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Highlights
Lightning Minerals begins site preparations for its inaugural Mt Turner drill campaign
Phase 1 drilling to test extensions below historical open pits in Queensland
Soil sampling to assess a major strike zone along the Drummer Hill Fault
Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M), a critical minerals and gold explorer listed on the All Ordinaries, has commenced groundwork for Phase 1 drilling at its Mt Turner Gold Project in Queensland. The activity follows its proposed acquisition of Lotus Minerals and reflects a shift toward near-term development within brownfields environments.
Preparations at the site are proceeding under a funding agreement with Lotus Minerals as the deal awaits final approvals. The company has initiated logistical groundwork including clearance permit applications and is planning to commence drilling in the coming weeks.
Phase 1 Program to Target Historic Pit Extensions
The upcoming drill campaign will focus on mineralisation beneath several shallow open pits developed during the 1990s. Specific areas include Rocky Reward, Drummer Girl, and Drummer Boy, with Lightning aiming to assess mineral continuity below oxide zones.
The company references historical drilling data that highlighted strong intercepts, which could indicate deeper mineral systems below the previously exploited surface deposits. Drill rigs are scheduled for mobilisation following the company's extraordinary general meeting, with further milestones to be communicated post-approval.
Extensive Soil Sampling Along Drummer Hill Fault Corridor
Complementing the drilling initiative, Lightning will begin a broad soil sampling program along a nine-kilometre portion of the Drummer Hill Fault System. This structure spans a larger fourteen-kilometre zone, and sampling will be conducted at regular intervals to identify coherent gold anomalies.
The samples will be gathered using mechanical augers and analysed at ALS Global’s facility in Townsville. The outcome is expected to assist in refining targets for subsequent drill phases and provide insights into the fault’s mineralisation footprint.
Lotus Minerals Acquisition and Broader Exploration Vision
The Mt Turner drilling initiative marks Lightning’s first move into a brownfields gold asset, backed by recent placement funds aligned with the Lotus Minerals acquisition. The portfolio expansion includes advanced-stage gold and copper projects, building on Lightning’s existing lithium and strategic mineral interests across Australia, Brazil, and Canada.
