Estrella Resources has expanded its manganese exploration footprint in Timor-Leste with rock chip assays up to 57.8% manganese at new Leuro and Sica prospects, confirming broader mineralisation beyond its Ira Miri project.
- High-grade manganese assays up to 57.8% Mn at Leuro and 55.7% Mn at Sica
- Noni Formation mineralisation extends beyond Ira Miri, indicating district-scale potential
- Mobile MagnetoTellurics and Resistivity/IP surveys to refine drill targets
- Nine interested buyers for trial manganese parcel, sales discussions ongoing
- Exploration supports development alongside existing 27,371-tonne Ira Miri stockpile
New High-Grade Manganese Targets Emerge at Leuro and Sica
Estrella Resources (ASX:ESR) has revealed compelling assay results from its reconnaissance rock chip sampling in Timor-Leste, with manganese grades reaching 57.8% at Leuro and 55.7% at Sica. These figures not only rival the high-grade material extracted from its flagship Ira Miri manganese project but also suggest the manganese-bearing Noni Formation extends significantly beyond previously defined boundaries.
The Leuro prospect features a 500-metre-long manganese-rich layer exposed in stream banks, with an average manganese grade of 34.6%. Meanwhile, the Sica prospect’s samples averaged an impressive 47.5% Mn, pointing to a high-grade source that had remained obscured until now. Estrella’s Managing Director Robert Mencel emphasised the geological significance of these discoveries, noting they bolster the company’s thesis of a district-scale manganese opportunity across its concessions.
Geophysical Surveys to Pinpoint Drill Targets
Building on these encouraging rock chip results, Estrella plans to deploy advanced geophysical techniques to better define priority drill targets. A Mobile MagnetoTellurics (MTd) survey at Ira Miri is expected to deliver results by the end of July, followed by Resistivity/Induced Polarisation (Res/IP) surveys commencing mid-July across Ira Miri, then extending to Leuro and Sica.
These surveys aim to delineate the subsurface extent of mineralisation, providing critical data ahead of drilling campaigns. This systematic approach reflects Estrella’s methodical exploration strategy to rapidly convert surface indications into drill-ready targets.
Commercial Interest Grows in Trial Manganese Parcel
On the commercial front, Estrella has attracted interest from nine separate parties for its trial manganese parcel, sourced from the 27,371-tonne Stage 1 stockpile at Ira Miri. Discussions with potential buyers are expected to wrap up by mid-July, with a sales recommendation to follow. This early market engagement underscores the quality of the ore and the company’s progress towards establishing a viable manganese supply chain from Timor-Leste.
Expanding Exploration in a Newly Accessible Jurisdiction
Estrella is among a select group granted exploration rights in Timor-Leste following the country’s adoption of a modern mining code. The company’s concessions cover a large, highly prospective area where previous exploration was limited and unsystematic. The discovery of multiple manganese prospects with similar characteristics to Ira Miri supports the potential for a broader manganese province.
While the current assay results come from reconnaissance rock chips and do not yet define a resource, they provide a strong foundation for further work. The company plans to follow up with drilling to quantify mineralisation and advance development plans.
Bottom Line?
Estrella’s high-grade manganese assays beyond Ira Miri signal a promising district-scale opportunity, but upcoming geophysical surveys and drilling will be critical to confirming commercial viability.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming geophysical surveys confirm lateral and depth extensions sufficient for resource definition?
- How will sales negotiations for the trial manganese parcel influence Estrella’s development timeline?
- Could additional manganese prospects within Estrella’s concessions rival the scale and grade of Ira Miri?