Terrain Minerals has restarted its reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Smokebush Gold & Silver Project in Western Australia, aiming for a maiden resource estimate by mid-2026. The program targets the Lightning and Wildflower prospects with over 6,800 metres planned.
- RC drilling resumed at Smokebush after holiday pause
- 34 holes planned totaling 6,800+ metres across Lightning and Wildflower
- Mining lease granted for Lightning prospect
- Targeting maiden JORC resource estimate by mid-2026
- Cash balance of approximately AUD 2.49 million supports exploration
Drilling Resumes at Smokebush
After a festive season break, Terrain Minerals Limited has recommenced its reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Smokebush Gold & Silver Project, located roughly 350 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia. The campaign, which began in late November 2025, paused mid-December and now continues with renewed momentum targeting two key prospects – Lightning and Wildflower.
The drilling program comprises 34 holes for over 6,800 metres, with 21 holes (4,500 metres) at Lightning and 13 holes (2,300 metres) planned for Wildflower. Prior to the holiday pause, 12 holes totalling 2,459 metres were completed at Lightning, where Terrain is working towards its maiden JORC resource estimate expected by mid-2026.
Strategic Progress at Lightning
Lightning is situated within a proven gold district, just 15 kilometres from the operating Rothsay Gold Mine. The recent granting of a mining lease over the Lightning tenement marks a significant milestone, providing Terrain with a stronger platform to advance exploration and potential development. The current drilling aims to extend known gold zones, test new discovery targets, and explore potential repeat mineralisation zones, all designed to build tonnage and define a maiden resource.
Previous drilling at Lightning has delivered encouraging results, including intercepts such as 22 metres at 2.71 grams per tonne gold and 21 metres at 15.79 grams per tonne silver, underscoring the prospect’s potential. The company is also awaiting silver and base metal assay results from 15 holes, which could add further value to the project.
Wildflower Prospect – Next in Line
Following completion at Lightning, the rig will move to Wildflower to test three priority induced polarisation (IP) targets that share geological similarities with Lightning. These targets lie beneath gold-in-soil anomalies and near previous drilling intersections, making them compelling candidates for further exploration. Wildflower’s large gold-in-soil anomaly extends over 1,000 by 500 metres, with rapid progress from geophysical surveys to drilling within weeks.
Results from Wildflower drilling are anticipated by April 2026, potentially providing new insights into the broader Smokebush project’s mineralisation and growth prospects.
Financial and Corporate Update
Terrain reported a combined cash balance of approximately AUD 2.49 million as of early January 2026, including a $450,000 amount pending shareholder approval at the upcoming general meeting scheduled for 30 January. This meeting will also address director participation and refresh the company’s share issuance capacity, critical for funding ongoing exploration activities.
With a diversified portfolio including the Larin’s Lane Gallium Prospect, Biloela Gold and Copper Project, and Lort River Rare Earths Project, Terrain Minerals continues to position itself as a dynamic explorer in Western Australia and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The recommencement of drilling at Smokebush signals Terrain’s commitment to advancing its flagship gold and silver assets. The coming months will be pivotal as assay results from Lightning and Wildflower emerge, potentially shaping the company’s resource base and investment appeal.
Bottom Line?
Terrain’s drilling restart sets the stage for critical assay results that could define its maiden resource and shape its growth trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming assay results confirm high-grade mineralisation sufficient for a maiden JORC resource?
- How will the outcomes of the January general meeting impact Terrain’s funding and exploration strategy?
- Can the Wildflower IP targets replicate the success seen at Lightning, expanding the project’s resource potential?