BREAKING NEWS: Estrella Resources has just confirmed significant manganese discoveries at its Lautém manganese project in Timor-Leste. In a groundbreaking drilling campaign, all seven diamond drill holes at the Ira Miri prospect struck thick zones of high-grade manganese, sending ripples through the mining industry.
The standout intercept revealed an impressive 12.87 meters containing an estimated 80 percent manganese oxides from a depth of 5.13 meters. A second hole followed closely, reporting 11.65 meters with approximately 60 percent oxides from 5.1 meters down. Other notable results include a third hole that intersected 5.74 meters at up to 70 percent oxides, and a fourth with 2.1 meters at 50 percent manganese oxide from 13.8 meters.
These discoveries are crucial as they highlight the potential of Timor-Leste’s manganese reserves, particularly at a time when global demand for manganese is surging. The metal is essential for steel production, which accounts for around 90 percent of its usage, along with its growing applications in batteries. Currently, manganese prices are holding steady at around US$4.50 (A$6.80) per dry metric tonne unit (dmtu) for ore grading 44 percent manganese.
Estrella Resources, which fully owns the project following a 2022 earn-in, is currently conducting step-out drilling to assess the extent of mineralization between two outcrops located 450 meters apart. Core samples from these drill holes will be sent for laboratory analysis, with results anticipated within six to eight weeks. The ongoing analysis will confirm the grades while accounting for any potential natural contaminants.
The intercepts are located approximately 65 meters northwest of the discovery outcrop and trace a supergene horizon enhanced by weathering within the stratigraphy of the Noni Formation. This natural secondary enrichment has increased manganese grades and expanded the mineralized zone, which remains open to both the northwest and southeast.
Estrella’s geological mapping indicates consistent bedding and strong stratigraphic control, suggesting that the manganese oxides were likely deposited on an ancient seafloor. As the global manganese market is projected to grow 5 percent annually through 2030, Estrella’s focus on near-surface supergene zones could position the company for swift resource definition and early mining operations if favorable results continue.
As drilling progresses, these promising results could establish the Ira Miri prospect as a pivotal asset in Estrella’s portfolio, complementing its existing nickel and copper operations in Western Australia. The company appears to be tapping into a significant opportunity in Timor-Leste’s hills, coinciding with the rising demand for manganese in both the battery and steel industries.
Stay tuned for further updates as Estrella Resources continues its exploration efforts, potentially unlocking greater value in the manganese market. For more insights, reach out at [email protected].
