Iltani Resources has reported robust assay results from the first seven holes of its 110-hole drill program at the Orient Silver-Indium Project, confirming broad, high-grade mineralisation that underpins Australia’s largest known silver-indium deposit.
- Broad high-grade silver-indium intercepts in initial seven drill holes
- Peak assays include 1m at 207 g/t Ag and 626 g/t In
- 37 holes completed to date with 6,853m drilled
- Drilling aims to upgrade JORC resource and support open pit potential
- Further drilling planned to extend mineralisation and improve confidence
Strong Start to 2026 Drilling at Orient West
Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) has kicked off its 2026 drilling campaign at the Orient Silver-Indium Project in North Queensland with impressive assay results from the first seven reverse circulation holes (ORR141 to ORR147). These initial holes, part of a planned 110-hole program, have intersected broad zones of mineralisation rich in silver, indium, lead, and zinc, reinforcing the deposit's status as Australia's largest known silver-indium resource.
Highlights include standout high-grade hits such as 1 metre at 207 g/t silver and 626 g/t indium in ORR142, and 1 metre at 279 g/t silver and 523 g/t indium in ORR147. Notably, ORR141 returned a shallow, broad intercept of 42 metres at 52 g/t silver and 19 g/t indium from just 26 metres downhole, underscoring the open pit potential of the deposit.
Drilling Designed to Boost Resource Confidence
The drilling program focuses on infill sections at Orient West, targeting a reduction in drill spacing to 50 metres to better define the geometry and continuity of mineralised zones. This approach aims to upgrade the current JORC Mineral Resource Estimate and provide greater confidence for upcoming scoping and feasibility studies. So far, Iltani has completed 37 holes totalling 6,853 metres, with assay results flowing regularly and more pending.
The initial holes successfully tested extensions and infill zones between previous drillholes, confirming continuity of both broad and high-grade mineralisation. For example, ORR142 and ORR143 linked deeper high-grade zones with shallower mineralisation, while ORR144 to ORR146 on Section 22 demonstrated consistent high-grade veins that could extend the depth of the open pit and provide mill feed.
Orient Project Resource and Exploration Targets
The Orient Project currently holds a JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 34.2 million tonnes at 110.4 g/t silver equivalent, split between Orient East (12.6 Mt at 128 g/t Ag Eq) and Orient West (21.6 Mt at 100.5 g/t Ag Eq). The silver equivalent calculation incorporates recoveries and commodity prices for silver, lead, zinc, and indium, with metallurgical test work supporting the potential for payable concentrates.
Beyond the resource, Iltani has identified an Exploration Target of 15.4 to 18.8 million tonnes at 95 to 117 g/t silver equivalent, which it plans to convert into Mineral Resources through further drilling over the next 6 to 12 months. The company is also advancing drilling at Orient East and regional targets such as Boonmoo Epithermal and Union Jack.
Next Steps and Strategic Implications
With two reverse circulation rigs operating, Iltani is progressing infill drilling to tighten resource confidence and test extensions along strike and at depth. The company aims to fill the gap between Orient East and West deposits, potentially linking these resources further. The high-grade silver-indium intercepts reinforce the project's potential to become a significant global producer of these critical metals, which are essential for low-emission technologies.
The ongoing assay results and forthcoming resource updates will be key milestones to watch, alongside metallurgical and economic studies that will clarify the project's viability as an open pit and underground operation. Given the strategic importance of indium and silver in emerging technologies, Iltani’s progress at Orient could attract significant market interest as it advances towards development.
Bottom Line?
Iltani’s strong early drilling results at Orient West bolster the case for resource upgrades and underpin ongoing efforts to define a globally significant silver-indium deposit.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results from the remainder of the 110-hole program impact the resource classification?
- What are the timelines and key milestones for advancing scoping and feasibility studies at Orient?
- Could metallurgical test work expand payable metals beyond the current silver, indium, lead, and zinc focus?