Iltani Resources has unveiled outstanding assay results from the Link Zone between its Orient East and West deposits, highlighting significant silver-lead-zinc-indium mineralisation outside current resource estimates. The company is gearing up for an aggressive 2026 drilling campaign to expand and upgrade its largest known silver-indium deposit.
- Exceptional silver-indium intercepts from final Link Zone drill holes ORR138-140
- Orient Project Mineral Resource Estimate totals 62.5Mt at 81.5 g/t Ag Eq
- 2026 drilling program targets 115 RC holes for 16,000m at Orient plus multiple Herberton targets
- Environmental and metallurgical test work underway to support development
- Cash balance of A$8.14 million supports exploration and corporate activities
Link Zone Drilling Reveals High-Grade Mineralisation Outside Current Resource
Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) has released assay results from the final three drill holes (ORR138 to ORR140) in its December 2025 Orient VTEM program, confirming multiple high-grade silver-lead-zinc-indium intercepts in the Link Zone between the Orient East and West deposits. These intercepts are not included in the current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), signalling potential for substantial resource growth.
The standout intercept from ORR138 delivered 10 metres at 111.7 g/t silver, 44.1 g/t indium, 2.2% lead and 2.1% zinc from 104 metres, including higher-grade intervals such as 1 metre at 437.2 g/t silver and 265.2 g/t indium from 110 metres. ORR139 and ORR140 also returned significant mineralisation, reinforcing the Link Zone’s prospectivity.
Orient Project Remains Australia’s Largest Silver-Indium Deposit
The Orient Project, part of Iltani’s broader Herberton Project in Northern Queensland, holds a current MRE of 62.5 million tonnes at 81.5 g/t silver equivalent (Ag Eq) at a 30 g/t cut-off, with a higher-grade resource of 34.2 million tonnes at 110 g/t Ag Eq at a 60 g/t cut-off. The Link Zone drilling results suggest a meaningful opportunity to link the East and West deposits, potentially increasing the resource base.
These latest results build on the company’s earlier announcements, including the maiden Orient East resource and a significant $8 million investment from Queensland Investment Corporation, which is accelerating development efforts. The company’s recent progress was detailed in its January releases, including the high-grade Link Zone hits that first highlighted the potential to connect key mineral resources along a 900-metre strike.
Aggressive 2026 Drilling Campaign to Expand and Upgrade Resources
With the wet season pause now over, Iltani has commenced preparatory work for an ambitious 2026 exploration season. The company plans to drill 115 reverse circulation holes totalling approximately 16,000 metres at the Orient Silver-Indium Project. This program aims to upgrade resource categories from inferred to indicated, extend mineralisation along strike, and further define the Link Zone’s economic potential.
Beyond Orient, Iltani will also test multiple targets within the Herberton Project, including Boonmoo Epithermal, Union Jack, Isabel, and Isabel Extended, with a combined 3,050 metres of diamond and RC drilling planned. These efforts underscore Iltani’s strategy to leverage its extensive 370 km² tenement portfolio in a historically rich mineral field with over 2,400 known mines and prospects.
Supporting Studies and Corporate Position
Environmental and permitting work streams have commenced, including geochemical characterisation of waste rock and tailings, groundwater monitoring, and ecology surveys. Metallurgical test work is underway at Core Resources in Brisbane, focusing on magnetic separation and flotation to optimise recovery of silver, lead, zinc, and indium.
Financially, Iltani ended the quarter with a healthy cash balance of A$8.14 million, having spent $619,000 on exploration and related activities. The company’s capital structure remains stable with 78.47 million shares on issue. Additionally, Iltani secured a new tenement, EPM 29057, contiguous with its existing Herberton holdings, which may provide further upside as initial mapping and sampling commence.
Bottom Line?
Iltani’s high-grade Link Zone results and robust cash position set the stage for a pivotal 2026 drilling season that could reshape the scale and quality of its Orient Silver-Indium resource.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the 2026 drilling campaign confirm the Link Zone’s potential to materially expand the current Mineral Resource Estimate?
- How will ongoing metallurgical test work impact the economic viability and processing strategy for the polymetallic mineralisation?
- Can Iltani leverage its newly granted tenement EPM 29057 to discover additional mineralisation extensions adjacent to Orient West?