Estrella Resources Limited has initiated a historic drill campaign in Timor-Leste, marking the nation’s first modern metallic minerals exploration. The company has deployed a man-portable diamond drill at the Ira Miri Manganese Prospect, targeting manganese mineralisation in conjunction with overlying limestone. This maiden drill campaign will combine an initial 3,000 meters of diamond drilling with 10,000 meters of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, with plans to conduct an additional 10,000 meters of RC drilling following a geological review. The initiative has gained strong support from local communities, who have been actively involved in the project. Community members assisted with clearing access tracks and have participated in cultural blessing ceremonies, reflecting a deep-rooted partnership between the company and the local stakeholders. The project also enjoys regulatory backing, with special dispensation granted by Timor-Leste’s mining regulator and direct involvement from the joint-venture partner, state mining company Murak Rai Timor, as well as oversight from the national minerals authority. The drill program, conducted by specialist partner CoreSearch, is designed to rapidly generate subsurface data essential for mapping the region’s mineral potential. Early results from the drillhole at Ira Miri are anticipated to guide subsequent drilling activities and help delineate resource targets. The initiative also aims to secure manganese samples in time for the upcoming International Manganese Institute Annual 2025 Conference in Tokyo, signaling the company’s commitment to showcasing progress on a global stage. Bullish sentiment arises from the groundbreaking nature of the project, as Estrella Resources Limited enters an underexplored region with a strong collaborative framework that includes local communities and state regulators. The swift mobilisation of drilling equipment and the multi-phase drilling strategy add technical confidence, suggesting potential for significant discoveries that could unlock Timor-Leste’s mineral wealth. On the other hand, bearish sentiment may be influenced by typical early-stage exploration risks. The forward-looking nature of the project, reliance on subsequent drilling and geological reviews, and regulatory complexities present uncertainties that require careful monitoring as the exploration unfolds.