Astral Resources Hits 52.75m @ 4.67g/t Gold in Theia Deeps

Astral Resources (ASX: AAR) returned broad gold intersections from deep diamond drilling beneath the Theia Deposit at the Mandilla project in Western Australia. The standout result was 52.75 metres at 4.67g/t gold from 445.25 metres, with one section grading 0.34 metres at 477g/t gold. Astral also reported 45 metres at 1.39g/t from 389 metres, along with a 25-metre interval at 1.68g/t from 546 metres. All three intervals sit outside the current mineral resource estimate shell from April 2026.

The results reinforce the company's view that the Theia mineral system remains open at depth. Continued success has pushed Astral to expand the Theia Deeps program from the original six holes for 3,000 metres to 21 holes for 11,000 metres. Thirteen holes have been finished so far.

One of the deeper holes returned multiple broad zones totalling 136 metres at 0.76g/t gold from 470 metres, including the 25-metre interval. Astral said it identified potential for further vertical extension and up-dip mineralisation to the south. A separate hole intersected 64 metres at 0.57g/t beneath the current resource shell. Astral said the 52.75-metre intersection further south supported potential for a high-grade depth extension.

“These latest assay results have all demonstrated broad zones of high-grade gold mineralisation beyond the base of the current April 2026 mineral resource shell,” managing director Marc Ducler said. “These programs position Astral for a very active second half of 2026.”

Theia is the cornerstone deposit at Mandilla with about 1.4 million ounces of gold. The wider project carries an April 2026 MRE of 53.5 million tonnes at 1.0g/t gold for 1.74 million ounces.

Both diamond and reverse circulation rigs are working at Mandilla. The expanded deep program targets further high-grade extensions, while RC drilling focuses on infill work within the Theia Stage 1 open pit. Astral has completed 193 holes for 19,445 metres of a planned 431-hole, 44,400-metre RC program.

Assays remain pending for another deep hole where logging recorded quartz veining and visible gold that appears to align with the existing resource model. Astral cautioned that visual observations are not a substitute for lab assays.

Alongside exploration, Astral is advancing the Mandilla definitive feasibility study, with additional metallurgical test work, geotechnical work, and infill drilling underway.

Ducler also noted that exploration is planned to recommence at the Feysville project's Kamperman deposit during the September quarter, following earlier drill results that included 14 metres at 6.79g/t gold.