In a significant move for its Timor-Leste operations, Perth-based Estrella Resources has received the green light to begin shipping the first manganese ore from its high-grade Ira Miri project.
Regulatory Approval Paves Way for Bulk Sampling
The company has finalised a crucial agreement with Timor-Leste's mining authority, the Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais (ANM). This deal grants Estrella permission to extract and export up to 30,000 tonnes of high-grade manganese oxide material for market appraisal. The approval, confirmed on 8 January 2026, establishes a clear regulatory framework for the bulk sampling program, covering extraction, sale preparation, and standard government royalty payments.
Estrella's in-country team, recently strengthened with key technical appointments, will manage and supervise the on-ground operations. The company plans to mine the manganese oxide from a shallow, defined pit within a high-grade horizon, with topsoil stored for rehabilitation and overburden placed in benched stockpiles to limit environmental impact.
Exceptional Grade Confirmed by Recent Assays
Recent drilling at Ira Miri continues to highlight the project's outstanding quality. Notable results include an intercept of 5.2 metres grading 39.6% manganese, featuring a spectacular 2.5-metre section at 54% manganese. Another drill hole returned 6.2 metres at 45.3% manganese.
The ore's chemical signature is highly favourable, closely matching the high-silica, low-iron profile of world-class stratiform systems like Mexico's Molango and Australia's own Groote Eylandt deposit. This quality positions Ira Miri as a potentially significant source of premium manganese.
Pathway to Commercialisation and Local Benefits
With extraction equipment like excavators already on site, operations are set to commence shortly. Estrella emphasises its commitment to using local contractors, aiming to generate employment and economic benefits for Timorese communities.
Once extracted, the ore will be transported to port, stockpiled, and then barged to a bulk carrier for export, avoiding long road hauls. This initial 30,000-tonne shipment is a strategic opportunity to demonstrate the ore's high-grade, low-impurity characteristics to potential international partners.
"The ability to extract, sell and export up to 30,000 tonnes of ore provides the company with a strong opportunity to demonstrate the high-grade and low impurity characteristics of the Ira Miri ore to internationally significant partners," said outgoing managing director Chris Daws.
The program will also enable vital metallurgical and commercial test work, shaping the longer-term development pathway for the project. Meanwhile, Estrella is advancing its parallel Werumata limestone project in Timor-Leste, where drilling has outlined a potential 500-million-tonne exploration target.
Manganese demand remains robust, driven primarily by the steel industry, which consumes 80-90% of global supply. Its use is also growing rapidly in electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, and various industrial applications.
With regulatory hurdles cleared and high-grade material ready for the shovel, Estrella Resources is now poised to bring the Ira Miri manganese project into the commercial spotlight.
