Iluka Expands WIM100 Heavy Mineral Resource by 19%, Boosting Rare Earths Supply
Iluka Resources has reported a significant 19% increase in heavy mineral tonnage at its WIM100 deposit in western Victoria, enhancing the resource confidence and supporting its rare earths supply ambitions for the Eneabba refinery.
- 19% increase in heavy mineral tonnage to 25 million tonnes
- 8% rise in Measured and 53% rise in Indicated resource classifications
- WIM100 is key to Iluka’s Wimmera project and rare earths feedstock
- Eneabba rare earth refinery commissioning planned for 2027
- Definitive feasibility study underway with ongoing metallurgical and environmental work
Resource Growth and Confidence
Iluka Resources Limited has announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for its WIM100 heavy mineral deposit located in western Victoria. The new estimate reveals a 19% increase in heavy mineral tonnage, now totaling 25 million tonnes, alongside improved confidence levels with an 8% increase in Measured and a substantial 53% increase in Indicated classifications. This update reflects additional exploration drilling and refined deposit modelling completed since the previous estimate in 2024.
Strategic Importance of WIM100
The WIM100 deposit forms a central part of Iluka’s Wimmera project, which focuses on the extraction of fine-grained heavy minerals including rare earth elements and zircon. These minerals are critical inputs for Iluka’s Eneabba rare earth refinery in Western Australia, currently under construction and scheduled to commence operations in 2027. The refinery is poised to become one of the few facilities outside China capable of processing diverse rare earth feedstocks and producing both light and heavy rare earth oxides.
Geological and Operational Insights
WIM100 is characterised by a large, flat-lying mineralised horizon within the Loxton-Parilla Sand geological unit, extending over 10 kilometres north-south and 3.5 kilometres east-west. The deposit’s mineralisation averages 9 metres thick and lies beneath 6 to 37 metres of unmineralised overburden. The fine-grained nature of the heavy minerals presents metallurgical challenges, which Iluka is actively addressing through ongoing test work as part of the definitive feasibility study (DFS).
Environmental and Regulatory Progress
Environmental studies are progressing to support the required Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Wimmera project. Notably, mineralisation beneath sensitive wetland areas has been excluded from the resource estimate, reflecting Iluka’s commitment to responsible development. The DFS continues to integrate geological, metallurgical, mining, and environmental data to refine project economics and operational plans.
Outlook and Market Positioning
This resource upgrade strengthens Iluka’s position in the rare earths market, a sector of growing strategic importance globally. The increased resource base and improved classification underpin the long-term supply potential for the Eneabba refinery, enhancing Iluka’s ability to supply critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. The company’s ongoing work to optimise mineral recovery and product quality will be key to unlocking full value from the WIM100 deposit.
Bottom Line?
Iluka’s expanded WIM100 resource sets the stage for a pivotal role in Australia’s rare earths supply chain as the Eneabba refinery nears commissioning.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing metallurgical challenges affect the economic viability of WIM100’s fine-grained minerals?
- What are the timelines and risks associated with environmental approvals for the Wimmera project?
- How will the increased resource confidence translate into mine planning and production schedules?
