• Western Yilgarn’s helicopter-borne rock chip reconnaissance program discovers gallium mineralisation
• The mineralisation system remains open in all directions, indicating potential for extensions
• Further exploration is being planned including soil and rock chip sampling 

 

Special Report: High-grade gallium has been discovered at Western Yilgarn’s Ida Holmes Junction project during maiden helicopter-borne rock chip reconnaissance, strengthening the company’s position in the critical minerals sector. 

Newly identified zones of gallium have been delineated within exploration licences E36/1020 and E36/1080, situated 21km apart, with the system remaining open in all directions, indicating strong potential for extensions. 

The rock chip sampling program uncovered grades up to 195.5g/t and 262.79g/t gallium trioxide, with planning underway for follow-up exploration to extend and delineate the newly identified zones along strike. 

Gallium, which is used in semiconductors, LEDs and solar tech, is witnessing a surge in global demand due to its role as a key technology metal in global supply chains. 

Like many critical minerals, China dominates global gallium production, creating a concentration of supply that can be vulnerable to geopolitical shifts and export restrictions. 

In June 2023, China imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium, citing national security concerns as a response to Western restrictions on semiconductor tech exports, triggering supply shocks and price volatility. 

 

Compelling opportunity for further discoveries 

Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) non-exec director Pedro Kastellorizos said the company was very pleased with the results from the initial reconnaissance program. 

“These early-stage findings highlight the project’s significant mineral potential, particularly given the minimal historical exploration conducted across the area,” he said.  

“While gallium is the primary exploration focus at Ida Holmes Junction, Western Yilgarn also holds a gallium focused exploration licence over the New Norcia bauxite-gallium project in the highly prospective Darling Range just north of Perth. 

“With ongoing exploration and a favourable geological setting, the potential for further discoveries of gallium and other critical minerals at Ida Holmes Junction remains compelling.”

 

What’s next? 

Based on Western Yilgarn’s initial exploration, the total strike extent of the mineralised system remains undefined. 

Planning is underway for follow-up exploration to extend and delineate the newly identified mineralised zones along strike.

Ida Holmes Junction is situated in the Yilgarn Craton of WA, ~50km southwest of Gold Fields’ Agnew gold mine. 

The project is centred at the intersection of two geological structures – the Holmes Dyke and the Mt Ida fault. 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Western Yilgarn, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.