Exploration
Stockman Project
Background
The Stockman Project is located in the Victorian Alps region 470km by road north-east of Melbourne and 60km by road north east of Omeo. The project contains two copper-zinc-lead-silver-gold rich VMS deposits, Wilga and Currawong. Wilga was discovered by a WMC /BP joint venture in 1978 and Currawong in 1979. Denehurst mined the copper rich core of Wilga deposit from 1992 to 1996. In 2006 following rehabilitation of the plant site and tailings dam by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries the project was put out for public tender as part of an exploration incentive program. Jabiru was awarded the project in March 2007.
Regional Geology
The Wilga and Currawong VMS deposits are hosted within the Gibsons Folly Formation, a part of the Enano Group, and are located in the western portion of the Limestone Creek Graben which forms part of the Cowombat Rift. The Cowombat Rift is the southernmost of the Silurian basins within the Lachlan Fold Belt that are known to contain VMS deposits. The Gibsons Folly Formation comprises interbedded siltstone, volcaniclastic sediments plus extrusive and intrusive volcanics ranging in composition from rhyolite to basalt and interpreted to have been emplaced into a moderate to deep subaqueous environment. The rocks in the project area have undergone at least three major deformation events with D2 shears and D3 faults postdating the mineralization.
Currawong Deposit
The Currawong deposit has a projected surface extent of approximately 300m X 350m and comprises five stacked massive sulphide lenses with associated stringer style mineralization all of which is disrupted by a series of post mineralization shears (D2) and faults (D3). Prior to faulting the Currawong deposit is interpreted to have comprised only two stacked lenses. Grey siltstone and variable feldspar and quartz phyric coherent dacite are the dominant rock types around Currawong. The Currawong Porphyry is a late stage rhyolitic intrusive unit cross cutting stratigraphy that may in part terminate the down dip extent of the “K” lens. Mineralization is mostly massive with a small portion of stringer style mineralization. The mineralization contacts are sharp and there is only minor visible alteration of the surrounding host rocks. Intense semi-massive chlorite alteration is patchy but normally occurs adjacent to the massive sulphide lenses. Chlorite gangue increases down dip from the M lens in association with an increase in stringer mineralization in the footwall suggestive of a possible feeder zone for the massive sulphide lenses.
The Currawong resource is estimated to be 9.2mt @ 2% Cu, 4.4%Zn, 0.7% Pb, 41g/t Ag and 1.1g/t Au (Sept 2009).
Wilga Deposit
Located 3.5km south of Currawong, Wilga consists of a single massive stratiform sulphide lens measuring 500m X 200m, up to 30m thick near the centre and narrowing to less than 5m near the margins. The deposit dips 35 degrees to the north and is located approximately 90m below the surface. The immediate hanging wall is a variably altered feldspar, quartz phyric dacite overlain by coherent basalt. In the immediate footwall to the massive sulphides is a 1-15m wide shear zone underlain by the Thorkidaan Volcanic sequence within which there is no significant mineralization or alteration.
Two principal styles of mineralization are recognised, comprising massive sulphide with pyrite as the main gangue mineral and stringer sulphide characterised by chlorite as the dominate gangue mineral. Mineralization boundaries are generally sharp with a proximal alteration assemblage of chlorite and quartz observed up to 10m from the mineralization. On the fringes of the massive sulphide lens the alteration may grade from a gangue dominated by pyrite to gangue dominated by chlorite.
An estimation of the total ore mined from Wilga is 867,000t @ 5.8% Cu, 6.2% Zn, 0.4% Pb, 37 g/t Ag and 0.4 g/t Au. The Wilga resource is estimated to be 3.4mt @ 2.5% Cu, 4.9% Zn, 0.4% Pb and 30g/t Ag (Sept 2009).
