Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) has returned another strong batch of infill drilling results from the Theia deposit at its 100%-owned Mandilla Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, confirming broad zones of high-grade mineralisation that align closely with its existing resource model.
The company received assays for a further 29 holes from its 99-hole (10,000-metre) reverse circulation (RC) infill program, which is being conducted on a tight 12-by-12-metre grid to upgrade confidence in the deposit’s Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
Among the standout intercepts were:
- 14 metres at 6.89 g/t gold from 57 metres, including 2 metres at 36.4 g/t;
- 14 metres at 4.10 g/t from 44 metres, including 1 metre at 28.0 g/t;
- 24 metres at 2.24 g/t from 52 metres, including 1 metre at 11.4 g/t;
- 21 metres at 2.26 g/t from 104 metres, including 1 metre at 34.3 g/t;
- 14 metres at 3.06 g/t from 85 metres and 10 metres at 1.17 g/t;
- 13 metres at 2.29 g/t from 41 metre, including 1 metre at 12.8 g/t; and
- 1 metre at 53.0 g/t from 38 metres, plus multiple additional intervals above 1 g/t.
Cross-section through Theia illustrating drill trace, assay results and geological interpretation (see Figure 3 for section location).
With results now received for roughly half the program (46 holes for 5,263 metres), Astral said the drilling continues to validate the Theia model, which underpins a resource of 33.3 million tonnes at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.15 million ounces.
Confidence builds in Theia resource model
Managing director Marc Ducler said the latest assays further validate the strength of the Theia deposit and support its advancement towards development.
“As the results for the Theia infill program are received, our confidence in the robustness of the Mineral Resource Estimate continues to increase,” Ducler said.
“This latest batch of results consists of 29 holes, 18 of which returned a reported interval in excess of 10-gram x metres,” he said. “Of the four holes that did not intersect significant mineralisation, three were drill tests beyond the known extents of the deposit.
“Broad zones of high-grade gold mineralisation have been a stunning feature of this infill program so far, and with these results to hand, we are getting more confident and more excited about progressing the Theia deposit into production as soon as possible.”
Ducler added that the density and continuity of high-grade zones were approaching “grade control” standard, with drilling targeting an 80-by-120-metre panel of the Stage 1 open pit outlined in the June 2025 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
Map of Theia illustrating drill collar locations of recent and historical drilling on local area geology.
Drilling momentum builds across Mandilla and Feysville
Three rigs are currently active at Mandilla, including one RC rig completing the infill program and another supporting a new 3,000-metre diamond drill campaign. The diamond work will test high-grade structures within Theia and an extensional target on its eastern flank.
Once the RC infill program wraps up, Astral plans to move the rig to its Feysville Gold Project, where a 7,000-metre program will test extensions to the Kamperman deposit and follow up historic gold anomalies.
The Mandilla Gold Project, situated 70 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie, hosts a total resource of 1.43 million ounces across the Theia, Iris, Eos and Hestia deposits.
Map of Mandilla Gold Project on local area geology.
The June 2025 PFS outlined a 12-year standalone operation producing 95,000 ounces per year and delivering a base-case NPV8 of $1.4 billion at a A$4,250/oz gold price.