Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M) (Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M)) has launched a second-phase exploration program at its wholly owned Warby Project in North Queensland, aiming to define the scale of a potentially significant tungsten system and generate priority drill targets.
The program follows encouraging Phase 1 rock-chip results that confirmed high-grade tungsten mineralisation within a favourable intrusive-related geological setting. Lightning will now undertake detailed mapping, soil geochemistry and stream-sediment sampling across a prospective structural corridor extending for about 2 kilometres.
Around 100 soil and rock samples will be collected during a seven-to-10-day field campaign, with assay results expected in August 2026.
Program targets scale and continuity
Phase 2 is designed to establish the footprint, orientation and continuity of mineralisation while testing for extensions to known wolframite-bearing quartz veins.
The company will also search for concealed intrusive-related tungsten mineralisation associated with the contact between the Angor Granite and the Lyndbrook Metamorphic Complex.
Its three main objectives are to determine the strike length of known tungsten-bearing veins towards Dickson Creek, identify concealed mineralisation between historical workings and assess a broader 9-kilometre granite-metamorphic contact for additional targets.
Samples will be analysed by ALS Laboratories, with tungsten assays undertaken in Townsville and multi-element analysis completed in Brisbane.
Phase 1 establishes exploration potential
Initial reconnaissance work confirmed tungsten mineralisation in historical wolframite-bearing quartz veins within a previously underexplored intrusive setting.
Regional drainage sampling also returned anomalous tungsten values of up to 102 parts per million, while mapping identified a northwest-trending mineralised corridor extending for approximately 2 kilometres.
Lightning believes limited outcrop exposure indicates that further mineralised structures could remain hidden beneath transported cover.
A previously reported rock-chip sample returned 3.04% tungsten from coarse wolframite and biotite hosted within weakly brecciated pegmatitic granite.
Sample no 105498 (3.04% W). Vein no 3. Field of view approximately 22cm. Coarse patches of biotite and wolframite within a coarse weakly brecciated pegmatitic granite.
Strategic critical minerals exposure
Managing director Troy Brice said the new program demonstrated Lightning’s commitment to systematically advancing high-quality opportunities across its Australian portfolio.
“Our initial rock chip program confirmed high-grade tungsten mineralisation associated with a highly prospective intrusive geological setting,” Brice said.
“This next phase is focused on determining the size, continuity and potential scale of the mineralised system while generating priority drill targets.”
He said Warby gave shareholders exposure to a strategically important critical mineral while the Mt Turner Gold Project remained the company’s flagship asset and primary capital allocation priority.
Tungsten is classified as a critical mineral in Australia and other Western jurisdictions due to its importance to defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and secure supply chains.
North Queensland portfolio
Warby is about 28 kilometres north of Mount Surprise and forms part of Lightning’s broader North Queensland exploration portfolio.
The project complements Mt Turner, where the company is targeting a large-scale gold system extending for around 14 kilometres along the prospective Drummer Fault.
Lightning’s strategy is centred on disciplined capital allocation, with Mt Turner positioned as its principal resource-definition project and Warby providing additional exposure to tungsten and other critical minerals.
Location of Lightning Minerals tenements in North Queensland
What’s ahead
Lightning expects to complete Phase 2 field activities shortly before receiving laboratory results in August.
The company will integrate the geochemical and geological data to identify priority drill targets, determine the scope of Phase 3 exploration and assess whether the Warby system warrants drill testing.
Lightning will also continue advancing Mt Turner towards resource definition alongside the Warby work program.