<div>The push of mineral exploration under cover requires developing new geochemical exploration approaches. Detailed hydrogeochemistry addresses these needs and is valuable as a non-invasive mineral exploration technique that can identify lithological changes and dispersion signatures associated with mineralisation. Here we integrate whole-rock geochemistry and hydrogeochemistry to evaluate suitable geochemical tracers in groundwater for detecting phosphate and/or Pb-Zn style mineralisation in the Georgina Basin. The known Georgina Basin’s phosphate deposits are within the basin’s aquifers, providing groundwater near deposits greater exposure and opportunity for water-rock interactions with mineralised geology, resulting in trace element and isotope signatures of mineralisation at detectable levels. These tracers can then be applied elsewhere in the basin as a screening tool for detecting mineralisation. To achieve this, we collected rock geochemistry from the MinEx CRC East Tennant National Drilling Initiative Campaign (ME-ET) drillcore, and integrated it with nearby hydrogeochemistry (from the Northern Australia Hydrogeochemical Survey (NAHS)). </div><div><br></div><div>The NAHS was collected by Geoscience Australia as part of EFTF, which included 170 samples from Georgina Basin aquifers. This hydrogeochemistry dataset is high quality, due to robust sampling, QA/QC procedures and a comprehensive analysis suite, making it a useful tool for mineral exploration in the Georgina Basin. The ME-ET drilled 10 stratigraphic holes east of Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, in support of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program (EFTF). Seventy six Georgina Basin rock samples were collected for whole rock geochemistry and a subset for Pb and Sr isotopes. Samples were selected to target: 1) background unmineralised lithostratigraphy, 2) intervals with groundwater intersections, and 3) transects through zones with anomalous concentrations of P, Pb, Zn and Cu, as identified by portable XRF analysis. </div><div><br></div><div>Initial exploratory data analysis of the hydrogeochemistry is conducted at various scales using principle component analysis and clustering approaches to identify the key attributes (major and trace elements, isotopes, hydrogeology etc.) that are associated with higher P content in the groundwater. These relationships are tested by comparing groundwater samples proximal (in depth and spatially) to high P compositions in the host rock, providing insight into the water-rock interactions taking place. Additionally, vertical whole rock geochemistry transects within the drill-holes are investigated to evaluate the trace element and/or isotopic features that are diagnostic of the enriched phosphate zones. We take the robust geochemical relationships identified from both approaches and apply them as tracers across the NAHS to flag areas of potential undiscovered mineralisation. As we will demonstrate, the NAHS can detect subtle or diluted mineralisation signatures, and underpins a revised understanding of phosphate mineral prospectivity in the Georgina Basin.</div> Abstract submitted and presented at 2023 Australian Earth Science Convention (AESC), Perth WA (https://2023.aegc.com.au/)

As part of Geoscience Australia's Exploring for the Future program, the East Tennant region, which is centred on the Barkly Roadhouse in the Northern Territory, was identified as having favourable geological and geophysical indicators of mineral systems potential. Potentially prospective stratigraphy in the East Tennant region is completely concealed beneath Mesoproterozoic to Quaternary cover sequences. Prior to 2020 basement rocks in the East Tennant region were only known from a handful of legacy boreholes, supported by geophysical interpretation. In order to test geophysical interpretations and obtain additional samples of basement rocks for detailed analysis, a stratigraphic drilling campaign was undertaken in the East Tennant region as part of the MinEx CRC’s National Drilling Initiative. Ten stratigraphic boreholes were drilled through the cover sequences and into basement for a total of nearly 4000 m, including over 1500 m of diamond cored basement rocks to be used for scientific purposes. Inorganic geochemical samples from East Tennant National Drilling Initiative boreholes were taken to characterise cover and basement rocks intersected during drilling. Two sampling approaches were implemented based on the rocks intersected: 1) Borehole NDIBK04 contained localised sulphide mineralisation and elevated concentrations of several economically-significant elements in portable X-ray fluorescence data. In order to understand the geochemical variability and distribution of elements important for mineral system characterisation, the entire basement interval was sampled at nominal one metre intervals. This spacing was reduced to between 0.5 and 0.25 m from 237 m to 263 m to better understand a more intense zone of mineralisation, and 2) Samples from boreholes NDIBK01, NDIBK02, NDIBK03, NDIBK05, NDIBK06, NDIBK07, NDIBK08, NDIBK09 and NDIBK10 were selected to capture lithological and geochemical variability to establish bulk rock geochemical compositions for further interpretation. Attempts were made to sample representative, lithologically consistent intervals. A total of 402 samples were selected for analysis. Sample preparation was completed at Geoscience Australia and Bureau Veritas, with all analyses performed by Bureau Veritas in Perth. All samples were submitted for X-ray fluorescence (XRF), laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), FeO determination, and loss on ignition (LOI). Samples from borehole NDIBK04 also underwent total combustion C and S, and Pb collection fire assay by ICP-MS for determination of Au, Pt and Pd concentrations. This data release presents inorganic geochemistry data acquired on rock samples from the ten East Tennant National Drilling Initiative boreholes.

