Estrella Resources (ASX: ESR) has received positive IP data from the first Induced Polarisation trial line conducted over the newly discovered Ira Miri manganese zone within its licenses in Lautém, Timor-Leste.
The company is also progressing approval to access these areas for drilling along with its Sica and Lalena prospects, and the Samalari Prospect in Baucau.
“Momentum continues to build at Estrella’s Timor-Leste manganese assets as we roll out IP surveys and prepare for drilling across this region – which is virtually unexplored to date,” Managing Director, Chris Daws, said.
“On the IP front, it is pleasing to see the survey identifying a low-resistivity anomaly which our emerging geological model interprets as a potential target for supergene manganese. The result aligns with outcropping observed at site, but further work is required to understand the size of the anomaly.
“I am also pleased to report that management has been able to identify cost-effective equipment and talent to undertake an RC drilling programme in the near future. This drilling campaign is shaping up as a major milestone – as it is not only the Company’s first glimpse at potential mineralisation at depth but is also significant for the country of Timor-Leste. This campaign brings to fruition enhanced investment and employment opportunities driven by minerals exploration, which is ultimately a successful outcome of the nation’s updated Mining Code and desire to develop a minerals industry.
We will continue to work closely with our partners, including Murak Rai Timor E.P., and others as we strive to establish minable resources in Timor-Leste”
The FlashRes Universal 64 transmitter/receiver system is being operated by Estrella’s geophysicist, a fully qualified Timor-Leste national with experience gained in IP from across Timor-Leste. This is the first time IP has been used in the country exclusively targeting manganese mineralisation.
Estrella intends to operate the system in-country for the next 2 months along with continued mapping of the Ira Miri trend so as to define further drill targets.
Permitting, Drill Access and Drill Planning
Estrella is progressing a work program across its seven Exploration and Evaluation Licenses that should see the company drilling in the first and/or second quarter of 2025, targeting its Samalari, Ira Miri, Sica and Lalena Prospects. These prospects have all been the subject of the recent IP trial.
The IP data is undergoing final modelling and correlation with the geological sections. The resulting targets are being finalised ahead of drill and road access planning, environmental surveys, cultural surveys and government environmental approvals.
The company will be targeting known outcropping mineralisation at Samalari in its Baucau licenses and Ira Miri in Lautém. Additional targets at Lalena and Sica arising from the IP trials will also be drilled.
H2O Drilling, based in Dili has been drilling water bores in Timor-Leste since 1999, completing over 500 wells along with geotechnical drilling. Estrella is collaborating with H2O Drilling to expedite the first modern exploration drill program for economic minerals in Timor-Leste.
Essential RC equipment is being shipped from their base in Darwin. In addition, a track carrier for the compressor and a complete RC cyclone and sampling system was sourced in Vietnam. These are currently being shipped to Timor-Leste by the Company.
The type of rig and auxiliary transport system will be essential as Estrella aims to mobilise towards the end of the wet season in February 2025, pending government approval and land access agreements where necessary. The first exploration drill crew (core search) will begin drilling campaigns utilising a reverse circulation configured multi-purpose drill rig expected to arrive in Dili in February 2025.