Exploration
The Stockman project presents a number of exploration challenges not the least being the steep terrain and extreme weather, especially in winter when snow regularly falls. The steep terrain not only makes drilling logistically difficult but also reduces the effectiveness of aerial surveys such as EM which require a constant flying height above the ground. In contrast to the Jaguar Project, there is no alluvial cover, and hence surface geochemical sampling is an extremely quick and cost effective exploration tool. Despite the long history of exploration in the region, many of the geochemical anomalies identified within the tenement were not drill tested in the past, in part because of the steep terrain.
A Scoping Study aimed at examining the establishment a mining operation based on the Wilga and Currawong resources is ongoing with a focus on metallurgy, permitting, infrastructure. Heritage, fauna and vegetation surveys have been completed and environmental monitoring and community consultation is continuing.
Jaguar Project
Background
The Jaguar Exploration Project encompasses 3 high grade VMS deposits, Teutonic Bore, Jaguar and Bentley, centred on the Jaguar mine approximately 300km north of Kalgoorlie and equidistance between Leonora 65km by road to the south and Leinster to the north. Production began from Jaguar in 2007 and in late 2008 Jabiru Metals discovered the Bentley deposit 4km to the south. The Bentley high grade resource remains open at depth and is currently being developed with production planned for 2011
Regional Geology
The Jaguar Project is located within the Gindalbie Terrain, a subdivision of the Archaean Eastern Goldfields Super-terrain of the Yilgarn Craton. The area is dominated by volcanic and lesser sedimentary and intrusive rocks that have undergone tilting to sub-vertical positions. Regional metamorphism is lower greenschist facies. The Gindalbie Terrane is characterised by bimodal HFSE-enriched (heavy field strength elements) rhyolites, basalts and intermediate-felsic calc-alkaline complexes overlying an older tholeiite-komatiite succession. The Archaean rocks are locally intruded by Proterozoic dolerite dykes, and unconformably overlain by Tertiary and Quaternary-aged alluvial cover. Regionally, weathering is intense with a well-developed regolith. Complete oxidation persists to a depth of 50-80m and fracture-controlled partial oxidation to 120m. Bedrock exposure in the area varies from being reasonably good sub-crop in the north and west, including the Teutonic Bore mine area, to virtually non-existent to the south in the vicinity of the Bentley deposit. Interpretation is largely aided by magnetic and drilling data.
Teutonic Bore Deposit
The Teutonic Bore deposit was discovered in 1974 by Carpentaria Exploration sampling of small gossan outcrops. The gossan was drilled in 1976 by Australian Selection Pty Ltd and deeper follow up drilling six months later discovered the massive sulphide mineralization. Subsequent drilling showed the gossan was up to 30m thick and extended over 300m of strike. The base of complete oxidation ranged from 45-85m depth and the transition zone between saprolite and fresh rock extended to a depth of 85-100m. The deposit was extracted from open pit and underground by a BP-MIM JV from 1980 to 1985. The total ore mined was 1.6mt @ 3.5%Cu, 11.2% Zn and 146g/t Ag from a premining resource of 2.2mt @ 3.5% Cu, 11.1% Zn, 0.9% Pb, 52g/t Ag and 0.2 g/t Au
Jaguar Deposit.jpg)
The Jaguar Deposit was discovered 4km south of the Teutonic Bore Mine in 2002 by the second diamond drill hole targeting an 1800m long conductor defined by a deep penetrating fixed loop transient electromagnetic survey (FLEM). The first hole intersected sulphidic black shale at the conductor position and the second hole, 600m to the south, intersected massive sulphides over 7.7m from 485m grading 4.3% Cu, 16.1% Zn, 0.8% Pb, 173g/t Ag and 0.24g/t Au. A total of 84 drill holes on nominal 50m centres for 41,659m outlined an initial resource estimate of 1.62mt @ 3.4% Cu, 12.8% Zn, 132g/t Ag and 0.8% Pb (2005). Jaguar is currently being mined at a rate of 400,000 tonnes per annum producing around 9,000 tonnes of copper, 25,000 tonnes of zinc and 600,000 ounces of silver.
