Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M, FRA:YZ1) last week outlined plans for the next phase of drilling at the company’s flagship Mount Turner Gold Project in far north Queensland, with chief executive Troy Brice providing an on-site update ahead of the commencement of drilling activities in June.
Brice said the company had finalised logistics and drill planning for the phase two campaign, which is expected to comprise around 670 metres of diamond drilling across six holes. The drilling program is designed to follow up on high-grade mineralisation identified during the company’s November 2025 campaign and further define mineralisation beneath Pit Three at Mount Turner.
According to Brice, the project’s geological characteristics and historical workings continue to strengthen the company’s confidence in the broader exploration potential of the district. He noted that the wider tenement package has seen only limited historical exploration, with approximately 15 drill holes completed across the broader project area despite extensive evidence of historical mining activity.
Brice said six historical pits had been identified along a 14km fault structure, which the company believes may host additional high-grade gold and copper mineralisation. He added that every drill hole completed to date had intersected mineralisation with encouraging grades.
The company’s immediate focus is progressing towards an initial mineral resource estimate at Mount Turner. Brice described the upcoming drilling campaign as an important step in defining the extent and continuity of mineralisation between known pits.
Operationally, Lightning Minerals has established exploration infrastructure on site, including a core shed and sample processing facilities, ahead of the arrival of the drill rig in early June.
Looking beyond the current program, Brice said the company was already planning a larger phase three drilling campaign targeted for October or November, prior to the onset of the wet season. Additional exploration activities focused on copper targets and isolated gold prospects across neighbouring tenements are also planned in coming months.
Brice said the underexplored nature of the region represented a significant opportunity for the company as it advances exploration across the Mount Turner district.
Key interview
- Lightning Minerals is preparing for phase two drilling at the Mount Turner Gold Project in Queensland.
- The project is located near Georgetown in far north Queensland.
- The upcoming drilling campaign includes approximately 670 metres across six diamond drill holes.
- Drilling is expected to commence in early June.
- The campaign is targeting extensions to high-grade mineralisation identified in November 2025.
- The company’s technical advisor, Lee Spencer, has extensive experience in gold and copper exploration.
- Infrastructure including a core shed and sample processing facilities has already been established on site.
- Historical mining activity and strong outcropping support the company’s confidence in the project.
- Only 15 historical drill holes have been completed across the broader tenement package.
- Six historical pits have been identified along a 14km fault structure.
- Lightning Minerals is aiming to establish a mineral resource estimate at Mount Turner.
- Additional exploration programs targeting copper and gold are planned later in 2026.
Proactive: Lightning Minerals CEO Troy Brice is on site at what is now the company’s flagship project, the Mount Turner Gold Project in Queensland, to give us an inside look. Troy, good to see you.
Troy Brice: Thanks, Jonathan. Enjoying the time up here in the field with the boys. It’s just beautiful Queensland weather.
Proactive: I’m sure it is. And I’m sure you are. So let’s talk about why you’re there. You’re at the drill site. Talk us through what you’re looking at there.
Troy Brice: Certainly. In the lovely far north Queensland region near the township of Georgetown, about 15km away, we have our flagship wholly owned project, Mount Turner. Today we’ve been going through the drill plan, the logistics for that, and also looking at some secondary and tertiary planning for extended exploration activities for the rest of the season.
The weather is amazing. It’s the end of the wet season, lush and beautiful. The site is looking really good.
Proactive: It is picturesque. Before the noise of the drill rig breaks the serenity, let’s talk about that drill rig. Everything’s being set up ahead of phase two drilling. Talk us through that program.
Troy Brice: Certainly. Our operating company here and the senior technical advisor we’ve retained, Lee Spencer, who has eight years on this project and 50 years of exploration management experience, has designed the drill program.
Lee’s knowledge of gold, copper and this style of mineral system has been exceptional. We also have our logistics hub established here. Rob Spencer, our logistics manager, has completed the core shed, which is now loaded and ready to go. The core saw is ready for samples to be processed.
The rig is expected to arrive in early June. The program consists of approximately 670 metres across six diamond drill holes. The objective is to confirm the high-grade mineralisation beneath Pit Three at Mount Turner and determine the extent and depth of that mineralisation following up on our successful November 2025 drilling program.
Proactive: I want to talk about that confidence. You’re there now on site looking at it yourself. What gives you confidence in the ground and in your approach?
Troy Brice: For me, what stands out in this part of north Queensland is the outcropping, the historical mining and the strong evidence of gold and copper mineralisation. It’s a very underexplored part of Australia.
Across this major tenement package, there have only been 15 drill holes completed historically. It’s essentially virgin territory for exploration at the next level.
We’ve identified six historical pits on a major fault line extending for 14km. We are drilling to confirm the high-grade mineralisation identified last November and to begin establishing a mineral resource estimate.
The mineral resource estimate is our core focus. Every hole we’ve drilled here has intersected mineralisation with good grades. This next stage is about defining the starting point of that resource and extending it between the pits.
Proactive: What’s next for you while you’re on site and for planning moving forward?
Troy Brice: As this program gets underway, we are already planning the next exploration phases. In particular, phase three drilling is targeted for October or November ahead of the wet season.
We are also planning follow-up exploration programs across the tenement package, focusing on copper targets and isolated gold prospects. A neighbouring tenement will also have a dedicated exploration plan developed with Lee Spencer for execution in the coming months.
Proactive: A lot to look forward to as well. Troy, enjoy your time on site and hopefully everything flows smoothly for you. I’m sure we’ll speak again soon as it all unfolds.
Troy Brice: Thank you, Jonathan.