentified gold and/or base metal mineralisation have been outlined. These were identified by detailed interpretation of existing company airborne geophysical data, summary of recent company exploration work, compilation of mineralisation styles within goldfields and other commodities, modelling of Murray Basin sediment cover over Palaeozoic basement, together with the results of recent surface mapping in areas adjacent to the North West VIMP initiative area. Many of these prospective areas are possible repetitions of the styles of mineralisation observed in the flanking Palaeozoic, and have been relatively unexplored due to poor exposure or blanketing by sediments of the Murray Basin.
Structural characteristics such as regional structural highs and brittle faults and fractures have been identified as features focusing gold mineralisation. Other geological environments known to host gold include quartz free auriferous dark carbonaceous slates, greenstone hosted gold and base metals, granite hosted gold and Stawell-type mineralisation. Known goldfields still represent attractive exploration targets. All currently operating gold mines in Victoria are within historical goldfields and have often doubled previous past production.
Thumbprint magnetic anomalies also present potential primary diamond targets under an overburden of barren Murray basin sediments. Potential also exists for additional mineral sands, brown coal and bentonite resources within the Murray Basin sediments as well as additional near surface gypsum deposits. 4 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
1 Introduction report area. An interpretation of the geophysical data is presented in Chapter 4 whilst Chapter 5 outlines the basement This report represents part of a data package modelling derived from borehole data. The which includes the results of airborne history of mining and description of geophysics flown as part of the North West mineralisation styles are discussed in Chapter 6 VIMP initiative programme. The package has and a brief summary of exploration conducted been prepared to coincide with a call for tenders to date given in Chapter 7. A brief outline of for exploration licences around the south the economic potential and prospectivity of the eastern part of the initiative area. Tender areas southern margin of the Murray Basin is have only been outlined around this south presented in Chapter 8. eastern part of the initiative area. The remainder of the initiative area will be The map roll attached to this report includes available for licence applications submitted by maps outlining the geology, mineral deposits, the standard process. The location of tender tenure, total magnetic intensity, geophysical areas is shown in the flyer in the back pocket. interpretation and depth to basement modelling for each of the Horsham, St Arnaud and Swan This, and subsequent data packages are Hill 1:250 000 mapsheets. intended to provide summary information to explorers making exploration licence In the body of the report mapsheet titles have applications in areas released in the North West been abbreviated so that 1:250 000 mapsheets VIMP and Eastern Highlands VIMP initiative appear as ST ARNAUD, for example, and areas. 1:100 000 mapsheets appear as ST ARNAUD. The reference list directs the reader to more This report presents a summary of the geology, detailed descriptions of the geology and geophysics, mineralisation and exploration mineralisation of the area. This listing is history of the southern margin of the Murray ordered by bibliographic reference number and Basin. The report area concentrates on the the references quoted in the report includes this Horsham, St Arnaud and Swan Hill 1:250 000 number in square brackets. mapsheets (Figs. 1 and 4) which comprise the southeastern section of the North West VIMP initiative area. Shallow thicknesses of Murray Basin sediments overly the Palaeozoic basement over much of this area.
The geophysical interpretation focuses on the pre-existing company data which covered the majority of these mapsheets. A preliminary appraisal of the new airborne geophysical data collected for the remainder of the North West VIMP initiative area as part of the VIMP programme is presented in Willocks (1995, [21445]). A complete outline of the work conducted within Exploration Licences in the North West VIMP initiative area is presented in Rooney (1995, [21373]).
The report aims to detail the styles of primary mineralisation within the fringing Palaeozoic basement as well as areas within the Murray Basin where the depth of sedimentary cover overlying Palaeozoic basement is less than 150 m. Areas prospective for primary mineralisation have been outlined and combined with images developed from the airborne geophysical data. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the geological history, whilst Chapter 3 outlines the stratigraphy of the GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 5
2 Geological history Ma old (i.e. Cambrian), and therefore have strong affinities with the Kanmantoo Group of South Australia. Summary Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician Delamerian The geological history of the southern margin of Deformation and intrusion of syn- and post- the Murray Basin, and the western district of orogenic granite masses. Victoria as a whole, spans Late Proterozoic to Recent times. This summary concerns itself In the late Cambrian, the volcanic and sediment principally with the Palaeozoic part of the pile was deformed in an approximately east- geological rock record. The Mesozoic and west direction, producing west verging folds and Cainozoic parts of the rock record (the Murray north-east dipping thrust faults (Gibson & Basin) will be the subject of a separate report on Nihill, 1992 [20024]) as the rock pile was the North West VIMP area. cratonised onto the margin of the Gawler Craton. Deformation was accompanied by the The Palaeozoic history is complex, with two intrusion of synkinematic Cambro-Ordovician main episodes of submarine volcanism and granites and metamorphism up to sillimanite sedimentation, each terminated by grade. Early Ordovician post-orogenic granites contractional deformations and periods of stitched the major structures and constrain the granite intrusion. An episode of extension, age of deformation to the Delamerian Orogeny graben formation, shallow marine and of the Adelaide Fold Belt (Fig. 2). terrestrial sedimentation and deformation is responsible for the formation of the Grampians Range, a spectacular group of rocks that lies 2.2Lachlan Fold Belt partly within the North West VIMP area, extending subsurface into the Murray Basin. Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician submarine volcanism followed by rapid marine sediment 2.1Adelaide Fold Belt deposition. The development of the Lachlan Fold Belt in Early to middle Cambrian; the Hummocks Victoria began in the Cambro-Ordovician, about Serpentinite and the Glenelg River Beds. 500 million years ago, perhaps as the Delamerian uplift of the Glenelg Zone was just The known rock record in Western Victoria commencing. The oldest rocks exposed in the began in the Late Precambrian to Early Lachlan Fold Belt are widespread Cambrian Cambrian (at least 500 million years ago) in the submarine volcanics which crop out adjacent to region that is now the Glenelg Zone (Fig. 1), large thrust faults across Victoria. In western with a period of volcanism represented by the Victoria they occur west and south of Ararat, Hummocks Serpentinite, followed by marine and at Stawell (Fig. 2). At Mount Stavely, sediment deposition and episodes of mafic south of the VIMP initiative area, zircons in the intrusion, represented by the Glenelg River volcanic rocks have been dated, and give an age Beds. The occurrence of sedimentation of 495 Ma (P. Stuart-Smith, pers comm.). penecontemporaneous with basaltic magmatism in the Glenelg River Beds suggests a rift-related The volcanics across Victoria appear to be tectonic setting (Gibson & Nihill, 1992 [20024]). conformably overlain by extensive marine Preliminary isotopic and geochemical data on sediment deposits, which are represented in some of the Glenelg River Beds indicate model western Victoria by the sandstone and ages of 1.5-2.2 Ga for the constituents, mudstone successions of the presumed Late - suggesting that they may have been derived Cambrian Saint Arnaud Group and the from a Proterozoic craton, most likely the Ordovician Castlemaine Supergroup. These Gawler Craton in South Australia. Total rock deposits form part of an enormous sheet of muscovite and biotite K-Ar ages for various turbidites that extends across most of Victoria schists and post-kinematic pegmatites across (see Cas & VandenBerg, 1988 [2771]). They the Glenelg River Complex were obtained by were deposited by turbidity currents in a deep Turner et al. (1993 [20179]), who interpreted marine environment. these ages to reflect the time of cooling of the complex as a whole, after high grade Facies analysis of the Saint Arnaud Group and metamorphism and igneous activity. Their ages the Castlemaine Supergroup indicates indicated that the sediments were at least 500 deposition in a submarine fan system, sourced
GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 7
off a continental slope to the west, and enormous amount of sediment may have been migrating east with time. Provenance studies provided by a large deltaic river system. suggest that the sediment was derived from a Shallow marine to aeolian conditions prevailed quartz-rich metamorphic and plutonic terrane. throughout, indicating that subsidence of the (Cayley & McDonald, in prep [20732]; Taylor, graben system matched or was exceeded by the 1992 [12603]). Judging by the fresh state of rate of sediment accumulation. The graben feldspar and detrital mica grains, the process of system extended some distance to the erosion, transport and sedimentation took place northwest, preserved now as the Netherby very rapidly. Parts of the submarine fan did not Trough, which underlies the Murray Basin (Fig. receive terrestrial sedimentation for lengthy 1). periods, instead accumulating up to several metres of fine pelagic muds which, in the Early Devonian granite intrusion, and Castlemaine Supergroup, contain a rich eruption of associated felsic volcanics. graptolite fauna. I-type granites intruded to sub-volcanic levels Late Ordovician to Early Silurian Benambran in the Grampians, the Stawell Zone, and parts Deformation (the Stawell and Bendigo-Ballarat of the Bendigo-Ballarat Zone around 395 Zones). million years ago. The generally circular shapes of most of the granites indicate that The Benambran Deformation, whose age is there were few regional stresses acting on the constrained to the Early Silurian (420 Ma) in succession at the time of granite intrusion. The eastern Victoria, caused northeast-southwest intrusion of these granites was preceded by the directed thin-skinned-style shortening of more eruption of associated felsic volcanics, which are than 80% in the soft, water-laden Saint Arnaud preserved west of the Grampians as the Group and Castlemaine Supergroup sediments, Rocklands Rhyolite. Contact metamorphism forming regular trains of northwest to north accompanied intrusion of the granites, altering trending folds, strong slaty cleavages and large the adjacent rocks of the Saint Arnaud Group, west-dipping thrust faults, including the Castlemaine Supergroup and Grampians Group Moyston, Mount Ararat, Stawell-Ararat, to hornfels. Landsborough, Percydale and Avoca Faults (Fig. 2). This deformation was accompanied by Middle Devonian Tabberrabberan regional metamorphism, probably related to Deformation. crustal thickening and a perturbed crustal geotherm. The metamorphism produced a In the Early to Middle Devonian, around 390 mineral assemblage consistent with high million years ago, the Tabberrabberan temperature-low pressure or greenschist facies Deformation took place over the whole of metamorphism, altering clay into mica, and southeastern Australia. In western Victoria, causing extensive recrystallisation of quartz. this event was superimposed onto rocks that Quartz-gold mineralisation in some faults had been deformed, uplifted, and recently around Dunolly and Stawell probably occurred intruded by granites, and also caused during the last stages of this event. The entire deformation within the Grampians Group, region was uplifted to above sea-level by the inverting the normal fault systems bounding effects of the Benambran Deformation, and the eastern margin of the half-grabens. The presumably was rapidly eroded. precise timing relationship of folding to the intrusion of the granites and eruption of Late Silurian to Early Devonian Grampians volcanics into and over the Grampians Group is Group. not clearly resolved. Some workers consider deformation to have preceded granite intrusion A period of extension in the Late Silurian (Spencer-Jones, 1965 [1460]; Simpson & caused the formation of a series of half grabens Woodfull, 1994 [21235]). close to sea level, more or less at the boundary of the Adelaide and Lachlan Fold Belts. A thick In the Cambro-Ordovician rocks, the sequence of terrestrial and shallow marine Tabberrabberan Deformation resulted mainly in sediments, the Grampians Group, was limited and brittle reactivation of some of the deposited into these grabens. A large thickness major structures developed during the (several thousand metres) of Grampians Group Benambran Deformation, and some ductile sandstone, minor siltstone and gravel was deformation of hotter (and more plastic) rocks deposited in a short geological period. The adjacent to the still cooling Devonian granites. 8 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
The granites themselves also underwent minor recrystallisation during this event. Deformation was accompanied by retrogression of some mineral assemblages. Cordierite and andalusite-bearing hornfels adjacent to the granites was retrogressed to an upper greenschist facies assemblage, characterised by biotite and sericite, in the process forming highly schistose rocks.
Large thrust faults, such as the Stawell-Ararat Fault, and the Landsborough, Percydale and Avoca faults (Fig. 2) were the main sites of reactivation, which caused crenulation and rotation of earlier structures and the development of many brittle reverse faults. Quartz and precious metal mineralisation was precipitated into these faults as breccias, reefs, and thin stockwork veins.
A long period of tectonic quiescence followed. In the Permian, extensive glaciation occurred over the entire region, with an ice cap progressing from the southwest and/or east to southeast, ie., from the Antarctic landmass prior to the breakup of Gondwana (Bowen & Thomas, 1988 [20019]). There were episodes of mafic dyke and volcanic pipe intrusion from Devonian to possibly Jurassic times. By the mid Cretaceous, erosion had produced a landscape of low to gentle relief over much of southeastern Australia. Deposition of a thick sequence of marine and terrestrial sediments, including extensive brown coal within the Murray Basin, commenced in the Cretaceous, and has continued to the present day. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 9
3 Summary of rock units 3.2Middle to Late Cambrian (The Glenelg Zone and the Stawell 3.1Early to Middle Cambrian Zone) (The Glenelg Zone) Black Ranges Greenstone (Informal name): in Hummocks Serpentinite (informal name): this the Black Range, west of the main Grampians unit may be the oldest unit exposed in the range and just south of the VIMP region, VIMP initiative area. It occurs as linear fault greenstones outcrop as a narrow north-trending bounded outcrops of a serpentinised ultramafic belt that disappears beneath Tertiary cover to on low hills north of Casterton, in the Glenelg the north (Fig. 2). Volcanic rocks from this belt region (Fig. 2). The precise age and thickness of include two suites of geochemically distinct this unit is unknown. These rocks have rocks including trachy-andesite, rhyodacite, peridotitic compositions and may originally andesite and dacite, possibly belonging to an arc have been harzburgite, composed of olivine and tholeiite series, and may have been erupted in orthopyroxene, with minor chrome spinel an island arc setting (McArthur, 1990 [12295]). (Turner et al., 1993 [20179]). The serpentinite These volcanics are associated with dark cherts has been intruded by basaltic dykes. and shales. The precise age and thickness of this sequence is not known. Glenelg River Beds (informal name): a sequence of unknown thickness, consisting of slate, thin Wartook Greenstone (informal name): west of bedded siltstone and dolomitic limestone (Wells, Mount Dryden, a parallel linear magnetic 1956 [688]). Thicker bedded turbiditic anomaly trends north from the Grampians, and greywacke and slate occurs in the middle of the may represent a strike expression of the Mount sequence. These contain detrital muscovite, Stavely volcanic complex to the south. At quartz, plagioclase and k-feldspar. Within the Wartook, just south of the VIMP initiative area, sequence, but most common towards the base, drilling of magnetic anomalies located beneath are inter-stratified mafic rocks interpreted to Tertiary sediments (Fig. 2) encountered high - be tuff or lava flows, and amphibolite Mg basic and ultrabasic subvolcanic intrusives occasionally preserving relict doleritic and and lava, composed of pyroxene, olivine and Cr- gabbroic textures. The amphibolite has the spinel, and volcanic agglomerate containing composition of within-plate basalt, and may fragments of andesite and dacite (Stewart, 1993 have been emplaced into the sequence as sills or [18030]). Other magnetic anomalies in this dykes (Gibson & Nihill, 1992 [20024]). Other region are caused by a suite of diorites and samples of metagabbro have low Rb and Ba monzogranites. Within the VIMP area on the contents, similar to Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt's line of this magnetic anomaly, greenstones have (MORB's) (Turner et al., 1993 [20179]). been encountered beneath Tertiary rocks in bores including Gerang Gerung 1 (189 m), Generally, the sequence has been subjected to Watchegatcheca 8002 (113 m) and Wail low to moderate grade regional metamorphism. 1(179 m), located on a northwest trending Adjacent to syn-kinematic granites and large basement high (the Stavely High northwest of faults however, the sequence has been Horsham). metamorphosed to amphibolite facies schist, with numerous pegmatite and quartz veins in Dryden Greenstone (Informal name): this places (Gibson & Nihill, 1992 [20024]). In the sequence outcrops right up to the southern eastern parts of the Glenelg Zone, and flooring margin of the VIMP initiative area west of the Grampians Group, is a low metamorphic Stawell, on a series of low hills including grade slate and sandstone sequence which has Jallukar, Bellellen, and Mount Dryden (Fig. 2). been recognised as a distinct unit from the rest A subdivision of the stratigraphy of this belt is of the Glenelg River Beds (Gibson & Nihill, given by Buckland (1987 [1421]), Crawford et 1992 [20024]). The metamorphic grade of these al., (1988 [20354]), and Tolliday (1978 [12424]). rocks is however comparable with the grade of The Mount Dryden greenstone consists of a Glenelg River Beds in the western parts of the south-west dipping and facing sequence of Glenelg Zone. andesite, dacite, rhyolite, andesitic to rhyolitic breccia and volcanic-derived sandstone and siltstone approximately 1000 m thick. Parts of the belt are intruded by diorite. Metamorphic assemblages in the sequence are typically 10 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
albite-chlorite-epidote-actinolite-quartz, Saint Arnaud Group (VandenBerg & Wilkinson, characteristic of low greenschist facies 1982 [598]): a thick sequence of unfossiliferous metamorphism. The precise age of the marine turbidites that comprises the bulk of the sequence is not known. By comparison with Palaeozoic rocks between Stawell and dated rocks of the Mount Stavely greenstone Wedderburn within the VIMP initiative area, belt further south the sequence is assumed to be and presumably underlies much of the Murray middle to late Cambrian. The geochemistry of Basin. Their age is uncertain, and is assumed the sequence is consistent with calc-alkaline to be Cambro-Ordovician. Parts of the Saint origins, associated with an island-arc volcanic Arnaud Group, notably around St Arnaud, host setting (Crawford, 1982 [11612]). Although the rich reef gold deposits. The Saint Arnaud Mount Dryden greenstone belt does not outcrop Group apparently conformably overlies the within the VIMP initiative area, a strong volcanic and volcanic sediment sequence at magnetic trend extends from Mount Dryden Stawell, and around Ararat. It consists of a into the Murray Basin, indicating that rocks monotonous sequence of thick to thin bedded sharing this stratigraphy continue to the north turbiditic sandstone, siltstone and mudstone, beneath the Tertiary cover rocks. and is sedimentologically indistinguishable from richly fossiliferous Ordovician turbidites Mount Ararat Greenstone and Moyston (The Castlemaine Supergroup) of the Bendigo - Greenstone (Informal names): a volcanic Ballarat Zone further east. The overall sequence which occurs east of Mount Dryden is thickness of the Group is impossible to encountered underground in the Stawell Gold determine accurately, but must be at least Mine just south of the VIMP initiative area 4000m. Several distinctive facies occur within (Fig. 2), and outcrops on hills and on mine the Saint Arnaud Group, allowing subdivision dumps west of Ararat. This succession consists of the Group into several formations: of lava (including pillow lava) with island arc tholeiite to MORB compositions, minor Warrak Formation and Beaufort Formation interflow sediment and flow top breccia, (Cayley & McDonald, in prep [20732]): these overlain by a mixed unit of chert and volcanic formations are characterised by a fine grained sediment (Magdala volcanogenic unit), and a thin bedded facies of interbedded siltstone and sequence of shale and sandstone (Mine schists) fine sandstone, and occasional blue to black (Wilson et. al, 1992 [6763]). In addition to mudstone. A facies comprising thicker (up to several structurally hosted gold deposits, the 0.5 m), coarser sandstone beds is also volcanic sequence also hosts an apparently prominent. These formations outcrop mostly in exhalative deposit of copper-zinc mineralisation the hangingwalls of large scale west dipping which has been strongly deformed (1 Mt @ 2.7% thrust faults, where they are often mineralised, Cu, 9 g.t Ag, 0.6 g/t Au & 0.5-1.0% Zn; and also in the cores of regional scale anticlines. Cochrane, 1982 [287]; Cayley, 1988 [2921]), They stratigraphically underlie the Pyrenees located on the eastern flanks of the Mount Formation (Cayley & McDonald, in prep Ararat Range. The volcanic rocks in this [20732]), which consists of repetitive upward sequence display geochemistry transitional fining beds of sandstone and siltstone, with between spreading ridge-generated basalt and beds up to 2.5 m thick, outcropping across the island-arc tholeiite, dissimilar from the rocks Pyrenees Range. Many parts of the Pyrenees which occur in the Mount Dryden and Mount Formation are also mineralised. Stavely belts not far to the west. The geochemistry suggests a back-arc basin setting Most of the Saint Arnaud Group is only weakly for the eruption of this volcanic sequence. The regionally metamorphosed to low greenschist age and thickness of the various units are not facies. Parts of the Warrak and Beaufort known. They are inferred to be Cambrian in Formations in the hanging walls of large thrust age here, although preliminary Pb/Pb dating faults show an elevated metamorphic grade, has indicated a Late Proterozoic age for a basalt and are altered to biotite schist. This grade sample (Wilson et. al., 1992 [6763]). A strong may either reflect the deeper crustal levels from magnetic anomaly coincident with this sequence which these rocks have come, or more probably, continues north into the VIMP initiative area. results from a higher heat flow adjacent to large faults. Broad areas of the Saint Arnaud Group 3.3Cambro-Ordovician (The surrounding numerous Devonian granites have been contact metamorphosed to form low grade Stawell Zone) spotted biotite, muscovite, cordierite schist and hornfels, including a poorly studied complex of GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 11
highly magnetic granites and metamorphic 3.5Ordovician (The Bendigo - rocks underlying the Murray Basin in the Sea Lake-Kerang region (part of the Tyrrell Ridge). Ballarat Zone) This complex has been called the Wycheproof Anomaly and is further described in Chapter 4 Castlemaine Supergroup (Cas & VandenBerg, and 8. 1988 [2771]): only a small region of the VIMP initiative area around Wedderburn has exposed Castlemaine Supergroup, which further east 3.4Ordovician (The Glenelg has proved one of the richest gold producing Zone) groups of rock in the world (Fig. 1). Graptolites recovered from around Wedderburn (King, 1977 Several syn and post-kinematic granite bodies [6702]) indicate that the rocks there are early of Early Ordovician age intrude the Glenelg Ordovician or Lancefieldian in age, making River Beds within the VIMP initiative area them the oldest part of the Castlemaine (Fig. 2), and these are informally named and Supergroup. The Castlemaine Supergroup summarized below. The granite numbers (GN) consists of black to grey graptolitic shale and refer to a numbering system devised by White mudstone and a monotonous quartz rich & VandenBerg, and used in Geology of Victoria turbiditic sandstone succession. The region (1988): around Wedderburn has been poorly studied, and the thickness of the Castlemaine Harrow, GN407 Supergroup exposed here is not known. Post-kinematic S-type muscovite granite. This However only part of the Lancefieldian granite has a distinctly migmatitic character sequence (total thickness of around 2000 m, suggesting an origin involving in situ partial VandenBerg, pers comm.) is exposed in this melting of the metasediment. Radiometric region. dating indicates an age of 466±6 Ma (K-Ar: Richards & Singleton, 1981 [760]). While the regional metamorphic grade of the Castlemaine Supergroup is low greenschist Chetwynd River, GN408 facies, around Wedderburn most of the As above, but with very low Na/K ratios. succession has been contact metamorphosed by large Devonian granite intrusions to spotted Wando River, GN421 biotite-muscovite-(cordierite) schist and A syn-kinematic I-type tonalite and biotite hornfels. granodiorite with a gneissic foliation, particularly in the granite margins, which is 3.6Late Silurian/Early Devonian demonstrably of tectonic origin. Radiometric dating indicates an age of 476±6 Ma (K-Ar; Grampians Group (Spencer-Jones, 1965 [1460]): Richards & Singleton, 1981 [760]); an Sm-Nd the Grampians Group outcrops as a series of whole rock-apatite isochron indicates an age of ranges, parts of which extend into the VIMP 516±90 Ma (Turner et al., 1993 [20179]). initiative area (Fig. 1). The largest thickness of Grampians Group occurs in the Victoria, Serra, Wando Vale, GN422 Mount William and Mount Difficult Ranges. As above. The age of these rocks is constrained by fossils recovered from a unit recognized within the Dergholm, GN424 & Ferres Creek, GN423 Silverband Formation (see below), which These rocks are biotite granite, with A-type contains fossils including Lingula borungensis, characteristics. They are coarse grained, green ostracods, fish spines (Spencer Jones, 1965 to pink and associated with undeformed noritic [1460]) and turniform fish scales (Turner, 1986 gabbro at Caupaul. Radiometric dating [21238]), a reported tetrapod trackway from indicates an age of 453±6 Ma (K-Ar; Richards & Glenisla Homestead in the Black Range Singleton, 1981 [760]), and 485±5 Ma (Turner et Sandstone, and radiometric dating of various al., 1993 [20179]). intrusives into the Grampians Group (around Duchembegarra,GN405 400 Ma), all of which indicate a Late Silurian to A subsurface granite, buried beneath Tertiary Early Devonian age. sediments within the Murray basin. The northern part of the Mount Difficult Range extends into the VIMP initiative area. In this range the complete exposed stratigraphy of the Serra, Mount William and Mount Difficult 12 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Ranges is folded about the Wartook Syncline Silurian to Lower Carboniferous sedimentary and truncated by the Golton Fault on the rock occupies the bottom part of troughs within eastern side, which has caused some local the Murray Basin, such as the northwest overturning (Fig. 2). The stratigraphy consists trending Netherby Trough (Fig. 1). These rocks of the Red Man Bluff Sandstone (approximately include marine siltstone and shale grading up 2000 m of medium to coarse quartzose into shallow marine sandstone, coarse grained sandstone and micaceous siltstone), overlain by fluviatile and lacustrine sandstone, the Silverband Formation (approximately 900 m conglomerate, and minor red shale (Brown & of soft micaceous siltstone, fine sandstone and Stephenson, 1986 [11703]). Sandstone similar some claystone). The Silverband Formation is to the Grampians Group have been intersected overlain by the Mount Difficult Sandstone in the borehole Gunamalary 2 at Murrayville, (approximately 1000 m of medium and fine where they contained light oil (Orth, 1987 grained slabby to cross-bedded quartzose [15723]). sandstone and quartzite, with occasional pebble beds near the base). There are numerous Rocklands Rhyolite (Spencer-Jones, 1965 Skolithos burrows within the entire sequence, [1460]): this unit consists of at least 250m of indicating a shallow marine environment of densely welded rhyolitic ignimbrite which is in deposition for much of the Grampians Group. part rheomorphic, well-banded rhyolite, rhyodacite, agglomerate and tuff, with smaller Other parts of the Grampians Group outcrop on volumes of intercalated sedimentary rock. outlying ranges that cannot be directly These rocks constitute tableland and gently stratigraphically correlated with the main undulating country to the south-west of the group of ranges, and include the following: Grampians Ranges (Fig. 1), where they unconformably overlie the Glenelg River Beds, Black Range Sandstone: the northern tip of the various granites, and the Grampians Group Black Range extends into the VIMP initiative (Simpson & Woodfull, 1994 [21235]). They are area, and consists of coarse to medium grained deeply weathered and usually capped with quartzose sandstone of the Black Range laterite. They have been dated at 410±3 Ma Sandstone. The unit includes 'red bed' type (Fanning, 1991 [12587]), which indicates that horizons which are cross bedded in part, and they are related to granites which intrude the horizons containing abundant vertical worm Grampians Group. Similar rhyolite, possibly of burrows or skolithos. An environment of part the same age occurs beneath the Murray Basin aeolian and part shallow marine is likely for within the Netherby Trough, and has been these deposits. encountered in the Warraquil 1 bore at Netherby. Mount Dundas Sandstone: the Mount Dundas Range is a strike ridge formed on coarse to 3.7Devonian medium grained quartzose cross-bedded to slabby sandstone. The exposed sequence is Devonian granites within the VIMP initiative approximately 350m thick. area are all members of the Mount Cole Suite (White et al., 1988 [21243]), and mostly have Mount Arapiles Sandstone (Informal name): isotopic ages near 390 Ma. They are oxidised approximately 250 m of coarse to medium granites in which the more mafic members grained quartzose sandstone, which is cross- carry magnetite, sphene and allanite. There bedded, poorly sorted and contains numerous are no S-type granites. They range from mafic pebble beds. The recrystallised texture of the medium-grained granodiorite to coarser-grained rock, and positive magnetic anomalies that biotite granite containing large pink k-feldspar underlie the mount indicate that Mount crystals. Some of the granites are surrounded Arapiles probably overlies a buried granite, by proportionately very wide contact which has contact metamorphosed the metamorphic aureoles which indicates that they sandstone. are only partly unroofed. Other granites appear to be totally buried at shallow depth, their McKenzie Creek: a partially buried strike ridge presence indicated only by regions of higher of highly ferruginised sandstone cropping out a metamorphic grade in the host rocks, and few metres above the plain. magnetic anomalies. The location of the various granites and information on their geochemical North of the Grampians, a thick, block faulted properties are summarised in Chappell et al, but relatively undeformed sequence of Upper 1988 [1247], and White et al., 1988 [21243]. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 13
These informally named granites are listed and numerous small bull's-eye magnetic anomalies summarised in Table 1. are visible on regional magnetic images, showing through thin Tertiary fluvial and Contact metamorphism of the Grampians marine cover sequences. Many of the anomalies Group at Mount Arapiles indicates that granite between Charlton, Warracknabeal, Wedderburn of Devonian age has also intruded into rocks and Edenhope have been drilled (CRAE, 1990 within the Glenelg Zone. The extent of [3439]), and most appear to be alkali-rich basic Devonian age granites in the Glenelg Zone has intrusives and volcanic breccia pipes of the not been established. However, many of the nephelinite-basalt-basinite-fiodite-series, and magnetic anomalies attributed to granitic rocks their igneous equivalents, such as diorite and underlying the Murray Basin in this region may gabbro. A small group of pipe-like intrusions at be Devonian in age. Marnoo, between Horsham and St Arnaud have Intrusive pipes and volcanic breccia: along the kimberlitic affinities. The age of all these southern margin of the Murray Basin, intrusions is uncertain, but they
Table 1 Devonian granites
Name Granite Description Numbers Lake Boga GN321 Wycheproof GN332 a coarse and even grained muscovite granite. Glenloth GN333 coarse grained muscovite biotite granite. Jeffcott GN334 a light coloured medium to coarse grained biotite muscovite granite. Teddywaddy GN335 a coarse to medium grained biotite muscovite granite. (Charlton) Buckrabanyule GN336 a multiply intruded pluton containing hornblende-biotite granite. Mount Egbert GN337 a hornblende biotite muscovite granite. Wedderburn GN345 there are multiple intrusions within this large pluton: the southern end of the pluton is a coarsely porphyritic biotite muscovite granite, intruded by a finer, tourmaline bearing granite. The western parts of the pluton are granodiorite. Kooyoora GN347 a coarse grained biotite muscovite granite. Intruded by microgranite and aplite dykes. Dalgenon GN355 Carapooee GN356 a medium grained, equigranular biotite muscovite granite (King, 1977 [6702]). Kooreh GN357 Berrimal GN358 Coonooer GN359 a coarse grained biotite muscovite granite. Nine Mile GN360 Richmond GN361 Yeungroon GN362 a biotite granodiorite. Wychitella GN363
The following granites have been encountered in boreholes:
Loddon Vale GN320 (subsurface) Quambatook GN330 (subsurface) Lake Tyrrell GN331 (subsurface) clearly post-date regional deformation, and may age, related to the Jurassic lamprophyre dykes therefore be either contemporaneous with common around Bendigo. Subsurface volcanic granite intrusion in the Devonian, or younger in rocks intruding Glenelg Zone rocks may be 14 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
equivalent to the Late Ordovician gabbro- 3.9Post-Palaeozoic cover rocks norites associated with the Dergholm granite. fringing the Murray Basin Dyke rocks: porphyrite dykes outcrop along the road between Wedderburn and Nine Mile Jurassic (King, 1977 [6702]). Many of these dykes intrude the Saint Arnaud Group, however they Trachyte intrudes the Glenelg River beds near outcrop very poorly. Diorite porphyrite dykes Koonong Wootong. These rocks are greenish to were reported in many mine workings. Their blue black, and are medium to fine grained, age may range from Early Silurian to Early dense and free from vesicles. They may have Devonian. In the Christmas Reef Mine at been erupted as massive lava flows. Wedderburn, biotite lamprophyre dykes intrude folded and mineralized rocks. Their age is Cretaceous to Tertiary unclear, but may be Jurassic. The Palaeozoic stratigraphy (except the Permian, in parts) is unconformably overlain by 3.8Permian a Cretaceous to Recent succession of marine and fluvial deposits, which thicken markedly to Permian deposits, consisting predominantly of the north. There is, however, a large area glacial tillites and fluvio-glacial deposits, occur across the southern and eastern parts of the at the surface in the Glenelg region, where they VIMP initiative area where the Palaeozoic rocks unconformably overly the deformed Cambro- are covered by only a relatively thin veneer of Ordovician sequence of the Glenelg Group. Tertiary to Recent marine and fluvial gravel. They also occur subsurface in the Netherby The oldest and most striking of these deposits is Trough, where glacial sandstones and tillites the Palaeocene White Hills Gravel (Cherry & have been intersected by bore holes at around Wilkinson, 1994 [21242]), a coarse fluvial 300m (Johns & Lawrence, 1964 [1444]). The conglomerate unit which was deposited rapidly Permian deposits that outcrop around Coleraine following the late Mesozoic breakup of and in the Glenelg River valley consist of about Gondwana and uplift of the southern margin of 70 to 75m of varved and unvarved claystone Australia. This unit fringes the margins of the with thin interbedded siltstone and impure outcropping Palaeozoic rocks and is a rich limestone, overlain by lacustrine or fluviatile source of placer gold. The subsurface Calivil sandstone, siltstone, claystone, and tillite. Formation, a sequence of Oligocene fluvial lag Commonly occurring clasts in the tillite include gravel, sand and clay deposited into channels red granite, (Dergholm type), grey granodiorite, eroded into the White Hills Gravel (named rhyolite, porphyry, trachyte, quartzite, 'Deep Leads' by the old timers) is another sandstone, mudstone, carbonaceous slate, important unit, with a history of rich gold schist, marble, and Grampians Group production. This unit is now buried beneath Sandstone. younger units, including the Miocene marine Parilla Sand, and the Pleistocene to Recent In the Netherby trough, boreholes at Netherby fluvial Shepparton Formation. and Murrayville have intersected 371 and 84 m respectively of sediments similar to the Permian of other Murray infrabasins, including diamictite, sandstone, siltstone, shale and conglomerate. In Gunamalary 2 at Murrayville, Stage 1 microflora indicate that the glaciomarine units here are Late Carboniferous in age (Orth, 1987 [15723]). In the Wentworth trough, a northeast-southwest trending structure, Permian rock has been encountered in the Wentworth 1 bore in southern NSW, and it is likely that Permian age rock does extend a short distance into Victoria, beneath Early Cretaceous Millawa Group sandstone, mudstone and shale (Bowen & Thomas, 1988 [20019]). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 15
4 Geophysical intended to provide an overview of the regional geology and major structures in the area. A Interpretation detailed interpretation of the newly acquired data will be presented in a later report. 4.1Geophysical data and Detailed geological interpretations of magnetic and radiometric data of DUNOLLY (Whitehead, presentation in prep. [21446]) and ARARAT (McDonald and Whitehead, in prep. [21447]) are available. Table 2 lists the airborne surveys undertaken in the study area. CRA Exploration Pty Ltd A pseudocolour total magnetic intensity (TMI) (CRAE) undertook three large surveys in 1980 image with a sun angle (azimuth 45 degrees, with a line spacing of 250 m covering large elevation 45 degrees) shading of the southern parts of HORSHAM, ST ARNAUD and SWAN margin of the Murray Basin is shown in HILL. The Australian Geological Survey Figure 3. Organisation (AGSO) and the Geological Survey Victoria (GSV) collected airborne magnetic and 4.2Interpreted lithological units radiometric data over the southern parts of ST ARNAUD in 1990 at line spacings of 200 m and The magnetic data gives detailed lithological 400 m to abut the CRAE surveys. In the south, and structural information. The major AGSO surveyed all of BALLARAT at a line lithological units in the area are Cambrian spacing of 400 m in 1992 with the exception of greenstones, Palaeozoic and possibly Permian - ARARAT surveyed as a joint project between Devonian sediments, granites and Tertiary GSV and AGSO in 1990 with a 200 m line sediments (palaeochannels, present day spacing. channels, leads and mineral sands). A summary of the magnetic characteristics of New magnetic and radiometric airborne data these units is given in Table 3. has just been acquired in the far northwest of Victoria covering part of the Murray Basin, as To the west of HORSHAM, a series of very part of the VIMP programme. This latest prominent narrow linear anomalies trend survey provides a detailed airborne coverage of north-northwest. These geophysical responses the remainder of the Victorian portion of the correspond to the Cambrian volcanics Murray Basin. An appraisal of this survey has (greenstones). The greenstones are interpreted been undertaken (Willocks, in prep. [21445]). to be northern extensions of the Mount Stavely Volcanic Complex and the Mount Dryden A geological interpretation at 1:250 000 scale of Greenstone sequence. the CRAE and AGSO/GSV aeromagnetic data of the southern margin of the Murray Basin is shown in Maps 5-7. The interpretation is
Table 2 Airborne surveys carried out over the southern margins of the Murray Basin
Survey Name Company Contractor Year Line Altitude Direction Spacing (m) (m)
Central Victorian Western Mining Aero Services 1966 2450 150, 1800 East - West Goldfields Corporation (WMC) and others Murray Basin - Kerang A CRAE Geosearch 1980 250 80 East - West Murray Basin - Horsham CRAE Austirex 1980 250 80 East - West Stawell WMC Geometrics 1983 250 80 East - West Greens Creek WMC Austirex 1988 250 80 East - West Stuart Mill Metana Austirex 1989 200 70 East - West St Arnaud AGSO/GSV AGSO 1990 200, 400 100 East - West Serpentine Conservation and World Geoscience 1993 200 80 East - West Natural Resources North West VIMP GSV Kevron, World 1994 200, 400 80 East - West Geoscience
GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 17
To the east of the greenstones lies a very broad moderate magnetic response with low relief, magnetic low region coincident with Palaeozoic short wavelength, and variable amplitude. sediments. The Palaeozoic sediments crop out in the south and are covered to the north by the Palaeozoic Sediments Tertiary sediments of the Murray Basin. The Palaeozoic sediments are largely non magnetic The Saint Arnaud Beds and Castlemaine and display a prominent northwest trend. The Supergroup crop out or lie beneath Cainozoic sediments comprise shales and slates that are sediments and are characterised by low to sometimes weakly magnetic and sometimes non moderate TMI relief. In the east, Tertiary magnetic, and sandstones that are rarely sediments overly the slightly magnetic, magnetic. They have been divided into five moderately dense Castlemaine Supergroup. zones based on the amount and trend of The Palaeozoic sediments have been subdivided magnetic sediments and/or volcanics into five zones characterised by the amount, interbedded in non magnetic sediments. Some intensity and trending direction of the of the magnetic units may be of volcanic origin. interbedded units (Table 3).
