Lightning Gold Prospect Drilling Raises Stakes Amid High-Grade Results
Terrain Minerals has launched a significant reverse circulation drilling program at its Lightning Gold Prospect, aiming for a maiden resource by mid-2026. Early results hint at a promising new gold and silver discovery in a prolific Western Australian district.
- 4,500m drilling program underway targeting maiden resource
- High-grade gold and silver results from previous drilling
- Located 15km from operating Rothsay Gold Mine
- Multiple targets including extensions and new discoveries
- Assay results expected mid-February 2026
Drilling Program Kicks Off at Lightning
Terrain Minerals Limited (ASX – TMX) has commenced a major 4,500-metre reverse circulation drilling campaign at its 100%-owned Lightning Gold Prospect, part of the broader Smokebush project in Western Australia's Murchison Gold Province. The program is designed to extend known gold zones, test new discovery targets, and explore potential repeat mineralisation, with the goal of delivering a maiden JORC resource estimate by mid-2026.
A Promising Gold and Silver Discovery
Lightning has already demonstrated impressive mineralisation, with previous drilling returning high-grade intercepts such as 22 metres at 2.71 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 13 metres at 8.13 g/t gold, alongside significant silver grades. These results position Lightning as an emerging discovery within a proven gold district, just 15 kilometres from the operating Rothsay Gold Mine, enhancing its strategic appeal.
Strategic Focus and Exploration Targets
The current drilling program is split into three main objectives – extending the known gold zones with 71% of drilling metres allocated, testing new east-west magnetic features that may host additional gold, and exploring a previously undrilled area with similar geological signatures that could represent a repeat of the Lightning-style mineralisation. This multi-pronged approach reflects Terrain’s ambition to unlock a district-scale gold system rather than a single deposit.
Looking Ahead – Catalysts and Timelines
Terrain aims to complete over 80% of the drilling before the Christmas break, with samples sent for assay testing by late December. The first batch of assay results is expected by mid-February 2026, a key catalyst for the company and its shareholders. The maiden resource estimate is targeted for mid-2026, marking a critical milestone in advancing the project towards potential development.
Executive Insight
Executive Director Justin Virgin expressed optimism about the program, highlighting the exceptional gold and silver results to date and the company’s commitment to rapid advancement. He emphasized that the drilling campaign is not just about expanding one deposit but exploring multiple targets within the Lightning complex and beyond, suggesting significant upside potential.
Bottom Line?
As Terrain pushes towards a maiden resource, the coming months will be pivotal in defining Lightning’s place in Western Australia’s gold landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the February assay results confirm and expand on the high-grade gold and silver intercepts?
- How might the new discovery targets impact the overall resource potential at Lightning?
- What are the implications of the mining lease application for project development timelines?
