Litchfield Minerals Advances Oonagalabi with Thick Copper-Zinc Zones and New Nickel-Molybdenum Vein

Broad Copper-Zinc Mineralisation Confirms Oonagalabi's Potential

Litchfield Minerals (ASX:LMS) has delivered another round of encouraging results from its Phase 3 drilling campaign at the Oonagalabi Project in the Northern Territory. The company completed 11 reverse circulation (RC) holes and three diamond drill holes, intersecting broad zones of copper and zinc mineralisation that reinforce the project's promise as a base metals target.

Highlights include a 68.26-metre intercept grading 0.62% copper and 1.44% zinc from 10 metres in hole OGDD002, and an impressive 120-metre intercept at 0.35% copper and 0.92% zinc from 52 metres in hole OGRC029. These broad mineralised zones, extending from near surface, demonstrate lateral and vertical continuity within the Oonagalabi Main Zone, although the geological structure appears more complex than initially modelled.

Unusual Nickel-Molybdenum Vein Adds New Dimension at Bomb Diggity

One of the campaign's standout findings is the identification of a hydrothermal quartz-carbonate vein at the Bomb Diggity target, containing molybdenite, iron sulphides, and an unusual nickel-bearing sulphide mineral. This vein, intersected at 617.2 metres depth in diamond hole OGRD001, returned assays of 626 ppm molybdenum and 206 ppm nickel over a two-metre composite interval.

The association of nickel and molybdenum in a hydrothermal vein is considered rare and may point to a previously unrecognised, multi-event mineralisation system in the region. Litchfield is undertaking Re-Os dating of the molybdenite and further mineralogical analyses to confirm the nature and timing of this mineralising event, which could significantly enhance the district's exploration narrative.

Magnetic Anomalies Defy Explanation, Prompting Deeper Geophysical Investigations

Despite drilling at Bomb Diggity and the Oonagalabi Main Zone targeting strong magnetic anomalies, the source of these geophysical signatures remains unresolved. Drilling intersected minor magnetite veining and some iron sulphides, but these do not fully account for the magnetic responses observed. The company acknowledges that small variations in drill positioning or target geometry could have missed discrete magnetic bodies at depth.

To address this, Litchfield plans to integrate the new drilling data with updated geophysical models and work with consultants to refine interpretations. The magnetic anomalies remain high-priority targets given their potential to indicate deeper intrusive bodies or mineralised zones.

Next Steps Focus on Integrated Modelling and Regional Surveys

Looking ahead, Litchfield is preparing for two 50-kilometre north-south Magnetotelluric (MT) survey lines across the Harts Range region, pending approvals. These surveys, part of the BHP Xplor program partnership, aim to test conductivity anomalies identified in publicly available data beneath and west of Oonagalabi. The higher-resolution MT data could reveal deep crustal pathways or source regions linked to large-scale mineral systems.

Additional work includes petrological studies to understand mineralisation timing, further induced polarisation surveys at nearby Silver Valley, and drilling at the Mount Irene copper prospect. The company emphasises that refining 3D targeting models through integrated assay, petrology, and geophysical data will be critical for improving drill targeting precision in future campaigns.

While the latest drilling has raised as many questions as answers, the ongoing exploration efforts are steadily peeling back the complexities of a potentially significant mineral system in a structurally challenging terrain.