Western Yilgarn boosts exploration intensity at Ida Holmes

Several exciting exploration targets have cropped up from an airborne electromagnetic pass over of Western Yilgarn’s Ida Holmes Junction and Hells Gate prospects.

Exploration is accelerating over identified targets across the Ida Holmes Junction and Hells Gate prospects. Pic: Getty Images.

• Significant 1.15km conductor identified at Ida Holmes Junction

• Three exploration targets identified at Hells Gate

• 61 AC holes to be drilled across the two prospects

Special Report: Several exciting exploration targets have cropped up from an airborne electromagnetic pass over of Western Yilgarn’s Ida Holmes Junction and Hells Gate prospects.

A continuous 1.15km-long conductor and refinement of high priority Ni-Cu-PGE geochemical targets at the Ida Holmes Junction (IHJ) prospect have been identified, as well as three discrete copper and platinum group element anomalies at Hells Gate.

Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) is fast-tracking exploration activities with an extensive exploration program across the target areas that run across the Ida Fault, which straddles the boundary between the Kalgoorlie and Youanmi terranes.

Western Yilgarn’s Ida Holmes project. Pic supplied: (WYX)

Ida Holmes prospectivity

A helicopter-based Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey collected over 1800 line kms of data and analysis, in conjunction with a geochemical analysis of the 4600 auger drill holes, identified a total of 181 conductors.

Of priority interest was the discovery of a 1.15km-long contiguous conductor, which parallels a feature in the airborne magnetics previously drilled by both BHP (ASX: BHP) and St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) in 2011 and 2015, respectively.

Hells Gate prospectivity

Under a JV agreement with Fleet Street Holdings in February 2024, the company drilled 463 auger holes at the Hells Gate prospect at the western end of the Ida Holmes project.

WYX identified three exploration targets within the prospect believed to represent dyke (sub-vertical intrusive magma) to sill (sub-horizonal intrusive magma) transition zones within the Neoproterozoic Mt Holmes Dyke.

The company is confident its targets are similar in nature to the world-class Nebo-Babel deposit owned by BHP.

It believes the magmatic source for these Hells Gate targets are identical to Nebo-Babel, making them highly prospective for copper and PGE discoveries.

Intense exploration kicks off

Activities include:

• The design and permitting of a 6-to-9-hole RC drill program is underway to test a recently identified 1.15km-long TEM conductor at the IHJ prospect
• A 34-hole AC drilling program to obtain more detailed assay and geological information at the high priority Ni-Cu-PGE anomalies at IHJ
• A 27-hole AC drilling program to obtain more detailed assay and geological information at the three Nebo Babel style Cu-PGE anomalies at Hells Gate
• Undertaking an initial auger sampling at the Peregrine and Mt Holmes prospects, which represent the same type of targets as discovered at Hells Gate

“At the Ida Holmes project, we are accelerating our exploration plans, continuing the systematic approach that has defined our work across the extensive landholding we have established in the region,” WYX chair Peter Lewis says.

“The progress to date at the Ida Holmes Project is testament to the dedication and effort of our technical team and bodes well for the future success of the Company.

“Exploring these new Cu-PGE and Cu-Ni targets represents an exciting opportunity to deliver accretive value for Western Yilgarn shareholders.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Western Yilgarn, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.