Bentley Deposit
The Bentley deposit was discovered in October 2008, 4.5 km south of Jaguar when diamond drill hole 08SWDD04 intersected 10.55m of copper and zinc rich massive sulphides followed by 17m of stringer-vein style sulphide mineralization, as part of a systematic drilling campaign to test below an area of near surface zinc anomalism historical known as the Snowy’s Well Prospect. The massive sulphides were intersected at 370m depth some 200m below an MIM exploration diamond drill-hole (SWD1) completed in 1992 which intersected 78m @ 0.64% Zn from 188m. The Bentley resource estimate is 2.3mt @ 1.8% Cu, 9.8% Zn, 1.0% Pb, 121g/t Ag and 0.6g/t Au (June 2010). The resource remains open at depth with several high grade diamond drill intersections including:
- 09BTDDD025–10m @ 3.4% Cu, 7.9% Zn 0.3% Pb, 1.0g/t Au,200g/t Ag
- 09BTDD001- 5.7m @ 0.5% Cu, 28% Zn, 1.4% Pb, 1.3g/t Au, 278g/t Ag
- 09BTDD011-9.6m @ 1.9% Cu, 14.6% Zn, 3.6% Pb 2.6g/t Au, 309g/t Ag
Geology & Mineralization
The Teutonic Bore, Jaguar and Bentley deposits occur in the same broad stratigraphic position at or near the base of a tholeiitic and andesitic volcanic succession overlying a felsic volcanic succession. The three deposits consist of massive sulphide lenses with semi-massive and stringer style mineralization both below and lateral to the massive sulphides. The sulphide mineralogy consists of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite galena and minor sulphosalts.
The main Jaguar massive sulphide lens forms a single , continuous , steeply west dipping tabular body of approximately 400m strike extent and 400m down dip extent with an average thickness of 3m. The upper edge of the deposit is approximately 250m below surface. The deposit is hosted by a mixed sedimentary volcanic package towards the base of the mafic sequence. The footwall is a thick intrusive post mineralization gabbro which locally intrudes and split the main massive sulphide lens apart.
The Bentley massive sulphide mineralization at the rhyolite-andesite contact occurs as three principal lenses (Arnage, Brookland and, Mulsanne) separated by a late dolerite sill. The sulphide mineralization is strongly zoned both vertically and laterally with a sphalerite (+/-galena) rich top and margins and chalcopyrite-rich core and base. Carbonate and sericite form a wide alteration halo in both the footwall and hangingwall. Silicification is common within the footwall rhyolite and transgressive chalcopyrite-pyrite stringer style mineralization associated with strong chlorite-carbonate alteration is recognised up to 30m below the massive sulphide.
The Teutonic Bore massive sulphide mineralization was a single steeply west dipping lens measuring approximately 300m x 300m x 5m average thickness (maximum thickness 15m) associated with an interflow sedimentary package within the lower part of the basaltic to andesitic volcanic succession. For the most part the massive sulphide lens was 150m above the basalt / felsic contact though at depth it converged with the contact possibly as a result of syn-depositional faulting and/ or intrusive doming of the footwall rhyolite. The massive sulphide lens has a sharp upper contact and transitions into a transgressive footwall cone or pipe-like zone of stringer and disseminated sulphide mineralization interpreted as the principle hydrothermal feeder for the mineralizing system. Intense chlorite +/- silica alteration occurs in the immediate footwall to the massive sulphides and within the transgressive feeder zone surrounded by a broad pervasive halo of intense sericite –carbonate alteration that extends through the footwall basalts and into the felsic volcanics.
Exploration
The Jaguar project presents a number of exploration challenges not the least being the depth of targets beneath a deep and variable weathering profile and thick alluvial cover, particularly south of the Teutonic Bore deposit. The Teutonic Bore deposit was discovered by recognition of a small gossan as the weathered remnant of a massive sulphide deposit at depth. In contrast Jaguar was discovered below 300m depth by deep diamond drilling of a geophysical anomaly. The most recent Bentley discovery can be attributed to a combination of re-evaluation of historical work, modern geochemistry, a clear understanding of the target parameters and the commitment to undertake programs of deep regional diamond drilling.
