Estrella Resources (ASX: ESR) is off and running at its Lautém manganese, copper and gold project in Timor-Leste (formally East Timor), with preliminary geological reconnaissance works identifying a 27 km manganese trend with serious grades up to almost 61 per cent. The company is undergoing systematic geological mapping and sampling at its newly granted 504 square kilometre land package after managing to lock down one of the first ever exploration licences in the mineral rich province.
Multiple manganese exposures have been documented in historical mapping across the vast tenure held by Estrella, however the project is yet to see any comprehensive modern-day exploration.
Geological mapping and sampling conducted has now identified the Noni Formation as the host structure for the extensive manganese mineralisation, unveiling the 27 kilometre strike length at the Lalena prospect in the northern part of the landholding.
Estrella collected a total of 15 grab samples during the recent site visit to Lalena, with other notable results from portable XRF readings including 57.2 per cent manganese and 48.1 per cent manganese.
Management is currently mobilising crushing and other laboratory equipment to Timor-Leste to build capacity for testing and reporting multi-element XRF results in country with select samples to be sent to Australia for standard laboratory analysis as reference checks.
Management also noted the presence of copper and gold occurrences at the Luro prospect in the southern part of the tenure, identified through a review of historical data. It believes these showings are associated with the Legumau Range which stretches for about 14 kilometres at Lautém.
Future exploration works at the project are expected to consist of airborne geophysical surveys, ground geophysics and ultimately drill testing if warranted.
The recent grant of tenure follows Estrella’s Managing Director, Chris Daws, fostering a long-term relationship with the government of Timor-Leste in anticipation of recently passed legislation designed to facilitate a new mineral exploration and development industry within the nation.
That Timor-Leste is essentially untouched from an exploration and mining perspective is quite remarkable and the first movers in country to take advantage of the new legislation will no doubt reap the rewards.
Estrella has only scratched the surface in its hunt for riches at Lautém, but the future could be bright for the Perth-based explorer if the early indications are anything to go by.
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