High-Grade Discovery of Gallium - Ida Holmes Junction Project.
- Noel Ong
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Announcement
Western Yilgarn Limited (ASX: WYX) has confirmed a significant surface discovery of high-grade gallium mineralisation at its Ida Holmes Junction Project in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia (Figure 1). The initial reconnaissance program has returned standout rock chip assays, positioning the Company as a key player in the emerging critical minerals sector. With gallium identified by global authorities as a technology-critical element essential for semiconductors, LEDs, and solar panels, this development could place Western Yilgarn on the radar of strategic investors and downstream supply chain partners.
Figure 1: Western Yilgarn Projects, Located in the Yilgarn Craton (Source: WYX)
Pedro Kastellorizos, Non-Executive Director, commented:
“These early-stage findings highlight the Project’s significant mineral potential, particularly given the minimal historical exploration conducted across the area.
While gallium is the primary exploration focus at Ida Holmes Junction, Western Yilgarn also holds a gallium-focused exploration licence over the New Norcia Bauxite-Gallium Project in the highly prospective Darling Range just north of Perth.”
Key Highlights – Gallium Discovery at Ida Holmes Junction
1. High-Grade Gallium Confirmed:
Surface sampling at Ida Holmes Junction returned exceptionally high-grade gallium assays, with values up to 195.5 g/t Ga (or 262.79 g/t Ga₂O₃) in sample 30032 (Figure 2).
Additional standout results include:
146.0 g/t Ga (196.25 g/t Ga₂O₃) – sample 30030
135.5 g/t Ga (182.14 g/t Ga₂O₃) – sample 30026
117.5 g/t Ga (157.94 g/t Ga₂O₃) – sample 30031
97.9 g/t Ga (131.60 g/t Ga₂O₃) – sample 30025
Figure 2: E36/1020 high-grade gallium rock chip results (source: WYX)
2. System Open in All Directions:
Rock chip anomalies were found over two tenements — E36/1020 and E36/1080, located ~21 km apart, suggesting the mineralised system remains open along strike and in lateral extent.
3. Reconnaissance Sampling Success:
21 samples were collected during the June 2025 helicopter-borne reconnaissance. The average grade returned was 58.33 g/t Ga, with mineralisation hosted in pisolitic agglomerates.
4. Strategic Location:
The Ida Holmes Junction Project lies ~50 km southwest of the Agnew Gold Mine, and in proximity to BHP’s Leinster and Mt Keith nickel operations, as well as Delta Lithium’s Mt Ida Project.
5. Follow-Up Program Planned:
Western Yilgarn is currently planning follow-up soil and rock chip sampling to delineate the mineralised zones and assess strike extensions.
Project Context – Ida Holmes Junction & Regional Positioning
1. The Project sits at the intersection of two major structures: Holmes Dyke and Mt Ida Fault, a setting favourable for diverse mineralisation styles.
2. The Company holds additional tenure over the New Norcia Bauxite-Gallium Project in the Darling Range, WA.
3. This further aligns with Western Yilgarn’s focus on critical metals and strategic commodity exploration.
2025 Gallium Sampling Summary (Selected Results)
1. Sample 30032 (Figure 3):
⮞ 195.5 g/t Gallium (Ga)
⮞ 262.79 g/t Gallium Oxide (Ga₂O₃)
Figure 3: Gallium mineralisation within hard pisolitic agglomerate yielding 195.5 g/t Ga from sample 30032 (source: WYX)
2. Sample 30030 (Figure 4):
⮞ 146.0 g/t Ga
⮞ 196.25 g/t Ga₂O₃
Figure 4: Gallium mineralisation within hard pisolitic agglomerate yielding 146 g/t Ga from sample 30030 (source: WYX)
3. Sample 30026:
135.5 g/t Ga
182.14 g/t Ga₂O₃
4. Sample 30031:
117.5 g/t Ga
157.94 g/t Ga₂O₃
5. Sample 30025:
97.9 g/t Ga
131.60 g/t Ga₂O₃
6. Average grade across 21 samples:
58.33 g/t Ga
7. All samples collected from tenements E36/1020 and E36/1080
Hosted within hard pisolitic agglomerates
Mineralised zones remain open in all directions
Bauxite Portfolio – A Growing Critical Minerals Inventory
Western Yilgarn has also been advancing its JORC 2012-compliant bauxite resource base, positioning the Company as a future supplier to aluminium and gallium markets:
Global Inferred Bauxite Resource (by Total Al₂O₃ & SiO₂):
205Mt @ 34.1% Total Al₂O₃ and 23.7% Total Silica
Available Al₂O₃ & Reactive Silica (Inferred Resource):
43.05Mt @ 30.7% Available Al₂O₃, 6.43% Reactive SiO₂
Western Yilgarn’s bauxite portfolio is anchored by four key projects that collectively support its strategic focus on aluminium and gallium-linked critical minerals. The Julimar West Project leads with a substantial JORC 2012 Inferred Resource of 168 million tonnes, forming the foundation of the Company’s bauxite inventory.
