Western Yilgarn NL has broadened its gallium exploration at the Ida Holmes Junction Project and secured critical land access for its Cardea 2 Bauxite Project, backed by a $698,000 capital raise to advance multiple resource programs.
- Gallium exploration expanded with two new licences covering 230km² at Ida Holmes Junction
- Ground exploration commenced targeting gallium, gold, cobalt, and nickel anomalies
- Access agreement secured for Cardea 2 Bauxite Project enabling immediate exploration
- Norcia Gallium Bauxite Project granted status with plans for drilling high-grade gallium zones
- Completed $698,000 placement to fund exploration and metallurgical testwork
Gallium Exploration Accelerates at Ida Holmes Junction
Western Yilgarn NL (ASX – WYX) has made significant strides in its critical minerals portfolio during the December 2025 quarter. The company expanded its gallium footprint at the Ida Holmes Junction Project with the addition of two exploration licences covering approximately 230 square kilometres. This expansion follows promising results from a helicopter-borne rock chip sampling program earlier in the year, which identified high-grade gallium mineralisation across exposed lithologies.
Ground exploration activities have now commenced, focusing on high-priority geochemical anomalies not only for gallium but also gold, cobalt, and nickel. These efforts are centred on structural intersections and mafic-ultramafic intrusive corridors that could host critical mineral-enriched weathering systems. The Ida Holmes Project's proximity to world-class nickel and gold operations, including those owned by BHP and Gold Fields, underscores its strategic importance.
Bauxite Portfolio Advances with New Access and Resource Validation
On the bauxite front, Western Yilgarn secured a vital Access Agreement over the Cardea 2 Bauxite Project, which hosts an inferred mineral resource estimate of 20 million tonnes at 32.1% alumina. This agreement enables immediate on-ground exploration, including reconnaissance drilling and bulk sampling for metallurgical characterisation. The company is prioritising validation of historic geological data and preparing for a maiden resource evaluation across the contiguous Cardea 1 area.
Additionally, the company obtained granted status for the Norcia Gallium Bauxite Project, located within the Darling Range Bauxite Mineral Field. Historical drilling at Norcia revealed exceptionally high gallium grades, with intersections exceeding 90 grams per tonne of Ga2O3. Western Yilgarn is actively negotiating land access to commence drilling programs aimed at defining the extent of this mineralisation.
Capital Raising and Corporate Developments
To support its expanding exploration activities, Western Yilgarn completed a placement raising $698,000 at $0.04 per share. The funds will be directed towards advancing exploration and metallurgical testwork at the Julimar West Project, Cardea Projects, and the New Norcia Bauxite-Gallium Project. The placement included attaching options, providing investors with additional upside potential.
The company’s cash position remains stable with $607,000 at quarter-end, despite ongoing exploration expenditure. Management expressed confidence in maintaining operations and meeting business objectives through prudent expenditure management and the ability to raise further capital if necessary.
Western Yilgarn’s total JORC-compliant bauxite resources now stand at 244 million tonnes, reinforcing its substantial asset base in Western Australia’s critical minerals and bauxite sectors. The company’s integrated approach to exploring both gallium and bauxite positions it well to capitalise on growing demand for these materials in emerging technologies.
Bottom Line?
With expanded licences and secured access, Western Yilgarn is poised to unlock value from its critical minerals and bauxite assets in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling results at Ida Holmes influence Western Yilgarn’s resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and expected outcomes for metallurgical testwork at Cardea and Julimar West?
- Will Western Yilgarn pursue further capital raises to sustain its exploration momentum beyond current cash reserves?