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Slower Drilling Pace Tests Patience as Litchfield Targets Major VTEM Conductors

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Litchfield Minerals has reported a significant copper-zinc sulphide intercept exceeding 100 metres at its Oonagalabi Project, with ongoing drilling targeting major geophysical anomalies that could expand the resource.

  • Hole 10 intersects over 100m of disseminated copper-zinc mineralisation
  • Preliminary pXRF results show multiple high-grade zones above 1% copper equivalent
  • Drill hole aligns with a strong induced polarisation (IP) chargeability anomaly
  • Rock chip sampling above VTEM conductor returns copper, gold, silver, and tellurium
  • Ongoing drilling focused on highly conductive VTEM anomalies VT1 and VT2

Significant Copper-Zinc Discovery at Oonagalabi

Litchfield Minerals Limited (ASX – LMS) has announced a major breakthrough at its Oonagalabi Project in the Northern Territory, revealing more than 100 metres of copper-zinc sulphide mineralisation in drill Hole 10. Geological logging combined with handheld XRF readings indicate a continuous zone of disseminated copper and zinc, punctuated by several broad, higher-grade intervals. This intercept is the most substantial encountered at Oonagalabi to date, reinforcing the prospect’s potential as a large-scale copper-zinc system.

The preliminary portable XRF (pXRF) analysis highlights standout intervals including 104 metres at 1.37% copper equivalent from surface, with peak zones grading up to 2.26% copper equivalent over 21 metres. These results correlate with visual observations of abundant chalcopyrite and sphalerite minerals, confirming the presence of significant sulphide mineralisation. Laboratory assays are currently being expedited and are expected within approximately four weeks, with prior campaigns suggesting these may return even higher grades than initial field readings.

Geophysical Correlations and Exploration Strategy

Hole 10 was drilled into a high chargeability zone identified by this year’s induced polarisation (IP) survey, demonstrating a strong link between geophysical anomalies and copper-zinc mineralisation. The western IP anomaly, where Hole 10 intersected mineralisation, is complemented by an eastern chargeability zone interpreted as a folded extension of the same system. Litchfield plans to target this eastern zone with two additional drill holes in the current Phase 2 program.

Further excitement surrounds the VTEM survey results, which have identified two highly conductive anomalies, VT1 and VT2, believed to represent semi-massive to massive sulphide bodies. A rock chip sample collected directly above the VT1 conductor returned encouraging values of copper, gold, silver, and tellurium, a combination indicative of a fertile skarn or IOCG-style mineral system. The VT2 anomaly, spanning over 500 metres, is currently being drilled with expectations that it may host high-grade mineralisation.

Operational Challenges and Next Steps

While drilling progress has been slower than anticipated due to challenging ground conditions and logistical issues, both rigs remain focused on priority targets. The company emphasizes that every metre drilled adds valuable geological insight into what appears to be a large, continuous copper-zinc system with promising lateral continuity. Upcoming drill holes will test additional magnetic and gravity anomalies, including the Bomb Diggity cluster, further refining the understanding of the mineralised system.

With assays pending and further drilling underway, Litchfield Minerals is poised to build on this significant discovery. The combination of geophysical data, rock chip geochemistry, and encouraging drill results suggests the Oonagalabi Project could evolve into a major copper-zinc resource in the Northern Territory.

Bottom Line?

As assays and further drilling results emerge, Oonagalabi’s potential as a major copper-zinc system will come into sharper focus.

Questions in the middle?

  • Will laboratory assays confirm and exceed the preliminary pXRF copper and zinc grades?
  • How extensive and continuous are the mineralised zones associated with the VT1 and VT2 VTEM conductors?
  • What metallurgical characteristics and recoveries can be expected from the sulphide mineralisation intersected?