The Tertiary sediments have little magnetic The non magnetic sediments are interbedded character apart from anomalies associated with with weakly magnetic units. Magnetic strand lines, present day channels and/or susceptibility measurements (Whitehead, in palaeochannels. prep. [21446]), indicate that shales and slates are either weakly magnetic or non magnetic, A series of magnetic and non magnetic circular while sandstones are rarely magnetic. The and elliptical anomalies are evident in the zones have a similar magnetic response to magnetic data and are coincident with, or Ordovician sediments found on BALLARAT interpreted to be granites. The granites have a (Whitehead, in prep. [21446]) where the weakly range of magnetic characteristics which indicate magnetic units were interpreted to be single phase or composite multiphase predominantly shales and slates. A similar intrusions. interpretation is assigned to the weakly magnetic units in the five zones, though some of Greenstones the magnetic units may be of volcanic origin.
A belt of high magnetic intensity anomalies up Northwest trending magnetic lineaments to 20 km wide, exists in the western part of the within the sediments are evident, and correlate area. The belt extends for about 100 km to the well with the strike direction of bedding within northwest and gradually deepens beneath the the Saint Arnaud Group. These lineaments Murray Basin Tertiary sediments. have no surface expression and are interpreted Superimposed on this broad deep magnetic high to be interbedded magnetic bands within the are a series of discrete magnetic units typically sediments. The magnetic units are typically 1-5 km wide, linear and sometimes 200-700 m wide and extend up to 20 km. These discontinuous. The southern extent is unknown magnetic units are sometimes truncated or as it is obscured by the Newer Volcanics. The offset by faults and minor shear zones trending units appear to be fault controlled and dip predominantly northeast. steeply to the east. Northeast cross cutting faults disrupt the units. The transition from a basement of Saint Arnaud Beds to one of Castlemaine Supergroup is In the south, the anomalies coincide with the reflected by the change in magnetic lineament Mount Stavely Volcanic Complex and the trends from northwest-southeast to north- Mount Dryden Volcanics, which comprise of south. This change occurs across a north-south volcanic units (greenstones) and interbedded trending boundary which corresponds to the non magnetic sediments. The variety of mapped Avoca Fault zone (Map 6) (O'Shea et volcanic units present in the magnetic data are al., 1991 [6380]). interpreted to be basic to andesitic flat lying volcanics, basic-ultrabasic pipes/stocks, Detailed interpretation of magnetic data in magnetic volcanics (either positively or DUNOLLY by Whitehead (in prep. [21446]) has reversely magnetised) and/or sediments identified a number of folds. It is possible that interbedded with or without magnetic further folding can be identified throughout sediments and magnetic dykes. Their geophysical response is characterized by a 18 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Table 3 Major lithological units interpreted from geophysical data
Units Total magnetic intensity response Rock types
Greenstones Short wavelength, high relief, small-large positive anomalies, Basalts, andesites, linear trending magnetic highs interbedded sediments
Palaeozoic Low amplitude, low relief (<20 nT), low to moderate anomalies Sandstones, shales, Sediments slates, interbedded magnetic units possibly volcanics Zone 1 Non magnetic sediments interbedded with a small number of northwest trending slightly magnetic sediments
Zone 2 Non magnetic sediments interbedded with abundant northwest trending magnetic volcanics
Zone 3 Non magnetic sediments interbedded with many northwest trending magnetic sediments and/or volcanics
Zone 4 Non magnetic sediments interbedded with a small number of north-south trending weakly magnetic sediments which mostly <5 nT
Zone 5 Non magnetic sediments interbedded with many north-south trending magnetic units, probably of volcanic origin
Granites Magnetic Moderate to broad wavelength, high amplitude anomalies (>200 Granites, adamellites, nT), complex with short wavelength component (2 km), variable granodiorites relief, circular features
Non Moderate-short wavelength, low relief, curvilinear magnetic Granites, adamellites, magnetic highs (magnetic contact metamorphic aureole) trending around granodiorites edge of magnetic low
Newer High relief, high frequency, pseudo-random magnetic highs and Basalts Volcanics lows
Mineral Low intensity anomalies (5-10 nT); shallow source anomalies, Sands Sands occur as narrow belts
Channels Shallow source anomalies, moderately low magnetic intensity (5- Magnetite and 20 nT); dendritic pattern maghemite in palaeochannels
HORSHAM, ST ARNAUD and SWAN HILL short wavelength, variable relief and with detailed interpretation. curvilinear magnetic highs, that trend around the edges of the non magnetic granites. Granites In a regional sense, the Mount Hooghly, Non magnetic or magnetic granites occur in the Tarnagulla and Wedderburn plutons fall within southern margin of the Murray Basin. The a north-northeast trending belt of magnetic magnetic granites are characterised by circular granites extending into New South Wales. This or elliptical high relief magnetic responses, belt may indicate some structural and/or deep often with superimposed short wavelength and crustal control on the emplacement of these variable relief magnetic highs and lows. The granites (O'Shea et al., 1991, [6380]). non magnetic granites are of low to moderate magnetic relief and typically have magnetic The Mount Hooghly pluton lies in the contact metamorphic aureoles characterised by southeastern corner of ST ARNAUD. The GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 19
pluton is a composite intrusion with a non drop shaped, having a maximum width of 45 magnetic core and small highly magnetic km and breadth of 15 km, and tapering out to portions indicating multiple phases of intrusion. the east. The pluton has magnetic contact The Mount Hooghly pluton is roughly circular metamorphic aureoles to the north and south. with a diameter of about 23 km. The A northeast trending fault features through the southwestern part of this granite is intrusion. Positively magnetised dykes concentrically zoned. Concentric rings vary averaging 5 km in length and trending in a from moderately magnetic to very highly north to north-northeast direction are visible in magnetic intensities (Whitehead, in prep. the magnetic data. [21446]). The Mount Hooghly pluton is extensively faulted (or fractured) in a The Carapooee Granite is elongate in shape and northwesterly direction. A large number of has a length and breadth of 20 km and 10 km northeast trending faults or fractures truncate respectively. The magnetic granite has an the Mount Hooghly pluton. associated non magnetic granite which is suggested to have intruded the magnetic The Tarnagulla Granodiorite is a large granitic granite. intrusion located on the southeast of ST ARNAUD. This intrusion is concentrically The Coonooer Granite is elongate in shape and zoned and varies in intensity from non magnetic comprises a non magnetic granite with a to highly magnetic. It is roughly circular with a magnetic contact metamorphic aureole. Two diameter of about 20 km, with the inner part north-northwest trending faults have been less magnetic than the outer. identified in the south of the aureole. A number of magnetic highs occur around outcrops of the The Wedderburn pluton to the east of ST Richmond Granodiorite, Wychitella Adamellite ARNAUD is a large, roughly elliptical and and the Berrimal pluton to the east. These may complex magnetic feature which trends represent responses from the contact northeast-southwest for approximately 45 km. metamorphic aureoles or the plutons The pluton is a composite intrusion comprising themselves. The extent of the non-magnetic an outer magnetic granite and non magnetic Teddywaddy pluton is postulated from elliptical shaped inner core (Mount Korong). curvilinear magnetic highs that are interpreted Magnetic data show numerous northwest to to represent its magnetic contact metamorphic north-northwest faults and a few northerly aureole. faults. There is a magnetic low on the west of the pluton which is interpreted to be a shear A large bulbous non magnetic granite is located zone. Emplacement caused some deformation in SWAN HILL and corresponds to the Lake of the sediments to the west. The granite may Boga Granite. This has magnetic contact have been responsible for the formation of metamorphic aureoles to the east of the granite. magnetic minerals within the sediments giving Northwest trending reversely magnetised dykes rise to the abundance of magnetic units around 3 to 8 km in length exist to the north of the the granite (Whitehead, in prep. [21446]). The granite. amplitudes of the magnetic units are mostly 5 to 20 nanoTeslas (nT). Magnetic data show To the west of the greenstones, eight small and numerous northwestern faults or fractures one large intrusion have been interpreted from within the magnetic granite and at the margin the magnetic data. Some indicate zoning, of the non magnetic granite. There are not suggesting multiple phases of intrusion. The enough northwest or northeast trending faults small intrusives are elongate in a northwest which have displaced magnetic units to give a trending direction, with the exception of one good indication of the direction of strike slip intrusive which is north trending. displacement (if any) along the faults. Wycheproof Anomaly To the southeast margin of the Wedderburn pluton is the magnetic signature of the To the north of ST ARNAUD and SWAN HILL Inglewood Granodiorite which is non magnetic exist an interesting group anomalies and faulted to the north. The Kooyoora interpreted to comprise magnetic volcanics Adamellite lies to the southwest of the and/or sediments interbedded with non Wedderburn pluton and is non magnetic. magnetic sediments, non magnetic or magnetic The large non magnetic feature trending east- granites and intrusions and deformed magnetic west is the Buckrabanyule pluton. It is tear- granites. It is a complex, deformed and folded 20 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
sequence roughly 45 km wide and extending anomalies associated with moderately low north-south for 100 km. This package of magnetic intensities ranging from 5-20 nT. magnetic anomalies has been termed the Wycheproof Anomaly. These channels may be prospective for alluvial gold, heavy minerals and groundwater. CRAE has drilled a number of holes into the zone and have interpreted basement lithologies Mineral Sands of mainly granite and probably pelitic rocks. Basement has been intersected in all these A series of narrow, curvilinear, low intensity holes at a depth of 155 m or less, with the anomalies (5-10 nT) in the west of ST ARNAUD exception of LL002 (701 705E 6 060 800N) are interpreted to be mineral sands strand line which CRAE comments was drilled to a depth of deposits within Tertiary sediments. They are 180 m with basement possibly at 178 m (CRA shallow source anomalies curving north to Exploration Pty Ltd, 1990 [3439]). CRAE north-northwest. The largest belt has three drilling and the magnetic response indicate, units, extends for 62 km and is up to 2.5 km granitic rocks are common in the zone. The wide. Approximately 7 km to the west lies granites range from non magnetic to highly another smaller belt of mineral sands. This belt magnetic, are elongated and highly deformed. extends discontinuously for 43 km.
The fine grained micaceous rocks which CRAE A number of major deposits of mineral sands drilled within the Wycheproof Anomaly and have been identified by CRAE in the Horsham interpreted to be pelitic (CRA Exploration 1990 area. The deposits are shallow and consist of [3439]), are mostly moderately magnetic, and rutile, ilmenite and zircon. like the granites have been highly deformed. Anomalies associated with the Palaeozoic Newer Volcanics sediments outside this region do not appear to have been deformed around this complex. The The short wavelength and high intensity interpretation shows a number of major north magnetic anomalies correlate with the Pliocene - and north-northeast trenching faults and shear Pleistocene Newer Volcanics in the southeast of zones and a number of smaller east, north-east ST ARNAUD. They occur both as broad flat and north trending faults. Such shear zones lying flows and narrow flows that have infilled are prospective for all gold mineralisation. The valleys. Some of the volcanics are positively western side of the Wycheproof Anomaly is fault magnetized being associated with moderately bounded and terminated by an east-west fault high magnetic intensities, while others are in the north. Major fold axes have been defined. negatively magnetized, being associated with high negative magnetic intensities, indicating The Wycheproof Anomaly (Maps 6 and 7) is a at least two episodes of volcanic activity. The unique zone which has no equivalent elsewhere high amplitude anomalies associated with the in Victoria. There is no outcrop within the zone, Newer Volcanics mask the underlying geology and the magnetic response is more similar to and structure. These valley flow basalts are highly deformed and sheared Precambrian potential deep leads and their identification rocks in other states than to the Palaeozoic through modelling could be useful for gold rocks which outcrop and occur under cover in exploration and groundwater investigations. Victoria. 4.3Structure Leads, palaeochannels and channels The structural grain of the southern margin of Many channels representing present day the Murray Basin is on a north-northwest channels or palaeochannels exhibiting a direction, exhibited in the greenstones and dendritic pattern are clearly seen in the Palaeozoic sediments. This trend is clearly magnetic data. The channels are evident in the evident in the magnetic units within the data as being outwash from the highlands, and Palaeozoic rocks. Mapped faults in BALLARAT are restricted to the near proximity of (Cayley & McDonald, in prep. [20732]; Taylor, outcropping highlands. The source of the Whitehead, Olshina & Leonard, in prep. magnetic anomalies is magnetic material [20733]) disappear under the Tertiary (mainly magnetite and maghemite) within sediments of the Murray Basin in ST ARNAUD. present day channels or palaeochannels. These A number of faults have been interpreted from geophysical responses are shallow source the magnetic data as extensions of the faults GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 21
mapped in BALLARAT. These include the workings which occur along it (Whitehead, in north-northwest trending Percydale Fault, prep. [21446]). The lithological boundary is Landsborough Fault, Stawell-Ararat Fault. The interpreted to be the continuation of the faults were active prior to the intrusion of the mapped Avoca Fault in BALLARAT. plutons as the faults are terminated or cut by the plutons. Many of the palaeochannels trend in a northwesterly direction. A number of the old The dominant fault direction is north-northwest faults have provided topographical control for and is coincident with the strike direction of the streams. The faults may also have acted as a greenstones, interbedded volcanics and the conduit for mineralised fluids. bedding within the Saint Arnaud Group sediments. Pairs of magnetic units provide evidence in the magnetic data for tight, north-west trending The reasonably uniform magnetic character of folds in the Early Palaeozoic volcanics. The the Palaeozoic sediments results in a low pairing of the units is interpreted to indicate susceptibility contrast between the lithological that the units are folded and the pairs are the units. Many of the lithological boundaries are two limbs. Fold axes are shown on the interpreted to be an expression of faulting. interpretation.
The Percydale Fault is interpreted to extend a A number of areas are considered prospective further 25 km north-northwest from for gold and/or base metal mineralisation BALLARAT into ST ARNAUD. This fault (Chapter 8). They contain little or no outcrop, coincides with a lithological boundary between and have been identified on the basis of detailed zones 1 and 3, which continues north-northwest aeromagnetic data, regional gravity data, and to the top of ST ARNAUD. This fault is postulated extensions of known gold and base associated with prospective area 3, which is in metal mineralisation under cover. close proximity to magnetic granites.
The Landsborough Fault is interpreted to extend a further 7 km north-northwest from BALLARAT into ST ARNAUD, and terminates at a magnetic pluton.
The Stawell-Ararat Fault is interpreted to extend about 30 km to the north-northwest of its mapped location. A fault zone 7 km to the west has been interpreted, and is trending north-northwest. Prospective area 4 is centred over these faults and the proximal granites and volcanics.
The volcanics are interpreted to be structurally controlled with north-northwest bounding faults inferred from the TMI data. The lithological boundaries trending north-northwest are interpreted to be faults. Northeast trending magnetic lineaments with associated offsets in the magnetic pattern of the Mount Stavely Volcanic Complex are probably related to basement faults (Willocks, 1987 [3590]). The northeast trending crosscutting lineaments are parallel to the Darling River Lineament in New South Wales.
The north-south trending lithological boundary just west of the Mount Moliagul pluton is interpreted to be a faulted boundary on the basis of a number of quartz reefs and old 22 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
5 Basement modelling from hydrogeological assessment of the Mallee and Wimmera Region and the Department of boreholes Conservation and Natural Resources (1993 [21335]) as part of the South The primary aims of modelling the depth to Australian/Victorian Mallee Region ground basement of the southern margin of the Murray water model. Basin is to identify areas of prospective mineralisation where the overlying sediment All bores from all datasets containing a cover is less than 150 m and to provide a lithological description indicating basement had synthesis of the basement lithologies. For the been penetrated within the designated study purposes of the exercise, basement was defined area were combined. The dataset was then as rocks Palaeozoic in age. A total of 954 analysed to remove duplicates and boreholes were used to model the depth to interpretation errors. Additional data was Palaeozoic basement beneath post-Palaeozoic derived where required from the relevant well sedimentary successions of the Murray Basin. completion report.
The complete results of the systematic Data quality compilation of borehole data is presented in Rooney (1994 [21336]) and can be obtained from Deficiencies in the quality of data rests the Department in a digital form showing the principally with the interpreted lithology of the location, total depth, depth to interpreted boreholes and the precise borehole location. In Palaeozoic units and their inferred lithology. the case of closely spaced pattern drilling, a representative borehole location and the Study area average depth to basement was included in the working dataset. The study area was defined as the southern margin of the Murray Basin in the To simplify the interpreted or logged basement Mallee/Wimmera Region of northwest Victoria. lithology, bores were assigned a generalised An arbitrary depth of 150 m of sedimentary lithology - Acid Volcanics, Basalt-Greenstone - cover was selected as the maximum limit of Basic Breccia, Granite, Shale-Siltstone- overburden from which exploration of the Sandstone, Grampians Sandstone, Slate, Schist, underlying Palaeozoic rocks for primary Gneiss or BSMNT where lithologies were mineralisation would be practicable. The area unknown. selected falls within HORSHAM, ST ARNAUD and SWAN HILL. Data modelling
Borehole Data Source Gridding and contouring of the borehole dataset was processed on Petrosys version 7.47a Records of drilling are stored in the Geological software. Exploration and Development Information System (GEDIS) of the Department of The gridding method was of minimum Agriculture, Energy and Minerals (DAEM). All curvature with the gridding distance being major petroleum wells, government mineral and 20,000 m and grid cell size 1000 m. The grid water bores and significant mineral industry was then smoothed using a 5x5 filter. bores are included. Core and cuttings from many of the holes are stored at the DAEM Core The northern boundary of outcropping Laboratory. A total of 611 mineral exploration basement was used to create an artificial "0 m" bores were obtained from CRAE, who conducted contour. This masks contours derived from a series of drilling programmes covering the bores drilled within valley alluvials, that are Murray Basin margin between 1980 and 1992. within the regional Palaeozoic outcrop area.
Additional stratigraphic and lithological control Results was based on interpretations by Lawrence (1975 [4099]), Brown and Stephenson (1986 [11703]) A total of 954 boreholes were drilled within the as part of the BMR Murray Basin subsurface study area that intersected Palaeozoic stratigraphic database, a summary of deep basement. It should be remembered that only drilling data by Nott (1989 [21337]) as part of modelled data is presented in the images the Rural Water Commissions preliminary produced and that further detailed drilling and GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 23
interpretation would be required in some areas to confirm the modelled data.
Rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt have been encountered in boreholes close to the Basin margin, where correlation of the basement type with outcropping rocks is relatively simple. With distance from the outcropping rocks, towards the central parts of the Basin, correlations are less certain. A summary of borehole locations and interpreted downhole lithology are shown in Figure 5.
Figure 6 shows a summary image of the depth to basement within the study area. The image clearly show ridges extending from the outcropping Palaeozoic rocks and areas of basement highs. The thickness of sediment cover increases and the basement gradually declines to the north and northwest. Modelled basement areas may not be strictly correct as the areas may be based on interpolation from a single borehole. Modelled basement lows may connect with general basement valleys/tectonic lows through palaeochannels not indicated by the borehole coverage. Again infill drilling of these areas would be needed to confirm the modelled data. The images when combined with mineralisation and geophysical models show prospective areas where the sedimentary cover is within reasonable limits of a shallow drilling exploration programme and possible resource exploitation.
An area of approximately 11 600 km2 was delineated beneath 150 m of Murray Basin sediments. Beneath 50 m of sediment cover an area of approximately 5 000 km2 was outlined.
Detailed interpreted bore lithology and contour images (at 20 m intervals) were produced for HORSHAM, ST ARNAUD and SWAN HILL and are presented as Maps 11 to 13. 24 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Nott, 1985 [128] 6 Economic Geology The Beaufort Goldfield.
The Southern Margin of the Murray Basin O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380] Report area covers a large range of geological Report concerning primary gold environments. Despite this broad range of mineralisation throughout the Stawell zone. environments, significant extraction from economic mineralisation remains confined to Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170] alluvial and hard-rock gold deposits. There are Victorian Gold deposits. however very large (but currently sub- economic) deposits of brown coal and heavy Rooney, 1995 [21373] mineral sands, while base metal mineralisation A summary of exploration carried out within (such as that seen at Mt Ararat), diamonds, the area covered by this report. antimony, molybdenum and bentonite are all prospective targets. Minerals and rocks for Taylor et al., (in prep [21439]) industrial use including salt, gypsum and Ballarat 1:100 000 mapsheet. Many dimension stone (granite and sandstone) have subjects covered in this report are also been mined and/or are currently being mined on applicable to the report area. a small scale. Large scale mining within the report area and its immediate proximity is Whitelaw, 1911 [1879] confined to the Stawell gold mine, operated by The Wedderburn Goldfield. Stawell Gold Mines, a joint venture between Mining Project Ventures Pty. Ltd. and Pittston A number of significant mineralised zones lie Mineral Investments of Australia Pty. Ltd., and just outside the southern boundary of the report has current production levels in excess of 70 area, but are likely to extend (at times under 000 oz per annum. Other smaller mines Cainozoic cover) into it, they are therefore also currently operating include the alluvial included in this report. Amphitheatre operations by Sedimentary Holdings Ltd. (3,164 oz for the year ending 30 June, 1994) and other small operations at 6.1Gold Inglewood, St Arnaud and Tarnagulla. Large deposits of both reef and alluvial (shallow Preparation of this chapter was greatly assisted and deep lead) gold are found within the report by a number of Department reports that have area and it's immediate vicinity. Major been compiled from numerous historical goldfields with estimated production figures are references or detail the results of new research. listed below (Table 4) and their localities given These compilation reports and others on Map 2 (accompanying map roll). A list of concerning mineralisation styles and mines and their locations is included in occurrences that have been commonly referred Appendix 1. A comprehensive review of the to include: majority of the deep lead deposits and mines throughout the area can be found in Canavan, Canavan, 1988 [74] 1988 [74]. The gold deposits are described per A detailed description of the major Victorian 1:100 000 mapsheet, working from west to east. deep lead deposits. The northern one-third of ARARAT, BEAUFORT and CRESWICK on the Ballarat Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732] 1:250 000 mapsheet are covered within this Beaufort 1:100 000 mapsheet geological chapter and included on Fig. 4 and Map 2 report. (accompanying map roll). Although these areas lie to the south of the Murray Basin margin, they Flett, 1979 [1743] are relevant to regional styles of mineralisation A detailed description of the discovery of that may extend under the cover of the Murray Victorian gold fields. Basin.
Inan, 1990 [7723] Economic geology of Ararat 1:100 000 mapsheet.
Marlow, in prep [21448] Dunolly 1:100 000 geological map and explanatory notes.
26 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Table 4 Significant recorded gold production
Goldfield Reef Alluvial Total Production References Tonnes oz's oz's oz's Period mined Stawell 285,000 1,900,000 ***600,000 2,500,000 1853-1920 3170, 21244 *320,000 400,000 - 400,000 1984-Current (Stawell Total) 556,000 2,300,000 ***600,000 2,900,000 1853-Current Ararat ? 7,800 602,400 610,200 1854-1958 7723 St Arnaud 375,000 375,000 1854- 3170, 6746 Avoca - 103,000 103,000+ 1854- 6380 Homebush Beaufort 3,000 820 **252,000 **253,000 1854-1918 128 Dunolly - 100,000 100,000+ 1853 - 6746 Goldsborough Inglewood 115,000 105,000+ 1859 - 3170 Mafeking 88825,000 25,000 1900-1912 1448, 7723 Moyston 104,300 76,000 - 76,000 1867-?1910 3170, 6380 Maryborough 100,000 290,000 390,000 1854 - 6746, 2090 Creswick ***1,500,000 1,500,000+ 1853 - 6746 Tarnagulla 400,300 400,300+ 1859 - 6746 Clunes 1,200,000 ***70,000 1,200,000 1851-1894 6746, 6684
* Includes tailings re-treatment. ** Significantly understated due to unrecorded high early alluvial production. *** Estimate based on detailed research.
It is commonly accepted that published gold around 390 Ma (the Tabberabberan Deformation; production records have generally significantly Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732]), and that understated both ore tonnage production and gold some mineralisation accompanied this event. recovery. This is especially the case where a Large structural highs developed during the large proportion of a field's production came from Benambran deformation may have been a focus early alluvial-sourced production. Bowen and for further deformation and mineralisation during Whiting (1975 [6746]) estimated that 60% of the Tabberabberan deformation. Brittle Victoria's production was from alluvials, in many of reactivation of the major faults may have been the fields covered within this report this responsible for the development of smaller, percentage is likely to be much higher. However, younger faults in their hanging walls, which in the absence of reliable figures the published created structural sites suitable for mineralisation production or researcher's 'educated' estimates as at Percydale (Cayley & McDonald, in prep, are quoted. [20732]). Regions adjacent to some of the granites may not have been mineralised during this later Development of the Primary Gold deformation, because elevated temperatures Deposits inhibited the precipitation of mineralisation (Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732]).
Gold-sulphide mineralisation appears to have The distribution of gold mineralisation in the been introduced into the Palaeozoic succession at Palaeozoic succession yields insights into its origin several different times. Most of the mineralised and the environment into which it was deposited. reefs within the area are hosted by brittle faults or Fluid inclusion studies, and mineral assemblages tension gashes, in regions adjacent to larger-scale of chlorite and muscovite in many mineralised faults and folds. Some auriferous quartz reefs are reefs, indicate that chlorite sub-facies conditions located in metasediments adjacent to granite most likely accompanied gold mineralisation in the intrusions, such as in the Dunolly goldfield, and region (Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732]). are hornfelsed. They must have formed during The development of gold mineralisation in rocks of regional deformation, prior to granite intrusion. chlorite sub-facies grade is consistent with a These reefs indicate that there was a regional mesothermal environment for gold mineralisation episode of gold mineralisation during the closing (Corbett & Leach, 1993 [18227]). In this stages of the Benambran deformation. In other environment, gold, silver and copper may be places, contact aureole rocks around granites are transported in metamorphic fluids as bisulphide quite poorly mineralised compared with the and chelate complexes, and base metals may be surrounding regional grade rocks. Timing transported as chloride complexes. Because these relationships suggest that a second episode of hydrothermal fluids are almost always saturated deformation occurred just after granite intrusion at GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 27
with silica, small changes in fluid chemistry [5758]; Mason, 1988 [20023]). In addition, a (caused by fluid boiling due to de-pressurisation, stronger spatial relationship between granite drops in temperature, and rock-fluid interactions) intrusions and gold mineralisation would be may result in rapid precipitation of silica and expected if this mechanism had played a accompanying precious and base metal significant part in the formation of many gold complexes. A significant wallrock-fluid interaction deposits in this region (Cayley & McDonald, in may also have contributed to mineralisation in prep, [20732]). places, indicated by rich gold grades found in many reefs next to graphitic 'indicator' type slates The auriferous nature of some formations within and the close association of black graphitic and the Saint Arnaud Group is indicated by numerous pyritic slates in some of the most richly small auriferous reefs and the distribution of mineralised stratigraphic units (eg. the Beaufort auriferous alluvial deposits. This may relate to a Formation in the Saint Arnaud Group, which has high sand component in the sediments (eg. the sourced a lot of alluvial gold (Cayley & McDonald, Pyrenees Formation), or the predominance of in prep, [20732]). black pyritic slates (eg. the Beaufort Formation). Small scale quartz veins, in faults and joints, and The primary source of gold and other metallic as stockworks, are ubiquitous in the Saint Arnaud mineralisation is problematic. Sandiford & Keays Group, and, while they are often too disseminated (1986 [3169])) have proposed the scavenging of to form a viable primary deposit, may have been a gold from deep crustal levels by widely circulating low grade source of the rich alluvial gold (Cayley & metamorphic fluids. Alternatively, extraction of McDonald, in prep, [20732]). precious metals (including gold) from a volcanic sequence underlying the Saint Arnaud Group, and The mesothermal style of gold mineralisation in transportation by metamorphic fluids derived from the eastern Stawell Zone and the Bendigo-Ballarat the lower crust may indicate an upper crustal Zone shows a good correlation between stratigraphic gold source for the whole Stawell prospective gold-bearing regions such as Ballarat Zone, as has been proposed for mineralisation on East, Berringa, Percydale and Beaufort on the one a more local scale at Stawell (Gulson, et al., 1988 hand and regional structural highs, such domal [3168]). anticlinorium and west-dipping thrust faults on the other. These structural highs appear to have A granitic source for gold mineralisation in the undergone the most brittle deformation, creating Lachlan Fold Belt has been proposed by some sites available for gold-quartz mineralisation. workers. Granitic melts intruded to high levels in the crust evolve hydrothermal fluids in large Slate and Shale Hosted Gold Mineralisation quantities as soon as they start to crystallise. In oxidised I-type granites in general, magnetite and In addition to gold mineralisation associated with sphene scavenge gold and copper from the melt quartz veins, there are a number of reports of gold as they crystallise, resulting in dissemination of occurring within dark carbonaceous slates and these metals in trace amounts throughout the shales - typical of the 'indicator ' type units seen at granite. Most of the granites within the study area Bendigo and other fields. These shales and slates are oxidised I-types, so residual fluids formed do not contain any visible secondary quartz during cooling of these granites would not be development. Occurrences have been reported expected to be rich in precious metals. However, from Stuart Mill, St Arnaud, Maryborough, at high crustal levels, large quantities and high Percydale, Wedderburn, Goldsborough and in a concentrations of precious metals including gold number of occurrences throughout ARARAT and and copper may be carried away by the DUNOLLY (see descriptions for individual fields, hydrothermal fluids evolved from the granitic melt below). These auriferous shales and slates long before crystallisation is complete. These apparently occur within the turbidite marine fluids may have migrated out into the surrounding sequences of both the Cambro-Ordovician Saint country rock, precipitating precious metals as they Arnaud Group and the Castlemaine Supergroup. cooled and interacted with regional meteoric or Regional work carried out by CRA Exploration led metamorphic fluids. them to suggest the gold had a syn-volcanogenic origin (CRA Exploration, 1974 [7900]). This type A granitic source for the mineralisation may partly of gold occurrence is particularly well represented explain the rich base metal assemblage that is so at Wedderburn where Whitelaw, (1911 [1879]) typical of Stawell Zone gold mineralisation. stated that of 27 quartz-free 'indicator' samples However, a granitic source for gold mineralisation submitted for analysis, all were auriferous. is not supported by fluid inclusion studies in the Percydale and Landsborough goldfields, which Marlow (in prep [21448]), considered that within indicate that the mineralising hydrothermal fluids DUNOLLY the gold occurs as sub-microscopic were most probably of low salinity (Bone, 1982 inclusions in the crystal lattice of pyrite and in 28 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
some localities constitute large tonnages. This the source contain gold which had been may presumably be the case for the majority of concentrated in the Mesozoic soils, as well as gold auriferous slates within this region of Victoria, in derived from several hundred metres of later fact Howitt in 1913 reported that gold may occur bedrock erosion. The White Hills Gravel has also within green and purple 'indicator' slates as finely been uplifted and eroded, and the products of this disseminated gold or on the oxidised faces of event have been redeposited as the Calivil pyrite cubes (Howitt, 1913 [73]). Assays up to Formation, which forms the 'deep leads'. Further 33.5 g/t (gold) and 5.2 g/t (silver) have been concentration of alluvial gold may continue to the obtained from samples of quartz-free present day through dissolution and redeposition carbonaceous slate at Wedderburn and 4.6 g/t at of gold by groundwater within the deep leads. Goldsborough. A green coloured slate located about 1.6 km south of Goldsborough returned an Rapanyup 1:100 000 Mapsheet assay of 1.0 g/t. It is possible that as suggested by Canavan, (1988 [74]), this style of gold Significant gold mineralisation within RAPANYUP occurrence may be the primary source (yet to be is found in the far northern section of the Stawell discovered) of much of the alluvial gold deposits Goldfield (discussed in the Ararat section, below), within the Ararat goldfield. and at the Kingston and Germania mines. No deep lead deposits are known within the mapsheet Development of the Alluvial Deposits area.
Alluvial gold within the report area is derived from the Palaeozoic bedrock. Alluvial deposits richest in gold generally have a large clay, and fragmented sandstone and slate component in addition to the dominant component of rounded reef quartz cobbles, such as is seen at Amphitheatre (Cayley & McDonald, in prep [20732]). This suggests that the richest gravels are generally either close to their source, or that a high bedrock clast content (as opposed to just quartz) incorporated into the gravels has contributed to their overall alluvial gold content. There may also be the possibility that some bedrock sandstone and slate units may contain disseminated gold.
Higher grades, and a much coarser grain size of alluvial gold compared with gold in the bedrock points to episodes of concentration and recrystallisation of gold in the Tertiary to Recent alluvial units. Concentration of gold probably began during a long period of tectonic stability in the Mesozoic, and evidence can be seen on several uplifted plateau remnants. Deep red soils preserved on the plateau remnants probably date from the Mesozoic and are rich in vein quartz cobbles. They are typical of soils developed as a result of the gradual deflation of stable surfaces, on which resistant or heavy chemically stable materials (quartz veins, gold) remain behind as lags. Further concentration of material by supergene enrichment must have resulted in significantly higher than background levels of certain minerals in these Mesozoic soils (Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732]).
During the late-Mesozoic uplift, the plateau was rapidly dissected. The Mesozoic regolith was stripped off and combined with eroded products of the uplifted basement to be deposited as the White Hills Gravel. Deposits of this gravel close to GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 29
Kingston Mine largest producer has been the Stawell goldfield The only significant gold deposit within (2.5 million ounces) which also currently hosts RAPANYUP is at the Kingston Mine, located Victoria's largest gold mine. Significant quantities approximately 34 kilometres southwest of St of both quartz reef and alluvial (shallow and deep Arnaud. The mine was worked during the late lead) gold have been recovered from these fields. 1890's and early 1900's, production was estimated at 2 762 oz from 11 764 tonnes, at an average Ararat Goldfield grade of 7.3 g/t (Department of Mines, Victoria, The Ararat Goldfield is a north-northwest trending undated [382]; Bradford, 1903 [1398]; Begg, 1989 area approximately 40 km long and 18 km wide [3148]). centred several kilometres to the west of Ararat township. The field was discovered in 1854 at the Gold mineralisation within the Kingston Mine is rich Pinky Point location, approximately 4.5 km generally confined to quartz stringer zones on the west of the present site of Ararat (Flett, 1979 margins (generally the hanging wall) of a massive [1743]). The field was principally an alluvial gold quartz reef, which strikes between 032° and 065° producer, with alluvial production accounting for (average 057°). The reef generally dips over 98% of the total recorded production with moderately to steeply westerly and occasionally only four reefs reporting production in excess of exceeds 10 m width. Gold mineralisation is 10 kg of gold (Inan, 1990 [7723]). Initial usually strongest where the dip of the reef production was from near surface alluvium becomes shallower, possibly forming dilational developed along the present day drainages. zones within which auriferous fluids can These deposits were generally worked out after precipitate. The reef is hosted by Cambro- several years, and following the discovery in 1856 Ordovician marine turbidite sediments of the Saint of the rich Canton lead, attention became focused Arnaud Group, and is confined to within a poorly on the deep lead deposits, from which the majority defined 'breccia channel' up to 120 m wide and of the field's gold was recovered. striking 060° for at least 600 m length. Alteration appears to be largely confined to within the The vast majority of gold production derived from channel and is comprised of a quartz-muscovite - the shallow workings and from early production on carbonate-albite-pyrite mineral assemblage. The the Canton and Black deep leads was never channel was probably formed by hydrothermal recorded, and the total recorded production figure explosion (Begg, 1989 [3148]) for the Ararat field of 610,200 oz is probably far below the actual figure (Canavan, 1988 [74]; Inan, Considerable remobilisation of the gold is thought 1990 [7723]). to be likely within the oxidised zone, and is probably responsible for the erratic gold Deep Leads: distribution noted at the surface. The upper 25 m There are a number of differing interpretations on contains strongly oxidised and bleached strata the distribution and relationship of the Ararat deep with oxidation continuing to at least 70 m below leads. Some of the more comprehensive the surface, while from 25 to about 60 m depth, interpretations include those by Couchman in ferruginous and gossanous material occurs (Begg, Brough Smyth (1869 [21319]), Krause (1874 1989 [3148]). [1445]), Taylor (1876 [20349]), Hunter & Mulvany (1937 [33]), King (1985 [1440]) and Canavan A diamond core and reverse circulation drilling (1988 [74]). Canavan considered there to be three program carried out by Western Mining ages of auriferous leads which he divided into : Corporation during 1988 and 1989, identified an indicated ore reserve of 6 080 tonnes at 14.0 g/t Type A Youngest leads, associated with modern using a 30 g/t cut-off. Intersections included 8 m streams. at 23 g/t, 1 metre at 67 g/t and 10 m at 36.5 g/t, Type B Older (Late Pliocene) Leads, now however the results were considered generally to covered by basalt. be disappointing, and the prospect was Type C Oldest (Early Pliocene) Leads, occurring relinquished. It was considered that more in high level gravels, probably of fluviatile mineralised reefs of limited strike length and dip origin. extent may be present in the area, but they were likely to be confined to the breccia channel (Begg, Canavan noted that it is often difficult to define the 1989 [3148]). Exploration work carried out by boundaries between all three types, and one type Western Mining Corporation in the Kingston area may merge into another downstream. This is detailed in Chapter 7. confusion may partly be caused where older Ararat 1:100 000 Mapsheet gravels have been redeposited as younger gravels. Recent work carried out by R Cayley and The Stawell, Ararat, Mafeking (Mount William) and D Taylor of the Geological Survey of Victoria on Moyston goldfields occur within ARARAT. The BALLARAT, has suggested that the 'Type C' 30 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
gravels are local representatives of the White Hills Mitchell Reefs). These reefs occur throughout the Gravel Formation (Cherry & Wilkinson, 1994 highly deformed fault zones of the Stawell-Ararat [21242]), a formation found scattered over much Fault, and to a lesser extent the Mount Ararat of north central and western Victoria. This Fault zone. Major reefs in this category include formation was deposited under high energy fluvial Mitchells or the Ararat Reef (80 oz produced at an conditions and is considered to be the first of the average grade of 18 g/t), the Gap or Port Fairy non-marine sediments in the area. No precise Reef (64 oz at 12 g/t), Moores Reef (385 oz age has been obtainable for this unit, but field recorded at 9 g/t though 3 000 - 4 000 oz at 11 g/t evidence elsewhere has loosely dated the was estimated by Atkinson, (1968 [3187]) ), New formation as between post Jurassic and pre Year Reef, Pioneer Reef, Eaglehawk Reef and Eocene. Native Youth Reef. In several localities gold mineralisation has also been found in slate The oldest (Early Pliocene, Type C) leads in the abutting auriferous quartz veins (eg., at the New area include the Great Western, One Eye, Year Reef), but detailed records of the extent of Murphy's, Canton and Commissioner's Leads. mineralisation and grade is not available (Inan, The Late Pliocene (Type B) leads occur as leads 1990 [7723]; O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380]). flowing either southerly or northerly from the Late Pliocene Great Divide, the position of which was Volcanic hosted gold deposits are found within probably close where it is today near the Ararat greenstones of the Mount Ararat Greenstone township. Comprehensive details of these leads sequence. Mines within this association include can be found in Canavan (1988 [74]). the Remington (unknown production) and the Rhymney (average grade of 22.5 g/t) mines. Gold As mentioned above, primary reef gold deposits in mineralisation is found within quartz and is the Ararat region are quite insignificant when occasionally associated with pyrite mineralisation compared to the large alluvial production of the (as seen for example at the Rhymney mine). On area. Some authors (such as Krause (1874 the eastern flank of Mt Ararat, gold mineralisation [1445]) and Canavan (1988 [74]) ) have suggested is also found associated with base metal (copper, that there is an insufficient development of the silver and zinc) mineralisation in a stratabound known primary mineralisation seen in the area to sulphide lens striking 039° west and dipping 60° account for the large amount of alluvial gold. west within an intercalated sequence of mafic and Canavan was led to suggest the presence of pelitic schists of the Mount Ararat Greenstone numerous unidentified small auriferous quartz sequence (Inan, 1990 [7723]; O'Shea et al., 1991 veins or possibly gold disseminated throughout the [6380]). Inan (1990 [7723]) considered this bedrock. Research by a number of authors and mineralisation association to be the principle summarised by Taylor et al., (in prep [21439]) source of the Ararat alluvial gold deposits. suggests that much of the gold in the deep leads Similarities have been noted between this deposit of the Ballarat area may have derived from a far and at Besshi in Japan, an ore deposit formed in more extensive Tertiary White Hills Gravel. Gold an island arc environment (Cochrane, 1982 [287]). in the Ararat leads may also have derived from the White Hills Gravel which in turn had derived and Primary gold, present in north striking quartz reefs, concentrated gold from extensive, low grade has been reported from a small number of primary deposits. Inan (1990 [7723]) considered occurrences in the northern part of the Ararat the source to be derived from greenstone hosted Granodiorite. These reefs extended to some reefs from the Mt Ararat Greenstone sequence. depth, but were only worked in the weathered zone of the granite due to difficult mining Primary Deposits: conditions and decreasing grades in the fresher Three styles of primary gold mineralisation have granite. There has been very little gold production been recognised within the Ararat Goldfield and from this mineralisation style, however reported can be summarised as sediment, volcanic and grades have been very high. Bourke's Reef is a granitic hosted associations. The average quartz 15-35 cm wide vein which was worked to the reef mine depth was less than 60 m, and the water table at 24 m. Bradford (1894) reported deepest mine in the field was the Eaglehawk grades as high as 918 g/t, averaging 124 g/t from mine, which reached a depth of 100 m (Inan, 1990 this reef, although incomplete production records ([7723]). state approximately 200 oz from 244 tonnes (25 g/t). The majority of primary deposits are hosted by pelitic and psammitic metasediments of the Saint Mafeking (Mt William) Goldfield Arnaud Group. Gold mineralisation is found in The Mafeking (Mt William) Goldfield is a small north-northwesterly striking quartz reefs that field covering an area less than 3 km² and is generally dip westerly but also occasionally to the located approximately 32 km west-southwest of east or vertical (eg. the Amelia, Honeysuckle and Ararat on the southern foot of the Mount William GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 31
granodiorite intrusion. The field was discovered in reefs dip from 75°E to steeply westerly and were 1900 and worked until 1912, with total production, up to 6 foot wide (1.8 m) (Whiting, 1959 [781]). principally from alluvial workings, estimated to have been about 25 000 oz (Murray, 1914 [1448]; The shoots worked in the Moyston Goldfield Flett, 1979 [1743]; Inan, 1990 [7723]). probably averaged 100' (30 m) length, 3' (0.9 m) wide and were up to 450' (140 m) in depth. Most of the gold from this field was mined from Reports indicating that very good yields were Quaternary alluvial deposits partly overlying and obtained from the cyaniding of old dumps suggest proximal to the Mount William granodiorite. that the ore (particularly at depth) may have been Tertiary deposits (probably local representatives of of a refractory nature and difficult for the 19th the White Hills Gravel Group) were reported to century miners to treat. It is also apparent that the contain minor gold with the highest grades found average yield obtained by the hard-rock miners of in deposits overlying the intrusion. Generally the 22.7 g/t understates the true grade of the worked gold is very fine and shows little evidence of much stopes (Whiting, 1959 [781]). transport (Murray, 1914 [1448]). The gold has probably derived from quartz veins hosted within The Moyston Goldfield was a relatively small granodiorite, many of which are known to contain producer with short and narrow shoots, however gold, pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite the style and high grade of the mineralisation mineralisation. This resembles in some respects indicate that the field may still be of interest to gold mineralisation found in the Mount Ararat small and medium sized miners. granodiorite. Veins assaying up to 6 oz/t (190 g/t) have been found, but none have attained mineable dimensions (Inan, 1990 [7723]).
