Madang Province
GUSAP PROJECT EL 1615
EL1615 is located in the Madang Province covering 2,171 square kilometres of prospective ground over the Finisterre Ranges. The tenement is underlain by a thrusted sequence of indurated argillites, volcanic and limestone later intruded by intrusive of dioritic, granodiorite, microdiorite, gabbro, dolerite and tonalite differentiates. The sequence is overlain unconformably to the north by Pliocene limestone. A number of major regional, deeply sheeted structures, trending northwest, and dipping east, dominate the structural framework of the Finisterre Ranges.
The tenement area is highly prospective for the discovery of large porphyry copper gold, epithermal gold, and skarn deposits.
Pacific Niugini completed extensive exploration work on the tenement during the year, and was successful in identifying significant copper-gold mineralisation in several zones. Highly encouraging mineralisation was discovered at Turingopo, Gabana, Munambe, and Yanganon.
Gusap tenement showing prospect locations
Turingopo Prospect
Mineralisation at the Turingopo prospect consists of clasts of massive chalcopyrite bound within a fault breccia with sediments, volcanic sources and diorite stocks all evident within the fault matrix. Pacific Niugini believes that the style of mineralisation indicates that the prospect is reasonably close to the source of mineralisation.
A short 6 hole, 640m exploration diamond drilling program was undertaken at the Turingopo Prospect in August and September 2010. The objective was to the test lateral and down-dip continuity of the fault breccia hosted copper and base metal mineralisation discovered in creek outcrop.
The best result from five holes drilled by Pacific Niugini into this prospect returned a best result of 4m @ 0.43% Cu, 0.05g/t Au and 0.03% Zn within an overall mineralised breccia intercept of 41m @ 0.10% Cu. Random clasts of massive chalcopyrite (copper sulphide mineralisation) sat within the overall brecciated zone.
While results did not reflect the high copper values reported in creek out crop sampling, clasts of massive chalcopyrite exist throughout the structure. Pacific Niugini believes that the style of mineralisation indicates that the prospect is reasonably close to the source of mineralisation.
Gabana Copper and Gold Prospect
The Gabana copper – gold prospect is located 1.4 kilometres southwest of the Turingopo Prospect. The prospect is defined by consistent elevated copper and gold results along strike in outcrop. Copper and gold mineralisation appears restricted to hydrothermal breccia. The breccia ranges in width from 1m up to 5m wide (pinches and swells) and dips steeply to the northwest. Mapped strike length is 350m and the prospect is open at both ends.
Copper and gold mineralization occurs as disseminated or as very narrow veins of quartz + pyrite + bornite + chalcopyrite in the breccia matrix and as stock work quartz – sulphides.
Detailed geological sampling and trenching was undertaken in order to define the Gabana Prospect. Best grab sample results from the area include;
Ø 13.6% Cu & 1.56 g/t Au
Ø 4.22% Cu & 3.70 g/t Au
Ø 0.74 % Cu & 3.35 g/t Au
Ø 6m @ 0.38 % Cu
Ø 4m @ 0.28% Cu & 0.40 g/t Au
Best trench sample results from Gabana include:
Ø 2m @ 2.84% Cu & 0.90 g/t Au in trench TGTC19
Ø 8m @ 0.21% Cu & 0.07 g/t Au in Trench TGTC08
Ø 2m @ 0.13% Cu & 0.90 g/t Au in Trench TGTC04:
Ø 5m @ 0.15% Cu & 0.09g/t Au in trench TGTC15
Malachite stained argillite from outcrop
Munambe Copper and Gold Prospect
Regional sampling in the middle section of the Gusap River (Munambe Target) returned highly anomalous copper and gold results in creek float. Float rock samples consisting of quartz + pyrite veins, and containing intense sericite + pyrite + quartz alteration returned elevated copper and gold results.
Best float sample results to date include:
Ø 9.36 % Cu
Ø 6.54 % Cu & 0.19 g/t Au
Ø 0.69 % Cu & 0.13 g/t Au
Yanganon Copper Gold Prospect
First pass work near the north-western area of the tenement was successful in the discovery of copper, gold and associated elevated base metal mineralisation in outcrop. The Yanganon Copper prospect was discovered with initial samples up to 4.80% copper, 1.99 g/t gold, 0.87% Zinc, 13.9 g/t silver, 104 g/t molybdenum, 16 g/t antimony and 165 g/t tin.
Mineralisation is hosted in a 20m wide shear fault with visible malachite and chalcocite mineralisation in outcrop. Several coincidental intrusive stocks, dykes and sills were mapped which appear to be emplaced into the fault zone. It is thought that these intrusives may be responsible for copper and gold mineralisation within the area.
Gusap Regional Strategy
Existing coarse regional magnetic signature
The reconnaissance exploration carried out at Gusap during the past year has confirmed the huge potential of the area. Pacific Niugini remains focussed on discovery of a large porphyry body within the tenement, and is of the view that the existing regional geophysical signatures, combined with exploration results to date support this geological model.
Pacific Niugini has commenced a 2,500 line kilometre airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over prospective zones of the tenement. The survey aims to better define the location of target areas for the discovery of the magnetic body existent in the area. Following the survey, it is intended to complete focussed reconnaissance mapping and exploration with a view to developing new drilling targets over the ensuing 12 months. Drilling will be undertaken as soon as sufficient confidence in targets is established.