LCL Resources Limited has mobilized equipment for a high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey covering approximately 5,400 line kilometres across the Ono Project in Papua New Guinea.

The survey spans the Kusi and Kau Creek exploration licences, which comprise the project area. Thomson Airborne is scheduled to begin the data collection program in mid-September. The survey will use a 100-metre line spacing with 1,000-metre tie lines and a target sensor height of 45 metres above ground, subject to local terrain and weather conditions.

The Ono Project is advancing under a farm-in agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration (PNG) Limited executed in March. Under the terms of the agreement, Rio Tinto can earn an initial 51% interest by funding A$8 million in exploration expenditure, with the potential to increase its stake to 80% through further funding or resource definition.

“We have made steady progress under the Rio Tinto Farm-in. The first phase of soil sampling on the southern valley slope above the Ono River is now complete, extending exploration into an area not previously systematically sampled and testing targets within the Lower Limestone - where we have previously reported high gold and silver values - and their potential relationship to magnetic features identified by 3D inversion. Mobilisation for the high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey is also complete, with the survey expected to commence shortly. Together, these programmes will inform the generation and refinement of targets as we advance our porphyry- focused exploration at Ono.” — Chris van Wijk, Executive Chairman

Alongside the geophysical work, LCL Resources has completed a soil sampling campaign south of the Kusi resource area. The program gathered 386 soil samples, 129 rock samples, and 95 stream sediment samples to test the strike extent of mineralization within the Lower Limestone unit. Assay results from the sampling are expected to be received in the fourth quarter. The Kusi skarn deposit itself hosts a maiden inferred mineral resource of 18.3 million tonnes grading 1.42 grams per tonne gold for 831,000 ounces, based on a 0.5 gram per tonne gold cut-off.

The combined airborne geophysical data and geochemical results will be used to refine targets across the property's approximately 60-kilometre geophysical trend.

Read the full announcement: Airborne magnetic survey to commence in PNG