26m at 2.0g/t Gold Highlights Spargoville’s Resource Expansion Potential
Astral Resources has reported robust gold intercepts from its recent drilling at the Spargoville Gold Project, highlighting potential to expand existing resources beneath the 8500N palaeochannel deposit. Concurrent exploration at Mandilla and lithium targets at KOMIR JV further underpin the company’s multi-asset growth strategy.
- 76-hole, 11,744-metre RC drilling program completed at Spargoville
- Significant gold intercepts including 26m at 2.0g/t Au beneath 8500N deposit
- Potential to expand Spargoville Mineral Resources beyond current 139koz gold
- Ongoing in-fill and exploratory drilling at Mandilla’s Theia Deposit
- Lithium exploration initiated at KOMIR Joint Venture with 21-hole RC program
Strong Drilling Results at Spargoville
Astral Resources has delivered encouraging assay results from its maiden drilling campaign at the Spargoville Gold Project, located about 70 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The 76-hole reverse circulation (RC) program, spanning nearly 12,000 metres, marks Astral’s first exploration effort since acquiring Maximus Resources earlier this year.
The highlight of the drilling is the discovery of a thick, high-grade bedrock gold zone beneath the shallow 8500N palaeochannel deposit. Notable intercepts include 26 metres grading 2.0 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and other broad zones exceeding 1 g/t over significant widths. These results confirm a consistent mineralised core extending over a 300-metre strike length within felsic volcaniclastic rocks.
Implications for Resource Growth
The 8500N deposit currently holds an inferred and indicated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of approximately 0.5 million tonnes at 1.3 g/t gold, containing 19,000 ounces. The new drilling suggests this resource could be materially expanded, as the thick primary mineralisation lies beneath the previously modelled palaeochannel gold accumulation. Astral’s Managing Director Marc Ducler emphasised the potential, referencing the nearby Wattle Dam Gold Mine’s history of high-grade, narrow but economically valuable deposits.
Beyond 8500N, drilling is ongoing at other Spargoville prospects including Trapdoor-Lindsay’s Reward and Eagles Nest, with assay results pending for 53 holes. The company is also advancing exploration at the Karramindie Prospect, where recent drilling returned high-grade hits such as 1 metre at 8.66 g/t gold, underscoring the prospectivity of the broader Spargoville tenure.
Mandilla and Lithium Exploration Progress
Meanwhile, Astral continues to develop its flagship Mandilla Project, with a 99-hole in-fill drilling program underway at the Theia Deposit to support mine planning and resource definition. Early-stage diamond drilling targeting high-grade shear-hosted gold is scheduled to commence in the December quarter.
In a strategic diversification move, Astral has initiated a 21-hole RC drilling program focused on lithium-pegmatite targets within the KOMIR Joint Venture area. This lithium exploration complements the company’s gold assets and aligns with growing market interest in battery metals.
Consolidated Resources and Reserves
Astral’s consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate across Mandilla, Feysville, and Spargoville now totals approximately 50 million tonnes at 1.1 g/t gold for 1.76 million ounces. Ore Reserves stand at 36.6 million tonnes at 0.9 g/t gold, equating to just over 1 million ounces. These figures reflect the company’s expanding footprint and underpin its multi-project gold strategy.
While the Spargoville resource was not included in the recent Mandilla Pre-Feasibility Study, the new drilling results suggest it could become a valuable addition to Astral’s development pipeline. The company plans further infill and extensional drilling to refine resource models and support future mine planning.
Bottom Line?
Astral’s latest drilling at Spargoville reinforces its resource growth potential, setting the stage for expanded gold production and strategic diversification into lithium.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results from Trapdoor-Lindsay’s Reward and Eagles Nest impact overall resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and expected outcomes for the upcoming diamond drilling at Mandilla’s Theia Deposit?
- How significant could the lithium targets at KOMIR JV become in Astral’s portfolio amid rising battery metal demand?
