Western Yilgarn Secures 230 km² More Land, Hits 195.5 g/t Gallium Assays

Expanding the Gallium Frontier

Western Yilgarn NL (ASX – WYX) has taken a decisive step forward in its quest for critical minerals by expanding its landholding at the Ida Holmes Junction Project in Western Australia. The company has secured two additional exploration licences, E57/1486 and E57/1487, which together cover approximately 230 square kilometres. These new tenements flank the existing licence E36/1020, where previous exploration uncovered high-grade gallium mineralisation that remains open in all directions.

Recent rock chip sampling from the area has yielded remarkably high gallium grades, with standout assays including 195.5 grams per tonne (g/t) of gallium and 262.79 g/t of gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃). These results underscore the potential for further extensions of the mineralised system into the newly acquired ground, setting the stage for a systematic exploration program scheduled to commence with helicopter-borne reconnaissance in November.

Securing Access for Bauxite Resource Development

In parallel with its gallium ambitions, Western Yilgarn has made significant progress at its West Julimar Bauxite Project. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, PBX Aust Pty Ltd, has executed a land access agreement with the private landowner of Lot 11 Waldeck East Road, Wannamal. This area is central to the Lode 200 bauxite resource, which boasts an inferred mineral resource of 62.2 million tonnes grading 36.4% alumina (Al₂O₃).

Crucially, the agreement includes consent under Section 29 of the Western Australian Mining Act 1978, granting the company rights to access the natural surface zone; typically extending to about 30 metres depth; where the bauxite mineralisation resides. This regulatory milestone is pivotal, enabling Western Yilgarn to advance from preliminary exploration to drilling and metallurgical testing, thereby accelerating resource definition and potential development.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

Western Yilgarn’s dual focus on gallium and bauxite reflects a strategic positioning within critical minerals and industrial metals markets. Gallium, a key component in electronics and renewable energy technologies, commands high interest due to its scarcity and strategic importance. Meanwhile, bauxite remains essential as the primary ore for aluminium production, with the West Julimar Project’s substantial resource base offering promising scale.

The company’s methodical approach; combining high-grade surface sampling, expanded land tenure, and secured land access; lays a robust foundation for upcoming exploration phases. Helicopter reconnaissance will refine target zones for drilling, while the Section 29 consent ensures operational flexibility on private land, often a bottleneck in Australian mining projects.

Western Yilgarn’s recent announcements also reaffirm the integrity of its existing JORC-compliant resource estimates, which collectively total over 205 million tonnes of bauxite with strong alumina grades. This continuity provides investors with confidence in the company’s resource base as it pursues value-adding exploration and development activities.