Lightning Minerals (ASX:L1M) is set to start a diamond drill program for up to 2,000 meters at the Esperança lithium project in Brazil in mid-February, with mobilization underway, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.
The company engaged Energold Drilling as the preferred contractor for the drilling program, targeting spodumene within pegmatites and lithium-in-soil anomalies discovered in November 2024, the filing said.
Meanwhile, ground reconnaissance is ongoing at both the Caraíbas and Canabrava projects, also located in Brazil, per the filing.
Shares rose nearly 9% in midday trade Thursday.