Iltani Resources Expands Orient Silver-Indium Project with Exciting Rock Chip Results
Iltani Resources (ASX: ILT) has announced promising results from its recent rock chip sampling program at the Orient Silver-Indium Project in Northern Queensland, significantly expanding the project's size and prospectivity.
Key New Target Areas Discovered Beyond Current Resource
The reconnaissance rock chip sampling program has successfully expanded the footprint of the Orient Silver-Indium Project, confirming existing targets and identifying promising new areas of mineralisation.
Two standout discoveries have emerged from this sampling campaign:
Deadman Creek: Extending the System Northward
Located 1,400m north of Orient East, rock chip sampling at Deadman Creek has returned impressive results from an area with no previous historical workings:
- Peak grades of 51.6 g/t silver, 16.4 g/t indium, 1.68% lead, and 0.23% zinc
- Samples confirm extensive silver-lead-zinc-indium mineralisation
- Located near two high-ranked VTEM targets
New Southwest Extension: Expanding Orient West
Perhaps most significantly, sampling 1,100m southwest of the most southern drilling line at Orient West revealed:
- Peak grades of 10.5 g/t silver and 0.84% lead
- Results demonstrate potential to extend Orient West mineralisation by at least 1,100m
- Mineralisation potentially continues into Iltani's tenement application EPM 29057
"To return assays of up to 51.6 g/t Ag, 16.4 g/t In, 1.68% Pb & 0.23% Zn from Deadman Creek and 10.5 g/t Ag & 0.84% Pb from the Orient West SW samples demonstrate the size and scale of the Orient System and the extent of the system that remains to be drill tested," said Managing Director Donald Garner.
Shallow VTEM Targets Confirmed with High-Grade Results
The program also confirmed high-grade mineralisation at shallow VTEM targets identified in a previous survey:
| Location | Sample | Key Results |
|---|---|---|
| Orient North | ORK0002 | 323 g/t Ag, 89.1 g/t In, 8.19% Pb & 0.21% Zn |
| Orient South | ORK0007 | 478.6 g/t Ag, 9.54% Pb, 5.18% Zn, 0.27% Sn & 5.35% Sb |
| Orient East | ORK0005 | 67.3 g/t Ag, 209.2 g/t In, 3.61% Pb |
Notably, the sample from Orient South contained one of the highest-grade antimony results to date at Orient (5.35% Sb), highlighting potential for antimony and tin as valuable by-products.
Understanding VTEM Surveys in Mineral Exploration
VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) surveys are advanced geophysical techniques used to detect conductive bodies beneath the earth's surface. These surveys are particularly effective at identifying metallic sulphide deposits, which are often associated with precious and base metals.
The technology works by generating an electromagnetic field from a helicopter-mounted transmitter. As this field penetrates the ground, it induces electrical currents in conductive materials. A receiver then measures how these currents decay over time, creating a "signature" that can indicate the presence, depth, and characteristics of conductive bodies underground.
For investors, VTEM surveys represent a sophisticated exploration tool that can identify drill targets with higher confidence than traditional methods, potentially reducing exploration risk and costs while increasing the likelihood of discovery.
Immediate Next Steps: Drilling Program Set to Begin
Iltani is moving quickly to capitalise on these promising results:
- Orient East Mineral Resource Estimate: Due in early October 2025, following completion of the infill drilling program
- Shallow VTEM Target Drilling Program: Scheduled to commence by end September/early October, targeting areas sampled at Orient North, South, East, and West
- Follow-up work at new target areas:
- Deadman Creek: Additional ground EM surveys recommended to better define drill targets
- Orient West SW Extension: Further reconnaissance mapping and sampling planned
Orient Silver-Indium Project: Australia's Largest Silver-Indium Discovery
The Orient Silver-Indium Project stands as Australia's largest silver-indium discovery, with Iltani having already defined:
- A JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 21.6Mt @ 100.5 g/t Ag Eq. at Orient West
- An Exploration Target of 12-18Mt @ 110-130 g/t Ag Eq. at Orient East
The current Orient West resource contains 18.7 million ounces of silver, 456 tonnes of indium, and 128,000 tonnes of lead, highlighting the significant scale of the project.
Why Investors Should Follow Iltani Resources
Iltani Resources presents a compelling investment case for several key reasons:
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Expanding resource base: The recent sampling results demonstrate significant potential to expand the already substantial resource at Orient
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Diversified metal exposure: The project offers exposure to silver, indium (a critical technology metal), lead, zinc, and potentially antimony and tin
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Proven exploration success: The company continues to make new discoveries and expand the known mineralised system
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Clear development pathway: With the Orient East Mineral Resource Estimate due in October and multiple drilling programs underway, Iltani has a clear path to advancing the project
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Critical minerals focus: Indium is considered a critical mineral for technology applications, potentially commanding premium pricing as demand for tech metals increases
The results from Iltani's rock chip sampling program demonstrate that the Orient Silver-Indium Project is significantly larger than previously understood, with mineralisation extending well beyond the current resource areas. With multiple targets to test and drilling programs underway, Iltani Resources is well-positioned to continue expanding this already substantial mineral system.
Ready to Capitalise on Australia's Largest Silver-Indium Discovery?
Iltani Resources' impressive rock chip results not only highlight the expansion potential of the Orient Project but also the company's position in the critical minerals sector. With JORC-compliant resources already established and new high-grade target areas identified, now is the ideal time to consider this emerging opportunity. To learn more about Iltani's expanding silver-indium project and upcoming drilling programs, visit Iltani Resources' website for comprehensive investor information.
