Astral Resources reports strong assay results confirming gold mineralisation extensions at its Spargoville Gold Project, while advancing drilling at Mandilla and completing lithium exploration under a joint venture.
- Final 51 holes of Spargoville RC drilling confirm depth and strike extensions
- High-grade gold intersections at Eagles Nest and Trapdoor-Lindsay’s Reward trends
- Mandilla in-fill drilling 74% complete with diamond drilling planned
- Lithium-pegmatite RC program completed under KOMIR JV, assays pending
- Updated consolidated Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates reinforce project scale
Strong Gold Mineralisation Confirmed at Spargoville
Astral Resources has released assay results from the final 51 holes of its 74-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Spargoville Gold Project in Western Australia. The program, totaling 11,744 metres, has confirmed significant extensions of gold mineralisation at the Eagles Nest deposit and along the Trapdoor-Lindsay’s Reward gold trends. Notably, high-grade intersections such as 3 metres at 16.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 71 metres at Eagles Nest highlight the potential for resource growth at depth.
The drilling results indicate a moderate northerly plunge to mineralisation at Eagles Nest, suggesting that the deposit extends beyond previously defined limits. Similarly, the Trapdoor trend drilling confirmed gold mineralisation extending southwards and identified a parallel lode likely linked to the Huntsman Deposit. These findings reinforce the geological continuity and exploration upside within the Spargoville shear zone.
Mandilla Drilling Advances with Diamond Program Planned
Meanwhile, at the adjacent Mandilla Gold Project, Astral continues in-fill drilling at the cornerstone Theia Deposit, with 74% of a 99-hole, 10,000-metre program completed. A second RC rig is testing targets west of Theia and the structural “bridge” between Theia and Iris deposits. Preparations are underway for a diamond drilling campaign scheduled to commence in mid-October, targeting high-grade shear-hosted gold mineralisation and deeper extensions on Theia’s eastern flank.
Lithium Exploration Progresses Under Joint Venture
In parallel, Astral’s joint venture partner KOMIR has completed a lithium-pegmatite focused RC drilling program comprising 21 holes for 2,599 metres. Assay results from this program are pending, marking an important step in exploring potential lithium resources within the region. This diversification complements Astral’s gold-focused activities and could add strategic value to the company’s portfolio.
Robust Resource Base and Strategic Outlook
The company’s consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate now stands at approximately 1.76 million ounces of gold across Spargoville, Mandilla, and Feysville projects, with Ore Reserves exceeding one million ounces. These figures underscore the substantial scale of Astral’s holdings in the highly prospective Kalgoorlie region. Managing Director Marc Ducler emphasised the exploration potential unlocked by the Spargoville acquisition, noting parallels to the historically rich but compact Wattle Dam Gold Mine nearby.
Looking ahead, Astral plans follow-up drilling to further test extensions at Spargoville’s key gold trends, alongside ongoing resource definition at Mandilla and Feysville. The integration of these assets and the advancement of lithium exploration position the company well for future development and value creation.
Bottom Line?
Astral’s latest drilling results at Spargoville and Mandilla reinforce its growth trajectory in a prolific gold region, with upcoming assays and diamond drilling poised to shape the next phase.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming diamond drilling at Mandilla impact resource estimates and project economics?
- What are the implications of the pending lithium assay results for Astral’s strategic diversification?
- To what extent can Spargoville’s newly identified extensions translate into mineable resources?