Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) has identified new zones of gallium mineralisation within its Ida Holmes Junction Project in Western Australia on the return of a recent maiden helicopter-borne rock chip reconnaissance program.
New zones are located within exploration licences E36/1020 and E36/1080, with mineralisation remaining open in all directions.
Results returned up to 195.5 grams per tonne of gallium and 262.79g/t of gallium oxide from sample 30032, with other highlights including 146g/t gallium and 196.25 gallium oxide at sample 30030 and 135.5g/t gallium and 182.14g/t gallium oxide from sample 30026.
Western Yilgarn intends to undergo a more extensive soil and rock chip sampling program in hopes of extending and delineating the new zones along strike.
Non-executive Director Pedro Kastellorizos says the company is pleased with the results returned from its initial helicopter-borne reconnaissance program at Holmes Junction.
“These early stage findings highlight the project’s significant mineral potential, particularly given the minimal historical exploration conducted across the area,” Kastellorizos says.
“While gallium is the primary exploration focus at Ida Holmes Junction, Western Yilgarn also holds a gallium-focused exploration licence over the New Norcia Bauxite-Gallium Project in the highly prospective Darling Range just north of Perth.
“With ongoing exploration and a favourable geological setting, the potential for further discoveries of gallium and other critical minerals at Ida Holmes Junction remains compelling.”
Gallium is a crucial commodity to the electronics industry, primarily being used in semiconductor components, while also used to make alloys with low melting points and found in high-temperature thermometers.
Trading Economics reports the spot price of gallium at ¥1,625 ($349.17) per kilogram as of 4 August, reflecting a 34.34% decrease this year to date.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Western Yilgarn
