Lightning Minerals (ASX:L1M) expects first assay results from November as phase-two drilling progresses on schedule at its wholly owned Mt Turner Gold Project in North Queensland.
GeoDrill is running the four-hole, 650m diamond drilling program. The program tests strike and depth extensions to known gold mineralisation along a priority section of the 14km Drummer Fault corridor in the Etheridge Goldfield. The company cites “excellent drilling and site conditions”.
The technical team reports that mineralised zones appear at depths predicted by its geological model, providing early support for the interpretation and targeting approach behind the program.
Phase two follows drilling in late 2025, when eight of nine holes intersected breccia-hosted gold mineralisation below the historical oxide pits. That program established the geological concept now being tested at depth and along strike.
Managing Director Troy Brice says the program should shape the next round of drilling.
“We are pleased with the progress at Mt Turner. The team is executing our phase-two drilling, and it is encouraging to see visible geology consistent with our model,” Brice says.
“This focused program and assay results will reinforce our next phase of drilling and advance towards our objective of a maiden gold mineral resource estimate [MRE] in 2027.”
The company plans to complete the drilling sequence, continue logging and sampling, and integrate the results into its geological model to set follow-up drilling priorities.
A maiden MRE would be the first JORC Code-reported measure of gold mineralisation at Mt Turner. The company is targeting 2027, subject to exploration results, sufficient data, funding, and satisfaction of the applicable JORC requirements.
Lightning Minerals is an Australian explorer advancing gold, tungsten, and copper projects across Queensland and New South Wales.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Main image: Lightning Minerals