This report contains new whole-rock and isotope geochemical data, associated sample metadata, an assessment of the data’s quality assurance, for 742 samples collected in and around the Curnamona and Delamerian provinces, across numerous drillcore sampling campaigns through 2021-23. The data can be downloaded via the Geoscience Australia EFTF portal (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/eftf) or in the files attached with this record (http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/148651). Geochemical sampling in the Curnamona region straddles both South Australia and New South Wales. The objective of sampling was to obtain representative coverage (both stratigraphically and spatially) to support developing regional geochemical baselines (in conjunction with existing geochemistry). Thus, this sampling included both the Curnamona Province and the overlying basins (Eromanga Basin, Lake Eyre Basin). Whole-rock geochemistry is reported for 562 samples, with a subset of 13 samples analysed for Pb and Sr isotopes, and another subset of 36 samples analysed by thin section petrography (all presented herein). Geochemical sampling in the Delamerian region has focussed on available legacy drill core in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The objective of sampling was to (systematically) constrain the geochemical character of magmatic rocks across the mainland extent of the Delamerian Orogen, as well as younger volcanics within the Delamerian Orogen and/or overlying cover. This geochemical sampling was conducted in conjunction with geochronology, mineral systems sampling and stratigraphic drilling (all components of the DCD project) to reinterpret the timing, character and fertility of the Delamerian Orogen. Whole-rock geochemistry is reported for 180 samples. Version 2.0 (published 28 November 2023) has added whole rock geochemistry for 22 new samples in the Delamerian region. The data products and report have been updated accordingly.

<div>This report contains new whole-rock and isotope (Pb and Sr) geochemical data, associated sample metadata, an assessment of the data’s quality assurance, for 76 samples collected from the Georgina Basin of the East Tennant National Drilling Initiative (NDI) in 2021. The data can be downloaded via the Geoscience Australia EFTF portal (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/eftf) or in the files attached with this record (http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/148954).</div><div><br></div><div>This new geochemistry data release builds on the success of the East Tennant NDI, addressing the data-gap in earlier geochemical sampling of these holes, by providing whole-rock geochemistry (and Pb+Sr isotopes) for the Georgina Basin cover sequence. Improved geochemical characterisation of Georgina Basin geology is valuable from both a hydrogeological and mineral systems perspective. The Georgina Basin extends across much of the Northern Territory and into western Queensland, comprised of Cryogenian to Devonian sediment packages.</div><div><br></div><div>Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government.</div><div><br></div>

<div><strong>Output type: </strong>Exploring for the Future Extended Abstract</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Short abstract: </strong>Australian sediment-hosted mineral systems play a crucial role in providing base metals and critical minerals essential for the global low-carbon economy. The Georgina Basin has the key components for forming and preserving a sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineral system, but historically has been considered ‘cover’ to deeper, more prospective Proterozoic basement rocks. Thus, the basin has remained relatively under-explored, with many questions yet to be resolved on its sediment-hosted Zn-Pb mineral system and prospectivity for Zn-Pb. Utilising new whole-rock and isotope geochemistry of the Georgina Basin from recently drilled holes in the Northern Territory, we demonstrate the sensitivity of local redox boundaries to detect regional mineralisation. Two geochemically enriched zones have been identified and interpreted as redox interfaces which have trapped and concentrated metals from the surrounding basin, a ‘supergene zone’ and a ‘water intercept zone’. The ‘supergene zone’ is a paleo water table horizon, while the ‘water intercept zone’ is an active redox front at the uppermost part of the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer. The enrichment of these redox zones is consistent across multiple drill holes, reaching up to 395 ppm Pb and 1550 ppm Zn. Additionally, the Pb isotopes of high-Pb and sulfidic intervals have a highly radiogenic character (206Pb/204Pb ~22.0–23.0) that is diagnostic of Georgina Basin’s Mississippi Valley-type Zn-Pb mineralisation. Taken together, these results suggest there may be buried mineralisation in this part of the Georgina Basin, as well as highlight the potential of these redox interfaces as a regional reconnaissance target for exploration.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Citation: </strong>Schroder I.F., Huston D. & de Caritat P., 2024. The geochemistry of redox interfaces for insights into Zn-Pb prospectivity in the Georgina Basin. In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, https://doi.org/10.26186/149116 </div>