Mt Turner Drilling Begins: Can Lightning Minerals Unlock New Gold-Silver Resources?
Lightning Minerals has initiated a 1,300m diamond drilling campaign at its newly acquired Mt Turner project in Queensland, targeting high-grade gold and silver mineralisation along the Drummer Fault.
- 1,300m diamond drilling program underway at Mt Turner
- Targets multiple high-priority gold and silver zones along Drummer Fault
- Historical drilling shows promising near-surface gold and silver grades
- Geo Drill Australia contracted for drilling operations
- Exploration aims to define an economic gold resource with accessory silver
Drilling Commences at Mt Turner
Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX – L1M) has officially begun a significant drilling campaign at its Mt Turner gold project in Queensland, following the recent acquisition of Lotus Minerals. The company is deploying a 1,300-metre diamond drilling program targeting multiple gold and silver mineralisation zones along the 14-kilometre Drummer Fault, a prominent east-west geological structure known for its mineral potential.
Building on Historical Success
The Mt Turner project area has a history of shallow oxide gold mining dating back to the 1990s, with previous drilling revealing encouraging grades near the surface. Notable historic results include intercepts such as 16 metres at 3.56 grams per tonne gold and 7 metres at 1.7 grams per tonne gold with 67 grams per tonne silver. These findings underpin the current exploration thesis that the Drummer Fault and its intersecting structures may host economically viable gold and silver deposits.
Strategic Execution and Expertise
To execute the drilling program, Lightning Minerals has engaged Geo Drill Australia, a contractor with extensive experience in mineral exploration drilling. The initial phase focuses on high-priority targets beneath existing pits, with soil and rock chip sampling planned to refine and expand target areas for subsequent drilling campaigns. Managing Director Alex Biggs expressed optimism about the program, highlighting the favourable market conditions for gold and silver and the potential value uplift for the company.
Exploration Outlook
The Mt Turner project is strategically located near Georgetown in North Queensland and benefits from granted exploration permits. The company’s broader portfolio includes lithium and critical minerals projects in Australia, Brazil, and Canada, positioning Lightning Minerals as a diversified explorer. The current drilling campaign at Mt Turner represents a key step in advancing the company’s gold and silver ambitions, with results eagerly awaited by investors and analysts alike.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses, all eyes will be on assay results that could unlock significant value for Lightning Minerals.
Questions in the middle?
- What initial assay results will the current drilling campaign yield?
- Could the intersecting structures along the Drummer Fault reveal higher-grade mineralisation?
- How will the Mt Turner project fit into Lightning Minerals’ broader strategic growth plans?