Moyston Goldfield The Moyston Goldfield, located 13 km to the west- southwest of Ararat, was discovered in 1867 and was principally a primary gold producer (Flett, 1979 [1743]). The total recorded gold production from the field is 76 000 oz from approximately 104 000 t, an average grade of 22.7 g/t (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]; O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380]). There were only around 10 mines operating and significant production from the field appeared to cease in the early 1900's.
Early production from shallow alluvial workings continued up to the 1890's, when alluvial operations moved into several deep lead deposits found in the area. There are no detailed records of these leads however it is probable that four northerly flowing leads were profitably worked for a short period of time.
Primary gold mineralisation is associated with the north-northwesterly striking Moyston Fault, a reverse fault thrusting Cambrian volcanics and volcaniclastics to the west over Ordovician sediments to the east. The mineralisation is found within ultramafic, mafic and felsic volcanics (many now altered to serpentine) and chloritic and quartz-sericite schist hosted quartz veins (O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380]; Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). Mineralisation is closely associated with abundant pyrite mineralisation (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). The major reef lines worked all appear to occur on the one structure and include Campbell's Reef (1 km strike length, worked to 90 m depth), Campbell's Reef South and the Kangaroo Reef (worked to 157 m). The 32 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Stawell Goldfield trend northwest, north and east and are The Stawell Goldfield occupies a north-northwest represented by reverse, oblique strike slip and trending zone approximately 12 km in length, normal faults (Watchorn & Wilson, 1989 [3165]). centred over the township of Stawell some 210 km Granitic masses (including the Stawell granite, northwest of Melbourne. Following the discovery dated at 396±5 Ma by Richards & Singleton, 1981 of alluvial gold in May 1853, a large number of [760]) post-dating the D1-D3 deformation have shallow alluvial and deep lead deposits were intruded the sequence. The goldfield is worked. Reef mining began in 1856 on Big Hill terminated by the Stawell Granite at the southern and continued without interruption until 1920 when end and the falls below Recent and Tertiary cover large scale production ceased. The total recorded to the north. reef gold production for this period is approximately 59 000 kg (1.9 million oz) from 2.85 Most of the gold mineralisation at Stawell occurs million tonnes (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]), as gold bearing quartz reefs hosted by schistose an average grade of 20.7 g/t. Another 19 000 kg metasediments of the Saint Arnaud Group within (0.6 million oz) has been estimated from alluvial the Stawell fault zone. Minor shear-controlled gold production (Quick, 1990 [21244]). The goldfield is mineralisation is also hosted by syngenetic Victoria's third largest reef gold producer. volcanic exhalative sulphides in schistose volcaniclastics of the Saint Arnaud Group (the Deep Leads Mundic lodes), and by fault bounded slivers of Many of the auriferous gravels in the Stawell area these volcaniclastics within underlying are associated with high level gravels which are greenstones (Inan, 1990 [7723]). The majority of the local representatives of the extensive White reefs within the Stawell goldfield strike north- Hills Group. Amongst this group are the 'Deep northeast along the Stawell fault zone and dip 60º Lead', the Four Post Diggings, the Commercial southwest, with flat reefs diverging from their Street Lead, and the Welcome Rush Lead. The footwall side (O'Shea et al, 1991 [6380]). 'Deep Lead' was the richest in the area, yielding almost 100 oz /m³ (Canavan (1988 [74]). A Charlton 1:100 000 Mapsheet number of other leads exist in the area including a number of 'younger leads', however details are not The small Dooboobetic group of mines and the known. Golden Jacket mine are found within CHARLTON. The Dooboobetic mines were discovered about Primary Deposits 1931 and are located approximately 13 km The Stawell gold mine was re-opened in 1984 by a southwest of Charlton. They consist of a number joint venture between Western Mining Corporation of small shafts and stopes. Production up to 1934 and Central Norseman Gold Corporation. Initial probably totalled around 550 tonnes yielding production was from the Davis and Wonga open around 150 oz; the majority of the ore treated cut pits and tailings re-treatment, while yielded recovered grades of 11 g/t (Howitt, 1937 underground development and exploration were [1742]; Kingston, 1937 [1757]). There are no carried out from the Wonga and Magdala production records subsequent to 1934, and it is declines. Since 1992 the mine has been operated likely that any significant operations ceased by Stawell Gold Mines Pty. Ltd., a joint venture around this time. between Mining Project Investors Pty. Ltd. and Pittston Mineral Ventures of Australia Pty. Ltd., The lode consists of a 3-10' (0.9-3.0 m) wide who have operated the mine from the Wonga and quartz body dipping 70°-80° west and striking Magdala declines. Total gold production since re- 345°, intermittently over a length of 1.4 km. The opening the mine in 1984 to the end of June, 1994 lode was described by Kingston (1937 [1757]) as a is 409 000 oz. The Stawell mine is currently spurry reef formation with no distinct hangingwall Victoria's largest mine with current production or footwall, the higher grade ore is found on 'rolls' levels in excess of 70 000 oz per annum. within the reef. The reef is hosted within slates and fine grained sediments probably belonging to The goldfield is hosted by Cambro-Ordovician the Cambro-Ordovician Saint Arnaud Group. turbidites and minor volcanics of the Saint Arnaud Group, underlain by fault bounded belts of The Golden Jacket mine is located approximately metavolcanic sequences (Wilson et al., 1992 8 km south of Charlton and was probably [6763]). Pre-Middle Silurian deformation (D1-D3) discovered in the late 1920's or early 1930's. of varying degrees of intensity has widely affected Workings were sunk on several reefs up to 12" the area forming local northwest trending zones of (0.3 m) wide. Recorded production during 1937 intense deformation (up to 1 km wide). This was 1 385 oz from 169 tonnes (255 g/t) (Caldwell, deformation is recognised locally in the Stawell 1938 [8966]; Barber, 1987 [1052]). anticline, the Stawell syncline and the Darlington anticline. Zones of ductile-brittle faulting (D4-D6) GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 33
There are no known extensive shallow alluvial or may, in addition to gold, contain up to 5% deep lead deposits in the area. sulphides, including pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and bismuth. The Pyrenees mine, St Arnaud 1:100 000 Mapsheet Redbank is the largest single producer in the goldfields, with recorded production of over 19 000 Within ST ARNAUD are found a number of oz (McKenzie, 1981 [8]; (O'Shea et al., 1991 moderately large primary and secondary gold [6380]). deposits including the St Arnaud, Redbank and Landsborough goldfields as well as smaller At the Fiddlers Creek mine, Percydale, gold centres at Stuart Mill, Navarre, Emu and mineralisation is developed along quartz-indicator Carapooee. Extensive deep lead and shallow bed intersections developed on or near the alluvial deposits are also found. southwest dipping Fiddlers Creek Fault. Mineralisation is usually accompanied by up to 5% Carapooee (Peter's Diggings) galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Gold The Carapooee or Peter's Digging's goldfield was occurs free within pyrite fractures, quartz, graphitic discovered in 1854 but was not 'rushed' until 1856, clumps or as blebs within galena (McKenzie, 1981 it is primarily an alluvial gold field (Flett, 1979 [8]; McClean, 1984 [16]; Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [1743]). Extensive deposits of high level gravels [3170]; O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380]). Silver has have been mined. A relatively high tonnage also been recorded from some reefs in the operation produced gold in the late 1980's and Percydale goldfield, including Fiddlers reef early 1990's from several large open cut pits. (McKenzie, 1980), with some assays reported to have silver contents of up to 100 g/t. Silver Emu possibly occurs in solid solution in galena or as The Emu field was principally a primary gold fine disseminations of discrete silver sulphides producer. An easterly dipping reef was stoped to (Cayley & McDonald, in prep, [20732]). a depth of about 150' (45 m) over a 4' to 15'(1.2- 4.6 m) width for returns of 18 dwt/t (27.9 g/t). St Arnaud The St Arnaud goldfield was discovered in 1854. Landsborough In terms of production, primary gold mineralisation The Landsborough goldfield lies on the western at the St Arnaud goldfield is dominated by the Lord edge of the Landsborough Fault approximately 32 Nelson mine from which over 323 000 oz was km west-northwest of Avoca. The field is produced. The next largest mine was the New principally an alluvial goldfield, with gold being Bendigo mine (36 400 oz) which together with the mined from both deep lead and shallow recent Lord Nelson contributed 96% of the recorded field alluvial deposits. Production from primary sources production. Despite this predominance the area is unknown and while there are a number of small has numerous reefs. Reefs are generally reef mines in the area, production is probably not laminated, southwest dipping and emplaced along large. faults. They are often accompanied by dykes which form a core to the reefs. The reefs are The Landsborough (or Malakoff) Lead consists of hosted by sediments belonging to the Cambro- both older and younger north-northwesterly flowing Ordovician Saint Arnaud Group and may contain leads. Much of the younger lead material may up to 5% pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, galena have derived from the older lead. The lead was and silver (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]; worked over a distance of approximately 6 km O'Shea et al., 1991 [6380]). from 3 to 9 km south of Landsborough. Attempts were made to work the lead downstream from Exploration carried out by CRA Exploration Landsborough, but failed due to excess water. identified low grade and sub-economic From 1937 to 1951, sluicing of the upper, disseminated gold mineralisation along the Nelson shallower sections of the lead was trialed, but with line (Rooney, 1995 [21373]). poor returns (Canavan, 1988 [74]). Stuart Mill Redbank/Percydale The small goldfield of Stuart Mill was discovered in The Redbank/Percydale goldfields cover an area 1861 and is located approximately 21 km south of of about 15 km² elongated north-northeast St Arnaud (Flett, 1979 [1743]). The field was adjacent to the Percydale fault. (Cayley & principally a primary gold producer with total McDonald, in prep [20732]). This zone is recorded production of approximately 21 000 oz, characterised by distinctive carbonate and pyrite at an average grade of 18 g/t. The most porphyroblast development accompanied by a significant mines on the field were the Greenock crenulation cleavage overprinting the slaty (over 8 500 oz) and the Isis (or Oxonian, 9 600 oz) cleavage (Sandiford & Keays, 1985 [15]). Quartz (Transkal Gold N.L., 1994 [21392]. The field reefs are associated with west dipping reefs and which extends over a strike length of about 8 km, 34 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
lies on the Percydale fault which appears to be developed on extensive shallow alluvial deposits. closely associated with the gold mineralisation. In mid-1994 Sedimentary Holdings Ltd had an indicated resource of 1.65 million bcm at 0.47 Primary gold mineralisation is associated with g/bcm for 24 900 oz of gold at Amphitheatre, and small and lenticular ore shoots in reefs and an inferred resource of 4.9 million bcm at 0.46 perhaps also in auriferous slates and quartz g/bcm for 72 700 oz. Production is currently in stringers, both of which are hosted by sediments excess of 4 000 oz per annum. Large scale belonging to the Cambro-Ordovician Saint Arnaud dredging was also carried out along the Avoca Group. Individual reef lines may be up to 2.5 km River from 1950-1957 and produced about 26 700 length and of moderate width (eg., Lancashire-Isis oz of gold at a grade between 0.12-0.16 g/m³ line 0.5-6 m) (Transkal Gold N.L., 1994 [21392]. (King, 1985 [1440]; Canavan, 1988 [74]; O'Shea et al, 1991 [6380]). A small alluvial resource has been identified in Strathfillan Creek. The Amphitheatre lead closely follows the course of the Avoca River and flows in a northerly Beaufort 1:100 000 Mapsheet direction, with sections of the lead also known as the Avoca Lead. The lead was mined successfully The Landsborough West, Glendhu, Avoca, Avoca over a length of about 24 km, near to Avoca, until West, Glenpatrick and Amphitheatre goldfields are the depth of the lead and heavy water flow made all found within the northern section of mining of the lead uneconomical (Canavan, 1988 BEAUFORT. The southern section of the [74]). Landsborough goldfield also occurs within this area, and this is briefly described in the St Arnaud There are a number of small primary gold mines mapsheet section (above). The Beaufort Goldfield developed on north-northwest striking reefs occurs in the south eastern part of BEAUFORT. hosted within slates and sandstones belonging to In BEAUFORT, there is very little mineralisation to the Saint Arnaud Group, but there are no available the west of the Landsborough fault and most production records (O'Shea et al, 1991 [6380]). mineralisation is hosted within the Cambro- Ordovician Beaufort and Pyrenees formations of Avoca-Homebush the Saint Arnaud Group. No significant alluvial or The Avoca-Homebush goldfield was opened in primary gold mineralisation lies within areas with 1853 with the working of recent alluvial and only granite or contact metamorphosed rocks in shallow deep lead deposits. The field was both a their catchments (Nott, 1985 [128]; Cayley & primary gold and deep lead producer. Reef McDonald, in prep [20732]). production is not known, but deep lead production from the Homebush system is quoted as being The earliest discovery of gold in BEAUFORT - if 103 000 oz (O'Shea et al, 1991 [6380]). not Victoria took place at the so-called 'Navarre' goldfield (strictly the Barkly Diggings to the east of Primary gold mineralisation is restricted to quartz the Landsborough field) by a shepherd in 1847- reefs associated with north-northwest striking 1848, however it was not until 1858 that the field faults on or adjacent to the Percydale Fault zone was opened. This discovery was followed by and hosted by Cambro-Ordovician slates and others in the mapsheet area at Avoca and metasandstones of the Saint Arnaud Group. A Amphitheatre in 1853 and in 1854 at Beaufort and decomposed dyke is recorded at Perry's Mine Malakoff (Flett, 1979 [1743]). Early shallow (O'Shea et al, 1991 [6380]). alluvial mining from many of these fields was reported to yield phenomenally rich grades, but no The deep lead system in the Avoca goldfield is production figures were kept. represented by the generally northerly flowing Lamplough and Avoca leads, both of which flow There is a currently operating alluvial operation at into the main Amphitheatre Lead to the west of the Amphitheatre deposit (see below) and further Avoca (Canavan, 1988 [74]). alluvial deposits have been defined at Mountain Hut, and also at Redbank, just north of Beaufort BEAUFORT (Cayley & McDonald, in prep The Beaufort goldfield lies approximately 4 km to [20732]). the east of the Landsborough Fault zone and is centred over the town of Beaufort. The goldfield Amphitheatre was principally an alluvial field with large amounts The Amphitheatre goldfield is represented by both of gold recovered from both shallow and deep alluvial and primary gold deposits. The field was lead alluvial deposits. The field was discovered in first worked in 1853 and is located approximately 1854 and the first rush (to Fiery Creek) occurred in 12 km south-southwest of Avoca. Sedimentary 1855. Early production yields from the surface Holdings Ltd. currently operate an open-cut mine alluvial deposits followed by shallow 'deep lead' GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 35
deposits were not recorded but were reported to 1 911t (at an average 5.4 g/t). Other reef be phenomenally rich. Most of the recent alluvial workings from the field were reported to be deposits in the vicinity of the Beaufort township negligible (Nott, 1985 [128]). were auriferous but were worked out within a few years. Despite the richness of the alluvial fields, Glendhu Reef very few substantial quartz reefs have been The Glendhu reef is located about 29 km west of discovered in the district (Nott, 1985 [128], O'Shea Avoca, 30 km north of Ararat and lies on the et al, 1991 [6380]; Cayley & McDonald, in prep Landsborough fault. There are in fact three reefs [20732]). that have been prospected - the West, Middle and East reefs, though only the East reef appears to Deep Leads have yielded significant production. The reef The two most important deep leads on the struck parallel to the country rock at 330° and dips Beaufort goldfield are the southerly flowing Fiery about 60° west. The reef was reported to be up to Creek lead, which becomes the Beaufort lead 8' (2.4 m) wide, 2 100 m long and yielded up to 1½ downstream and changes direction to east- oz/t from 'fair sized parcels' though grades were northeast and the southerly flowing Waterloo lead, apparently very patchy. The reef is hosted by which joins the Beaufort lead about 5 km to the Cambro-Ordovician sediments belonging to the east-northeast of Beaufort township. The vast Saint Arnaud Group. Difficult ore treatment and majority of the recorded production of the Beaufort inconsistent grades were thought responsible for goldfield came from these two leads and their the closing of the mine (Medwell, 1958 [31]; numerous tributaries. The largest mine on the Whiting, 1960 [32]). Native silver occurring as leads was the New Victoria Co. at Waterloo which small specks and filaments have been reported, operated from 1875 until 1888 producing 36 780 as have assays up to 1 800 g/t (Ulrich, 1866 [39]) oz at an average grade of 5.2 g/t. Another which perhaps prompted working of the reef for important lead to the north of Beaufort was the silver as well as gold (D'Alton, 1865 [20366]), Raglan Lead, from which several mines recorded there are however no production records. Murray, a total of 30 100 oz production over about 2 km of (1890 [36]) reported yields of from 400- 500 g/t its course (Canavan, 1988 [74]). silver for representative parcels of stone from the Glendhu reef. The upper part of the Fiery Creek lead was dredged between 1907 and 1918 and recorded a Wedderburn 1:100 000 Mapsheet yield of 5 790 oz at an average grade of about 2.2 g/m² (Canavan (1988 [74]). The Wedderburn goldfield is centred over the town of Wedderburn, located approximately 80 km Primary Gold northwest of Bendigo. The field was discovered in Primary gold mineralisation within the Beaufort 1852, and was accompanied by a large influx of goldfield is associated with reefs and breccia-filled miners working the recent alluvial and older gravel faults which probably lie on steeply dipping formations. Lack of water in the early years of the reverse thrust faults. Reefs are hosted within the field resulted in often large and lengthy disruptions Beaufort Formation (a subdivision within the to mining (Whitelaw, 1911 [1879]). Quartz reef Cambro-Ordovician Saint Arnaud Group), mining began soon after the discovery of the exposed in the core of the Beaufort Anticlinorium alluvial field, however despite the occurrence of a (Cayley & McDonald, in prep [20732]). number of auriferous reefs being found within the goldfield, it is the presence of often extremely Only two reefs from the Beaufort goldfield large nuggets within high level gravels (possibly contributed any significant production of gold. The local representatives of the White Hills Gravel unit) reefs were known as the Richmond (or Best for which this goldfield is best known. Whitelaw, Bower reef) and the Sheet Anchor (or Bushman's (1911 [1879]) lists 22 nuggets exceeding 50 oz Reef) and were located about 2.5 km north of which have a combined weight of 2 376 oz but Waterloo. The reefs were within 200 m of each went on to say that this number undoubtably other and ran in a parallel direction, striking 335° represented only a small proportion of those at the surface and dipping steeply to the west found. The small and discontinuous nature of the across slates and siltstones of the Saint Arnaud high level gravel 'patches' which occur at Group which dip 60° west, striking 340°. The Wedderburn have resulted in the occasional find reefs were worked for a distance of about 300 m of small unworked or near-unworked alluvial on both lines and considerable development and patches and part-time prospectors still production to a depth of at least 60 m is reported occasionally recover nuggets from this field (Lidgey, 1897 [50]; Nott, 1985 [128]). Recorded (Whitelaw, 1911 [1879]). production from the Richmond reef was 15.2 kg (490 oz) from 1 091t (at an average 13.9 g/t) and The field produced the most gold from recent from the Sheet Anchor reef 10.2 kg (330 oz) from alluvial sources and the high-level gravels, whilst a 36 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
much smaller proportion of gold was recovered The upper sections of the Dunolly lead were from reef mines. In fact Whitelaw, (1911 [1879]) shallow and reported to be exceedingly rich. stated that no instance did the work by any public Nuggets were common and included the Welcome company on the quartz reefs prove profitable. Stranger, probably the largest nugget found in the Many of the quartz prospectors believed that world, which was found in the topsoil of a small yields decreased with depth and development of tributary of the lead near Moliagul (Canavan, 1988 the ore shoots below the water table has been [74]). A large number of small fields lie on these minimal. A feature of the Wedderburn goldfield is leads, but production for most is not recorded. the strong correlation between relatively rich The Dunolly, Wehla, Kingower-Rheola (Berlin), grades and the intersections of reefs and Bealiba and Tarnagulla fields all yielded significant 'indicators'. The indicators are very similar to production from deep lead mines. those found at the Bendigo field and consist of dark blue to black, highly carbonaceous slates The main lead of true 'deep leads' lie below sub- belonging to the Ordovician Castlemaine surface basalts extending from Wareek to Betley. Supergroup. Another feature of the goldfield is the The largest producing mines were the Grand common occurrence of auriferous slates which are Duke, North Duke, Duke United, Duke Extended, devoid of any secondary quartz development. Havelock and Old Lord Clyde (Marlow, in prep Whitelaw, (1911 [1879]) stated that all 27 quartz- [21448]). In addition to the true deep lead free indicator samples submitted for analysis were deposits are auriferous alluvial deposits occurring auriferous. One such sample returned an assay at the base of the White Hills Gravel formation. of 1 oz, 1 dwt and 13 grs (33.5 g/t) gold and 3 dwt, Extensive outcrops are found near Dunolly, 9 grs (5.2 g/t) silver. Bealiba and Fenton's Creek (Marlow, in prep [21448]). Whitelaw, (1911 [1879]) noted the presence of saddle reefs in addition to quartz developed along Despite a large number of smaller auriferous strike-slip, normal and/or reverse faults ('reverse leads flowing into it, the Loddon Lead has not slides' and 'slides'). He also recognised two produced any gold and little effort has been made generations of quartz development and to explore it. It is probable that dilution of the considered that only the younger generation, grade by non-auriferous sources has lowered the characterised by generally a bluish colour and fine grade to sub-economic concentrations. laminated appearance was the gold-bearing type, the older more amorphous quartz bodies being Primary Deposits barren. The best gold intersections occur where Marlow, (in prep [21448]), identified five basic small spurs and flat-lying veins intersect with the types of quartz vein morphology within DUNOLLY previously mentioned 'indicators'. - bedded quartz, massive quartz, laminated quartz, spurry quartz and brecciated quartz. Gold Production records were not kept for the early mineralisation within these quartz bodies is years of the field and even in later years are very typically controlled by minor faults including strike incomplete. All that is really known is that the field slip, reverse and cross faults. Cross faults are was initially exceedingly rich. No auriferous 'deep perhaps the most important style in the localisation lead ' deposits in the proper sense are known in of mineralisation, however strike-slip and reverse the field. faults have also large deposits associated with them. A detailed synthesis of structural controls Dunolly 1:100 000 on gold mineralisation is to be found in Marlow, in prep [21448]. The DUNOLLY sheet includes the primary goldfields of Inglewood, Tarnagulla and Dunolly as In addition to gold mineralisation within quartz well as numerous smaller centres such as the bodies, gold is also commonly found within dark Wehla, Kingower-Rheola, Burke's Flat, Bealiba, grey carbonaceous shales occurring within the Goldsborough, Timor and Newbridge-Laanecoorie mapsheet area. The gold in these shales occurs goldfields. Deep leads within the mapsheet are as sub-microscopic inclusions in the crystal lattice principally the Avoca Valley and Dunolly Leads of pyrite and in some localities constitute large and the lower sections of the Loddon lead. The tonnages. Very high gold values are often Quaternary alluvial deposits within DUNOLLY encountered along the intersection of these represent some of the richest alluvial gold 'indicator' beds and quartz 'flats' (Marlow, in prep deposits in the world, and the area bounded by the [21448]). towns of Inglewood, Dunolly and Wedderburn (known as the Golden Triangle) has produced Bealiba more large nuggets than anywhere else in the Bealiba was principally an alluvial goldfield world (Marlow, in prep [21448]). however Bradford, (1903 [8916]) reported a Deep Leads number of auriferous reefs in the district. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 37
responsible for stopping the development of Burke's Flat deeper mines with only the Jersey, Daly, Maxwells A reportedly rich mine was located at Burke's Flat, and Great Columbian mines exceeding this depth 27 km east of St Arnaud which was worked by the (Battersby, 1993 [20771]). Royal George Co. in the late 1890's and early 1900's. The reef is said to have been worked to a Recent work carried out over the field includes depth of 900' (275 m) with an average yield of ½ evaluation of the Maxwells mine by Goldquest NL oz/t (15.6 g/t). There were also a number of (now named Teal Resources) and is detailed in parallel lesser reefs which were also worked. Chapter 7 and Rooney, (1995 [21373]). Gold ore is characterised by the presence of high silver levels (Bradford, 1903 [8916]). Mt Moliagul In addition to quite rich alluvial deposits found in Dunolly the vicinity, the Mt Moliagul area near Bealiba also Gold was discovered in the Dunolly goldfield in contains extremely rich quartz reefs. The reefs in 1854 but it was not until 1856 that the field was this vicinity have an average strike of 350° and are opened up. A number of major reef lines were found over a belt extending for a total length of located within the field including the Queens almost 10 km (Stirling 1899 [1901]). Cahill, (1988 Birthday, Cairns, Sydenham and Goldsborough [21437]) considered the quartz bodies to occur in reefs. The Queens Birthday line consists of a steeply dipping strike faults associated with steeply west dipping West Reef and a sub-vertical anticlinal and synclinal folding. Adjacent to these East Reef, both of which strike across the host reefs are quartz veins and stockworks, which in country rock. Values seem to decrease with depth conjunction with 'indicator beds' are responsible as although the reef was developed to a depth of for the majority of gold concentration. about 260 m, production was limited to above 140 m. The Cairns reef is composed of easterly Rheola (Berlin) dipping quartz veins associated with a westerly The Rheola or Berlin goldfield was a very rich dipping fault (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). alluvial field. Despite auriferous gullies bearing coarse gold being followed up to quartz reefs from Howitt, (1912 [21434]) noted the presence of which the gold obviously shed, there has been no auriferous black carbonaceous slates about 1.6 significant development of reefs on the field. km south of Goldsborough and recorded assays Treatment of quartz reef samples during the of up to 2 dwt, 23 gr (4.6 g/t). Assays from a near- 1970's yielded some gold but not in economic by green slate also proved auriferous (1.0 g/t). grades (Wilkinson, 1981 [5664]).
Inglewood Tarnagulla The Inglewood field is located approximately 50 A large number of gold bearing quartz reefs are km northwest of Bendigo and covers an area of found within the Tarnagulla goldfield hosted by about 1 500 ha. The field was opened in 1859, marine sediments belonging to the Ordovician since when over 115 000 oz have been recovered Castlemaine Supergroup. Reefs include the from reef mining. The field is characterised by the Poverty, Yorkshire, Corfu, Cambrian and presence of numerous easterly dipping faults Sandstone reefs, many of which have been striking sub-parallel to the country but cutting described as fissure reefs. Gold mineralisation is across the western limbs of major folds. The four often found associated with minor pyrite and main reef lines are the Jersey, Columbian, galena mineralisation, whilst the best gold appears Maxwells and Daly-Kentish (Ramsay & Willman, to be concentrated in flat spurs. The exceedingly 1988 [3170]). The majority of production has been rich Poverty reef is located within the Tarnagulla derived from the Columbian, Maxwells, Daly- goldfield. This reef was worked to a depth of 340 Kentish and Jersey reef lines. The Columbian m and produced approximately 20 000 oz of gold. mine yielded 1 236 kg from 39 000 t and This area is currently being investigated in detail Maxwells mine (1 067 kg from 28 000 t) were the by Reef Mining N.L. principal producers. Several of the structures were relatively persistent over depth and strike Mineralisation within the field is closely associated length. The Maxwells mine was developed along with strike-slip faults and is often concentrated on an easterly dipping reverse fault structure which the hanging wall of these structures (Marlow, in persisted for a strike length of at least 400 m and prep [21448]). to depths exceeding 300 m. The Columbian mine was developed on two easterly dipping faults Wehla forming a stacked set on a 100 m wide west The Wehla goldfield lies on the Wehla- dipping limb on a major syncline (Ramsay & Goldsborough shear zone - the same line on Willman, 1988 [3170]; Marlow, in prep [21448]). which the Moliagul and Goldsborough fields occur. The presence of water at 60 m was reputedly Reefs in this field tend to dip steeply to the west 38 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
and are offset on a primary trend by small cross- The Chalks subgroup which included the Chalks faults. and Greenock leads produced a total of approximately 430 000 oz between 1881 and 1910 The Prince of Wales reef is probably the largest (Canavan, 1988 [74]). producer in the field and consists of a quartz zone up to 7 m wide and 150 m long which yielded Maryborough approximately 60 000 oz. A relatively large open- Following the initial discovery of alluvial gold in the cut was developed at the top of the shoot. Spots Maryborough region in 1854, auriferous quartz of cordierite seen in the sedimentary rocks veins were discovered hosted within chevron throughout the area indicate the region is within folded north-northwest striking quartz sandstone, the metamorphic aureole of the Kooyoora Granite shale and slate transected by porphyry dykes and intrusion (Cochrane, 1988 [20770]). younger lamprophyre dykes (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). A number of quartz reef types were Creswick 1:100 000 Mapsheet described by Howitt, (1913 [73]), including fissure veins, spurs and stockworks, thin bedded and Within the northern section of CRESWICK are the laminated reefs, small sub-horizontal veins and reef goldfields of Maryborough, Clunes and the laminated sub-vitreous veins. In addition to gold northern section of the Creswick fields as well as mineralisation within quartz bodies, Howitt the smaller Homebush, Carisbrook, Majorca fields reported that gold may occur within lamprophyre and several small non-aligned mines. A number dykes and in green and purple 'indicator' slates as of large deep lead systems are found including the finely disseminated gold or on the oxidised faces eastern leads of the Avoca subgroup, the of pyrite cubes (Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). Maryborough and Chalks subgroups and the Moolort lead (Canavan, 1988 [74]). The deep lead Clunes deposits on this sheet form the headwaters of the The Clunes goldfield, located about 27 km north of northerly flowing Loddon deep lead system. Ballarat, is approximately 2.3 km in length and up Detailed descriptions of these deep leads is to be to 150 m wide. Quartz reef mining begun in the found in Canavan, (1988 [74]). goldfield in 1854, amongst the first fields in the state, and continued until 1894 when a compound Deep Leads of factors including water, lack of development All leads of the Avoca subgroup were and no cooperation between companies resulted characterised by heavy water flow and, with the in their closure. The field is comprised of a exception of the Madame Hopkins Lead by the number of northerly striking quartz veins divided absence of basalt cover. Members of this group into an eastern and a western group occupying within CRESWICK include the Homebush (102 reverse faults transgressing the bedding at low 500 oz at an average grade of 16 g/m²) and angles or bedded faults. The reefs are generally Madame Hopkins Leads (Hunter (1909 [17]; very wide, averaging 6 m and widening to 40 m Wilkinson, 1907 [19773]). These leads were width at reef intersections (Coldham, 1953 [6684]; reworked by Talbot Alluvial Ltd and other Ramsay & Willman, 1988 [3170]). companies in the 1930's and 1940's with good grades being recovered. Unfortunately, despite 6.2Base Metal Mineralisation using the latest machinery, heavy water flow forced the closure of the mine (Canavan, 1988 The only significant base metal deposit within the [74]). report area is found at the Mt Ararat copper deposit approximately 7 km southwest from The Maryborough Lead was extensively worked Ararat, though copper mineralisation is also found during the late 1850's and 1860's, though there associated with gold at the Glendhu Reef and were no large mines. While total recorded Fiddlers Creek deposits. production was only 219 300 oz, the actual figure is undoubtably much greater. The shallow The Mt Ararat copper deposit lies on the eastern sections of the lead were characterised by the slope of the Mt Ararat Range on the hanging-wall presence of large nuggets (Flett, 1979 [1743]; of the Mount Ararat Fault. The deposit was first Canavan, 1988 [74]). referred to in 1925 by Hunter (1925 [769]) who described a small body of copper mineralisation Despite the presence of a well developed 'gutter' exposed in a shallow trench. It was not until 1973 and encouraging boring results, the upper section that exploration carried out by Pennzoil identified of the Moolort Lead has produced very little gold. an additional gossan and a small pyrite - Very heavy water flow was apparently responsible chalcopyrite-sphalerite lode (Cochrane, 1982 for the failure of the majority of attempts to mine [287]). the lead (Hunter, 1909 [17]; Canavan, 1988 [74]). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 39
Within the deposit, significant sulphide there was any significant commercial production of mineralisation is confined to a long narrow tabular antimony from any of these localities other than zone within an interbedded sequence of quartz - perhaps at Dalton's Reef. actinolite schists, quartz-biotite schists, graphitic schists and minor serpentinite lenses. Sulphide The Dalton's Reef occurrence occurs within a mineralisation occurs both in a disseminated form massive quartz reef striking 001°, dips 78° east within metavolcanic rocks, and as richer layers of and is hosted by phyllitic siltstones. Quartz veins banded and occasionally massive ore. The reach a maximum width of 10 cm within a 2.5 m disseminated form is composed of principally wide lode consisting of 10% quartz. The reef was pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite, orientated worked down to 50' (15 m) (Whitelaw, 1899 parallel to the host rock foliation and comprising [1643]; Marlow, in prep [21448]). up to 8% of the host rock. The more economically significant banded form is composed of parallel The McFarlanes reef averaged 18" (46 cm) in layers of silicates, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and width down to a depth of 122 m and contained sphalerite with minor pyrite, which in total good quality stibnite to this depth (Whitelaw, 1899 comprise up to 25% of the rock. Rarer narrow [1643]; Marlow, in prep [21448]). layers of massive sulphides are composed principally of chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite with minor sphalerite and pyrite. The sulphide mineralisation is generally of stratiform habit although there is some degree of recrystallisation and segregation of the sulphides. Chalcocite is common in zones of supergene enrichment. The general strike of the mineralisation and host rock is northwest and dips at 60° to the west. The sequence has been thermally metamorphosed by the Ararat Granodiorite (Cochrane, 1982 [287]; Bartrop, 1983 [1395]; Inan 1990 [7723]). The mineralogical and lithological association of the ore-body suggest that it is likely to be of a volcanic exhalative origin. The layering is most likely represents a cleavage formed by intense deformation (Cayley, 1988 [2921]).
