Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) has completed first-pass ore-sorting test work at its Orient Silver-Indium Project in Queensland, utilising X-ray transmission (XRT) technology.
XRT ore sorting exploits the density contrast between sulphide mineralisation and the surrounding siliceous host rock, significantly upgrading mineralisation while rejecting large volumes of waste.
TOMRA conducted test work on screened 6–25mm fractions of ‘high-grade’ and ‘low-grade’ reverse circulation chip samples to assess whether the technology could upgrade Orient’s mineralisation while rejecting significant waste mass.
The ‘high-grade’ sample achieved 58% mass rejection, with an average upgrade factor of 2.1-times, with silver (Ag) increasing from 130 grams per tonne to 265g/t and indium (In) from 199g/t to 427g/t.
The ‘low-grade’ sample delivered a 96% mass rejection with upgrade factors ranging from 11.5 to 16.1-times. Silver increased from 26g/t to 325g/t, while In rose from 27g/t to 437g/t.
“We selected a high-grade and a low-grade sample, so we could better understand if ore sorting was viable at Orient, and the results clearly demonstrate that ore sorting works — and works well,” Managing Director Donald Garner says.
“Particularly impressive are the upgrades to the low-grade sample, ranging from 11.5 (zinc grade) to 16.1-times (indium grade).”
The successful sorting is attributed to the strong density contrast between sulphide mineralisation and siliceous host rock, combined with coarse sulphide distribution within the tested material.
Garner notes that ore-sorting technology “could reduce upfront project capital costs” through smaller processing plants and tailings facilities, while lowering operating costs by reducing waste flowing through the plant.
ILT is planning a seven-hole PQ diamond drilling program to generate samples for comprehensive bulk sorting test work at TOMRA’s Sydney facility. This will evaluate sorting performance across multiple size fractions and mineralisation styles.
Orient hosts a JORC mineral resource estimate of 34.2 million tonnes at 31.3g/t Ag, 16.9g/t In, 0.74% lead, and 0.90% zinc, representing Australia’s largest-known silver-indium deposit.
Iltani Resources is an explorer advancing the Orient Project in Far North Queensland, with additional base metal exploration assets in Queensland.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Iltani Resources
