ELA007218 Location Plan

Environment and Community Impact Mitigation

 

All operations undertaken by Cygnet Resources Pty. Ltd. will be conducted to ensure minimal impact on the existing land use, environment and community.

 

Site Risk Assessment

Drill collar locations will be selected, and sites designed to ensure maximum protection of environment, social and land-use factors.

 

All drill sites will be fenced or flagged to prevent access by unauthorised personnel. Any person entering the drill area will be inducted by the on-site driller. All relevant personal protective equipment will be worn.

Pre-existing tracks and roads will be used to access drill sites where possible. Where additional access is required it will be done in consultation with the landholder and will be rehabilitated upon completion of the program.

 

Noise Management

Proximity to housing will determine drill site selection. Noise attenuation will be used where necessary to ensure minimal disturbance and compliance with EPA limitations. 

 

Water Management

Sites will be selected so as not to disturb any natural drainage lines. There will be no discharge of water or drilling fluids. It is anticipated minimal groundwater will be intercepted. If groundwater is intercepted, all water will be contained in cascading water tanks.  Biodegradable drilling fluids will be used to at all times.

 

Dust Management

A small amount of dust is expected to be emitted from the drill rig on occasions. All dust mitigation devices and techniques will be employed to minimise

any emission.

 

Fire Prevention

All machinery and equipment will be checked to ensure adequate fire suppression equipment is available at all times. Equipment will be checked for

potential fire hazards prior to beginning work.

 

Flora Management

Sites will be selected to ensure minimal vegetation disturbance. Sites with previous disturbance will be selected in preference to removing vegetation.

 

Preparation of the site for diamond drilling will be done in consultation with the landholder/land manager. The preparation will may involve removal and setting aside of the top soil and subsequent laying of thick plastic sheets beneath the entire site, or the use of coconut matting to protect the soil ecosystem from mechanical disturbance or chemical additions. Following the completion of drilling, shallow scarification will be undertaken to remediate compaction, and if the topsoil was stockpiled, the top soil will be replaced.

 

All care will be taken to prevent the introduction of weeds or exotic species to the drill location. All equipment is thoroughly washed down taking particular care around the vehicle belly, wheels and wheel wells to ensure all dirt and organic material that may transfer seeds or pathogens are removed.

 

Fauna Management

When selecting drill collar locations, consideration will be given to possible fauna roosts, nests or general habitat. Operators will ensure there is no disruption to native fauna such as birds, reptiles or marsupials that may enter the drill site after drilling has commenced.

 

Waste, in particular food scraps, will be appropriately stored and disposed.

 

Rehabilitation

Upon completion, all drill sites will be fully rehabilitated to their natural state in accordance with the Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 (“the Act”).

 

Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

Safety and Environmental monitoring will be conducted by qualified/ experienced site personnel prior to and after completion of each drill hole.

Site audits are then conducted on a quarterly basis for the first 12 months after completion of the programme then on an annual basis for the duration

of the Retention Licence.

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Health and Safety

Cygnet Resources has an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy. The plan aims to provide a safe and healthy working environment.

 

Community Engagement

The company will notify the landowners and occupiers in writing of any exploration to be undertaken.  Landholder Compensation Agreements will be

put in place when required.

 

Cygnet Resources Pty. Ltd. is committed to regular, open and honest communication with the community. The community will be kept informed of

exploration programs on the project. Communication methods used include the company’s website, updates to the local council and direct liaison with

the affected landholders. Stakeholders with an interest in the project should join the mailing list on the website to receive email alerts for updates and news. 

www.cygnetresources.com.au

 

 

Proposed Work Program for ELA007218

 

Overview

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Exploration Licence application ELA007218 covers 143 graticules (142.7 km2) in central Victoria. The ELA area is centred on the Harcourt Granodiorite. The ELA lies directly between, and along strike of two of the great historical goldfields of central Victoria; the Bendigo field which produced over 22 Moz from 1851 to the 1950’s, and the Castlemaine field which produced more than 5.6 Moz over its life. These goldfields combined have produced over 35 % of Victoria’s gold.

 

Two target areas have been defined: 

• Target A – Primary target; repeat of Bendigo and Castlemaine GF structural setting and mineralisation immediately beneath a new interpretation of thin-skin granodiorite geometry; 

• Target B – Secondary target; Pilcher’s Bridge GF located within the granodiorite northern hornfels envelope.

 

Proposed Exploration Program

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The primary target zone along strike and between the goldfields has received no modern exploration attention, therefore a proposed program must commence at first principles:

• Mapping of the granodiorite with emphasis on crystal size (evidence of quenching), distribution and concentration of xenoliths and rafts of country rock, fault and fracture orientation.

• Stream sediment sampling, rock-chip sampling and east-west soil survey lines across strike using Niton analysis may detect As-Au-Sb-Zn anomalism as leakage through pluton fractures and joints from mineralisation below the base and help to define the goldfield corridor geometry and priority areas for drill testing.

• Modelling of 2D magnetic flight-lines and gravity data may help to determine pluton thickness along the field strike.

• Application of detailed ground gravity and the passive seismic method to model base pluton geometry.

• Drill testing; any intersection of Castlemaine Group sediments below the granodiorite within the field corridor would be considered initial proof of concept. Further drilling if warranted mineralised structures.

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Proposed 5-year Program

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Year 1 (2020)       Mapping, surface geochemical sampling, 

Year 2 (2021)       Follow-up surface sampling, geophysical modelling

Year 3 (2022)       Ground gravity surveys

Year 4 (2023)       Infill gravity and passive seismic

Year 5 (2024)       Drilling (RC pre-collars, DD tails)

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