Estrella makes history with manganese drill program in Timor-Leste
Estrella Resources has officially broken new ground by launching Timor-Leste's first modern metallic mineral exploration program, punching-in the company's maiden diamond drill hole at the highly prospective Ira Miri manganese prospect.
In mobilising a man-portable diamond rig from Dili to the Lautem region, Estrella says its joint venture (JV) with the East Timorese Government's Murak Rai Timor and drilling contractor CoreSearch marks the beginning of an intrepid new era for resource development in the South East Asian nation.
The inaugural hole is now underway, targeting manganese mineralisation just below an outcropping unit. The company has also started initial trenching to pinpoint the key geological contact within the Noni Formation.
The broader campaign will comprise an initial 3000 metres of diamond drilling and 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling, followed by a further 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling in a second phase after results start to roll in.
The campaign isn't just a technical achievement. Cultural integration has played a central role, with local elders blessing the site through traditional ceremonies. More than 40 members of the local community were also engaged in hand-clearing tracks to the drill pad.
Estrella has reinforced the tracks with machinery to ensure long-term access and erosion control. Follow-up drill sites have already been prepped 100m from the first line.
The project sits within Estrella's northernmost Lautem project area and includes multiple drill targets across the Ira Miri, Sica and Lalena prospects.
The initial drilling program will zero in on the manganese-rich zones mapped at Ira Miri.
Estrella has also set its sights on the region's broader mineral potential, including a large limestone deposit lying above the manganese horizon.
Two weeks ago, Estrella unveiled a landmark deal that could see up to 500 million tonnes of premium limestone shipped from Timor-Leste over the next five years, targeting South East Asia's surging industrial minerals demand.
The high-grade, coral-rich limestone sits atop the Baucau Formation within Estrella's 195-square-kilometre concession and directly overlies its manganese targets. This makes exploration doubly efficient as both resources can be assessed in tandem during drilling.
Recent assays have proved the limestone is a high-purity calcite with few impurities, meaning it could be perfect for use in cement, glass production, agriculture and as a key neutralising agent in nickel processing and environmental remediation.
Since drilling at Ira Miri will offer Estrella a first glimpse beneath the surface of Timor-Leste's largely untouched terrain, Estrella plans to release early manganese assays in June at the International Manganese Institute's conference in Tokyo.
The company and its government-backed JV partner see the event as a fantastic opportunity to spotlight Timor-Leste's emerging role in the global critical minerals sector.
Operations have been fast-tracked under a special approval from the Timorese mining regulator and broader environmental clearances are pending.
As the bit bites into fresh Timorese geology, Estrella is officially a first mover to unlock the nation's untapped mineral wealth. With drills spinning, support entrenched and geology onside, the company's Timor-Leste push could soon evolve into a game-changing discovery story.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
matt.birney@wanews.com.au
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The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Newcastle to Bali flights 'game-changer', Hunter tourism industry says
The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent. The new direct flights to Bali are a "game-changer" for Hunter tourists and visitors alike, local travel agents and tour operators say. Newcastle Airport announced on Tuesday June 3 morning that Jetstar will fly from Newcastle to Denpasar from October 21 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Return flights will leave Bali on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Kiera Burke co-owns Newy Tour Co, a guided tour company with options from vineyards to whale-watching. "For us to be able to be connected internationally and for Denpasar as such a hub to other places, it just opens up more opportunities for potential customers," she said. "Newcastle is a bit of an undiscovered hidden gem when it comes to global tourism." Ms Burke said in the 18 months her business had been open, their customer base was already 60 per cent international, with guests from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. "This is definitely helping put us on the map with international tourism," she said. The tour operator said when pitching to overseas agencies, an international airport along with the city's beaches piqued their interest. "They start to consider us for itineraries and options for their guests travelling to Australia," she