Litchfield Minerals (ASX: LMS) has been selected for the 2026 BHP Xplor global accelerator program, securing non-dilutive funding and technical support to advance exploration at its Oonagalabi project in the Northern Territory.
The globally competitive program provides early-stage explorers with access to BHP’s technical expertise, exploration frameworks, and international networks.
As part of the selection, Litchfield will receive US$500,000 in equity-free funding to accelerate geological understanding and model refinement at Oonagalabi.
The 2026 cohort is the largest since the program’s inception, underscoring the competitiveness of the selection process and the strength of Litchfield’s exploration concept.
Selection Validates Oonagalabi Model
BHP’s selection of Litchfield reflects its assessment of the company’s geological concept, datasets, and systematic approach to discovery at Oonagalabi.
The project is being advanced as a large-scale, multi-event mineral system, with ongoing work focused on refining the geological model and targeting framework, and Litchfield expects its participation in the Xplor program to materially accelerate geological understanding and next-phase targeting at the project.
The US$500,000 Xplor funding is non-dilutive and equity-free, providing direct support without impacting Litchfield’s capital structure, as well as structured access to BHP’s technical specialists and proprietary exploration methodologies.
Litchfield believes the combination of financial support and technical input will sharpen its geological interpretation and reduce uncertainty across key aspects of the exploration model, which in turn will allow more efficient decision-making as the project advances.
Scale of Opportunity Reinforced
Managing director Matthew Pustahy said recognition by BHP reinforced the company’s belief in the scale of the opportunity ahead and the presence of geological architecture capable of delivering a tier-one discovery.
“To be recognised by one of the world’s premier mining companies, and a global leader in exploration, is a powerful endorsement of our team, the potential of Oonagalabi, and the proactive way we execute and deliver our programs,” Mr Pustahy said.
“The structure and discipline embedded within Xplor will support us in refining our model, assessing uncertainties, and further strengthening the capability of our team.”
BHP Group (ASX: BHP) exploration officer Tim O’Connor said Litchfield demonstrated a clear and well-supported geological concept in a future-facing commodity, supported by a disciplined technical approach.
BHP Xplor head Marley Palin said Litchfield “showed a clear commitment to progressing their project responsibly and systematically, which aligns with the focus of the Xplor program.”
Litchfield expects the program to play a central role in advancing its understanding of the Oonagalabi system over the coming months as exploration activity continues.