Jabiru’s exploration strategy at Jaguar is to map the 3 dimensional geometry of the host horizon to the VMS deposits in an endeavour to discover additional economic deposits through a combination of near surface and deep drilling, geophysics, alteration mapping and multi-element geochemistry both in the regolith and in the fresh bedrock.
The depth extension to Jaguar and Bentley will be systematically and cost-effectively explored and drilled from underground as and when suitable drill positions become available.
Project Reserves & Resources
Jaguar Project Ore Reserves: 1 September 2010
| Classification | Tonnes | Cu % | Zn % | Ag g/t | Au g/t |
| Bentley Underground: Stage 1 & 2 (Sept 2010) | |||||
| Massive Direct Feed | |||||
| Proved | - | - | - | - | - |
| Probable | 1,890,000 | 1.46 | 10.7 | 130 | 0.62 |
| Footwall Stringer Indirect Feed | |||||
| Proved | - | - | - | - | - |
| Probable | 560,000 | 1.46 | 1.72 | 23 | 0.24 |
| Total Probable: Bentley (Sept 2010) | 2,450,000 | 1.46 | 8.64 | 106 | 0.53 |
| Jaguar Underground & Surface Stockpile Reserve (July 2010) | |||||
| Proved | 486,000 | 3.4 | 6.8 | 92 | - |
| Probable | 368,000 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 71 | - |
| Less mining depletion Jul/Aug 2010 | 69,100 | 3.85 | 8.14 | 112 | - |
| Jaguar Underground Mine plus Surface Stockpiles (Sept 2010) | |||||
| Proved | 416,900 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 89 | - |
| Probable | 368,000 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 71 | - |
| Total Proved & Probable: Jaguar (Sept 2010) | 784,900 | 2.9 | 5.6 | 81 | - |
| TOTAL JAGUAR PROJECT SUMMARY RESERVE (SEPT 2010) | |||||
| PROVED | 416,900 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 89 | - |
| PROBABLE | 2,818,000 | 1.6 | 8.1 | 101 | 0.46 |
| TOTAL PROVED & PROBABLE RESERVES: JAGUAR PROJECT (SEPT 2010) | 3,234,9000 | 1.8 | 7.9 | 99 | 0.4 |
Jaguar Project Resource Summary: 1 July 2010
| Classification | Tonnes | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Ag g/t | Au g/t |
| Measured | 511,000 | 4.7 | 10.4 | 0.7 | 141 | - |
| Indicated | 3,555,000 | 1.9 | 7.8 | - | 104 | - |
| Inferred | 614,000 | 1.4 | 0.8 | - | 26 | - |
| Sub Total Measured & Indicated | 4,066,000 | 2.2 | 8.2 | - | 109 | - |
| Jaguar Project Summary | 4,680,000 | 2.1 | 7.2 | - * | 98 | - * |
* Insufficient data across Resources for calculation of global grades
Jaguar Project Mineral Resources by Deposit: 1 July 2010
| Mineralisation Type | Classification | Tonnes | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Ag g/t | Au g/t |
| Jaguar Resource (July 2010) | |||||||
| Massive | Measured | 476,000 | 5.0 | 10.8 | 0.8 | 148 | - |
| Massive | Indicated | 306,000 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 0.6 | 96 | - |
| Massive | Inferrred | 6,000 | 3.2 | 8.5 | 0.7 | 82 | - |
| Sub Total In-Situ Resource | 788,000 | 4.3 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 127 | - | |
| Surface Stockpiles | Measured | 35,000 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 46 | - |
| Total | Measured | 511,000 | 4.7 | 10.4 | 0.7 | 141 | - |
| Total | Indicated | 306,000 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 0.6 | 96 | - |
| Total | Inferred | 6,000 | 3.2 | 6.5 | 0.7 | 82 | - |
