Iltani Resources is raising $2.1 million in a placement to accelerate drilling activities at its Antimony Reward and Orient projects in the Herberton region.

Sampling at the Antimony Reward project has returned results as high as 46.5 per cent antimony, while Orient hosts high-grade silver-indium mineralisation.

“The placement was well supported by a number of new and existing shareholders who have shown faith in the management team to progress the company’s projects,” Iltani managing director Donald Garner said.

Diatreme Resources has completed the takeover of fellow Far North Queensland silica sand proponent Metallica Minerals.

As at close of the takeover offer period on August 6, Diatreme had a relevant interest in 92.7 per cent of Metallica shares.

Following completion of the compulsory acquisition process, Diatreme now has a relevant interest in 100 per cent of Metallica shares and said it was holding the consideration due to those shareholders whose Metallica shares were compulsorily acquired on trust.

Diatreme chief executive officer Neil McIntyre previously said this would create Australia’s pre-eminent silica sand miner, strategically located in proximity to fast-growing Asian markets and also with the potential to supply a domestic solar PV manufacturing industry.

Trigg Minerals has started drilling at its SW Limey prospect, described as a high-potential target similar to the nearby 3.6Moz Pajingo gold deposit.

The month-long drill program will test several induced polarisation (IP) geophysical targets at the Drummond epithermal gold-antimony-silver project in northern Queensland.

The RC and diamond drilling campaign will comprise six holes, totalling 1280m of RC and 370m of diamond drilling.

Hammer Metals has appointed Greg Amalric (pictured left) as manager – exploration and discovery.

His previous roles include Queensland copper exploration for Fortescue, as well as exploring for nickel/copper projects in Western Australia with Independence Group. He also formed an integral part of the team that discovered and drilled out Teck Resources’ Teena deposit in the Northern Territory (58Mt at 11.1 per cent zinc and 1.6 per cent lead).

“We’re pleased to bolster Hammer’s exploration team with the appointment of Greg Amalric, a well credentialed geologist with current knowledge of exploration and geoscience research in the Mount Isa base metals province,” Hammer managing director Daniel Thomas said.

“Our ability to attract a geologist from a major mining company with first-hand discovery experience in Northern Australia reflects the significant discovery potential within Hammer’s portfolio.”

The Minerals Council of Australia has marked the retirement of Dr James Johnson (pictured below) thanking him for his service and leadership as chief executive officer of Geoscience Australia.

After 20 years in the mining and mineral exploration industries, Dr Johnson joined Geoscience Australia in January 2006 as the chief of minerals division.

MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable said Geoscience Australia had gone from strength-to-strength since he became CEO in 2017, with Dr Johnson playing a key role, especially in the rollout of the $225 million Exploring for the Future program.

“Under Dr Johnson’s leadership, mineral exploration expenditure in Australia reached a record high of $4.2 billion in 2023,” Ms Constable said

A recruitment process is underway for Dr Johnson’s successor, with Dr Johnson continuing as CEO until an appointment is made.