Terrain Minerals Advances Multi-Commodity Portfolio with Promising Gold and Gallium Results
Terrain Minerals (ASX:TMX) is rapidly advancing its diversified portfolio of critical minerals and precious metals projects, with recent drilling success at its flagship Smokebush Project highlighting significant gold-silver discoveries alongside promising gallium development.
Gold Drilling Program Delivers Outstanding Results at Lightning and Monza
Recent RC drilling at Terrain's Smokebush Project in Western Australia has yielded exceptional results that demonstrate the potential for a significant gold system. The company's drilling program, which utilised a new induced polarisation (IP) modelling approach, has successfully identified parallel structures at the Lightning and Monza targets.
Standout intercepts from the Lightning structure include:
- 11 metres @ 6.03 g/t gold plus 43.5 g/t silver from 75 metres
- 3 metres @ 6.12 g/t gold from 26 metres
- 5 metres @ 3.77 g/t gold from 180 metres
These results are particularly exciting as they suggest the presence of multiple parallel mineralised structures that remain open along strike and at depth. The Monza mineralisation has demonstrated a strike length exceeding 700 meters, with higher-grade zones showing a northward plunge.
The company is now launching an ambitious 5,000m RC drilling program, with 3,550m dedicated to testing known extensions along strike and down dip, and 1,500m reserved for rapid follow-up drilling. This expanded drilling campaign aims to further delineate the extent of gold mineralisation across the project area.
Gallium Exploration Target Established with Metallurgical Studies Underway
In a strategic move to capitalise on growing demand for critical minerals, Terrain announced a JORC-compliant gallium exploration target at its Larin's Lane project in November 2024. What's particularly notable is that this exploration target covers just 5% of the total 27km² target area, suggesting significant expansion potential.
The company has secured backing from the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), with metallurgical studies now underway in partnership with RSC and Curtin University. Results from these studies are expected by mid-2025.
Previous drilling at Larin's Lane returned impressive intersections of gallium up to 64 meters wide, with 70% of holes intersecting gallium mineralisation. High-grade zones reached up to 53.74 g/t (ppm) Ga₂O₃, confirming the project's potential to become a significant source of this critical mineral.
| Gallium Project Highlights | Metrics |
|---|---|
| Exploration Target Coverage | 5% of 27km² target area |
| High-Grade Gallium | Up to 53.74 g/t Ga₂O₃ |
| Intersection Width | Up to 64 meters |
| Success Rate | 70% of holes returned gallium |
Understanding Gallium: A Critical Metal Powering Next-Gen Technology
Gallium is classified as a critical metal by major economies including the USA, UK, Japan, European Union, and Australia due to its essential role in modern technology. It's a key component in semiconductors, computer chips, electronic circuitry, and photovoltaic cells, as well as in defence applications, lasers, NdFeB magnets, and LED lighting.
Currently, approximately 98% of global gallium supply comes from China, creating a strategic supply vulnerability that many Western nations are actively working to address. Semiconductor manufacturers in the USA, Japan, and Europe are pursuing more geographically balanced supply chains to reduce dependency on Chinese sources.
Gallium's importance is accelerating with the growth of quantum computing and generative AI, as gallium-based chips offer significant advantages over traditional silicon—they draw less power, switch faster, and can operate at higher temperatures.
Biloela Copper-Gold Project Now Fully Granted
After a two-year permitting process, Terrain's Biloela Copper-Gold Project in Queensland has received full approval. This extensive 2,462km² exploration package is located in a highly prospective region, with several historic copper-gold mines reported within the project area.
The company's geological team has identified seven priority copper and gold targets across the project. An independent review has confirmed the presence of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS), porphyry copper-gold, and epithermal gold mineral systems within the project boundaries.
The Biloela Project's location is particularly advantageous, situated just 13 kilometers north of the Cracow Gold Mine in Queensland's Glandore and Theodore region. The northwest-trending faults within the northeastern part of the project exhibit similar characteristics to those at the Cracow Gold Mine, suggesting high prospectivity for epithermal-style gold mineralisation.
Rights Issue to Fund Accelerated Exploration
To support its ambitious exploration programs, Terrain has announced a rights issue aiming to raise up to $1.8 million. Investors on the register by the ex-date of May 14, 2025, will be eligible to participate.
The rights issue will offer new shares at $0.003 with a 1:1 unlisted option (strike price $0.005, expiring June 17, 2027). These funds will be directed toward the company's planned drilling programs at Smokebush and initial exploration at the newly granted Biloela Project.
Why Investors Should Follow Terrain Minerals
Terrain Minerals offers investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of critical and precious metals projects in tier-one jurisdictions within Australia. The company's strategic focus on commodities essential to the energy transition and technological advancement positions it well to capitalise on growing global demand.
Several key catalysts on the horizon make Terrain particularly attractive for investors:
- Near-term drilling results from the expanded 5,000m RC program at Smokebush's Lightning and Monza gold targets
- Metallurgical study results for the Larin's Lane gallium project expected mid-2025
- Initial exploration at the newly granted Biloela Copper-Gold Project
- Application progress for the company's Carlindie Lithium Project in the Pilbara region
With a market capitalisation of approximately $6 million and a cash position of about $1.1 million (prior to the rights issue), Terrain represents an opportunity to gain exposure to both established and emerging commodity markets through a junior explorer with multiple potential value drivers.
The recent drilling success at Lightning and Monza, combined with the company's strategic positioning in the gallium space, provides multiple pathways for potential value creation as the company advances its diverse project portfolio throughout 2025.
Ready to Capitalise on Terrain's Multi-Commodity Potential?
Discover how Terrain Minerals is advancing its portfolio of gold, gallium and copper projects across Australia's premier mining regions. With promising gold results at Smokebush, a strategic gallium exploration target at Larin's Lane, and the newly granted Biloela Copper-Gold Project, TMX offers multiple pathways for potential investment growth. Visit www.terrainminerals.com.au today to learn more about this diversified ASX-listed explorer and their upcoming catalysts.
