Iltani Resources Unveils Australia's Largest Silver-Indium Deposit at Orient Project
Iltani Resources Orient Project has established itself as a significant player in the critical minerals sector with the discovery of what appears to be Australia's largest silver-indium deposit at its Orient Project in Queensland. Recent drilling has not only confirmed the substantial size of the mineralisation but has delivered impressive high-grade results that continue to exceed expectations.
Orient Project Delivers Impressive Global Exploration Target
Iltani has defined a substantial Global Exploration Target for the Orient Project ranging from 99-135 million tonnes at 61-73 g/t silver equivalent (30 g/t Ag Eq. cut-off), comprising both the Orient East and Orient West zones. When focusing on the higher-grade component (80 g/t Ag Eq. cut-off), the target narrows to 32-42 million tonnes at 110-124 g/t silver equivalent.
What makes the Iltani Resources Orient Project particularly significant is the presence of indium, a critical mineral essential for clean energy technologies. The exploration target contains significant indium content ranging from 9-11 g/t (30 g/t cut-off) to 15-18 g/t (80 g/t cut-off).
Recent drilling at Orient East has delivered the thickest intersections and highest grades to date, including:
- 1 meter at 1,707 g/t Ag Eq. (574 g/t Ag, 148 g/t In, 14.20% Pb, 11.15% Zn)
- 2 meters at 1,376 g/t Ag Eq. (470 g/t Ag, 116 g/t In, 11.35% Pb, 8.96% Zn)
- 6 meters at 747 g/t Ag Eq. (272 g/t Ag, 53 g/t In, 6.53% Pb, 4.35% Zn)
Understanding Indium: A Critical Mineral for Clean Technology
Indium is increasingly recognised as a crucial element for the future of clean technology. It's primarily used in the production of indium tin oxide (ITO), an essential component in touchscreens, flat-panel displays, and photovoltaic cells. With the global push toward renewable energy and advanced electronics, indium demand is projected to rise significantly.
What makes Iltani's Orient Project particularly valuable is the high indium content associated with the silver and base metal mineralisation. Preliminary metallurgical work confirms that indium can be recovered alongside zinc in a zinc-indium-silver concentrate, providing an additional revenue stream beyond the project's silver, lead, and zinc values.
The global indium market is relatively small (approximately 900 tonnes annually) but growing, with prices around US$350/kg. As a comparison, traditional zinc deposits typically contain less than 1 g/t indium, making Orient's 9-18 g/t indium grades exceptionally significant.
Clear Path Forward to Resource Definition
Iltani is making rapid progress toward establishing a JORC-compliant resource at Orient. The company has already commenced resource infill drilling with:
- 28 RC holes and 2 diamond holes planned at Orient West
- 26 RC holes and 2 diamond holes planned at Orient East
This infill drilling programme is expected to lead to a JORC Resource announcement in July 2025, roughly two years from the company's IPO – an impressive timeline for resource definition.
Significant Exploration Upside Remains
Despite the substantial exploration target already defined, the Orient system remains open in multiple directions:
- Both Orient East and West remain open along strike and down-dip
- High-priority target areas include Orient North, Orient South, and "Orient Undercover"
- An upcoming airborne VTEM survey (funded by Queensland Government) will help identify additional sulphide mineralisation across the broader Boonmoo Sag Caldera Complex
The potential for additional discoveries is substantial, with numerous historic copper mines, tourmaline breccia pipes, and potential repeats of the Iltani Resources Orient Project system within Iltani's extensive 330km² tenement holding in the Herberton Mineral Field.
Investment Case Strengthens as Orient Grows
With a current market capitalisation of just $11.5 million and an enterprise value of $8.6 million, Iltani appears significantly undervalued relative to the scale of the Orient discovery. The company maintains a solid cash position of $2.9 million (as of December 31, 2024), providing runway for its ongoing exploration and resource definition programmes.
Since its IPO in June 2023 at 20 cents per share, Iltani has established a clear record of delivery, with the Orient discovery made within 12 months and a resource anticipated within approximately two years of listing. The upcoming months promise strong news flow from the Orient drilling programme and the conversion of exploration targets to JORC resources.
For investors seeking exposure to critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition, Iltani Resources Orient Project offers a compelling opportunity with its flagship Orient Silver-Indium Project demonstrating both substantial scale and exceptional grades.
Want to Invest in Australia's Largest Silver-Indium Deposit?
Discover how you can be part of Iltani Resources' journey as they develop the Orient Project – Australia's largest silver-indium deposit with exceptional grades and significant critical minerals potential. With a clear path to resource definition and a market cap that appears undervalued relative to the project's scale, now may be the time to consider this emerging opportunity. For detailed investor information and to stay updated on Iltani's progress, visit their website today.