An inferred resource in excess of 1 million tonnes grading 2.7% Cu, 10 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au has been estimated for the deposit, however mineralisation remains open at depth (Cochrane, 1982 [287]).
Exploration carried out by a number of companies, has identified base metal mineralisation and anomalous values over the Mount Stavely, Dryden and Stawell greenstone belts though not in economic concentrations.
6.3Other Metals
Antimony
Within the Dunolly-Maryborough belt, antimony (occurring as stibnite) is occasionally found associated with auriferous ore, though this association is not nearly as common as occurs to the east within the Melbourne Trough. Occurrences reported within the report area and immediate proximity include the Bristol Hill Reef (near Maryborough), Dalton's Reef (Dunolly) and McFarlanes Reef (Havelock), (Whitelaw, 1899 [1643]; Weston, 1992 [9121]). It is unlikely that 40 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Bismuth with gold mineralisation at the Glendhu Reef, approximately 29 km west of Avoca. The Bismuth mineralisation has been located at the mineralisation is not economically significant Surprise Mine, Redbank (up to 0.24%), and (Geological Survey of Victoria, undated [17190]; associated with molybdenum mineralisation within Weston, 1992 [9121]). quartz veins and quartz-felspar porphyry at Mt Moliagul (Jenkins, 1901 [2164]; Liddy, 1972 Silver [1504]). Further occurrences have been reported from Mt Kooyoora (Weston, 1992 [9121]). Silver mineralisation closely associated with gold is found at Glendhu Reef (up to 1800 g/t), Burke's Molybdenum Flat, Fiddler's Reef (up to 100 g/t) and the Surprise Mine, Redbank (up to 570 g/t) (Jenkins, Probably the largest molybdenum occurrence in 1901 [2164]). Silver associated with copper and the report area occurs at Mt Moliagul gold mineralisation is found at the Mt Ararat (1 approximately 8 km north of Dunolly. Molybdenite million tonnes at 10 g/t Ag, 2.7% Cu and 0.6% Au) is found within quartz veins and (more and the St Arnaud Silver Reef deposit (Weston, significantly) as disseminations in quartz-felspar 1992 [9121]). Native silver occurs as small porphyry along the southwestern contact of the Mt specks and filaments at the Glendhu reef and at Moliagul granite and Ordovician sediments. It Fiddler's Reef possibly occurs in solid solution in occurs both within the granite and the sediments galena or as fine disseminations of discrete silver for a distance of nearly 1 km. It is likely to be a sulphides (Cayley & McDonald, in prep [20732]). product of strong hydrothermal alteration These deposits are briefly discussed in the associated with fluids generated by the pluton. sections dealing with gold deposits (Glendhu Reef, The quartz veins may be up to 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, Burke's Flat, Fiddler's Reef and Surprise Mine) and carry visible molybdenum. There has been and base metal deposits ( Mt Ararat deposit). sporadic mining in the past, but no details are known and production is likely to be small. Assays Tin of up to 0.256% MoS2, (average 0.132%) have been obtained (Herman, 1921 [1519]; Weston, Cassiterite has been recovered from a sluice box 1992 [9121]; Liddy, 1972 [1504]). of an alluvial gold mining operation at McIntyre, 4 km north of Moliagul. A sample of concentrate A quartz reef carrying molybdenite was located at contained about 20% cassiterite with the rest McIntyre, about 20 km south-west of Inglewood mostly magnetite. The operations are situated on and 6.5 km south-west of the Mount Moliagul alluvium overlying a granite bedrock which in molybdenite occurrence. The reef strikes places appears hydrothermally altered and from approximately 300° over a length of about 75 m which presumably the cassiterite is derived. through weathered granite. The surface area of Samples of granite returned slightly anomalous the deposit was reported to be small and the levels up to 50 ppm tin (Mackenzie, 1980 [5575]). grade was very low (Wilkinson, 1978 [1522]). Tungsten Molybdenite within two small quartz veins hosted by an altered course grained biotite/muscovite A small deposit of wolframite occurs at Henry's Hill granite is found some 7 km east of the Korong approximately 8 km north-northwest of Avoca. A Vale township. Small shafts and trenches have small amount of prospecting has recovered been excavated with molybdenite found on the course bladed wolframite from within quartz veins surface over a length of some 200 m and striking and a geochemical soil survey indicated a west- north-northwest. A small sample yielded 8% northwest trending anomaly, with values from 20- MoS2, however the veins were too narrow to allow 40 ppm about 500 m long and 50-100 m wide. It profitable mining. Small occurrences were also is thought the occurrence lies in foliated hornfels noted along strike to the north and south (McKenzie & Nott, 1981 [1]). (Whitelaw, 1922 [1521]). A wolframite occurrence near Nine Mile, 15 km Other small occurrences of molybdenum are west of Wedderburn is found within small quartz known at Neild's Gully (31 km west-southwest of veins which also host gold, molybdenite, copper Ararat) and at Nine Mile (16 km west of and bismuth mineralisation. The veins are around Wedderburn) (Weston, 1992 [9121]). 0.2 m wide and dip at 42° towards 250° (magnetic) and intrude intensely contact metamorphosed Platinum Group Metals Ordovician sediments of the Saint Arnaud? Group. Pyrite is disseminated throughout the quartz, as The only known platinum group metal are lesser amounts of chalcopyrite, molybdenite mineralisation in the report area occurs associated and course grained wolframite. The structure was GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 41
reported to be of limited extent and the wolfram content decreased with depth. Limited prospecting was carried out over the occurrence in the early 1920's, and with the exception of a brief survey carried out in 1982, little if any other work seems to have been conducted (Nott, 1982 [1503]).
Wolframite, felspar and uranium mineralisation (torbernite) occur within a quarry located on a small outcrop of granite some 35 km northeast of Kerang near Lake Boga. The granite is reported to vary from a fine grained aplite to a course porphyritic granite, with small pegmatite dykes found within the aplitic sections of the pluton (Chambers, 1958 [1598]).
Tungsten mineralisation is also known at the Mt Moliagul locality (see Molybdenum section above).
6.4Uranium
Uranium mineralisation is found at Wycheproof quarry, Mount Kooyoora (near Inglewood) and Lake Boga (see description of Lake Boga tungsten occurrence above). Radioactive minerals include torbernite (Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2.8-12H2O) and autunite (Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2.10-12H2O). All occurrences are in either small secondary deposits derived from nearby granitic rocks or developed along joint planes within granite (Weston, 1992 [9121]). None are considered economically significant. 42 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
6.5Mineral Sands western (seaward) slope of a series of topographically prominent, NW-SE trending, sub (from McHaffie & Buckley, in prep [20488]) parallel, beach-dune ridge deposits separated by swales. Individual ridges are up to 50 m high, but Mineral sands are sand size concentrations of are commonly less than 10 m high, several heavy minerals of specific gravity generally greater kilometres wide, and several hundred kilometres than 4 (Harben & Bates, 1990 [6814]). The most long (Lawrence & Abele, 1988 [17821]). The important are the high titanium minerals (rutile and mineralised zones generally have a highly variable ilmenite); zircon; and the rare earth minerals heavy mineral grade and rutile content. The fine (monazite and xenotime). Others include sands of the WIM, and similar deposits magnetite, cassiterite, chromite, gold, platinum, accumulated continuously, in slightly deeper garnet, epidote and spinel (Lanzer, 1991 [11350]). water, below the normal fair weather base of wave Heavy mineral sand concentrations occur in the action. They tend to be concentrated within 30 km sediments of modern and ancient beaches, bars, of the palaeo-coastline of Palaeozoic rocks dunes and streams. They commonly form highly (Williams, 1990 [17816]; Lanzer, 1991 [11350]; visible surficial layers between high and low water Cochrane et al, 1991 [9105]). marks and may comprise up to 80% heavy minerals, the lighter quartz grains being removed In 1988-90, the CRA subsidiary, Wimmera by waves, tidal currents or wind action. Many Industrial Minerals (WIM), announced the mineral sand deposits are too shallow and narrow discovery of a series of heavy mineral sand to be of economic significance. Mineable deposits deposits along the southern margin of the Murray are usually multilayered, representing multiple, Basin. The titanium resources contained in the repeated sorting action. They are generally WIM deposits double Australia's previously known products of retreating seas, migrating dunes or resources. The WIM deposits also contain beach sands accumulated via longshore drift. In Australia's largest monazite and xenotime dune sand deposits, heavy minerals tend to be resources, which in turn represent about 35% of disseminated rather than layered (Harben & estimated total world yttrium resources. Details of Bates, 1990 [6814]; Lanzer, 1991 [11350]). the exploration program that outlined the WIM deposits is outlined in Chapter 7. Significant, but as yet undeveloped, mineral sand deposits have been located throughout the The largest of the WIM deposits is WIM 150, eastern and southern sections of the Murray Basin located at Drung South, 15 km southeast of , in inland New South Wales and Victoria. There Horsham. It covers an area of 40 km2 and has been no production of mineral sands in comprises a relatively uniform assemblage of the Victoria to date. Mineral sand deposits are titanium minerals rutile, leucoxene, anatase and widespread over the southern margin of the ilmenite, together with zircon and trace amounts of Murray Basin. These deposits occur within the monazite and xenotime (see Table 5). The heavy Parilla Sands and to a lesser extent, within the mineral grains are unusually fine, averaging 50 underlying Bookpurnong Beds (Nott, 1988 microns in diameter in contrast to those of the [17802]; Lanzer, 1991 [11350]; Griffiths, 1992 currently mined heavy mineral deposits, which are [17820]). The locations of major Victorian mineral typically 100-200 microns in diameter. The sand deposits are presented in Maps 1, 2 and 4 deposit consists of numerous en echelon lenses (accompanying map roll). of heavy mineral bearing sands which are separated by nearly barren sand. Individual The Parilla Sands were deposited in a littoral to lenses are from 2 mm to 2 m thick and are up to nearshore, shallow water, low energy environment several hundred metres long. They occur within a on the southern margin of the Murray Basin during zone that varies from 6 m thick in the south to 15 late Miocene to early Pliocene times. Two main m thick in the north. The uppermost 1-6 m of types of deposit have been identified: fine grained, Parilla Sand is mostly barren. The sediments laterally extensive, sheetlike deposits (e.g. WIM consist of fine quartz and heavy mineral grains 150), and coarse grained, linear, strandline with minor mica in a matrix of very fine quartz, clay accumulations (e.g. Cannie, Gredgwin and Tyrrell or iron oxides. Heavy minerals comprise up to Ridges). The latter formed during occasional 40% of some bands (Williams 1990 [17816]; periods of relatively high sea level while the sea Lanzer, 1991 [11350]; Cochrane et al, 1991 gradually retreated due to the Kosciusko Uplift. [9105]). The strandline deposits accumulated on the GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 43
Table 5 Average composition and resources, WIM 150 deposit
Mineral(s) Minerals as % of Measured heavy mineral resource (Mt) fraction Ilmenite 31.6 12.5 Zircon 13.3 5 Leucoxene 11.6 8 Rutile & anatase 8.7 Monazite 1.4 0.5 Xenotime 0.4 0.17 Goethite 6.7 Spinel 0.1 Light heavies (density < 3.32 - iron oxide, 23.8 tourmaline, sillimanite, andalusite) Others (staurolite, topaz, pyrite) 2.4 Total 100.0 26.17
Source: Williams (1990 [17816]); McIntyre (1991 [17801]).
Table 6 WIM deposits resource details
Deposit Grade (% heavy Average ore Resources of heavy Resource minerals) thickness (m) minerals (Mt) status WIM 50 3.5 8.0 25 Inferred WIM 100 5.9 7.4 50 Inferred WIM 150 4.0 10.3 26 Measured WIM 200 7.2 4.5 31 Indicated WIM 250 5.3 5.7 67 Indicated
Source: McIntyre (1991 [17816])
Total reported resources are estimated at 26 Mt of assemblages. The mineral zones are mainly heavy minerals within the 1000 Mt of sand thinner, with higher grade, and thicker overburden constituting the core of the deposit. A halo of over (McIntyre, 1991 [17816]). four billion tonnes of lower grade sand surrounds this central core. Additional fine grained, shallow offshore / deltaic? laminated, WIM style mineral sand mineralisation A 120 tonne per day pilot plant was established at as well as disseminated dunal and thin, long Horsham in 1989 to test various flotation options. beach placer deposits associated with strandline Beneficiation of the heavy minerals includes ridges have been encountered in exploration micro-agglomeration to increase grainsize, carried out by other companies in recent years separation of chromium minerals and an upgrade including RGC, BHP / Utah, Murray Basin Joint of the ilmenite to acid soluble titania with a 90% Venture (Fidunu Pty Ltd, TC Pacific Resources Pty TiO2 content (McIntyre, 1991 [17801]). Research Ltd, Euraust Minerals Exploration Pty Ltd and is continuing at a reduced level, but market Burmine Ltd) and Aberfoyle. Details of these forecasts indicate that development and mining companies exploration programs are outlined in are unlikely in the short term. Rooney, 1995 [21373].
CRA has identified four additional deposits within The Tyrrell Ridge strandline deposit extends 54 km a 50 kilometre radius of WIM 150. Resource northwest of Birchip toward Lascelles. It is 150 m details of these deposits are presented in Table 6. wide and has an average thickness of 3.6 m. Commercial heavy minerals average 60% of the The four deposits have a similar fine grainsize to heavy mineral fraction and include ilmenite, WIM 150, and display similar mineral leucoxene, rutile, zircon and monazite (Masters, 44 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
1983). The area has been investigated by several Major crystal gypsum deposits occur at Raak companies and indicated resources of 3.2 Mt have Plains (to the northwest of the report area), been identified at an average grade of 13% heavy extending over 1000 hectares in area. Over half mineral concentrate (Nott, 1988). Several of this has been worked in the last 40 years by prospects have recently been investigated in CSR Ltd. and Mildura Plaster Mills, but there is ridges and "offshore" areas to the west of Tyrrell currently no production from these operations. Ridge, further defining their mineral sand The Mildura Plaster Mills supplied gypsum to its resource. Drilling in the Nhill region indicates that mill at Mildura for the manufacture of a range of the proportion of commercial heavy minerals tends specialty plasters but ceased work in June 1991 to decrease, and overburden increase, away from for financial reasons. CSR suspended operations the basin margin. (Hodges, 1990 [3866]; Grey, after losing contracts for supplying gypsum to 1991 [6655]; Torr, 1993 [11921]). major cement and plaster manufacturers in Victoria (Adamson, 1988 [19043]; Lanzer, 1991 Given favourable market conditions, the massive [11347]; McHaffie & Buckley, in prep [20488]). deposits of the southern Murray Basin in Victoria have the potential to be a world class, future The major agricultural gypsum deposit within the source of mineral sands. area is at Jeparit South, though other major deposits lie just to the west of the report area at 6.6Gypsum Nypo and west of Hopetoun. In addition, numerous small producers extract agricultural grade gypsum, mainly from dune deposits of The SWAN HILL, ST ARNAUD and HORSHAM either copi or seed gypsum. Location of gypsum areas contain a number of both crystalline and deposits within the report area are presented on non-crystalline (kopi) gypsum deposits, many of Maps 1, 2 and 4 (accompanying map roll). which have been commercial producers in the Victoria is the leading state in the production and past. There is currently no commercial crystalline use of agricultural gypsum, as the production gypsum production in this area (McHaffie & centres lie close to the agricultural markets of the Buckley, in prep [20488]). There are many Murray River irrigation area (McHaffie & Buckley, unworked gypsum deposits which could be in prep [20488]). considered as possible future resources and the proximity of relatively large consumer markets is favourable for the commercial development of 6.7Bentonite deposits. Bentonite is generally defined as "a clay consisting In the arid areas of northwest Victoria, gypsum is essentially of smectite minerals (montmorillonite deposited in playas or clay pans above the water group), regardless of origin or occurrence" table (where this lies around one metre below the (Patterson & Murray, 1983 [19061]). The surface). The deposits form when capillary action dominant component is the clay mineral draws saline groundwater to the surface and montmorillonite, a hydrous aluminium silicate, and gypsum is fractionally crystallised at, or close to common accessories are quartz, mica and the surface. Over hundreds to thousands of years feldspar. Bentonite is a highly plastic clay, a layer of coarsely crystalline gypsum about one characterised by pronounced swelling and metre thick is developed. Gypsite (kopi or copi) shrinkage in response to uptake or loss of water occurs as an efflorescent deposit on the surface of and may be classified according to these swelling playas, formed as capillary water evaporates. It is characteristics. The three types that may be generally a whitish fluffy or crystalline powder recognised are high swelling (sodium bentonites), mixed with clay and/or sand. Wind action low swelling (calcium bentonite) and moderate concentrates this material into low ridges or dunes swelling (intermediate / calcium-sodium called "copi islands" (Land Conservation Council, bentonites). A further type known as Fuller's Earth 1987 [2858]; McHaffie & Buckley, in prep [20488]). is a fine grained, earthy material that is also often A major difference between the depositional included under the term bentonite. It is generally environments of salt and gypsum is that unlike the composed of attapulgite (palygorskite) or a salt playas, the supply of groundwater to the smectite clay mineral (usually calcium gypsum playas during winter does not exceed montmorillonite); may be clay-like, high in evapotranspiration and the water table lies about a magnesia, higher in water than true bentonitic metre below the surface. Copi dune deposits clays, and lacking in plasticity (O'Driscoll, 1988 formed by deflation of the playa surface, occur as [19060]). lunettes on the eastern shores of lakes (Lawrence & Inan, 1988 [19050]; Macumber, 1991 [19052]). Bentonite and Fuller's Earths are extensively used as drilling muds, in foundry moulds, for civil engineering applications and in animal and poultry GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 45
feed. It also has a multitude of speciality uses thickness of 5 m (range 2-10 m) and a clay/sand including that in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, overburden thickness averaging 14.6 m (range 4- powder fire extinguishing agents, additives to 30 m), with the bentonite interfingering with sand ceramic raw materials to improve plasticity and lenses. A strike length of at least 6 km and a colloidal fillers for certain paints (O'Driscoll, 1988 width up to 1 km has been determined by drilling. [19060]). Fuller's Earth is used mainly as an Stratigraphically, the bentonite lies at or near the absorbent and bleaching agent in the purification top of the Miocene to Pliocene Parilla Sand of oils and other liquids and as pet litter. (Browns Creek Gold, 1993 [19057]; McHaffie & Buckley, in prep, [20488]). Most economic bentonite deposits are of Cretaceous or younger age (Patterson & Murray, It is thought that the clay at the Arumpo deposit 1983 [19061]). They have been reported was derived from tuffaceous material deposited in associated and intercalated with all types of a saline? lake that had formed in a lagoon behind sediments including conglomerates though they a Parilla Sand ridge. Extensive, thick clay are mostly found associated with sedimentary deposits are found throughout the Murray Basin beds of marine origin. There is considerable and if favourable depositional environments and evidence that most bedded bentonite deposits are tuffaceous source materials exist, there is formed from transported volcanic materials potential for a major bentonite occurrence within (mainly ash and glass) accumulated under marine the Murray Basin of Victoria. Further potential conditions, or in some cases, in restricted alkaline exists for bentonite to occur in areas of tuffaceous lakes (Patterson & Murray, 1983 [19061]) . The material associated with Newer and Older most common parent materials range from Volcanics that were deposited in marine or near- andesite to rhyolite in composition which may shore facies, or in areas of restricted drainage. As gradually evolve into bentonite clays through the Murray Basin has been the subject of relatively mild diagenetic alteration. With extensive exploration and drilling for mineral progressive alteration the bentonite clays are sands, there is the potential to identify bentonite broken down, chlorites and illites increasing in from the results of this program (McHaffie & abundance relative to smectites and mixed layer Buckley, in prep, [20488]). illite/smectites. The optimum amount of 6.8 Coal diagenetic alteration is important in the formation of bentonite clays. Some bentonites in the United Extensive brown coal deposits, estimated to total States have formed by hydrothermal alteration of approximately 30,000 million tonnes have been igneous rocks (Patterson & Murray, 1983 [19061]; identified within the Murray Basin at Willebrina (25 O'Driscoll, 1988 [19060]). km northwest of Warracknabeal), Warracknabeal, Wycheproof and Kerang/Cohuna by CRA Victorian bentonite production has been Exploration Pty. Ltd. The coal seams are intermittent and generally less than 1,000 tpa, with extensive and may be up to 40 m thick, but are a total of 7,064 tonnes produced from 1979 to covered by overburden generally in excess of 100 1989. There has been no bentonite production in m. The depth of overburden and high ash content recent years. All production has come from the (averaging 10.8%) contribute to make these Greenwald deposit approximately 45 km south of deposits uneconomic. It is thought the deposits Casterton, which is to the south of the report area were formed from swamps associated with the (McHaffie & Buckley, in prep, [20488]). ancestral river valleys of the Loddon and Murray River systems (Preston, 1982 [2968]; Harvey, Within the report area, possible bentonite clay has 1986 [2958]; Gloe et al., 1988 [19722]). been intersected in drill holes near Moyston, west Elsewhere within the Murray Basin, North of Ararat. The clay was found at the top of Exploration have recently identified a laterally strongly weathered greenstone bedrock which extensive (3x1.5 km) sequence of lignite and included altered andesitic and dacitic tuff. As the lignitic clays averaging 10 m but up to 20 m in clay band was less than 1 m thick, it was not thickness. Unfortunately the high ash, low carbon investigated further (Forwood, 1987 & 1988 [1210, content and low energy value make this deposit 1212]). There is however the potential to discover currently uneconomic (O'Neill, 1994 [21221]). economic bentonite deposits in the Murray Basin of northwestern Victoria. This has been recently Economic coal deposits from within the Murray substantiated following the discovery of the Basin are found at the Upper Permian Coorabin Arumpo sodium - magnesium bentonite resource, Coal Measures within the Oaklands infrabasin, located 80 km north of the Murray River and 70 New South Wales. Mining of this deposit has km east of Mildura, in New South Wales. Drilling occurred intermittently between 1917 and 1959 of the Arumpo deposit has indicated a resource of when flooding forced cessation of production. approximately 70 Mt. The main, non-outcropping Drilling carried out by the Mines Department of seam is flat to gently dipping with an average 46 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
New South Wales has extended the known limits of the coalfield, and large resources have been inferred. The western margin of the Murray Basin in South Australia also hosts a number of sub- economic Tertiary coal deposits (Brown, 1985 [21436]).
6.9Gemstones, Precious & Semi-Precious Stones
Gemstones and semi-precious gems within the report area and vicinity are confined to isolated occurrences at Carapooee (sapphires and a diamond), the Ararat region (sapphires) and Balmoral (diamond), though further sapphire occurrences are likely. In addition, well formed, specimen quality crystals of phosphate minerals of copper, magnesium, zirconium, beryllium, calcium and uranium are found in the Lake Boga and Mount Wycheproof granites (McHaffie & Buckley, in prep [20488]).
The deep leads and modern drainages of the Ararat region have concentrated gems derived from the erosion of basalts and granites. Gems include bright blue to near black sapphires, emeralds and orange to reddish brown zircons derived from basalts and red garnets, colourless to pale blue topaz's and coloured varieties of quartz such as amethyst and citrine derived from granites (McHaffie & Buckley, in prep [20488]). At Carapooee, south east of St Arnaud, a shallow lead yielded a 0.5 carat pale yellow diamond and abundant sapphires, commonly green and blue coloured with occasional yellow and mauve specimens (W. Birch, pers. comm.). The only other reported diamond occurrence in the vicinity of the project area is from Mathers Creek, 3.5 km from Kongbool Station where a small diamond was recovered (Baragwanath, 1948 [9446]).
Barron et al., (1994 [21029]) have proposed a new subduction model in which various non - kimberlitic / lamproitic rock types may represent hard rock sources for Australian east coast diamonds. Possible diamond host rocks include leucitite, melilitite, nephelinite, basanite and alkali basalt. If substantiated, this model would widen the scope for locating primary diamond sources within Victoria. It is possible that the primary source of the Carapooee and Kongbool diamonds, and perhaps secondary alluvial deposits lie buried under an overburden of barren Murray Basin sediments. Thumb-print magnetic anomalies drilled by CRA Exploration around the southern margin of the Murray Basin located possible pipe like bodies undercover with alkali basalt and/or nephelinite affinities (see Chapter 7 for details). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 47
7 Summary of exploration From the late 1960's through the 1970's exploration targets shifted from reef gold deposits towards indicator belts and Since the introduction of the Exploration disseminated gold deposits. "Indicators" Licensing (EL) system in 1965, a total of 292 according to historical literature played an licences have been granted along the southern important role in the concentration of gold (see margin of the Murray Basin and their locations Chapter 6). Exploration was concentrated on are presented in Appendix 2. The exploration the Wedderburn-St Arnaud-Pyrenees Ranges programmes are summarised in Appendices 3 area and achieved some success in the late and 4. A complete outline of the work 1970's when areas of low grade disseminated programmes of all the EL's within the entire mineralisation were identified on the Nelson North West initiative area is presented in line in St Arnaud by Planet Mining [7784]. Rooney (1995 [21373]). Due to advances in metallurgical processing 7.1History of exploration and the increasing gold price throughout the 1980's, open pittable, bulk tonnage, low grade Modern exploration around the southern gold mineralisation became the main target for margin of the Murray Basin has been exploration companies who particularly dominated by extensive regional programmes concentrated on the St Arnaud-Pyrenees Ranges aimed at gold and mineral sands. A lesser region. Results of exploration in general concentration of exploration has been applied to showed a highly erratic distribution of gold. other targets including molybdenum, brown WMC identified a broad zone of brecciated, coal, base metals, uranium, gypsum and altered and mineralised sediments in the diamonds. vicinity of the Kingston mine (Begg, 1989 [3148]). Gold Into the 1990's possible meso-epithermal Historically gold has been the mainstay of disseminated gold deposits in I-type granites, exploration conducted around the southern intermediate to mafic intrusives and sediments margin of the Murray Basin. Gold was first in contact metamorphic aureoles have become discovered at Wedderburn in 1852 and was the focus of exploration for gold mineralisation. followed by discoveries at Wehla, Geophysics has shown possible extensions to Landsborough and Stawell in 1853. Discoveries greenstone belts which have the potential for spread with fields opening at Carapooee in large scale quartz gold veining. Palaeozoic 1854, Stuart Mill in 1856, Emu in 1857, Fentons placer deposits near the Roses Gap historical Creek, Burkes Flat, Rostrons and Navarre in workings (Rickards, 1990 [3037]) and 1858 and Redbank in 1860. Vein gold was first Witwatersrand type gold mineralisation within discovered at St Arnaud with the main quartz sediments of the ancestral Murray Delta reefs discovered in the subsequent rushes to the (Barclay et al., 1987 [2663]) have also been area in 1855. Reefs were progressively opened explored. in many of the other goldfields including Emu, Wehla and Redbank (Flett, 1979 [1743]). Gold Alluvial gold of sufficient volume to support a mining in the region continued up until the mining operation has been investigated 1920's after which it rapidly declined. throughout the period of modern exploration. Targets have included shallow and deep leads Western Mining Corporation Ltd (WMC) has (St Arnaud and Avoca River lead systems), been testing the continuity of previously mined perched Tertiary gravels and Recent alluvial ore bodies in the Stawell area since 1945 deposits. Small inferred resources were (Clappison, 1974a&b [3182, 6201]). Throughout delineated at Landsborough (Ashton Mining et the 1960's the principal gold target was al., 1986 [11471]; Bravo, 1993 [17614]), Kooreh unworked extensions of previously mined (CRAE, 1982 [7513]), Burkes Flat (Hughes, deposits. Planet Resources (Planet Mining Co., 1987 [1165]), Inglewood (Cahill, 1988 [3753]), 1970a&b [7585, 7590]) conducted a regional Carapooee (CRAE, 1982 [7484]; Callow, 1990 programme from 1965 to 1970 over the western [2982]), Emu (Planet Resources Group NL, 1989 goldfields concentrating on the Nelson, New [3346]) and Bealiba (Canavan & Treaskis, 1992 Chum and Bristol Lines of reef at St Arnaud. [8359]). 48 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Mineral sands 1982 [7550]) and coal of a limited extent, confined to the basal Renmark Group, was A series of extensive regional programmes were identified at Robinvale (CRAE, 1982 [7539]). conducted throughout the southern margin of the Murray Basin searching for mineral sands. Diamonds Following the initial discovery of mineral sand deposits near Kerang in the Parilla Sand, Diamond exploration in the area has consisted exploration has been conducted by Reef Oil, of drilling thumbprint anomalies, detected Westralian Sands (Tioxide & Austiex), CRAE, through airborne magnetic surveys. These were RGC, BHP, Aberfoyle (Sandhurst & Balmoral) thought to represent pipe like ultramafic and Fidunu (T.C.Pacific, Euraust Minerals, intrusions. The geochemistry of many of the Burmine & Denison Australia). Exploration for pipes suggested an affinity with alkali basalts mineral sand accumulations has dominated or nephelinites (CRAE, 1990 [3439]). No activities in the Murray Basin during the diamonds were recovered. 1980's. The principal exploration tool has been shallow pattern drilling usually along targets Uranium delineated from air photo interpretation. A layer of clay has prevented geophysical methods Prior to the Nuclear Activities (prohibition) Act from effectively locating mineral sands 1983, sedimentary uranium had been the target concentrations. Two types of deposit have been of exploration programmes. Exploration delineated within the Murray Basin; coarse models postulated the sedimentary uranium grained, linear strand-type mineralisation (e.g., was in a redox position within Tertiary Tyrrell Ridge) and fine grained, laterally sediments with the source being nearby granitic extensive WIM-type mineralisation (e.g., WIM bodies and the transport mechanism aquifers 150). Strand-type deposits have been (Endeavour Oil & Pierra Investments, 1978 delineated at Hopetoun, Karkarooc, Watchem, [7808]; Douglas McKenna & Partners, 1978 Wycheproof, Nyah West, Horsham and Birchip. [7891]; CRAE, 1983 [7454]). WIM-type deposits have been identified in the Horsham area northeast and southwest of Gypsum Drung South. Gypsum mining within the southern margin of Base metals the Murray Basin has taken place since the 1940's at Nowingi. Limited exploration has Limited exploration has taken place for base been conducted for the mineral with the aim of metals within the southern margin of the extending deposits currently being worked. Murray Basin. Anomalously high base metal geochemistry near Wedderburn led to the 7.2Major exploration exploration for Pb-Zn hosted shale mineralisation. In the 1990's models for base programmes metal mineralisation have included structurally controlled, intrusive related copper The four main exploration programmes within mineralisation and volcanogenic massive the southern margin of the Murray Basin, as sulphide mineralisation. Airborne geophysical defined by expenditure are presented below. A surveys have been used to select prospective complete outline of the work programmes of all areas. Molybdenum disseminated in intrusives expired EL's within the North West Initiative or porphyries was the target of exploration area is presented in Rooney (1995 [21373]). around Mafeking and Zumstein (Barrier Exploration, 1971 [7624]). EL's 757, 776-782, 784-811, 865-867, 925-6, 972, 998-999, 1255-1259, 1261- Brown coal 1267, 1280, 1298, 1315, 1362, 1364, 1401, 1424, 1917, 1999 Tertiary brown coal was the original target of the regional exploration conducted by CRAE CRA Exploration Pty Ltd & over the Murray Basin. Sub-economic resources Wimmera Industrial Minerals were identified in the Wycheproof, Torrumbarry-Tandarra and Cohuna areas Period Held: 1980-92 (CRAE, 1989 [7855]). Poorly developed coal Area: Kerang and Horsham Blocks, Murray seams were identified at Hopetoun (Brunker, Basin GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 49
Target: eastern portion of the Horsham Block, bounded CRA Exploration conducted a series of by the townships of Horsham, Dimboola, programs investigating the mineral potential of Warracknabeal, Birchip and Donald. A total of the Murray Basin. Acquisition of ground was 23 RC holes were drilled for an aggregate of originally for the purpose of Tertiary brown coal 3513 m with only local minor brown coal seams exploration but was subsequently subjected to a intersected. multi-commodity approach. The discovery of a mineral sand deposit at Drung South, near Multi-commodity - A multi-commodity Horsham, shifted emphasis to these programme was undertaken, aiming at brown commodities. Finally, thumbprint anomalies coal, uranium, gold and mineral sands. The detected through an airborne magnetic survey exploration for uranium was prohibited through were targeted for diamonds. the Nuclear Activities (prohibition) Act 1983 and consequently was dropped from the project. Work Carried Out: The exploration programme involved literature In return for being granted exploration rights research, airborne magnetics, gamma ray over a large region, the company was required spectroscopy, drilling and geophysical well to relinquish areas at regular intervals. logging. A total of 464 RC/RAB holes were Consequently there was an early emphasis on drilled for a total of 34 809 m within the the use of rapid aerial geophysical methods of relinquished area. exploration, notably aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys. Brown coal - Areas of potential Tertiary brown coal development within the Kerang Block were Brown Coal - Exploration for brown coal identified. Within the Wycheproof area (EL's potential over a regional scale was conducted 776-780), significant brown coal resources were following an extensive literature search and delineated at shallow depth. Up to 3 seams compilation of water bore data. Five targets with a cumulative thickness of around 16 m were selected for initial exploration within the were intersected at a depth of less than 100 m Kerang, Horsham and Numurkah blocks. The coal is of a low grade, with a high ash and Drilling was initially concentrated in areas sulphur content. Within the Torrumbarry- outside delineated brown coal targets in order Tandarra area (EL's 781,782,797, 809, 810, 811) to test for confirmation of low prospectivity, a brown coal resource restricted to a basement extensions to known occurrences, and to place palaeovalley system draining to the north was known occurrences over a wider regional delineated with a maximum intersected context. thickness of 12.1 m at a depth of 147 m. The basement palaeovalleys are incised into the pre- RC drilling was conducted from 1980 to 1982, Tertiary landscape and showed a dendritic concentrating in the northwest of the Kerang configuration. No core samples were obtained Block and bores were geophysically logged. A for analysis. Geophysical logs indicated a high broad north-south basement 300 m below Lake clastic component in seams which would Tyrrell with a significant thickness of the coal indicate a high ash content. Within the Cohuna bearing Renmark Group was confirmed. area (EL's 757, 808), a brown coal resource was However, the sediments were relatively barren, defined in the Cohuna Sub-Basin contained by a with coal seams thin, impersistent and below a single basement ridge and confined to 2 seams. depth of 250 m. Westward, the Renmark Group The lower seam ranges in thickness between 6 sediments rapidly attenuated against a north- and 15 m with the seam profile totalling 23.8 m south trending basement ridge. A second thick and lies from 160 to 200 m depth. The basement ridge was identified between 150 m to upper seam lies between 95 to 120 m depth and 200 m depth, east of Lake Tyrrell. thickens locally along the basin margin up to 25 m. No coal quality analysis was undertaken in Drilling was conducted during 1980 in the this area. Horsham Block, concentrating on the general area south of Horsham. A total of 31 RC holes Mineral sands - mineral sands had been were drilled for a total of 1863 m, including one identified in quarries within the Pliocene fully cored stratigraphic hole. Only thin Parilla Sand. Drilling results within the uneconomic coal seams were intersected in the Kerang Block indicated only trace amounts of area, confined to a number of small fault mineral sands in some holes, indicating little bounded depositional troughs. In 1981 the potential for a large tonnage, shallow, mineral drilling programme was extended to cover the sand system. 50 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Gold - Magnetic palaeochannels identified holes were geophysically logged and samples through the airborne magnetic data and were analysed for mineral sand content and selected sites were targeted for possible alluvial mineralogy. Of the 700 holes drilled (at an gold potential. Drilling intersected gravels average depth of 30 m) in the relinquished containing sufficient magnetite to account for licence areas, only 200 intersected mineral sand their magnetic affect but no significant gold was accumulations suitable to be submitted for recovered. liquid separation (TBE), of which 68 were analysed for mineralogy. Selected intervals Mineral sands- mineral sand concentrations from 10 holes were submitted for Au, Pt and Pb were discovered through downhole geophysical analysis (AAS and fire assay). Results showed logs where anomalous radioactivity revealed the that for the majority of holes, elevated mineral presence of monazite (containing traces of sand contents (up to 3 Wt%) generally returned thorium). This was not detected in airborne low levels of rutile, leucoxene and zircon. surveys due to the deposit being covered by a Where higher mineral sand contents occurred, layer of clay. A major pattern drilling the mineralised zone was thin (<3 m) and the programme was undertaken and a world class depth of overburden exceeded 24 m. deposit (WIM 150) was located at Drung South. Some 800 drill holes (totalling 17 000 m) were In April 1990 the discovery of other deposits to needed to outline the deposit which covers an the northeast and southwest of WIM 150 was area of 220 km2. The resource comprises 4900 announced. The mineral sand deposits are Mt and averages 2.8%, fine grained (50 mm) named WIM 50, WIM 100, WIM 200 and WIM minerals (Refer to Chapter 6.5 for further 250 and have been partly delineated through details). drilling. These resources have been retained by Wimmera Industrial Minerals Pty Ltd under An extensive regional programme was EL 3330 and MIN 4726. undertaken aimed at locating mineral sand accumulations similar to WIM 150. Following a Diamonds - Diamond exploration targeted literature review and collation of water bore numerous thumbprint anomalies detected data, a shallow RC drilling program was through an airborne magnetic survey. These completed and is summarised in Table 7. The
Table 7 CRAE drill hole summary
1:100 000 Mapsheet No. of holes Aggregate Average hole drilled metreage depth (m)
Balmoral 7223 80 1630 20.4 Birchip 7426 65 2006.5 30.9 Charlton 7525 34 1062 31.2 Donald 7425 96 3026.7 31.5 Edenhope 7123 26 705 27.1 Goroke 7124 19 551 29 Grampians 7323 3 60 20 Horsham 7324 36 1097 30.5 Kerang 7626 57 1736 30.5 Lalbert 7526 67 2146.5 32 Natimuk 7224 53 1475.5 27.8 Nyah 7527 41 1480 36.1 Rupanyup 7424 56 1348.5 24.1 Swan Hill 7627 1 30 30 Warracknabeal 7325 46 1425 31 Wedderburn 7625 20 456 23
Total 700 20235.7 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 51
thumbprint magnetic anomalies were thought collected and the -80# (180 mm) fraction was to represent a pipe-like ultramafic igneous analysed for Au, Cu, Pb, Zn and As. The survey intrusion and were further defined using outlined a strong Au anomaly in the vicinity of ground magnetics. An extensive RC drilling the workings and several weaker anomalies to program was undertaken on each anomaly and the east of the mine. The survey was extended basement samples were analysed for to the north and 239 soil samples were collected geochemistry, major and minor elements, which further defined the anomalies detected. kimberlite indicators and microdiamonds, using Two geochemical anomalies at Proctors AAS, XRF and petrography. The geochemistry workings and southeast of the Kingston mine of the Murray Basin pipes suggested an affinity were later tested by drilling. with alkali basalt or nephelinite. The pipes were concluded to be basic with a strong Geophysics - An aerial magnetic survey was enhancement in alkalies (Na2O) and in flown over the licences as part of a broader elements compatible with ultramafics. A small survey of surrounding titles. A SIROTEM group of pipe-like intrusions at Marnoo, survey was conducted over PAL 27 without between Horsham and St Arnaud were found to positive results. A ground magnetic survey was have kimberlitic affinities. Sulphides were conducted over the tenements but results were detected in numerous drillholes. inconclusive due to surface noise. A detailed 50 m dipole-dipole IP survey was conducted over Reason for relinquishment: PAL 27 and extended into the EL. Several Areas of poor results and uneconomic deposits anomalous zones with a north-south trend were were relinquished, the licence areas containing identified. identified resources were retained. Drilling - An initial drilling programme References: 3439, 6372, 7882, 2958, 2401 comprising 15 RC percussion holes of 3 traverses on a 70 x 25 m grid was conducted EL 1613, 2292 PAL 27, 41 around the Kingston workings. One drill hole Western Mining Corp Ltd intersected 8 m at 23.01 g/t Au from 28 to 36 m depth. This prompted the drilling of a further Period Held: 1986-89 25 holes testing the geochemical anomalies at Area: Kingston mine area Proctors workings and southeast of the Kingston mine as well as IP anomalies. Drilling Target: of the geochemical anomalies revealed narrow The target of exploration was to find extensions quartz zones with widespread low (0.05-0.8 g/t to gold mineralisation of the Kingston mine and Au) levels of mineralisation. The source of IP to understand controls of mineralisation which anomalies seemed to be widely distributed could be applied regionally. disseminated pyrite. The drillholes were analysed for Au, Ag, AS, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sb and Bi. Work Carried Out: WMC entered a joint venture agreement with A total of 9 RC percussion holes were then Southern Continental Mining Ltd over PAL 27 drilled to test the area northeast of the (MLA 1196) and 41 (MLA 1240). Kingston mine and significant mineralisation (5 m at 8.61 g/t Au) was intersected in one hole. The first stage of exploration included Two diamond drillholes were put down to obtain reconnaissance mapping and sampling of the core from beneath the area of the highest Au Kingston and Kingston Horseshoe workings. response and to test beneath the level of the Several anomalous samples (up to 5.8 g/t Au) main Kingston workings. Core revealed prompted a soil geochemical survey (1 km x 2 brecciated and sericitized metasediments with km) centred on the mine area. minor pyrite mineralisation in the matrix. A depth of 70 m was established as the oxidation Mapping - Surface mapping was conducted over level. EL's 1613, 2292 and PAL 27. PAL 27 was mapped at a scale of 1:2 500 and the EL's were A further 9 holes were then drilled to test the mapped at a scale of 1:25 000. area of mineralisation at depth and 2 IP anomalies. In conjunction with previous Geochemical - A geochemical soil survey drilling, a zone of mineralisation extending less centred on the Kingston workings was than 100 m northeast from previous stoping conducted and a total of 596 samples were was outlined. A hole intersected a 2 m interval 52 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
at 24.8 g/t Au from 92 to 94 m associated with a sulphide bearing zone targeted by IP. Four RC An aeromagnetic spot anomaly on the southern percussion holes were drilled on a geochemical boundary of EL 1613 was investigated and anomaly east of it but failed to intersect maghemite gravels were detected. Four ground significant mineralisation. magnetic traverses indicated a bedrock source in the adjacent EL 2164. A SIROTEM (200 m As a result of these intersections further 50 m lop) survey was conducted over the anomaly dipole-dipole IP and ground magnetic surveys and failed to indicate the presence of sulfides. were conducted. A 10 x 5 m grid of vertical percussion holes (100 in total) were drilled to Reason for relinquishment: test the open cut potential of the identified The restriction of patchy and discontinuous mineralised area. The holes were drilled to a mineralised zones to within 200 m of the maximum of 12 m and outlined an approximate Kingston mine, and the failure to discover gold ore reserve of 10,000 tonnes averaging 1.6 g/t bearing prospects led to the relinquishment of Au northeast of the Kingston mine. the tenements.
