Astral Resources (ASX: AAR) has reported new assay results from its ongoing in-fill drilling program at the Mandilla gold project in Western Australia. The company processed the first 47 reverse circulation holes, totaling 5,107 metres, as part of a targeted campaign to improve geological confidence within the Stage 1 open pit area of the Theia deposit.

The latest findings reveal consistent grade intervals and confirm the presence of high-grade shoots within the deposit’s quartz-sulphide veins. Notable intersections from the program include 4 metres at 16.4g/t gold, including a 1-metre intercept grading 61.3g/t. Other significant results featured 10 metres at 5.13g/t gold and 2 metres at 22.0g/t gold.

"Our ongoing in-fill drilling continues to deliver exactly what we are looking for - strong continuity of high-grade mineralisation within the Stage 1 pit while progressively de-risking the early years of the Mandilla development."

— Marc Ducler, Managing Director

Astral Resources is prioritising the conversion of Stage 1 open pit resources at Theia into the Measured category to support early mine development. By tightening drill spacing to 12.5 metres by 12.5 metres, the explorer intends to de-risk the initial phase of mining. The company reports that the geological model, which features broad mineralised zones dipping shallowly to the south-west, remains well-supported by these latest drill intercepts.

This in-fill reverse circulation drill program remains active and is expected to continue through the remainder of 2026. Simultaneously, the company is conducting deep exploration drilling, with the processing and assaying of core from the Theia Deeps program currently underway. These efforts remain central to the company’s broader strategy of validating the resource base at the Mandilla site as it moves toward project development.

Read the full announcement: High-Grade Assay Results from Theia Stage 1 In-fill Drilling