Litchfield Minerals Unveils 3km Expansion at Oonagalabi, Eyes 2025 Drilling

Expanding the Footprint of Oonagalabi

Litchfield Minerals Limited (ASX: LMS) has announced compelling results from its December 2024 soil and rock chip sampling program at the Oonagalabi Project in the Northern Territory. The data reveals an exceptional expansion of the known base metal mineralisation, with the strike length now exceeding 3 kilometres and the system potentially extending over 1 kilometre in width. This significant enlargement of the geochemical footprint underscores the vast potential of the Oonagalabi system as a major base metals target.

The sampling campaign, conducted on a 200m by 100m grid, not only validated historic soil data but also identified new pathfinder multi-element signatures, including bismuth, cadmium, indium, tin, and tungsten, that were previously unreported. These elements provide crucial vectors for pinpointing mineralisation zones, refining the precision of future exploration efforts.

New Mineralisation Breakthroughs and Strategic Extensions

One of the standout findings is the discovery of copper mineralisation exceeding 250ppm extending 1.3 kilometres south beyond the last drill hole (PDH-A), reaching further south than the Silverado prospect. This breakthrough opens up fresh exploration opportunities in previously untested areas. Both the Silverado and southeastern sampled zones have been confirmed as direct and significant extensions of the Oonagalabi system, cementing the project's scale and growth potential.

Rock chip sampling in these areas returned peak assays of up to 1.65% copper and 1.65% zinc, alongside notable lead, silver, and gold values. The southeastern target, in particular, is considered a higher priority due to its proximity to the central mineralised zone and the likelihood of preserved mineralised sequences at depth.

Looking Ahead: Aggressive 2025 Exploration Program

Building on these promising results, Litchfield Minerals plans an aggressive exploration campaign in 2025. The program will commence with detailed geophysical surveys, including a 3.5km by 2km ground gravity survey and up to 9 line kilometres of Pole-Dipole Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys. These surveys aim to confirm the interpreted pipe structure and enhance drill targeting precision.

Following geophysical data acquisition, a focused drilling campaign will test significant anomalies identified by IP, gravity, magnetic, and resistivity methods. The company has also noted the potential impact of a tropical cyclone forecasted in late January, which may delay drilling activities at the Mount Doreen lease. In such a scenario, exploration efforts will pivot to the Oonagalabi Project to maintain momentum.

Strategic Importance and Shareholder Value

Managing Director and CEO Matthew Pustahya highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing the large-scale hydrothermal processes indicated by the mineralised system's size and alteration zones. He described Oonagalabi as a flagship project for Litchfield Minerals, with compelling indicators for copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold, and critical minerals essential for the energy transition.

The company’s systematic and technology-driven approach aims to unlock the full potential of this mineral system while adhering to sustainable and responsible exploration practices. These developments position Litchfield Minerals to create substantial shareholder value through transformative discoveries in the critical minerals sector.