The Pilot Bore is situated 130 feet north of the Lakes Entrance Shaft and 80 feet above mean tide level. The principal purpose of the bore was to provide information on the position and flow of aquifers and on the nature of the rock ahead of shaft sinking operations. Percussion drilling was used to ensure that information on water horizons should be as accurate as possible. This report summarises the information so far obtained from the Pilot Bore, Lakes Entrance, and should be regarded as an interim statement pending the completion of work on the cores. The task of correlating this information with that obtained from other sources and the discussion of its bearing on regional problems are reserved for a more detailed report when the work has been concluded.

On 21st November, 1944, a visit was made to the above block at the request of the lessee (Mr. G.D.C. Tanner) who had asked for advice regarding water supply. The report following this visit recommended the testing of an alluvium-filled basin which occupies part of the southeastern quarter of the block. Subsequently Mr. Tanner sank a well at a site about 1,000 feet south of the point indicated as most favourable. For all practical purposes it may be considered that the well has proved that the alluvium is not capable of yielding a useful supply of water at the end of a dry period, and it became necessary to consider the possibility of obtaining water from the bedrock. The present report embodies results of a further examination with this end in view. The location, topography, geology, and possibility of underground water at Block 10 are discussed in this report. A geological sketch map of Block 10 is included.

Results from the micro-examination of samples from 2254 to 4554 feet down, No.2 Bore, Boronga. The series examined is in continuation of that reported upon 30th May, 1942.

The work described in this report forms part of the uranium investigation being conducted by the Commonwealth Government for the British Government. 94 samples from the Radium Hill workings, S.A., were submitted to the Mineral Resources Survey for determination of relative radioactivity, with a view to making estimates of their uranium content. After determinations were made a suite of these samples was selected and submitted for assay for uranium and thorium by the South Australian School of Mines. This report comprises a description of the equipment, procedure and calibration, along with a discussion of the specific problems associated with the ore, the random variations in count-rate, and the results of tests of the ore samples.

The work described in this report forms part of the uranium investigation being conducted by the Commonwealth Government for the British Government. The work was carried out at Mt. Painter from 7th February to 26th March, 1945, following prior geophysical work. This report covers work including setting up and calibrating the assay equipment, and testing 100 samples from the Mount Painter No. 6 workings and 12 samples from East Painter No. 1 adit. In addition, some field work was carried out on Radium Ridge using a new type of portable equipment. The report is divided into two parts, the first dealing with the assay work and the second with the field work.

The geophysical surveys reviewed in this report were part of an investigation carried out by the Commonwealth Government on behalf of the British Government. Deposits of uranium minerals occurring at several places in the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia, and centred about Mount Painter, were subjected to detailed geological examination followed by surface and underground prospecting by means of costeans, shafts, drives, etc. The geophysical work undertaken with the object of assisting the geological examination by measuring the radioactivity of rocks in situ and of hand specimens and assisting the prospecting work by making estimates of uranium content of mine samples. The geophysical surveys consisted of two main parts, namely, field surveys to locate and delineate areas of high radioactivity, and laboratory work to make approximate determinations of uranium content of mine samples by measuring the radiation from them. It is proposed to describe briefly the fundamental nature of radioactivity with specific reference to such features as have a particular bearing on the problems encountered in the field and assay work. In addition, it will be necessary to deal briefly with the geology of the various areas covered by the field work in so far as it effects the geophysical problems.

The Pannikin Mine is situated on the south side of the Hart's Range about 7 miles southeast of Mount Riddock and about 9 or 10 miles a little south of east from Schaber's homestead. The Elbow deposit is about 1 1/2 miles south-southwest from the Pannikin. The two deposits, and another smaller one in the same locality, were visited on 22nd October, 1944. The accompanying plan of the Pannikin was made with compass and tape. The report comprises notes on the two mica deposits. Accompanying sketch plans of the Pannikin and Elbow deposits are included.

The following summary of deposits of lithium-bearing minerals in Australia has been compiled from office records, including the previous statement on amblygonite deposits by P.B. Nye, and reports on Western Australian deposits by H.A. Ellis of the Geological Survey of the State. Much of the information on the Northern Territory deposits has been obtained from an article by A.E. Williams in 'Chemical Engineering and Mining Review' of July, 1940. A discussion of Australian sources by State and Territory follows in the report. A summary of Australian amblygonite production figures for 1905 to 1943 is included.

Four core samples were submitted by New Occidental Gold Mines N.L. on 4th December, 1944. The descriptions of the samples that follow are based on a brief megascopic examination of the cores by H.B. Owen, Geologist of the Mineral Resources Survey. The results of tests for magnetic orientation and susceptibility are described.

Western Australia is the only State from which vermiculite is produced. Occurrences are known in some of the other states and in the Northern Territory, but the information is not sufficiently detailed to enable their importance to be assessed. Vermiculite occurrence by State and Territory, and processing capabilities, are detailed in this report.