Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) has delivered another batch of thick, high-grade gold intersections from infill drilling at the Theia deposit, further strengthening the proposed Stage 1 open pit at its 100%-owned Mandilla Gold Project near Kalgoorlie.
Assays from the latest 41 reverse circulation holes covering 4,456 metres returned a weighted average grade of 1.54 g/t gold, above the 1.1 g/t Mineral Resource grade within the Stage 1 pit and continuing to validate Astral’s geological and resource models.
Standout intersections included:
- 7 metres at 10.4 g/t gold from 133 metres, including 1 metre at 53.0 g/t, in AMRC446;
- 13 metres at 5.00 g/t from 36 metres, including 1 metre at 36.8 g/t, in AMRC431; and
- 4 metres at 13.5 g/t from 106 metres, including 1 metre at 45.7 g/t, in AMRC410.
Exceptional result from Theia Deeps hole
Astral also reported results from AMRCD374, an RC hole with a diamond tail drilled from within the proposed Stage 1 pit as part of the deeper exploration program.
Although the hole was terminated at 318.9 metres because of excessive deviation, it returned several exceptional high-grade zones, led by 1 metre at 219 g/t gold from 25 metres.
Other intersections included:
- 3 metres at 15.4 g/t gold from 141 metres, including 0.3 metres at 122 g/t,
- 13 metres at 2.29 g/t from 62 metres, including 1 metre at 21.8 g/t, and
- 3.35 metres at 5.86 g/t from 229 metres, including 0.3 metres at 60.4 g/t.
Managing director Marc Ducler said the results reinforced confidence in the early mining inventory contemplated in the Mandilla pre-feasibility study.
“The average weighted grade of 1.54g/t Au across this latest batch of assays gives us further confidence that the current program is not only delivering on but exceeding expectations,” he said.
De-risking early mine plan
Theia hosts a Mineral Resource of 41.0 million tonnes at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.4 million ounces, accounting for about 75% of the 1.48 million ounces included in the Mandilla PFS production case.
The proposed Stage 1 pit contains 4.2 million tonnes at 1.1 g/t gold for 146,000 ounces, scheduled over the first 21 months of the project under the PFS mine plan.
The in-fill program is aimed at converting Stage 1 resources into the Measured category, increasing confidence in the early mine plan and providing a key de-risking step for the Definitive Feasibility Study and project financing.
Drilling continues
Astral has now completed 225 holes for 22,705 metres of the planned 431-hole, 44,400-metre Stage 1 in-fill program.
The Theia Deeps campaign is also continuing, with 14 holes completed from an expanded 21-hole, 11,000-metre program and assays pending from five holes covering 3,041 metres.
The broader Mandilla Project hosts a Mineral Resource of 53.5 million tonnes at 1.0 g/t gold for 1.74 million ounces, while Astral’s consolidated resource inventory across Mandilla, Feysville and Spargoville stands at 2.07 million ounces.
Astral is targeting completion of the Mandilla Definitive Feasibility Study during the March quarter of 2027.
Map illustrating the location of the Mandilla, Spargoville and Feysville Gold Projects.
