Results from Astral Resources’ 92-hole (5229m) in-fill drill program at the Think Big deposit have kept plans for development on track for Q1 CY27.

Astral Resources (ASX:AAR) says in-fill RC drilling at Think Big has confirmed the asset as a shallow, high-grade supergene deposit.

All results are now in from the 92-hole (5229m) drilling program, with several high-grade intersections among the standouts.

The best included 3m at 10.0g/t gold from 21m, 2m at 9.53g/t from 30m and 9m at 6.01g/t from 93m (26TBRC032); and 2m at 8.01g/t from 35m, 12m at 2.99g/t from 76m and 12m at 4.14g/t from 90m (26TBRC025).

Managing director Marc Ducler says the company has made strong recent progress advancing the Think Big deposit towards early cash flow through a proposed mining joint venture with Mineral Mining Services.

“Assay results from a recently completed 92-hole in-fill RC drill program have all been received and will feed into an update of the mineralised wireframes and grade control model ahead of mine planning,” he said.

“The nature of the predominantly supergene-style mineralisation is well-suited to the joint venture development pathway with third-party processing.”

Supergene gold mineralisation forms through near-surface weathering processes and can produce zones of enriched gold.

“An attractive open-pit resource has been further improved by some outstanding shallow high-grade drill intervals such as 11m at 7.34g/t Au from 33m, 12m at 5.89g/t Au from 30m, 11m at 3.97g/t Au from 33m and 16m at 2.33g/t Au from 37m,” Ducler said.

“Permitting is also advancing, with the NVCP (native vegetation clearing permit) approved within six months of submission, which was ahead of our internal schedule.

“Think Big remains on track for development in the March quarter of 2027, with revenue expected in the June quarter of 2027.”

What’s next

The mine development and closure plan and the design and construction of an intersection of the haul road with the Goldfields Highway are the remaining critical activities required before mining kicks off.

Mining is expected to begin in the March quarter of 2027, with haulage to follow in the June quarter.

Full article: https://stockhead.com.au/resources/high-grade-gold-keeps-astrals-think-big-on-track-for-2027-development/