Australian resources company TNG Limited is pleased to advise that an extensive gravity survey has commenced over key targets at its 100%-owned Mount Hardy Copper Project in the Northern Territory to help refine follow-up drilling targets ahead of a major new diamond drilling programme. In the event that anomalous or interesting gravity features are outlined at any of these areas, in-fill (to 50 x 50 metre spacing) or step-out follow-up work will then be conducted, for a total of up to 2,150 stations. The gravity survey is expected to be completed by mid-February, with processed data delivered to TNG by the end of February. Processing and interpretation of this dataset is expected to be completed in March, ahead of the planned commencement of a diamond drilling program.

TNG has identified significant surface copper anomalism at four of the survey areas, with three also showing coincident anomalous zinc and lead values. The Mount Hardy prospect has a surface copper-in-soil anomaly (at above 200ppm Cu determined by portable XRF analyser) over a 550 x 160 metre area. 17 surface rock chip samples (analysed by ICP technique) exceeded 1% Cu, with a maximum value of 6.84% Cu. The Browns prospect returned 12 rock chip samples of greater than 1% Cu, as well as supporting lead and zinc values.

EM targets 1, 2 and 4 were outlined from both HELITEM and ground EM surveys conducted in late 2012, with subsequent fieldwork returning rock chip results at EM Target 1 of up to 12.65% Cu, 16.15% Pb, and 6.85% Zn (see ASX Release on 27th September 2012 and October 10th 2012). Each of the EM targets were drilled in November 2012, with Reverse Circulation (RC) drill-holes targeting modelled conductor plates interpreted from the ground EM programs. Results of this drilling were reported to the ASX on November 7th 2012 and January 22nd 2013. Copper sulphide mineralisation was confirmed at EM Targets 1 and 2, and down-hole EM surveys outlined additional EM plate positions that require further drill testing at Targets 1, 2, and 4.

The gravity survey, together with drilling and EM surveys, is expected to assist in outlining copper mineralisation targets over the greater Mount Hardy project area. TNG is also planning a high powered Induced Polarisation (IP) geophysical survey to commence in the coming weeks. Managing Director of TNG, Mr Paul Burton, said the gravity survey will provide significant structural and other geological information and combined with our existing results will progress our geological modelling and target prioritisation in this extensively mineralised area. “Our initial exploration in the Mount Hardy area has confirmed the presence of significant copper mineralisation, and this gravity survey is expected to greatly assist with refining priority targets for the upcoming diamond drilling program,” he said. “The Mount Hardy Project is a key exploration asset for TNG and we look forward to using this survey data to further increase our understanding of the mineralisation in the region.”