Western Yilgarn Confirms Major Gallium-Tellurium Discovery in WA

Western Yilgarn Strikes High-Grade Gallium-Tellurium Discovery in Western Australia

Western Yilgarn NL (ASX: WYX) has delivered a significant exploration breakthrough at its Ida Holmes Junction Project in Western Australia, confirming high-grade gallium-tellurium mineralisation across two widely separated exploration licences. The December 2025 rock chip sampling programme returned exceptional results of up to 185.5 ppm gallium and 1.29 ppm tellurium, establishing Western Yilgarn gallium-tellurium discovery as a serious development in the critical minerals space.

The discovery spans 39.4 kilometres between exploration licences E36/1020 and E36/1046, indicating the potential for a large-scale mineralised system rather than isolated pockets of enrichment. This regional continuity significantly enhances the exploration upside and validates the company's strategic focus on critical metals essential for semiconductors and green technologies.

Two High-Grade Zones Confirm Extensive Mineralised System

The announcement detailed how the latest sampling programme targeted pisolitic agglomerate lithologies and delivered consistently strong results across both licence areas. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the systematic nature of the mineralisation.

E36/1046 Results (12 samples over 1.5km strike):

• 185.5 ppm Ga (249.35 ppm Ga₂O₃) with 1.19 ppm Te
• 169 ppm Ga (227.17 ppm Ga₂O₃) with 1.29 ppm Te
• 171 ppm Ga (229.86 ppm Ga₂O₃) with 1.26 ppm Te

E36/1020 Confirmation Results:

• 153 ppm Ga (205.66 ppm Ga₂O₃)
• 144.5 ppm Ga (194.24 ppm Ga₂O₃)

According to the report, the tight clustering of high-grade results along interpreted shear corridors suggests structural control rather than random surface enrichment. In addition, this indicates the potential for continuous mineralisation at depth.

Understanding Gallium: The Hidden Critical Metal

What is Gallium?

Gallium is a soft, silvery metal that becomes liquid near room temperature but remains solid under normal conditions. Despite being relatively rare in the Earth's crust, gallium has become indispensable in modern technology.

Why Gallium Matters to Investors

Furthermore, gallium presents compelling investment opportunities across multiple sectors:

• Essential component in semiconductors and LED technology
• Critical for solar panels and high-efficiency electronics
• Key material in 5G infrastructure and satellite communications
• Limited global supply dominated by China, creating supply security concerns
• Growing demand from renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors

Investment Significance:
Gallium typically trades as a by-product of aluminium and zinc production, making dedicated gallium projects rare and potentially valuable. The Western Yilgarn gallium-tellurium discovery could position the company in a supply-constrained critical minerals market.

Waroonga Shear Zone: The Key to Regional Potential

In the announcement, the exceptional grades at E36/1046 are attributed to the project's proximity to the Waroonga Shear Zone. The company believes this structure potentially acted as the primary conduit for mineralising fluids.

This major geological structure appears to have enabled multiple hydrothermal events that progressively upgraded the mineralised system. However, the full extent of this structure's influence requires further investigation.

Geological Advantages

• Large-scale structural control suggests lateral continuity
• Multiple reactivation events indicate grade enhancement processes
• Open in all directions for expansion potential
• Similar geological setting to major regional mining operations

"The confirmation of such strong gallium tenor across this distance demonstrates that mineralisation is not isolated, but rather potentially part of a much larger, regionally extensive system," commented Non-Executive Director Pedro Kastellorizos.

Strategic Next Steps and Expansion Plans

Western Yilgarn outlined in the report a systematic approach to advancing the discovery. Moreover, the company has established clear priorities for the next phase of exploration.

Immediate Priorities

1. Expanded rock chip sampling along strike extensions
2. Detailed geological mapping of structural controls
3. Geophysical surveys to define mineralised corridors
4. First-pass drilling to test continuity at depth

Timeline Considerations

• Follow-up exploration planned for Q3-Q4 2026
• Systematic evaluation of broader regional potential
• Assessment of frequency and density for optimal sampling spacing

The company's methodical approach reflects confidence in the discovery's potential while maintaining focus on systematic exploration. Furthermore, this strategy aims to define the full extent of mineralisation efficiently.

Investment Thesis: Critical Minerals in a Supply-Constrained Market

The Western Yilgarn gallium-tellurium discovery arrives at an opportune time for critical minerals exposure. In addition, the timing aligns with increasing global focus on supply chain security for essential materials.

Market Positioning

• Primary gallium mineralisation is rare globally
• Strategic location near established mining infrastructure
• Extensive tenement package with regional exploration upside
• Strong technical team with proven exploration success

Competitive Advantages

• 205Mt bauxite resource providing operational foundation
• Multiple critical minerals exposure (gallium, tellurium, cobalt)
• Well-funded exploration with systematic approach
• Prime location 50km from Gold Fields' Agnew operations

The company's $205Mt bauxite resource across three projects provides a solid foundation while the critical minerals discoveries add significant exploration upside. However, the focus remains on advancing the high-value critical minerals targets.

Why Should Investors Monitor Western Yilgarn?

Western Yilgarn has transformed from a bauxite-focused explorer into a diversified critical minerals company with genuine discovery potential. Furthermore, the Western Yilgarn gallium-tellurium discovery demonstrates the company's ability to identify and advance high-value targets in supply-constrained markets.

Compelling Investment Reasons

• Proven exploration success with systematic approach
• Multiple commodity exposure reducing single-asset risk
• Strategic location in established mining region
• Strong technical leadership with regional expertise
• Clear expansion pathway with extensive tenement holdings

The 39.4km separation between high-grade zones suggests Western Yilgarn has uncovered a regional mineralised system rather than isolated occurrences. In addition, critical minerals demand is accelerating whilst supply security concerns mount.

This positions the company favourably for continued discovery success. Moreover, the systematic exploration of this emerging system provides multiple opportunities for value creation.

What Makes This Discovery Unique?

The Western Yilgarn gallium-tellurium discovery represents exceptional gallium-tellurium grades confirming regional-scale potential. With systematic follow-up exploration planned and a strong foundation of bauxite resources, investors should monitor developments closely.

The company's advancing of this rare primary gallium discovery positions it strategically in the critical minerals sector. Furthermore, the regional extent of mineralisation suggests significant upside potential for continued exploration success.

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