Iltani Resources Reports Outstanding Ore Sorting Enhancements at Queensland's Orient Silver-Indium Project

Initial TOMRA Ore Sorting Tests Confirm Significant Mineralisation Upgrades

Iltani Resources announced the completion of first-pass X-ray Transmission (XRT) ore sorting test work conducted by TOMRA on samples from the Orient Silver-Indium Project. The study assessed mineralisation using screened 6–25 mm fractions from both high-grade and low-grade reverse circulation (RC) drill chip samples. The goal was to determine if single-stage XRT sorting could effectively upgrade the Orient mineralisation to produce a high-grade sulphide product while minimizing metal losses to waste.

The high-grade sample (Run 01) delivered strong results, achieving 58% mass rejection relative to the TOMRA feed and an average upgrade factor of 2.1x. Silver grades improved from 130 g/t in the feed to 265 g/t in the sorted product, a 2.0x upgrade, while indium increased from 199 g/t to 427 g/t, a 2.1x improvement. Lead concentration rose from 1.8% to 3.6%, and zinc from 4.3% to 9.1%. The low-grade sample (Run 02) showed even more pronounced upgrades, with 96% mass rejection and a 13.2x average upgrade factor across targeted elements, raising silver from 26 g/t to 325 g/t (12.5x), indium from 27 g/t to 437 g/t (16.1x), lead from 0.6% to 7.3%, and zinc from 0.8% to 9.3%.

XRT Technology Utilizes Density Differences Between Sulphides and Host Rock

The successful ore sorting results stem from the strong density contrast between sulphide mineralisation and the siliceous host rock at Orient, coupled with the coarse sulphide distribution in the tested material. TOMRA's X-ray Transmission platform discriminates materials based on atomic density, identifying dense minerals such as galena (lead sulphide) and sphalerite (zinc sulphide), which are key targets at Orient. The XRT technology exploits differences in X-ray attenuation, with sulphide minerals strongly absorbing X-rays and appearing as distinct black or blue particles in XRT images, while barren siliceous host rock presents contrasting colors, enabling effective particle separation.

The methodology involved screening RC chip samples into 6–25 mm and finer (<6 mm) fractions before XRT sorting. Only the 6–25 mm fraction underwent sorting; the <6 mm fraction was retained as fines and excluded from ore sorting tests. The two RC chip samples submitted to TOMRA comprised 13.5 kg of high-grade and 22.5 kg of low-grade material. All reported mass reductions, product grades, and upgrade factors are relative to the screened 6–25 mm TOMRA feed, not the total RC chip sample or expected run-of-mine (ROM) feed. The company noted the significant fines fraction was expected since samples were RC drill chips rather than crushed PQ diamond core.

Waste Rejection via Ore Sorting Could Cut Capital and Operating Costs

The promising first-pass ore sorting outcomes have critical implications for the Orient Silver-Indium Project's economics. By removing barren host rock before milling, the project could reduce milling throughput, energy use, tailings storage needs, and operating costs substantially. This technology may enable a smaller processing plant capacity, especially in milling and tailings storage, potentially lowering upfront capital expenditure. Despite waste removal, ore sorting can maintain or enhance metal units delivered to the concentrator, ensuring grade improvements translate into final product recovery.

Managing Director Donald Garner emphasized the significance of these results, highlighting the remarkable upgrades in the low-grade sample, ranging from 11.5x for zinc to 16.1x for indium. He stated that ore sorting technology's ability to remove substantial waste before milling offers significant benefits for the Orient project, representing a material advantage in project economics. Confirming ore sorting effectiveness on Orient mineralisation marks a key de-risking milestone as the company advances to the next testing phase with larger bulk samples.

Orient Project in Herberton Features Silver and Indium-Rich Mineralisation

Located in Herberton, North Queensland, the Orient Silver-Indium Project is Iltani Resources' primary exploration and development focus. The project hosts mineralisation rich in silver, indium, lead, and zinc, with coarse-grained sulphide minerals amenable to XRT ore sorting. The mineralisation style, characterized by strong density contrasts between sulphide-rich zones and siliceous host rock, supports pre-concentration and waste rejection technologies under evaluation.

Indium is a significant component, with first-pass tests showing particularly strong upgrade factors for this critical metal. The coexistence of silver and indium in economic grades makes Orient geologically distinctive and potentially valuable amid current market demand. The company's focus on assessing the mineralisation's ore sorting suitability reflects potential for a smaller, more efficient processing operation than conventional full ROM feed handling.

