Litchfield’s Oonagalabi Project Faces Pressure to Deliver After BHP Partnership
Litchfield Minerals has secured a coveted spot in BHP’s 2026 Xplor accelerator, gaining $500,000 in non-dilutive funding and expert support to fast-track its Oonagalabi Project exploration.
- Selected for BHP Xplor’s 2026 global accelerator cohort
- Awarded US$500,000 in equity-free funding
- Access to BHP’s technical experts and exploration frameworks
- Validation of Oonagalabi’s tier-one geological potential
- Partnership to accelerate geological modelling and targeting
Litchfield Joins Elite BHP Xplor Program
Litchfield Minerals (ASX, LMS) has taken a significant step forward in its exploration journey by being selected for the highly competitive 2026 BHP Xplor accelerator program. This global initiative supports early-stage explorers with promising projects, offering not just funding but also access to world-class expertise and networks.
The company will receive US$500,000 in non-dilutive, equity-free funding to advance its flagship Oonagalabi Project in Australia’s Northern Territory. Beyond the capital injection, Litchfield gains direct access to BHP’s premier technical specialists and exploration methodologies, a partnership that promises to sharpen its geological understanding and accelerate discovery efforts.
Validation of a Tier-One Opportunity
Managing Director Matthew Pustahy described the selection as a powerful endorsement of Litchfield’s exploration model and team. The Oonagalabi Project, which targets base metals and uranium, is believed to host a large-scale, multi-event mineral system with tier-one discovery potential. BHP’s recognition reinforces Litchfield’s confidence in the project’s geological architecture and the scale of the opportunity ahead.
The partnership is expected to bring structure and discipline to Litchfield’s exploration approach, helping to refine geological models, assess uncertainties, and enhance targeting strategies. This could materially accelerate the company’s progress toward unlocking the full potential of the Oonagalabi mineral system.
BHP’s Strategic Support for Emerging Explorers
BHP’s Group Exploration Officer Tim O’Connor highlighted Litchfield’s clear geological concept and disciplined testing approach as key reasons for their inclusion in the program. Marley Palin, Head of BHP Xplor, emphasised the program’s role in providing early-stage explorers with the tools, guidance, and expertise needed to mature their projects responsibly and systematically.
For Litchfield, this means not only financial support but also mentorship and integration of cutting-edge exploration frameworks that could set new standards for discovery in the region.
Looking Ahead
As Litchfield embarks on this accelerated phase of exploration, the market will be watching closely for updates on geological findings and progress at Oonagalabi. The collaboration with BHP could prove pivotal in transforming early-stage exploration into a significant resource development story.
Bottom Line?
Litchfield’s partnership with BHP Xplor could be the catalyst that turns promising geology into a major discovery.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Litchfield integrate BHP’s technical expertise into its existing exploration model?
- What are the key milestones and timelines for the next phase of exploration at Oonagalabi?
- Could this partnership lead to further funding or strategic alliances down the track?
