Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M) has begun a 1,300-metre drilling program at its Mt Turner Gold Project in Queensland, targeting high-priority gold and silver zones beneath existing pits.
The campaign follows the company’s recent 100% acquisition of Lotus Minerals and marks the first phase of an expanded exploration strategy along the Drummer Fault. Experienced contractors Geo Drill Australia have been appointed to undertake the work.
Indicative drill targeting at the Mt Turner Gold Project – Drummer Deposits (Digital Terrain Model showing existing open pits, previous drill locations and planned drill hole locations).
Historic results highlight the potential of Mt Turner, with intersections including 16 metres at 3.6 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 12 metres at 6.5 g/t gold, and one metre at 3.4 g/t gold with 100 g/t silver.
Managing Director Alex Biggs said the drilling represents an important milestone for the company.
“It’s great to get started with our drilling at Mt Turner. With the current gold and silver markets and multiple targets this is the start of what the company sees as a significant value add to the business. Multiple targets exist across the Mt Turner tenements, with this initial program focusing on high priority gold and silver targets,” Biggs said.
The initial campaign will focus on multiple gold and silver targets across the Mt Turner tenements. Work is designed to test mineralisation beneath previously mined shallow oxide pits and assess potential extensions along the Drummer Fault, a 14-kilometre east-west structure visible on satellite imagery.
Strong foundations from historic work
Previous exploration and small-scale mining have already confirmed high-grade potential close to surface.
Notable historic results include 16 metres at 3.56 g/t gold, 12 metres at 6.5 g/t gold, and seven metres at 1.7 g/t gold with 67 g/t silver. Other intersections recorded up to 80 g/t silver over 5.2 metres.
- 16 metres at 3.56 grams per tonne (g/t) Au (Hole UMDT95_D04)
- 16.0 metres at 3.60 g/t Au (Hole UMDT95_D03)
- 12 metres at 6.5 g/t Au (Hole UMDT95_D03)
- 7 metres at 1.7 g/t Au and 67 g/t Ag (Hole 21ISMDWRC001_DH6)
- 3 metres at 5.1 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag (Hole DH2)
- 1.0 metre at 3.4 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag (Hole QMCD83_D03)
- 5.2 metres at 1.5 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (Hole QMCD83_D04)
The company believes that northeast-trending structures intersecting the Drummer Fault may have contributed to the formation of higher-grade mineralisation. These remain underexplored and will be tested through the current campaign.
Broader exploration strategy
Alongside drilling, Lightning Minerals will soon start soil and rock chip sampling to refine targets and support planning for an expanded program.
Biggs said the additional work will provide further opportunities for discovery.
“Soil sampling and rock chip sampling will also assist in defining additional targets across the tenements for an expanded drill campaign following this initial program. We are entering a busy period for the company and I look forward to updating you all on our progress. We wish our team a successful and safe campaign,” he said.
Building a gold and silver portfolio
Located 15 kilometres northwest of Georgetown in North Queensland, Mt Turner adds a gold-focused asset to Lightning Minerals’ diversified portfolio, which includes lithium projects in Brazil and Canada as well as critical minerals exploration in Western Australia.
The company’s strategy is to leverage historic datasets, apply modern exploration techniques, and advance near-term brownfields opportunities that complement its broader portfolio.
With drilling now underway, Lightning Minerals expects to deliver a steady flow of results and updates to shareholders in the coming months.