Astral Resources NL (ASX:AAR) has delivered another round of high-grade gold results from in-fill drilling at the Theia deposit, part of the company’s flagship Mandilla Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, while also identifying a promising new target immediately to the west.
The latest assays cover 20 reverse circulation (RC) holes for 2,080 metres, forming part of a 99-hole, 11,121-metre in-fill program drilled on 12-by-12-metre spacing across the Stage 1 open pit area outlined in the June 2025 Mandilla Pre-Feasibility Study. Results have now been received for 82 holes, with the final 17 pending.
Map of Theia illustrating drill collar locations of recent and historical drilling on local area geology.
“Once again, in-fill drilling has reinforced the robust, high-grade nature of the Theia Stage 1 open pit,” said Astral Resources managing director Marc Ducler.
“When you consider the wide high-grade in-fill results reported in this release… all within a starter pit with a strip ratio of less than 4:1, there is no doubt in our minds that Theia will be an incredible money-maker for Astral shareholders,” he added. “Across these 20 holes, we have again averaged over 50-gram x metres of gold (56 gxm), further reinforcing our confidence in the windfall which the Theia starter pit can be.”
High-grade in-fill drilling continues to perform
Standout intervals from the latest program include:
- 22 metres at 1.65 g/t gold from 44 metres, 19 metres at 3.53 g/t from 73 metres and 18 metres at 6.67 g/t from 100 metres, including 1 metre at 97.5 g/t (AMRC097).
- 21 metres at 1.16 g/t from 41 metres and 39 metres at 2.98 g/t from 66 metres, with multiple 1-metre intervals exceeding 10 g/t (AMRC098).
- 27 metres at 3.23 g/t from 37 metres, including 1 metre at 35.3 g/t (AMRC099).
- 33 metres at 2.29 g/t from 34 metres, including 1-metre hits at 12.0 g/t and 11.5 g/t (AMRC100).
- 19 metres at 3.77 g/t from 89 metres, including 1 metre at 31.6 g/t (AMRC095).
- 6 metres at 7.77 g/t from 86 metres, including 1 metre at 38.5 g/t (AMRC092).
Astral said the results continue to correlate strongly with the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE) and support the potential upgrade of key portions of the Stage 1 pit to Measured classification.
Cross-section through Theia illustrating drill trace, assay results and geological interpretation.
New high-grade structure emerges at Theia West
Beyond the core in-fill work, Astral has also confirmed multiple high-grade hits from reconnaissance drilling west of Theia — testing a conceptual, previously undrilled structure interpreted from foliation trends and a coincident magnetic lineament.
Map of Mandilla illustrating drill collar locations of recent and historical drilling on regional magnetics.
Results from the first line of six RC holes include:
- 1 metre at 24.8 g/t gold from 94 metres (AMRC132).
- 8 metres at 1.06 g/t from 199 metres and 3 metres at 3.97 g/t from 213 metres, including 1 metre at 10.4 g/t (AMRC133).
Ducler said the company was “very encouraged” by the initial success, noting the new structure may represent a key control on mineralisation at Mandilla.
“Intersecting two very high-grade zones of mineralisation in an undrilled area of a sedimentary package that was not previously considered prospective is very exciting and bodes well for future exploration success at Mandilla,” he said.
With drilling at Feysville’s Kamperman deposit nearing completion, the RC rig will be moved back to Mandilla to follow up at Theia West.
Map illustrating the location of the Mandilla, Spargoville and Feysville Gold Projects.
Additional exploration progress
Assays have also been returned from early drilling on the Theia–Iris bridge, where highlights included 6 metres at 12.9 g/t from 51 metres, including 1 metre at 70.4 g/t (AMRC128). Meanwhile, diamond drilling at Theia has intercepted key structural zones, including the high-grade 230 shear, with assays expected in early December.
Astral continues to advance the Mandilla Definitive Feasibility Study, due for completion in the June quarter of 2026.
Map of Mandilla Gold Project on local area geology.