Estrella Resources (ASX: ESR), an exploration company, has announced the commencement of a regional airborne MobileMT and magnetic survey across its Lautem and Baucau project areas in Timor-Leste. The company primarily focuses on its Timor-Leste portfolio and holds exploration projects and mineral rights in Western Australia. This exploration step aims to extend geophysical coverage beyond previously completed drone surveys, providing an assessment of subsurface geology to identify and prioritise targets for future exploration and drilling.
The helicopter-borne survey employs MobileMT and magnetic sensors, with Expert Geophysics providing equipment and data acquisition, and PT Intan Angkasa Air Service supplying the helicopter. This programme builds upon findings from an earlier MobileMTd drone survey, which identified conductivity anomalies warranting further investigation, especially around the Laleno Dome where copper occurrences are reported. New survey data will integrate with existing geological mapping, surface sampling, and ground geophysics to refine exploration targets. Managing Director Robert Mencel stated the airborne survey allows for quick, efficient, and cost-effective tenement assessment to identify prospective drilling targets.
Flying for the survey is anticipated to span approximately four weeks, concluding by mid-November 2026, subject to weather and operational conditions. Data acquisition, processing, and modelling are expected to take six to eight weeks, with final processed datasets and models projected by January 2027. This timeline updates previous expectations. Estrella continues other exploration, including ground resistivity and induced polarisation surveys, planning a 4,000-metre drill programme at Sagadate for limestone resources, and awaiting export approval for a 27,000-tonne manganese market appraisal stockpile from Ira Miri.
