Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) earlier this week reported high-grade assay results from in-fill reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Iris Deposit, part of the 100%-owned Mandilla Gold Project in Western Australia. Managing director Marc Ducler spoke with Proactive about the results,
Highlights
- Astral completed a 19-hole (2,971m) RC in-fill program at the Iris Deposit, Mandilla Gold Project.
- High-grade results include 4m at 21.3g/t and 2m at 12.8g/t Au in hole MDRC983.
- Some high-grade intercepts fall outside the current Pre-Feasibility Study pit shell.
- The drilled area at Iris has expanded to 140m x 360m on a 40m x 20m grid.
- Further in-fill drilling is planned to the south of high-grade hits.
- A 99-hole (10,000m) program is underway at the Theia Deposit to support mine planning.
- RC drilling continues at Spargoville with assays pending.
- A lithium-focused drill program will commence under the KOMIR JV.
- Work continues toward Mandilla’s Definitive Feasibility Study.
Strong results
Astral's program comprised 19 holes for 2,971 metres, extending the in-fill coverage area to 140 metres by 360 metres on a 40 by 20 metre spacing grid. This second phase of in-fill drilling is designed to increase resource confidence and support a planned update to the Mandilla Mineral Resource Estimate in the March 2026 quarter.
One of the highest-grade intercepts was recorded in hole MDRC983, which returned 4 metres at 21.3 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 91 metres, and 2 metres at 12.8g/t gold from 120 metres. Astral said these results were located outside the current Pre-Feasibility Study pit design, indicating potential for additional high-grade feed to be incorporated in future mine plans.
The company highlighted further notable intercepts, including 21 metres at 1.59g/t from 148 metres in MDRC980 and 23 metres at 1.00g/t from 156 metres in MDRC975. These results align with the modelled resource and reinforce the higher-grade core of the Iris deposit.
Ducler said the strong drill results would likely support a further increase in Indicated Mineral Resources and noted that follow-up drilling is being planned south of hole MDRC983.
RC drilling at Theia and Spargoville
At the adjacent Theia Deposit, the company has commenced a 99-hole, 10,000-metre in-fill RC drilling program. It said this program is aimed at mimicking grade control spacing within a portion of the Stage 1 pit proposed in the Mandilla PFS.
Elsewhere, Astral reported that RC drilling remains ongoing at Spargoville with 68 holes completed and assays pending. A 21-hole, 2,500-metre lithium exploration program will follow under its joint venture with KOMIR. At Feysville, the company is preparing to undertake a 47-hole program targeting the Kamperman deposit and additional regional targets.
Astral said the broader drilling effort across its portfolio is continuing to ramp up, with the Mandilla Definitive Feasibility Study also progressing. The company expects to appoint its preferred engineering partner following the completion of a competitive tender process.