Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) is seeking to grow the Orient deposit in northern Queensland, with a diamond and reverse circulation drilling programs set to begin.
All of the data generated from the multiple drilling programs will be used by independent mining consultant Mining One to model and estimate the initial resources for the Orient West and East deposits.
Iltani, which has a market capitalisation of $11.47 million, plans to convert the exploration targets at Orient West and East to inferred resources, while also continuing to grow the Orient deposit, targeting Orient North and South, and the undercover zone between Orient West and East.
A bulldozer is being mobilised to site to begin drill pad preparations at Orient, while a track-mounted reverse circulation rig will arrive at site on 17 March 2025.
The program will begin a resource infill drilling campaign at the Orient West deposit, comprising 28 holes for an estimated 7,000m.
A wheel-mounted reverse circulation drill rig will arrive at the Orient East deposit towards the end of March. The program will comprise 26 holes for an estimated 5,200m.
Meanwhile, a diamond drill rig is expected to be on site in late April and will complete two holes at both prospects.
Managing Director Donald Garner says Iltani is looking forward to picking up where it left off at Orient at the end of 2024.
He says the company plans to convert the exploration targets at Orient West and East to JORC inferred resources, and continue to grow the Orient deposit, targeting Orient North, Orient South, and the undercover zone between Orient West and East.
“To date, we only ever have had one drill rig active at Orient – in 2025, we plan to have two RC rigs and a diamond drill rig active at Orient. This is a material step up for us and is an indication of the potential we are seeing at Orient,” Garner adds.
“We believe that Orient is Australia’s largest known silver-indium deposit and is on track to being the largest silver project in Australia.”
The Orient Project is located 20km west of the historic mining town of Herberton and 9km north of Irvinebank in Northern Queensland.
The Orient West infill drilling program plans to consist of 28 reverse circulation holes (for an estimated 7,000m drilled) and two diamond holes (for an estimated 450m drilled), aiming to convert the current exploration target (20-24Mt @ 110-120 grams per tonne gold equivalent) to an initial JORC inferred mineral resource.
The Orient East infill drilling program plans to consist of 26 reverse circulation holes (for an estimated 5,200m drilled) and two diamond drillholes, aiming to convert the current exploration target (12-18Mt @ 110-130g/t gold equivalent) to an initial JORC inferred resource.
Iltani Resources is a Queensland mineral explorer and developer focused on precious and base metals assets to deliver the materials needed to create a low emission future.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Iltani Resources
