Western Yilgarn Uncovers Extensive High-Grade Gallium-Tellurium System in WA
Western Yilgarn NL has announced a significant discovery of high-grade gallium and tellurium mineralisation at its Ida Holmes Junction Project in Western Australia, highlighting a potentially large and regionally extensive critical minerals system.
- Discovery of high-grade gallium-tellurium mineralisation at Ida Holmes Junction
- Rock chip samples reveal grades up to 185.5 ppm gallium and 1.29 ppm tellurium
- Mineralised zones identified across two exploration licences 39 km apart
- Mineralisation remains open in all directions, suggesting a large system
- Further exploration planned to delineate and extend mineralised zones
A New Chapter in Critical Minerals Exploration
Western Yilgarn NL (ASX – WYX) has taken a significant step forward in the critical minerals sector with the discovery of a high-grade gallium-tellurium mineralised system at its Ida Holmes Junction Project in Western Australia. This announcement marks a milestone for the company, reinforcing its strategic position in supplying metals essential for modern technologies, including semiconductors and green energy solutions.
Impressive Grades Across a Broad Area
The recent rock chip sampling program, conducted in December 2025, returned exceptionally high gallium grades, up to 185.5 parts per million (ppm) gallium and 249.35 ppm Ga₂O₃, alongside tellurium concentrations reaching 1.29 ppm. These results were obtained from two exploration licences, E36/1020 and E36/1046, which are located approximately 39 kilometres apart. The widespread nature of these findings suggests the mineralisation is not isolated but part of a larger, regionally extensive system.
Geological Significance and Structural Controls
The mineralisation is interpreted to be structurally controlled by the Waroonga Shear Zone, a significant geological feature that likely served as a conduit for mineralising fluids. The persistence of high-grade gallium and tellurium along this shear zone indicates repeated hydrothermal events that have progressively upgraded the mineralised system. The samples predominantly consist of pisolitic agglomerate, confirming the high metal tenor in the region.
Strategic Location and Exploration Potential
Situated about 50 kilometres southwest of the Agnew Gold Mine and near other major mining operations, the Ida Holmes Junction Project benefits from a favourable geological setting within the Yilgarn Craton. The mineralised zones remain open in all directions, offering strong encouragement for further discoveries. Western Yilgarn plans to expand its surface exploration footprint with additional reconnaissance sampling and follow-up programs to better define the extent of the mineralisation.
Early Stage but Promising Outlook
While these results are from early-stage exploration and no drilling or resource estimation has yet been completed, the high-grade surface mineralisation presents a compelling case for continued investment and exploration. The company’s approach aligns with growing global demand for critical minerals, particularly gallium and tellurium, which are vital for semiconductor manufacturing and emerging green technologies.
Bottom Line?
Western Yilgarn’s discovery at Ida Holmes Junction could reshape its critical minerals portfolio, but the journey from surface samples to a defined resource is just beginning.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling programs confirm the continuity and true width of the mineralisation?
- What are the potential economic implications of the gallium-tellurium system for Western Yilgarn?
- How might global demand for gallium and tellurium influence the project's development timeline?
