Litchfield Reports 33.56% MnO at Lucy Creek 2 with Elevated Pb, Zn, Ag

Exploration Breakthrough at Lucy Creek 2

Litchfield Minerals Limited (ASX, LMS) has announced encouraging early-stage exploration results from its Lucy Creek 2 manganese prospect, situated within the Georgina Basin of the Northern Territory. Recent surface geochemical sampling, including portable XRF analysis, has revealed manganese grades as high as 33.56% MnO, alongside elevated levels of zinc, lead, and silver. These findings point to the potential presence of hydrothermal manganese mineralisation, a style analogous to the well-known Bootu Creek deposit located some 490 kilometres to the north-northwest.

The discovery of elevated base metals in conjunction with manganese is particularly noteworthy, as it enhances the prospectivity of the area beyond a simple manganese target. The presence of lead, zinc, and silver could indicate a more complex mineralising system with broader economic implications.

Strategic Geophysical Surveys and Follow-Up Sampling

To build on these promising results, Litchfield plans to conduct detailed airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys over the Lucy Creek 2 area. These surveys, partially funded by the Northern Territory Government, aim to refine exploration targets and better delineate zones of mineralisation. Ground electromagnetic surveys are also planned to detect conductive zones that may be associated with massive manganese mineralisation.

Additional rock chip and soil sampling will be undertaken to confirm the presence of rare earth element (REE) anomalism and to further define manganese-base metal zones. The company’s systematic approach underscores its commitment to unlocking the full mineral potential of this underexplored region.

Advancing Oonagalabi’s Gold-Bismuth Potential

Alongside Lucy Creek 2, Litchfield is advancing exploration at the Oonagalabi Bomb Diggity prospect, where recent soil sampling has targeted magnetic and gravity anomalies indicative of intrusion-related mineralisation. Previous drilling in the area returned significant gold and bismuth intercepts hosted within magnetite alteration zones, suggesting a distinct metallogenic event separate from earlier mineralisation phases.

Importantly, Litchfield has secured partial funding through the Northern Territory Government’s Geological Drilling Collaboration Grant program to support a deep diamond drillhole aimed at testing these anomalies. This drilling will be critical to validating the hypothesis that the Bomb Diggity magnetic anomaly is caused by a magnetite-bearing hydrothermal breccia or magnetic intrusion, potentially hosting economically significant gold-bismuth mineralisation.

Context and Outlook

The Lucy Creek 2 and Oonagalabi projects are situated within historically underexplored mineral provinces, with prior work by Elkedra Diamonds and others providing valuable geological context. The current exploration phase leverages modern geochemical and geophysical techniques, combined with targeted drilling, to systematically evaluate these targets.

While the portable XRF results are preliminary and require laboratory confirmation, the early data provide a compelling technical foundation for further work. The true widths and economic viability of the mineralisation remain to be determined through upcoming drilling and assay programs.

Litchfield’s integrated exploration strategy, supported by government grants and a clear technical rationale, positions the company well to advance these Northern Territory assets toward resource definition and potential development.