Estrella Resources Limited Reignites Timor-Leste Exploration with Advanced Diamond Drilling and New High-Grade Manganese Outcrop Discovery in 13,000m Campaign
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
at
9:05 am
Estrella Resources Limited has resumed drilling at its Ira Miri Manganese Project using an advanced diamond rig. A new, high-grade manganese outcrop has been discovered, reinforcing the project’s potential and paving the way for an expanded drilling program in Timor-Leste that promises exciting opportunities for investors.
Estrella Resources Limited has provided an update on progress at its Ira Miri Manganese Project in Timor-Leste. The company has mobilised a powerful track‐mounted diamond drilling rig, replacing the earlier man‐portable unit to twin drill hole EMDD001. This new rig is engineered for improved PQ pre-collars and enhanced core recovery, crucial for penetrating the manganese oxide zone deeper than before. Alongside these technical improvements, the project has expanded its geological exposure with the discovery of a second supergene manganese outcrop around 350 meters north-northwest of the initial discovery. Visual assessments indicate the outcrop contains over 90% manganese oxides, a finding that mirrors the characteristics of the original mineralisation identified in the Noni Formation, which extends along a 4.5 km strike length.
The exploration campaign has received final Environmental License Approval, allowing extensive modern drilling across Timor-Leste’s underexplored tenure. The outlined drill program comprises an initial 3,000 meters of diamond drilling in addition to 10,000 meters of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, with the potential for a further 10,000 meters of RC drilling after a detailed geological review. Operational preparations are advancing rapidly as the track and pad development for the RC rig are nearing completion, with field work expected to continue over the coming weeks. Core search specialist support on the diamond drill rig, along with detailed mapping and sampling, underscores the company’s commitment to robust data collection as they progress toward unlocking the full resource potential.
In terms of market sentiment, the discovery of an additional high-grade manganese outcrop and the deployment of more capable drilling technology generate a bullish outlook, signaling advanced project potential and enhanced operational capability. The technical advancements and expansion in drilling coverage elevate investor confidence in the project's ability to deliver substantial resource development. However, there remains a note of caution; the reliance on visual estimates for mineral abundance, pending laboratory assay confirmation, introduces an element of uncertainty that could influence near-term evaluations. Overall, while the news is predominantly positive, beginner traders should be mindful of the typical risks associated with exploration-stage projects.