Western Yilgarn Unveils 244Mt Bauxite Resource and Critical Minerals Breakthroughs
Western Yilgarn NL has significantly boosted its bauxite portfolio with two new JORC-compliant resource estimates and confirmed high-grade gallium and cobalt discoveries, positioning itself strongly in critical minerals and gold exploration.
- Total bauxite resources increased to 244 million tonnes
- New Norcia and Cardea 3 deliver substantial inferred mineral resource estimates
- High-grade gallium and cobalt confirmed at Ida Holmes Project
- Seven new high-priority gold targets identified at Gascoyne Project
- Strategic board appointment enhances regulatory and environmental expertise
Bauxite Resource Growth
Western Yilgarn NL (ASX – WYX) has reported a major expansion in its bauxite resource base, delivering two new JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates (MREs) for its New Norcia and Cardea 3 assets. The New Norcia deposit now stands at 39.27 million tonnes grading 22.7% available alumina, while Cardea 3 adds a high-grade portion of 3.78 million tonnes at 35.8% available alumina. These additions bring Western Yilgarn’s total bauxite resources to an impressive 244 million tonnes, reinforcing the company’s foothold in the Darling Range Bauxite Mineral Field of Western Australia.
Strategic Location and Export Potential
Both New Norcia and Cardea 3 are strategically located near Perth, major ports, and infrastructure, facilitating potential direct shipping ore (DSO) operations. The bauxite’s high-grade, gibbsitic composition and low reactive silica content make it well-suited for export to established alumina refineries in China and the Middle East. The company highlights significant unexplored zones within its tenements, suggesting further resource growth opportunities.
Critical Minerals Discoveries at Ida Holmes
Western Yilgarn has also confirmed high-grade gallium and cobalt mineralisation at its Ida Holmes Project. Rock chip sampling revealed gallium concentrations up to 195.5 grams per tonne and cobalt grades exceeding 1% in surface samples. These discoveries enhance the company’s strategic position in the critical minerals sector, vital for technologies such as semiconductors, LEDs, electric vehicle batteries, and renewable energy applications. Follow-up exploration is planned to delineate these mineralised zones further.
Gold Exploration Upside in Gascoyne
The company identified seven high-priority gold targets within its 100%-owned Gascoyne Project, located near Benz Mining Corporation’s Glenburgh Gold Project, which hosts over half a million ounces of gold. A detailed geophysical review of historical data has uncovered multiple new drill targets, many previously unrecognised, offering promising exploration upside in a highly prospective region.
Corporate and Financial Highlights
On the corporate front, Western Yilgarn appointed Darren Foster as a Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive experience in government, environmental regulation, and public policy. Financially, the company reported exploration expenditure of A$85,457 for the quarter, a cash balance of A$395,058, and payments to related parties totaling A$29,633. No mining production occurred during the period, with the company focused on advancing exploration and resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Western Yilgarn’s expanded resource base and critical minerals discoveries set the stage for accelerated exploration and potential development, but market watchers will be keen to see how the company capitalises on these opportunities amid funding and regulatory challenges.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Western Yilgarn prioritise development between its bauxite and critical minerals projects?
- What are the timelines and funding plans for advancing the high-grade gallium and cobalt zones?
- Can the company secure offtake agreements or partnerships to underpin future bauxite exports?
