Terrain Minerals has extended its induced polarisation survey by 4km over three historically significant gold targets at Smokebush, applying the same technique that revealed the 600-metre Lightning chargeability anomaly, with results and a maiden resource estimate due in July 2026.
- 4km dipole-dipole IP survey extension over Paradise City, Hurley, and T17
- Targets historic gold zones with strong previous assay results
- Same IP method that defined 600m Lightning anomaly in 2023
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Lightning scheduled for July 2026
- Follow-up drilling planned for second half of 2026
Extending a Winning Exploration Formula
Terrain Minerals (ASX:TMX) is doubling down on its Smokebush Gold & Silver Project’s exploration momentum by expanding its induced polarisation (IP) survey program by an additional 4 kilometres. The extension targets three promising prospects; Paradise City, Hurley, and T17; that boast compelling historic gold results, including multiple drill intercepts exceeding 2 g/t Au and rock chip samples hitting up to 49.27 g/t gold.
Crucially, this expanded survey employs the dipole-dipole IP configuration that uncovered the 600-metre-long Lightning chargeability anomaly in 2023, a discovery now progressing towards a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) expected in July 2026. This method offers superior subsurface resolution compared to previous gradient array surveys, promising enhanced three-dimensional insights into these new targets.
Historic Gold Footprints Under Modern Scrutiny
Paradise City stands out with historic reverse circulation drilling intercepts such as 3 metres at 2.17 g/t Au and 2 metres at 3.61 g/t Au, alongside rock chip samples averaging over 8 g/t Au. Hurley and T17, while less explored with modern geophysics, have shown anomalous gold mineralisation in earlier shallow drilling. The IP survey aims to fill this gap, integrating these targets within the same structural corridor that hosts the Lightning project’s mineralisation.
Executive Director Justin Virgin emphasised the strategic continuity: “These are not blank-canvas targets. We’re applying exactly what we know works at Smokebush to the next generation of targets, expecting the results to give us a clear picture of what to drill in the second half of 2026.” This approach aligns with Terrain’s broader strategy of building a pipeline of drill-ready targets as Lightning advances towards its maiden resource.
Geological Setting Links Targets to Regional Gold Systems
The survey area occupies a key position within the Mt Mulgine intrusive corridor, sandwiched between the Lightning Gold Prospect to the east and the historic Black Dog open cut gold mine just outside Terrain’s tenure to the west. Both are part of the Yalgoo-Singleton Greenstone Belt, a prolific gold province where disseminated sulphide mineralisation associates with granite-related intrusions.
Terrain’s working model posits Lightning as one of several parallel gold-bearing structures in this corridor. The current IP program is designed to test this hypothesis on Terrain’s 100% owned ground, potentially expanding the footprint of economically significant mineralisation. Notably, adjacent Tungsten Mining NL (ASX:TGN) recently reported a 1.9 million tonne Indicated and Inferred Resource at Mt Mulgine, underscoring the district’s prospectivity.
Survey Execution and Upcoming Catalysts
The IP survey, conducted by Khumsup Geophysics and processed by Newexco Exploration, involves 11 dipole-dipole lines each about 1 kilometre long with 50-metre dipole spacing. Completion is targeted for June 2026, with data inversion and modelling to follow. Terrain plans to release drill-ready chargeability targets alongside the Lightning maiden MRE in July 2026, setting the stage for follow-up drilling in the second half of the year.
This expanded IP program complements ongoing assay results from the nearby Wildflower prospect and the substantial drilling database at Lightning, which has exceeded 16,000 metres. The company’s steady progress towards resource definition is well documented, with recent maiden resource estimate progress and major IP survey launch announcements underscoring the pipeline’s depth.
Building a Pipeline Beyond Lightning
While Lightning remains Terrain’s flagship discovery, the extension of proven IP techniques to Paradise City, Hurley, and T17 signals a deliberate effort to sustain exploration momentum and resource growth. By targeting repeat Lightning-style mineralisation in untested ground, Terrain is positioning itself to maintain a steady flow of drill targets and news flow well beyond the upcoming MRE milestone.
Justin Virgin’s comments capture this ambition: “We believe Lightning may represent just one of several mineralised structures within the broader Smokebush gold system.” The coming months will reveal whether this strategy translates into new discoveries or resource expansions that can underpin Terrain’s growth story.
Bottom Line?
Terrain Minerals is leveraging a proven geophysical method to extend its exploration frontier at Smokebush, with critical IP results and a maiden resource estimate due in July 2026 setting up a pivotal phase for the company’s growth trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the IP survey confirm repeat Lightning-style mineralisation at Paradise City, Hurley, and T17?
- How will the upcoming IP results influence the scale and timing of follow-up drilling in H2 2026?
- Can Terrain Minerals establish a multi-structured gold system beyond Lightning to sustain long-term resource growth?