Two diamond holes were drilled towards the References: 1151, 1071, 1223, 1086, 3079, east of the Kingston area to test the area down 3148 dip of the high grade intersections. This failed to establish down dip continuity but confirmed EL 3005 (ex 1885), 3142 (ex 2706), the extensive nature of the breccia channel and 3144 (ex 2708), 3146 (ex 2710), 3209 sericite alteration. A total of 23 RC holes were drilled on weak IP targets. Several of the holes (ex 1907), 3261 (ex 2562), 3368, 3369 were extended by diamond drilling to provide BHP Minerals Ltd better geological data. Results were discouraging with the best 1 m interval Period Held: 1987-94 intersected returning 4.29 g/t Au. Area: Hopetoun
The mineralised zone detected northeast of the Target: Kingston mine shaft was calculated to have an The target of exploration was accumulations of ore reserve of 6,080 tonnes at 14 g/t allowing for heavy mineral (HM) sands contained within the downhole contamination and using 30 g/t grade Parilla Sand. Exploration focussed on palaeo- cut. An underground exploration programme strandlines which would indicate possible HM was proposed but further close spaced drilling bearing beach sand deposition and revealed poor and discontinuous mineralisation. preservation. The main mineral sought was The underground proposal was abandoned. ilmenite, with rutile, leucoxene and zircon as additional minerals targeted. Other- A stream sediment sampling programme was conducted over the bulk of the JV area. Work Carried Out: Several weak responses for Au were followed up Initially exploration involved a literature search without result, limiting the potential for and geological assessment of the area, together shallow gold mineralisation of the Kingston with remote sensing (Landsat images) and air mine area and Proctors workings. Geological photo interpretation to target areas of mapping over the areas revealed dominantly favourable geological environments to HM residual soils and evidence of hydrothermal accumulation. brecciation. Further soil sampling was undertaken to define a soil anomaly detected Geophysics - Within EL 3005 a total of 4 ground between Proctors workings and an area 500 m magnetic traverses totalling 44 kms were east of the Kingston mine, with a similar strike conducted in order to test the magnetic profile to the Kingston reef channel. Eight IP 50 m of the area and determine its effectiveness as an dipole-dipole traverses were conducted over exploration tool. Ground magnetics was not Proctors workings. The results indicated a successful in predicting observed strandlines. broad 400 m wide anomaly striking north- northwest, probably lithologically controlled. Drilling- A total of 6 drilling programmes were Ten shallow RC hole (totalling 458 m) were conducted over the group of titles from drilled on the anomaly. Results were November 1988 to June 1992, largely consisting disappointing with the maximum return of 0.45 of RC aircore drilling. A total of 647 holes were g/t Au over a 1 m interval. drilled for a total of 15 724 m with no holes GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 53
drilled within EL's 3368 and 3369. Around 2-3 kg samples were taken every 2 m interval and a References: 1712, 2526, 2527, 2646, 3542, composite 2 kg sample represented each 20 m 4176, 7019, 11921, 19787 hole. The samples were analysed by XRF for Ti and Zr. Down hole gamma logs were run on all EL 1170 General Gold Resources holes and a hand held scintillometer was run NL over samples. Selected samples were submitted for quantitative determination of the HM Period Held: 1982-85 content and qualitative analysis of the HM Area: St Arnaud fraction. From the sample a HM concentrate was prepared through liquid separation (TBE) Target: and the SG > 2.96 fraction retained for analysis. The aim of exploration was to locate sufficient The best intersection was in hole HN723 with 4 near surface, open pittable gold mineralisation m (10 to 14 m depth) averaging 27.3% HM of to support a small scale operation. which 8.4% is rutile. Work Carried Out: Geochemistry- A total of 5 bulk samples were The area was granted to General Gold characterised in terms of HM content, sizing Resources and worked in conjunction with and assemblage by Mineral Deposits Limited sister company Sanadine NL which were (MDL). Spiral concentrate testwork was subsidiary companies to Technomin Australia conducted to assess potential recoveries and NL. produce concentrates of HM for analysis. Most of the mineral contents were fine (< 63mm) TiO2 The first phase of exploration included an contents of ilmenite ranged from 58.3 to 49.2% extensive literature survey and regional with elevated CrO3 also detected. It was geological investigation. Mine dumps and concluded that a mineral separation plant could tailings were tested, including petrographic produce "grade" products but the development sampling and a regional geological appraisal of special circuits was needed to treat the fine was conducted by consultants Greg Kater and ore. No gold was detected by fire assay. Associates Pty Ltd. A full conceptual economic assessment by Terrence Willstead and An ilmenite concentrate was made from hole Associates was conducted to determine known HN723 which contained 2 m at 7.31% ilmenite and inferred mineralisation, mining and other from a depth of 12 m. This returned moderate costs, cut off grades and gold prices. This was TiO2 (53.7%) and acceptable levels of all other followed by mapping, geophysical surveys and elements except CrO3 and MnO. Analysis drilling. results returned 19 ppm U and 44 ppm Th. Literature survey - A literature survey targeting Palynological dating was attempted on 14 historical data and previous exploration was samples, with inconclusive results. conducted.
Mineralisation in strandlines was found to Mapping - Detailed geological mapping and a extend over strike lengths of up to 9 kms and is photogeological study was conducted over the open ended. The mineralised zones range up to tenement. 1 km but grades varied markedly across strike. Estimates of mineralisation along four Geophysics - A series of rapid reconnaissance strandlines totalled 216 Mt grading from 3.1 to IP surveys (RRIP) were conducted by Scintrex 11.1% HM. Two portions were calculated to within the licence area. Initially grids were have inferred resources totalling 61.6 Mt established over the Bristol and Lord Nelson grading from 2.7 to 10.7% HM. Mineralogy in areas with 3 test arrays conducted over the all holes except HN723 was not sufficient to Bristol grid and 2 test arrays conducted over encourage further exploration. HN723 yielded the Nelson grid. Low amplitude anomalies in situ 0.71% rutile and 4.16% ilmenite over were identified on each prospect which were 11 m. attributed to broad low volume sulfides or to Reason for relinquishment: formational differences. This was followed by a To prove up small high grade deposits further series of RRIP surveys over the Nelson mine close spaced drilling was required which was site and Line, the Bristol Line, and the East and not considered justifiable due to the size of the West fields. Significant responses were resource. 54 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
detected over the Nelson, Bristol and West field lines. A mining feasibility study was completed including a proposal for tailings treatment. In 1984 further RRIP surveys consisting of 11 Open pittable ore occurred in 4 lensoid zones arrays and 2 Edwards arrays tested the and up to 200 m in length. For the purpose of northwest extension of the Bristol-New Bendigo the study, reserves were estimated at 500 000 t Line, New Chum Line and the Lady Nelson - at 3.0 g/t Au to a vertical depth of 50 m. Sebastopol-Armenian area. The method successfully delineated the quartz reef zones Reason for relinquishment: which appeared as resistivity highs in a No reason for the titles relinquishment was normally conductive slaty zone. Several given so it was presumed that the company was anomalies were detected along strike. unable to develop the prospect any further.
A ground magnetic survey was conducted over References: 1170, 1171, 2314, 2315, 2316, the IP grids with readings taken at intervals of 2331, 2332, 2360 12.5 m along lines 50 m apart. The results indicated a complex pattern attributed to variations in the distribution of pyrrhotite.
Drilling - From the geophysical surveys and mapping, targets were defined for a diamond drilling programme to give a greater understanding of the ore and its controls. A total of 11 diamond holes were drilled (totalling 2316.7 m) and 221.5 m of core was obtained. A total of 5 holes were drilled into the Lady Nelson Line with the best intersection 166.8 to 167.8 m depth at 1.91 g/t Au and 1.64 g/t Ag. A total of 6 holes were drilled into the Bristol-New Bendigo Line with only one hole intersecting significant mineralisation at 1.08 g/t Au. Following drilling, a reinterpretation of the IP surveys was completed and a survey of the Bristol and Nelson Line zones was made.
Following this a RC percussion drilling programme was then completed to test gold bearing quartz zones to a depth of 50 m. A total of 37 holes were drilled for a total of 3194 m, with 50 g samples fire assayed for Au. The holes tested the Lady Nelson, Comstock, Walkers, Economic, London and Brownings Luck zones. Significant results ranged from 1.13-7.3 g/t Au. The Comstock and Lady Nelson zones were estimated to have a combined resource of 200 000 t averaging 3.0 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag.
A final drilling programme consisting of 54 RC holes (totalling 3 158 m) infilled previous areas and tested IP anomalies on the Sebastopol, Trinidad, Golf Course, Economic, Perrys and Brownings Luck zones. Samples were collected at 2 m intervals and a 50 g sample was fire assayed for Au. Significant results ranged from 1.1 to 5.42 g/t Au in the Comstock zone, 1.13 to 12.95 g/t Au in Walkers zone and 1 to 2.35 g/t Au in the Lady Nelson zone. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 55
8 Prospective areas [20732])), Wehla-Goldsborough shear (Wehla, Bealiba, Dunolly goldfields). Other regional highs formed by large anticlinoriums host The area covered by this report contains a goldfields at Stawell, Beaufort, Ararat and a range of mineral commodities as outlined in number of other fields. Chapter 6. Economically, gold has been the most important commodity produced, but there The Mount Cole Synclinorium (west of the are also important deposits of mineral sands in Landsborough Fault, and extending to the addition to base metal, antimony, silver, eastern edge of the Stawell-Ararat Zone) gypsum and coal deposits. There is also the represents a regional structural low which possibility that bentonite and primary and appears to be devoid of gold mineralisation. secondary diamond deposits may occur within Supporting this observation is the noted lack of the report area. gold within the White Hills Gravel. The White Hills Gravel is an extensive unit found in A number of areas including those that are isolated outcrops throughout the Stawell and poorly exposed, may be considered prospective Bendigo-Ballarat zones (see Chapter 6) and is for many of these commodities. They have been generally at least slightly auriferous in areas identified on the basis of detailed aeromagnetic where primary gold mineralisation occurs. data, regional gravity data and postulated Therefore in regional terms, structural highs extensions of known gold and base metal represent prospective target zones and mineralisation occurrences and styles. structural lows less prospective areas. Gold Slate and Shale Hosted Exploration and prospecting for gold has often As mentioned in Chapter 6, there are a number been intense over historical goldfields. Despite of reports of gold occurring within dark this level of exploration there remain a number carbonaceous slates and shales which do not of highly prospective target areas within the contain any visible quartz. CRA Exploration report area that are both outcropping as well as have suggested a syn-volcanogenic origin for the under cover of the Murray Basin sediments and gold (CRA Exploration, 1974 [7900]), however may occur within historical goldfields or in new, the evidence is not conclusive and the origin of under explored areas. the gold is still debatable. Occurrences have been reported from a number of locations (see Structural Highs Chapter 6), but are perhaps most concentrated Gold deposits in the Victorian Stawell and in the Wedderburn - Dunolly area. Gold values Bendigo-Ballarat zones most commonly occur within these shales and slates have been on broad structural highs - specifically in the reported as high as 33.5 g/t (gold) with cores of regional anticlines or in the hanging additional silver values (5.2 g/t). The wall of regional reverse faults. This general occurrence of anomalous silver in conjunction localisation is evident at the Berringa goldfield with gold in the slate suggests that near Ballarat for example. The Berringa mineralisation may be mesothermal, with goldfield lies on the Berringa Anticlinorium, in further enrichment occurring during regional the hanging wall, and approximately 1.5 km mineralising events. The prospectivity of this west of the westerly dipping Berringa reverse target is enhanced by the common observation fault. The vast majority of the gold of extremely high gold grades found at the mineralisation is confined to the crest of the intersection of these 'indicator' beds with flat anticlinorial axis and decreases rapidly to the lying quartz veins. Large tonnages of north and south along the plunging axes of the auriferous slates are reported in some localities. anticline, away from the crest. A similar feature probably occurs on the Little Bendigo Greenstone Hosted and Ballarat East goldfields (Taylor et al., in A number of greenstone hosted gold deposits press [21439]). are found within the report area and nearby - eg. Stawell, Moyston and Pitfield (south of Within the report area, the same regional Ballarat). In addition to the known greenstone association is also common. The majority of outcrops, the recent interpretation of regional gold deposits may be found close to the hanging magnetic data by the Geological Survey of wall of reverse faults - for example the Victoria has delineated the continuation of Percydale Fault (Avoca, Stuart Mill, Percydale several greenstone belts under the cover of the goldfields (Cayley & McDonald, in press Murray Basin, as well as identifying several 56 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
new possible occurrences (see Chapter 4 and have been outlined as Prospective Area 2 (Map Maps 5, 6 and 7, accompanying map roll). 6, accompanying map roll).
Geophysical interpretation of new data recently Historically, gold has been mined along the acquired by the Geological Survey of Victoria Landsborough Fault and a zone extending has highlighted an area in the northwestern about 5 km to the west (Chapter 6.1). The corner of HORSHAM and extending into Landsborough Fault has been mapped on OUYEN that bears similarities with the Stawell BEAUFORT (Cayley & McDonald, in press goldfield. The interpretation has identified a [20732]), and correlates with the eastern edge of probable north-northwest trending greenstone a zone containing non magnetic sediments belt, transected at the south by a granitic interbedded with many magnetic units. intrusion. The details of this interpretation Prospective Area 3 incorporates the area where may be found in Willocks, 1995 [21445]. this zone has continued to the north on to ST ARNAUD (Map 6, accompanying map roll) and Brittle Faults and Fractures extending 5 km to the west of the fault. The location of the majority of gold and other metallic deposits within the report area are Granite Hosted tightly controlled by brittle fault development Gold mineralisation within granitic intrusions on a variety of scales. While some faults are is found at several sites within the report area particularly prospective (eg., the Stawell- (eg., Mt Ararat, Mt Moliagul, Moyston). Gold is Ararat, Landsborough and Percydale faults), generally found along late developed fractures, almost all brittle faults within the report area joints and shears. Gold has also been may be prospective. Geophysical interpretation intensively prospected and sluiced back to has further delineated the continuation of major bedrock from Tertiary gravels overlying granite fault zones under the cover of the Murray Basin west of Ararat. Despite these occurrences, and identified a number of new structures. All these host environments have not been of the larger north-northwest trending intensely explored and therefore may host small structures may be regarded as prospective, the deposits. In addition granitic intrusions under several belonging to the Stawell-Ararat zone the cover of the Murray Basin - many of which especially so. Other, broadly east-west trending are easily identified from the geophysical data, smaller structures, may also be prospective, but may also represent potential targets. probably for smaller targets. Areas formed within en echelon or conjugate set faults Stawell represent prospective areas for open-cut The Stawell Gold Mine occurs near the deposits. intersection of the Stawell Fault and a west- northwest trending fault, both of which have Specific highly prospective sites have been been interpreted from the magnetic data. The identified following detailed geophysical mine lies on a magnetic anomaly which is interpretation (as outlined in Chapter 4) and interpreted to be a combination of magnetic include extensions of the highly mineralised responses from volcanic rocks and beds with a Percydale and Landsborough faults. high sedimentary pyrrhotite content, with which much of the gold mineralisation in the The importance of the Percydale Fault and Stawell area is associated. Repetitions of the rocks lying in the hanging wall of the fault zone pyrrhotite - rich beds or similar stratigraphic in terms of gold production has been discussed units have been noted in outcrop and drill core in Chapter 6.1. This fault has a distinctive to the south of the Stawell Granite and to the magnetic marker unit along it on BEAUFORT. north. A line of quartz reefs extends to the The lithology of this marker unit is unknown, northwest of the Stawell Gold Mine following but may be caused by the presence of pyrrhotite the Stawell Fault as interpreted from the which is known to be found with mineralisation magnetic data. This fault continues to the associated with the Percydale Fault. The unit northwest on to ST ARNAUD and HORSHAM. can be traced to a magnetic intrusive on to ST The fault and magnetic units near the fault are ARNAUD and north of the intrusive for 15 km prospective and have been outlined as (Map 6, accompanying map roll). The northern Prospective Area 4 on Maps 5 and 6 extension of the Percydale Fault and the rocks (accompanying map roll). in the hanging wall extending for 5 km to the Pyrenees and Percydale Formations west of the fault are considered prospective and Cayley & McDonald, (in press [20732]) noted that the majority of gold mineralisation within GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 57
BEAUFORT was hosted by the Pyrenees and Base Metals Percydale Formations. These formations extend north to St Arnaud, well into the report Wycheproof Anomaly area. They considered this to be possibly due to The Wycheproof Anomaly lies on ST ARNAUD the generally high sand content within these and SWAN HILL, under (in places) 100 m of formations which has led to an increased Murray Basin sedimentary cover and has been propensity to undergo brittle deformation defined on the basis of geophysical (rather than ductile deformation). Brittle interpretation. It contains some deformed deformation is necessary to supply the conduits granite and sediments as demonstrated by and voids in which mineralising fluids may drilling carried out by CRA Exploration (see travel and precipitate. Zones of intense Chapter 7 and Rooney, 1995 [21373]). However alteration or shearing within these formations gravity data suggests that significant and other similar brittle formations may proportions of denser rocks, quite possibly of therefore offer enhanced prospectivity. volcanic origin, are likely to be contained in the sequence. These units have not been identified Historical Goldfields in the holes drilled by CRA Exploration, but Despite intense levels of mining in the past, may lie in the many gaps that exist between there remains very large tonnages of both drillholes and may be prospective for gold and alluvial and primary gold ore within many of base metal mineralisation. This area is the known goldfields of the report area. All of delineated Prospective Area 1 on Maps 6 and 7 the currently operating Victorian gold mines (accompanying map roll). have been developed on historical fields, and have in many cases doubled the total production Greenstone Hosted of the field. High water flows caused the Greenstones are generally considered to be cessation of many of the mines, as did prospective for hosting base metal inadequate capital and development. In mineralisation. The report area contains a addition, a number of fields also experienced number of greenstone belts (Mt Stavely, Mt very low gold recovery levels due to the Ararat, Mt Dryden, Wartook, Black Range) or association of gold with sulphides. The Moyston their postulated extensions, many of which have goldfield is a typical example, with gold been found to contain anomalous base metal mineralisation closely associated with abundant values. Highlights of base metal exploration pyrite mineralisation. Recorded gold programs may be found in Rooney, 1995 production from the field is 76 000 oz averaging [21373]). 22.7 g/t. Reports of very good yields from the cyaniding of old dumps suggest the true grade The Mount Ararat - Stawell greenstone belt is of the worked stopes was much higher than the particularly prospective, and is the host of a 22.7 g/t recovered (Whiting, 1959 [781]; Ramsay deposit at Mount Ararat with an inferred & Willman, 1988 [3170]; O'Shea et al., 1991 resource in excess of 1 million tonnes grading [6380]). It is likely that modern techniques 2.7% Cu, 10 g/t Ag and 0.6 g/t Au with employed by adequately funded and developed mineralisation open at depth (Cochrane, 1982 mining could be carried out profitably over [287]). The extension of this zone under cover many of these fields. The Ararat, Moyston, of the Murray Basin is highly prospective for Fiddler's Creek and Percydale areas may be both base metal and gold mineralisation. particularly prospective for these targets. Diamonds The poor gold recovery from difficult ore that Isolated occurrences of diamonds have been was experienced by many of the early miners found at Carapooee and Balmoral (see Chapter has also resulted in substantial tonnages of ore- 6) and the possibility of a primary source for grade tailings sand dumps within the report diamonds in the report area cannot be area. These dumps also represent viable discounted. The model developed by Barron et targets for economic retreatment. al., (1994 [21029]) (see Chapter 6) suggest that leucitite, melilitite, nephelinite, basanite and alkali basalt may all be potentially diamondiferous. Thumb-print magnetic anomalies drilled by CRA Exploration around the southern margin of the Murray Basin located possible pipe like bodies undercover with alkali basalt and/or nephelinite affinities 58 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
(see Chapter 7 for details). It is possible that the primary source of the Carapooee and Kongbool diamonds, and perhaps secondary alluvial deposits lie buried under an overburden of barren Murray Basin sediments.
Coal Extensive brown coal deposits, estimated to total approximately 30 000 million tonnes have been identified within the Murray Basin at Willebrina (25 km northwest of Warracknabeal), Warracknabeal, Wycheproof and Kerang/Cohuna by CRA Exploration and another deposit near Wartook found by North Exploration Ltd (see Chapter 6). While the depth of overburden and high ash content make these deposits uneconomic there is the possibility of finding deposits with more favourable overburden depths and composition. Economic coal deposits from within the Murray Basin are found at the Upper Permian Coorabin Coal Measures within the Oaklands infrabasin, New South Wales. The margin of the Murray Basin within the report area may likewise carry economic brown coal deposits
Mineral Sands The margins of the Murray Basin remain prospective for economic deposits of mineral sands. The extensive Parilla Sand unit, within which the WIM deposits identified by CRA Exploration occur, may contain coarse grained mineral sand deposits. A palaeogeographic reconstruction may identify headlands or deposits of longshore drift that may aid accumulation of coarser sands. Such deposits may display less metallurgical problems than those so far identified. In addition, the new detailed magnetic data interpretation has identified a number of north-south trending anomalies, a number of which are likely to represent untested strand line deposits. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 59
References Department of Mines, Victoria, pp. 23-24..
1 MCKENZIE, D.A. & NOTT, R.J., 1981. 38 REILLY, C.C., 1899. Report on Glendhu Wolframite at Henry's Hill near reef. Mining Development Reports. Avoca. Geological Survey of Victoria Department of Mines, Victoria. Unpublished Report 1981/68.
39 ULRICH, H.F., 1866. Report on the claim 4 MOON, R.A., 1897. Report on the St of the Freiberg Silver Mining Arnaud, Avoca and Percydale Association at St. Arnaud and on the goldfields. Mines Department of Glendhu reef. Parliamentary Papers Victoria Special Report. (Victoria) 2nd series 14, pp. 25-26.
8 MCKENZIE, D.A., 1981. Gold deposits in 50 LIDGEY, E., 1897. Report on mining the Pyrenees Range in central west operations in the Beaufort District. Victoria. Geological Survey of Geological Survey of Victoria Victoria Unpublished Report Unpublished Report 1897/9956. 1981/119.
57 DEPARTMENT OF MINES, VICTORIA. 15 KEAYS, R.R. & SANDIFORD, M., 1985. Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Melbourne University Geology Registrars. Series published Department. ML 432 Percydale. quarterly between the quarters ended Fiddlers Creek Project - final report. 31 March 1864 and 31 March 1884. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral 58 DEPARTMENT OF MINES, VICTORIA. Exploration Reports File (unpubl.). Goldfields of Victoria. Reports of the Mining Registrars. Series published 16 MCLEAN, D.S., 1984. Base Resources quarterly between the quarters ended Ltd. ML 432 Percydale. Review and 30 June 1884 and 31 December 1889. status of Gold Prospects at Percydale, Victoria. Unpublished 73 HOWITT, A.M., 1913. The Maryborough report on MLs 43 & 965. goldfield. Geological Survey of Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria Memoir 11. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. 74 CANAVAN, F., 1988. Deep lead gold deposits of Victoria. Geological 17 HUNTER, S.B., 1909. Deep Leads of Survey of Victoria Bulletin 62. Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Memoir 7. 128 NOTT, R.J., 1985. The Beaufort goldfield - geology mining history 31 MEDWELL, G.J., 1958. The Glendhu reef and production data. Geological Crowlands. Geological Survey of Survey of Victoria Unpublished Victoria Unpublished Report Report 1985/74. 1958/58. 287 COCHRANE, G.W., 1982. Copper, lead, 32 WHITING, R.G., 1960. Glendhu reef - zinc and barium deposits of Victoria. Crowlands. Geological Survey of Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin Victoria Unpublished Report 61. 1960/133. 381 CALDWELL, J.J., 1928. Parish of 33 HUNTER, S.B. & MULVANEY, J.B., 1937. Landsborough. 40 chains to 1 inch Deep leads of Victoria. Department geological map. Department of of Mines, Victoria. Mines, Victoria.
36 MURRAY, R.A.F., 1890. Report on the 382 DEPARTMENT OF MINES, VICTORIA. Gold Glendhu reef. Reports and Statistics production card index. Department of the Mining Department for the of Industry Technology & Resources, Quarter Ended 30 June 1890, Victoria (unpubl.). 60 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
598 VANDENBERG, A.H.M. & WILKINSON, 1151 ANDERSON, G.R., 1987. Western Mining H.E., 1982. Victoria. In R.A. Cooper Corporation Ltd. EL 1613 Kingston. (ed.) Late Proterozoic to Devonian Six monthly report for the period sequences of southeastern Australia ending 23 October 1987. Department Antarctica and New Zealand and of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, their correlation. Geological Society Expired Mineral Exploration Reports of Australia Special Publication 9. File (unpubl.).
688 WELLS, B.E., 1956. Geology of the 1165 HUGHES, A.R., 1987. CRA Exploration Casterton district. Proceedings of the Pty Ltd Company report No. 14793. Royal Society of Victoria 68, pp. 85- EL 1173 Fenton's Creek, Victoria. 110. Six monthly report for period ending 10 October 1987. Department of 760 RICHARDS, J.R. & SINGLETON, O.P., Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 1981. Palaeozoic Victoria, Australia: Expired Mineral Exploration Reports igneous rocks ages and their File. (unpubl.). interpretation. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia 28, 1170 KATER, G.N., 1983. Sanadine N.L. EL pp. 395-421. 1170. Geological assessment of the St Arnaud goldfield. January to 769 HUNTER, S.B., 1925. Report on Mr F T June 1983. Department of Energy Carroll's copper show at Mt Ararat. and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Geological Survey of Victoria Mineral Exploration Reports File. Unpublished Report 1925/13. (unpubl.).
781 WHITING, R.G., 1959. The Moyston 1171 BENJAMIN, P.J., WARD, D.F. & AYLING, goldfield. Geological Survey of W.P., 1985. General Gold Resources Victoria Unpublished Report N.L. EL 1170 St Arnaud, Victoria. 1959/46. Six monthly report for the period ending June 1985. Department of 822 BRADFORD, W., 1894. Report on the Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Ararat goldfield. Mines Department Expired Mineral Exploration Reports of Victoria Special Report. File. (unpubl.).
1052 BARBER, T.J., 1987. Bruce Cozens 1210 FORWOOD, P.S., 1987. P.S. & G.F. Associates for Continental Resources Forwood Pty Ltd. EL 1510 Moyston. N.L. Company Report No. 87-11. Report for the six monthly period 29 EL 1643 Charlton, Victoria. July November 1986 - 28 May 1987. 1987. Department of Energy and Department of Energy and Minerals, Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.).
1071 BARR, D.J., 1987. Western Mining 1212 FORWOOD, P.S., 1988. P.S. & G.F. Corporation Ltd. EL 1613 Kingston, Forwood Pty Ltd. EL 1510 Moyston. Victoria. Six monthly report for the Report for the six monthly period 29 period ending 23 April 1987. November 1987 - 28 May 1988. Department of Energy and Minerals, Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Exploration Reports File (unpubl.).
1086 BEGG, G.C., 1988. Western Mining 1223 BEGG, G.C., 1988. Western Mining Corporation Ltd. EL 1613 Kingston, Corporation Ltd. EL 1613 Kingston, Victoria. Six monthly report for the Victoria. Report for the six monthly period ending 5 April 1988 (2 period ending 23 October 1988. volumes). Department of Energy Department of Energy and Minerals, and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Victoria, Expired Mineral Mineral Exploration Reports File. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). (unpubl.). GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 61
1395 BARTROP, S.B., 1983. The structure, Geological Survey of Victoria metamorphism and mineralization of Unpublished Report 1982/39. the Ararat-Moyston region. BSc (Hons) thesis, Department of Earth 1504 LIDDY, J.C., 1972. Transouth Mining Sciences, Monash University, Pty Ltd and Aquila Investment Corp. Melbourne (unpubl.). Ltd. EL 227. April 1972. Department of Energy and Minerals, 1398 BRADFORD, W.M., 1903. The Stawell Victoria, Expired Mineral goldfield. Geological Survey of Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Victoria Bulletin 7, 22pp. 1519 HERMAN, H., 1921. Molybdenite 1421 BUCKLAND, G.L., 1987. Geology and occurrences in Victoria. Geological mineral potential of the Mount Survey of Victoria Records 4(3), pp. Stavely Volcanic Complex. 206-208. Geological Survey of Victoria Report 80. 1521 WHITELAW, H.S., 1925. Mount Douglas molybdenite mine, Korong Vale. 1427 CHAPPELL, B.W., WHITE, A.J.R. & HINE, Geological Survey of Victoria Records R., 1988. Granite provinces and 4(4), pp. 431-434. basement terranes in the Lachlan Fold Belt, southeastern Australia. 1522 WILKINSON, H.E., 1978. New Australian Journal of Earth Sciences molybdenite occurrence at McIntyre, 35, pp. 505-521. Parish of Moliagul. Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished 1440 KING, R.L., 1985. Explanatory notes on Report 1978/12. the Ballarat 1:250 000 geological map. Geological Survey of Victoria 1526 KRAUSE, F.M., 1875. Ararat goldfield. Report 75. 40 chains to 1 inch geological map. Department of Mines, Victoria. 1444 JOHNS, M.W. & LAWRENCE, C.R., 1964. Aspects of the geological structure of 1528 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., the Murray Basin in north-western undated. Ararat plan showing leads Victoria. Underground Water and reefs. Geological Survey of Investigation Report 10. Department Victoria Unpublished Plans and of Mines, Victoria. Sections 127/M/12.
1445 KRAUSE, F.M., 1874. Notes on the 1598 CHAMBERS, A.F., 1958. Report on the geological survey of Ararat Goldfield. scintillometer survey Lake Boga Geological Survey of Victoria (Lightfoots Quarry). Geological Progress Report 2, pp. 93-99. Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 1958/90. 1446 KRAUSE, F.M., 1875. Report on the geological survey of Ararat Goldfield. 1643 WHITELAW, H.S., 1899. Note on Geological Survey of Victoria antimony ores in Victoria. Mines Progress Report 3, pp. 120-134. Department of Victoria Special Report. 1448 MURRAY, R.A.F., 1914. The Mount William or Mafeking Goldfield. 1712 GREY, K., 1989. BHP-UTAH Minerals Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin International. Company Report No. 32. 6476. EL 1885 Woomelang, Victoria. Six monthly report for the period 1460 SPENCER-JONES, D., 1965. The geology ending 24 September 1989. and stucture of the Grampians area Department of Energy and Minerals, Western Victoria. Geological Survey Victoria, Expired Mineral of Victoria Memoir 25. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.).
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1743 FLETT, J., 1979. The history of gold 2331 HOWLAND-ROSE, A.W., 1983. Scintrex. discovery in Victoria. The Poppet A report on further RRMIP surveys Head Press, Melbourne. of the St Arnaud area, Victoria on behalf of Sanadine N.L. April 1983. 1757 KINGSTON, W., 1937. ML 6241 Parish of Department of Energy and Minerals, Dooboobetic. Geological Survey of Victoria, Expired Mineral Victoria Records 5(4), pp. 481-482. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.).
1879 WHITELAW, O.A.L., 1911. The 2332 HOWLAND-ROSE, A.W., 1983. Scintrex. Wedderburn Goldfield. Geological A report on further RRMIP surveys Survey of Victoria Memoir 10. over the Nelson line and comments on planned regional programme over 1901 STIRLING, J., 1899. Report on the EL 1170 St Arnaud. Department of mining features of portion of the Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Moliagul and Dunolly districts. Expired Mineral Exploration Reports Geological Survey of Victoria, File. (unpubl.). Monthly Progress Report 3, pp. 21-23. 2360 KELSEY, C. & AYLING, W.P., 1985. 2090 WHITING, R.G. & BOWEN, K.G., 1976. General Gold Resources N.L. Gold. In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Proposal for the treatment of tailings Ferguson (eds). Geology of Victoria. and open pit ore at St Arnaud, Geological Society of Australia, Victoria. June 1985. Department of Special publication 5 pp. 434-451. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports 2164 JENKINS, H.C., 1901. Report on the File. (unpubl.). treatment of the ore submitted by the Surprise Coy from their mine at 2401 ALLNUTT, S.L., 1988. CRA Exploration Redbank. Geological Survey of Pty Ltd. Murray Basin heavy Victoria Unpublished Report minerals exploration programme 1901/4350. Horsham and Kerang blocks. Final report on areas relinquished to 31 2314 AYLING, W.P., 1984. General Gold July 1988. 4 Volumes. Department Resources N.L. EL 1170 St Arnaud, of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Victoria. Six monthly report for the Expired Mineral Exploration Reports period ending December 1984. File. (unpubl.). Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral 2526 GREY, K., 1988. BHP-UTAH (Minerals Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). International). Company Report No. 6286. EL 1885 Woomelang, Victoria. 2315 HOWLAND-ROSE, A.W., 1982. Scintrex. Six monthly report for the period Report on rapid reconnaissance ending 25 September 1988. magnetic induced polarization Department of Energy and Minerals, surveys over the Bristol and Lord Victoria, Expired Mineral Nelson grids. GMLA 7149 St Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Arnaud, Victoria. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 2527 GREY, K., 1989. BHP-UTAH (Minerals Expired Mineral Exploration Reports International). Company Report No. File. (unpubl.). 6409. EL 1885 Woomelang, Victoria. Six monthly report for the period 2316 EDWARD, D.F. & AYLING, W.P., 1984. ending 24 March 1989. Department General Gold Resources N.L. EL of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 1170 St Arnaud, Victoria. Six Expired Mineral Exploration Reports monthly report for the period ending File. (unpubl.). June 1984. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 63
2646 DARBY, P.R., 1990. BHP-UTAH Victoria, Expired Mineral (Minerals International). Company Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Report No. 6949. ELs 1885, 1888, 1907, 2429, 2430, & 2491 Hopetoun, 2982 CALLOW, K.J., 1990. Ando Minerals Victoria. Six monthly report. N.L. EL 1646. Final report. Department of Energy and Minerals, Potential of Pliocene gold-bearing Victoria, Expired Mineral gravel areas. Shire of Kara Kara. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). County of Kara Kara. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 2663 BARCLAY, T.J.R., COTTON, B.J. & Expired Mineral Exploration Reports WHITING, T.H., 1987. CRA File. (unpubl.). Exploration Pty Ltd. Company Report No. 14381. EL 1599 Ouyen 3037 RICKARDS, R.D., 1990. CRA Exploration Block, Victoria. Statutory progress Pty Ltd. EL 2445 Wartook, Victoria. report for six monthly period ending Final and six monthly report for the 13 March 1987. Department of period ending 29 March 1990. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Department of Energy and Minerals, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports Victoria, Expired Mineral File. (unpubl.). Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.).
