Astral Resources Extends High-Grade Gold Zones Deep at Mandilla’s Theia Deposit
Astral Resources has uncovered significant deep gold mineralisation beyond the current resource at its Mandilla Project, with broad high-grade zones in newly completed diamond drill holes. The expanded drilling program highlights Theia’s growth potential and sets the stage for upcoming feasibility and exploration activities.
- Broad high-grade gold zones intersected below April 2026 resource shell
- Deep diamond drilling program expanded to 21 holes for 11,000m
- Notable intercepts include 52.75m at 4.67g/t Au from 445m
- Theia Deposit remains open at depth and along strike
- Exploration to resume at Feysville and Spargoville after heritage surveys
Deep Drilling Reveals Robust Extensions to Theia Deposit
Astral Resources (ASX:AAR) has delivered a fresh wave of high-grade gold assay results from its Theia Deeps diamond drilling program at the Mandilla Gold Project, about 70km south of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The latest three drill holes – AMRCD262, AMRCD376, and AMRCD378 – intersected broad zones of mineralisation that extend well beyond the April 2026 Mineral Resource shell, underscoring the deposit’s significant growth potential at depth.
The standout intercept came from AMRCD378, which returned a striking 52.75 metres grading 4.67 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 445.25 metres, peppered with multiple high-grade sub-intervals including a blistering 0.34m at 477 g/t Au. Other notable results include 45m at 1.39 g/t Au from 389m in AMRCD376 and 25m at 1.68 g/t Au from 546m in AMRCD262. These deep intersections reinforce the notion that Theia remains open and mineralisation continuity extends vertically and along strike.
Expanded Drilling Program Targets Further Growth
Originally planned for six holes totalling 3,000 metres, the deep diamond drilling program has been ramped up to 21 holes for 11,000 metres, reflecting the encouraging early results. Astral’s Managing Director Marc Ducler emphasised that the program aims to delineate further high-grade extensions both at depth and along strike, which could materially enhance the resource base and open-pit economics.
The drilling data includes multiple intervals with visible gold and quartz veining, supported by detailed geological logging. For instance, AMRCD262 delivered a cumulative 136 metres at 0.76 g/t Au from 470m when bulked, demonstrating the scale of mineralisation outside current resource boundaries. These findings bolster confidence in the potential for a substantial vertical extension of the deposit.
Mandilla Project Positioned for Active Second Half of 2026
Alongside the deep drilling, Astral continues its reverse circulation (RC) infill program at Theia Stage 1 open pit, with nearly half of the planned 431 holes completed. Exploration momentum is set to accelerate with planned recommencement of drilling at the Feysville Gold Project’s Kamperman deposit following a heritage survey scheduled for mid-August. Kamperman has shown promising earlier results, including a 14m intercept at 6.79 g/t Au, located outside its current resource estimate and open at depth.
Additional heritage surveys are slated for early September to facilitate exploration at the Wattle Dam and Eagle’s Nest complexes within the Spargoville tenure, further broadening Astral’s exploration pipeline.
Robust Resource and Reserve Base Underpins Project Economics
The Mandilla Gold Project hosts a substantial Mineral Resource of 53.5 million tonnes at 1.0 g/t Au for 1.74 million ounces of gold, complemented by Ore Reserves of 34.3 million tonnes at 0.9 g/t Au for 1 million ounces. A Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) completed in June 2025 envisaged a standalone operation producing 95,000 ounces annually over 12 years, with a base case net present value of A$1.4 billion at A$4,250/oz gold. The PFS economics improve markedly at higher gold prices.
Metallurgical test work across Mandilla’s key deposits confirms high gravity recoverable gold and excellent recoveries with low reagent consumption, supporting efficient processing. The ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) aims to refine these outcomes further, with completion expected in early 2027.
Geological Setting and Exploration Potential
Mandilla lies within the Widgiemooltha greenstone belt, a prolific gold province hosting world-class deposits such as the Golden Mile and Beta Hunt mines. Theia and adjacent deposits feature structurally controlled quartz vein arrays associated with major thrust faults and granitic intrusions. The mineralised zone extends over 2.3 kilometres when combining Theia and Iris deposits, with additional satellite deposits at Eos, Hestia, and others.
The recent drilling confirms the complex structural controls and high-grade nature of the mineralisation, with quartz veining and sulphides closely aligned with gold grades. The presence of visible gold and broad mineralised envelopes bodes well for resource expansion and mine planning.
Bottom Line?
Theia’s deep drilling success reinforces Mandilla’s status as a major emerging gold project, but the true scale and economic impact hinge on ongoing assays and DFS outcomes.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing deep drilling reshape Theia’s resource classification and mine design?
- What impact will the new high-grade zones have on Mandilla’s overall project economics?
- Can exploration at Feysville and Spargoville replicate Theia’s success to broaden Astral’s portfolio?
