Astra Provides Update on Drill Program at La Manchuria Project, Argentina
Astra Exploration (OTCQB: ATEPF) has completed its initial drill program at the La Manchuria Gold and Silver Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina. The company has drilled eleven DDH holes totaling 2,468 metres, with assay results expected in early June. The program successfully intersected quartz veins and/or veinlets in all holes, with discrete zones of observable mineralization.
The drilling campaign aimed to test a new geological model for extending high-grade gold and silver mineralization beyond the 2019 resource area. Key findings include the discovery that the post-mineral breccia is thinning to the southeast, indicating a thicker vertical horizon of rhyolitic tuff - identified as the most favorable host rock. The company plans to use these results and pending assays to plan a follow-up drill program in the coming months.
Astra Exploration (OTCQB: ATEPF) ha completato il suo programma di perforazione iniziale presso il Progetto Oro e Argento La Manchuria a Santa Cruz, Argentina. L'azienda ha effettuato undici fori di perforazione diamantata (DDH) per un totale di 2.468 metri, con i risultati delle analisi chimiche attesi per i primi di giugno. Il programma ha intercettato con successo vene e/o veinette di quarzo in tutti i fori, con zone distinte di mineralizzazione osservabile.
La campagna di perforazione aveva l'obiettivo di verificare un nuovo modello geologico per estendere la mineralizzazione ad alta concentrazione di oro e argento oltre l'area di risorsa del 2019. Tra i risultati principali c'è la scoperta che la breccia post-minerale si assottiglia verso sud-est, indicando un orizzonte verticale più spesso di tufi riolitici - identificati come la roccia ospite più favorevole. L'azienda prevede di utilizzare questi risultati e le analisi in sospeso per pianificare un programma di perforazione successivo nei prossimi mesi.
Astra Exploration (OTCQB: ATEPF) ha completado su programa inicial de perforación en el Proyecto de Oro y Plata La Manchuria en Santa Cruz, Argentina. La compañía ha perforado once pozos DDH con un total de 2,468 metros, y se esperan los resultados de los análisis a principios de junio. El programa logró intersectar vetas y/o venillas de cuarzo en todos los pozos, con zonas discretas de mineralización observable.
La campaña de perforación tenía como objetivo probar un nuevo modelo geológico para extender la mineralización de oro y plata de alta ley más allá del área de recursos de 2019. Los hallazgos clave incluyen el descubrimiento de que la brecha post-mineral se está adelgazando hacia el sureste, lo que indica un horizonte vertical más grueso de toba riolítica, identificada como la roca huésped más favorable. La compañía planea usar estos resultados y los análisis pendientes para planificar un programa de perforación de seguimiento en los próximos meses.
Astra Exploration (OTCQB: ATEPF)는 아르헨티나 산타크루스에 위치한 라 만추리아 금은 프로젝트에서 초기 시추 프로그램을 완료했습니다. 회사는 총 2,468미터에 달하는 11개의 다이아몬드 시추공(DDH)을 시추했으며, 분석 결과는 6월 초에 나올 예정입니다. 이번 프로그램은 모든 시추공에서 석영 정맥 및/또는 미세 정맥을 성공적으로 관통했으며, 관찰 가능한 광물화 구역이 분명히 확인되었습니다.
이번 시추 캠페인은 2019년 자원 구역을 넘어 고등급 금과 은 광물화를 확장하기 위한 새로운 지질 모델을 시험하는 데 목적이 있었습니다. 주요 발견 사항으로는 광물화 이후에 형성된 브레시아가 남동쪽으로 얇아지고 있다는 점이며, 이는 가장 우호적인 모암으로 확인된 리올라이트 응회암의 수직 지층이 더 두껍다는 것을 시사합니다. 회사는 이 결과와 대기 중인 분석 결과를 활용해 향후 몇 달 내에 후속 시추 프로그램을 계획할 예정입니다.
Astra Exploration (OTCQB : ATEPF) a achevé son programme de forage initial sur le projet d'or et d'argent La Manchuria à Santa Cruz, en Argentine. La société a foré onze trous DDH totalisant 2 468 mètres, avec des résultats d'analyses attendus début juin. Le programme a réussi à intersecter des veines et/ou veinules de quartz dans tous les trous, avec des zones distinctes de minéralisation observable.
La campagne de forage visait à tester un nouveau modèle géologique pour étendre la minéralisation à haute teneur en or et argent au-delà de la zone de ressources de 2019. Les principales découvertes incluent la constatation que la brèche post-minérale s'amincit vers le sud-est, indiquant un horizon vertical plus épais de tuf rhyolitique – identifié comme la roche hôte la plus favorable. La société prévoit d'utiliser ces résultats et les analyses en attente pour planifier un programme de forage de suivi dans les mois à venir.
