Greenfield nickel sulphide exploration using airborne and ground EM techniques in the Eastern Arunta Region, NT

Abstract

A VTEM survey was conducted in the search for magmatic nickel-copper sulphide mineralization in the poorly explored Irindina Province of the Eastern Arunta Region, NT . The VTEM data was analysed for prospective targets and selected priority targets were followed up with B Field moving loop ground EM. The ground EM followup survey over the highest priority target showed that the VTEM data is biased toward the shallower conductors and was not able to identify the deeper higher conductance targets. Drilltesting and subsequent downhole EM surveys confirmed the VTEM and ground EM targets were caused by disseminated, stringer and semi massive sulphides (pyrrhotite and pyrite with subordinate chalcopyrite) interpreted to be derived from a skarn style of mineralizing event.