said. Noah's On The Beach Hotel in Newcastle and Hunter Travel Group (HTG) also celebrated the new service. "This is a game-changer for travellers in the Hunter Region, offering the convenience of flying overseas straight from our own backyard - no more battling Sydney traffic or lengthy airport commutes," HTG managing director Brett Dann said. The new route offers connections from more than 40 countries and would take just over six hours. Following Tuesday's announcement, Jetstar launched a 24-hour sale of $199 one-way fares with general pricing yet to be revealed in detail. Julia van Huisstede from italktravel in The Junction said the Bali routes were "long-awaited and anticipated". She said their phones were already ringing this morning and emails were filing in. "A lot are bookings or quotes for people to travel next year that hadn't committed yet," she said. "Bali is definitely a hot spot for Novocastrians, we have a huge market going there." The travel agent said she hoped the move would draw in Indonesian tourists and other international guests who would be able to connect via Bali. "People might go to Singapore and then Bali for a holiday, and then continue to Newcastle," she said. Newcastle Airport CEO Linc Horton said they hope to offer more routes and holiday destinations "shortly". "I'd love to say tomorrow but hopefully later on this year," he said. Mr Horton said they would consider holiday spots similar to Bali under eight hours away. "We are actively talking to other airlines and working to build a broader international network for the region," he said. "Airlines have to be cautious where they put their places and their people, but I think very quickly they'll see how strong the demand is," he said. Jetstar head of airline partnerships and network Ted Knight said the Newcastle service had been a long time in the making. "With this service, we will have 70,000 seats per year," he said. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the route would help boost industries in the visitor economy arena. He said the flights would hopefully expand to the movement of goods via the planes as well. "It also opens opportunities for new freight connections, which will benefit our export businesses and encourage the flow of more outbound goods from other parts of the state through Newcastle," he said. Both Ms van Huisstede and Ms Burke hoped to see routes further expanded to destinations such as Singapore, Fiji and Hong Kong. One Newcastle Herald reader said it was the first step forward with hopefully more international routes to follow while another said they hoped for Singapore, Tokyo or Jakarta. Singapore topped a poll of readers' favoured next overseas routes, with 61 per cent of respondents backing the Asian hub. The USA polled 14.7 per cent, behind other options (16.8 per cent), while another Australian route landed at just over 7 per cent.
West Australian
03-06-2025
- West Australian
Estrella hits massive manganese oxides in Timor-Leste debut
Estrella Resources has made a landmark discovery in its maiden exploration program in Timor-Leste, intersecting a thick 6.45-metre zone of massive manganese oxides just 1.35m below surface at its Ira Miri prospect. In what marks the first modern metallic minerals drillhole sunk in the country, Estrella's initial diamond hole confirmed high-grade manganese mineralisation right from the outset. The mineralisation is still open at 7.8m depth. The discovery comes hot on the heels of an original outcrop found six months ago and just 3m away. Rock chip samples from the surface discovery returned jaw-dropping assays of up to 58.6 per cent manganese. The latest X-ray fluorescence readings from the drill core have now backed up the earlier numbers. They average an impressive 40.1 per cent manganese over the 6.45m interval and confirm more high-grade mineralisation beneath surface. The drill hole ended early because of intermittent core recovery and a scheduled roster break under Timor-Leste mining laws. Estrella will use the downtime to mobilise a more powerful diamond rig in the next two weeks, capable of punching deeper into the friable manganese-rich zones. Core has now been removed for a presentation in June at the International Manganese Institute's conference in Tokyo. Notably, a trench dug just 8m southeast of the drill hole also encountered massive manganese oxides starting 0.7m below surface, despite the area showing no visible surface mineralisation. The find suggests the potential for widespread, near-surface mineralisation hidden under shallow cover throughout the area. Estrella says the rapid turnaround to drilling is a strong sign of the in-country co-operation. Its joint venture partner, state-owned Murak Rai Timor has been instrumental in fast-tracking the campaign. Murak Rai Timor's managing director Jose Goncalves also welcomed the result, calling it a strong endorsement of the joint venture's strategy and a powerful first step in uncovering Timor-Leste's critical minerals potential. The current drilling program is being run by