Astral Resources Unearths High-Grade Gold at Wattle Dam, Advances Mandilla DFS
Astral Resources (ASX:AAR) is making significant headway in bolstering the gold potential of its Spargoville project in Western Australia. Recent infill and extensional drilling at the Wattle Dam Complex has delivered compelling, high-grade gold intersections, signalling the possibility of a much larger mineralised system beneath the surface.
The company recently completed a 39-hole drilling program, totalling 4234 metres, designed to precisely infill mineralisation at the Redback, Huntsman, and Trapdoor deposits. Crucially, the program also aimed to extend known resources southward at Huntsman and Redback, with the exciting prospect that these gold-bearing lodes could potentially converge.
Key Wattle Dam Drilling Highlights
The assay results from this program are particularly encouraging, showcasing the robust nature of the mineralisation. Among the standout intersections are:
- 13 metres grading 7.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from a down-hole depth of 87 metres. This impressive intersection includes a high-grade core of 2 metres at 34.6 g/t gold from 92 metres, alongside a broader zone of 5 metres at 1.88 g/t gold from 162 metres.
- 5 metres grading 9.35 g/t gold from 38 metres. This zone encompasses a significant high-grade interval of 3 metres at 13.8 g/t gold from 39 metres, as well as 13 metres at 1.04 g/t gold from 47 metres.
- 5 metres grading 1.02 g/t gold from 113 metres, and a separate, very high-grade intersection of 4 metres at 11 g/t gold from 122 metres, which notably includes 1 metre at 40 g/t gold from 123 metres.
These results not only represent the deepest tests conducted on their respective drill lines, confirming that mineralisation remains open at depth, but also suggest that the high-grade zones are closely associated with the eastern contact of an interpreted porphyry intrusion. This geological association is a key focus for further exploration.
Resource Update on the Horizon
The outcomes from this recent drilling campaign are set to form the backbone of an updated resource estimate for the Wattle Dam Complex. The current resource stands at 2.1 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.3 g/t gold, containing approximately 91,000 ounces of gold. Astral Resources anticipates releasing this updated resource in the latter half of 2026.
Marc Ducler, Astral Resources’ Managing Director, expressed his optimism regarding the findings. “The mineralisation, which is steeper than previously interpreted and appears to be associated with the eastern contact of a porphyry unit, remains open at depth,” he stated. “Remodelling of the mineralisation across Redback, Trapdoor, Huntsman, and Golden Orb is currently underway, which will feed into a follow-up drill program in the coming months.”
Mandilla Project Progresses DFS
In parallel with the exploration success at Wattle Dam, Astral Resources is diligently progressing the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its adjacent Mandilla project. Sterilisation drilling is currently underway as a critical component of this study.
A second drill rig has been deployed to infill a section of the Theia stage two pit design, targeting a drill spacing of 20 metres by 20 metres. Following this, the rig will move to the stage one pit, where the spacing will be further reduced to 12.5 metres by 12.5 metres. This intensified drilling density is designed to enable the estimation of a measured resource with a very high degree of confidence.
Spargoville Project: A Strategic Gold Hub
The Spargoville project, located approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Kambalda and 20 kilometres west of Gold Fields’ prolific St Ives gold camp, is strategically positioned within the highly gold-endowed Wiluna-Norseman Greenstone Belt. The project encompasses a portfolio of advanced gold prospects and deposits, including Wattle Dam, Eagles Nest, Larkinville, Hilditch, and 5B.
As of May 2025, the Spargoville project boasted a combined resource of 3 Mt grading 1.4 g/t gold, totalling 139,000 ounces. The majority of this resource is situated within the Wattle Dam Complex, which includes deposits such as Redback, Golden Orb, Trapdoor, Huntsman, Wattle Dam Stockwork, S5, and 8500N.
Geological modelling has identified numerous mineralised lodes at the Redback and Trapdoor deposits. Astral Resources’ interpretation suggests the presence of two distinct lode systems: one located on the eastern contact of a western porphyry, and a second on the western contact of an eastern porphyry. The most significant results from the recent drilling campaign appear to be associated with the eastern contact of the interpreted western porphyry, substantially expanding the known extent of mineralisation at Huntsman by up to 150 metres.
It is worth noting that Spargoville was not included in the initial Mandilla PFS as it was acquired by Astral Resources shortly before the completion of that study, highlighting its potential as a separate, significant contributor to the company’s gold inventory.
Exploration and Development Initiatives
Beyond the drilling successes, Astral Resources is also actively pursuing other avenues for project development. Recent heritage surveys have been completed over a granted miscellaneous licence at Mandilla, paving the way for exploration activities aimed at identifying process water sources.
Furthermore, a survey is underway at the Think Big prospect to facilitate a proposed early gold mining opportunity in conjunction with MMS. Development studies and contract negotiations for this initiative are reportedly well advanced, with a joint venture agreement anticipated in the coming weeks. These parallel efforts underscore Astral Resources’ multi-faceted approach to unlocking the full value of its Spargoville asset.
