Werumata’s New Marl Discovery Could Shift Estrella’s Limestone Prospects
Estrella Resources has reported further high-grade manganese intersections at its Ira Miri Prospect, alongside completion of extensive drilling at the Werumata Limestone Project in Timor-Leste, highlighting promising resource potential.
- High-grade manganese mineralisation confirmed at Ira Miri with assays up to 54% Mn
- 45 diamond drill holes completed, revealing stacked manganese horizons
- Mineralisation shows favourable low iron and phosphorus levels enhancing processing
- Werumata drilling completed with discovery of a potentially economic marl unit
- Assay results from Werumata pending government inspection and export approvals
Strong Manganese Results at Ira Miri
Estrella Resources Limited (ASX – ESR) has released encouraging assay results from its Ira Miri Manganese Prospect in Timor-Leste, reinforcing the prospect’s potential as a significant manganese resource. The latest drilling campaign, comprising 45 diamond holes totaling over 1,500 metres, has intersected high-grade manganese mineralisation, with standout intervals such as 5.2 metres grading 39.6% manganese, including a 2.5-metre section at 54%. Another hole returned 6.2 metres at 45.3% manganese, including 2.5 metres at 50.8%.
These results not only confirm the presence of substantial manganese but also suggest the mineralisation may occur in stacked or offset horizons, indicating potential for greater continuity both at depth and along strike. The manganese mineralisation is characterised by low iron (around 2% Fe₂O₃) and very low phosphorus (~0.04%), which are favourable attributes for beneficiation and downstream processing.
Werumata Limestone Project Drilling Completed
In parallel, Estrella has completed a comprehensive drilling program at the Werumata Limestone Deposit, with a total of 3,717 metres drilled across 33 reverse circulation and 9 diamond holes. The drilling has confirmed substantial thicknesses of limestone and chalk, with combined average thicknesses of around 57 metres. Notably, the program identified a previously unrecognised marl unit, a limey clay rock, that may have economic significance due to its potential use in neutralising acidic materials, similar to limestone and chalk.
The discovery of this marl unit could materially enhance the strategic value of the Werumata project, potentially increasing the resource base and offering new avenues for commercial utilisation. However, assay results from Werumata remain pending, subject to standard government inspections and export approvals, which are expected to be delayed by the holiday period.
Strategic Positioning and Next Steps
Managing Director Chris Daws emphasised the significance of these results, highlighting the consistency and quality of the manganese mineralisation at Ira Miri and the enhanced value proposition of the Werumata limestone project. Together, these outcomes position Estrella well for the next phase of evaluation and development across its Timor-Leste portfolio.
Looking ahead, Estrella plans to continue assessing targets for follow-up drilling at Ira Miri to better define the extent and geometry of the manganese horizons. At Werumata, the company will await assay approvals and integrate the marl unit into future resource estimates. These developments come amid an expanding dataset and multiple prospects in Timor-Leste, underscoring Estrella’s growing footprint in the region’s mineral exploration landscape.
Bottom Line?
Estrella’s latest drilling results underscore growing confidence in its Timor-Leste assets, setting the stage for resource upgrades and further exploration.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pending Werumata assay results impact the overall limestone resource and project economics?
- What is the potential scale and continuity of the stacked manganese horizons at Ira Miri?
- How soon can Estrella advance from exploration to resource definition and development planning?
