VTEM Survey Marks Significant Milestone for Iltani Resources' Herberton Project
Iltani Resources (ASX: ILT) has commenced a helicopter-borne VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) survey at its Herberton Project in northern Queensland, marking a pivotal moment in the company's exploration strategy. The VTEM survey at Iltani Resources, backed by $230,375 in funding from the Queensland Government's Collaborative Exploration Initiative, represents a significant advancement in Iltani's efforts to unlock the full potential of Australia's largest known silver-indium deposit.
State-Funded Survey to Deliver Multiple High-Priority Drill Targets
The comprehensive survey encompasses approximately 480 line kilometres covering the Orient silver-indium project and extending into the Boonmoo Sag Caldera Complex. Expected to be completed within 1-2 days, the collected data will be processed by Mitre Geophysics over the next 4-6 weeks.
"We anticipate that the results of the survey will be a game changer for Iltani and deliver multiple high-priority drill targets at Orient and within the Boonmoo Sag Caldera Complex," said Managing Director Donald Garner.
The survey's design strategically targets:
- Orient Silver-Indium deposit area (100m line spacing)
- Boonmoo Sag Caldera Complex (200m line spacing)
- Historical copper-lead-zinc workings
- Recently discovered Boonmoo epithermal gold system
Orient: Australia's Largest Silver-Indium Discovery
The Orient deposit represents a substantial resource opportunity, with Iltani having defined a material Exploration Target:
Orient Global Exploration Target (80 g/t Ag Eq. Cut-Off Grade)
| Area | Tonnage (Mt) | Ag Eq g/t | Ag g/t | In g/t | Pb % | Zn % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orient East | 12-18 | 110-130 | 32-39 | 7-9 | 0.8-1.0 | 0.9-1.1 |
| Orient West | 20-24 | 110-120 | 28-35 | 20-24 | 0.7-0.8 | 0.9-1.1 |
| Orient Global | 32-42 | 110-124 | 30-37 | 15-18 | 0.7-0.9 | 0.9-1.1 |
The VTEM survey will enable Iltani to:
- Better understand the full extent of the Orient system
- Target extensions to the north, south, and between Orient West and East
- Model mineralisation to approximately 400m depth
- Target deeper extensions and potential feeder zones
Expanding Beyond Orient: Multiple Target Areas
The survey extends beyond the Orient deposit to cover multiple targets within the Boonmoo Sag Caldera Complex, including:
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Historical Base Metal Workings: Boonmoo Bonanza, Snake Creek, Union Jack, and Eccles Creek with high-grade samples including values up to 2.33% Cu, 25.0 g/t In, 0.25 g/t Au & 39.5 g/t Ag at Union Jack.
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Tourmaline Breccia Pipe Complex: Discovered during Iltani's 2023 reconnaissance mapping, featuring large-scale sericitic alteration.
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Boonmoo Epithermal Gold System: A low sulphidation epithermal gold system discovered in August 2023, with the discovery sample returning 7.85 g/t Au and 2.17 g/t Ag.
Understanding VTEM Technology
VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) technology generates currents that diffuse into the earth and take the path of least resistance. Conductive material, such as metal-rich deposits, absorbs these currents and releases a secondary field that the system measures.
This technology is particularly effective at Orient, as confirmed by a down-hole EM survey conducted in August 2024, which demonstrated that the silver-lead-zinc-indium mineralisation is highly responsive to EM methods. This responsiveness gives Iltani confidence that the VTEM survey will accurately identify potential mineralisation extensions.
Strategic Importance to Iltani's Growth Plan
The VTEM survey represents a crucial step in Iltani's exploration strategy, potentially accelerating the company's understanding of both the Orient deposit and the broader Herberton Project area.
With Orient already established as Australia's largest silver-indium discovery, the data from this survey will guide Iltani's next round of exploration drilling, specifically targeting areas that could materially grow the tonnage and grade of the Orient System beyond the currently defined Exploration Target of 32-42 Mt @ 110-124 g/t Ag Eq.
Why Investors Should Take Notice
Iltani Resources is strategically positioned in a market where both silver and indium are in increasing demand:
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Critical Metal Exposure: Indium is classified as a critical metal essential for technologies like touchscreens, solar panels, and semiconductors.
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Advanced Exploration Stage: The company has already defined a substantial Exploration Target and is actively working toward JORC Resource definition.
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Government Support: The Queensland Government's financial backing through the Collaborative Exploration Initiative demonstrates the project's significance.
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Multiple Pathways to Growth: Beyond Orient, the company has multiple highly prospective targets across its 367km² Herberton Project.
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Potential Acceleration: The VTEM survey results could dramatically accelerate Iltani's exploration timeline by precisely identifying high-priority drill targets.
With results expected within 4-6 weeks, investors should closely monitor Iltani's upcoming announcements as the company works to unlock the full potential of the Herberton Project and cement its position as a leader in silver and critical metals exploration in Australia.
Ready to Uncover Australia's Premier Silver-Indium Opportunity?
Don't miss out on the investment potential of Iltani Resources as they progress with their game-changing VTEM survey at the Herberton Project. With Australia's largest known silver-indium deposit, government funding support, and multiple growth pathways, Iltani represents a compelling opportunity in the critical metals sector. Visit Iltani Resources' website today to learn more about their exploration progress and position yourself at the forefront of this exciting silver and indium discovery story.
