New Norcia Bauxite Resource Adds 39.27Mt to Western Yilgarn’s Portfolio

A Significant Addition to Western Yilgarn’s Bauxite Portfolio

Western Yilgarn Limited (ASX – WYX) has announced a maiden JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 39.27 million tonnes at 22.7% available alumina and 12.8% reactive silica for its New Norcia Bauxite Project, located in the Darling Range region north of Perth, Western Australia. This new resource substantially increases the company’s total bauxite holdings to 244 million tonnes, reinforcing its position in a prolific bauxite province.

The New Norcia deposit extends approximately 3 kilometres in length and averages 2 kilometres in width, with mineralisation starting at surface and extending to about 7 vertical metres depth. The resource was defined through 187 drill holes totaling 1,478 metres, and the estimate was independently prepared by Odessa Resources Pty Ltd using industry-standard geostatistical methods compliant with JORC 2012 guidelines.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure Advantages

Situated roughly 25 kilometres north of Western Yilgarn’s flagship Julimar West Bauxite Project, New Norcia benefits from excellent infrastructure. The project area is accessible via the Great Northern Highway and Bindoon–Moora Road, with the Millendon Junction Narngulu Railway line nearby. This proximity to transport corridors is a critical advantage for potential direct shipping ore (DSO) operations, facilitating export to established alumina refineries in China and the Middle East.

Western Yilgarn’s non-executive director Pedro Kastellorizos highlighted the significance of the location, noting that the resource lies within trucking distance of a multi-user railway at a time of record alumina and bauxite prices. This infrastructure support could enable efficient logistics and cost-effective development.

Quality and Metallurgical Potential

The New Norcia bauxite is characterised by a high-grade, gibbsitic composition with relatively low reactive silica content, which is favourable for the Bayer process used in alumina refining. Historical metallurgical test work, including bulk sampling and beneficiation trials, indicates that wet screening and gravity separation can upgrade the available alumina content while reducing silica levels, improving the ore’s economic potential.

Test composites have shown available alumina grades averaging above 36%, with reactive silica reduced to around 3.5% after beneficiation. These characteristics position the New Norcia deposit as a strong candidate for DSO export, aligning with Western Yilgarn’s strategy to supply high-quality bauxite to global markets.

Exploration Upside and Next Steps

While the maiden resource provides a solid foundation, significant exploration upside remains. Approximately 1.7 kilometres by 1.5 kilometres of the tenement area remains untested, particularly in the western and southern portions. Western Yilgarn plans to undertake further drilling to expand the resource footprint and improve confidence levels.

The company’s broader bauxite portfolio, including the Julimar West and Cardea projects, complements New Norcia and collectively offers a compelling opportunity to establish Western Yilgarn as a competitive, independent supplier in the global bauxite market.

Independent and Rigorous Resource Estimation

The resource estimate was conducted using robust sampling and analytical methods, including vacuum and aircore drilling, with assays performed by reputable laboratories. The use of bomb digest methods to determine available alumina and reactive silica ensures the resource grades reflect processing-relevant parameters. The classification as an Inferred resource reflects moderate confidence, with further drilling expected to upgrade the classification.

Western Yilgarn’s transparent reporting and adherence to JORC 2012 standards provide investors with credible and detailed technical information, supporting informed decision-making.