Astra Exploration (OTCQB: ATEPF) hat sein erstes Bohrprogramm beim La Manchuria Gold- und Silberprojekt in Santa Cruz, Argentinien, abgeschlossen. Das Unternehmen hat elf DDH-Bohrlöcher mit einer Gesamtlänge von 2.468 Metern niedergebracht, die Analyseergebnisse werden Anfang Juni erwartet. Das Programm schnitt in allen Bohrlöchern Quarzadern und/oder Adern an, mit klar abgegrenzten Zonen beobachtbarer Mineralisierung.
Die Bohrkampagne zielte darauf ab, ein neues geologisches Modell zur Ausdehnung der hochgradigen Gold- und Silbermineralisierung über das Ressourcengebiet von 2019 hinaus zu testen. Wichtige Erkenntnisse umfassen die Entdeckung, dass die postmineralische Brekzie nach Südosten hin dünner wird, was auf einen dickeren vertikalen Horizont aus rhyolithischem Tuff hinweist – identifiziert als das günstigste Wirtsgestein. Das Unternehmen plant, diese Ergebnisse und die noch ausstehenden Analysen zu nutzen, um in den kommenden Monaten ein Folgebohrprogramm zu planen.
- Successfully intersected quartz veins and/or veinlets in all drill holes
- Discovery of new quartz vein structures outside past drilling limits
- Post-mineral breccia thinning indicates more favorable host rock conditions
- Program completed on schedule despite adverse weather conditions
- Assay results still pending, creating uncertainty about mineralization grades
- Weather conditions posed operational challenges during drilling
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 21, 2025) - Astra Exploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQB: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) ("Astra" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities at the La Manchuria Gold and Silver Project in Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Astra has completed eleven DDH holes for a total of 2,468 metres and submitted core samples for analysis. Assay results are expected to be received beginning in early June.
Astra's CEO, Brian Miller, commented:
"Our plan for La Manchuria was to find extensions of high-grade veins, at depth and along strike. We have also targeted new veins to the southwest and northeast of drilling to date as well. The program has progressed quickly and, more importantly, has intersected quartz veins and/or veinlets in all holes, and there are discrete zones of observable mineralization. We are encouraged by field observations and look forward to receiving assay results over the coming weeks. I'd like to specifically acknowledge that despite some adverse weather conditions, the drill program remained on schedule due to the steadfast efforts by Astra personnel and contractors, and thanks to the cooperation and support from Fomicruz and Patagonia Gold."
Program Details
The goal of Astra's initial drill program is to test a new geological model for extending the high-grade gold and silver mineralization beyond the 2019 resource1 area, and into previously undrilled zones (see yellow zones 1-4 in Figure 1). Drilling targeted the extension of known veins and mineralized faults along strike and at depth (zone 1 in Figure 1), tested for new structures parallel to known structures (zones 2 & 3 in Figure 1) and also tested the Eastern Zone (zone 4 in Figure 1) at depth and along strike with two holes.
The drilling, completed to date, was successful in intersecting new quartz vein structures outside the limits of past drilling thus confirming our geologic model and interpretation. Also noteworthy is that the post-mineral breccia which conceals the vein and fault extension to the southeast (green area within zone 1 in Figure 1) is getting thinner (vertical thickness) to the southeast. This indicates a thicker vertical horizon of rhyolitic tuff to the southeast, which is the most favorable host rock identified to date.
These results and pending assays, in conjunction with the large dataset from past exploration, will serve as the foundation in planning a follow-up drill program in the coming months.
Figure 1: Four target areas defined in yellow, and locations of 11 holes LMD-105 through LMD-115 drilled in April-May. Post-mineral breccia (green) getting thinner (vertical thickness) to the southeast.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8951/252868_487b6e67449ffb49_002full.jpg
About the Company
Astra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of Vancouver, BC, that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects in some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America.
The La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over which Astra has an option to acquire
The
The
Qualified Person
The technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra. Mr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
For further information, please contact:
Brian Miller
Chief Executive Officer
Tel. 604.428.0939
Email: brian.miller@astra-exploration.com
References:
1 Source: Stubens, T. and Gowans, R., September 27, 2019.
Updated Technical Report on the Mineral Resources of the La Manchuria Project Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
https://www.sedarplus.ca/csa-party/records/document.html id=6bc2df299100dda4b4142a8fc3458ea9e378a7ef5b24922fa490ce964833e1b0
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on the Company's properties including drilling at the La Manchuria project. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: development of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the Company operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/252868
FAQ
What are the key findings from ATEPF's La Manchuria drilling program in May 2025?
When will Astra Exploration release the assay results from La Manchuria?
How many drill holes did ATEPF complete at La Manchuria?
What are the main objectives of Astra's La Manchuria drilling program?