Darwin-based CoreSearch, which also impressively mobilised both diamond and reverse circulation drill rigs into Timor-Leste's remote Lautém district in record time. Since Timor-Leste is still an underexplored region, Estrella says it holds a substantial first mover advantage, which could crack open a treasure trove of untapped targets and turn the region into something special. Estrella is also eyeing the country's broader mineral potential, with a significant high-grade limestone deposit sitting directly above its manganese horizon. Two weeks ago, the company struck a major deal to export up to 500 million tonnes of premium, coral-rich limestone over five years to meet booming industrial demand in South East Asia. The limestone, part of the Baucau Formation, is high-purity calcite with minimal impurities, making it ideal for cement, glass, agriculture and nickel processing. It also sits straight above the manganese targets, allowing for streamlined dual resource exploration. A major 20,000m drilling blitz is now on the cards, combining 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling and 3000m of deeper diamond drilling in the first phase, followed by a further 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling after a geological review. With Timor-Leste aiming to make its mark in the global supply chain for industrial metals, Estrella's Ira Miri manganese find could be the opening salvo of something much bigger. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
West Australian
29-05-2025
- West Australian
Estrella makes history with manganese drill program in Timor-Leste
Estrella Resources has officially broken new ground by launching Timor-Leste's first modern metallic mineral exploration program, punching-in the company's maiden diamond drill hole at the highly prospective Ira Miri manganese prospect. In mobilising a man-portable diamond rig from Dili to the Lautem region, Estrella says its joint venture (JV) with the East Timorese Government's Murak Rai Timor and drilling contractor CoreSearch marks the beginning of an intrepid new era for resource development in the South East Asian nation. The inaugural hole is now underway, targeting manganese mineralisation just below an outcropping unit. The company has also started initial trenching to pinpoint the key geological contact within the Noni Formation. The broader campaign will comprise an initial 3000 metres of diamond drilling and 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling, followed by a further 10,000m of reverse circulation drilling in a second phase after results start to roll in. The campaign isn't just a technical achievement. Cultural integration has played a central role, with local elders blessing the site through traditional ceremonies. More than 40 members of the local community were also engaged in hand-clearing tracks to the drill pad. Estrella has reinforced the tracks with machinery to ensure long-term access and erosion control. Follow-up drill sites have already been prepped 100m from the first line. The project sits within Estrella's northernmost Lautem project area and includes multiple drill targets across the Ira Miri, Sica and Lalena prospects. The initial drilling program will zero in on the manganese-rich zones mapped at Ira Miri. Estrella has also set its sights on the region's broader mineral potential, including a large limestone deposit lying above the manganese horizon. Two weeks ago, Estrella unveiled a landmark deal that could see up to 500 million tonnes of premium limestone shipped from Timor-Leste over the next five years, targeting South East Asia's surging industrial minerals demand. The high-grade, coral-rich limestone sits atop the Baucau Formation within Estrella's 195-square-kilometre concession and directly overlies its manganese targets. This makes exploration doubly efficient as both resources can be assessed in tandem during drilling. Recent assays have proved the limestone is a high-purity calcite with few impurities, meaning it could be perfect for use in cement, glass production, agriculture and as a key neutralising agent in nickel processing and environmental remediation. Since drilling at Ira Miri will offer Estrella a first glimpse beneath the surface of Timor-Leste's largely untouched terrain, Estrella plans to release early manganese assays in June at the International Manganese Institute's conference in Tokyo. The company and its government-backed JV partner see the event as a fantastic opportunity to spotlight Timor-Leste's emerging role in the global critical minerals sector. Operations have been fast-tracked under a special approval from the Timorese mining regulator and broader environmental clearances are pending. As the bit bites into fresh Timorese geology, Estrella is officially a first mover to unlock the nation's untapped mineral wealth. With drills spinning, support entrenched and geology onside, the company's Timor-Leste push could soon evolve into a game-changing discovery story. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
