Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) has secured a 76.6km2 exploration licence over the Norcia Bauxite-Gallium Project within the Darling Rangle Bauxite Mineral Field of Western Australia.
Based on an extensive data review, the company says the project has growth potential with historical drilling results returning up to 110.28 grams per tonne gallium oxide and 50.39% aluminium oxide.
The company says the project has “exceptional growth potential” based on the extensive data review. Surface and drilling geochemistry, along with the interpreted geophysics has highlighted multiple targets proximal to the west and south of the current tenure areas.
Regional mapping and interpretation of the Western Australia Geological Survey has delineated laterite and pisolitic gravels in which the bauxite occurs. These areas will be systematically targeted as first pass exploration.
Based on the historical ‘high-grade’ gallium drill assays, all future exploration will focus on delineating the lateral and depth extent of the gallium mineralisation with a view of producing a JORC compliant mineral resource.
As such, the company is planning the next phase of drilling within the project’s untested zone.
To date, surface bauxite mineralisation has been defined over a 4.5km by 2km zone with gallium mineralisation defined over a 4km by 2.3km area within laterite typical of the Darling Range Bauxite deposits.
Non-executive director Pedro Kastellorizos says the project provides further scalability and potential to increase the bauxite tonnage and grade through further exploration and metallurgical testwork.
“The location of the current resource is within trucking distance of a multi-user railway at a time of record alumina and bauxite prices,” Kastellorizos says.
“The extensive bauxite zones have the potential for additional resource growth along strike and depth, concentrating to the west and south of the current tenure.”
Following today’s announcement, Western Yilgarn’s share price had spiked 66.66% to $0.060 as of 10.40am AEDT.
Gallium is a critical metal used in the defence industry and computer chip, semiconductors, transistors, including light emitting diodes, fiber optic cables, and solar cell and electronic circuitry.
In December 2024, China announced an immediate gallium, germanium, and antimony exports ban to the US. The top three producing countries of raw gallium are China, Germany, and Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, bauxite is the most common ore of aluminium. According to the Australian Aluminium Council, there are currently six bauxite mines in Australia providing feedstock for the five alumina refineries and the export market.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Western Yilgarn