Seven-Hole PQ Diamond Drilling Program Planned for Bulk Sample Collection

Following successful initial results on RC chip samples, Iltani plans a seven-hole PQ (85 mm diameter) diamond drilling program to produce larger bulk samples for the next ore sorting test phase. These PQ diamond drillholes will yield crushed diamond core material more representative of ROM feed than the RC chips used initially. This scale-up from proof-of-concept to bulk sorting trials aims to better predict full-scale processing plant performance.

Next test phases will include larger bulk sorting trials and integrated flowsheet evaluations, assessing ore sorting combined with broader processing circuits. This work will also evaluate the previously unsorted <6 mm fines fraction's contribution to overall plant performance, as current results cover only the 6–25 mm fraction. Bulk test outcomes using PQ core samples will provide robust data to guide engineering and economic assessments of processing plant design, mill throughput, tailings management, and capital and operating costs.

Limitations of Initial Testing Highlighted for ROM Performance Interpretation

The company disclosed key limitations regarding first-pass test result interpretation. All mass rejection and upgrade factors relate to the screened 6–25 mm TOMRA feed and do not represent overall ROM ore sorting performance. The RC chip samples generated a significant <6 mm fines fraction excluded from sorting tests and reported metrics. The impact of these unsorted fines on plant mass balance, metal recovery, and product grades remains to be determined in future bulk sorting and integrated flowsheet tests.

These qualifications provide important context for investors evaluating ore sorting's economic impact. While grade upgrades on the 6–25 mm fraction are substantial, plant-scale performance may differ once PQ diamond core samples and the full ROM size distribution are tested. The company's additional larger-scale testing aligns with industry best practices, progressing from proof-of-concept to engineering-ready process design data. Future updates should clarify full ROM ore sorting circuit performance, including fines handling and valorisation.

Strong Density Contrast and Coarse Sulphides Drive Ore Sorting Efficiency

Ore sorting success is attributed to two key mineralogical features of the Orient deposit: strong density contrast between sulphide mineralisation and siliceous host rock, and coarse sulphide distribution in tested material. These features suit X-ray Transmission sorting, which identifies atomic density differences between mineral phases. Visual evidence (Figures 1 and 2) shows high-grade products dominated by dark, sulphide-rich particles and waste by white and grey siliceous particles.

The coarse sulphide grain size is crucial, enabling XRT to effectively identify and separate individual sulphide particles within the 6–25 mm range. Fine-grained disseminated sulphides would be more challenging to separate. These mineralogical characteristics provide a technical advantage for ore sorting deployment, reducing risks of insufficient separation efficiency or metal recovery impacting processing economics.

Iltani Resources’ Strategic Focus on Silver and Base Metals in Queensland

Iltani Resources Limited is a silver and base metals explorer concentrating on the Orient Silver-Indium Project in Queensland. The company’s strategy includes exploration, evaluation, and test work to advance the deposit toward development, with recent ore sorting studies forming a critical part of technical evaluation. Exploration in North Queensland leverages the region’s polymetallic mineralisation and growing demand for metals like silver and indium, vital for energy transition technologies.

The company’s commitment to extensive metallurgical testing, including the planned PQ diamond drilling and bulk ore sorting trials, reflects a methodical approach to de-risking project development. Successful initial results support investment in larger-scale testing, advancing Orient along the development pathway. Investors will likely monitor updates on the PQ drilling campaign and bulk ore sorting outcomes, which will provide definitive insights into ore sorting’s technical and economic viability within the processing strategy.

Upcoming Milestones for Orient Project Development Evaluation

The immediate next step for Iltani is executing the planned seven-hole PQ diamond drilling program to obtain bulk samples for comprehensive ore sorting testing. Following sample collection, larger-scale sorting trials using TOMRA or similar platforms will include assessing fines fraction contributions and integrated flowsheet performance. These studies will inform detailed engineering and economic models supporting potential development decisions for Orient.

The timeline for PQ drilling and bulk ore sorting tests has not been disclosed. Investors will watch for announcements on drilling commencement and bulk test results, expected to deliver robust data for project evaluation. These milestones are vital technical de-risking steps that could significantly influence Orient’s development trajectory and schedule. Successfully completing larger-scale tests demonstrating consistent ore sorting performance and acceptable metal recovery from full ROM feed would mark a major advancement toward project development.