- 01106m at 143g/t AgEq from 8m; 22m at 384g/t.
- 02Shallow, high-grade hits support open-pit potential.
- 03Results feed Dec-quarter MRE update; 145 holes planned.
Iltani Resources (ASX: ILT) has intersected its thickest mineralised zone yet at the Orient Silver Zinc Indium Project in northern Queensland, adding to evidence of substantial shallow and high-grade mineralisation at Orient East.
The latest assays from 15 reverse circulation holes included a 106 metres of mineralisation grading 143 grams per tonne silver equivalent from a depth of 8m.
That intersection contained a 22m higher-grade interval averaging 384g/t silver equivalent, while several other holes returned concentrated silver, lead, zinc and indium mineralisation.
The results arrive after completion of an initial 110-hole infill and extension program designed to support a mineral resource estimate update expected in the December quarter.
Open-Pit Case Strengthened
The record intersection included 4m grading 771g/t silver equivalent and a 1m interval of 1,043g/t, highlighting the contrast between broad mineralised envelopes and narrower high-grade cores.
Elsewhere at Orient East, one hole returned 35m at 163g/t silver equivalent, including a 1m interval grading 1,774g/t, while another encountered 32m at 227g/t from 40m.
Iltani identified 15 intersections exceeding 1,000 silver-equivalent grade-metres, including five separate 1m assays above 1,000g/t silver equivalent.
The company considers the combination of thickness, grade and relatively shallow intersections supportive of Orient East’s potential for open-pit development.
Southern Limit Drilling
Drilling intended to test the southern limit of Orient East instead returned mineralisation broader than anticipated, leaving the extent of the system unresolved.
At the southern edge, the program recorded 38m at 92g/t silver equivalent from 135m, together with further mineralised intervals deeper in the same hole.
“We now need to drill more holes in this area to better understand the potential to keep on extending the Orient East mineralisation,” managing director Donald Garner said.
Towards the eastern caldera boundary, drilling has outlined a possible steep feeder zone about 80m wide that has been tested to a depth of 250m, although its geometry and depth continuity require further drilling.
Early-2027 Resource Update
The completed 110-hole campaign will feed into an updated Orient MRE covering Orient West and Orient East, with a scoping study targeted for early 2027.
The existing Orient MRE stands at 62.5 million tonnes grading 81.5g/t silver equivalent, containing an estimated 163.8 million ounces of silver equivalent.
On the strength of the new results, Iltani is planning a second phase comprising 145 holes focused mainly on the Link Zone and the Orient West northeast extension.
The company is targeting a November start ahead of the northern Queensland wet season, subject to drill-rig availability, with the additional drilling intended to test extensions rather than establish a resource increase in advance.
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