2771 CAS, R.A.F. & VANDENBERG, A.H.M., 3079 BEGG, G.C., 1989. Western Mining 1988. Ordovician. In J.G. Douglas & Corporation Ltd. EL 1613 Kingston, J.A. Ferguson (eds) Geology of Victoria. Six monthly report for the Victoria. Geological Society of period ending 23 April 1989. Australia, Victorian Division, Department of Energy and Minerals, Melbourne, pp. 63-102. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 2858 LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL VICTORIA., 1987. Current land use - 3148 BEGG, G.C., 1989. Western Mining Minerals and stone. Mallee Area Corporation Ltd. Kingston joint review. Land Conservation Council, venture. PALs 27 & 41 and ELs Victoria, pp. 270-278. 1613 & 2292. Final report for the period ending 26 June 1989. 2921 CAYLEY, R., 1988. The structure and Department of Energy and Minerals, metamorphism of the Mount Ararat Victoria, Expired Mineral region, Victoria. BSc (Hons) thesis, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Department of Geology, University of Melbourne. (unpubl.). 3165 WATCHORN, R.B. & WILSON, C.L.J., 1989. Structural setting of the gold 2958 HARVEY, R.H., 1986. CRA Exploration mineralization at Stawell, Victoria, Pty Ltd. ELs 776, 782, 794, 802, 806, Australia. In R.R. Keays, W.R.H. 998, 1267, 1299 and parts of ELs 757, Ramsay & D.I. Groves (eds) The 777-781, 796-801, 803-805, 807-811, geology of gold deposits: The 972, 1259, 1261-1266, 1280, 1401 & perspective in 1988. Economic 1424 Kerang Block, Victoria. Final Geology Monograph 6, pp. 292-309. report March 1986. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 3168 GULSON, B.L., ANDREW, S.A., MIZON, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports K.J., KEAYS, R.R. & STUWE, K., 1988. File. (unpubl.). Source of gold in Ballarat slate belt deposits and potential exploration 2968 PRESTON, J.C., 1982. CRA Exploration applications. In Bicentennial Gold Pty Ltd. ELs 774, 783-793 & 865-868 88, Extended Abstracts Oral Murray Basin Exploration Program. Geological Society of Programme, Horsham Block, Australia abstracts 22. Geological Victoria. Six monthly report for the Society of Australia, pp. 331-337. period ending 30 June 1982. Department of Energy and Minerals, 3169 SANDIFORD, M. & KEAYS, R.R., 1986. Structural and tectonic constraints 64 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
on the origin of gold in the Ballarat slate belt . Geological Society of 3708 RUTTER, H., 1983. Geophysical Canada Special Publication, pp. 15- Exploration Consultants Pty Ltd. A 24. geophysical assessment of the Ararat Prospect, Victoria. EL 1224. 3170 RAMSA Y, W.R.H. & WILLMA N, C.E., September 1983. Department of 1988. Gold . In J.G. Douglas & J.A. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Ferguson (eds Geology) of Victoria. Expired Mineral Exploration Reports Geological Society of Australia, File. (unpubl.). Victorian Division, Melbourne, pp. 454-481. 3753 CAHIL L, J., 1988. Bendigo Mining N.L. EL 1308/4. Final report for the 3182 CLAPPISON, R.J.S., 1974. Papers period ending 30 June 1988. presented at a conference on gold Department of Energy and Minerals, deposits in Victoria: Exploration for Victoria, Expired Mineral structural repetition at Stawell, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Victoria . Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 3866 HODGE S, R., 1990. ELs 1963, 1965, 1974/12. 1977, 2302, 2304, 2305, 2306 & 2307. Geological and expenditure report for 3187 ATKINSON , C.M., 1968. John Taylor & the eight month period ending 30 Sons. ELs 25 and 73 Ararat November 1990. Department of goldfield, Victoria. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). File. (unpubl.). 4099 LAWRENCE, C.R., 1975. Geology, 3346 PLANE T RESOURCE GROU P N.L., 1989. hydrodynamics and hydrochemistry EL 1640 "Emu". Six-monthly report of the Southern Murray Basin. for the period ending 12 May 1989. Geological Survey of Victoria Memoir Department of Energy and Minerals, 30. Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 4176 TOR R, G., 1991. BHP-UTAH Minerals International. ELs 1885, 1907, 2429, 3439 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1990. 2430, 2491 & 2562 Hopetoun, Murray Basin project drilling of Victoria. Six monthly report for the Bulls-eye Anomaly drill holes. 1:100 period ending 31 March 1991. 000 map sheets 7223, 7525, 7425, Company Report No. 7302. 7123, 7323, 7324, 7526, 7224, 7424, Department of Energy and Minerals, 7524, 7325 & 7625 (4 volumes). Victoria, Expired Mineral Department of Energy and Minerals, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 5575 MCKENZI E, D.A., 1980. Cassiterite in an alluvial gold mine at McIntyre. 3542 DAVIS, R.P., 1990. BHP-UTAH Geological Survey of Victoria Minerals International. Company Unpublished Report 1980/58. Report No. 7141. ELs 1885, 1888, 1907, 2429, 2430, 2491 & 2562 5664 WILKINSON, H.E., 1981. K.R. Leach Hopetoun, Victoria. Six monthly gold prospect, Rheola Geological . report. Department of Energy and Survey of Victoria Unpublished Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Report 1981/3. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 5758 BONE, Y., 1982. Fluid inclusion study of 3590 WILLOCK S, A.J., 1987. Interpretation of two gold bearing quartz veins from the Aeromagnetics and gravity on the Fiddlers Creek gold mine, the Horsham 1:250000 .Geological Percydale, Victoria Geological . Survey of Victoria Unpublished Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 1987/13. Report 1982/14, 3 pp. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 65
framework and tectonic evolution in 6201 CLAPPISON, R.J.S., 1974. Exploration Western Victoria, Australia. for structural repetitions at Stawell, Tectonophysics 214, pp. 93-127. Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 6814 HARBEN, P.W. & BATES, R.L., 1990. 1974/012. Industrial minerals. Geology and world deposits. Industrial Minerals 6372 PRESTON, J.C., 1983. CRA Exploration Division. Metal Bulletin Plc. Pty Ltd. ELs 757, 776-782, 794-811, London. 925-6, 972 & 998 Kerang Block, Victoria - Murray Basin Exploration 7019 TORR, G., 1991. BHP Minerals. ELs Programme. Partial relinquishment 1885, 1907 & 2562 Hopetoun, report for the period ending 31 July Victoria. Report for the six monthly 1982. Department of Energy and period ending 30 September 1991. Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Department of Energy and Minerals, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 6380 O'SHEA, P.J., WITHERS, J.A. & FINLAY, I.S., 1991. Primary gold 7223 CONNELL, K., 1991. New Holland mineralisation potential in the Mining N.L. and Sons of Gwalia N.L. Stawell Zone of the Lachlan Fold EL 3042 (formerly PAL 244 & ML Belt, western Victoria. Geological 1444). Annual report for the period Survey of Victoria Unpublished ending 27 December 1991. Report 1991/35. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral 6655 GREY, K., 1991. RGC Exploration Pty Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Ltd. ELs 2316, 2317, 2318, 2320, 2321, 2322, 2323, & 2326 Swan Hill 7454 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1983. and Kerang areas, Victoria. Six Reports jointly microfilmed under EL monthly report for the period 10 1247 (ex 728). Department of Energy February - 9 August 1991. and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Department of Energy and Minerals, Mineral Exploration Reports File. Victoria, Expired Mineral (unpubl.). Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 7484 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD. 1985. 6684 COLDHAM, J.C., 1953. Clunes goldfield. Reports jointly microfilmed under EL In A.B. Edwards (ed.) Geology of 1365. Department of Energy and Australian ore deposits 1. Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Australasian Institute of Mining & Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 1054- 1059. 7513 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1985. Reports jointly microfilmed under EL 6702 KING, R.L., 1977. Explanatory notes on 938. Department of Energy and the St Arnaud 1:250 000 Geological Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Map. Geological Survey of Victoria Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Report 46 (1977/6). 7539 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1982. 6746 BOWEN, K.G. & WHITING, R.G., 1975. Reports jointly microfilmed under Gold in the Tasman geosyncline, ELs 1037, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069 & Victoria. In C.L. Knight (ed.) 1070. Department of Energy and Economic Geology of the mineral Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Guinea. Monograph 14. Australasian Institute of Mining & 7550 BRUNKER, R.L., 1982. CRA Exploration Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 647-659. Pty Ltd. ELs 1097, 1098, 1101-1103, 1105, 1106, 1110, 1111 & 1130 6763 WILSON, C.J.L., WILL, T.M., CAYLEY, Murray Basin development R.A. & CHEN, S., 1992. Geological programme, Hopetoun Block, 66 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Victoria. Final report for the period Program, Horsham Block, Victoria. ending 30 June 1982. Department of Partial relinquishment report for the Energy and Minerals, Victoria, period ending 31 July 1982. Expired Mineral Exploration Reports Department of Energy and Minerals, File. (unpubl.). Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 7585 PLANET MINING CO PTY LTD., 1970. Reports jointly microfilmed under 7891 DOUGLAS MCKENNA & PARTNERS PTY ELs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 25, 26, LTD., 1978. Douglas McKenna & 27 & 28. Department of Energy and Partners Pty Ltd. EL 634 Glenorchy, Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Victoria. Final report May 1978. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral 7590 PLANET MINING CO PTY LTD., 1970. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Reports jointly microfilmed under ELs 25, 26, 27 & 28. Department of 7900 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1974. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Reports jointly microfilmed under Expired Mineral Exploration Reports ELs 437 & 444. Department of File. (unpubl.). Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Exploration Reports 7624 BARRIER EXPLORATION N.L., 1971. File. (unpubl.). Reports jointly microfilmed under ELs 117 & 118. Department of 8359 CANAVAN, F. & TREGASKIS, D., 1992. Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Report on the geology and economic Expired Mineral Exploration Reports potential of the area of EL 3225, File. (unpubl.). Victoria. May 1992. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, 7723 INAN, K., 1990. Ararat 1 : 100 000 map Expired Mineral Exploration Reports economic geology notes. Geological File. (unpubl.). Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 1990/45. 8916 BRADFORD, W.M., 1903. The Dunolly - Wedderburn Goldfields. Geological 7784 PLANET MINING CO PTY LTD., 1975. Survey of Victoria Bulletin 9. Reports jointly microfilmed under EL 541. Department of Energy and 8966 CALDWELL, J.J., 1938. The Golden Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Jacket Mine, Charlton. Mining and Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Geological Journal 1(2). Department of Mines, Victoria, p. 31. 7808 ENDEAVOUR OIL N.L. & PIERRA INVESTMENTS PTY LTD., 1978. 9105 COCHRANE, G.W., QUICK, G.W. & Reports jointly microfilmed under EL SPENCER-JONES, D., 1991. 633. Department of Energy and Introducing Victorian Geology. Minerals, Victoria, Expired Mineral Geological Society of Australia, Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). Victorian Division, Melbourne.
7855 CRA EXPLORATION PTY LTD., 1989. 9121 WESTON, K.S., 1992. Minerals of Reports jointly microfilmed under Victoria. Geological Survey of ELs 776, 782, 794, 802, 806, 998, Victoria Report 92. 1267 & 1299 and parts of 757, 777- 781, 796-801, 803-805, 807-811, 972, 9446 BARAGWANATH, W., 1948. Diamonds in 1259, 1261-1266, 1280, 1401 & 1424. Victoria. Mining and Geological Department of Energy and Minerals, Journal 3(3), Department of Mines, Victoria, Expired Mineral Victoria, pp. 12-16. Exploration Reports File. (unpubl.). 9780 WHITELAW, O.A.L. & COUCHMAN. 7882 PRESTON, J.C., 1982. CRA Exploration Brownings Luck Mine, St Arnaud. Pty Ltd. ELs 784-786, 788-792 & Victorian mining plans and sections 865-867 Murray Basin Exploration 1898 - 1909. North Broken Hill Ltd. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 67
Department of Energy and Minerals, 10936GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., Victoria, Mining plans & sections undated. Parish of Glenalbyn. 40 open file. (unpubl.). chains to 1 inch geological map. Department of Mines, Victoria. 9899 ANON., 1915. Economic Mine, St Arnaud. Victorian mining plans and 10947GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., sections 2012. Department of Energy undated. Parish of Inglewood 40 and Minerals, Victoria, Mining plans chains to 1 inch, geological map. & sections open file. (unpubl.). Geological Survey of Victoria (unpubl.). 10093WHITELAW, H.S., 1909. Lady Nelson Mine, St Arnaud. Victorian mining 10956GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., plans and sections 1886. undated. Parish of Kingower. 40 Department of Energy and Minerals, chains to 1 inch geological map. Victoria, Mining plans & sections Department of Mines, Victoria. open file. (unpubl.). 10961GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., 10386ANON. St Arnaud North Gold Mine, St undated. Parish of Kooreh. 40 Arnaud. Victorian mining plans and chains to 1 inch, geological map. sections 2391. Department of Energy Geological Survey of Victoria and Minerals, Victoria, Mining plans (unpubl.). & sections open file. (unpubl.). 10966GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., 10394WHITELAW, H.S., 1909. Sebastopol undated. Parish of Kurting. 40 Mine, St Arnaud. Victorian mining chains to 1 inch geological map. plans and sections 1884. Department of Mines, Victoria. Department of Energy and Minerals, Victoria, Mining plans & sections 11347LANZER, L.A., 1991. Victoria's industrial open file. (unpubl.). minerals - gypsum. Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished 10773GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., Report 1991/39. 1981. Berlin (Rheola) Goldfield 20 chains to 1 inch geological map. 11350LANZER, L.A., 1991. Victoria's industrial Department of Minerals & Energy, minerals - heavy mineral sands. Victoria. Geological Survey of Victoria Unpublished Report 1991/55. 10797GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., 1896. Inglewood Goldfield 40 chains 11471ASHTON MINING LTD., TRIARC to 1 inch, geological map. CORPORATION LTD. & GREAT Department of Mines and Water FINGALL MINING PTY LTD., 1988. Supply, Victoria. ELs 833, 1221 & 1538. Final report October 1988. Department of Energy 10827GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., and Minerals, Victoria, Expired 1984. Wedderburn Goldfield (photo Mineral Exploration Reports File. mosaic). 1:25 000 scale geological (unpubl.). map. Geological Survey of Victoria (unpubl.). 11612CRAWFORD, A.J., 1982. The geology, petrology, geochemistry and tectonic 10886GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., implications of Victorian undated. Parish of Berrimal. 40 greenstones. PhD thesis, chains to 1 inch geological map. Department of Geology, University of Department of Mines, Victoria. Melbourne. (unpubl.). 10891GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF VICTORIA., 11703BROWN, C.M. & STEPHENSON, A.E., undated. Parish of Brenanah 40 1986. Murray Basin, southeastern chains to 1 inch, geological map. Australia: Subsurface stratigraphic Geological Survey of Victoria database. Bureau of Mineral (unpubl.). Resources, Geology & Geophysics Report 262. 68 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
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21447MCDONALD, P.A. & WHITEHEAD, M.L., 1995. Geological interpretation of the airborne magnetic and radiometric and gravity data over the Ararat 1:100 000 sheet. Geological GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 73
Appendix 1 Mine Locations.
Mapsheets refer to 1:100 000 mapsheets Co-ordinates are in AM, and are believed accurate to within 200m. Goldfields listed in alphabetical order
Amphitheatre Goldfield
Amphitheatre Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
London Beaufort 714300 5878600 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 716600 5879000 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714900 5879900 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 716800 5883000 20732
Amphitheatre Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Amphitheatre Dredge Beaufort 716000 5885000 20732
Ararat Goldfield
Ararat Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Albion Claim Ararat 665500 5879500 7723 Amalia Ararat 664300 5874500 7723, 1446 Ararat Co. Ararat 673250 5876000 7723, 3708 Bolgari Mine Ararat 666300 5878700 7723 Bourke's Ararat 663820 5874340 7723, 822, 1446, 57, 38 Bradshaw Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Bridle Hill Ararat 669250 5875000 7723, 1446, 1526, 58 Burke's Battery Ararat 664000 5875100 7723 Catherine Ararat 663900 5880000 7723, 1526 Claim No.1 North Ararat 673300 5876100 7723 Claim No.2 North Ararat 673250 5876000 7723 Claim No.3 South Ararat 673500 5875400 7723 Claim No.4 & 5 South Ararat 673500 5875400 7723 Clark's Ararat 664000 5875000 7723, 822, 1528 Colling's Tribute Ararat 665500 5879200 7723 Crosus Ararat 663800 5874300 7723 Durham Quartz Ararat 665600 5879550 7723 Eaglehawk Ararat 665400 5879500 7723 Eldorado Ararat 665500 5879450 7723 Enterprise Ararat 673150 5876000 7723 Finlay & Party Ararat 673350 5875750 7723 Flymuck Ararat 665000 5880000 7723 General Gordon Ararat 669500 5872000 7723 Gillians Ararat 665000 5880020 7723 Gladstone Ararat 664900 5880000 7723, 822, 1526 74 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Ararat Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Goldburra Mines Ararat 663500 5879300 7723 Golden Fleece Ararat 668000 5879000 7723, Golden Gate Ararat 668000 5879500 7723, Golden Hope Ararat 668500 5872600 7723, 822, 1446 Great Divide Ararat 665000 5880000 7723 Grey & Party Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Hall & Co. Claim Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Hintz Ararat 669500 5872050 7723 Hodges Ararat 663800 5874300 7723 Honeysuckle Ararat 663630 5874100 7723 Hospital Hill Ararat 666250 5879350 7723 Hospital Reef Ararat 666400 5879300 7723 Iron Pyrite Ararat 668500 5872650 7723 John Bull Ararat 667000 5875000 7723 Jory & Party Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Jubilee Reef Ararat 668000 5879300 7723 Kiwi Prospect Ararat 667400 5876500 7723 Linscott's Ararat 665000 5879980 7723 Lone Star Ararat 668800 5872000 7723 Manning's Ararat 664750 5880300 7723 Mitchell Reef North Ararat 669500 5872300 7723 Mitchell's Mine Ararat 669500 5872000 7723 Mitchell's Reef Ararat 669500 5871700 7723 Moore & Party Ararat 668000 5879350 7723 Morgan & Howard Ararat 668000 5879300 7723 Morgan's Ararat 663400 5874000 7723 Morgan's Party Ararat 673250 5875950 7723 Native Youth Ararat 664650 5881350 7723 Native Youth South Ararat 664950 5880500 7723 New Eaglehawk Battery Ararat 667000 5879000 7723 New Eaglehawk Ext. Ararat 665200 5880020 7723 New Eaglehawk Mine Ararat 665300 5880000 7723 New Hope Ararat 663000 5880300 7723 New Lone Star Ararat 668600 5872500 7723 New Year Ararat 672900 5875500 7723 Noah's Ark Ararat 673250 5876000 7723 One Tree Hill Ararat 667200 5874000 7723 Opossum Gully Ararat 665700 5874500 7723 Phillips Ararat 664250 5882500 7223 Phoenix Ararat 665100 5880000 7723 Pioneer Ararat 672700 5874400 7723 Plantagenet Ararat 662960 5881000 7723 Port Curtis Ararat 663000 5873500 7723 Prospectors Claim Ararat 673150 5876000 7723 Remington Mine Ararat 663400 5878300 7723 Rhymney Ararat 661300 5877640 7723 Royal Standard Ararat 669100 5872000 7723 Schmidt & Co. Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Schoolhouse Hill Ararat 667000 5880050 7723 Simpson's Ararat 665230 5879700 7723 Smart & Whitten Ararat 667000 5879000 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 75
Ararat Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
South Eaglehawk Ararat 665500 5879500 7723 Taylor (Armstrongs) Ararat 668000 5879000 7723 Try Again Ararat 670600 5868300 7723 Unknown Ararat 665000 5886000 7723 Unknown Ararat 668500 5871500 7723 Unknown Ararat 670000 5872000 7723 Various Mines Ararat 669000 5870000 7723 Victoria Ararat 661300 5877600 7723 Wilson's Ararat 667000 5880000 7723
Ararat Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
A1 Lead Ararat 665100 5875000 7723 Alfred's Gully Ararat 668800 5875500 7723 Ararat Lead Ararat 670150 5872650 7723 Armstrong's Lead Ararat 668000 5879200 7723 Barret's Gully Ararat 669500 5871000 7723 Black Lead Shaft Ararat 673920 5869800 7723 Blackman's Lead Ararat 666000 5870800 7723 Blind Lead Ararat 670400 5871500 7723 Bridle Hill Ararat 669500 5874600 7723 Britannia Shaft Ararat 673300 5869900 7723 Caledonian Lead Ararat 672000 5872800 7723 Caledonian Shaft Ararat 671400 5872450 7723 California Gully Ararat 668800 5872900 7723 Camp Gully Ararat 668000 5866850 7723 Camp Gutter Ararat 670800 5871500 7723 Camp Lead Ararat 671000 5871000 7723 Canton Lead Ararat 670400 5872000 7723 Carrol's Dairy Ararat 664700 5877000 7723 Cathcart Central Shaft Ararat 669700 5864150 7723 Cathcart Hill Ararat 667100 5866600 7723 Cathcart Lead Ararat 668000 5865100 7723 Cathcart No. 1 Shaft Ararat 667700 5864950 7723 Cathcart No. 2 Shaft Ararat 668250 5864900 7723 Cathcart Shaft No. 3 Ararat 669500 5864350 7723 Cathcart Victory No. 1 Ararat 671800 5867200 7723 Cathcart Victory No. 2 Ararat 672250 5865500 7723 Cement Hill Ararat 669400 5872000 7723 Centipede Gully Lead Ararat 668900 5875950 7723 Chalambar Gully Ararat 669600 5867800 7723 Chinaman's Lead Ararat 670700 5869500 7723 Clark's Gully Ararat 665000 5874150 7723 Commissioner's Hill Lead Ararat 672900 5870300 7723 Cool's Lead Ararat 671200 5869400 7723 Crooked Streak Ararat 668500 5866700 7723 Deadman's Lead Ararat 671300 5868500 7723 Delhi Lead Ararat 667000 5869000 7723 Duchess of Kent Ararat 668000 5870000 7723 Dutton's Gully Ararat 667600 5877100 7723 76 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Ararat Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Commissioner's Hill Lead Ararat 672900 5870300 7723 Cool's Lead Ararat 671200 5869400 7723 Crooked Streak Ararat 668500 5866700 7723 Deadman's Lead Ararat 671300 5868500 7723 Delhi Lead Ararat 667000 5869000 7723 Duchess of Kent Ararat 668000 5870000 7723 Dutton's Gully Ararat 667600 5877100 7723 Eaglehawk Gully Ararat 665600 5880000 7723 Emerson's Gully Ararat 666400 5873600 7723 Flint Hill Ararat 673000 5873000 7723 Flymuck Gully Ararat 666400 5878900 7723 French Joe's Gully Ararat 663500 5876500 7723 Gap Lead Ararat 670700 5869200 7723 Garden Gully (Armstrong) Ararat 665200 5882000 7723 Garden Gully (Ararat) Ararat 671300 5868100 7723 Geordies Gully Ararat 668000 5876500 7723 German Gully Ararat 667000 5880000 7723 (Armstrong) Gibson's Lead Ararat 666400 5867300 7723 Grand Junction Shaft Ararat 673350 5870550 7723 Grasshopper Flat Ararat 663000 5874000 7723 Great Western Lead Ararat 665500 5886600 7723 Great Western Rush Ararat 664800 5884700 7723 Gum Gully Ararat 664000 5879000 7723 Hard Hill (Armstrong) Ararat 665500 5881850 7723 Hard Hill (Cathcart) Ararat 667200 5866000 7723 Hard Hill (Opossum Gully) Ararat 665600 5875000 7723 Hardup Gully Ararat 668000 5874400 7723 Hopkins Lead Ararat 671100 5867600 7723 Hospital Gully Ararat 666600 5879200 7723 Hospital Hill Ararat 666300 5879300 7723 Irvine's Gully Ararat 666000 5874600 7723 Jonathon's Gully Ararat 663500 5884000 7723 Jones Gully Ararat 666000 5874000 7723 Junction Lead Ararat 673800 5870000 7723 Langi Logan South Shaft Ararat 670100 5860200 7723 Langi Logan United Ararat 670100 5860200 7723 Langi Logan West Shaft Ararat 671900 5869700 7723 Lanky Gully Ararat 665000 5880600 7723 Larne Gerin Lead Ararat 677000 5867200 7723 Lesley's (Lemon's) Lead Ararat 669200 5872500 7723 Linger and Die Ararat 665800 5868900 7723 Little Eaglehawk Gully Ararat 665600 5879800 7723 Little's Gully Ararat 669000 5866500 7723 Londonderry Diggings Ararat 651500 5880800 7723 Long Gully Ararat 666700 5882000 7723 Lower Wet Lead Ararat 671000 5873000 7723 Lushington Lead Ararat 670600 5870300 7723 M'Clasan Gully Ararat 669600 5870700 7723 Margaret's Gully Ararat 670400 5866000 7723 Martin's Gully Ararat 664600 5874600 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 77
Ararat Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
McNab's Gully Ararat 664900 5877850 7723 McNab's Lead Ararat 664300 5878800 7723 McNab's Patch Ararat 664800 5877650 7723 Milkman's Lead Ararat 668300 5878100 7723 Mitchell's Ararat 669000 5871500 7723 Mother Morrison's Gully Ararat 669500 5871900 7723 Mount Challicum Lead Ararat 674000 5852000 7723 Mullock Bank Lead Ararat 669700 5873800 7723 Munroe's Flat Ararat 671000 5870000 7723 Murphy's Lead Ararat 666300 5879900 7723 Napoleon Gully Ararat 667300 5877100 7723 Napoleon Hill Ararat 667000 5877100 7723 Napoleon Lead Ararat 667400 5877700 7723 Neill's Gully Ararat 663200 5875400 7723 New Canton Lead Ararat 669750 5873700 7723 New Langi Logan No. 1 Ararat 671300 5864200 7723 New Langi Logan No. 2 Ararat 670700 5862600 7723 Nil Desperandum Gully Ararat 670000 5867300 7723 Nil Desperandum Lead Ararat 669650 5867300 7723 North Langi Logan Shaft Ararat 674400 5866700 7723 Nothing Great Lead Ararat 669700 5874300 7723 Nuggetty Gully Ararat 669500 5872250 7723 Number One Gully Ararat 665400 5869900 7723 Old Deep Lead Ararat 668350 5873600 7723 Old White Lead Ararat 667000 5870000 7723 Oldkorn's Lead Ararat 670500 5869700 7723 Oliver's Gully Ararat 669700 5871000 7723 Oliver's Lead Ararat 669800 5870400 7723 One Eye Lead Ararat 665600 5880700 7723 Opossum Gully Ararat 666000 5874000 7723 Oxford Patch Ararat 672800 5871200 7723 Page's Lead Ararat 667000 5870000 7723 Pannikin Gully Ararat 667000 5871000 7723 Parker's Lead Ararat 666100 5873950 7723 Parr's Lead Ararat 670400 5873350 7723 Pay's Lead Ararat 667000 5873000 7723 Peppermint Gully Ararat 665250 5873950 7723 Peter's Gully (Armstrong) Ararat 668000 5879000 7723 Petticoat Gully Ararat 667300 5876700 7723 Phillip's Flat Lead Ararat 667600 5868000 7723 Picnic Gully Ararat 668500 5873300 7723 Pioneer Ararat 672000 5874000 7723 Porcupine Flat Ararat 665300 5875050 7723 Port Curtis Hill Ararat 663650 5874500 7723 Port Curtis Lead Ararat 663200 5873700 7723 Port Fairy Road Ararat 667000 5869700 7723 Princess Gully Ararat 667800 5876400 7723 Providence Gully Ararat 664400 5876600 7723 Pyke's Gully Ararat 666500 5879700 7723 Red Hill Lead Ararat 664500 5871500 7723 Red Jacket Hill Ararat 668000 5879000 7723 (Armstrong) 78 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Ararat Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Reel Lead Ararat 663400 5884000 7723 Rescue Company Ararat 669100 5873050 7723 Robinson's Hill Ararat 667000 5879000 7723 (Armstrong) Rocky Point Lead Ararat 663000 5866000 7723 Rod's Gully Ararat 665000 5867000 7723 Salvation Gully Ararat 664800 5875500 7723 Sawpit Flat Lead Ararat 672300 5874300 7723 Sawpit Gully Ararat 662300 5882500 7723 Scallan's Gully Ararat 669500 5868000 7723 Scotchman's Lead Ararat 667000 5873000 7723 Sebastapol G.M.Co. Ararat 667000 5872000 7723 Shea's Flat Ararat 663300 5875500 7723 Sheepyard Hill Ararat 669700 5871500 7723 Sheepyard Lead Ararat 669700 5871300 7723 Sheperd's Gully Ararat 660100 5883000 7723 Siemering's Ararat 667000 5870000 7723 Simpson's Flat Ararat 668000 5879000 7723 (Armstrong) Slaughteryard Hill Ararat 669100 5866400 7723 Slaughteryard Lead Ararat 668900 5866000 7723 Sloan's Gully (Armstrong) Ararat 668000 5879000 7723 Smart's Lead Ararat 665500 5870100 7723 Snake Hill Ararat 668900 5875300 7723 Soft Gully Ararat 666400 5873350 7723 Spring Lead Ararat 666500 5870300 7723 St Anne's Gully Ararat 664000 5873250 7723 Surface Hill (Ararat) Ararat 670800 5870600 7723 Surface Hill (Armstrong) Ararat 666700 5878700 7723 Surface Patch Ararat 670200 5875800 7723 Sydney Flat Lead Ararat 666600 5868500 7723 Taylor's Lead Ararat 667500 5867500 7723 Three Mile Lead Ararat 669450 5875900 7723 Tomkin's Gully Ararat 669050 5872700 7723 Tunnel Hill Ararat 666400 5873700 7723 Union Jack Lead Ararat 674600 5872700 7723 Upper Langi Logan Shaft Ararat 676200 5871150 7723 Upper Wet Lead Ararat 669100 5873000 7723 Victory Lead Ararat 672500 5865500 7723 Warrayatkin Lead Ararat 675000 5869000 7723 Wattle's Gully Ararat 664700 5873700 7723 Welshman's Gully Ararat 664700 5874400 7723 Wet Lead (Great Western) Ararat 666500 5883000 7723 White Hill Ararat 667000 5872000 7723 White Lead Ararat 665600 5870200 7723 White Patch Ararat 671000 5871200 7723 White Streak Lead Ararat 669200 5867500 7723 Wildcat Gully Ararat 665300 5873600 7723 Wildcat Lead Ararat 665300 5884500 7723 Wilkie's Gully Ararat 668700 5873100 7723 Yellow Patch Ararat 672300 5871300 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 79
Avoca Goldfield
Avoca Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Allan's Beaufort 720250 5886600 20732 Callinan's Beaufort 719750 5891700 20732 Hogs Mine Beaufort 720550 5892200 20732 Monte Christo Beaufort 721200 5890400 20732 No. 2 shaft, Hog's mine Beaufort 720550 5892200 20732 Quarry Hill/Eleventh Beaufort 720650 5895400 20732 Hour Township/Hog's Beaufort 720500 5892700 20732
Avoca Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Avoca Gold Dredging Beaufort 720900 5894000 20732 Avoca Lead Gold Dredging Beaufort 721300 5893000 20732 Golden Stream Beaufort 719100 5893700 20732 Lamplough No. 1 Beaufort 719600 5889900 20732 Lamplough No. 2 Beaufort 717950 5891400 20732 Melbourne & Avoca/New Beaufort 719500 5893850 20732 Holland Morning Star Beaufort 719950 5893900 20732 Pascoe's lease Beaufort 721800 5891900 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 719300 5893600 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 720200 5893950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 721750 5897600 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 719450 5890100 20732
Beaufort Goldfield
Beaufort Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Babylon Beaufort 711150 5850500 20732 Camp Hill adit Beaufort 711500 5860500 20732 Red Hill/Brinkers Beaufort 716850 5856700 20732 Richmond/Best Bower Beaufort 715000 5862300 20732 Sheet Anchor/Bushmans Beaufort 715000 5862300 20732 Unknown Beaufort 715000 5863200 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712600 5851600 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713600 5852800 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 711300 5860700 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 710700 5869500 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709100 5859400 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 710700 5858200 20732 80 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Beaufort Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Adamthwaites Beaufort 714600 5856700 20732 All Nations Consolidated Beaufort 714350 5856800 20732 All Nations Extended Beaufort 712800 5855400 20732 Amazon Beaufort 717150 5853750 20732 Beaufort Beaufort 712700 5855150 20732 Beaufort Beaufort 711700 5855100 20732 Beaufort Deep Leads Beaufort 716100 5856750 20732 Brusher's Beaufort 714400 5864000 20732 Burke's Beaufort 713000 5860900 20732 Cattle Flat Beaufort 712750 5848950 20732 Crinoline Beaufort 712800 5866200 20732 Daughters of Freedom Beaufort 710500 5856350 20732 Defiance Beaufort 714600 5849800 20732 Enterprise Beaufort 712400 5866150 20732 Fiery Creek Dredging Beaufort 709800 5859100 20732 Frushes Freehold Beaufort 714650 5860700 20732 Garibaldi Beaufort 710500 5854000 20732 approx. Golden Gate Beaufort 714100 5863100 20732 Grand Junction Beaufort 711600 5855000 20732 Great Victoria Beaufort 714500 5849250 20732 Hobart Pasha Beaufort 713700 5862400 20732 Hope Beaufort 716456 5855000 20732 Hope Extended Beaufort 717100 5855100 20732 Last Chance Beaufort 715600 5857750 20732 Leather Jacket Beaufort 712550 5855650 20732 Martin Brothers Beaufort 714450 5860500 20732 Martins Reward Beaufort 713400 5861200 20732 New Discovery Beaufort 709950 5855400 20732 New Victoria Beaufort 714100 5861200 20732 New Victoria No. 2 Beaufort 714250 5860600 20732 Nil Desperandum Beaufort 713850 5856000 20732 Northern Hope/Morris' Beaufort 714050 5856300 20732 Poverty Point Beaufort 713350 5855450 20732 Prince of Wales Beaufort 712600 5866300 20732 Royal Saxon Beaufort 715500 5858200 20732 Royal Saxon 1 Beaufort 714850 5850400 20732 Royal Saxon 2 Beaufort 714750 5850050 20732 Royal Saxon Main Beaufort 714750 5850250 20732 Rutherfords Beaufort 714700 5858500 20732 Sam Slick/Victory Beaufort 714900 5856750 20732 Saxon Consolidated Beaufort 716100 5857300 20732 Sitting Hen Beaufort 710700 5852800 20732 South Defiance Beaufort 714700 5849500 20732 South Saxon Beaufort 715200 5857600 20732 South Victoria Beaufort 714850 5859800 20732 Southern Cross Beaufort 711600 5854600 20732 Southern Hope Beaufort 717950 5853300 20732 Steavensons Beaufort 712150 5855150 20732 Take All Beaufort 714850 5850550 20732 Trawalla Leads Beaufort 716950 5853500 20732 Try Again Beaufort 715600 5858800 20732 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 81
Beaufort Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Unity Beaufort 716750 5853350 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712700 5863600 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713350 5862750 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713050 5855100 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712800 5854850 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712950 5855250 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713200 5861900 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712800 5862750 20732 Unknown Beaufort 714100 5865150 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712650 5861700 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713300 5866150 20732 Unknown Beaufort 710400 5852200 20732 Unknown Beaufort 710200 5852900 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712950 5861750 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713300 5861050 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713100 5866250 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713650 5861150 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712000 5866000 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713050 5862750 20732 Unknown Beaufort 713250 5861150 20732 Unknown Beaufort 712000 5866200 20732 Unknown (Charlton Beaufort 713500 5866400 20732 Retrieve?) Unknown sluicing Beaufort 709450 5859300 20732 operation Unnamed Beaufort 714100 5848950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714000 5848950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714900 5849850 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 715850 5854550 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 716100 5855950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712600 5854850 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713950 5855950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713950 5855150 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713900 5854850 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713550 5855050 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713550 5854900 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713450 5854750 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713000 5855000 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714300 5856450 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712650 5854950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712150 5855050 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 711450 5854850 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709850 5855000 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 710050 5855700 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714700 5856950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709950 5854950 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709900 5855650 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 710000 5855750 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714300 5858500 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 714950 5861700 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712600 5866150 20732 Waterloo Beaufort 713700 5863650 20732 Western Hope Beaufort 715400 5854950 20732 82 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Glenpatrick Goldfield
Glenpatrick Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source Cohen's Beaufort 710250 5888800 20732 McLaughlin's Beaufort 709050 5888800 20732 Percy's Beaufort 708950 5889100 20732
Glenpatrick Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Glenpatrick Deep Leads Beaufort 704650 5886200 20732 Trial New Glenpatrick/ Beaufort 704500 5886000 20732 Glenpatrick Alluvials Unknown Beaufort 707150 5887350 20732 Unknown (Skellet's?) Beaufort 706300 5887200 20732 Unknown (Steavenson & Beaufort 705500 5887150 20732 Co?)
