This report presents the results of a geological investigation of the Crusader copper deposit, Dobbyn, Queensland. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the geological setting of the Crusader Mine and thereby to determine the factors controlling the deposition of ore, and the possibility of producing ore from the deposit. An area of about six square miles was mapped using enlarged aerial photographs, and a plane table survey was made of the miner area, using a telescopic alidade.

The geology, production history, ore grade, and ore reserves of the Northern Star Mine are discussed in this report. Four accompanying plans are included.

It has been fairly firmly established that the fineness of the gold in any ore deposit varies with the depth from the surface at which the deposit was formed and as a corollary to this, that it is dependent upon the temperature and pressure at the time of deposition. This relationship is such that, under certain conditions, the gold fineness, taken into consideration with other recognised criteria, furnishes a very sensitive and reliable guide to the relative temperature of ore formation, at least within the epithermal and the upper part of the mesothermal range. The definition, determination, relation to deposits, and application of gold fineness are discussed in this report.

The object of this tour was to study ore deposits and methods of exploration in Africa and North America as well as to attend, as Official Delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia, the 19th International Geological Congress held at Algiers in September, 1952. A considerable amount of information was gained concerning ore deposits in the countries visited and this information should be of assistance in the search for further metal deposits in Australia. At the international Congress useful work was achieved and contact was made with a large number of geologists in various parts of the world. These contacts will facilitate the exchange of information between Australia and foreign geologists. The itinerary followed the attached as an Appendix to this report.

This progress report follows a general report on the Wymah field by N.H. Fisher and C.L. Knight, submitted in June, 1942. It contains details concerning the development, ore structures, and mineral reserves of the Wymah wolfram mine.

During the 1950 Field Season three radiometric anomalies were located by geophysical methods on a low hill situated between 1,300 and 2,000 feet east of White's Deposit. This area is known as White's Extended Prospect. In 1951 geological mapping on a scale of 40 feet to an inch was undertaken and this was followed by costeaning and diamond drilling. Owing to other commitments in the Rum Jungle area the explanatory programme and mapping in the White's Extended area has not been completed.

A geological survey of the Peko Gold Mine was conducted as part of the field activities of the Bureau of Mineral Resources in 1950. The objects of the survey were to study the factors localizing the ore, to suggest possibilities for the discovery of new oreshoots, and to plan a diamond drilling campaign to test these possibilities. J.F. Ivanac and B.P. Walpole mapped the geology of the mine. The plane table survey of the surface outcrops was carried out by E.M. Bennet. The results of the survey are presented in this report. History and production, general geology, economic geology, and the prospects of further discovery are discussed.

Details concerning the reserves of iron ore in Australia have been tabulated in this report. The report provides estimates of the grade and probable reserves of ore for the known Australian deposits.

This geophysical survey was undertaken as part of a campaign by the N.S.W. Mines Department and the Commonwealth Bureau of Mineral Resources to explore the ore possibilities of the Cobar Mining Field. Tests, made in January 1947, on specimens of ore from the operating mines showed that some of the ore from the New Cobar and Chesney Mines exhibited appreciable magnetisation due to its pyrrhotite and possibly magnetite content. The survey was commenced in March, 1947 using the magnetic method only as a first method of attack. Watts Vertical Force Variometers Nos. 15887 and 16128 were used, the field work being carried out by the writers. The geology of the area, object of the survey, results, and recommendations for future drilling are discussed in this report. Two accompanying plans are included.

The area was geologically investigated at the request of the Director of Mines, Alice Springs, by A.D.M. Bell and J. Firman. Mapping was by chain and compass traverse during periods 29th to 31st October, 1952; 4th to 6th November, 1952 and 19th December, 1952. Previous geological reconnaissance was made by B. Thompson of the Enterprise Exploration Company in 1948.