Astra Exploration Inc. has returned initial assay results from eight diamond drill holes of its Phase III program at the La Manchuria gold and silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, highlighted by an intercept of 2 metres grading 80.54 g/t gold and 44.5 g/t silver in hole LMD-148.

The latest drilling tested both deep targets at the Main and Eastern Zones and shallow extensions across the property. Hole LMD-148 intersected the quartz-sulphide veinlets and fault breccias at the Basalto Zone from 120 metres downhole. Additional high-grade intercepts include hole LMD-143, which returned 2 metres grading 26.23 g/t gold, and hole LMD-144, which yielded 0.58 metres grading 20.94 g/t gold and 9.9 g/t silver from a banded quartz vein. Hole LMD-142 intersected 1 metre grading 15.85 g/t gold and 219.8 g/t silver.

The program also identified broad zones of near-surface disseminated mineralization, including 56 metres grading 0.50 g/t gold equivalent in hole LMD-143 and 54 metres grading 0.86 g/t gold equivalent in hole LMD-145.

“High-grade mineralization is once again expanded into new areas with these first eight holes of the Phase III drill program. Simultaneously, wide intervals of disseminated mineralization were discovered in multiple shallow holes, which bodes well for a potential open pit mining scenario.” — Brian Miller, Chief Executive Officer

Assays remain pending for an additional eight holes from the Phase III program. Meanwhile, Astra acquired an 80% undivided interest in the La Manchuria project from Patagonia Gold Corp. on August 11, 2026, after completing cumulative expenditures exceeding US$3,000,000 to exercise its First Earn-In.

“The Phase III program also included geophysical surveys that have defined regional drill targets, which will be a part of the Phase IV program scheduled to begin in early October. These drill results warrant more extensive drilling at La Manchuria, and Astra is well-capitalized to fund an aggressive campaign.” — Brian Miller, Chief Executive Officer

The company funded its ongoing exploration activities following a C$15 million bought deal private placement completed in April 2026. Elsewhere in the Deseado Massif district, further high-grade drill results outside its mineral resource estimate were reported by Unico Silver Limited at its Joaquin project in June 2026, including 52.3 metres grading 378 g/t silver equivalent from 184.8 metres.

Read the full announcement: Astra Extends High-Grade Mineralization in Multiple Directions, Including 80.54 g/t Gold Over 2 Metres At La Manchuria Project, Argentina