Inglewood Goldfield
Mine / Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
All Nations Dunolly 755600 5955000 10797, 10966 American Reef Dunolly 757500 5946450 10947, 10797, 21448 Bendigo Reef Dunolly 756100 5948500 10947 Blucher Reef Dunolly 755700 5951750 10936, 21448 Bristol Reef Dunolly 755750 5953550 10797, 10966, 21448 Buchanan Line Dunolly 757200 5954300 10797 758000 5945900 Buchanan's Reef Dunolly 757900 5946000 10947, 10797, 21448 Burns Reef Dunolly 757000 5949800 10947 Caledonia Reef Dunolly 756150 5946950 10947, 10797, 21448 Calloway Reef Dunolly 753800 5949200 10936 Cambrian Reef Dunolly 755600 5948700 10947 Canadian Reef Dunolly 756050 5950700 10936, 21448 City of Bath Reef Dunolly 756800 5949800 10947, 10797, 21448 Columbian Line Dunolly 755400 5955900 10797 756400 5946900 Columbian Reef Dunolly 755750 5950800 10797, 10936, 21448, 21139 Commissioners Line Dunolly 757700 5953600 10797 758000 5948900 Curlew Reef Dunolly 755400 5954400 10797, 10966 Daly's Line Dunolly 756600 5954200 10797, 21448 757100 5949600 Daly's Reef Dunolly 757100 5949900 10947, 10797, 21448 Dartmouth Reef Dunolly 755600 5948400 10797, 10936, 21448 Dreadnought Reef Dunolly 756200 5949600 10947, 10797 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 83
Inglewood Goldfield (Cont'd) Mine / Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Earl Grey Reef Dunolly 756300 5951550 10797, 21448 Enterprise Dunolly 756700 5950200 Eureka Reef Dunolly 755600 5950400 10797, 10936, 21448 Evening Star Reef Dunolly 753900 5948900 10797, 10936, 21448 Exhibition Reef Dunolly 756600 5946700 10947, 10797, 21448 Fifeshire Reef Dunolly 755600 5954900 10797, 10966 Galloway Reef Dunolly 753900 5949100 10797, 21448 Garrett & Long Co. Dunolly 755200 5951300 10797, 21138 Glasgow Reef Dunolly 757200 5952700 10797 Godwin reef Dunolly 756500 5947300 10947, 10797 Golden Fleece Reef Dunolly 756800 5947900 10947, 10797 Golden Light Shaft Dunolly 755800 5951900 10797 Great Columbian Dunolly 755500 5951100 21139 Greeks / Rainbow Reef Dunolly 756500 5947000 10947, 10797, 21448 Green Hills Line Dunolly 754300 5950100 10797 754900 5947200 Havilah Reef Dunolly 756500 5951100 10797 Highland Reef Dunolly 754600 5954100 10797, 10966 Homeward Bound Reef Dunolly 755500 5955100 10797, 10966 755500 5954600 Honeymoon Reef Dunolly 754900 5952400 10797, 10936, 21448 Hope & Anchor Co. Dunolly 755900 5948100 Humboldt Reef Dunolly 755950 5951050 10936, 21448 Jamaica Reef Dunolly 757000 5951050 10797, 21448 Jersey Line Dunolly 754900 5954800 10797 755700 5947400 Jersey Reef Dunolly 755200 5950100 10797, 10936, 21448 Kelverton Reef Dunolly 755200 5950450 10797, 10936, 21448 Kentish Reef Dunolly 757200 5949400 10947, 10797, 21448 Kosminsky (Cominsky) R. Dunolly 756350 5951200 10797, 21448 Leicester Reef Dunolly 755100 5951350 10797, 10936, 21448, 21138 Liberty Reef Dunolly 755050 5952050 10797, 10936, 21448 Little Gem Co. Dunolly 755100 5950000 Manchester Reef Dunolly 755550 5950800 10797, 10936, 21448 Mary Reef Dunolly 755500 5951600 21448 Maxwell's Extended Dunolly 756300 5952300 10797 Maxwell's Line Dunolly 756100 5955900 10797 756700 5949300 Maxwell's Open Cut Dunolly 756600 5950400 Maxwell's Pros. Claim Dunolly 756700 5950500 10797 Maxwell's Reef Dunolly 756600 5950800 10797, 21448, 21142 May Reef Dunolly 755400 5952500 10936 Metropolitan Reef Dunolly 755500 5954600 10797, 10966 Morning Star Reef Dunolly 756200 5947400 10947, 10797 Morse & Pointon Shaft Dunolly 755400 5955600 10797 Nairnshire Reef Dunolly 757300 5948500 10947, 10797 Nelson Reef Dunolly 755200 5951900 10797, 10936, 21448 Nil Desperandum Reef Dunolly 757700 5945900 10947, 10797, 21448 Norfolk Reef Dunolly 756750 5953200 10797, 21448 North Maxwell Dunolly 756400 5951200 North Unity Dunolly 755900 5948300 10797 84 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Inglewood Goldfield (Cont'd) Mine / Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Odin Reef Dunolly 755900 5948900 10947 Old Inglewood Reef Dunolly 755200 5950800 10797, 10936, 21448 Ophir Co. Dunolly 755200 5951550 10797, 10936, 21448, 21138 Patterson's Reef Dunolly 755000 5951500 ± 21138 500 Polka Reef Dunolly 755950 5950600 10936, 21448 Poverty Reef Dunolly 756300 5947300 10947 Prussian Reef Dunolly 755800 5953050 10797, 10966, 21448 Punjab Reef Dunolly 755400 5954900 10797, 10966 Rising Sun Reef Dunolly 756000 5950900 10936, 21448 Rock of Cashel Shaft Dunolly 755750 5952400 10797, 10936, 21448 Royal Standard Dunolly 755300 5950000 Scandinavian Reef Dunolly 756800 5953300 10797 Shamrock Reef Dunolly 754800 5953700 10797, 10966, 21448 Simons Reef Dunolly 756450 5951350 10797, 21448 Snake Reef Dunolly 755850 5952150 10936, 21448 South Gordon Dunolly 755200 5950600 South Maxwell's Dunolly 756800 5950000 10797 Tara Hall Reef Dunolly 757000 5947200 10947 Union Jack Reef Dunolly 755800 5954200 10797, 10966, 21448 Unity or March Reef Dunolly 755900 5948300 10947, 10797 Vulcan Reef Dunolly 755600 5950500 10797, 10936, 21448 Watkins & Party Shaft Dunolly 755400 5955500 10797 Welcome Reef Dunolly 755650 5953800 10797, 10966, 21448 Wild Rose Reef Dunolly 755800 5954000 10966 Yeldham Reef Dunolly 756800 5949200 10497, 10797
Kingower Goldfield
Mine / Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Bonaccord Reef Dunolly 745600 5945600 10956 Frenchman's Reef Dunolly 745500 5946000 10956 Graham's Reef Dunolly 747900 5944950 10956, 21448 Hutchinson's Reef Dunolly 745300 5944300 10956 Smith's Gully Reef Dunolly 743300 5942200 10956 Union Reef North Dunolly 745500 5945400 10956 Union Reef South Dunolly 745600 5945100 10956
Landsborough - Malokoff Goldfield
Landsborough - Malokoff Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Appelt's Reef Beaufort 687550 5899500 381, 20732 Black Cat Beaufort 689900 5895800 20732 Chinamens Beaufort 688600 5902800 74, 381 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 85
Landsborough - Malokoff Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Empire Reef St Arnaud 690200 5905700 21216 FitzGerald's Reef St Arnaud 688900 5906400 381 Glen Dhu (Gold/Silver Beaufort 690500 5893200 20732 mine) Graham's Reef St Arnaud 692000 5904000 381 Kara St Arnaud 687300 5905400 74, 381 Kelly's Reef St Arnaud 690300 5906000 381 Lennon's Reef St Arnaud 691900 5904300 381 McMillan's Beaufort 692000 5900700 20732, 381 Mulcahy's Beaufort 691700 5901500 20732, 381 Narracorte Reef St Arnaud 690100 5906400 381 Nicholson St Arnaud 688700 5906300 74, 381 Nil Desperandum Shaft St Arnaud 687300 5905400 21216 Norah St Arnaud 688200 5903700 74, 381, 21216 Ord Beaufort 690400 6893300 74, 381 Perrys Beaufort 687800 5898500 20732, 381 Power's Reef St Arnaud 690000 5906000 38 Price's Beaufort 691200 5901200 20732, 381 Simpson St Arnaud 686900 5906100 74, 381 Tramway Reef St Arnaud 691700 5904600 381 Tuson Beaufort 690400 6893200 74, 381 Tuson Underlay Beaufort 690800 6891900 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 688300 5903400 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 688400 5903400 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 689200 5904800 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 689300 5906700 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 690200 5904100 74, 381 Unknown St Arnaud 687400 5905200 74, 381 Unnamed Beaufort 692500 5894800 20732 Victoria Reef Beaufort 689600 5895900 21216 Wimmera Beaufort 687100 5900000 20732, 74, 381, 21216
Landsborough - Malokoff Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Black Bess Lead Beaufort 691900 5899000 74, 381 692400 5998800 Cambrian Lead St Arnaud 687400 5905300 74, 381 689700 5905900 Chinaman Lead Beaufort 690600 5899400 74, 381 691500 5898000 Frenchman Lead Beaufort 691000 5901100 74, 381 691500 5901400 Glue Pot Lead St Arnaud 689500 5902900 74, 381 Glue Pot Lead St Arnaud 689500 5902900 74, 381 Landsborough Lead Beaufort 688700 5902400 74, 381 690700 5899400 Malakoff Lead Beaufort 691900 5897600 74, 381 693400 5894400 86 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Landsborough - Malokoff Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Malokoff Diggings Beaufort 693000 5896500 74, 381 Maloney Lead St Arnaud 687100 5906100 74, 381 689200 5906500 McDonald Lead Beaufort 691000 5901500 74, 381 691300 5901700 Paul Lead St Arnaud 688100 5904600 74, 381 689300 5905000 Snake Lead St Arnaud 688700 5903600 74, 381 689800 5904800 Stringybark Lead Beaufort 691100 5899500 74, 381 692000 5899200
Mafeking Goldfield
Mafeking Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Mafeking Goldfield Ararat 640000 5862500 7723
Maryborough Goldfield
Maryborough Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Mariner's Reef Mine Creswick 743000 5894000 ± 21145,21146 500
Moolort Goldfield
Moolort Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Keystone (Loddon Valley Creswick 21133 Co.) Loddon Valley Co. No. 1 Creswick 21133, 21135 (Vict. Gold Estates / Moolort G.F.) GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 87
Moyston Goldfield
Moyston Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Consolidated Mine Ararat 655800 5870600 7723 East India Ararat 656300 5869550 7723 Ext. Southern Cross Ararat 656200 5869850 7723 Extended North Star Ararat 656000 5870350 7723 Extended South Star Ararat 656100 5869950 7723 Flying Buck Ararat 656250 5869500 7723 Grand Junction Shaft Ararat 655775 5870775 7723 Hutton's Ararat 656250 5869600 7723 Invincible Shaft Ararat 655960 5870330 7723 Kangaroo Mine Ararat 656200 5869750 7723 Kennedy's Claim Ararat 656300 5869500 7723 Koh-I-Noor Ararat 656250 5869600 7723 Lady Bowen Shaft Ararat 656275 5868670 7723 Mathews Claim Ararat 656250 5869600 7723 Milkman's Claim Ararat 656250 5869600 7723 Morgan's Claim Ararat 656225 5869700 7723 No. 2 South Star Ararat 656000 5869500 7723 No. 3 South Star Ararat 656000 5869500 7723 No. 4 South (Star?) Ararat 656000 5869500 7723 North Perseverance Ararat 656000 5870220 7723 North Star Shaft Ararat 655950 5870350 7723 Northern Light Ararat 656000 5869500 7723 Perseverance Ararat 656010 5870250 7723 Phoenix Ararat 656300 5869550 7723 Pioneer Ararat 656200 5869900 7723 Prospect Claim Ararat 656200 5869600 7723 Rochell & Smith Pros. Ararat 656200 5869400 7723 Rodda's Claim Ararat 656400 5869500 7723 Sir Bowen Shaft Ararat 656250 5868700 7723 Smart's Ararat 656250 5869625 7723 Southern Cross Ararat 656120 5869975 7723 Taylor Ararat 656220 5869680 7723 Three Crowns Ararat 656270 5869580 7723 Unknown Ararat 656425 5868900 7723 Unknown Ararat 656360 5869150 7723 Unknown Ararat 656210 5869180 7723 Unknown Ararat 656350 5869200 7723 Unknown Ararat 656350 5869225 7723 Unknown Ararat 656225 5869200 7723 Unknown Ararat 656200 5869210 7723 Unknown Ararat 656200 5869250 7723 Unknown Ararat 656200 5869270 7723 Unknown Ararat 656180 5869250 7723 Watson's Shaft Ararat 656250 5869400 7723 88 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Moyston Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Camp Lead Ararat 656600 5869500 7723 Campbell's Diggings Ararat 656200 5869500 7723 Golden Gate Amalg. Ararat 655600 5871200 7723 Golden Gate Claim Ararat 655600 5871200 7723 Golden Gate Ext. Ararat 655300 5871650 7723 Lexington Pty. Ararat 657000 5872650 7723
Percydale Goldfield
Percydale Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Barnes Beaufort 712450 5894700 20732 Bullocky Beaufort 712000 5896000 20732 Compensation Beaufort 711500 5898400 20732 Coronation Tunnel Beaufort 712100 5896000 20732 Darling Beaufort 711000 5899400 20732 Davis/Murdocks/Sunbeam/ Beaufort 711350 5897250 20732 Donkey Hill Beaufort 710500 5897550 20732 Doris' Beaufort 110150 5898600 20732 Ermine/Freckleton's Beaufort 714250 5895400 20732 Fiddlers Reef (Roberta) Beaufort 711300 5896100 20732 (Gold/Silver mine) Hall's Beaufort 712800 5895200 20732 Hampshire Beaufort 714550 5892200 20732 Hannan's Reef Beaufort 711000 5899000 20732 Honeycomber Beaufort 710800 5899250 20732 Luck's All Beaufort 712400 5895700 20732 Magenta Beaufort 710150 5898500 20732 Poverty/Bannister's Beaufort 712650 5896000 20732 Pyrenees Adit Beaufort 710900 5897150 20732 Sliding Rock Reef Beaufort 711050 5896950 20732 Perseverance Union Jack Beaufort 712500 5895800 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713550 5892000 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709000 5894400 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 713000 5896100 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 712950 5896000 20732 Victoria Beaufort 712500 5894600 20732 Ward's Beaufort 711350 5896100 20732 West of England Beaufort 712000 5895900 20732
Percydale Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
No. 1 Creek Sluicing Beaufort 715300 5891200 20732 No. 2 Creek Sluicing Beaufort 711700 5892800 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 709300 5900900 20732 Unnamed Beaufort 708050 5898250 20732 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 89
Raglan Goldfield
Raglan Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Carmichaels Beaufort 708400 5861050 20732 No. 2 Extended Beaufort 708300 5861100 20732 North Sons of Freedom Beaufort 709300 5863000 20732 Sons of Freedom Beaufort 709100 5862200 20732 Sons of Freedom Central Beaufort 708600 5861650 20732 Sons of Freedom Extended Beaufort 709050 5861900 20732 Sons of Freedom Junction Beaufort 707000 5861700 20732 Sons of Freedom South Beaufort 708050 5861600 20732 Unknown Beaufort 708100 5861600 20732 Unknown (Sons of Beaufort 709500 5863400 20732 Freedom No. 2?) Working Miner's Beaufort 709050 5862750 20732
Redbank - Moonambel Goldfield
Redbank - Moonambel Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Cambrian Mine St Arnaud 708000 5908000 ± 21137 1000 Derby Reef St Arnaud 706900 5905400 21127 Gloucester Reef St Arnaud 706600 5906700 21127 Haggies Reef St Arnaud 708400 5906100 21127 Jenny Lind Reef St Arnaud 706700 5905700 21127 Liverpool Line St Arnaud 708000 5908000 ± 21137 1000 May Reef St Arnaud 706600 5905600 21127 Moonambel Mine St Arnaud 706500 5905800 74, 21127 Pyrenees Pty Mine St Arnaud 707000 5908300 74, 21127 Richmond Reef St Arnaud 708100 5906500 74, 21127, 21129 Slaughteryard Reef St Arnaud 706700 5905300 21127 Tormey's Reef St Arnaud 707400 5904900 21127
Redbank - Moonambel Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Forest Hut Lead St Arnaud 701000 5906300 4 704000 5904500 Four Mile Lead St Arnaud 700200 5903200 4 704000 5904500 Hind Diggings St Arnaud 706000 5912200 4 707100 5912200 Moonambel Lead St Arnaud 706500 5906000 4 706000 5903800 Mountain Ck Diggings St Arnaud 706000 5905000 4 Redbank Diggings St Arnaud 706700 5908500 4 90 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
St Arnaud Goldfield
St Arnaud Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Armenian Reef St Arnaud 701300 5947200 4, 14688 Association Reef St Arnaud 704200 5946400 4, 14688 Bell Rock Reef St Arnaud 704000 5947600 4, 14687, 14688 Black Range Reef St Arnaud 702000 5942500 4 ±1000 Blinky Bonny Reef St Arnaud 702800 5947900 4, 14687 Bray St Arnaud 701000 5946800 74 Browning's Luck St Arnaud 700900 5946400 4, 74, 9780, 10394,14688 Comstock (Silver) Reef St Arnaud 700700 5947700 4, 74, 14687, 14688 Duchess of Edinburgh St Arnaud 705000 5946400 4, 14688 ±500 East Newk Reef St Arnaud 701000 5942000 4 ±1000 Easter Monday Reef St Arnaud 703300 5947200 14688 ±500 Evening Star Reef St Arnaud 698500 5945500 14688 Gap (Bristol) Reef St Arnaud 699900 5946100 4, 74, 14688, 21181 Garibaldi Reef St Arnaud 704400 5946400 4, 14688 ±500 Golden Rock Reef St Arnaud 705000 5947500 14688 ±500 Higgins Shaft St Arnaud 701100 5946900 4, 10093 Hope (Lanes) Reef St Arnaud 706000 5946500 4, 14688, ±500 Hopeful Reef St Arnaud 703800 5946000 4, 14688 ±500 Jardine Reef St Arnaud 698800 5944400 14687, 14688 Jerejaw Reef St Arnaud 701000 5942000 4 ±1000 King Billy Reef St Arnaud 700500 5942000 4 ±1000 Lady Nelson Shaft St Arnaud 701300 5946700 4, 10093, 10394 Last Chance St Arnaud 703500 5946700 4, 14688 London St Arnaud 699500 5946500 74 Lone Hand St Arnaud 701500 5946500 74 Lord Nelson St Arnaud 701900 5945400 4, 74, 14688, 21181 Lord Nelson Extended St Arnaud 701400 5946500 14688 Lord Nelson North St Arnaud 701800 5945500 74, 14688, 21181 Malakoff Reef St Arnaud 705000 5946300 4, 14688 Man and Mouse Reef St Arnaud 701300 5947900 74, 14688 Morning Star Reef St Arnaud 698700 5945000 14688 New Bendigo (St Arnaud St Arnaud 699100 5947300 4, 74, 21128 North) mine New Bendigo South 1 St Arnaud 699200 5947100 74, 21128 New Bendigo South 2 St Arnaud 699300 5946900 74, 21128 New Chum Reef St Arnaud 700900 5946500 4, 74, 9780, 21191 New Find St Arnaud 701200 5946900 74 Perry St Arnaud 701900 5945800 74 Pinnacle Reef St Arnaud 705100 5946800 4, 14688 ±500 Policeman Shaft St Arnaud 701300 5946500 4, 10093 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 91
St Arnaud Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Premier (Argentine) Reef St Arnaud 700300 5947300 4, 74, 14688 Prince Charlie St Arnaud 699000 5944800 74, 14688 Prince of Wales Reef St Arnaud 705100 5946200 4, 14687, 14688 Pritchard St Arnaud 701000 5947300 74 Queen Mary Reefs St Arnaud Unknown 4 Queen Zimmerimas Reef St Arnaud 701000 5946900 4, 74, 10394, 14688 Queenslander St Arnaud 701300 5946100 74 Rotten Reef St Arnaud 701200 5947000 4, 14688, 10093, 10394 Sebastopol Reef St Arnaud 701200 5947200 4, 74, 10394, 14688 Shewrings St Arnaud 699300 5947600 1858/L/1, 21128, 9899 (Sherwins/?Economic) Silvermine Reef St Arnaud 700900 5947500 14688 ±500 Snake Reef St Arnaud 702600 5946500 14688 Star St Arnaud 702000 5945300 74 The Tallow Candle St Arnaud 700000 5945600 74 Trinidad (Bonanza) Reef St Arnaud 700400 5947200 4, 9780, 14688 Walker St Arnaud 700900 5947500 74 Walsh Prospecting St Arnaud 702000 5945200 4, 10093 Warwickshire Reef St Arnaud 701300 5946800 14688 ±500 Welcome Nelson Shaft St Arnaud 701500 5946300 4, 10093 Whip St Arnaud 701700 5945700 74
St Arnaud Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Armenian Lead St Arnaud 701000 5947000 74, 14688 702500 5948200 Forty Foot Lead St Arnaud 697200 5947400 74, 14688 699000 5945500 Major (Major's) Lead St Arnaud 697300 5948000 74, 14688 697700 5947400 New Bendigo Lead St Arnaud 698000 5948300 74, 14688 701000 5945600 Sawpit Gully Lead St Arnaud 700100 5949000 74, 14688 700600 5948000 Shearers Lead St Arnaud 697300 5946000 74, 14688 698400 5945000 Carapooee St Arnaud 708500 5936500 92 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Stawell Goldfield
Stawell Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
A1 Perthshire Ararat 659050 5897300 7723 Adams, T. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Age Co. Ararat 659600 5896300 7723 Albion Ararat 659200 5897000 7723 Albion 2 Ararat 659300 5896950 7723 All England Ararat 657600 5898550 7723 Amalgamated Scotchman's Ararat 658750 5897240 7723 Argus Ararat 658500 5898100 7723 Arthur, M. & R. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Australasian Ararat 655550 5898200 7723 Baxter & Party Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Big Hill Central Ararat 658900 5897500 7723 Big Newington Ararat 657800 5898200 7723 Bonnie Dundee Mine Ararat 657650 5903450 7723 Briggs, F. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Caledonia Ararat 670000 5871000 7723 Caledonia Mine Ararat 656450 5903650 7723 Cambrian Ararat 655000 5898000 7723 Carmarthanshire Reef Ararat 660300 5895500 7723 Cato & Co. Ararat 657800 5898200 7723 Clifton Rock Reef Ararat 657140 5897800 7723 Colconda Co. Ararat 659000 5898000 7723 Colquhoun, W. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Coomb & Co. Ararat 657700 5898400 7723 Cosmopolitan Ararat 666000 5895000 7723 Cosmopolitan Reef Ararat 652000 5891000 7723 Cox & Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Cross Reef Co. Ararat 658070 5897980 7723 Cross Reef Consolidated Ararat 658380 5897640 7723 Cross Reef Extended Ararat 658380 5897640 7723 Crown Co. Ararat 670000 5871000 7723 Crown Cross 2 Ararat 658560 5897540 7723 Crown Cross 3 Ararat 658600 5897540 7723 Crown Cross United Ararat 658470 5897520 7723 Darling Ararat 659050 5897020 7723 Darlington Claim Ararat 658000 5902000 7723 Darlington Mine Ararat 658150 5902500 7723 Downpatrick Ararat 659200 5896750 7723 Duke of Argyle Ararat 658920 5897370 7723 Duke of Northumberland Ararat 660000 5896300 7723 Duly, A. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Emerald Isle Co. Ararat 659120 5897190 7723 Federal Ararat 659240 5896800 7723 Flying Scud Co. Ararat 657000 5895400 7723 General Goldfields Ararat 657500 5898830 7723 Germania Co. Rapanyup 665250 5906500 7723 Gilchrist Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Gilbert, S. & Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Glasgow Co. Ararat 659900 5896680 7723 Glencoe & Co. Ararat 658700 5896200 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 93
Stawell Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Golden Crown Ararat 657700 5898500 7723 Golden Crown & New Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Cross Golden Gate South Ararat 659000 5896150 7723 Golden Point Ararat 659700 5896690 7723 Golden Point & Wexford Ararat 659550 5896480 7723 Great Britain Ararat 659510 5896360 7723 Great Northern Co. Ararat 658550 5897570 7723 Gunyan & Party Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Hard Nail Reef Ararat 656800 5900300 7723 Hewitt & Co. (Stawell) Ararat 659200 5869000 7723 Iron Duke & Blucher Ararat 659970 5897480 7723 Jennings & Co. Ararat 659000 5897350 7723 Jones & Co. Ararat 659000 5897300 7723 Kilminster & Party Ararat 659850 5896550 7723 Kinchmer Bros. Ararat 654000 5901000 7723 Kingston Mine Rapanyup 678000 5920150 7723 Klondyke Shaft Ararat 657350 5898940 7723 Laby & Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Lamont & Grant Ararat 657780 5897900 7723 Leinster Co. Ararat 659000 5897000 7723 Little John Ararat 659000 5896000 7723 Little Newington Co. Ararat 657650 5898480 7723 Lone Star - Stawell Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Magdala Ararat 658280 5897940 7723, 21140 Maid of Screen Reef Ararat 658300 5896300 7723 Manasutton Shaft Ararat 657000 5899650 7723 Manchester Reef Ararat 657200 5897800 7723 Mariners Ararat 658700 5897670 7723 McLean & Party Ararat 659750 5896640 7723 McQuarrie & Co. Ararat 659300 5897000 7723 Miller & Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Moonlight Co. Ararat 658300 5897850 7723 Moonlight Extended Ararat 658600 5897980 7723 Moonlight Junction Ararat 658100 5898640 7723 Native Bear Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Never Flinch Ararat 659850 5896620 7723 New Big Hill Ararat 658000 5897500 7723 New Darlington Co. Ararat Unknown New Dundee Ararat 658300 5902300 7723 New Era Ararat 658300 5897200 7723 New North Cross Reef Co. Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 New Perthshire Ararat 658880 5897140 7723 New Saint George Ararat 658750 5896820 7723 Newington Extended Ararat 657550 5898720 7723 No.1 & 2 North Ararat 658850 5897300 7723 Scotchman's No.'s 3-6 North Ararat 658750 5897500 7723 Scotchman's No's7-11 Nth. Scotchman's Ararat 658750 5897450 7723 No. 2 Wonga Syndicate Ararat 660200 5895650 7723 No. 3 Scotchman's Ararat 658820 5897350 7723 94 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Stawell Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
No. 5 Scotchman's Ararat 658750 5897370 7723 No. 6 Scotchman's Ararat 658740 5897400 7723 No. 7 Scotchman's Ararat 658710 5897450 7723 No. 8 Scotchman's Ararat 658680 5897420 7723 Norfolk Co. Ararat 659500 5897100 7723 North & South Wales Ararat 652000 5902000 7723 North Cross Reef Co. Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 North Cross Reef Ararat 657950 5898090 7723 Extended North Magdala Ararat 658400 5898350 7723, 21140, 21141 North of England Ararat 659200 5890150 7723 North Waterloo No. 2 Ararat 658760 5897600 7723 Northumberland Ararat 659180 5897240 7723 O'Donnell's Ararat 659060 5897130 7723 O'Neill Bros. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Old Hampshire Ararat 659360 5897000 7723 Ord & Co. Ararat 657600 5898800 7723 Oriental Co. Ararat 658280 5897730 7723 Oriental& North Cross Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Reef Perthshire Ararat 659150 5897220 7723 Pioneer & Galatea Ararat 658050 5897820 7723 Pleasant Ck. & Newington Ararat 657850 5898200 7723 Pleasant Creek Cross Reef Ararat 658150 5897850 7723 Pleasant Reef Qtz. Mining Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Prince Alfred Ararat 658000 5898050 7723 Prince of Wales Ararat 658960 5897240 7723 Prince Patrick Co. Ararat 657870 5898130 7723 Rising Sun Ararat 658800 5897800 7723 Roberts Ararat 658980 5897200 7723 Robson & Party Ararat 657900 5898000 7723 Rose of Denmark Co. Ararat 659050 5897200 7723 Rutland Ararat 660100 5895600 7723 Saint George Ararat 658150 5896820 7723 Sander & Co. Ararat 657500 5898800 7723 Scotchman's United Co. Ararat 658670 5897480 7723 Scotchmans Reef Qtz C. Ararat 660300 5896540 7723 Co. Simpson J & Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Sims & Party Prospecting Ararat 656400 5900300 7723 Sloanes & Scotchman's Ararat 658630 5897630 7723 Smith & Party Prosp. Ararat 656500 5900300 7723 Shaft Snowdon Extended Ararat 659300 5897100 7723 South Cross Ararat 658600 5897450 7723 South Cross 12,13,12A Ararat 658680 5897400 7723 United South Cross No. 8 & 9 Ararat 658610 5897480 7723 South Cross Reef 14-16 Ararat 658780 5897350 7723 South Cross United 10 & Ararat 658660 5897470 7723 11 South Scotchmans 2-5. Ararat 658900 5897230 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 95
Stawell Goldfield Reef Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
South Victoria Claim Ararat 660000 5895300 7723 Sparks Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Stawell Big Hill Ararat 658850 5897550 7723 Stirlingshire Ararat 658450 5897100 7723 The Gladstone Ararat 657500 5896000 7723 Three Jacks Mine Ararat 657560 5898750 7723 Tyne Ararat 658170 5897670 7723 Ulster Ararat 659450 5896850 7723 Union Co. Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Various parties - Ararat Ararat 672000 5872000 7723 Various parties - Stawell Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Victoria Co. Ararat 657950 5896950 7723 Victorian Cons. Goldfields Ararat 657500 5898800 7723 Walkerite Co. Ararat 658300 5898600 7723 Warrior Co. Ararat 658900 5897700 7723 Waterloo Ararat 658880 5897530 7723 Waverly Co. Ararat 659700 5896000 7723 Weir Reef. Ararat 657550 5897700 7723 West Germania (Emu Co.) Rapanyup 654950 5906700 7723 Westminster Ararat 658500 5896000 7723 Wexford Ararat 659500 5896540 7723 White Rabbit Reef Ararat 651500 5890000 7723 Wilde & Randle Ararat 659000 5897300 7723 Wilkinson Syndicate Ararat 658900 5897500 7723 Williams W & Party Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Willmett & Co. Ararat 657500 5898800 7723 Wimmera Ararat 658500 5896500 7723 Winfield & Party Ararat 658000 5897000 7723 Wonga Ararat 660300 5895700 7723
Stawell Goldfield Alluvial Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Band of Hope Ararat 650550 5902300 7723 Belfast Ararat 653600 5900600 7723 Cahill's Reward Ararat 650200 5896400 7723 Canadian Hill Ararat 655100 5900100 7723 Carney's Patch Ararat 656250 5901000 7723 Cemetery Lead Ararat 657000 5897000 7723 Church Hill (Cambrian Ararat 657250 5896700 7723 Co.) Codd's Flat Ararat 654250 5897000 7723 Commercial Street Lead Ararat 653000 5896750 7723 Coomb's Patch Ararat 655700 5895500 7723 Cooper's Flat Ararat 656500 5896100 7723 Cornish Patch Ararat 653250 5905000 7723 Cumberland Lead Ararat 650600 5894750 7723 Cut Throat Lead Ararat 652100 5899550 7723 Deep Lead Ararat 652000 5902000 7723 Doctor Lead Ararat 652000 5898250 7723 96 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Stawell Goldfield Alluvial Workings (Cont'd) Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Eno's Flat Ararat 652000 5897500 7723 Fifty-foot Hill Ararat 653900 5896750 7723 Forty-foot Hill Ararat 654500 5896500 7723 Four Post Lead Ararat 653000 5903500 7723 German Gully Ararat 654500 5899750 7723 Grampian Sluicing Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Hammond's Lead Ararat 656750 5899900 7723 Hand In Hand Ararat 650800 5902300 7723 Hard Hill Ararat 655450 5891000 7723 Henderson's Lead Ararat 660500 5897300 7723 Hislop's Lead Ararat 656500 5900000 7723 Hodge's Patch Ararat 656950 5899500 7723 Homeward Bound Ararat 650000 5891000 7723 Hooper's Flat Ararat 652500 5895500 7723 Irvine WHW Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Jinks Patch Ararat 651000 5899000 7723 Junction Ararat 650600 5900400 7723 Kay's Flat Ararat 660000 5900000 7723 Kelleher's Patch Ararat 652750 5899800 7723 Kempson Ararat 650950 5896000 7723 Landsborough Gold Extrac Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Launder Bros. Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Linger & Die Ararat 653500 5904250 7723 McEwan's Patch Ararat 661750 5897500 7723 Menai Ararat 651300 5900000 7723 Mitchell Gully Ararat 652850 5904750 7723 Moncur's Flat Ararat 654250 5890000 7723 Native's Lead Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Navy's Hill Ararat 655400 5902100 7723 Nuggety Hill Ararat 653850 5899600 7723 Old Pleasant Ck. Diggings Ararat 656250 5896400 7723 One Hole Lead Ararat 657400 5897500 7723 Ophir Ararat 650200 5901300 7723 Pleasant Ck Alluvial Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Mining Poverty Lead Ararat 653500 5901900 7723 Puddler Patch Ararat 656400 5900500 7723 Reef's Gold Mining Co. Ararat 654000 5900000 7723 Rolley's Patch Ararat 653000 5905250 7723 Saint George's Lead Ararat 658000 5896500 7723 Seventy-foot Hill Ararat 652700 5897000 7723 Shuttleworth, B. Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Silver Shilling Ararat 655000 5896500 7723 Stawell Flat Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Sussex Patch Ararat 650400 5895750 7723 Taylor's Gully Ararat 657000 5896500 7723 Tingha Tin Co. Ararat 658000 5898000 7723 Wades Patch Ararat 650500 5898400 7723 Welcome Lead Ararat 652300 5907100 7723 Welshman's Flat Ararat 654500 5901000 7723 White Patch Ararat 652900 5904500 7723 Wiltshire Patch Ararat 651400 5898800 7723 Yellow Streak Ararat 651100 5902000 7723 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 97
Wedderburn Goldfield
Wedderburn Goldfield Reef Workings Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Allenvale Reef Wedderburn 736000 5976000 10827 Annie Jones Reef Wedderburn 736800 5967700 10827, 1879 Bakers Reef Wedderburn 735100 5967300 21217 Bloomfield Reef Wedderburn 731200 5969900 10827 Burnie Reef Wedderburn 737100 5968900 10827, 15165 Champion Reef Wedderburn 733700 5967800 10827, 15164, 15165 Cherki Reef Wedderburn 734000 5966600 10827 Chinamen Reef Wedderburn 734900 5967600 10827, 15164 Christmas Reef Wedderburn 736600 5967700 10827 Conklan Reef Wedderburn 735100 5969600 10827, 15164 Cosh Reef Wedderburn 734700 5966600 10827, 1879 Eclipse (Victoria) Reef Wedderburn 733100 5965000 10827, 1879, 15165 Edward Reef Wedderburn 735100 5969300 10827, 16164 Enterprise Reef Wedderburn 731900 5966800 10827 Federal Reef Wedderburn 735000 5975600 10827 Gardiners Reef Wedderburn 735100 5967200 21217 Grant Reef Wedderburn 736900 5968200 10827 Hare Reef Wedderburn 737200 5968700 10827 Harrowfield Reef Wedderburn 737100 5962800 10827 Hibernian Reef Wedderburn 733900 5967800 10827, 15164 Hit or Miss mine Wedderburn 730000 5973300 10827 Jubilee Reef Wedderburn 734100 5968300 10827, 16163, 16164 Kangaroo Reef Wedderburn 738300 5971300 10827, 15164 Keep It Dark Reef Wedderburn 730700 5970100 10827 Korella Reef Wedderburn 736500 5971600 10827, 15165 La Mascotte Reef Wedderburn 738200 5968900 10827, 15164 Lane Reef Wedderburn 735100 5967400 10827, 21217 Lincoln Reef Wedderburn 734000 5972400 10827 Little Gem Reef Wedderburn 733400 5979200 10827, 15164 Little Wonder Reef Wedderburn 734800 5966700 10827 Ludlow Reef Wedderburn 737200 5968100 10827 New Year Reef Wedderburn 737700 5969300 10827, 15164 Nil Reef Wedderburn 740200 5971000 10827 Nine Mile G.M. Co. Wedderburn Unknown 21143 One Tree Reef Wedderburn 733300 5965600 10827, 1879 Peep O'Day Reef Wedderburn 733800 5973700 10827 Queen Gully Reef Wedderburn 734800 5969500 10827, 15164 Robinson Reef Wedderburn 736600 5968100 10827 Rodger Reef Wedderburn 734700 5969700 10827, 15164 Scotch Jock Reef Wedderburn 735000 5967600 10827, 15164 Shamrock Reef Wedderburn 736800 5969000 10827 Specimen Hill Reef Wedderburn 734200 5967300 10827, 16163 Tambourine Reef Wedderburn 732000 5968900 10827, 15165 Thomson Reef Wedderburn 735100 5967000 10827, 15164 Victory Reef Wedderburn 732800 5966000 10827 White Rock Reef Wedderburn 731800 5966200 10827 98 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Wehla Goldfield
Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Adelaide Reef Dunolly 733800 5945750 21448 Black Reef Dunolly 734000 5943800 11046 Frenchman's Reef Dunolly 733900 5945350 11046, 21448 German or Prince of Wales Dunolly 733850 5945550 11046, 21448 Reef Hungarian Reef Dunolly 734450 5944300 11046, 21448 Petticoat Reef Dunolly 733900 5945100 11046, 21448 Scotchman's Reef Dunolly 734100 5945200 11046
Miscellaneous Reef Workings
Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Deadlock Mine Dunolly 728250 5942000 21448 Fone's Reef Dunolly 728200 5940300 21448 Garibaldi Reef Dunolly 737700 5953900 10891, 21448 Leggett's Reef Dunolly 725800 5956700 10886 Matrix Reef Dunolly 739900 5935900 10773 Newbridger Dunolly 724800 5945700 10961 725100 5945100 Smiths Gully Reef Dunolly 743400 5942600 10773 Sunday Morning Reef Dunolly 743000 5952100 10891, 21448 Unknown Dunolly 737700 5955200 10891 P.D. Unknown Charlton 720300 5959700 10886 Unknown (Open cut) Dunolly 740400 5940600 10773 Stuart Mill St Arnaud 703800 5924000 Henry's Hill (Tungsten Beaufort 718000 5901650 20732 mine) Unnamed Beaufort 693600 5882300 20732
Miscellaneous Alluvial Workings
Mine/Reef Name Mapsheet Co-ordinates Ref. Source
Peter Diggings St Arnaud 705000 5935300 4 Greenock Diggings St Arnaud 704400 5931700 Rostron Diggings St Arnaud 694000 5918000 4 Navarre Diggings St Arnaud 696000 5908000 4 Barkly Diggings St Arnaud 696000 5906500 4 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 99
Appendix 2
Location of Expired Exploration Licences
110 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Appendix 3
Summary of exploration targets within the North West VIMP initiative area
(Victorian Exploration Licences expired/relinquished as of January 1995, ordered by Company Name)
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
18TH Rischell Pty Ltd 3279 1992-94 The target of exploration was alluvial gold deposits in the Charlton area.
