Astral Resources confirms robust high-grade gold zones at Theia Deposit and discovers a promising new target west of Theia, advancing its Mandilla Gold Project development.
- High-grade gold confirmed in 20-hole in-fill drilling at Theia Deposit
- New Theia West target shows significant mineralisation in initial drilling
- Mandilla Project hosts 1.43 million ounces gold resource with strong economics
- Ongoing diamond and extensional drilling programs at Mandilla and Feysville
- Mandilla Definitive Feasibility Study on track for June 2026 completion
Robust In-Fill Drilling Reinforces Theia’s Potential
Astral Resources has released compelling assay results from its extensive 99-hole in-fill drilling program at the Theia Deposit, part of the Mandilla Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The latest batch of 20 holes, totaling 2,080 metres, continues to confirm broad zones of high-grade gold mineralisation, averaging an impressive 56 gram x metres across these holes. Highlights include intercepts such as 19 metres at 3.53 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 18 metres at 6.67 g/t gold, with individual one-metre samples reaching grades as high as 97.5 g/t.
This drilling was designed to increase the density within a critical 80 by 120-metre panel of the Stage 1 open pit to a 12-metre by 12-metre spacing, potentially supporting a Measured Resource classification. Theia remains the cornerstone of the Mandilla Project, contributing approximately 75% of the total 1.48 million ounces outlined in the recent Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
Discovery of Theia West – A New High-Grade Target
Beyond confirming Theia’s resource, Astral has identified a new high-grade target immediately west of Theia, dubbed Theia West. Initial drilling comprising six reverse circulation holes intersected steeply-dipping gold mineralised structures previously untested. Notable results include 1 metre at 24.8 g/t gold and 8 metres at 1.06 g/t gold, with a 3-metre interval grading 3.97 g/t gold. This discovery stems from detailed structural analysis and coincides with a subtle magnetic anomaly, suggesting a controlling structure that could extend the mineralisation footprint significantly.
The company plans to intensify drilling at Theia West following completion of the current extensional program at the Kamperman Deposit within the Feysville Gold Project, highlighting Astral’s strategic prioritisation of promising targets.
Ongoing Exploration and Project Advancement
In parallel with these results, Astral continues diamond drilling at Theia to test high-grade shear zones and potential parallel structures, with assay results expected soon. At Feysville, a 17-hole program is underway to delineate high-grade mineralisation at Kamperman, with plans to redirect the rig to Mandilla thereafter.
The Mandilla Gold Project itself boasts a Mineral Resource Estimate of 42 million tonnes at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.43 million ounces, alongside Ore Reserves of 34.3 million tonnes at 0.9 g/t gold for 1 million ounces. The PFS outlines robust project economics, including a net present value of $1.4 billion at a gold price of A$4,250 per ounce, underscoring the project's potential profitability.
Strategic Outlook
Managing Director Marc Ducler expressed strong confidence in Theia’s starter pit economics, citing the combination of wide, high-grade intercepts and a favourable strip ratio of less than 4 – 1. The discovery of Theia West adds a new dimension to the project’s exploration upside, potentially unlocking additional resources. With the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on track for completion in mid-2026, Astral is positioning itself to transition from exploration to development, leveraging its growing resource base and encouraging metallurgical test results.
Bottom Line?
Astral’s latest drilling success and new target discovery at Theia West set the stage for a pivotal year ahead as the Mandilla DFS approaches.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending assay results from the remaining 17 in-fill holes impact the resource classification at Theia?
- What is the potential strike and depth extent of the newly discovered Theia West structure?
- How might fluctuating gold prices affect the economic assumptions underpinning the Mandilla Project’s feasibility?