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Walling Rock
Overview
At a time when iron ore continues to command high levels of interest and strong prices for its fundamental role in a number of expanding economies, the Central Yilgarn Iron Ore Project (CYIP) offers Jupiter exposure to an iron ore exploration prospect in close proximity to established infrastructure including access to a main road and railway transportation.
The project area is still under explored, and Jupiter will be implementing exploration programs to fully test the area’s potential for iron ore mineralisation (Figure 2).
Location
The CYIP is located west of Menzies, with the Mt Mason inferred resource being approximately 100km north west of Menzies. The project area covers 275km2 (Figure 3). The banded iron formations(BIFs) trend North West in sub parallel multiply sets ranging from 1 to 6 in a set. The Mt Mason mineralisation is hosted within the BIFs.
History
In 1969, BHP surveyed Mt Mason. This was approximately 60 years after it was initially discovered by Geological Survey of Western Australia. Even though high iron assays from the survey returned 62.8% iron with 0.042% phosphorus, BHP did not proceed with the project. Infrastructure in the area was limited at the time.
Geology
The Mt Mason-Mt Hope tenement areas cover part of the western edge of the Mt Ida greenstone belt, which lies along the eastern boundary of the Southern Cross Granite-Greenstone Terrain. A large scale regional structure, the Ida Fault, marks the boundary between the Southern Cross Granite-Greenstone and Eastern Goldfields.
The Ida Fault is a complex structure of sinusoidal faulting and shearing with varying stages of deformation throughout the Mt Ida greenstone belt. The western part of the belt, which is partially covered by project tenements, comprises a typical Southern Cross rock association of abundant metabasalt, banded iron formation and subordinated ultramafic rocks. The greenstone exposure around Mt Mason indicates shallow to steep, east dipping units of banded iron formation, with intercalated mafic rocks. Late stage granitoids, pegmatites intrude the sequence. East-west trending dolerite dykes cut across the regional trend.
Exploration
During the reporting period, LANDSAT 7 ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus) satellite data has been computer enhanced to highlight geological, structural and mineral alteration zones. As part this program, the airborne magnetics were also processed. This work generated 14 new targets within the BIFs horizons during the period.
Outlook
Spring and summer surveys are planned for flora and fauna to establish an environmental base line for a possible developmental phase of the project. These surveys will aid in compliance with government bodies and demonstrate Jupiter’s high regard for environment on the project.
The 14 new targets identified during the reporting period over the project area will be mapped and sampled. This process will allow Jupiter to gain an understanding of the project’s upside potential for iron mineralisation.
The magnetite mineralisation in the tenement group has been discovered and will be included in the exploration program for next year. The scoping study will be used as a basis for the examination of infrastructure and financial requirements of the prospect including screening and crushing plant, rail costs, road access and contractors. The environmental surveys will aid in the approvals process and demonstrate Jupiter’s integrated approach to project development.
Targets definition included multiband, ratioed datasets selected and processed for spectral classification of iron oxides and hydroxides, ultramafic rock types and zones of mineral alteration. The BIF extends over 30km along the western greenstone belt.
The magnetics indicated that, within Mt Hope and Walling Rock tenements, there are potential sub-cropping BIF and hematite targets. The units extend over 20km and the target zones are marked on Figure 3.
A Vegetation Survey and Rare Flora Search of the Mt Mason and Mt Ida Projects were carried out during the year, including a field visit. This survey was undertaken to comply with Department of Environment and Conservation regulations.
A three dimensional ore body model was completed during the June Quarter. This was part of a program to assist with the design of a new drill hole program. The ore body can be seen in Figure 4.