Estrella Resources has commenced a significant survey initiative across its concessions in Timor-Leste, focusing on the promising manganese and limestone deposits in the Lautém Municipality. This extensive program spans approximately 3,200 hectares and aims to refine geological models while enhancing drill targeting for the Ira Miri manganese and Werumata limestone prospects. The company is positioning itself to capitalize on the region’s vast, untapped mineral resources.
The survey will begin with an innovative drone-based LiDAR assessment at Werumata, covering 1,700 hectares over a period of 15 days. This involves three days for establishing control points, followed by twelve days of flying at an altitude of 80 meters with 100-meter spaced flight lines. Conducted by TimorRai Exploration Services Lda and Enmintech, the LiDAR survey is crucial for mapping subtle surface features, such as ridges and outcrops. This step is essential for accurately defining the underlying high-purity limestone layer and ensuring compliance with the JORC (Joint Ore Reserves Committee) standards for any anticipated resources, which the company hopes to define by the end of the year.
Following the survey at Werumata, the team will shift to the Ira Miri site for a 1,500-hectare LiDAR survey aimed at identifying topographical lows and historical structures. This survey is expected to improve predictive modeling for secondary supergene manganese deposits, which have already displayed high-grade potential, with past assays indicating manganese concentrations of up to 58.6 percent.
Estrella’s plans also include a subsequent drone-based magnetics survey to map geological contacts and structures, followed by a MobileMTd survey conducted by Expert Geophysics. This survey will utilize drone-mounted equipment to measure electromagnetic resistivity, assessing the depth and extent of conductive manganese zones. By integrating these datasets with existing induced polarization (IP) surveys, surface prospecting, and drilling results, Estrella aims to identify high-priority drill targets efficiently.
The timing of these surveys is crucial, as Estrella has already begun drilling at Ira Miri. The inaugural campaign successfully intersected 6.45 meters of massive manganese oxides at shallow depths, marking a significant milestone as Timor-Leste’s first modern metallic minerals exploration. The company is also gearing up for resource-definition drilling at Werumata, backed by a recent $5 million investment from MJ Ratta Investments, which will enhance its exploration efforts.
The limestone above Estrella’s manganese targets presents an opportunity for dual-resource efficiency. The high-purity calcite is ideal for applications in cement, glass, agriculture, and environmental remediation, particularly in Indonesia’s nickel industry. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Indonesia’s nickel industry achieved an export value of US$6.82 billion in 2023 and is projected to experience significant growth through 2030. Analysts predict that Indonesia could reach its target of US$50 billion in annual nickel-related exports by 2045, driven by a strategic shift from raw material exports to higher value-added processing industries.
The company has also shown commitment to local engagement through its partnership with state-owned Murak Rai Timor, which holds a 30 percent joint venture stake. Estrella employs local workers and collaborates with students from the National University of Timor-Leste in geophysical trials, highlighting its dedication to responsible social development.
Estrella’s first-mover advantage in a largely unexplored region, combined with robust infrastructure and a binding offtake agreement with PT Raka Energi Mandiri for up to 500 million tonnes of limestone over five years, positions the company for substantial growth. The launch of this large-scale survey program is a pivotal step toward unlocking Timor-Leste’s mineral potential, with advanced geophysical tools set to enhance its manganese and limestone prospects. Successful survey outcomes could transform Estrella’s trajectory, positioning it as a significant player in Southeast Asia’s expanding minerals market.
