Australian mining company Estrella Resources has significantly accelerated exploration activities at its Ira Miri manganese project in Timor-Leste, revealing three promising underground targets that have geologists excited about potential major discoveries.
Geophysical Breakthrough Points to Shallow Deposits
The company recently completed a detailed induced polarisation survey across known surface manganese outcrops, delivering what management describes as a textbook geophysical roadmap for future drilling. The survey identified clear patterns suggesting accumulations of shallow, thickened manganese mineralisation directly beneath surface exposures.
Working collaboratively with national scientists from Timor-Leste's Instituto de Geociencias, Estrella's geological team deployed 48 electrodes with 5-metre spacings along a north-northwest trending corridor. This advanced technique measures electrical resistivity and chargeability beneath the surface, with manganese oxides typically appearing as combinations of low resistivity and high IP response - exactly what the new data revealed.
Three Promising Targets Identified
The survey pinpointed three distinct anomalies that correlate perfectly with previously mapped mineralisation and structural features. The first target emerged beneath electrodes 19 to 21, sitting between 5 to 25 metres depth and appearing approximately 15 metres thick. Company geologists interpret this as manganese that has washed down and accumulated in cracks within weathered rock.
The second anomaly located further east aligns perfectly with two existing drill holes that have already returned solid manganese intersections, suggesting it may represent an extension of the same mineralised body along strike.
However, the most compelling discovery appeared between electrodes 35 and 40, where surveyors recorded the strongest chargeability response across the entire survey area. This zone sits directly beneath surface outcrops in what geologists believe could be a structural trap or feeder system that concentrated manganese during weathering and remobilisation processes.
Historical Drilling Supports New Findings
The new geophysical targets gain additional credibility from their correlation with previous drilling success. Earlier diamond drilling at the site encountered shallow manganese oxide intervals of 11.65m, 12.87m and 8.5m, with grades reaching an impressive 80% manganese oxide from just 5 metres depth. These high-grade intersections sit directly above the newly identified anomaly cluster, providing strong geological validation for the IP responses.
According to Estrella Resources managing director Chris Daws, the company is particularly encouraged by the highest-charge anomaly. "IP inversion results have identified three subsurface targets which are very exciting," Daws stated. "Our highest-charge anomaly is particularly encouraging and is interpreted to represent a potential northern extension and likely thickening of manganese mineralisation."
Accelerated Timeline for 2026 Campaign
With the geophysical roadmap now established, Estrella is moving quickly to advance the project. The company has fast-tracked manganese samples from its latest drilling program, flying them from Dili to a certified laboratory in Jakarta to speed up assay turnaround. Results from this batch are expected within one to three weeks.
Daws confirmed that the largest target will be first in line for drilling when fieldwork resumes next year, with further refinements planned as additional assay data becomes available. The company has also appointed veteran geologist Peter Spitalny, who brings over 30 years of international experience, as its new in-country exploration manager to lead the charge.
Infrastructure development is also progressing, with work on all-weather access tracks scheduled to commence immediately after Timor-Leste's Independence Day holiday. These tracks are essential for transporting bulk manganese samples to port for market appraisal, with construction expected to continue through the festive season ahead of planned deliveries early in the New Year, pending final approvals.
Meanwhile, Estrella's nearby Werumata Limestone project is also advancing, with the JORC resource author on site mapping an expanded drilling area that could push the project's potential beyond 500 million tonnes. Initial limestone samples will head to Jakarta early next week, with assays anticipated in three to four weeks.
With fresh geophysics illuminating the path forward, assay results imminent, and strengthened geological expertise on the ground, Estrella appears well-positioned for an exciting drill program at the start of 2026. If drilling confirms what the IP data suggests, Ira Miri could rapidly evolve from promising outcrops into one of Timor-Leste's first headline resource discoveries.