Complementing this are Cardea 2 and Cardea 3, with resources of 20 million tonnes and 16.57 million tonnes respectively, both located within the highly prospective corridor targeted for gallium and bauxite co-mineralisation.
The New Norcia Project, hosting 39.27 million tonnes, adds further scale and diversification, particularly as it aligns with Western Yilgarn’s gallium exploration focus in the Darling Range.
Samso Concluding Comments
Gallium may still be under the radar for most retail investors, but the strategic importance of this metal is becoming harder to ignore, especially as global supply faces geopolitical constraints. Western Yilgarn ASX release on the existence of high-grade gallium mineralisation at surface is a meaningful step forward in what could become a major critical minerals story.
I don't know what the grade number means. The number appears to be high, and I assume that may be high gallium, but I think the underlying context may be of more significance: minimal prior exploration, strong geological architecture, and proximity to infrastructure and established mining operations. When combined with the Company’s established bauxite portfolio, a compelling narrative emerges — one that aligns with clean energy tech supply chains and future-facing demand.
Gallium is well known to be strongly associated with bauxite, so with a bauxite resource well located in the area, one would be holding higher hopes for a Gallium story coming out of Western Yilgarn than some of the hopefuls on the ASX lately.
This is still an early-stage exploration, but the markers are promising. The strategic foresight to accumulate gallium-rich assets across two districts — Ida Holmes and New Norcia — positions Western Yilgarn as one of the few ASX juniors actively aligned with gallium-focused value chains. With follow-up work on the way, this story warrants close attention.
The Samso Way – Seek the Research
Gallium is not your typical commodity. It’s not traded on the LME, and pricing is opaque. That makes first-mover geological insight even more valuable. Western Yilgarn is beginning to build a technical and strategic foothold in this space. For investors who follow emerging tech metals, it’s a project — and a company — worth watching.
Our mission is simple: cut through the noise and spotlight what matters—genuine stories, grounded insights, and real opportunity.
Our content is well-researched and is only created if the team sees a merit in discussing the company or concept. Investors can explore our three core platforms:
There may be numerous paths to success in investing, but the common thread among successful individuals is that they remain committed to making informed decisions. Equip yourself with the right knowledge and tools, and you will be well on your way to achieving your financial goals.
Most importantly, investors need to be absolutely diligent in understanding their own risk-reward tolerance and capabilities. Never bite off more than you can chew. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the Great Wall stood because it took centuries to complete.
The Samso Philosophy:
Stay curious. Stay sharp. And remember—digging deeper always uncovers the real value.
In Life, there is no such thing as a Free Lunch.
Happy Investing, and the only four-letter word you need to know is DYOR.
To support our independent nature of our work, please head over to our Support Page and give us a helping hand in any of the ways listed. This is a new initiate for the Samso Platform, and it was always the concept of Samso when we started this journey in 2018.
Disclaimer
The information or opinions provided herein do not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase or sell the investment product(s) mentioned herein. It does not take into consideration, nor have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation, risk profile, tax position and particular, or unique needs and constraints.
Share to Grow: Your Bonus
Samso has just released an eBook: How to Add Value to your Share Portfolio
A lesson on geological models sought by mining companies that gives insight and an understanding of which portfolios are better - and potentially more lucrative – investments. Click here to download this eBook.
If you find this article informative and useful, please help me share the information. I try and write about topics that are interesting and have the potential to be of investment value. It is not easy to find stories that fit those parameters. If you or your organisation see the benefit of what Samso is trying to achieve and has a need to share your journey, please contact me at noel.ong@samso.com.au.
Samso is a trusted platform that equips dedicated investors with up-to-date industry knowledge and insights from top CEOs and thought leaders. By staying informed on business advancements and market trends, investors can enhance their financial decisions through a combination of expert guidance and their own research.
Comments