Litchfield Minerals Unveils 3km Expansion at Oonagalabi Base Metals Project
Litchfield Minerals has confirmed a significant expansion of the Oonagalabi mineral system, extending its strike length beyond 3 kilometres and revealing new high-grade base metal anomalies. The company is poised to accelerate exploration activities in 2025, targeting copper, zinc, and critical minerals.
- Oonagalabi system strike length extended to over 3km
- New mineralisation discovered 1.3km south of previous drilling
- Identification of pathfinder elements including Bi, Cd, In, Sn, W
- Silverado and southeastern areas confirmed as significant system extensions
- 2025 exploration program includes geophysical surveys and 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, located northeast of Alice Springs. The findings confirm an exceptional expansion of the known mineralised system, extending the strike length to more than 3 kilometres. This substantial increase underscores the project's potential as a major base metals and critical minerals hub.
The sampling campaign, conducted on a 200m by 100m grid, validated historic soil data and revealed high-grade anomalies with copper concentrations reaching up to 1.65%, alongside significant zinc, lead, silver, and gold values. Notably, mineralisation was detected 1.3 kilometres beyond the southernmost drill hole, surpassing previous exploration boundaries and opening new targets south of the Silverado prospect.
New Geochemical Insights and Pathfinder Elements
Beyond confirming the system's scale, the program identified critical pathfinder elements such as bismuth, cadmium, indium, tin, and tungsten, with potential for cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, and vanadium. These multi-element signatures provide valuable vectors for pinpointing mineralisation zones, enhancing the precision of future exploration efforts.
The Silverado and southeastern target areas have been established as direct extensions of the Oonagalabi system, with the southeastern zone particularly promising due to its proximity to the central mineralised area and preserved mineralised sequences at depth. The geological setting suggests a large-scale hydrothermal event, characterized by pervasive alteration and extensive fluid activity, which is often associated with significant mineral deposits.
Strategic Exploration Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, Litchfield Minerals plans an aggressive exploration campaign in 2025. Early activities will include detailed ground gravity and Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys designed to refine drill targets by confirming geophysical anomalies such as chargeability and density variations. These surveys are scheduled to commence in February, with drilling to follow, targeting the most promising geophysical and geochemical anomalies.
The company also remains vigilant regarding potential weather disruptions, notably a tropical cyclone forecast in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which could impact operations at the nearby Mount Doreen project. Contingency plans include prioritising drilling at Oonagalabi should access to Mount Doreen be delayed, ensuring continued momentum in exploration activities.
Implications for Shareholders and the Critical Minerals Sector
Managing Director Matthew Pustahya highlighted the significance of these results, emphasizing the project's scale and the potential for transformative discoveries. The identification of multiple critical minerals alongside base metals aligns with global demand trends, positioning Oonagalabi as a flagship asset within Litchfield's portfolio.
While the expanded geochemical footprint is promising, the company cautions that the economic viability and true extent of mineralisation require confirmation through forthcoming drilling. Nonetheless, the systematic approach and integration of cutting-edge geochemical and geophysical techniques demonstrate Litchfield's commitment to unlocking value for shareholders and contributing to Australia's critical minerals supply chain.
Bottom Line?
As Litchfield Minerals advances its exploration at Oonagalabi, the market will watch closely for drilling results that could redefine the project's potential.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the initial drilling results reveal about the grade and tonnage of mineralisation?
- How might the identified pathfinder elements influence the targeting strategy and discovery potential?
- What impact could weather-related delays at Mount Doreen have on the overall exploration timeline and budget?
