Iltani Resources Logs 5.4m Sulphide Zone in First Isabel Hole, Assays Due December
Key Takeaways
- Iltani's first Isabel hole, ISDD001, intersected 5.4m of sulphide mineralisation from 46.3m to 51.7m, hosted by quartzite breccia.
- The richest 2m from 47.6m is visually estimated at 35% sphalerite and 50% total sulphide, but no assay grades have been reported.
- Initial assays are due in December 2026, making them the key data point for the Isabel story.
- Isabel is positioned as a potential satellite to Orient, which holds 62.5 Mt at 81.5 g/t Ag Eq. with 45.9 Moz of silver and 725 t of indium, though the announcement doesn't confirm any link.
- The 10-hole, 1,100m program will be extended if consistent mineralisation is intersected, with deeper holes targeting 140m below surface.
First Isabel drill hole intersects 5.4m of sulphide mineralisation
Iltani Resources has reported that the first hole of its Isabel drilling program, ISDD001, intersected a 5.4m zone of sulphide mineralisation from 46.3m to 51.7m down hole. It is the first hole in a planned 10-hole, 1,100m diamond program in North Queensland.
The mineralisation is sphalerite dominant, with lesser pyrite, galena, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, hosted by quartzite breccia. The zone of highest sulphide abundance is estimated at 35% sphalerite over 2m from 47.6m down hole.
Isabel is described as a potential satellite deposit to Iltani’s Orient deposit, “Australia’s largest known Silver-Zinc-Indium deposit.”
One caveat matters here. These are visual estimates, not assay results, and the company expects initial assays in December 2026. No grades have been reported.
What the core showed
Managing Director Donald Garner described the result as a strong start.
Donald Garner, Managing Director
“This is exactly what we want to see from our drilling at Isabel, and to intersect this mineralisation in the first hole of the program is a very good start.”
The table below reproduces the visual estimates from the company’s logging of ISDD001.
| From (m) | To (m) | Total sulphide (%) | Sphalerite (%) | Mineralisation form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.0 | 47.6 | 9 | 5 | Vein |
| 47.6 | 49.6 | **50** | **35** | Breccia/vein |
| 49.6 | 51.7 | 15 | 10 | Breccia/vein |
The company notes that intersection widths are downhole widths only. True width is not stated in the announcement.
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Why does Isabel matter for the Orient story?
Isabel is positioned as a potential satellite to Orient, Iltani’s flagship project. The first hole gives investors an early visual read, though not yet a measured one.
What are visual logging and sphalerite?
Sphalerite is zinc sulphide, the main zinc-bearing mineral. Visual logging means geologists estimate how much of each sulphide mineral is present by examining the core by eye.
The company cautions that visual estimates are uncertain and are not a substitute for laboratory analysis. Assays are needed to understand the grade and extent of mineralisation, which is why the December 2026 results are the key data point for investors to watch.
How does Orient compare?
Drilling by Iltani since June 2023 has defined an Orient Mineral Resource of 62.5 Mt @ 81.5 g/t Ag Eq. (23 g/t Ag, 12 g/t In, 0.6% Pb and 0.7% Zn).
| Category | Tonnes (Mt) | Ag Eq. (g/t) | Contained Ag (Moz) | Contained In (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicated | **38.8** | **81.7** | **28.9** | **420** |
| Inferred | **23.7** | **81.2** | **17.0** | **306** |
| Total | **62.5** | **81.5** | **45.9** | **725** |
The resource totals 45.9 Moz of contained silver and 725 t of contained indium, using a 30 g/t Ag Eq. cut-off grade. Indium is defined as a critical mineral and is used in touch screens (as indium tin oxide), with growing use in AI data centres for optical transceivers.
A satellite deposit could, in principle, add to the Orient story, but the announcement does not state that Isabel will do so. It does not address resource size or any link to Orient’s economics.
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What are the next steps for the Isabel drilling program?
The historically mined Isabel mineralisation has been interpreted as two zones about 50m apart. The west zone is a southeasterly plunging shoot, while the east zone is more tabular, west-dipping veining. Iltani is drilling from a central area between the two, so each zone is drilled separately.
Drilling in the 1970s and early 1980s tested the west zone to approximately 90m below surface, and it remains open at depth. The historical collars cannot be located in the field and no down hole surveys were undertaken, so the exact 3D location and geometry of the mineralisation is poorly defined.
Iltani has started at the near surface extent to locate the mineralisation properly, then will systematically test deeper down plunge. Deeper holes in the initial program are designed to test the mineralisation at 140m below surface.
The sequence from here:
- ISDD001 is still incomplete (planned depth 80m), and the rig will shortly finish it before moving to the next hole.
- The core will be logged and processed, then samples dispatched for assay.
- Assay results are expected in December 2026.
- The initial program of 10 holes for 1,100m will be extended if consistent mineralisation is intersected.
Further holes and the December assays are the next catalysts to watch.
Ready to Learn More About Iltani’s Isabel Project?
Iltani’s first Isabel hole intersected 5.4m of sphalerite-dominant sulphide mineralisation, with visual estimates of up to 35% sphalerite over 2m. Positioned as a potential satellite to the Orient Silver-Zinc-Indium deposit, Isabel could become a key part of the story as the 10-hole program advances.
Explore the Iltani Resources company profile to follow the Isabel drilling program and Orient’s 45.9 Moz silver resource. Stay informed ahead of the December 2026 assay results.