Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) has intersected up to 1,063.9 grams per tonne of silver-equivalent within the Orient Silver-Indium Project in Herberton, North Queensland.
A reverse circulation drilling program has been completed, which focused on an area targeting multiple intersecting higher-grade vein systems with associated low-grade stockwork mineralisation, many at shallow depths. This represents the potential to define an open pittable resource, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
A total of 25 holes were drilled at the Orient East prospect, as well as another at Orient South, and seven at Orient West.
The critical minerals and base metals explorer has received assay results for five holes at the Orient East prospect, which all intersected silver-lead-zinc-indium mineralisation.
Some of the most major results came from drillhole ORR041, which intersected 7m @ 342.5g/t silver-equivalent, 2m @ 899.2g/t silver-equivalent, and 1m @ 1,063.9g/t silver-equivalent.
The exploration target for Orient East is anticipated to be completed in late January 2025, subject to receiving assay results. Iltani says the exploration target will set the stage for an exciting period of exploration beginning next year.
The company is planning to mobilise at least two drill rigs to site to complete the Orient West resource infill drilling program and follow-up on the recent Orient East drilling, as well as start resource infill drilling.
Mineralisation targeted at Orient East is believed to be terminated to the east by the caldera margin, however Iltani notes all indications are that the mineralisation is open to the west (where it’s under cover) and has the potential to intersect the Orient West vein system.
Iltani added eight drillholes to the recently completed Orient East drilling program to target the mineralisation striking to the west. As part of this program, Iltani has also completed one reverse circulation hole (ORR061) to test an area of historical workings at Orient South.
In 2025, Iltani also intends to test a cluster of mapped vein systems and old workings at Orient North, which are some 250m north of the current drilling at Orient East. As such, Orient North represents a high-priority target and has the potential to become an additional mining centre at the Orient Project.
Managing Director Donald Garner says Orient East’s assays have surpassed the company’s expectations, delivering thick intercepts and wide zones of mineralisation which demonstrates the deposit’s potential.
“We are expecting to receive more assay results over the coming weeks and this data will be incorporated into the Orient East geological model, which will then be used by Mining One to block model the Orient East mineralisation and estimate an Orient East exploration target,” Garner says.
“Our drilling to date demonstrates the size and scale of the Orient system which we believe is Australia’s largest silver-indium deposit.
“Drilling activities at Orient have been paused for the wet season, and we will return to site as soon as we can in 2025. We are planning to mobilise multiple drill rigs to continue drilling at Orient East and Orient West plus seek to test Orient North.”
Iltani says indications from the current drilling is that mineralisation at Orient East is more complex than initially interpreted, comprising east-west zones dipping from 45 degrees south to sub-vertical, and north-south trends dipping moderately west.
Both primary orientations appear to be enveloped by a stockwork of lower-grade mineralisation. Oriented diamond core drilling will be implemented in 2025 to better define the geometry of mineralisation.
Meanwhile, at the company’s Antimony Reward Project in Queensland, all assay results have been received from the final three holes. The company says drilling intersected an extensive alteration combined with low-grade antimony mineralisation.
The company will review the results and plan the next stage of exploration, which will begin after the wet season in 2025.
Iltani Resources is a base and critical metals explorer that holds a portfolio of advanced exploration projects in Queensland and Tasmania.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Iltani Resources