A.R.Fraser 2528 1990-91 The target of exploration was undiscovered gold bearing quartz reef resources within the Avoca River area Charlton.
Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 1626, 1635, 1641, 1986-91 Exploration targeted heavy mineral (HM) sand (Balmoral Resources NL & 1642, 1654, 1655, deposits formed as strand line deposits on beaches Sandhurst Mining NL) 1664, 1750, 1764, during the regression of the Murray Basin. The 1891, 1892, 1931, seaward side of dune systems outlined through 1988, 2099, 2268, airphoto interpretation was the exploration target 2394, 2498, 2499, to locate underlying mineralised beach and dunes 2515, 2638 of the Parilla Sand.
Allminex 638 1978-79 The aim of exploration was alluvial or reef gold in the eastern belt of the Pyrenees Ranges.
Allminex & Minsands 548 1976-77 The target of exploration was heavy mineral (HM) Exploration Pty Ltd sands in the Kerang-Boort area.
Ando Minerals 1167, 1646 1982-89 The target of exploration was alluvial gold contained within Pliocene gravels in the Carapooee area.
Ashton Mining Ltd 833, 1221, 1538, 1980 Exploration was directed at locating and proving 3255 economic dredgable reserves of low grade gold mineralisation from deep leads.
Australian Diamond Drilling 2588 1990-92 The target of exploration was potential low grade P/L & Concongella Exploration shear related gold mineralisation in the Kurraca P/L West area.
BHP Minerals Ltd 1886, 1888, 1989, 1987-94 The target of exploration was accumulations of 1908, 2429, 2430, heavy mineral (HM) sands contained within the 2491, 3005, 3142, Parilla Sand. Exploration focussed on palaeo- 3144, 3146, 3209, strandlines which indicated possible HM bearing 3261, 3368, 3369 beach sand deposition and preservation. .
Balmoral Resources NL 1444, 1445, 1611 1984-87 The target of exploration was heavy mineral (HM) strandline accumulations which were located by previous exploration on the Tyrrell Ridge. The tenements covered the north and south extensions to the strandline.
Barrier Exploration NL 117, 118 1969-71 The aim of exploration was to test a large scale cupola environment for the existence of a deposit of molybdenite and related minerals in the Mafeking and Zumstein area. Minor molybdenite mineralisation had been previously discovered in the vicinity of gold workings.
C.R.Jardine, Macnee 1250 1978-83 The target of exploration was alluvial gold Investments P/L & CRA deposits within the Avoca Deep Lead system. Exploration Pty Ltd. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 111
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 380, 508 1971-74 The original target of exploration was reef gold below the water table or gold mineralisation of the granitic gneisses . The emphasis later changed to locating areas of significant gold mineralisation outside quartz veins in the Ordovician sediments in the Wedderburn area.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 437,444 1973-74 The target of exploration was gold mineralisation as part of a regional investigation of Victoria's West Central goldfields.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 757, 776-82, 784- 1980-92 CRA Exploration conducted a series of programs 811, 865-7, 925-6, investigating the mineral potential of the Murray 972, 998-9, 1255- Basin. Acquisition of ground was originally for the 9, 1261-7, 1280, purpose of Tertiary brown coal exploration but 1298, 1315, 1362, was subsequently subjected to a multi-commodity 1364, 1401, 1424, approach. The discovery of a heavy mineral sand 1917, 1999 deposit at Drung South, near Horsham, shifted emphasis to these commodities. Finally, thumbprint magnetic anomalies detected through an airborne survey were targeted for diamonds.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 919 1980-82 The target of exploration was lead-zinc shale hosted mineralisation. Literature indicated an area near Wedderburn with anomalously high Pb, Zn, Ba and Cu might contain economic concentrations of base metals.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 937 1981-82 The primary aim of exploration was to locate a payable auriferous lead deposit at the headwaters of the Avoca Lead. Auriferous quartz vein mineralisation in the contact aureole around Mt. Brenanah became a secondary target.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 938 1981-86 The primary target of exploration was auriferous lead deposits. Gold from primary sources and high level gravels were also sought.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1037, 1066-1070 1981-82 The area was applied for as part of CRAE's exploration programme for brown coal in northern Victoria. The Robinvale area was considered prospective as brown coal was intersected in 3 Government bores east of Kooloonong.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1097-8, 1101-3, 1982 The area was applied for as part of CRAE's 1105-6, 1110-11, exploration programme for brown coal in northern 1130 Victoria. The Hopetoun region was considered prospective as brown coal was intersected in Government bores within the general area.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1173 1982-87 Exploration was targeted towards the evaluation of the alluvial and hardrock gold potential of the Fentons Creek area.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1365 1983-85 The target of exploration was alluvial gold within high level gravels in the Carapooee area. The area was also assessed for dredgable shallow alluvials and reef gold.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1562-1566 1985-90 An extensive regional programme was undertaken aimed at locating heavy mineral accumulations similar to WIM 150 in the Edenhope area. 112 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1674 1988-89 The exploration targets were previously undetected large tonnage stockwork or vein network hardrock gold deposits in the Kurraca area.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 1924 1988-89 The area was considered prospective for northwesterly extensions of the known Murray Basin heavy mineral (HM) deposits around Minimay.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 2024 1988-89 Records of molybdenum occurrences at Mt. Douglas mentioned associated gold and silver. The tenement was taken out to evaluate the host granite for a disseminated or stockwork gold deposit which may be non outcropping or spatially removed from known molybdenite occurrences.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 2277 1988-90 The Dimboola area was considered prospective for coarse grained heavy minerals (HM) associated with a broad topographic rise.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 2445 1989-90 The licence covered an area south and west of the Roses Gap historical gold workings in order to locate possible strike (or dip) extensions of the known auriferous sandstone horizon, outside the Grampians National Park. Gold mineralisation within Cambrian Greenstones was also considered prospective.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 3004, 3246, 3249, 1987-93 The target of exploration was heavy mineral (HM) 3258. 3259, 3260, accumulations within the Parilla Sand unit close 3295 to the margin of the Murray Basin. The ground was acquired on the basis of HM accumulations detected during reconnaissance drilling under the relinquished Kerang Block.
CRA Exploration Pty Ltd 3220 1986-93 The target of exploration was heavy mineral (HM) accumulations within the Parilla Sand close to the margin of the Murray Basin. The programme targeted similar accumulations to WIM 150 and strand-type accumulation similar to Tyrrell Ridge. A speculative target was sediments deposited by the ancestral Murray River which may have been a trapsite for deep HM and fine gold shed from the Victorian goldfields leading to the development of a Witwatersrand type deposit.
CSR Limited 978 1981-86 The licence was taken out to locate economic concentrations of gypsum as extensions to that being worked under CSR mining leases in the Nowingi. The gypsum needed to be composed of sufficiently large crystals (+0.3mm) and be relatively clay free.
Carpentaria Exploration 716, 718 1979-82 Exploration was aimed at testing the potential of Company Pty Ltd gold-quartz vein mineralisation, fine disseminated gold within slate beds and alluvial gold within Tertiary gravel deposits in the Wedderburn and St Arnaud regions. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 113
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
Compass Resources NL 1630, 2283 1986-90 Exploration targeted the economic gold potential outside of the main areas of workings close to the town of St Arnaud, emphasising vein gold deposits. Exploration was aimed at defining a gold resource identified by General Gold Resources NL over the Comstock, Walkers and Lady Nelson prospects where reef mining had occurred from 1870 to 1900.
Continental Resources NL 1640, 1643 1986-89 Alluvial and hardrock gold mineralisation of the Emu area. Also the gold potential of the Golden Jacket mine, Charlton, and surrounding environments was explored.
Continental Resources NL 3145 1992-94 Exploration targeted heavy minerals within the Parilla Sand in the Big Desert, South of Murrayville.
Drynen Pty Ltd 1184 1982-83 The target of exploration was alluvial gold at Archdale Junction, Avoca River.
E.B & A.H Gray 1535 1987-89 The target of exploration was alluvial gold within shallow gravels at Redbank.
Endeavour Oil Company NL 449 1972-73 The target of exploration was reef gold mineralisation in the St Arnaud-Navarre area.
Endeavour Oil Company NL & 633, 634 1978 The objective of exploration was to search for Pierra Investments Pty Ltd sedimentary uranium in a redox position in the carbonaceous and pyritic Tertiary Renmark Group. The source of mineralisation was postulated to be the granite batholith (Mt. Koogoora and Mt. Douglas) and the mechanism of transport aquifers in the Calivall Sands.
Equity Exploration Pty Ltd 128, 164, 267, 268 1970-71 The tenements were taken up to cover the West Central Victorian goldfields, extending from Bendigo through to Charlton. The aim of exploration was base metals.
Exoil NL & Transoil Pty Ltd 93 1968-70 The target of exploration was hard rock and alluvial gold in the Charlton-Dunolly region.
F.G.Garner 1407 1985 Alluvial gold in the Logan area was the target of exploration.
Fidunu Pty Ltd (Denison 1963, 1965, 1977, 1989-91 The target of exploration was locating or Australia Pty Ltd, Burmine Ltd, 2301, 2302, 2304, developing heavy mineral (HM) sand resources. Euraust Minerals Exploration 2306, 2307, 2436, Exploration concentrated on models of HM Pty Ltd & T.C.Pacific Resources) 2446, 2447, 2531, accumulation in palaeo-strandline deposits and 2532, 2533, 2555 nearshore/shallow marine environments. Areas were also taken up to test ideas related to palaeo- strandlines and the location of HM by determining stratigraphic thickness and assessing the HM content of the base of the Parilla Sand and top of underlying marine units.
General Gold Resources NL 1170, 1417 1982-87 The aim of exploration was to locate sufficient near surface, open pittable gold mineralisation to support a small scale operation in the St Arnaud and Redbank areas. 114 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
Geosearch Pty Ltd & Hardrock 758 1979-81 The aim of exploration was to locate a substantial Exploration Pty Ltd tonnage low grade ore deposit of disseminated low grade gold mineralisation in sediments or higher grade mineralisation in quartz stockwork and veins in the Pyrenees Ranges area.
Goldquest NL 2488 1990-92 The principal objective of exploration is to evaluate the hardrock/ quartz reef potential of the Inglewood goldfield.
Kemutu Australia Pty Ltd 1611 1986-88 Exploration targeted heavy mineral (HM) sand deposits formed as strand line deposits on beaches during the regression of the Murray Basin in the vicinity of the Tyrrell Ridge.
Kinex Exploration Pty Ltd 3069, 3070, 3071, 1993-95 The target of exploration was shallow alluvial gold 3072 deposits along Korong Creek, Wedderburn.
L.W.Hopcroft 2354 1990-92 The target of exploration was alluvial gold in the Malakoff and Blue Mountain historical diggings and possible hard rock mineralisation.
Leighton Mining NL 431 1972-75 The target of exploration was the Malakoff deep lead and its associated tributaries.
Metals Exploration Ltd 499 1973-74 The exploration target was areas of gold-bearing wash of sufficient size to support an alluvial gold mining operation in the St Arnaud area.
Minico Pty Ltd 2347 1989-91 The primary exploration target was open pittable gold mineralisation associated with dykes or quartz veining in the Burkes Flat area.
N.T.Motton 1890 1987-89 The target of exploration was gold within numerous quartz reefs hosted by pyritic slates and lamprophyre dykes within the Redbank- Moonambeal goldfields.
Nobel Resources NL 2014 1988-89 The target of exploration was lode extensions to a group of mines known as the Nine Mile goldfield.
North Exploration Ltd 3283, 3284 1992-94 The licence was selected as it covers part of the "Dimboola Gravity-Magnetic Ridge" which was considered prospective for base metals and gold. The ridge was thought to be the northern continuation of the Stavely Volcanic Belt or represented greenstones and hence a potential for base metal and gold mineralisation. The sequence was considered to have potential for intrusive related copper gold mineralisation, volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation and structurally controlled mineralisation of the Moyston Style.
Northern Gypsum 884 1981 The aim of exploration was to locate gypsum resources in the Lakes district of Kerang suitable for agricultural use.
Pan Australian Mining Ltd 1689, 1690, 1691, 1987-88 The exploration targets were Tertiary perched 1692 gravels and Quaternary deep leads which were thought to have potential to host significant gold resources in the Wedderburn-Bealiba district. GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 115
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
Peko Exploration Ltd 2633, 2634 1991-93 The aim of exploration was gold and base metals associated with a mafic to intermediate intrusive. A thumbprint aeromagnetic anomaly thought to be generated by a mafic or highly oxidised I-type granite with a close spatial relationship to possible gold mineralisation was targeted. Any mineralisation would be associated with more mafic cusps, faults, breccia zones or favourable lithologies.
Pierra Investment Pty Ltd & 545 1975-76 The target of exploration was alluvial gold within Geosearch Pty Ltd Pliocene gravels around Wedderburn.
Pioneer Gold Mining Corp Pty 2397, 2472, 3225 1989-90 The licence targeted alluvial gold from deep lead Ltd systems or within high level palaeochannel gravels and reef gold in the Dunolly, Logan and Bealiba areas.
Planet Resources Group 25-28 1965-70 The company explored in the Maryborough, Stawell, St Arnaud and the Langi Logan area. The ground was considered prospective for deep lead gold and primary gold and the aim of exploration was to assess the auriferous potential of the area. This was carried out as part of Planet's statewide assessment of gold in Victoria .
Planet Resources Group 541 1975-77 The licence was taken out to assess gold mineralisation of the St Arnaud goldfield with an aim to establish an underground mining operation.
Planet Resources Group 1652, 1681 1987-89 The target of exploration was alluvial gold within perched Tertiary gravels at Kooreh and Tarpaulin Creek
RGC Exploration Pty Ltd 2316-2321, 2323, 1989-92 The aim of exploration was economic heavy 2326, 2519-2521, mineral concentrations within the Pliocene Parilla 2593-2599 Sand around the Swan Hill-Kerang region.
Reef Oil NL 177, 391 1970-73 The aim of exploration was to investigate heavy mineral (HM) concentrations within a quarry near Kerang.
Terrestrial Mining Pty Ltd 1334, 1486 1984-86 The target of exploration was reef or alluvial gold deposits in the Stuart Mill goldfield area.
Tioxide Australia Pty Ltd, 568, 569, 591-595, 1976-83 The target of exploration was heavy mineral sand Austiex Pty Ltd & Westralian 605-607, 734, accumulations in a north trending ridges thought Sands 1270-1272 to be stranded coastal feature. The Tyrrell Ridge, Gredgwin Ridge, Cannie Ridge and features in the Warracknabeal, Goroke, Edenhope and Lalbert areas were examined
Triad Minerals NL 1375 1983-85 The aim of exploration was to determine if there are quartz veins of significant width and grade to support an underground mining operation around Wedderburn and if the zones carrying wide veins are sufficiently mineralised to support an open cut operation that could be worked in conjunction with others in the Maldon area.
Western Mining Corporation 35 1965-69 The target of exploration was hard rock gold Ltd mineralisation at Stawell. 116 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Exploration Group EL No.s Period Primary exploration target
Western Mining Corporation 1449, 1613, 2292, 1984-89 The target of exploration was to find extensions to Ltd 2164 gold mineralisation of the Kingston mine and to understand controls of mineralisation which could be applied regionally.
Western Mining Corporation 2291 1988-89 The area was taken up to cover the northern flank Ltd of a major regional aerial magnetic anomaly. Interest in the area was initiated by promising gold mineralisation (contained within quartz veins within a broad zone of brecciated, altered and mineralised sediments) obtained at the Kingston mine area.
Western Mining Corporation 2530 1990 The area was taken up to cover possible Ltd extensions of the Wildwood greenstone belt, which are a belt of mafic volcanics associated with gold mineralisation at Stawell.
Wilban Pty Ltd, Techmin, 476 1973-75 Alluvial gold in the Archdale area was the target Oilmin Pty Ltd, Transoil NL, of exploration. Petromin NL GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 117
Appendix 4
Exploration Licence summary: North West VIMP initiative area
TITLE HOLDER GRANTED EXPIRED EXPEND AIR GND GEO LIT DRILL GEOPH GEOPH CHEM
EL 25 Planet Mining Company P/L 27/09/65 07/08/69 N/A * * * EL 26 Planet Resources Group NL 27/09/65 28/10/70 N/A * * * EL 27 Planet Resources Group NL 27/09/65 28/10/70 N/A * EL 28 Planet Mining Company P/L 27/09/65 04/11/70 N/A * * * * EL 35 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 04/10/65 05/02/69 624,000 * * EL 45 Quest Valley P/L 04/04/66 31/05/67 N/A EL 93 Exoil Pty Ltd 02/09/68 16/09/70 10,991 * * EL 117 Barrier Exploration NL 24/11/69 03/03/71 N/A * EL 177 Reef Oil NL 19/10/70 29/11/72 N/A * EL 268 Equity Exploration Pty Ltd 21/09/70 10/05/71 N/A * * EL 279 Australian Gold & Uranium Pty Ltd 05/04/71 08/09/71 N/A EL 338 Allminex 11/10/71 30/08/72 N/A EL 380 CRA Exploration P/L 14/10/71 23/01/74 45,329 * * * EL 391 Reef Oil NL 18/10/71 23/07/73 72,094 * EL 431 Leighton Mining NL 13/10/72 05/11/75 N/A * * * EL 437 CRA Exploration P/L 07/06/73 23/01/74 N/A * EL 449 Endeavour Resources 27/10/72 11/04/73 N/A * * * EL 476 Wilban Pty Ltd 28/09/74 07/04/76 N/A * * * EL 478 Jesser 14/09/73 12/12/73 N/A EL 499 Metals Exploration Ltd 31/08/73 23/10/74 see EL 380 * * EL 508 CRA Exploration P/L 07/11/73 23/01/74 N/A * EL 541 Planet Resources Group NL 15/05/75 15/05/77 N/A * * EL 545 Geosearch 28/03/75 25/08/76 N/A * * * EL 548 Allminex 22/09/76 05/10/77 N/A * EL 568 Tioxide Australia Pty Ltd 30/03/76 20/10/76 N/A * EL 569 Tioxide & Austiex 08/04/76 31/03/82 N/A * EL 591 Tioxide & Austiex 16/09/76 31/12/82 see EL 569 * EL 592 Austiex 22/09/76 28/11/79 see EL 569 * EL 593 Austiex 10/03/77 27/07/77 N/A * EL 594 Austiex 10/03/77 27/07/77 see EL 593 * EL 595 Austiex 10/03/77 27/07/77 N/A * EL 605 Austiex 28/07/77 05/09/79 see EL 569 * EL 606 Austiex 28/07/77 15/03/78 N/A * EL 607 Austiex 28/07/77 15/03/78 see EL 606 * EL 633 Endeavour Resources 28/02/78 29/11/78 18,647 * * * EL 634 Endeavour Resources 28/02/78 17/05/78 2,879 * EL 638 Allminex 27/06/78 11/04/79 9,983 * EL 646 Jardine 03/08/78 02/08/82 see EL 1250 * * * EL 716 Carpentaria Exploration Co P/L 23/08/79 20/01/82 N/A * * * EL 718 Carpentaria Exploration Co P/L 09/08/79 17/02/82 N/A * * EL 728 Essex 09/08/79 08/08/82 see EL 1247 * * * EL 734 Westralian Sands P/L 17/04/80 20/05/81 N/A * EL 756 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 17/02/82 CONFID * EL 758 Geosearch 06/12/79 16/12/81 N/A * * EL 770 Westralian Sands P/L 17/04/80 31/12/82 N/A EL 776 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 07/08/85 N/A * * * EL 777 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 778 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 779 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 780 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 781 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 782 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 07/08/85 N/A * * * EL 783 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 07/07/82 CONFID * EL 784 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 785 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 786 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 787 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 30/09/80 30/07/92 N/A * * * EL 788 CRA Exploration P/L 09/03/82 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 789 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 29/01/82 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 790 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 30/09/80 30/07/92 N/A * * * EL 791 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 30/09/80 30/07/92 N/A * * * EL 792 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 793 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 30/09/80 30/07/92 N/A * * * EL 794 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 07/08/85 N/A * * * EL 795 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/84 N/A * EL 796 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * 118 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
TITLE HOLDER GRANTED EXPIRED EXPEND AIR GND GEO LIT DRILL GEOPH GEOPH CHEM
EL 797 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 801 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 802 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 07/08/85 N/A * * * EL 803 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 0/07/88 N/A * * * EL 804 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 805 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 806 Owner details not known 31/07/80 07/08/85 N/A * EL 807 CRA Exploration P/L 31/07/80 30/07/88 N/A * * * EL 831 Ashton Mining Ltd 22/05/80 21/05/82 see EL 1221 * * * EL 833 Triarc Corp Ltd 30/09/80 01/08/88 see EL 1221 * * * EL 837 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 28/05/80 27/05/83 CONFID * * * EL 865 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 866 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 867 CRA Exploration P/L 30/09/80 30/07/88 N/A * EL 868 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/07/82 CONFID EL 884 Northern Gypsum 16/02/81 15/08/81 17,210 * EL 919 CRA Exploration P/L 05/12/80 29/01/82 N/A * * * EL 925 CRA Exploration P/L 16/02/81 30/06/82 N/A EL 926 CRA Exploration P/L 16/02/81 30/06/82 N/A EL 937 CRA Exploration P/L 16/02/81 11/06/82 27,908 * * EL 938 CRA Exploration P/L 16/02/81 15/02/86 N/A EL 978 CSR Limited 23/10/81 22/10/86 44,253 * * EL 999 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 29/06/81 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1037 CRA Exploration P/L 29/06/81 07/05/82 55,173 * EL 1066 CRA Exploration P/L 09/11/81 07/05/82 see EL 1037 * EL 1067 CRA Exploration P/L 09/11/81 07/05/82 see EL 1037 * EL 1068 CRA Exploration P/L 09/11/81 07/05/82 see EL 1037 * EL 1069 CRA Exploration P/L 09/11/81 07/05/82 see EL 1037 * EL 1070 CRA Exploration P/L 09/11/81 07/05/82 see EL 1037 * EL 1097 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 24,273 * EL 1098 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1101 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1102 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1103 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1105 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1106 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1110 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1111 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1130 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/82 07/05/82 see EL 1097 * EL 1146 Vidor 23/12/81 02/12/82 N/A EL 1167 Ando Minerals 02/04/82 09/03/83 N/A EL 1170 General Gold Resources NL 30/06/82 29/06/85 770,415 * * * * EL 1173 CRA Exploration P/L 05/10/82 04/10/87 270,246 * * * * EL 1184 Drynen 26/07/82 25/07/83 N/A * EL 1195 Ashton Mining Ltd 13/08/82 12/08/84 see EL 1221 * * EL 1221 Triarc Corp Ltd 16/09/82 01/08/88 75,882 * * EL 1247 CRA Exploration P/L 16/09/82 16/09/83 173,744 * * * * * EL 1250 Jardine 16/09/82 21/02/83 N/A * * * EL 1255 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1256 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1257 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1258 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1259 CRA Exploration P/L 27/01/83 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 1260 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/92 CONFID * * EL 1262 CRA Exploration P/L 27/01/83 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 1263 CRA Exploration P/L 27/01/83 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 1265 CRA Exploration P/L 27/01/83 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 1270 Westralian Sands P/L 05/10/82 04/10/83 N/A * EL 1271 Westralian Sands P/L 05/10/82 04/10/83 see EL 1270 * EL 1272 Westralian Sands P/L 05/10/82 04/10/83 see EL 1270 * EL 1280 CRA Exploration P/L 27/01/83 30/07/88 N/A * * EL 1308 Bendigo Mining NL 18/07/83 17/07/88 123,669 * * * * EL 1334 Terrestrial Mining P/L 30/11/84 29/11/86 2,500 * EL 1344 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 05/07/83 30/07/92 CONFID * * EL 1362 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 01/09/83 30/07/92 N/A * * EL 1365 CRA Exploration P/L 13/10/83 31/05/85 N/A * * * EL 1375 Triad Resources P/L 26/09/83 29/03/85 31,671 * * * * EL 1397 Lacedael P/L 13/05/85 12/05/87 N/A EL 1398 Vaman P/L 26/04/85 25/04/87 N/A EL 1407 Garner 25/01/85 13/12/85 14,590 * * EL 1417 General Gold Resources NL 21/06/85 04/02/87 17,908 * EL 1444 Balmoral Resources NL 01/11/84 31/10/86 21,047 * * * GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 119
TITLE HOLDER GRANTED EXPIRED EXPEND AIR GND GEO LIT DRILL GEOPH GEOPH CHEM
EL 1445 Balmoral Resources NL 24/05/85 23/05/87 see EL 1444 * * * EL 1449 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 13/11/84 12/11/86 1,312 EL 1486 Terrestrial Mining P/L 12/04/85 29/11/86 see EL 1334 * EL 1535 Gray 25/03/87 24/03/89 N/A * EL 1538 Triarc Corp Ltd 02/08/85 01/08/88 see EL 1221 * * * EL 1562 CRA Exploration P/L 18/10/85 30/07/89 68,014 * * * EL 1563 CRA Exploration P/L 18/10/85 30/07/89 see EL 1562 * * * EL 1611 Kemutu (Aust) Pty Ltd 12/09/86 11/09/88 9,374 * * EL 1613 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 23/10/86 14/06/89 1,031,180 * * * * EL 1626 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 23/10/86 12/09/90 68,296 * * * EL 1630 Compass Resources NL 05/11/86 05/11/90 194,738 * * * EL 1635 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 11/12/86 12/09/90 93,161 * * EL 1640 Continental Resources 17/11/86 16/11/89 49,588 * * EL 1641 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 05/11/86 04/11/88 63,065 * * EL 1642 Balmoral Resources NL 22/12/86 21/12/87 N/A * * EL 1643 Continental Resources 21/11/86 20/11/87 6,068 * EL 1646 Ando Minerals 23/10/86 22/10/89 57,256 * * EL 1652 Planet Resources Group NL 29/09/88 26/01/89 N/A * EL 1654 Sandhurst Mining NL 21/11/86 25/07/91 73,195 * * * EL 1655 Sandhurst Mining NL 18/08/87 18/08/90 45,060 * * * EL 1664 Balmoral Resources NL 03/12/86 26/08/87 N/A * * EL 1674 CRA Exploration P/L 29/01/88 05/04/89 29,940 * * EL 1681 Planet Resources Group NL 04/06/87 26/01/89 6,184 * EL 1690 Pan Australian Mining Ltd 24/08/87 24/02/88 N/A * EL 1691 Pan Australian Mining Ltd 16/10/87 09/03/88 see EL 1690 * EL 1750 Sandhurst Mining NL 06/05/87 05/05/88 2,302 * * EL 1764 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 03/07/87 02/07/88 23,565 * * EL 1886 BHP Minerals Limited 18/08/87 18/08/91 140,635 * * * EL 1888 BHP Minerals Limited 25/09/87 25/09/90 83,309 * * * * EL 1889 BHP Minerals Limited 18/08/87 17/08/89 78,403 * * * * EL 1890 Motton 24/08/87 23/08/89 45,817 * * EL 1891 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 26/08/87 25/08/88 16,973 * * EL 1892 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 09/03/88 16/11/88 10,616 * EL 1908 BHP Minerals Limited 26/08/87 25/08/89 85,697 * * * * EL 1924 CRA Exploration P/L 09/03/88 07/07/89 45,162 * * EL 1931 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 28/12/87 03/11/89 58,175 * * EL 1963 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 12/04/91 52,665 * * * EL 1965 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 12/04/91 52,215 * * * EL 1977 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 12/04/91 70,567 * * * EL 1988 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 09/03/88 09/03/91 109,268 * * * EL 2014 Noble Resources NL 28/06/88 27/06/89 21,157 * * EL 2024 CRA Exploration P/L 28/06/89 27/05/88 37,408 * * EL 2099 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 12/05/88 28/12/88 21,829 * * EL 2164 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 04/08/88 17/07/89 109,363 * * * EL 2268 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 13/09/88 13/09/90 19,964 * * EL 2277 CRA Exploration P/L 22/07/88 22/07/90 88,105 * * EL 2283 Compass Resources NL 28/07/88 28/07/89 143,745 * * EL 2291 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 28/07/88 13/04/89 13,573 * * EL 2292 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 28/07/88 13/04/89 10,164 * * EL 2298 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 10/04/90 34,889 * * EL 2299 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 10/04/90 44,953 * * EL 2301 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 05/03/90 28,230 * * * EL 2302 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 13/04/91 48,210 * * * EL 2303 Euraust Minerals Exp. Ltd 23/05/89 21/12/89 41,068 * * EL 2304 Euraust Minerals Exp. Ltd 13/04/89 13/04/91 57,577 * * * EL 2306 Euraust Minerals Exp. Ltd 13/04/89 13/04/91 229,208 * * * EL 2307 Euraust Minerals Exp. Ltd 13/04/89 13/04/91 41,534 * * * EL 2309 T.C Pacific Resources P/L 13/04/89 28/03/90 15,484 EL 2316 Renison Ltd 11/08/89 11/08/91 261,682 * * * EL 2317 Renison Ltd 28/07/89 28/07/92 19,468 * * * EL 2318 Renison Ltd 28/07/89 28/07/90 91,678 * * * EL 2319 Renison Ltd 11/08/89 11/08/90 398 * * * EL 2320 Renison Ltd 11/08/89 11/08/92 19,414 * * * EL 2321 Renison Ltd 28/07/89 28/07/92 58,962 * * * EL 2323 Renison Ltd 28/07/89 28/07/91 850 * * * EL 2326 Renison Ltd 11/08/89 11/08/92 16,836 * * * EL 2347 Minico Pty Ltd 05/09/89 05/09/91 10,022 * * EL 2354 Hopcroft 09/02/90 09/02/92 15,500 * EL 2394 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 07/07/89 03/11/89 28,140 * * EL 2397 Pioneer Gold Mining Corp P/L 03/11/89 22/08/90 N/A * EL 2429 BHP Minerals Limited 11/08/89 11/08/91 16,056 * * EL 2430 BHP Minerals Limited 28/07/89 28/07/91 16,913 * * 120 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
TITLE HOLDER GRANTED EXPIRED EXPEND AIR GND GEO LIT DRILL GEOPH GEOPH CHEM
EL 2436 Fidunu P/L 09/02/90 21/09/90 27,732 * * EL 2445 CRA Exploration P/L 29/09/89 14/05/90 5,000 * EL 2446 Fidunu P/L 09/02/89 21/09/90 24,696 * * EL 2447 Fidunu P/L 09/02/90 09/02/91 43,775 * * EL 2472 Pioneer Gold Mining Corp P/L 18/01/90 09/01/91 37,380 * EL 2488 Goldquest NL 24/05/90 24/05/92 N/A EL 2491 BHP Minerals Limited 17/10/89 17/10/91 30,545 * * EL 2498 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 22/12/89 19/12/91 21,604 * * EL 2499 Sandhurst Mining NL 01/11/89 01/11/91 44,711 * * EL 2515 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 05/03/90 05/03/91 8,965 * * EL 2519 Renison Ltd 10/04/90 14/02/92 47,984 * * * EL 2520 Renison Ltd 10/04/90 14/02/92 17,893 * * * EL 2521 Renison Ltd 10/04/90 14/02/92 62,907 * * * EL 2528 Fraser 15/04/90 22/10/91 7,000 EL 2530 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 05/03/90 08/10/90 4,984 * EL 2531 Fidunu P/L 22/08/90 19/06/91 36,864 * * EL 2532 Fidunu P/L 22/08/90 19/06/91 38,417 * * EL 2533 Fidunu P/L 22/08/90 19/06/91 31,639 * * EL 2555 Fidunu Pty Ltd 06/06/90 19/06/91 32,072 * * EL 2588 Australian Diamond Drilling P/L 15/11/90 15/11/92 11,230 * * * EL 2593 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 17,196 * * * EL 2594 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 23,212 * * * EL 2595 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 21,085 * * * EL 2596 Renison Ltd 12/09/90 09/07/91 16,967 * * * EL 2597 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 20,846 * * * EL 2598 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 29,252 * * * EL 2599 Renison Ltd 22/08/90 22/08/92 21,040 * * * EL 2633 Peko Exploration Ltd 12/06/91 04/10/91 4,302 * EL 2634 Peko Exploration Ltd 15/05/91 15/05/93 65,430 * * * * EL 2638 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 06/02/91 19/12/91 1,344 EL 3004 CRA Exploration P/L 31/08/87 31/08/93 46,644 * * EL 3005 BHP Minerals Limited 25/09/87 25/09/94 306,617 * * * * EL 3036 Kinex P/L 08/04/88 - CONFID * * EL 3037 Kinex P/L 08/04/88 - CONFID * * EL 3045 Kinex P/L 23/01/90 - N/A EL 3069 Kinex P/L 17/09/93 17/09/95 N/A EL 3070 Kinex P/L 17/09/93 17/09/95 N/A EL 3071 Kinex P/L 17/09/93 17/09/95 N/A EL 3072 Kinex P/L 17/09/93 17/09/95 N/A EL 3142 BHP Minerals Limited 13/12/91 13/12/93 42,899 * * * * EL 3144 BHP Minerals Limited 13/12/91 13/12/93 21,896 * * * * EL 3145 Continental Resources 14/05/92 14/05/94 N/A * EL 3146 BHP Minerals Limited 13/12/91 13/12/94 59,658 * * * * EL 3183 CRA Exploration P/L 28/04/92 13/12/95 CONFID * EL 3209 BHP Minerals Limited 11/02/88 11/02/94 214,749 * * * * EL 3220 CRA Exploration P/L 13/03/86 13/03/93 531,249 * * * EL 3221 CRA Exploration P/L 05/03/90 13/12/95 CONFID * EL 3222 CRA Exploration P/L 05/03/90 05/03/93 CONFID * * EL 3225 Pioneer Gold Mining Corp P/L 05/03/90 - 15,694 * EL 3246 CRA Exploration P/L 12/05/88 12/05/93 149,287 * * EL 3248 Stawell Gold Mines P/L 12/05/88 12/05/94 CONFID * * * EL 3249 CRA Exploration P/L 13/08/92 13/08/94 630 EL 3255 Ashton Mining Ltd 24/05/90 24/05/93 26,699 * EL 3258 CRA Exploration P/L 23/05/89 23/05/93 340,601 * * EL 3259 CRA Exploration P/L 23/05/89 23/05/93 N/A * * EL 3260 CRA Exploration P/L 23/05/89 23/05/93 83,592 * * EL 3261 BHP Minerals Limited 25/05/90 25/05/93 49,895 * * * * EL 3279 18th Rischell P/L 27/08/92 27/08/94 N/A EL 3283 North Mining LTD 30/09/92 30/09/94 126,339 * * * EL 3284 North Mining LTD 27/08/92 27/08/94 47,254 * * * EL 3288 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 06/08/80 30/07/93 CONFID * * * EL 3289 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 06/08/80 30/07/93 CONFID * * * EL 3290 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 31/07/80 30/07/93 CONFID * * * EL 3291 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/93 CONFID * * EL 3292 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/93 CONFID * * EL 3293 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 27/01/83 30/07/93 CONFID * * EL 3294 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 29/10/84 30/07/93 CONFID * * EL 3295 CRA Exploration P/L 03/07/87 30/07/93 78,674 * * EL 3296 CRA Exploration P/L 15/08/89 15/08/93 CONFID * EL 3297 Wimmera Industrial Minerals 04/08/88 30/07/93 CONFID * * EL 3323 Stawell Gold Mines P/L 16/09/82 16/09/94 CONFID * * * * EL 3347 Aberfoyle Resources Ltd 17/11/92 18/11/95 CONFID * GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN 121
TITLE HOLDER GRANTED EXPIRED EXPEND AIR GND GEO LIT DRILL GEOPH GEOPH CHEM
EL 3368 BHP Minerals Limited 17/11/92 18/11/94 2,324 * * * * EL 3369 BHP Minerals Limited 17/11/92 18/11/94 1,025 * * * * EL 3385 CRA Exploration P/L 10/12/92 10/12/94 CONFID * * EL 3486 CRA Exploration P/L 24/03/94 10/12/94 CONFID EL 3487 CRA Exploration P/L 26/08/93 10/12/94 CONFID EL 3488 CRA Exploration P/L 26/08/93 10/12/94 CONFID EL 3489 CRA Exploration P/L 26/08/93 11/07/96 CONFID EL 3510 CRA Exploration P/L 13/09/93 10/12/94 CONFID EL 3561 Tivmoss Investments P/L 15/06/94 15/06/95 CONFID EL 3579 Tivmoss Investments P/L 15/09/94 15/06/95 CONFID
NB. CONFID Confidential N/A Not available 122 GEOLOGY AND PROSPECTIVITY - SOUTHERN MARGIN MURRAY BASIN
Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum (VIMP) report series
1 BUCKLEY, R.W., BUSH, M.D., O'SHEA, P.J., WHITEHEAD, M. and VANDENBERG, A.H.M. 1994. The geology and prospectivity of the Orbost Survey area.
2 VANDENBERG, A.H.M., WILLMAN, C., HENDRICKX, M., BUSH, M.D. and SANDS, B.C. 1995. The geology and prospectivity of the 1993 Mount Wellington Airborne survey area.
3 HOLDGATE, G., 1995. The exploration potential of the Permian Numurkah Trough and Ovens Graben, Victoria.
4 BUSH, M.D., CAYLEY, R.A., ROONEY, R., SLATER, K. and WHITEHEAD M.L., 1995. The geology and prospectivity of the southern margin of the Murray Basin.
5 ROONEY, R., 1995. Mineral exploration history of the North West VIMP area.
6 WILLOCKS, A.J., 1995. An appraisal of the new airborne surveys over the North West VIMP area.
7 WHITEHEAD, M.L., 1995. Geological interpretation of geophysical data over the Dunolly 1:100 000 sheet.
8 VANDENBERG, A.H.M., CALUZZI, J., WILLOCKS, A.J. and O'SHEA, P.J., 1995. The geology and prospectivity of the Mallacoota 1:250 000 sheet, Eastern Highlands VIMP area.
9 SANDS, B.C., 1995. A geological interpretation of the geophysical data from the Orbost 1994 airborne survey.