Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M, FRA:YZ1) has expanded its technical and corporate leadership team as the company pushes ahead with a strategic reset centred on Australian gold exploration, appointing experienced geoscientist and corporate executive Andrew Lambert as exploration and corporate development manager.
The appointment comes less than a month after Lightning repositioned itself around its Mt Turner Gold Project in north Queensland, shifting away from its earlier lithium focus to become a gold-led exploration and development company.
Lambert officially started in the role on May 12 and will oversee the company’s national exploration strategy while also supporting broader corporate initiatives, including project divestments, mergers and acquisitions, financing activities and growth opportunities.
Lightning said the move strengthens both its technical capability and capital markets expertise as it advances Mt Turner and its broader Australian gold and copper project pipeline.
Chief executive officer Troy Brice said the appointment marked an important step following the company’s strategic reset.
“Andrew brings a highly complementary skill set spanning exploration leadership, project execution, corporate development and capital markets experience, which will support the disciplined advancement of our gold and copper strategy,” Brice said.
“Importantly, Andrew will work alongside Lee Spencer, whose extensive gold and copper experience and detailed geological understanding of the Georgetown region significantly enhances our technical depth as we accelerate activities at Mt Turner.”
Dual focus on exploration and corporate growth
Lambert brings more than 20 years’ experience across the mining and energy sectors, covering commodities including gold, copper, nickel, lithium and iron ore, alongside broader energy transition industries.
His background spans exploration geology, geophysics, drilling, project management and business development, while also including corporate advisory and transaction experience.
Before joining Lightning, Lambert served as managing director of Kinetiko Energy Ltd and previously held roles with WA Energy Resources, Buru Energy, PwC and several consulting and investment organisations.
The company has also confirmed experienced geologist Lee Spencer will continue as chief geologist for its Queensland projects and remain Competent Person for future technical disclosures.
Spencer has more than 45 years of exploration and mining experience across Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including work on gold, copper, diamonds, tungsten and chromite projects.
Lightning said the strengthened technical team would support accelerated advancement of Mt Turner, continued development across its Australian gold and copper portfolio, disciplined capital allocation and evaluation of value-accretive opportunities.
Mt Turner remains central focus
Mt Turner has become the centrepiece of Lightning’s revised strategy, with the company describing the north Queensland project as its flagship asset and primary value driver.
The project hosts a large-scale gold system extending roughly 14 kilometres along the prospective Drummer Fault, with ongoing drilling aimed at progressing the project towards resource definition and potential development.
Lightning also retains a broader portfolio of Australian gold and copper projects across the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales, the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia and additional Queensland assets, providing further exploration upside alongside Mt Turner.
Location of Lightning Minerals Australian Gold and Copper Projects.
Cost-cutting measures continue
Alongside the technical appointments, Lightning also announced plans to relocate its corporate office later this month as part of a broader overhead reduction strategy.
The company said the move from its current Perth CBD premises to West Leederville is expected to reduce office lease costs by about 60% while maintaining operational functionality.
Lightning said it would continue reviewing opportunities to optimise its corporate cost structure and preserve capital for exploration and growth activities.