Minotaur Exploration Ltd (ASX:MEP) has completed its induced polarisation (IP) geophysical survey at Pyramid project in Queensland with encouraging anomalies at three prospects, including large IP chargeability anomaly defined below Djoser Prospect gold-in-soil anomaly.
IP chargeability anomalies, possibly associated with basement-hosted gold mineralisation have also been defined at Pradesh and Gettysberg Gold Prospect.
The company has identified IP chargeability anomaly along the western edge of Pradesh gold prospect and has also identified potential extension to Gettysberg gold prospect with IP anomaly identified in 400 metres step-out.
IP survey objectives
- The company has undertaken the IP survey with three main objectives:
- To determine if gold mineralisation at Marrakesh and Pradesh responded to IP;
- To assess the Djoser IRG-type target for a positive IP response that may be related to sulphide developed at depth below the surface geochemical anomaly; and
- To run a trial IP line along strike south of the Gettysberg gold prospect, where there is no historic drilling but the gold-in-soil anomaly continues.
If successful further IP surveying would be warranted covering the broader gold-in-soil anomaly along strike to the south.
IP results
The results of the IP survey are likely to encourage extensions to known mineralisation at Pradesh and Gettysberg gold prospects and indicates that sulphide may be developed below the surface geochemical anomaly at Djoser.
The company has collected 13 lines of IP geophysical data along with parts of the Gettysberg fault corridor between Marrakesh and Pradesh and east of Marrakesh at Djoser and from a single additional line south of Gettysberg.
Djoser Prospect
Djoser is a substantial gold-in-soil anomaly with over 50 parts per billion (ppb) gold values covering an area of 600 metres x 600 metres.
Coincident lead-zinc-copper-arsenic anomalism is also present in soils over a similar area.
Five lines of IP data, spaced 200 metres apart, were collected over the main soil anomaly.
Mapping and additional rock chip sampling will be conducted to better understand the geology in the areas of the IP anomaly with the view to elevate the prospect to drill status.
Pradesh Prospect
Previous drilling at Pradesh Prospect comprised six holes that targeted a strong over 200ppb gold-in-soil anomaly coincident with minor outcropping quartz veins.
Results of the recent IP survey indicate there is no IP chargeability anomaly associated with gold mineralisation where drilled.
The company considers the IP chargeability anomaly worthy of further investigation and will soon conduct field checks to advance the target to drill status.
Gettysberg Prospect
Gettysberg Prospect hosts significant gold, where the previous drilling, including the recent 12-hole program by Minotaur, outlines mineralisation over an area 600 metres x 100 metres.
Numerous zones of high-grade gold occur within a lower-grade gold halo over much of that area.
The Gettysberg soil anomaly is open along strike to the southwest, is less intense but persistent and has not been tested by drilling.
The new survey line produced a discrete 18 metres V/V IP chargeability anomaly that corresponds to the on-strike position of the Gettysberg gold system and lies below a 20ppb gold-in-soil anomaly.
A second IP chargeability anomaly occurs 300 metres east, but its significance is not yet known as it does not have a corresponding gold-in-soil anomaly.
Next Steps
The IP survey was successful in defining potential drill targets at Pradesh and Djoser, and also indicates potential strike extensions of the gold system at Gettysberg.
Each of the IP anomalies requires field inspection to better understand the overlying geology and lead to Pradesh and Djoser being elevated to drill status.
Djoser, appears to show strong potential for an IRG-type mineral system and it will be important to conduct detailed mapping and further rock chip sampling to better understand the geology and geochemistry over the IP anomaly.
Field activities are expected to commence in August, pending easing of COVID-19 related cross-border restrictions.