Mt Turner Drilling Yields 3.9m @ 3.6g/t Gold and 12.4m @ 6.2% Zinc
Lightning Minerals reports strong assay results from its inaugural Mt Turner drilling campaign, confirming high-grade gold and base metals mineralisation and setting the stage for expanded exploration in 2026.
- Significant gold intersections at Pit 5 (Drummer Girl)
- High-grade zinc-lead-silver mineralisation at Cobar prospect
- Near-surface epithermal gold mineralisation confirmed
- Pending assays from Pit 6 and soil/rock sampling
- Follow-up drilling planned targeting porphyry system and base metals
Strong Start at Mt Turner
Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX, L1M) has delivered encouraging results from its first drilling campaign at the Mt Turner Gold Project in Queensland. The company announced further high-grade gold intersections at the Drummer Girl open pit (Pit 5), alongside impressive zinc-lead-silver mineralisation at the nearby Cobar prospect. These findings reinforce the project's potential as a significant mineral system with both precious and base metals.
Gold and Base Metals in Close Proximity
At Pit 5, drill holes returned notable gold grades including 3.9 metres at 3.6 grams per tonne gold, with a standout 1 metre interval grading 10.7 grams per tonne. These results confirm the presence of near-surface epithermal gold mineralisation extending below historic open pits. Meanwhile, the Cobar prospect, located about 4 kilometres south of the Drummer Fault, revealed wide zones of high-grade zinc (up to 19.7%), lead (8.4%), and silver (150 grams per tonne), linked to the Mt Turner porphyry system. This dual discovery highlights the project's multi-commodity potential.
Exploration Strategy and Geological Insights
Lightning Minerals’ Managing Director Alex Biggs emphasized the significance of these results, noting the confirmation of a target-rich environment. The company’s exploration thesis draws parallels between Mt Turner’s rhyolite intrusive system and established large-scale deposits like the Cargo porphyry in New South Wales. Structural analysis has identified key fault zones and breccia bodies conducive to mineralisation, with the Drummer Fault playing a pivotal role as a fluid conduit for mineralising systems.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Pending assay results from the final two drill holes at Pit 6 (Rocky Reward) and ongoing soil and rock chip sampling will inform the next phase of exploration. The company plans to target deeper extensions and strike continuity of mineralisation, as well as the porphyry system for copper and other base metals. These developments position Mt Turner as an exciting exploration frontier with potential to deliver a significant gold and base metals resource.
Bottom Line?
With high-grade gold and base metals confirmed, Lightning Minerals is poised to accelerate exploration at Mt Turner in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the pending assay results from Pit 6 reveal about the project's scale?
- How will the porphyry system's copper potential influence future drilling priorities?
- Can Mt Turner’s mineralisation rival established large-scale deposits in the region?
