Explorer Astral Resources (ASX: AAR) has generated more high-grade gold intercepts, including one of the best holes drilled to-date, at the Theia deposit within its Mandilla project in Western Australia’s eastern goldfields.
The company has received assays from several diamond drill holes including hole MDRCD660, which yielded a peak hit of 133.25 grams per tonne gold and unearthed more than 250-gram metres of gold across several intercepts.
Notable intercepts from this hole were 38m at 0.62g/t gold from 73m; 6m at 3.18g/t gold from 156m; 38.6m at 2.1g/t gold from 189, including 0.4m at 71.7g/t gold from 190.2m; and 44.3m at 1.89g/t gold from 392m, including 0.5m at 133.25g/t gold from 420.85m.
Another two holes uncovered 2m at 16.38g/t gold from 86m; and 4m at 3.33g/t gold from 246m.
Astral also received assays from three reverse circulation holes that tested bedrock mineralisation associated with the Eos deposit at Mandilla.
One of these holes returned 26m at 0.69g/t gold from 93m.
Commenting on the latest results from Mandilla, Astral managing director Marc Ducler said they highlight “two significant new developments” at the project.
“Firstly, hole MDRCD660 has demonstrated a significant extension of gold mineralisation at depth at the Theia deposit, with several intersections accumulating in over 250-gram metres of gold over the length of the hole.”
Mr Ducler noted a “significant portion” of the higher-grade mineralisation was outside of the current mineral resource, providing confidence further drilling will build on this estimate.
“Secondly, testing for bedrock gold mineralisation associated with the high-grade Eos palaeochannel deposit has returned positive results, with the identification of a broad zone of gold mineralisation associated with a demagnetised zone believed to represent a possible shear zone.”
He said the new bedrock zone would be further drill tested.
Building a standalone mine at Mandilla
Mr Ducler said the company was continuing to focus on growing the resource base at Mandilla to reach the critical mass required to support a “robust standalone mine development”.
He added the latest drill results supported this strategy.
“With further results pending and follow-up drilling planned we are increasingly confident that we now have one of the best undeveloped gold projects in the eastern goldfields of Western Australia.”
Diamond and reverse circulation drilling are continuing at Mandilla with assays reported from 8,831m completed to-date.
Mr Ducler said more assays results will be reported in the coming weeks along with updates from project studies that are underway.
Mandilla is 70km south of Kalgoorlie and has a current resource of 30Mt at 1.1g/t gold for 1.03Moz.