| TOTAL JAGUAR UNDERGROUND RESOURCE | 823,000 | 4.2 | 8.8 | 0.7 | 124 | - | |
| Bentley Mineral Resource (November 2010) | |||||||
| Massive | Indicated | 1,328,000 | 1.9 | 15.4 | 1.0 | 184 | 0.8 |
| Stringer | Indicated | 975,00 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 34 | 0.3 |
| TOTAL BENTLEY UNDERGROUND RESOURCE | 2,303,600 | 1.8 | 9.9 | 0.6 | 122 | 0.6 | |
| Massive Sulphide | Inferred | 576,000 | 3.0 | 11.7 | 0.9 | 231 | 1.2 |
| Stringer Sulphide | Inferred | 166,000 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 55 | 0.5 |
| TOTAL INFERRED | 742,000 | 2.7 | 9.4 | 0.7 | 191 | 1.0 | |
| TOTAL INDICATION + INFERRED | 3,045,600 | 2.0 | 9.8 | 0.6 | 139 | 0.7 | |
| *Note: Cut-off grades used are 0% for massive sulphide and 0.5% Cu for stringer mineralisation. | |||||||
| Teutonic Bore Resource (August 2010) | |||||||
| Massive | Indicated (transitional) | 20,000 | 4.3 | 11.7 | 1.1 | 200 | - |
| Massive | Indicated (fresh) | 132,000 | 1.7 | 16.7 | 1.5 | 223 | - |
| Sub Total Massive | Indicated | 152,000 | 2.1 | 16.0 | 1.4 | 220 | - |
| Stringer | Indicated | 719,000 | 1.5 | 0.7 | - | 23 | - |
| Stringer | Inferred | 608,000 | 1.4 | 0.7 | - | 25 | - |
| Sub Total Stringer | Indicated & Inferred | 1,478,000 | 1.5 | 2.2 | - | 44 | - |
| Surface Stockpiles | Indicated | 75,000 | 2.2 | 6.1 | - | 147 | - |
| Total | Indicated | 946,000 | 1.7 | 3.6 | - | 65 | - |
| Total | Inferred | 608,000 | 1.4 | 0.7 | - | 25 | - |
| TOTAL TEUTONIC BORE RESOURCE | 1,553,000 | 1.6 | 2.5 | - * | 43 | - * | |
* Insufficient data across Resources for calculation of global grades
Stockman Project Mineral Resources: September 2009
| Mineralisation Type | Classification | Tonnes | Cu % | Zn % | Pb % | Ag g/t | Au g/t |
| Currawong & Wilga Resource | |||||||
| Massive & Stringer | Indicated | 11,383,000 | 2.1 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 39 | - |
| Massive & Stringer | Inferred | 1,118,000 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 27 | - |
| Total Stockman Resource | 12,501,000 | 2.1 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 38 | - | |
Project Videos
Exploration
Jabiru maintains a well funded innovative exploration team with the principle focus for discovery and development of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits in Australia. This type of deposit typically contains base metals such as copper, zinc and lead often with significant silver and gold credits. Examples of this type of deposit include Jabiru’s Stockman and Jaguar projects as well as the long life Golden Grove (WA) and Rosebery (Tas) mines.
Jabiru’s exploration strategy is based on a strong understanding of the genesis and physical characteristics of VMS deposits within the primary bedrock and the regolith of deeply weathered and covered terrains such as occurs in Western Australia. A strong characteristic of VMS deposit is that they occur in clusters and as such the Jabiru exploration team has a strong belief additional high grade deposits will be discovered on the Jaguar and Stockman Project.
Exploration is managed from the Perth office with team’s base at our Jaguar Mine and Omeo in the Victoria Highlands for the Stockman Project.
Jabiru is actively pursuing new exploration opportunities.