Iltani Resources has made significant progress in its June 2026 quarter, advancing its flagship Orient Silver-Indium Project with high-grade assay results and securing priority status on three new tenement applications.
- 67 drill holes completed in 2026 Orient program
- Strong silver-indium assay results from Orient West
- Priority applicant for three new tenements near Orient
- Cash balance of $7.52 million supports ongoing drilling
- Exploration targets expanded with resource upgrade potential
Robust Drilling Progress at Orient Silver-Indium Project
Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT) has accelerated its 2026 exploration campaign at the Orient Silver-Indium Project in Northern Queensland, completing 67 of a planned 115 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes by the end of June. The program, which aims to infill and expand the resource base, has already delivered broad zones of high-grade silver-indium mineralisation, underpinning Australia's largest known deposit of these metals.
Assay results for drill holes ORR141 to ORR147 at Orient West confirmed significant intercepts, including standout intervals such as 1m at 207 g/t silver, 626 g/t indium, 1.6% lead, and 11.1% zinc in ORR142, and 1m at 279 g/t silver, 523 g/t indium, 4.2% lead, and 9.4% zinc in ORR147. These results reinforce the continuity and grade of the mineralisation and support efforts to upgrade resource confidence and tonnage.
Expanding Resource and Exploration Targets
The current Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Orient Project stands at 62.5 million tonnes at 81.5 g/t silver equivalent, with a higher-grade subset of 34.2 million tonnes at 110 g/t silver equivalent. Iltani has also updated its Exploration Target to between 35.9 and 43.3 million tonnes at 63.6 to 78.1 g/t silver equivalent, highlighting substantial upside potential pending further drilling. The company is actively pursuing infill drilling to convert these targets into defined resources over the next 6 to 12 months.
Alongside the drilling, metallurgical test work continues with Core Resources to assess processing pathways, building on previous test work that supports the recoverability of silver, indium, lead, and zinc into concentrates.
Strategic Tenement Applications and Corporate Position
In a strategic move to consolidate its position around the Orient hub, Iltani lodged applications for three new Exploration Permits for Minerals (EPMs); 29521 (Silver Dollar), 29522 (Sand Creek), and 29524 (Cherry Creek); during the quarter. Despite competitive application processes, Iltani was nominated as the priority applicant for all three, positioning the company to expand its footprint within trucking distance of a potential processing plant.
Financially, Iltani ended the quarter with a cash balance of $7.52 million, having spent $1.05 million on exploration activities including drilling and geological consulting. The company holds 79.7 million ordinary shares on issue, maintaining a solid capital base to support its aggressive exploration strategy.
Broader Exploration and Project Portfolio
Beyond Orient, Iltani's Herberton Project covers approximately 370 square kilometres of highly prospective terrain with a rich mining history. The company also holds interests in the Northern Base Metal Project and the Isabel deposit, both with potential for copper and other base metals. Ongoing business development efforts aim to grow the portfolio through targeted acquisitions and applications.
The company’s methodical approach to resource estimation, involving detailed geological modelling and rigorous assay protocols, is designed to systematically upgrade the resource base and unlock the economic potential of the deposit.
Bottom Line?
Iltani’s sustained drilling momentum and strategic tenement positioning at Orient set the stage for a potential resource upgrade, but assay results from the remaining holes and metallurgical outcomes will be critical to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the remaining 48 drill holes confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralisation across Orient?
- How will ongoing metallurgical test results impact the economic viability of the deposit?
- What timeline can investors expect for the granting of the three new tenements and their exploration progress?