Litchfield Minerals' recent VTEM survey at the Oonagalabi project has identified five conductor clusters with fourteen Priority 1 sulphide targets, setting the stage for a significant drilling campaign starting mid-September.
- Five distinct conductor clusters identified at Oonagalabi
- Fourteen Priority 1 targets with strong sulphide signatures
- Drilling to commence mid-September, beginning at Bomb Diggity
- Survey co-funded by Northern Territory Government’s GDC Grant
- Potential for both copper-zinc and gold mineralisation explored
Emerging Sulphide Potential at Oonagalabi
Litchfield Minerals (ASX, LMS) has taken a major step forward in its exploration efforts at the Oonagalabi project, located northeast of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Preliminary results from a recently completed Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey have revealed five distinct conductor clusters, highlighting fourteen Priority 1 targets with strong indications of sulphide mineralisation. This discovery significantly enhances the understanding of the Oonagalabi mineral system and underscores its potential as a major base metals and gold province.
Strategic Survey and Regional Support
The VTEM survey, co-funded by the Northern Territory Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations (GDC) Grant, reflects growing regional support for Litchfield’s exploration strategy. Renowned geophysicist Kate Hine of Mitre Geophysics led the initial interpretation, identifying conductive anomalies that align with known mineralised horizons. Notably, three of the conductor clusters sit within the same stratigraphic horizon that hosts the existing copper-zinc mineralisation at Oonagalabi, while others suggest new structurally controlled mineralisation and regional discovery opportunities.
Targeting Bomb Diggity and Beyond
The upcoming drilling campaign, scheduled to begin mid-September, will initially focus on the Bomb Diggity target, a magnetic anomaly interpreted as a magmatic intrusion potentially contributing heat and metal-bearing fluids to the system. Following this, drilling will extend to other high-priority VTEM conductors and gold-rich zones within the project area. Preparatory earthworks for drill pads and access tracks are set for early September, signaling a rapid transition from geophysical interpretation to ground testing.
Geological Insights and Exploration Potential
The conductive clusters vary in size, depth, and conductivity, with some suggesting semi-massive to massive sulphide sources. For example, Cluster 1 features a 400-meter strike conductor at approximately 150 meters depth, while Cluster 2 extends over 600 meters with high conductance near surface. The presence of serpentinite and calc-silicate rocks near these anomalies hints at complex geological settings that may host magmatic nickel-sulphide systems, adding further exploration intrigue. Additionally, a fifth cluster in the Harts Range foothills opens a new frontier within the Irindina Province, potentially linked to Virginia-type copper mineralisation.
Looking Ahead
Managing Director Matt Pustahya emphasized the transformative potential of these findings, highlighting the strong runway into drilling and the possibility of uncovering significant copper-zinc and gold mineralisation. While the VTEM data is preliminary and subject to refinement, the clear sulphide signatures and structural positioning of the targets provide a compelling case for optimism. The coming months will be critical as drilling results emerge to validate these geophysical interpretations and define the economic significance of the anomalies.
Bottom Line?
As Litchfield Minerals prepares to drill, the Oonagalabi project stands poised to redefine its mineral potential and investor expectations.
Questions in the middle?
- Will drilling confirm the extent and grade of sulphide mineralisation indicated by VTEM targets?
- How might the Bomb Diggity intrusion influence the broader mineral system’s economics?
- Could the fifth conductor cluster in the Irindina Province represent a new regional discovery?